bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exceptional enhancement of ductility and toughness in poly(vinylidene fluoride)/carbon nanotubes composites
Authors: Chen Xuelong , Liang Yen Nan , Yin Ming , Roy Sunanda , Marom Gad , Men Yongfeng , Hu Xiao 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTThe reinforcement of mechanical properties of polymeric materials is often important for widening their applications; however, it remains a technical challenge to effectively increase toughness without degrading stiffness and strength of the polymers. In this work, by a facile methodology combining solution mixing and melt blending, poly(vinylidene fluoride)/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (PVDF/MWCNTs) composite with exceptionally enhanced ductility and toughness are prepared. With only 0.2 wt % CNT loading, the elongation at break has increased from originally 138% to almost 500%, while toughness improved by as much as 386%, without compromising the stiffness and strength. Note that raw CNTs are directly dispersed in the matrix without any surface modification. In order to elucidate this novel enhancement of ductility of PVDF/MWCNTs composites, we carried out detailed analyses based on results from ultra‐small‐angle X‐ray scattering (USAXS), cryo‐fractured surface morphology, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It is proposed that the enhanced ductility are contributed by a synergistic combination of “void pinning effect” of CNT, as well as the formation of γ phase polymorph as the interphase in the PVDF/CNTs composites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43610.
Exploring the conformational and binding properties of unphosphorylated/phosphorylated monomeric and trimeric Bcl‐2 through docking and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Zacarías‐Lara Oscar J. , Correa‐Basurto José , Bello Martiniano 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTB‐cell lymphoma (Bcl‐2) is commonly associated with the progression and preservation of cancer and certain lymphomas; therefore, it is considered as a biological target against cancer. Nevertheless, evidence of all its structural binding sites has been hidden because of the lack of a complete Bcl‐2 model, given the presence of a flexible loop domain (FLD), which is responsible for its complex behavior. FLD region has been implicated in phosphorylation, homotrimerization, and heterodimerization associated with Bcl‐2 antiapoptotic function. In this contribution, homology modeling, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in the microsecond (µs) time‐scale and docking calculations were combined to explore the conformational complexity of unphosphorylated/phosphorylated monomeric and trimeric Bcl‐2 systems. Conformational ensembles generated through MD simulations allowed for identifying the most populated unphosphorylated/phosphorylated monomeric conformations, which were used as starting models to obtain trimeric complexes through protein–protein docking calculations, also submitted to µs MD simulations. Principal component analysis showed that FLD represents the main contributor to total Bcl‐2 mobility, and is affected by phosphorylation and oligomerization. Subsequently, based on the most representative unphosphorylated/phosphorylated monomeric and trimeric Bcl‐2 conformations, docking studies were initiated to identify the ligand binding site of several known Bcl‐2 inhibitors to explain their influence in homo‐complex formation and phosphorylation. Docking studies showed that the different conformational states experienced by FLD, such as phosphorylation and oligomerization, play an essential role in the ability to make homo and hetero‐complexes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 393–413, 2016.
Exploring podcasting in heredity and evolution teaching
Authors: Almeida‐Aguiar Cristina , Carvalho Ana Amélia 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPodcasts are digital files very popular in several and very distinct areas. In higher education, they have been explored in a multitude of ways mainly to support teaching and learning processes. The study here described focuses the integration of podcasts in Heredity and Evolution, a course from the Biology and Geology Degree Program at University of Minho, Portugal. It aimed to introduce podcasts in the teaching/learning context, to empirically study different dimensions of podcasting, and to evaluate students' acceptance and receptiveness to the pedagogical use of this technology. Five informative podcasts and three with feedback were produced and delivered. All the students listened to the audio files and considered the episodes audible and clear, their preference going to episodes of short or moderate length and containing summaries, study guidelines or syllabus contents. Students judged extremely valuable the integration of this technology in learning and showed receptiveness to podcasting in other courses. Curiously, in spite of owning mobile devices, students clearly favored the use of personal computers to listen to the podcasts. This student acceptance and openness to podcasting has been encouraging its pedagogical application in other teaching courses. The episodes produced often maintain the characteristics identified as the best by the students of this study but the pedagogical approach has been moving to a more student‐centered learning situation, with students as podcasts producers. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 44(5):429–432, 2016.
