bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthetic nanoscale electrostatic particles as growth factor carriers for cartilage repair
Authors: Shah Nisarg J. , Geiger Brett C. , Quadir Mohiuddin A. , Hyder Nasim , Krishnan Yamini , Grodzinsky Alan J. , Hammond Paula T. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe efficient transport of biological therapeutic materials to target tissues within the body is critical to their efficacy. In cartilage tissue, the lack of blood vessels prevents the entry of systemically administered drugs at therapeutic levels. Within the articulating joint complex, the dense and highly charged extracellular matrix (ECM) hinders the transport of locally administered therapeutic molecules. Consequently, cartilage injury is difficult to treat and frequently results in debilitating osteoarthritis. Here we show a generalizable approach in which the electrostatic assembly of synthetic polypeptides and a protein, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), can be used as an early interventional therapy to treat injury to the cartilage. We demonstrated that poly(glutamic acid) and poly(arginine) associated with the IGF‐1 via electrostatic interactions, forming a net charged nanoscale polyelectrolyte complex (nanoplex). We observed that the nanoplex diffused into cartilage plugs in vitro and stimulated ECM production. In vivo, we monitored the transport, retention and therapeutic efficacy of the nanoplex in an established rat model of cartilage injury. A single therapeutic dose, when administered within 48 hr of the injury, conferred protection against cartilage degradation and controlled interleukin‐1 mediated inflammation. IGF‐1 contained in the nanoplex was detected in the joint space for up to 4 weeks following administration and retained bioactivity. The results indicate the potential of this approach as an early intervention therapy following joint injury to delay or even entirely prevent the onset of osteoarthritis.
Molecular Identification and Subtype Analysis of Blastocystis
Authors: Stensvold C. Rune , Clark C. Graham 
Published: November 2016

AbstractSeveral typing methods have been used in studies aiming to unravel the molecular epidemiology of Blastocystis, which is one of the most common intestinal parasites in human and many non‐human hosts. Such studies have the potential to add to knowledge on Blastocystis transmission, host specificity, phylogeography, and clinical and public health significance, but rely on robust, standardized methods by which data can be generated and compared directly between studies. One of the most used methods is “barcoding,”, which involves single‐round PCR amplification and sequencing of partial small subunit ribosomal RNA genes of the parasites. Recently, a publicly available online facility was developed for quick and standardized identification of subtypes (ribosomal lineages) and subtype alleles (variation within subtypes) based on sequence data obtained by barcoding PCR. Moreover, a modified barcoding approach is now available using nested PCR, which enables detection of mixed subtype infections. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synergistic Effect of Cobalt and Iron in Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yang Fengkai , Sliozberg Kirill , Sinev Ilya , Antoni Hendrik , Bähr Alexander , Ollegott Kevin , Xia Wei , Masa Justus , Grünert Wolfgang , Cuenya Beatriz Roldan , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Muhler Martin 
Published: November 2016

AbstractCo‐based layered double hydroxide (LDH) catalysts with Fe and Al contents in the range of 15 to 45 at % were synthesized by an efficient coprecipitation method. In these catalysts, Fe3+ or Al3+ ions play an essential role as trivalent species to stabilize the LDH structure. The obtained catalysts were characterized by a comprehensive combination of surface‐ and bulk‐sensitive techniques and were evaluated for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on rotating disk electrodes. The OER activity decreased upon increasing the Al content for the Co‐ and Al‐based LDH catalysts, whereas a synergistic effect in Co‐ and Fe‐based LDHs was observed, which resulted in an optimal Fe content of 35 at %. This catalyst was spray‐coated on Ni foam electrodes and showed very good stability in a flow‐through cell with a potential of approximately 1.53 V at 10 mA cm−2 in 1 m KOH for at least 48 h.
