bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Sex Differences In sIgA Response to the Trier Social Stress Test
Authors: Birkett Melissa , Johnson Lauren , Gelety Christopher 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAcute stressors can activate the immune system. While many immune system diseases disproportionally affect women, sex differences in adaptive immune response to acute, psychosocial stressors remain to be investigated. The present study tested the hypothesis that female participants experience increased immune response to acute psychosocial stress relative to male participants. Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) was assessed before and after the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and at two time points during a recovery period in healthy male (n = 25) and female (n = 24) participants. Exposure to the TSST resulted in significantly increased sIgA that returned to baseline during a subsequent recovery period. Baseline sIgA was higher among women, however, no differences between men and women in response to or recovery from the stressor were observed in the present study. This research describes an initial investigation of sex differences in immune response to acute psychosocial stressors and demonstrates similarity in sIgA response among male and female participants. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deep Oxidative Desulfurization of Thiophenic Model Oil/Natural Gas Condensate Over Tungsten/Molybdenum Oxides Using H2O2 as Oxidant
Authors: Moradi Gholam Reza , Rafiee Ezzat , Sahraei Sadegh , Jabari Amin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSupported Na2WO4/ZSM5 as catalyst was used for deep oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of mixed thiophenic compounds model oil and natural gas condensate under mild conditions by using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. A one factor at a time optimization strategy was applied for optimizing the parameters such as temperature, loading of catalysts, reaction time, type of extractant and oxidant to S‐compounds molar ratio. The corresponding products can be easily removed from the model by using MeCN as best extractant. Results showed highly catalytic activity of Na2WO4/ZSM5 for the oxidative removal of dibenzothiophene and mixed thiophenic model oil under atmospheric pressure at 75 °C in a biphasic system. By applying the ODS to mixed model/MeCN and gas condensate/MeCN, the conversion reached to 94 and 81 %, respectively, using 40 % loading Na2WO4/ZSM5 as catalysis under the optimal conditions. To investigate the oxidation and adsorption effects of gas condensate composition on ODS, effects of cyclohexene, 1,7‐octadiene, and o‐xylene were studied with different concentrations.
Anatomic Variability of the Upper Mediastinal Lymph Node Level VII
Authors: Hartl Dana M. , Breuskin Ingrid , Mirghani Haïtham , Berdelou Amandine , Déandréis Désirée , Pottier Edwige , Borget Isabelle , Schlumberger Martin , Leboulleux Sophie 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectiveLymph node level VII, between the sternal notch and the innominate artery, is a frequent site of lymph node metastases in thyroid cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the cranial–caudal dimensions of level VII in patients undergoing central neck dissection for thyroid cancer and its accessibility through a neck incision only.Patients and methodsConsecutive patients undergoing central neck dissection for thyroid cancer, with no previous neck dissection, mediastinal or thoracic surgery. The innominate artery was identified and the distance between the sternal notch and the upper border of the artery was measured to the nearest. 5 mm. The sizes of level VII were compared with respect to age, sex, height, body mass index, type of neck dissection (therapeutic or prophylactic), and the incidence of previous thyroidectomy.ResultsOne‐hundred‐one consecutive patients (65 women, 36 men, mean age 44 years (range 15–87) underwent prophylactic (n = 55) or therapeutic (n = 46) bilateral central compartment neck dissection. Level VII was accessible via the horizontal neck incision in all cases. Sizes of level VII ranged from 6 cm above the sternal notch to 35 mm below the sternal notch, with a mean distance of 3.5 mm below the sternal notch. The innominate artery was at the level of the sternal notch in 29 patients, and cranial to the sternal notch in 20 cases. No statistical relationship with age, sex, therapeutic/prophylactic neck dissection, previous surgery, body mass index or height was found.ConclusionsThe maximal distance below the sternal notch was 35 mm. Level VII did not exist in 49 % of patients, and was less than 25 mm caudal to the sternal notch in 95 % of cases. Distinguishing level VII from level VI in thyroid cancer surgery may not be pertinent, due to the ease of access via a classic horizontal neck incision and the small sizes of level VII in the majority of patients.
