bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphology-Dependent Electrochemical Performance of Zinc Hexacyanoferrate Cathode for Zinc-Ion Battery
Authors: Zhang Leyuan , Chen Liang , Zhou Xufeng , Liu Zhaoping 
Published: December 2015

AbstractZinc hexacyanoferrate (ZnHCF) which is a dimorphic (cubic or rhombohedral) Prussian blue analogue and can be intercalated by both monovalent and divalent ions,is a promising cathode material for rechargeable aqueous metal-ion batteries.In this paper, a simple co-precipitation method is developed to tune the particle morphology of ZnHCF by adjusting the dropping speed at room temperature. Three polyhedral ZnHCF particles, with cubooctahedral, truncated octahedral or octahedral shapes, are obtained at room temperature. Structural transformation from cubic phase of as-prepared ZnHCF to rhombohedral phase is observed by further dehydration of the sample at 70 °C, whereas the dehydrated ZnHCF crystals still hold the identical polyhedral shape as that of the cubic phase particles. Then the influence of shape and facets on electrochemical performance is studied for polyhedral ZnHCF with rhombohedral structure (RZnHCF). RZnHCF sample with cubooctahedral shape possesses the best rate capability and cyclic stability comparing with RZnHCF particles having truncated octahedral or octahedral shapes. Furthermore, the structure of cuboctahedron RZnHCF particles during electrochemical cycling has been monitored with ex situ X-ray diffraction to demonstrate the reversible zinc-ion intercalation mechanism.
Parallel charge sheets of electron liquid and gas in La0.5Sr0.5TiO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures
Authors: Renshaw Wang X. , Sun L. , Huang Z. , Lü W. M. , Motapothula M. , Annadi A. , Liu Z. Q. , Zeng S. W. , Venkatesan T. , Ariando  
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe show here a new phenomenon in La0.5Sr0.5TiO3/SrTiO3 (LSTO/STO) heterostructures; that is a coexistence of three-dimensional electron liquid (3DEL) and 2D electron gas (2DEG), separated by an intervening insulating LSTO layer. The two types of carriers were revealed through multi-channel analysis of the evolution of nonlinear Hall effect as a function of film thickness, temperature and back gate voltage. We demonstrate that the 3D electron originates from La doping in LSTO film and the 2D electron at the surface of STO is due to the polar field in the intervening insulating layer. As the film thickness is reduced below a critical thickness of 6 unit cells (uc), an abrupt metal-to-insulator transition (MIT) occurs without an intermediate semiconducting state. The properties of the LSTO layer grown on different substrates suggest that the insulating phase of the intervening layer is a result of interface strain induced by the lattice mismatch between the film and substrate. Further, by fitting the magnetoresistance (MR) curves, the 6 unit cell thick LSTO is shown to exhibit spin-orbital coupling. These observations point to new functionalities, in addition to magnetism and superconductivity in STO-based systems, which could be exploited in a multifunctional context.
Smokeless tobacco consumption impedes metabolic, cellular, apoptotic and systemic stress pattern: A study on Government employees in Kolkata, India
Authors: Biswas Sushobhan , Manna Krishnendu , Das Ujjal , Khan Amitava , Pradhan Anirban , Sengupta Aaveri , Bose Surajit , Ghosh Saurabh , Dey Sanjit 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSmokeless tobacco (SLT) remains a threat amongst a large population across the globe and particularly in India. The oral use of tobacco has been implicated to cause physiological stress leading to extreme toxicological challenge. The study included 47 SLT-users and 44 non-users providing a spectrum of pathophysiological, clinico-biochemical, antioxidant parameters, cell cycle progression study of PBMC and morphological changes of red blood cells (RBC). The expressions of p53, p21, Bax, Bcl-2, IL-6, TNF- α, Cox-2, iNOS were analyzed from thirteen representative SLT-users and twelve non-users. Difference in CRP, random glucose, serum cholesterol, TG, HLDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, neutrophil count, monocyte count, ESR, SOD (PBMC) and TBARS (RBC membrane) were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) between the studied groups. The current study confers crucial insight into SLT mediated effects on systemic toxicity and stress. This has challenged the metabolic condition leading to a rise in the inflammatory status, increased apoptosis and RBC membrane damage. The above findings were substantiated with metabolic, clinical and biochemical parameters. This is possibly the first ever in-depth report and remains an invaluable document on the fatal effects of SLT.
