bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mincle Activation and the Syk/Card9 Signaling Axis Are Central to the Development of Autoimmune Disease of the Eye
Authors: Lee Ellen J. , Brown Brieanna R. , Vance Emily E. , Snow Paige E. , Silver Phyllis B. , Heinrichs David , Lin Xin , Iwakura Yoichiro , Wells Christine A. , Caspi Rachel R. , Rosenzweig Holly L. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Uveitis, which occurs in association with systemic immunological diseases, presents a considerable medical challenge because of incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis. The signals that initiate T cells to target the eye, which may be of infectious or noninfectious origin, are poorly understood. Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) develops in mice immunized with the endogenous retinal protein interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein in the presence of the adjuvant CFA. EAU manifests as posterior ocular inflammation consisting of vasculitis, granulomas, retinal damage, and invasion of self-reactive T cells, which are key clinical features of human uveitis. Our studies uncover Card9 as a critical genetic determinant for EAU. Card9 was responsible for Th17 polarization and Th17-associated Ag-specific responses, but not Th1-associated responses. Nonetheless, Card9 expression was essential for accumulation of both lineages within the eye. Consistent with its recently identified role as an intracellular signaling mediator for C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), a Card9-dependent transcriptional response in the neuroretina was observed involving genes encoding the CLRs Dectin-1, Dectin-2, and Mincle. Genetic deletion of these individual CLRs revealed an essential role for Mincle. Mincle activation was sufficient to generate the EAU phenotype, and this required activation of both Syk and Card9. In contrast, Dectin-1 contributed minimally and a possible repressive role was shown for Dectin-2. These findings extend our understanding of CLRs in autoimmune uveitis. The newly identified role of Mincle and Syk/Card9-coupled signaling axis in autoimmune uveitis could provide novel targets for treatment of patients with ocular inflammatory disease.
Determinants of Internet Banking Adoption among Customers of Commercial Banks: An Empirical Study in the Jordanian Banking Sector
Authors: Alwan Hussain Ahmad , Al-Zubi Abedlhalim Issa 
Published: February 2016

<p>The study aimed at investigating the adoption of Internet banking by customers of Jordanian commercial banks, the barriers restraining its growth, and the solutions to some of the main hindrances that face this innovative technology. A sample of 476 customers having accounts in thirteen local commercial banks and using Internet banking was randomly selected. The self-administered questionnaire relying on a 5-point scale was used to solicit the primary data. The factor analysis-varimax rotation was used to determine the dimensions of the study items whereas the simple regression was employed to determine the relative influence of perceived privacy and security, perceived ease of use, service quality, customer trust, and customer feedback on Internet banking adoption. All the independent variables have significant impacts on Internet banking adoption whilst the best predictor of the adoption is accounted for the website quality followed by customer trust. However, the adoption rate is low and is tracked mainly by customers of high education levels and high ability in using computer applications and internet experiences. Also, the study provides some recommendations and future research to resolve the obstacles facing Internet banking adoption by customers of commercial banks in Jordan.</p>
Concerning reconnection‐induction balance at the magnetopause of Mercury
Authors: Heyner Daniel , Nabert Christian , Liebert Evelyn , Glassmeier Karl‐Heinz 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMercury's weak internal dipole field is subject to an intense solar wind; and thus, only a small magnetospheric cavity is created. The location of the outer boundary, the magnetopause, is mainly controlled by a pressure balance between the solar wind pressure outside and magnetic pressure inside, but during times of intense dayside reconnection the standoff distance may be reduced due to erosion. For the Hermean magnetosphere, different erosion mechanisms such as direct flux transport, neutral current sheet enhancement, field‐aligned currents, and interplanetary magnetic field penetration are compared. As any of these erosion mechanisms change the external field experienced by the planet, currents are induced within the electrically conductive planetary interior. Secondary magnetic fields from these induced currents counteract their source by temporarily increasing the planetary magnetic moment. The amplitude of this compensation depends on the interior electrical conductivity structure. Using a magnetospheric model, that is based on in situ MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging data, as well as a simple conductivity model for the planetary interior, we give an estimate of the induced magnetic field range possible for various internal conductivity structures and external forcings. Considering the planetary response to the magnetospheric field changes opens a possibility to probe the planetary interior—a method especially suited for the upcoming BepiColombo mission to Mercury.