Biocalcifying Bacillus subtilis cells effectively consolidate deteriorated Globigerina limestone
Authors: Micallef Roderick , Vella Daniel , Sinagra Emmanuel , Zammit Gabrielle 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Microbially induced calcite precipitation occurs naturally on ancient limestone surfaces in Maltese hypogea. We exploited this phenomenon and treated deteriorated limestone with biocalcifying bacteria. The limestone was subjected to various mechanical and physical tests to present a statistically robust data set to prove that treatment was indeed effective. Bacillus subtilis conferred uniform bioconsolidation to a depth of 30 mm. Drilling resistance values were similar to those obtained for freshly quarried limestone (9 N) and increased up to 15 N. Treatment resulted in a high resistance to salt deterioration and a slow rate of water absorption. The overall percentage porosity of treated limestone varied by ±6 %, thus the pore network was preserved. We report an eco-friendly treatment that closely resembles the mineral composition of limestone and that penetrates into the porous structure without affecting the limestones’ natural properties. The treatment is of industrial relevance since it compares well with stone consolidants available commercially.
Formation and Phase Behavior of Winsor Type III Jatropha curcas‐Based Microemulsion Systems
Authors: Nordiyana M. S. W. , Khalil Munawar , Jan Badrul Mohamed , Ali Brahim Si , Tong Chong Wen 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe formation and phase behavior of Jatropha curcas‐based microemulsion systems, which could potentially be used in enhanced oil recovery applications, has been investigated. Winsor type III microemulsions were obtained by adding n‐octane to Winsor type I microemulsion systems prepared using various concentrations of alkyl polyglucoside (APG). To optimize the formulation of type III microemulsion systems, five different types of co‐surfactants, i.e. normal butyl alcohol (NBA), isobutyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, fatty acid alcohol C8 (FAC8) and fatty acid alcohol C8/C10 (FAC8/C10) were used. The microemulsion phase behavior was determined along with particle size distributions by dynamic light scattering measurements. Results show that the optimum Winston type III system can be achieved by mixing 3 wt% of NBA, 1 wt% APG and 3 wt% NaCl. At the optimum formulation, the IFT reached a minimum value (0.016 mN/m) and formed very small emulsion droplets with a narrow particle size distribution.
Seismic Performance and Effects of Different Joint Shapes for Unbonded Precast Segmental Bridge Columns
Authors: Wang H.-L. , Liu S.-W. , Zhang Z. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTo study the seismic performance and the effects of different joint shapes for unbonded precast segmental bridge columns under low-reversed cyclic loading, two 3-D finite element (FE) models respectively using plane-contact joints and shear resistant joints were established. In the FE models, the mechanical behaviors of concrete and tendons were respectively described by the damage-plastic model and the bilinear model, and the contact criteria was based on Coulomb's Friction. The results of nonlinear time history analysis showed that the deformation of the columns was mainly composed of alternately open-closed joints, and the failure of the column was mainly caused by concrete crush on the bottom segment. Compared with two model's hysteresis loop, backbone curve, ductility and residual deformation, it was found that the column with shear resistant joints had longer stable period of strength, better ductility, and smaller residual displacement than the column with plane-contact joints, so it had better seismic performance.
An epidemiological study of A. cantonensis in Jamaica subsequent to an outbreak of human cases of eosinophilic meningitis in 2000
Authors: WAUGH C. A. , LINDO J. F. , LORENZO-MORALES J. , ROBINSON R. D. 
Published: April 2016

SUMMARYThe infection status of angiostrongylosis in Jamaica was assessed in wild rats and molluscs in the 5 years following the major outbreak of eosinophilic meningitis (EM) in 2000. Parasitological analyses of 297 Rattus rattus and 140 Rattus norvegicus, and 777 terrestrial molluscs from all 14 Parishes on the island revealed Angiostrongylus cantonensis in 32·0% of the rats and in 12·5% of the molluscs. Multivariate analyses confirmed that A. cantonensis occurred significantly more frequently in R. rattus (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1·76), while mean infection intensity in R. rattus was also significantly higher (16·8) than R. norvegicus (11·3) (Mann–Whitney U-test: P = 0·01). Third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis were detected in 29% of 86 Pleurodonte spp.; in 20% of five Poteria spp.; in 18·7% of 369 Thelidomus asper; in 11% of 18 Sagda spp.; and in 6% of 24 veronicellid slugs. Most rodent infections occurred in Northeastern Jamaica (OR = 11·66), a region where infected molluscs were also abundant. Given the prevalence of A. cantonensis infection in rats has significantly increased since the 2000 outbreak, and that a survey of human infections revealed at least ten autochthonous cases in the last 15 years, angiostrongylosis persists as an important zoonosis in Jamaica.