Design and Fabrication of a Dual‐Photoelectrode Fuel Cell towards Cost‐Effective Electricity Production from Biomass
Authors: Zhang Bingqing , Fan Wenjun , Yao Tingting , Liao Shichao , Li Ailong , Li Deng , Liu Mingyao , Shi Jingying , Liao Shijun , Li Can 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA photo fuel cell (PFC) offers an attractive way to simultaneously convert solar and biomass energy into electricity. Photocatalytic biomass oxidation on a semiconductor photoanode combined with dark electrochemical reduction of oxygen molecules on a metal cathode (usually Pt) in separated compartments is the common configuration for a PFC. Herein, we report a membrane‐free PFC based on a dual electrode, including a W‐doped BiVO4 photoanode and polyterthiophene photocathode for solar‐stimulated biomass‐to‐electricity conversion. Air‐ and water‐soluble biomass derivatives can be directly used as reagents. The optimal device yields an open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.62 V, a short‐circuit current density (JSC) of 775 μA cm−2, and a maximum power density (Pmax) of 82 μW cm−2 with glucose as the feedstock under tandem illumination, which outperforms dual‐photoelectrode PFCs previously reported. Neither costly separating membranes nor Pt‐based catalysts are required in the proposed PFC architecture. Our work may inspire rational device designs for cost‐effective electricity generation from renewable resources.
A case and framework for code analysis–based smartphone application energy estimation
Authors: Ahmad Raja Wasim , Gani Abdullah , Ab Hamid Siti Hafizah , Naveed Anjum , KO Kwangman , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryThe hype in the popularity of recent wireless technologies has increased applications of smartphones in various fields, particularly, education and health care. The trend of increasing application functionality to enrich smartphone users experience requires detailed insights of application energy consumption behavior. Smartphone application energy estimation helps investigate energy consumption behavior of applications at diversified granularity when it is run on resource‐constrained devices. Fine granular estimation gives more insights to the application energy consumption behavior to assist developers to propose resource‐friendly application designs. This study proposes a lightweight code analysis–based estimation framework to minimize high profiling overhead of use‐based estimation methods. Moreover, it analyzes estimation overhead and accuracy of existing dynamic estimation tools to present a case for code analysis–based energy estimation method. The estimated energy is found 86% accurate to the ground truth value for a set of benchmarks using our proposed framework.
Synthesis of Five‐ and Six‐Membered N‐Phenylacetamido Substituted Heterocycles as Formyl Peptide Receptor Agonists
Authors: Vergelli Claudia , Schepetkin Igor A. , Ciciani Giovanna , Cilibrizzi Agostino , Crocetti Letizia , Giovannoni Maria Paola , Guerrini Gabriella , Iacovone Antonella , Kirpotina Liliya N. , Ye Richard D. , Quinn Mark T. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

Preclinical Research

Formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) are G‐protein‐coupled receptors that play an important role in the regulation of inflammatory process and cellular dysfunction. In humans, three different isoforms are expressed (FPR1, FPR2, and FPR3). FPR2 appears to be directly involved in the resolution of inflammation, an active process carried out by specific pro‐resolving mediators that modulate specific receptors. Previously, we identified 2‐arylacetamido pyridazin‐3(2H)‐ones as FPR1‐ or FPR2‐selective agonists, as well as a large number of mixed‐agonists for the three isoforms. Here, we report a new series of 2‐arylacetamido pyridazinones substituted at position 5 and their development as FPR agonists. We also synthesized a new series of 2‐oxothiazolones bearing a 4‐bromophenylacetamido fragment, which was fundamental for activity in the pyridazinone series. The compounds of most interest were 4a, a potent, mixed FPR agonist recognized by all three isotypes (FPR1 EC50 = 19 nM, FPR2 EC50 = 43 nM, FPR3 EC50 = 40 nM), and 4b, which had potent activity and a preference for FPR2 (EC50 = 13 nM). These novel compounds may represent valuable tools for studying FPR activation and signaling. Drug Dev Res 78 : 49–62, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluating within‐population variability in behavior and demography for the adaptive potential of a dispersal‐limited species to climate change
