bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiological assessment of auditory processing disorder in children with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate
Authors: Ma Xiaoran , McPherson Bradley , Ma Lian 
Published: August 2016

ObjectivesCleft lip and/or palate is a common congenital craniofacial malformation found worldwide. A frequently associated disorder is conductive hearing loss, and this disorder has been thoroughly investigated in children with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P). However, analysis of auditory processing function is rarely reported for this population, although this issue should not be ignored since abnormal auditory cortical structures have been found in populations with cleft disorders. The present study utilized electrophysiological tests to assess the auditory status of a large group of children with NSCL/P, and investigated whether this group had less robust central auditory processing abilities compared to craniofacially normal children.Methods146 children with NSCL/P who had normal peripheral hearing thresholds, and 60 craniofacially normal children aged from 6 to 15 years, were recruited. Electrophysiological tests, including auditory brainstem response (ABR), P1-N1-P2 complex, and P300 component recording, were conducted.ResultsABR and N1 wave latencies were significantly prolonged in children with NSCL/P. An atypical developmental trend was found for long latency potentials in children with cleft compared to control group children. Children with unilateral cleft lip and palate showed a greater level of abnormal results compared with other cleft subgroups, whereas the cleft lip subgroup had the most robust responses for all tests.ConclusionChildren with NSCL/P may have slower than normal neural transmission times between the peripheral auditory nerve and brainstem. Possible delayed development of myelination and synaptogenesis may also influence auditory processing function in this population. Present research outcomes were consistent with previous, smaller sample size, electrophysiological studies on infants and children with cleft lip/palate disorders. In view of the these findings, and reports of educational disadvantage associated with cleft disorders, further research that focuses on the auditory processing abilities of children with cleft lip/palate disorder is warranted.
Measurement of solar wind electron density and temperature in the shocked region of Venus and the density and temperature of photoelectrons within the ionosphere of Venus
Authors: Knudsen William C. , Jones Douglas E. , Peterson Bryan G. , Knadler Charles E. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPresented herein are measurements of the solar wind electron number density and temperature near and within the bow shock of Venus. The measurements were made by the Pioneer Venus mission Orbiter Retarding Potential Analyzer operating in its suprathermal electron mode. The measurements are essentially point measurements. The spacecraft travels approximately 0.8 km during the 0.1 s time interval required to record a single I‐V curve. The dual measurement of a density and temperature is obtained from one sweep by least squares fitting a mathematical Maxwellian expression to the I‐V curve. The distance between successive measurements is approximately 100 km. In many orbits, when the spacecraft is crossing or traveling within the bow shock, the derived densities and temperatures (high density, high temperature (HDHT)) are large, densities of the order of 100 cm−3 and temperatures of the order of several hundred eV. We interpret these HDHT measurements as measurements in regions where the large, directed kinetic energy of the solar wind ions is being degraded into randomized, more thermal‐like energy distributions of the electrons and ions through wave‐particle interactions. The HDHT values define the electron energy distribution in the limited energy interval 0 to 50 eV. We assume that the underlying electron flux distributions are flat topped like those measured in the Earth's bow shock. We also report densities and temperatures of EUV produced photoelectron energy distributions measured within the ionosphere.
Temporal variation of frictional strength in an earthquake swarm in NE Japan caused by fluid migration
Authors: Yoshida Keisuke , Hasegawa Akira , Yoshida Takeyoshi 
Published: August 2016

AbstractTemporal variations of the fault frictional strength was investigated based on the diversity of focal mechanisms in the source area of the Yamagata‐Fukushima border earthquake swarm, a significant earthquake swarm that occurred in central Tohoku, NE Japan, which started just after the 2011 M9.0 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake. The focal mechanisms of events in this swarm activity were determined using P wave polarity data as well as short‐period (1.5–2.5 Hz) waveform data from the direct P wave. The stress field in the source area of this swarm was estimated by applying stress tensor inversions to these focal mechanism data. Based on the estimated stress field, and under the assumption of uniform stress, we calculated relative frictional strengths for individual focal mechanisms. The calculated relative frictional strengths vary over a wide range, but their average value exhibits a characteristic temporal variation, which is at first small, but steadily increases with time for 100 to 150 days, and then becomes approximately constant. We confirmed this characteristic temporal variation of the average relative frictional strength by assuming the stress to be nonuniform. Similar temporal variations of the average relative frictional strength are obtained for even these cases, confirming the variation. The most likely cause for the observed temporal variation of the average relative frictional strength is the temporal variation of the pore fluid pressure in the source area of the swarm, facilitated by the Tohoku‐Oki earthquake and the subsequent fluid diffusion.