A Roman Pond at Wyre Piddle, Worcestershire, with a Brief Survey of Ponds in Roman Britain
Authors: Hurst Derek , Daffern Nicholas , Griffin Laura , Head Katie , Mann Andrew , Pearson Elizabeth , Warman Sylvia 
Published: April 2016

AbstractArtificial Roman ponds present in various guises, but they are relatively rarely found in the service of rural agriculture. This article focuses on a possible example of this type from Worcestershire, where extensive excavation has been carried out. The results demonstrate the potential of a pond for the reconstruction of wider landscape usage, while the considerable quantity of associated finds potentially sheds some light on social practice. A review of similar sites across Roman Britain suggests there may be practical (in essence curatorial) issues about the fuller investigation of such features once identified, in order that a similarly high level of data can be achieved more regularly, and suggests a need for prospection/mapping for the better management of this resource, especially employing newly available LiDAR data.
A small number of abnormal brain connections predicts adult autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Yahata Noriaki , Morimoto Jun , Hashimoto Ryuichiro , Lisi Giuseppe , Shibata Kazuhisa , Kawakubo Yuki , Kuwabara Hitoshi , Kuroda Miho , Yamada Takashi , Megumi Fukuda , Imamizu Hiroshi , Náñez Sr José E. , Takahashi Hidehiko , Okamoto Yasumasa , Kasai Kiyoto , Kato Nobumasa , Sasaki Yuka , Watanabe Takeo , Kawato Mitsuo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAlthough autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a serious lifelong condition, its underlying neural mechanism remains unclear. Recently, neuroimaging-based classifiers for ASD and typically developed (TD) individuals were developed to identify the abnormality of functional connections (FCs). Due to over-fitting and interferential effects of varying measurement conditions and demographic distributions, no classifiers have been strictly validated for independent cohorts. Here we overcome these difficulties by developing a novel machine-learning algorithm that identifies a small number of FCs that separates ASD versus TD. The classifier achieves high accuracy for a Japanese discovery cohort and demonstrates a remarkable degree of generalization for two independent validation cohorts in the USA and Japan. The developed ASD classifier does not distinguish individuals with major depressive disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder from their controls but moderately distinguishes patients with schizophrenia from their controls. The results leave open the viable possibility of exploring neuroimaging-based dimensions quantifying the multiple-disorder spectrum.
Tuning of AKT-pathway by Nef and its blockade by protease inhibitors results in limited recovery in latently HIV infected T-cell line
Authors: Kumar Amit , Abbas Wasim , Colin Laurence , Khan Kashif Aziz , Bouchat Sophie , Varin Audrey , Larbi Anis , Gatot Jean-Stéphane , Kabeya Kabamba , Vanhulle Caroline , Delacourt Nadège , Pasquereau Sébastien , Coquard Laurie , Borch Alexandra , König Renate , Clumeck Nathan , De Wit Stephane , Rohr Olivier , Rouzioux Christine , Fulop Tamas , Van Lint Carine , Herbein Georges 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAkt signaling plays a central role in many biological processes, which are key players in human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis. We found that Akt interacts with HIV-1 Nef protein. In primary T cells treated with exogenous Nef or acutely infected with Nef-expressing HIV-1 in vitro, Akt became phosphorylated on serine473 and threonine308. In vitro, Akt activation mediated by Nef in T-cells was blocked by HIV protease inhibitors (PI), but not by reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTI). Ex vivo, we found that the Akt pathway is hyperactivated in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from cART naïve HIV-1-infected patients. PBLs isolated from PI-treated patients, but not from RTI-treated patients, exhibited decreased Akt activation, T-cell proliferation and IL-2 production. We found that PI but not RTI can block HIV-1 reactivation in latently infected J-Lat lymphoid cells stimulated with various stimuli. Using luciferase measurement, we further confirmed that Nef-mediated reactivation of HIV-1 from latency in 1G5 cells was blocked by PI parallel to decreased Akt activation. Our results indicate that PI-mediated blockade of Akt activation could impact the HIV-1 reservoir and support the need to further assess the therapeutic use of HIV-1 PI in order to curtail latently infected cells in HIV-1-infected patients.