Climatic effects of irrigation over the Huang‐Huai‐Hai Plain in China simulated by the weather research and forecasting model
Authors: Yang Ben , Zhang Yaocun , Qian Yun , Tang Jian , Liu Dongqing 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe climatic effects of irrigation over the Huang‐Huai‐Hai Plain (3HP) in China are investigated by using the weather research and forecasting model coupled with an operational‐like irrigation scheme. Multiple numerical experiments with irrigation off/on during spring, summer, and both spring and summer are conducted. Results show that the warm bias in surface temperature and dry bias in soil moisture are reduced over the 3HP region during the growing seasons by considering the irrigation in the model. The air temperature during nongrowing seasons is also affected by irrigation because of the persistent effects of soil moisture on land‐air energy exchanges and ground heat storage. Irrigation can induce significant cooling in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) during the growing seasons and lead to a relatively wet PBL with increased low‐level clouds during spring but a relatively dry condition in summer. Further analyses indicate that irrigation leads to increased summer precipitation over the Yangtze River Basin and decreased summer precipitation in southern and northern China. These responses are associated with the changes in the large‐scale circulation induced by irrigation. Irrigation tends to cool the atmosphere and forces a possible southward shift of the upper level jet that can further affect the precipitation distribution. Our model results suggest that in addition to local‐scale processes, large‐scale impacts should also be considered when studying the precipitation response to irrigation over East Asia.
Multidecadal fluctuations of the North Atlantic Ocean and feedback on the winter climate in CMIP5 control simulations
Authors: Peings Yannick , Simpkins Graham , Magnusdottir Gudrun 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between the Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) and the wintertime atmospheric circulation of the North Atlantic in simulations of the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Comparisons of internal (using preindustrial control simulations) and externally forced (using historical and Representative Concentration Pathways 8.5 simulations) simulated AMV with observations suggest that the CMIP5 models lack internally generated AMV, except for two models (GFDL‐ESM2G and HadGEM2‐ES). A long‐term influence of the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the AMV is identified, but no consistent feedback of the AMV onto the atmospheric circulation is found among the models. However, GFDL‐ESM2G and HadGEM2‐ES show a small lagged NAO signal that suggests a driving role of the ocean on decadal fluctuations of the atmosphere, with two different potential mechanisms. HadGEM2‐ES exhibits a latitudinal shift of the Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone that can modulate the NAO through a Rossby wave train emanating from the tropics. In GFDL‐ESM2G, the AMV is associated with a decrease in storm track activity and a shift of the intraseasonal weather regimes toward the negative NAO regime. These results raise hope that some long‐term predictability of the winter climate over the North Atlantic and surrounding continents could be extracted from long‐term oceanic fluctuations of the North Atlantic Ocean, provided that the AMV is correctly represented in coupled ocean‐atmosphere models.