Somatic mutation profiles in primary colorectal cancers and matching ovarian metastases: Identification of driver and passenger mutations
Authors: Crobach Stijn , Ruano Dina , van Eijk Ronald , Schrumpf Melanie ,   PALGA group, Fleuren Gertjan , van Wezel Tom , Morreau Hans 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe mutational profiles of primary colorectal cancers (CRCs) and corresponding ovarian metastases were compared. Using a custom‐made next generation sequencing panel, 115 cancer‐driving genes were analyzed in a cohort of 26 primary CRCs and 30 matching ovarian metastases (four with bilateral metastases). To obtain a complete overview of the mutational profile, low thresholds were used in bioinformatics analysis to prevent low frequency passenger mutations from being filtered out. A subset of variants was validated using Sanger and/or hydrolysis probe assays. The mutational landscape of CRC that metastasized to the ovary was not strikingly different from CRC in consecutive series. When comparing primary CRCs and their matching ovarian metastases, there was considerable overlap in the mutations of early affected genes. A subset of mutations demonstrated less overlap, presumably being passenger mutations. In particular, primary CRCs showed a substantially high number of passenger mutations. We also compared the primary CRCs and matching metastases for stratifying variants of six genes (KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, FBXW7, PTEN and PIK3CA) that select for established (EGFR directed) or future targeted therapies. In a total of 31 variants 12 were not found in either of the two locations. Tumours thus differed in the number of discordant variants between the primary tumours and matching metastases. Half of these discordant variants were definitive class 4/5 pathogenic variants. However, in terms of temporal heterogeneity, no clear relationship was observed between the number of discordant variants and the time interval between primary CRCs and the detection of ovarian metastases. This suggests that dormant metastases may be present from the early days of the primary tumours.
Immunocytochemical utility of claudin‐4 versus those of Ber‐EP4 and MOC‐31 in effusion cytology
Authors: Oda Tomohiro , Ogata Sho , Kawaguchi Saki , Minabe Shinya , Dokyu Misaki , Takahashi Hiromi , Kumazawa Fumihiko , Shimazaki Hideyuki , Takano Masashi , Hase Kazuo , Ozeki Yuichi , Kanoh Soichiro , Nakanishi Kuniaki 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundRecently, claudin‐4 (CL4) immunocytochemistry was reported to be useful for differential diagnosis in effusion cytology. We wondered whether CL4 might be useful for “single‐shot” identification of metastatic carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of CL4 in effusion cytology.MethodsIn total, 266 cases (169 metastatic carcinomas, eight malignant mesotheliomas, and 89 reactive mesothelial cells) were selected. Immunocytochemical examinations of cell‐block sections were performed for CL4, Ber‐EP4, and MOC‐31. We used an arbitrary 4‐tiered scale based on both staining intensity and positive‐cell percentage among all target cells, and calculated a staining index score (sum of the above two scores).ResultsIn a ROC‐curve analysis, higher area‐under‐curve values were found for CL4 than for Ber‐EP4 or MOC‐31 (0.982, 0.942, and 0.926, respectively).ConclusionsSince CL4 exhibited similar or superior usefulness to Ber‐EP4 and MOC‐31, it could become the first choice for the above differential diagnosis in effusion cytology. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:499–504. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Data gaps in anthropogenically driven local‐scale species richness change studies across the Earth's terrestrial biomes
Authors: Murphy Grace E. P. , Romanuk Tamara N. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThere have been numerous attempts to synthesize the results of local‐scale biodiversity change studies, yet several geographic data gaps exist. These data gaps have hindered ecologist's ability to make strong conclusions about how local‐scale species richness is changing around the globe. Research on four of the major drivers of global change is unevenly distributed across the Earth's biomes. Here, we use a dataset of 638 anthropogenically driven species richness change studies to identify where data gaps exist across the Earth's terrestrial biomes based on land area, future change in drivers, and the impact of drivers on biodiversity, and make recommendations for where future studies should focus their efforts. Across all drivers of change, the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests and the tropical moist broadleaf forests are the best studied. The biome–driver combinations we have identified as most critical in terms of where local‐scale species richness change studies are lacking include the following: land‐use change studies in tropical and temperate coniferous forests, species invasion and nutrient addition studies in the boreal forest, and warming studies in the boreal forest and tropics. Gaining more information on the local‐scale effects of the specific human drivers of change in these biomes will allow for better predictions of how human activity impacts species richness around the globe.
Optimal hurricane overwash thickness for maximizing marsh resilience to sea level rise
Authors: Walters David C. , Kirwan Matthew L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe interplay between storms and sea level rise, and between ecology and sediment transport governs the behavior of rapidly evolving coastal ecosystems such as marshes and barrier islands. Sediment deposition during hurricanes is thought to increase the resilience of salt marshes to sea level rise by increasing soil elevation and vegetation productivity. We use mesocosms to simulate burial of Spartina alterniflora during hurricane‐induced overwash events of various thickness (0–60 cm), and find that adventitious root growth within the overwash sediment layer increases total biomass by up to 120%. In contrast to most previous work illustrating a simple positive relationship between burial depth and vegetation productivity, our work reveals an optimum burial depth (5–10 cm) beyond which burial leads to plant mortality. The optimum burial depth increases with flooding frequency, indicating that storm deposition ameliorates flooding stress, and that its impact on productivity will become more important under accelerated sea level rise. Our results suggest that frequent, low magnitude storm events associated with naturally migrating islands may increase the resilience of marshes to sea level rise, and in turn, slow island migration rates. Synthesis: We find that burial deeper than the optimum results in reduced growth or mortality of marsh vegetation, which suggests that future increases in overwash thickness associated with more intense storms and artificial heightening of dunes could lead to less resilient marshes.