Authors: Muñoz David J. , Miller Hesed Kyle , Campbell Grant Evan H. , Miller David A. W. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractMultiple pathways exist for species to respond to changing climates. However, responses of dispersal‐limited species will be more strongly tied to ability to adapt within existing populations as rates of environmental change will likely exceed movement rates. Here, we assess adaptive capacity in Plethodon cinereus, a dispersal‐limited woodland salamander. We quantify plasticity in behavior and variation in demography to observed variation in environmental variables over a 5‐year period. We found strong evidence that temperature and rainfall influence P. cinereus surface presence, indicating changes in climate are likely to affect seasonal activity patterns. We also found that warmer summer temperatures reduced individual growth rates into the autumn, which is likely to have negative demographic consequences. Reduced growth rates may delay reproductive maturity and lead to reductions in size‐specific fecundity, potentially reducing population‐level persistence. To better understand within‐population variability in responses, we examined differences between two common color morphs. Previous evidence suggests that the color polymorphism may be linked to physiological differences in heat and moisture tolerance. We found only moderate support for morph‐specific differences for the relationship between individual growth and temperature. Measuring environmental sensitivity to climatic variability is the first step in predicting species' responses to climate change. Our results suggest phenological shifts and changes in growth rates are likely responses under scenarios where further warming occurs, and we discuss possible adaptive strategies for resulting selective pressures.
An ecohydrological framework to explain shifts in vegetation organization across climatological gradients
Authors: Manfreda Salvatore , Caylor Kelly K. , Good Stephen P. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractSpatial patterns found in vegetated ecosystems exhibit different degrees of organization in stand density that can be interpreted as an indicator of ecosystem health. In semiarid environments, it is possible to observe transitions from over‐dispersed individuals (e.g., an ordered lattice) to under‐dispersed individuals (e.g., clumped points). These configurations correspond to different strategies of adaptation or optimization, whose understanding may help to predict some of the consequences of environmental changes for both ecosystem services and water resources. For this reason, we have developed a theoretical framework that characterizes the dispersion of individuals through a generalized double Poisson distribution and estimates the landscape‐wide statistics using a soil moisture model accounting for tree canopies and root systems overlapping. Considering both the shading effect (light interception) of the canopies and the partitioning of water fluxes due to the presence of multiple individual root systems in one point, the optimum spacing between individuals at a given stand density is determined. This framework allows identifying the climatic boundaries for different landscape patterns in terms of optimal water use and stress. This simple scheme explains well the observed patterns of vegetation in arid and semiarid ecosystems.
Self‐Assembled Palladium and Platinum Coordination Cages: Photophysical Studies and Anticancer Activity
Authors: Kaiser Felix , Schmidt Andrea , Heydenreuter Wolfgang , Altmann Philipp J. , Casini Angela , Sieber Stephan A. , Kühn Fritz E. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue is the group of Fritz Kühn from Technische Universität München, Germany. The cover image shows a palladium cage encapsulating cisplatin, represented by a bowling ball, knocking down the pins, which symbolize cancer cells.