Antarctic station‐based seasonal pressure reconstructions since 1905: 1. Reconstruction evaluation
Authors: Fogt Ryan L. , Goergens Chad A. , Jones Megan E. , Witte Grant A. , Lee Ming Yueng , Jones Julie M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSeasonal mean Antarctic pressures at 17 stations are reconstructed based on the method of principal component regression, employing midlatitude pressure data as predictors. Several reconstruction methods were performed in order to assess the stability and reliability of the reconstructions obtained, including performing the reconstructions over a shorter 30 year window and withholding the remaining data for an independent validation. Generally, there were small differences between the various approaches, but typically reconstructions conducted on data with the trends still present and over the full period of observations achieved the highest skill. Seasonally, reconstruction skill was high in austral summer across the entire Antarctic continent. Reconstructions that employed gridded pressure data over oceans as well as the observations (here termed “pseudoreconstructions”) also performed remarkably well in austral winter. Spatially, the reconstruction skill was highest near the Antarctic Peninsula in all seasons, and weakest in coastal East Antarctica and the Antarctic Interior during austral spring and autumn; the spatial variability of the skill in part reflects the distance to the nearest midlatitude predictor. Nonetheless, for nearly all seasons and locations the observed trends since 1957 were well captured by the reconstructions, as was the low‐frequency decadal‐scale variability. These results suggest Antarctic pressure observations can be extended throughout the twentieth century with high confidence, especially in summer, allowing for a more precise understanding of the role and magnitude of natural atmospheric circulation variability across Antarctica.
Tidal river dynamics: Implications for deltas
Authors: Hoitink A. J. F. , Jay D. A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTidal rivers are a vital and little studied nexus between physical oceanography and hydrology. It is only in the last few decades that substantial research efforts have been focused on the interactions of river discharge with tidal waves and storm surges into regions beyond the limit of salinity intrusion, a realm that can extend inland hundreds of kilometers. One key phenomenon resulting from this interaction is the emergence of large fortnightly tides, which are forced long waves with amplitudes that may increase beyond the point where astronomical tides have become extinct. These can be larger than the linear tide itself at more landward locations, and they greatly influence tidal river water levels and wetland inundation. Exploration of the spectral redistribution and attenuation of tidal energy in rivers has led to new appreciation of a wide range of consequences for fluvial and coastal sedimentology, delta evolution, wetland conservation, and salinity intrusion under the influence of sea level rise and delta subsidence. Modern research aims at unifying traditional harmonic tidal analysis, nonparametric regression techniques, and the existing understanding of tidal hydrodynamics to better predict and model tidal river dynamics both in single‐thread channels and in branching channel networks. In this context, this review summarizes results from field observations and modeling studies set in tidal river environments as diverse as the Amazon in Brazil, the Columbia, Fraser and Saint Lawrence in North America, the Yangtze and Pearl in China, and the Berau and Mahakam in Indonesia. A description of state‐of‐the‐art methods for a comprehensive analysis of water levels, wave propagation, discharges, and inundation extent in tidal rivers is provided. Implications for lowland river deltas are also discussed in terms of sedimentary deposits, channel bifurcation, avulsion, and salinity intrusion, addressing contemporary research challenges.
Differential magnetometer method applied to measurement of geomagnetically induced currents in Southern African power networks
Authors: Matandirotya Electdom , Cilliers Pierre. J. , Van Zyl Robert R , Oyedokun David T. , de Villiers Jean 
Published: February 2016

AbstractGeomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in conductors connected to the Earth are driven by an electric field produced by a time‐varying magnetic field linked to magnetospheric‐ionospheric current perturbations during geomagnetic storms. The GIC measurements are traditionally done on the neutral‐to‐ground connections of power transformers. A method of inferring the characteristics of GIC in power lines using differential magnetic field measurements is presented. Measurements of the GIC in the power lines connected to a particular power transformer are valuable in the verification of the modeling of GIC in the power transmission network. The differential magnetometer method (DMM) is an indirect method used to estimate the GIC in a power line. With the DMM, low‐frequency GIC in the power line is estimated from the difference between magnetic field recordings made directly underneath the power line and at some distance away, where the magnetic field of the GIC in the transmission line has negligible effect. Results of the first application of the DMM to two selected sites of the Southern African power transmission network are presented. The results show that good quality GIC measurements are achieved through the DMM using Commercially‐Off‐The‐Shelf magnetometers.