Photocleavable linker for the patterning of bioactive molecules
Authors: Wegner Seraphine V. , Sentürk Oya I. , Spatz Joachim P. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHerein, we report the use of a versatile photocleavable nitrobenzyl linker to micropattern a wide variety of bioactive molecules and photorelease them on demand. On one end, the linker has an NHS group that can be coupled with any amine, such as peptides, proteins or amine-linkers and on the other end an alkyne for convenient attachment to materials with an azide functional group. This linker was conjugated with NTA-amine or the cell adhesion peptide cRGD to enable straightforward patterning of His6-tagged proteins or cells, respectively, on PEGylated glass surfaces. This approach provides a practical way to control the presentation of a wide variety of bioactive molecules with high spatial and temporal resolution. The extent of photocleavage can also be controlled to tune the biomolecule density and degree of cell attachment to the surface.
The effect of exercise training on the course of cardiac troponin T and I levels: three independent training studies
Authors: van der Linden Noreen , Klinkenberg Lieke J. J. , Leenders Marika , Tieland Michael , Verdijk Lex B. , Niens Marijke , van Suijlen Jeroen D. E. , de Groot Lisette C. P. G. M. , Bekers Otto , van Loon Luc J. C. , van Dieijen-Visser Marja P. , Meex Steven J. R. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWith the introduction of high-sensitive assays, cardiac troponins became potential biomarkers for risk stratification and prognostic medicine. Observational studies have reported an inverse association between physical activity and basal cardiac troponin levels. However, causality has never been demonstrated. This study investigated whether basal cardiac troponin concentrations are receptive to lifestyle interventions such as exercise training. Basal high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (cTnT ) and I (cTnI) were monitored in two resistance-type exercise training programs (12-week (study 1) and 24-week (study 2)) in older adults (≥65 years). In addition, a retrospective analysis for high sensitive troponin I in a 24-week exercise controlled trial in (pre)frail older adults was performed (study 3). In total, 91 subjects were included in the final data analyses. There were no significant changes in cardiac troponin levels over time in study 1 and 2 (study 1: cTnT −0.13 (−0.33–+0.08) ng/L/12-weeks, cTnI −0.10 (−0.33–+0.12) ng/L/12-weeks; study 2: cTnT −1.99 (−4.79–+0.81) ng/L/24-weeks, cTnI −1.59 (−5.70–+2.51) ng/L/24-weeks). Neither was there a significant interaction between training and the course of cardiac troponin in study 3 (p = 0.27). In conclusion, this study provides no evidence that prolonged resistance-type exercise training can modulate basal cardiac troponin levels.
Usefulness of serum interleukin-18 in predicting cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease – systems and clinical approach
Authors: Formanowicz Dorota , Wanic-Kossowska Maria , Pawliczak Elżbieta , Radom Marcin , Formanowicz Piotr 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to check if serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) predicts 2-year cardiovascular mortality in patients at various stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) within the previous year. Diabetes mellitus was one of the key factors of exclusion. It was found that an increase in serum concentration of IL-18 above the cut-off point (1584.5 pg/mL) was characterized by 20.63-fold higher risk of cardiovascular deaths among studied patients. IL-18 serum concentration was found to be superior to the well-known cardiovascular risk parameters, like high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), glomerular filtration rate, albumins, ferritin, N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in prognosis of cardiovascular mortality. The best predictive for IL-18 were 4 variables, such as CIMT, NT-proBNP, albumins and hsCRP, as they predicted its concentration at 89.5%. Concluding, IL-18 seems to be important indicator and predictor of cardiovascular death in two-year follow-up among non-diabetic patients suffering from CKD, with history of AMI in the previous year. The importance of IL-18 in the process of atherosclerotic plaque formation has been confirmed by systems analysis based on a formal model expressed in the language of Petri nets theory.