Classification based hypothesis testing in neuroscience: Below‐chance level classification rates and overlooked statistical properties of linear parametric classifiers
Authors: Jamalabadi Hamidreza , Alizadeh Sarah , Schönauer Monika , Leibold Christian , Gais Steffen 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMultivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) has recently become a popular tool for data analysis. Often, classification accuracy as quantified by correct classification rate (CCR) is used to illustrate the size of the effect under investigation. However, we show that in low sample size (LSS), low effect size (LES) data, which is typical in neuroscience, the distribution of CCRs from cross‐validation of linear MVPA is asymmetric and can show classification rates considerably below what would be expected from chance classification. Conversely, the mode of the distribution in these cases is above expected chance levels, leading to a spuriously high number of above chance CCRs. This unexpected distribution has strong implications when using MVPA for hypothesis testing. Our analyses warrant the conclusion that CCRs do not well reflect the size of the effect under investigation. Moreover, the skewness of the null‐distribution precludes the use of many standard parametric tests to assess significance of CCRs. We propose that MVPA results should be reported in terms of P values, which are estimated using randomization tests. Also, our results show that cross‐validation procedures using a low number of folds, e.g. twofold, are generally more sensitive, even though the average CCRs are often considerably lower than those obtained using a higher number of folds. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1842–1855, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The June 2013 Alberta catastrophic flooding event – part 2: fine‐scale precipitation and associated features
Authors: Kochtubajda B. , Stewart R. E. , Boodoo S. , Thériault J. M. , Li Y. , Liu A. , Mooney C. , Goodson R. , Szeto K. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractData obtained from a variety of sources including the Canadian Lightning Detection Network, weather radars, weather stations and operational numerical weather model analyses were used to address the evolution of precipitation during the June 2013 southern Alberta flood. The event was linked to a mid‐level closed low pressure system to the west of the region and a surface low pressure region initially to its south. This configuration brought warm, moist unstable air into the region that led to dramatic, organized convection with an abundance of lightning and some hail. Such conditions occurred in the southern parts of the region whereas the northern parts were devoid of lightning. Initially, precipitation rates were high (extreme 15‐min rainfall rates up to 102 mm h−1 were measured) but decreased to lower values as the precipitation shifted to long‐lived stratiform conditions. Both the convective and stratiform precipitation components were affected by the topography. Similar flooding events, such as June 2002, have occurred over this region although the 2002 event was colder and precipitation was not associated with substantial convection over southwest Alberta. Copyright © 2016 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Hydrological Processes. © John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rotenone induces apoptosis in human lung cancer cells by regulating autophagic flux
Authors: Hu Wensi , Tian Hui , Yue Weiming , Li Lin , Li Shuhai , Gao Cun , Si Libo , Qi Lei , Lu Ming , Hao Bin , Shan Shuyu 
Published: March 2016

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) are at the center of many physiological and pathological processes. ROS generated due to oxidative stress can potentiate both cancer initiation and progression. Rotenone, which is an inhibitor of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I, results in the activation of NOX2 and release of ROS, and has been shown to display anticancer activity through the induction of apoptosis in various cancer cells. The mechanistic link between rotenone‐dependent activation of NOX2 and induction of apoptosis is still elusive. In this study, we used the human lung cancer A549 cells to study the molecular mechanism(s) involved between rotenone‐dependent activation of NOX2 and impairment of autophagic machinery. We report that acute exposure to rotenone induced mild NOX2‐dependnet oxidative stress, which impaired the autophagic flux, resulting in cytosolic accumulation of LC3 and p62/STSQM1. We further show that this induction occurs through the PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 signaling pathway. We furthermore show that chronic exposure to rotenone lead to excessive NOX2‐dependent ROS generation, increases autophagy, and decreases p62 level via increased‐autophagic flux. Taken together, this study is the first mechanistic elucidation of how rotenone can be used to potently target cancer cells without overhauling the entire cellular machinery. © 2016 IUBMB Life 68(5):388–393, 2016