Decoupling algorithm for evaluating multiple beam damages in steel moment‐resisting frames
Authors: Li Xiaohua , Kurata Masahiro , Suzuki Akiko 
Published: November 2016

SummaryPost‐earthquake safety evaluation of steel moment‐resisting frames mainly relies on the inspection of seismic damage to beam–column connections. Recently, in order to evaluate seismic damage of steel connections in a prompt and precise manner, a local damage evaluation method based on dynamic strain responses has been proposed and receives attention. In the evaluation method where strain responses are measured by piezoelectric strain sensors, a strain‐based damage index has been developed for evaluating individual seismic beam damage in a steel frame. However, for a steel frame suffering multiple beam damages, the damage index deteriorates its performance in identifying small damages with the presence of neighboring severe damages because of the moment redistributions induced by larger damages. This paper presents a decoupling algorithm that removes the issue of damage interaction and improves the performance of the damage index. The decoupling algorithm was derived on the basis of damage‐induced moment release and redistribution mechanism. The effectiveness of the decoupling algorithm was numerically and experimentally investigated using a nine‐story steel frame model and a large scale five‐story steel frame testbed that can simulate multiple fractures at beam ends. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of ice cover on flow characteristics in a subarctic meandering river
Authors: Lotsari Eliisa , Kasvi Elina , Kämäri Maria , Alho Petteri 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe effects of ice cover on flow characteristics in meandering rivers are still not completely understood. Here, we quantify the effects of ice cover on flow velocity, the vertical and spatial flow distribution, and helical flow structure. Comparison with open‐channel low flow conditions is performed. An acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) is used to measure flow from up to three meander bends, depending on the year, in a small sandy meandering subarctic river (Pulmanki River) during two consecutive ice‐covered winters (2014 and 2015).Under ice, flow velocities and discharges were predominantly slower than during the preceding autumn open‐channel conditions. Velocity distribution was almost opposite to theoretical expectations. Under ice, velocities reduced when entering deeper water downstream of the apex in each meander bend. When entering the next bend, velocities increased again together with the shallower depths. The surface velocities were predominantly greater than bottom/riverbed velocities during open‐channel flow. The situation was the opposite in ice‐covered conditions, and the maximum velocities occurred in the middle layers of the water columns. High‐velocity core (HVC) locations varied under ice between consecutive cross‐sections. Whereas in ice‐free conditions the HVC was located next to the inner bank at the upstream cross‐sections, the HVC moved towards the outer bank around the apex and again followed the thalweg in the downstream cross‐sections. Two stacked counter‐rotating helical flow cells occurred under ice around the apex of symmetric and asymmetric bends: next to the outer bank, top‐ and bottom‐layer flows were towards the opposite direction to the middle layer flow. In the following winter, no clear counter‐rotating helical flow cells occurred due to the shallower depths and frictional disturbance by the ice cover. Most probably the flow depth was a limiting factor for the ice‐covered helical flow circulation, similarly, the shallow depths hinder secondary flow in open‐channel conditions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hydrochemical approach to quantify the role of return flow in a surface flow‐dominated catchment
Authors: Barthold Frauke K. , Turner Benjamin L. , Elsenbeer Helmut , Zimmermann Alexander 
Published: November 2016

AbstractStormflow generation in headwater catchments dominated by subsurface flow has been studied extensively, yet catchments dominated by surface flow have received less attention.We addressed this by testing whether stormflow chemistry is controlled by either (a) the event‐water signature of overland flow, or (b) the pre‐event water signature of return flow. We used a high‐resolution hydrochemical data set of stormflow and end‐members of multiple storms in an end‐member mixing analysis to determine the number of end‐members needed to explain stormflow, characterize and identify potential end‐members, calculate their contributions to stormflow, and develop a conceptual model of stormflow. The arrangement and relative positioning of end‐members in stormflow mixing space suggest that saturation excess overland flow (26–48%) and return flow from two different subsurface storage pools (17–53%) are both similarly important for stormflow. These results suggest that pipes and fractures are important flow paths to rapidly release stored water and highlight the value of within‐event resolution hydrochemical data to assess the full range and dynamics of flow paths.
Injectable uncrosslinked biomimetic hydrogels as candidate scaffolds for neural stem cell delivery
Authors: Farrell Kurt , Joshi Jyotsna , Kothapalli Chandrasekhar R. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractMammalian central nervous system has a limited ability for self‐repair under diseased or injury conditions. Repair strategies focused on exogenously delivering autologous neural stem cells (NSCs) to replace lost neuronal populations and axonal pathways in situ, and promote endogenous repair mechanisms are gaining traction. Successful outcomes are contingent on selecting an appropriate delivery vehicle for injecting cells that promotes cell retention and survival, elicits differentiation to desired lineages, and enhances axonal outgrowth upon integration into the host tissue. Hydrogels made of varying compositions of collagen, laminin, hyaluronic acid (HA), and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) were developed, with no external crosslinking agents, to mimic the native extracellular matrix composition. The physical (porosity, pore‐size, gel integrity, swelling ratio, and enzymatic degradation), mechanical (viscosity, storage and loss moduli, Young's modulus, creep, and stress‐relaxation), and biological (cell survival, differentiation, neurite outgrowth, and integrin expression) characteristics of these hydrogels were assessed. These hydrogels exhibited excellent injectability, retained gel integrity, and matched the mechanical moduli of native brain tissue, possibly due to natural collagen fibril polymerization and physical‐crosslinking between HA molecules and collagen fibrils. Depending on the composition, these hydrogels promoted cell survival, neural differentiation, and neurite outgrowth, as evident from immunostaining and western blots. These cellular outcomes were facilitated by cellular binding via α6, β1, and CD44 surface integrins to these hydrogels. Results attest to the utility of uncrosslinked, ECM‐mimicking hydrogels to deliver NSCs for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 790–805, 2017.