Development of a mono-promoter-driven CRISPR/Cas9 system in mammalian cells
Authors: Yoshioka Shin , Fujii Wataru , Ogawa Tetsuhiro , Sugiura Koji , Naito Kunihiko 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used for spatio-temporal gene modification through the ubiquitous expression of gRNA by an RNA polymerase III promoter and the controlled expression of Cas9 using a tissue-specific or inducible promoter. However, unexpected gene disruptions indicate the necessity of a tissue-specific or inducible expression of not only Cas9 but also gRNA. In the present study, we attempted to develop a CRISPR/Cas9 system that could express functional gRNAs and Cas9 by a single RNA polymerase II promoter and induce multi-loci disruptions in specific cells. To this end, we designed vectors expressing ribozyme-flanked gRNAs (RGRs) and Cas9 mRNAs simultaneously. We showed that the mono-promoter-driven vector induces gene disruptions at the target loci in HEK 293 cells after transfection. In addition, two target loci were disrupted simultaneously by the transfection of a mono-promoter-driven vector expressing two RGRs and Cas9 mRNA. Finally, we constructed a universal vector for use in the construction of plasmids to be applied to the present mono-promoter-driven CRISPR/Cas9 system. We have thus provided a versatile tool for generating gene disruptions by the CRISPR/Cas9 system; this system should contribute to a wide range of investigations, including studies on spatio-temporal gene functions.
Evaluating the potential impact of proton carriers on syntrophic propionate oxidation
Authors: Juste-Poinapen Natacha M. S. , Turner Mark S. , Rabaey Korneel , Virdis Bernardino , Batstone Damien J. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAnaerobic propionic acid degradation relies on interspecies electron transfer (IET) between propionate oxidisers and electron acceptor microorganisms, via either molecular hydrogen, formate or direct transfers. We evaluated the possibility of stimulating direct IET, hence enhancing propionate oxidation, by increasing availability of proton carriers to decrease solution resistance and reduce pH gradients. Phosphate was used as a proton carrying anion and chloride as control ion together with potassium as counter ion. Propionic acid consumption in anaerobic granules was assessed in a square factorial design with ratios (1:0, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 0:1) of total phosphate (TP) to Cl−, at 1X, 10X and 30X native conductivity (1.5 mS.cm−1). Maximum specific uptake rate, half saturation and time delay were estimated using model-based analysis. Community profiles were analysed by fluorescent in situ hybridisation and 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. The strongest performance was at balanced (1:1) ratios at 10X conductivity where presumptive propionate oxidisers namely Syntrophobacter and Candidatus Cloacamonas were more abundant. There was a shift from Methanobacteriales at high phosphate, to Methanosaeta at low TP:Cl ratios and low conductivity. A lack of response to TP and low percentage of presumptive electroactive organisms suggested that DIET was not favoured under the current experimental conditions.
Dimpled elastic sheets: a new class of non-porous negative Poisson’s ratio materials
Authors: Javid Farhad , Smith-Roberge Evelyne , Innes Matthew C. , Shanian Ali , Weaver James C. , Bertoldi Katia 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIn this study, we report a novel periodic material with negative Poisson’s ratio (also called auxetic materials) fabricated by denting spherical dimples in an elastic flat sheet. While previously reported auxetic materials are either porous or comprise at least two phases, the material proposed here is non-porous and made of a homogeneous elastic sheet. Importantly, the auxetic behavior is induced by a novel mechanism which exploits the out-of-plane deformation of the spherical dimples. Through a combination of experiments and numerical analyses, we demonstrate the robustness of the proposed concept, paving the way for developing a new class of auxetic materials that significantly expand their design space and possible applications.
Vergleich der Kosten- und Erlössituation invasiver und konservativer kardiologischer Behandlungsfälle: Modell einer Deckungsbeitragsrechnung
Authors: Plehn G. , Oernek A. , Vormbrock J. , Maagh P. , Butz T. , Meissner A. 
Published: December 2015