MicroRNA‐199b expression level and coliform count in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Mansour Marwa A. , Sabbah Norhan A. , Mansour Shymaa A. , Ibrahim Amany M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal disorder. The pathophysiology of IBS may involve an altered intestinal microbiota. Recent studies have shown that alterations in microRNA (miRNA) levels have affected IBS and its subtypes. We aimed to compare both the count of Coliform and serum level of miRNA‐199b between patients with IBS and healthy controls and to find the relationship between the Coliform and miRNAs in patients with IBS. Patients with IBS were classified into three subgroups based on their predominant bowel pattern as defined by Rome III criteria. Quantitative culture of Coliform and determination of serum miRNA‐199b expression level by quantitative real‐time PCR in IBS group versus healthy controls were performed. There was a significant increase in the count of Coliform in patients with IBS and its different subtypes when compared with healthy controls. There was a significant decrease of serum miR‐199b expression level in patients with IBS and its different subtypes when compared with healthy controls with the highest level (1.9 ± 0.53 log scale) in healthy controls and lowest one (0.71 ± 0.27 log scale) in IBS with diarrhea (IBS‐D) subtype. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the count of Coliform and the serum miRNA‐199b expression level in IBS. This study reported that there was a significant increase in the count of Coliform and a decrease in the serum miRNA‐199b expression level. In addition, there was a negative correlation between them in patients with IBS and its different subtypes when compared with healthy controls. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(5):335–342, 2016
Bioelectrochemical hydrogen production with cheese whey as sole substrate
Authors: Rago Laura , Baeza Juan A , Guisasola Albert 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDMicrobial electrochemical systems (MXCs) are an emerging technology aiming at recovering energy contained in wastewaters either as electrical energy in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) or as hydrogen in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). Successful results have been reported with readily biodegradable substrates, but the performance with real complex substrates needs to be evaluated to bridge the gap between lab‐ and full‐scale. This work aims at studying bioelectrochemical hydrogen production using real cheese whey as sole substrate.RESULTSA microbial consortium able to consume cheese whey to produce electricity or H2 was developed. Cheese whey was fermented mainly by lactic acid bacteria (Enterococcus genus) and exoelectrogenic activity was performed by Geobacter sp. The coulombic efficiency was 49 ± 8% in the MFC fed only with cheese whey, which is higher than most previous values reported for MFCs fed with dairy products. Good results for H2 production in MEC (0.8 LH2 L−1REACTOR d−1) were also obtained.CONCLUSIONThe high potentiality of cheese whey as carbon source for bioelectrochemical systems is demonstrated in this study. The populations involved were determined by advanced microbial tools. The efficient selection of a syntrophic consortium to produce H2 directly from cheese whey in a single‐chamber MEC was demonstrated. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantitative evaluation of left ventricular volume and function in middle‐aged healthy chinese people with 3 Tesla MRI
Authors: Li Cai‐Ying , Gao Bu‐Lang , Guo Fu‐Qian , Zhang Xue‐Jing , Fan Qiong‐Ying , Wu Bai‐Lin , Xiang Cheng , Liu Xiao‐Wei , Pan Tong 
Published: March 2016

PurposeTo quantitatively investigate left ventricular volume and function in middle‐aged healthy subjects.Materials and MethodsNinety healthy volunteers underwent cardiac 3 Tesla MRI. The left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (EDV) and end‐systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), cardiac output (CO), myocardial mass (MM), and their normalized indices (EDVI, ESVI, SVI, CI, and MI, respectively) after corrected with the body surface area (BSA) were analyzed and compared at different ages.ResultsAll subjects had successfully completed the 3‐Tesla cardiac MR. Females had significantly smaller EDV (110.5 ± 9.2 versus 125.7 ± 8.3 mL), ESV (36.1 ± 3.5 versus 41.5 ± 3.8 mL), SV (74.3 ± 6.3 versus 84.2 ± 6.7 mL), CO (5.4 ± 0.8 versus 5.8 ± 0.9 l/min) and MM (73.0 ± 10.5 versus 94.8 ± 10.6 g) than males (P < 0.05). The EF had no significant (P = 0.47) difference between genders (67.3 ± 1.7 percent in females versus 66.9 ± 2.4 percent in males). After normalization with BSA, no significant (P > 0.05) difference was detected between the genders in EDVI (71.2 ± 4.3 versus 71.1 ± 4.2 mL/m2, P = 0.882), ESVI (23.3 ± 1.9 versus 23.5 ± 1.9 mL/m2, P = 0.733) and SVI (47.9 ± 2.9 versus 47.7 ± 3.7 mL/m2, P = 0.698) except for CI and MI. Females had significantly (P < 0.05) greater CI (3.5 ± 0.4 versus 3.3 ± 0.4) but smaller MI (46.9 ± 5.3 versus 53.6 ± 7.6) than males. EDV, EDVI, ESV, ESVI, SV, and SVI significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with age increase. BSA was positively correlated with EDV, ESV, SV, MM, and CO. No significance (P > 0.05) was detected in other parameters.ConclusionThe left ventricular volume and function differs in women compared with men in the middle‐aged population, and these parameters have a tendency of decrease with ageing. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1143–1150.