Commercial Herbicides Can Trigger the Oxidative Inactivation of Acetohydroxyacid Synthase
Authors: Lonhienne Thierry , Nouwens Amanda , Williams Craig M. , Fraser James A. , Lee Yu‐Ting , West Nicholas P. , Guddat Luke W. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAcetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) inhibitors are highly successful commercial herbicides. New kinetic data show that the binding of these compounds leads to reversible accumulative inhibition of AHAS. Crystallographic data (to a resolution of 2.17 Å) for an AHAS–herbicide complex shows that closure of the active site occurs when the herbicidal inhibitor binds, thus preventing exchange with solvent. This feature combined with new kinetic data shows that molecular oxygen promotes an accumulative inhibition leading to the conclusion that the exceptional potency of these herbicides is augmented by subversion of an inherent oxygenase side reaction. The reactive oxygen species produced by this reaction are trapped in the active site, triggering oxidation reactions that ultimately lead to the alteration of the redox state of the cofactor flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), a feature that accounts for the observed reversible accumulative inhibition.
Reconstitution of the Cytb5–CytP450 Complex in Nanodiscs for Structural Studies using NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Meng , Huang Rui , Ackermann Rose , Im Sang‐Choul , Waskell Lucy , Schwendeman Anna , Ramamoorthy Ayyalusamy 
Published: February 2016

AbstractCytochrome P450s (P450s) are a superfamily of enzymes responsible for the catalysis of a wide range of substrates. Dynamic interactions between full‐length membrane‐bound P450 and its redox partner cytochrome b5 (cytb5) have been found to be important for the enzymatic activity of P450. However, the stability of the circa 70 kDa membrane‐bound complex in model membranes renders high‐resolution structural NMR studies particularly difficult. To overcome these challenges, reconstitution of the P450–cytb5 complex in peptide‐based nanodiscs, containing no detergents, has been demonstrated, which are characterized by size exclusion chromatography and NMR spectroscopy. In addition, NMR experiments are used to identify the binding interface of the P450–cytb5 complex in the nanodisc. This is the first successful demonstration of a protein–protein complex in a nanodisc using NMR structural studies and should be useful to obtain valuable structural information on membrane‐bound protein complexes.
VOCl as a Cathode for Rechargeable Chloride Ion Batteries
Authors: Gao Ping , Reddy M. Anji , Mu Xiaoke , Diemant Thomas , Zhang Le , Zhao‐Karger Zhirong , Chakravadhanula Venkata Sai Kiran , Clemens Oliver , Behm R. Jürgen , Fichtner Maximilian 
Published: February 2016

AbstractA novel room temperature rechargeable battery with VOCl cathode, lithium anode, and chloride ion transporting liquid electrolyte is described. The cell is based on the reversible transfer of chloride ions between the two electrodes. The VOCl cathode delivered an initial discharge capacity of 189 mAh g−1. A reversible capacity of 113 mAh g−1 was retained even after 100 cycles when cycled at a high current density of 522 mA g−1. Such high cycling stability was achieved in chloride ion batteries for the first time, demonstrating the practicality of the system beyond a proof of concept model. The electrochemical reaction mechanism of the VOCl electrode in the chloride ion cell was investigated in detail by ex situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results confirm reversible deintercalation–intercalation of chloride ions in the VOCl electrode.
Magnetic Properties of a Single‐Molecule Lanthanide–Transition‐Metal Compound Containing 52 Gadolinium and 56 Nickel Atoms
Authors: Liu Da‐Peng , Lin Xin‐Ping , Zhang Hui , Zheng Xiu‐Ying , Zhuang Gui‐Lin , Kong Xiang‐Jian , Long La‐Sheng , Zheng Lan‐Sun 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMonodisperse metal clusters provide a unique platform for investigating magnetic exchange within molecular magnets. Herein, the core–shell structure of the monodisperse molecule magnet of [Gd52Ni56(IDA)48(OH)154(H2O)38]@SiO2 (1 a@SiO2) was prepared by encapsulating one high‐nuclearity lanthanide–transition‐metal compound of [Gd52Ni56(IDA)48(OH)154(H2O)38]⋅(NO3)18⋅164 H2O (1) (IDA=iminodiacetate) into one silica nanosphere through a facile one‐pot microemulsion method. 1 a@SiO2 was characterized using transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, and inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry. Magnetic investigation of 1 and 1 a revealed J1=0.25 cm−1, J2=−0.060 cm−1, J3=−0.22 cm−1, J4=−8.63 cm−1, g=1.95, and z J=−2.0×10−3 cm−1 for 1, and J1=0.26 cm−1, J2=−0.065 cm−1, J3=−0.23 cm−1, J4=−8.40 cm−1 g=1.99, and z J=0.000 cm−1 for 1 a@SiO2. The z J=0 in 1 a@SiO2 suggests that weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the compounds is shielded by silica nanospheres.