Ultrafast Investigation of Intramolecular Charge Transfer and Solvation Dynamics of Tetrahydro[5]-helicene-Based Imide Derivatives
Authors: Zhu Huaning , Li Meng , Hu Jiangpu , Wang Xian , Jie Jialong , Guo Qianjin , Chen Chuanfeng , Xia Andong 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe report the excited-state intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) characteristics of four tetrahydro[5] helicene-based imide (THHBI) derivatives with various electron-donating substitutes in different polarity of solvents using steady-state, time-resolved transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. It is found that, the small bathochromic-shift of the absorption spectra but large red shift of the emission spectra for all dyes with increasing solvent polarity indicates the larger dipole moment of the excited state compared to ground state. The results of theoretical calculations exhibit the charge transfer from the terminal donors to helical backbone, which accounts for the degrees of red shift of the emission spectra from different extent of ICT nature. Time-resolved TA spectra recorded as a function of electron-donating substitutes and solvent polarity show the dye with stronger donors (THHBI-PhNPh2) in more polar solvent behaves faster excited-state ICT relaxation, leading to the formation of solvent-stabilized ICT state (ICT’ state) from the excited ICT state; The dyes (THHBI-Ph, THHBI-PhCF3 and THHBI-PhOMe) with relative weaker donors show weaker dependence on solvent polarity and instead of that intersystem crossing (ISC) becomes possible from ICT state to triplet state.
Broadband photon pair generation in green fluorescent proteins through spontaneous four-wave mixing
Authors: Shi Siyuan , Thomas Abu , Corzo Neil V. , Kumar Prem , Huang Yuping , Lee Kim Fook 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRecent studies in quantum biology suggest that quantum mechanics help us to explore quantum processes in biological system. Here, we demonstrate generation of photon pairs through spontaneous four-wave mixing process in naturally occurring fluorescent proteins. We develop a general empirical method for analyzing the relative strength of nonlinear optical interaction processes in five different organic fluorophores. Our results indicate that the generation of photon pairs in green fluorescent proteins is subject to less background noises than in other fluorophores, leading to a coincidence-to-accidental ratio ~145. As such proteins can be genetically engineered and fused to many biological cells, our experiment enables a new platform for quantum information processing in a biological environment such as biomimetic quantum networks and quantum sensors.
Mineral dust aerosols promote the formation of toxic nitropolycyclic aromatic compounds
Authors: Kameda Takayuki , Azumi Eri , Fukushima Aki , Tang Ning , Matsuki Atsushi , Kamiya Yuta , Toriba Akira , Hayakawa Kazuichi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAtmospheric nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs), which have been shown to have adverse health effects such as carcinogenicity, are formed in part through nitration reactions of their parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere. However, little is known about heterogeneous nitration rates of PAHs by gaseous NO2 on natural mineral substrates, such as desert dust aerosols. Herein by employing kinetic experiments using a flow reactor and surface analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with pyridine adsorption, we demonstrate that the reaction is accelerated on acidic surfaces of mineral dust, particularly on those of clay minerals. In support of this finding, we show that levels of ambient particle-associated NPAHs in Beijing, China, significantly increased during heavy dust storms. These results suggest that mineral dust surface reactions are an unrecognized source of toxic organic chemicals in the atmosphere and that they enhance the toxicity of mineral dust aerosols in urban environments.