Zusammenfassung
Ziel der Studie: Die Deckungsbeitragsrechnung ist ein Instrument zur Kostenkontrolle und bietet sich für medizinische Bereiche an, die in Form von Fallpauschalen vergütet werden. Die Gegenüberstellung von Erlösen und variablen Kosten ermöglicht es, die wirtschaftliche Attraktivität einzelner medizinischer Leistungen zu bewerten und zu vergleichen. Unter diesem Gesichtspunkt wurde ein Deckungsbeitragsmodells entwickelt und fachabteilungsbezogen auf invasive und konservative kardiologische Behandlungsfälle angewandt.
Methodik: Unsere Datenbank umfasst 7 330 stationären Behandlungsfälle eines tertiären kardiologischen Zentrums zwischen 2007 und 2011. Die betriebswirtschaftlichen Parameter wurden aus den Informationssystemen des Krankenhauses, der Materialwirtschaft und des Herzkatheterlabors generiert. Auf der Erlösseite wurden die fallbezogenen DRG-Vergütungen berücksichtigt. Der prozedurenassoziierte Ressourcenverbrauch in Form von Material-, Personal- und Wartungskosten wurde den variablen Kosten zugerechnet und detailliert analysiert. Neben dem Deckungsbeitrag I wurde eine relative Deckungsbeitragsrechnung angewandt. Zeitbezug war die stationäre Verweildauer.
Ergebnisse: Im Beobachtungszeitraum stiegen Fallzahlen und Jahreserlöse um ca. 20%. Pro invasivem Behandlungsfall konnten höhere Deckungsbeiträge als für nichtinvasive Fälle erwirtschaftet werden (2 097±1 590 vs. 1 614±1 105 €; p<0,001). Das relative Verhältnis von invasiven und konservativen Behandlungsfällen stellte sich über den Gesamtzeitraum unverändert dar. Zwischen 2007 und 2011 konnte eine Verkürzung der Untersuchungsdauer von 46,2±39,1 auf 36,7±33,5 min (p<0,001) beobachtet werden. Im selben Zeitraum stiegen die relativen Deckungsbeiträge von 461±306 auf 530±335 € (p<0,001).
Schlussfolgerungen: Die Deckungsbeitragsrechnung ermöglicht es, die wirtschaftliche Attraktivität einzelner medizinischer Leistungen zu vergleichen und im Verlauf zu beurteilen. Aus Sicht des Zeitmanagements ist sie besonders geeignet, um Krankenhausbereiche zu monitoren, die eine wirtschaftliche Engpasssituation darstellen.
Surface engineered magnetic nanoparticles for specific immunotargeting of cadherin expressing cells
Authors: Moros Maria , Delhaes Flavien , Puertas Sara , Saez Berta , de la Fuente Jesús M , Grazú Valeria , Feracci Helene 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
In spite of historic advances in cancer biology and recent development of sophisticated chemotherapeutics, the outlook for patients with advanced cancer is still grim. In this sense nanoparticles (NPs), through their unique physical properties, enable the development of new approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Thus far the most used active targeting scheme involves NPs functionalization with antibodies specific to molecules overexpressed on cancer cell’s surface. Therefore, such active targeting relies on differences in NPs uptake kinetics rates between tumor and healthy cells. Many cancers of epithelial origin are associated with the inappropriate expression of non-epithelial cadherins (e.g. N-, P-, -11) with concomitant loss of E-cadherin. Such phenomenon named cadherin switching favors tumor development and metastasis via interactions of tumor cells with stromal components. That is why we optimized the oriented functionalization of fluorescently labelled magnetic NPs with a novel antibody specific for the extracellular domain of cadherin-11. The obtained Ab-NPs exhibited high specificity when incubated with two cell lines used as models of tumor and healthy cells. Thus, cadherin switching offers a great opportunity for the development of active targeting strategies aimed to improve the early detection and treatment of cancer.
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K4 of the absorbed dose to water standards of the PTB, Germany and the BIPM in 60Co gamma radiation
Authors: Kessler C , Burns D T , Kapsch R -P , Krauss A 
Published: December 2015