Synthesis and characterization of polyethylene/oxidized polyethylene miscible blends and role of OPE as a viscosity control
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Z. , Abdala Ahmed A. , Liberatore Matthew W. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTPolymer blending allows for new materials to be designed with unique properties. Here, blends of linear low density polyethylene (PE) and oxidized polyethylene (OPE) have been prepared. PE/OPE blends are characterized for their molten state properties by thermal analysis and rheology; the solid state properties are studied by scattering, diffraction, and tensile testing. Melt miscibility was confirmed by a negative Flory‐Huggins interaction parameter (χ ∼ −2.3) from Hoffman‐Weeks plots. Additionally, a continuous decrease in melting temperature (from 123 to 119 °C) and thermal stability of blends (25% weight loss from 454 to 416 °C) was observed with increasing OPE loading from 0 to 50 wt %. Time‐temperature master curves revealed the shifting of the glassy region to higher frequencies and formation of relaxed polymer chains in the glassy region. A plasticization effect was observed with zero shear viscosity of the blends decreasing with increasing OPE loading. Finally, a decrease in lamellar thickness of PE (from 180 to 140 Å) with increasing OPE resulted in increasing the blends' brittleness. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43521.
Sonication‐induced self‐assembly of polymeric porphyrin–fullerene: Formation of nanorings
Authors: Riaz Sara , Feng Wang , Khan Ather Farooq , Nawaz Mian Hasnain 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTIn this article, we detail the sonication‐induced self‐assembly of polymeric porphyrin and fullerenes into distinct nanorings in solution form. The formation of these trenchant superstructures was the result of the delicate choice of different assembly protocols, solvents, and polymeric tails associated with porphyrin and fullerene. In this study, the sonication supposedly directed the lateral aggregation into uniform ring formation. The sonication time was found to be the key parameter in ring formation. Furthermore, the flexibility of polymeric arms and electronic interactions of porphyrin–fullerene gave rise to synergistically enhanced molecular interactions, and this resulted in discrete morphologies. Key optical data, including the absorption maxima of the complexes, and microscopic studies attested to the nature and morphology of the self‐assembled complexes. This introduction of polymeric arms and sonication protocols in the porphyrin self‐assembly was expected to allow the easy formation of diverse morphologies. Because of the facile fabrication process and uniform morphology, the resulting composite architectures might show promising applications in drug‐delivery and advance materials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43537.
Novel optical properties of Ca12Al10.6Si3.4O32Cl5.4:Ce3+,Li+ phosphor for solid‐state lighting
Authors: Kolte M. , Pawade V. B. , Dhoble S. J. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis article reports a novel blue emission in a series of Ca12Al10.6Si3.4O32Cl5.4:Ce3+ phosphor under excitation in the near‐UV wavelength range. This phosphor was prepared using the combustion method. Here, the Ce3+ emission band is observed over a broad range of 380–550 nm, under 365 nm excitation, and is due to 5d–4f transition. The effect of a Li+ charge compensator on the emission properties of the phosphor was also investigated for the first time. X‐Ray diffraction confirmed the phase purity of the synthesized phosphor. The surface morphology and elemental composition of the phosphor were studied using scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.