Multimodel ensemble simulations of present and future climates over West Africa: Impacts of vegetation dynamics
Authors: Erfanian Amir , Wang Guiling , Yu Miao , Anyah Richard 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn this study, we take an ensemble modeling approach using the regional climate model RegCM4.3.4‐CLM‐CN‐DV (RCM) to study the impact of including vegetation dynamics on model performance in simulating present‐day climate and on future climate projections over West Africa. The ensemble consists of four global climate models (GCMs) as lateral boundary conditions for the RCM, and simulations with both static and dynamic vegetation are conducted. The results demonstrate substantial sensitivity of the simulated precipitation, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture to vegetation representation. Although including dynamic vegetation in the model eliminates potential inconsistencies between surface climate and the bioclimatic requirements of the prescribed vegetation, it enhances model biases causing climate drift. For present‐day climate, the ensemble average generally outperforms individual members due to cancelation of model biases. For future changes, although the original GCMs project contradicting future rainfall trends over West Africa, the RCMs‐produced trends are generally consistent. The multimodel ensemble projects significant decreases of rainfall over a major portion of West Africa and significant increases over eastern Sahel and East Africa. Projected future changes of evapotranspiration and soil moisture are consistent with those of precipitation, with significant decreases (increases) for western (eastern) Sahel. Accounting for vegetation‐climate interactions has localized but significant impacts on projected future changes of precipitation, with a wet signal over a belt of projected increase of woody vegetation cover; the impact on the projected future changes of evapotranspiration and soil moisture over west and central Africa is much more profound.
A new classification scheme of European cyclone tracks with relevance to precipitation
Authors: Hofstätter M. , Chimani B. , Lexer A. , Blöschl G. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis paper proposes a new classification scheme of atmospheric cyclone tracks over Europe. The cyclones are classified into nine types, based on the geographic regions, the cyclones traverse before entering central Europe. The method is applied to ERA‐40 data for 1961–2002, considering all significant cyclones above a relative vorticity threshold. About 120 and 80 cyclone tracks per year are identified at sea level pressure and 700 hPa geopotential height, respectively. About 25% are Atlantic type cyclones, 25% emerge directly over central Europe, and another 25% originate from the lee of the Alps. The other types are less frequent (Mediterranean 12%, Polar 7%, Continental 2%, and Vb 4%). The track types show distinct characteristics in terms of cyclone intensity and cyclone life stage when entering central Europe. Cyclones of type Vb are, on average, the most intense cyclones over central Europe and even more intense than Atlantic cyclones in summer, pointing to their potential for generating extreme precipitation. The identified cyclones account for 46%–76% of long‐term precipitation in a focus region in central Europe. Precipitation differs significantly between cyclones, with Atlantic and Vb cyclones producing the highest and Continental and Polar cyclones producing the lowest long‐term precipitation totals. The contributions of cyclone types to total precipitation show distinct spatial patterns within central Europe. The new cyclone type catalog will be useful for identifying the relevance of specific track types for precipitation extremes in central Europe and analyze their temporal behavior in the context of climate change.