An indirect comparison has been made of the standards for absorbed dose to water in 60Co radiation of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, (PTB), Germany and of the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). The measurements at the BIPM were carried out in October 2015. The comparison result, based on the calibration coefficients for two transfer standards and evaluated as a ratio of the PTB and the BIPM standards for absorbed dose to water, is 0.9977 with a combined standard uncertainty of 3.8 × 10−3. The results are analysed and presented in terms of degrees of equivalence for entry in the BIPM key comparison database.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
A plane mirror experiment inspired by a comic strip
Authors: Ribeiro Jair Lúcio Prados 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
A comic strip about a plane mirror was used in a high school optics test, and it was perceived that a large portion of the students believed that the mirror should be larger than the object so the virtual image could be entirely visible. Inspired on the comic strip, an experimental demonstration with flat mirrors was developed, in order to readdress this topic learning. Students were encouraged to create their own investigation of the phenomenon with a simple instrumental apparatus and also suggest different experimental approaches.
Coaching to Augment Mentoring to Achieve Faculty Diversity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Williams Simon N. , Thakore Bhoomi K. , McGee Richard 
Published: December 2015

Purpose
The Academy for Future Science Faculty (the Academy) is a novel coaching intervention for biomedical PhD students designed to address limitations in previous efforts to promote faculty diversity. Unlike traditional research mentoring, the Academy includes both group and individual coaching, coaches have no research or evaluation roles with the students, and it is based on social science theories. The authors present a qualitative case study of one of the coaching groups and provide statistical analyses indicating whether one year in the Academy effects students’ perceptions of the achievability and desirability of an academic career.

Method
The authors tested (July 2012–July 2013), with Northwestern University ethical approval, the Academy via a longitudinal randomized controlled trial. Participants were 121 latter-stage biomedical PhD students. The authors collected data via questionnaires, interviews, and meeting recordings.

Results
The case study shows how group career coaching can effectively supplement traditional one-to-one research mentoring; provide new role models for underrepresented minority students; and provide theory-based lenses through which to engage in open conversations about race, gender, and science careers. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that perceived achievability increased in the Academy group from baseline to one-year follow-up (mean, 5.75 versus 6.39) but decreased in the control group (6.58 versus 5.81). Perceived desirability decreased significantly less (P < .05) in the Academy group (7.00 versus 6.36) than in the control group (7.83 versus 5.97).

Conclusions
Early results suggest that an academic career coaching model can effectively supplement traditional research mentoring and promote persistence toward academic careers.
GRANULAR HYPERREFLECTIVE SPECKS BY SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY AS SIGNS OF WEST NILE VIRUS INFECTION: THE STARDUST SIGN
Authors: Wang Rui , Wykoff Charles C. , Brown David M. 
Published: December 2015

Purpose:
To report the retinal findings and evolution of a visually symptomatic case of West Nile virus meningoencephalitis.

Methods:
Case report. Main outcome measures include serologic testing for West Nile virus as well as longitudinal funduscopic examination, fluorescein angiography, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

Results:
A 47-year-old diabetic man was referred for ophthalmic evaluation after hospitalization and treatment for West Nile meningoencephalitis. The patient presented with decreased vision and black spots in the right eye. Baseline visual acuity was 20/100 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left. Funduscopic examination and fluorescein angiography revealed multiple outer-retinal, punctate white spots in the macula and midperiphery of the right eye with no irregularities noted in the left eye. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography revealed granular hyperreflective specks casting variably dense shadows scattered throughout multiple retinal layers, most prominently within the outer and inner nuclear layers of the right eye. The patient was observed over the course of 14 weeks, and final visual acuity was 20/50 in the right eye. Longitudinally, the number of specks progressively decreased.

Conclusion:
During West Nile virus infection, granular hyperreflective specks located predominantly within the outer and inner nuclear layers were visualized by spectral domain optical coherence tomography and may be a sign of West Nile virus infection.
WIDESPREAD MACULAR NEUROSENSORY DETACHMENT AFTER OCRIPLASMIN INTRAVITREAL INJECTION
Authors: Neffendorf James E. , Lim Lik Thai , Gout Irina I. , El-Amir Ahmed 
Published: December 2015

Purpose:
To present the case of a patient with vitreomacular traction who experienced immediate severe acute complications after ocriplasmin intravitreal injection.

Methods:
Case report.

Results:
A 61-year-old woman with vitreomacular traction underwent ocriplasmin treatment. Within 24 hours after injection, she noticed severe reduction in visual acuity. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography revealed release of vitreous traction, together with widespread subretinal fluid and decreased reflectivity in the outer retina. Ten weeks after treatment, visual acuity improved, although below pretreatment levels, with partial reduction in subretinal fluid.

Conclusion:
Intravitreal ocriplasmin can produce acute visual acuity changes with widespread subretinal fluid and outer retinal ellipsoid zone hyporeflectivity on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The overall acute and long-term safety profile of ocriplasmin remains unknown.