Evaluation of corrosion resistance of implant‐use Ti‐Zr binary alloys with a range of compositions
Authors: Akimoto Teisuke , Ueno Takeshi , Tsutsumi Yusuke , Doi Hisashi , Hanawa Takao , Wakabayashi Noriyuki 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAlthough titanium‐zirconium (Ti‐Zr) alloy has been adopted for clinical applications, the ideal proportion of Zr in the alloy has not been identified. In this study, we investigated the biocompatibility of Ti‐Zr alloy by evaluating its corrosion resistance to better understand whether there is an optimal range or value of Zr proportion in the alloy. We prepared pure Ti, Ti‐30Zr, Ti‐50Zr, Ti‐70Zr, and pure Zr (mol% of Zr) samples and subjected them to anodic polarization and immersion tests in a lactic acid + sodium chloride (NaCl) solution and artificial saliva. We observed pitting corrosion in the Ti‐70Zr and Zr after exposure to both solutions. After the immersion test, we found that pure Ti exhibited the greatest degree of dissolution in the lactic acid + NaCl solution, with the addition of Zr dramatically reducing Ti ion dissolution, with the reduction ultimately exceeding 90% in the case of the Ti‐30Zr. Hence, although the localized corrosion resistance under severe conditions was compromised when the Zr content was more than 70%, metal ion release reduced owing to Zr addition and the corresponding formation of a stable passive layer. The results suggest that Ti‐30Zr or a Zr proportion of less than 50% would offer an ideal level of corrosion resistance for clinical applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 73–79, 2018.
Limitation of the antibiotic‐eluting bone graft substitute: An example of gentamycin‐impregnated calcium sulfate
Authors: Wu Chang‐Chin , Huang Yang‐Kai , Chang Wei‐Jen , Wu Yun‐Ching , Wang Chen‐Chie , Yang Kai‐Chiang 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPatients with inadequate volume of alveolar processes or bone defects commonly require graft substitutes in oral, maxillofacial or orthopedic surgery. Ridge augmentation and reconstruction of facial bony defects with bone graft materials achieve better outcomes in functional and aesthetic rehabilitation. The injectable calcium sulfate filler is used widely in intra‐operative applications. Calcium sulfate bone filler has been shown to upregulate bone formation‐related mRNA genes in vitro and improve osseointegration in vivo. In addition, the bone graft substitute can be used as a drug delivery system for antibiotics to treat or prevent infections based on the clinical experiences. However, the influences of antibiotics addition on the calcium sulfate are not fully understood. In this study, calcium sulfate impregnated with gentamycin in different weight ratios was characterized. The results showed that gentamycin prolonged the hydration process and extended initial/final setting times of calcium sulfate. The addition of gentamycin slowed the conversion from calcium sulfate hemihydrate to dihydrate and changed the crystalline phase and microstructure. Higher amounts of gentamycin added resulted in faster degradation and lower mechanical strength of calcium sulfate. This study reveals that the extended setting time, decreased compressive strength, and the accelerated degradation of the gentamycin‐impregnated calcium sulfate bone graft substitutes should be considered during intra‐operative applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 80–87, 2018.