A coupled human‐natural systems analysis of irrigated agriculture under changing climate
Authors: Giuliani M. , Li Y. , Castelletti A. , Gandolfi C. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractExponentially growing water demands and increasingly uncertain hydrologic regimes due to changes in climate and land use are challenging the sustainability of agricultural water systems. Farmers must adapt their management strategies in order to secure food production and avoid crop failures. Investigating the potential for adaptation policies in agricultural systems requires accounting for their natural and human components, along with their reciprocal interactions. Yet this feedback is generally overlooked in the water resources systems literature. In this work, we contribute a novel modeling approach to study the coevolution of irrigated agriculture under changing climate, advancing the representation of the human component within agricultural systems by using normative meta‐models to describe the behaviors of groups of farmers or institutional decisions. These behavioral models, validated against observational data, are then integrated into a coupled human‐natural system simulation model to better represent both systems and their coevolution under future changing climate conditions, assuming the adoption of different policy adaptation options, such as cultivating less water demanding crops. The application to the pilot study of the Adda River basin in northern Italy shows that the dynamic coadaptation of water supply and demand allows farmers to avoid estimated potential losses of more than 10 M€/yr under projected climate changes, while unilateral adaptation of either the water supply or the demand are both demonstrated to be less effective. Results also show that the impact of the different policy options varies as function of drought intensity, with water demand adaptation outperforming water supply adaptation when drought conditions become more severe.
Cannibalism versus funerary defleshing and disarticulation after a period of decay: comparisons of bone modifications from four prehistoric sites
Authors: Bello Silvia M. , Wallduck Rosalind , Dimitrijević Vesna , Živaljević Ivana , Stringer Chris B. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectivesHumanly induced modifications on human and non‐human bones from four archaeological sites of known funerary rituals (one interpreted as cannibalism and three interpreted as funerary defleshing and disarticulation after a period of decay) were analyzed to ascertain whether macromorphological and micromorphological characteristics of cut marks can be used to distinguish cannibalistic from secondary burial practices.Material and methodsFour collections were analyzed: the Magdalenian assemblage from Gough's Cave (UK) and the Mesolithic‐Neolithic bone samples from Lepenski Vir, Padina and Vlasac (Serbia). A total of 647 cut marks (345 on human and 302 on non‐human remains) were imaged and measured using an optical surface measurement system, the Alicona InfiniteFocus, housed at the Natural History Museum (London, UK).ResultsThe frequency of cut marks at Gough's Cave exceeds 65%, while it is below 1% in the Serbian sites, and no human tooth marks and only one case of percussion damage have been observed on the three Serbian collections. The distribution of cut marks on human bones is comparable in the four assemblages. Cannibalized human remains, however, present a uniform cut mark distribution, which can be associated with disarticulation of persistent and labile articulations, and the scalping and filleting of muscles. For secondary burials where modification occurred after a period of decay, disarticulation marks are less common and the disarticulation of labile joints is rare. The micromorphometric analyses of cut marks on human and non‐human remains suggest that cut marks produced when cleaning partially decayed bodies are significantly different from cut marks produced during butchery of fresh bodies.ConclusionsA distinction between cannibalism and secondary treatment of human bodies can be made based on frequency, distribution and micromorphometric characteristics of cut marks.
Regioselective Dichlorination of a Non‐Activated Aliphatic Carbon Atom and Phenolic Bismethylation by a Multifunctional Fungal Flavoenzyme
Authors: Chankhamjon Pranatchareeya , Tsunematsu Yuta , Ishida‐Ito Mie , Sasa Yuzuka , Meyer Florian , Boettger‐Schmidt Daniela , Urbansky Barbara , Menzel Klaus‐Dieter , Scherlach Kirstin , Watanabe Kenji , Hertweck Christian 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe regioselective functionalization of non‐activated carbon atoms such as aliphatic halogenation is a major synthetic challenge. A novel multifunctional enzyme catalyzing the geminal dichlorination of a methyl group was discovered in Aspergillus oryzae (Koji mold), an important fungus that is widely used for Asian food fermentation. A biosynthetic pathway encoded on two different chromosomes yields mono‐ and dichlorinated polyketides (diaporthin derivatives), including the cytotoxic dichlorodiaporthin as the main product. Bioinformatic analyses and functional genetics revealed an unprecedented hybrid enzyme (AoiQ) with two functional domains, one for halogenation and one for O‐methylation. AoiQ was successfully reconstituted in vivo and in vitro, unequivocally showing that this FADH2‐dependent enzyme is uniquely capable of the stepwise gem‐dichlorination of a non‐activated carbon atom on a freestanding substrate. Genome mining indicated that related hybrid enzymes are encoded in cryptic gene clusters in numerous ecologically relevant fungi.