Gender Influences on Brain Responses to Errors and Post-Error Adjustments
Authors: Fischer Adrian G. , Danielmeier Claudia , Villringer Arno , Klein Tilmann A. , Ullsperger Markus 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSexual dimorphisms have been observed in many species, including humans and extend to the prevalence and presentation of important mental disorders associated with performance monitoring malfunctions. However, precisely which underlying differences between genders contribute to the alterations observed in psychiatric diseases is unknown. Here, we compare behavioural and neural correlates of cognitive control functions in 438 female and 436 male participants performing a flanker task while EEG was recorded. We found that males showed stronger performance-monitoring-related EEG amplitude modulations which were employed to predict subjects’ genders with ~72% accuracy. Females showed more post-error slowing, but both samples did not differ in regard to response-conflict processing and coupling between the error-related negativity (ERN) and consecutive behavioural slowing. Furthermore, we found that the ERN predicted consecutive behavioural slowing within subjects, whereas its overall amplitude did not correlate with post-error slowing across participants. These findings elucidate specific gender differences in essential neurocognitive functions with implications for clinical studies. They highlight that within- and between-subject associations for brain potentials cannot be interpreted in the same way. Specifically, despite higher general amplitudes in males, it appears that the dynamics of coupling between ERN and post-error slowing between men and women is comparable.
Gradient Index Devices for the Full Control of Elastic Waves in Plates
Authors: Jin Yabin , Torrent Daniel , Pennec Yan , Pan Yongdong , Djafari-Rouhani Bahram 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn this work, we present a method for the design of gradient index devices for elastic waves in plates. The method allows the design of devices to control the three fundamental modes, despite the fact that their dispersion relation is managed by different elastic constants. It is shown that by means of complex graded phononic crystals and thickness variations it is possible to independently design the three refractive indexes of these waves, allowing therefore their simultaneous control. The effective medium theory required for this purpose is presented and the method is applied to the design of the Luneburg and Maxwell lenses as well as to the design of a flat gradient index lens. Finally, numerical simulations are used to demonstrate the performance of the method in a broadband frequency region.
Tunable high quality factor in two multimode plasmonic stubs waveguide
Authors: Chen Zhiquan , Li Hongjian , Zhan Shiping , Li Boxun , He Zhihui , Xu Hui , Zheng Mingfei 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe numerically investigate the optical characteristics of a metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) waveguide side-coupled with two identical multimode stub resonators. Double plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) peaks with narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) and high quality factor (Q-factor) can be observed in this structure. The Q-factors of PIT peaks in two stub resonators system are larger than those in single stub resonator system. A multimode coupled-radiation oscillator theory (MC-ROT), which is derived from ROT, is proposed to analyze the spectral response in the multimode system for the first time. The analytical results are confirmed by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation results. We can also find that the Q-factors of the two PIT peaks have an opposite evolution tendency with the change of the stubs parameters and the maximum can reach to 427. These results may provide some applications for ultrasensitive sensors, switches and efficient filters.
Reduced expression of cytochrome oxidases largely explains cAMP inhibition of aerobic growth in Shewanella oneidensis
Authors: Yin Jianhua , Meng Qiu , Fu Huihui , Gao Haichun 
Published: April 2016

AbstractInhibition of bacterial growth under aerobic conditions by elevated levels of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP), first revealed more than 50 years ago, was attributed to accumulation of toxic methylglyoxal (MG). Here, we report a Crp-dependent mechanism rather than MG accumulation that accounts for the phenotype inShewanella oneidensis, an emerging research model for the bacterial physiology. We show that a similar phenotype can be obtained by removing CpdA, a cAMP phosphodiesterase that appears more effective than itsEscherichia colicounterpart. Although production of hemecand cytochromescis correlated well with cAMP levels, neither is sufficient for the retarded growth. Quantities of overall cytochromescincreased substantially in the presence of elevated cAMP, a phenomenon resembling cells respiring on non-oxygen electron acceptors. In contrast, transcription of Crp-dependent genes encoding both cytochromesbdandcbb3oxidases is substantially repressed under the same condition. Overall, our results suggest that cAMP of elevated levels drives cells into a low-energetic status, under which aerobic respiration is inhibited.