Polymerization of Acetonitrile via a Hydrogen Transfer Reaction from CH3 to CN under Extreme Conditions
Authors: Zheng Haiyan , Li Kuo , Cody George D. , Tulk Christopher A. , Dong Xiao , Gao Guoying , Molaison Jamie J. , Liu Zhenxian , Feygenson Mikhail , Yang Wenge , Ivanov Ilia N. , Basile Leonardo , Idrobo Juan‐Carlos , Guthrie Malcolm , Mao Ho‐kwang 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAcetonitrile (CH3CN) is the simplest and one of the most stable nitriles. Reactions usually occur on the C≡N triple bond, while the C−H bond is very inert and can only be activated by a very strong base or a metal catalyst. It is demonstrated that C−H bonds can be activated by the cyano group under high pressure, but at room temperature. The hydrogen atom transfers from the CH3 to CN along the CH⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bond, which produces an amino group and initiates polymerization to form a dimer, 1D chain, and 2D nanoribbon with mixed sp2 and sp3 bonded carbon. Finally, it transforms into a graphitic polymer by eliminating ammonia. This study shows that applying pressure can induce a distinctive reaction which is guided by the structure of the molecular crystal. It highlights the fact that very inert C−H can be activated by high pressure, even at room temperature and without a catalyst.
Rapid Synthesis of Aryl Fluorides in Continuous Flow through the Balz–Schiemann Reaction
Authors: Park Nathaniel H. , Senter Timothy J. , Buchwald Stephen L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe Balz–Schiemann reaction remains a highly utilized means for preparing aryl fluorides from anilines. However, the limitations associated with handling aryl diazonium salts often hinder both the substrate scope and scalability of this reaction. To address this, a new continuous flow protocol was developed that eliminates the need to isolate the aryl diazonium salts. The new process has enabled the fluorination of an array of aryl and heteroaryl amines.
Study of differentiated human umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation on rat model of advanced parkinsonism
Authors: Wang Zhaowei , Chen Aimin , Yan Shengjuan , Li Chengyan 
Published: August 2016

The aim of this study was to explore the curative effect of differentiated human umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC‐MSCs) transplantation on rat of advanced Parkinson disease (PD) model. Human umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultured and induced differentiation in vitro. The PD rats were established and allocated randomly into 2 groups: differentiated hUC‐MSCs groups and physiological saline groups (the control group). Rotation test and immunofluorescence double staining were done. The result showed that hUC‐MSCs could differentiate into mature dopamine neurons. Frequency of rotation was significantly less in differentiated hUC‐MSCs groups than in normal saline group. After we transplanted these cells into the unilateral lesioned substantia nigra induced by striatal injection of 6‐hydroxydopamine and performed in the medial forebrain bundle and ventral tegmental area, nigral tyrosine hydroxylase–positive cells were observed and survival of at least 2 months. In addition, transplantation of hUC‐MSCs could make an obviously therapeutic effect on PD rats.
The Ganglioside GM‐1 Inhibits Bupivacaine‐Induced Neurotoxicity in Mouse Neuroblastoma Neuro2a Cells
Authors: Liang Yujie , Ji Jiemei , Lin Yunan , He Yajun , Liu Jingchen 
Published: August 2016

ObjectiveStudies indicate that bupivacaine‐induced neurotoxicity results from apoptosis. Gangliosides have been shown to promote neuronal repair and recovery of neurological function after spinal cord injury. Previously, we confirmed that in vivo administration of the ganglioside GM‐1 attenuated bupivacaine‐induced neurotoxicity in various animal models; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear.MethodsCells of the neuroblastoma line N2a (Neuro2a cells) were divided into three experimental groups: control, bupivacaine‐treated, and bupivacaine‐treated with GM‐1 pretreatment. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed through CCK‐8 assays, Hoechst staining, and flow cytometry analysis of Annexin‐V/propidium iodide double labeling. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assessed the expression of caspase‐3, caspase‐8, and caspase‐9.ResultsBupivacaine‐induced apoptosis worsened with increasing dose and exposure time. Bupivacaine induced increased expression of caspase‐3 and caspase‐9, but not caspase‐8, indicating that the mitochondrial pathway but not the death receptor apoptosis pathway was activated. GM‐1 pretreatment inhibited bupivacaine‐induced apoptosis and the expression of caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 in a dose‐dependent manner.ConclusionBupivacaine induced neurotoxicity by activating apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway, and this was inhibited by GM‐1 pretreatment.
Coumarin‐Induced DNA Ligation, Rearrangement to DNA Interstrand Crosslinks, and Photorelease of Coumarin Moiety
Authors: Sun Huabing , Fan Heli , Eom Hyeyoung , Peng Xiaohua 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCoumarin moieties react with thymine and cytosine in DNA by photoinduced [2+2] cycloaddition, which allows quantitative DNA interstrand crosslink (ICL) formation. Here, we report the application of coumarin analogues for DNA photoligation and the rearrangement of coumarin‐induced ligation to ICL products. Both DNA sequences and the linker units at position 4 of the coumarin moieties affected coumarin‐induced DNA photoligation. A flexible linker unit favored DNA ICL formation but led to inefficient photoligation, whereas coumarins without linker units greatly increased DNA photoligation efficiency. DNA photoligation induced by the coumarin moiety was photoswitchable. Ligation products were formed between coumarin and dT or dC upon 350 nm irradiation but reverted to the original single‐stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) upon 254 nm irradiation. Rearrangement of ligated ODNs into ICL products occurred during the switchable (350 nm/254 nm) processes. Additionally, photoinduced cleavage of coumarin 3 occurred with dC‐3 cycloadducts upon 254 nm irradiation, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis.
NiFe Layered‐Double‐Hydroxide‐Derived NiO‐NiFe2O4/Reduced Graphene Oxide Architectures for Enhanced Electrocatalysis of Alkaline Water Splitting
Authors: Zhang Guoquan , Li Yanfang , Zhou Yufei , Yang Fenglin 
Published: August 2016

AbstractElectrochemical water splitting is an environmentally friendly technology to store renewable but intermittent energy into hydrogen fuels. Nowadays, exploiting low‐costing, high‐performance, and robust catalysts for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential to improve the overall efficiency of water splitting. Herein, the synthesis, structural characterization, and electrocatalytic OER performance of NiO‐NiFe2O4 nanoparticles anchored on reduced graphite oxide frameworks (NiO‐NiFe2O4/rGO) were investigated. Facile thermal annealing of the NiFe layered double hydroxide (NiFe‐LDH) precursor led to the formation of highly dispersible NiO‐NiFe2O4 nanoparticles (20–30 nm in size) across the rGO substrate with a NiO/NiFe2O4 molar ratio up to 4.42. In contrast to the nanostructured NiFe‐LDH/rGO catalyst, the NiO‐NiFe2O4/rGO nanohybrid exhibits a lower OER onset potential (Eonset=1.436 V vs. RHE), affords a smaller overpotential of 296 mV, and achieves a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a Tafel slope of about 43 mV dec−1; these values are comparable to those of the benchmark IrO2 catalyst. The synergy between the abundant catalytically active sites through good dispersion of NiO‐NiFe2O4 across the rGO substrate and fluent electron transport arising from the rGO and NiFe2O4 components results in the outstanding electrocatalytic activity. The extremely high catalytic activity, facile synthesis, and low‐cost of the NiO‐NiFe2O4/rGO nanohybrid make it a very promising catalyst for the OER.
CuAAC Click Reactions in the Gas Phase: Unveiling the Reactivity of Bis‐Copper Intermediates
Authors: Iacobucci Claudio , Lebon Alexandre , De Angelis Francesco , Memboeuf Antony 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCopper‐catalysed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) has been considered a breakthrough transformation over the last 15 years. Its debated mechanism arouses continuously growing interest. By means of a mass spectrometer modified ad hoc, the entire catalytic cycle of CuAAC reaction has been investigated in the gas phase. Ion‐molecule reactions were performed inside the mass spectrometer to reproduce step‐by‐step, at a molecular level, the complete catalytic cycle of the click reaction. We successfully challenged the reactivity of elusive mono‐ and bis‐copper intermediates by ion‐molecule reactions leading to the production of mass‐characterized triazole products, paving the way for detailed energetic studies to be performed in the gas phase. The structures of the relevant species, calculated at a DFT level, helped rationalise our experimental results.