bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blue light regenerates functional visual pigments in mammals through a retinyl-phospholipid intermediate
Authors: Kaylor Joanna J. , Xu Tongzhou , Ingram Norianne T. , Tsan Avian , Hakobyan Hayk , Fain Gordon L. , Travis Gabriel H. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe light absorbing chromophore in opsin visual pigments is the protonated Schiff base of 11-cis-retinaldehyde (11cRAL). Absorption of a photon isomerizes 11cRAL to all-trans-retinaldehyde (atRAL), briefly activating the pigment before it dissociates. Light sensitivity is restored when apo-opsin combines with another 11cRAL to form a new visual pigment. Conversion of atRAL to 11cRAL is carried out by enzyme pathways in neighboring cells. Here we show that blue (450-nm) light converts atRAL specifically to 11cRAL through a retinyl-phospholipid intermediate in photoreceptor membranes. The quantum efficiency of this photoconversion is similar to rhodopsin. Photoreceptor membranes synthesize 11cRAL chromophore faster under blue light than in darkness. Live mice regenerate rhodopsin more rapidly in blue light. Finally, whole retinas and isolated cone cells show increased photosensitivity following exposure to blue light. These results indicate that light contributes to visual-pigment renewal in mammalian rods and cones through a non-enzymatic process involving retinyl-phospholipids.
Habitat connectivity and in-stream vegetation control temporal variability of benthic invertebrate communities
Authors: Huttunen K.-L. , Mykrä H. , Oksanen J. , Astorga A. , Paavola R. , Muotka T. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractOne of the key challenges to understanding patterns of β diversity is to disentangle deterministic patterns from stochastic ones. Stochastic processes may mask the influence of deterministic factors on community dynamics, hindering identification of the mechanisms causing variation in community composition. We studied temporal β diversity (among-year dissimilarity) of macroinvertebrate communities in near-pristine boreal streams across 14 years. To assess whether the observed β diversity deviates from that expected by chance, and to identify processes (deterministic vs. stochastic) through which different explanatory factors affect community variability, we used a null model approach. We observed that at the majority of sites temporal β diversity was low indicating high community stability. When stochastic variation was unaccounted for, connectivity was the only variable explaining temporal β diversity, with weakly connected sites exhibiting higher community variability through time. After accounting for stochastic effects, connectivity lost importance, suggesting that it was related to temporal β diversity via random colonization processes. Instead, β diversity was best explained by in-stream vegetation, community variability decreasing with increasing bryophyte cover. These results highlight the potential of stochastic factors to dampen the influence of deterministic processes, affecting our ability to understand and predict changes in biological communities through time.
Multiplex detection of bacteria on an integrated centrifugal disk using bead-beating lysis and loop-mediated amplification
Authors: Yan He , Zhu Yunzeng , Zhang Yan , Wang Lei , Chen Junge , Lu Ying , Xu Youchun , Xing Wanli 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAlthough culture-based identification of bacteria is the gold-standard for the diagnosis of infectious diseases, it is time consuming. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics and microfluidic technologies have opened up new avenues for rapid detection of bacteria. Here, we describe a centrifugal-microfluidic chip for the detection of bacteria by integrating the cell lysis, clarification, and loop-mediated amplification (LAMP). The major advantages of this chip are as follows. Firstly, bacteria lysis was innovatively achieved by rotating a pair of magnets to generate bead-beating while the chip was kept stationary during lysis, which simplified the chip design because no additional valve was needed. Secondly, the on-chip assay time was short (within 70 min), which was competitive in emergency situations. Thirdly, results of the analysis can be interpreted by using a fluorescence detector or by the naked-eye, making it versatile in many areas, especially the resource-limited areas. The on-chip limits of detection of six types of bacteria were valued by gel electrophoresis, showing the similar results compared to the bench-top LAMP protocol. This chip can be used for rapid, sensitive, accurate and automated detection of bacteria, offering a promising alternative for simplifying the molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases.
Investigation of cationicity and structure of pseudin-2 analogues for enhanced bacterial selectivity and anti-inflammatory activity
Authors: Jeon Dasom , Jeong Min-Cheol , Jacob Binu , Bang Jeong Kyu , Kim Eun-Hee , Cheong Chaejoon , Jung In Duk , Park Yoonkyung , Kim Yangmee 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPseudin-2 (Ps), isolated from the frog Pseudis paradoxa, exhibits potent antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity. To develop antimicrobial peptides with anti-inflammatory activity and low cytotoxicity, we designed Ps analogues with Lys substitutions, resulting in elevated amphipathic α-helical structure and cationicity. We further substituted Gly11 with Pro (Ps-P analogues) to increase bacterial cell selectivity. Ps analogues retained antimicrobial activity and exhibited reduced cytotoxicity, whereas Ps-P analogues exhibited lower cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity. Tertiary structures revealed that Ps has a linear α-helix from Leu2 to Glu24, whereas Ps-P has a bend at Pro11 between two short α-helixes. Using various biophysical experiments, we found that Ps analogues produced much higher membrane depolarization than Ps-P analogues, whereas Ps-P analogues may penetrate bacterial cell membranes. Ps and its analogue Ps-K18 exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 and mouse dendritic cells via a mechanism involving the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway. These activities may arise from their direct inhibition of the formation of TLR4-MD-2_LPS complex, implying that amphipathic α-helical structure with an optimum balance between enhanced cationicity and hydrophobicity may be essential for their anti-inflammatory activity. The bent structure provided by Pro substitution plays an important role in enhancing bacterial cell selectivity and cell penetration.
Phonon-mediated high-T

c
superconductivity in hole-doped diamond-like crystalline hydrocarbon
Authors: Lian Chao-Sheng , Wang Jian-Tao , Duan Wenhui , Chen Changfeng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe here predict by ab initio calculations phonon-mediated high-T
c
superconductivity in hole-doped diamond-like cubic crystalline hydrocarbon K4-CH (space group I21/3). This material possesses three key properties: (i) an all-sp3 covalent carbon framework that produces high-frequency phonon modes, (ii) a steep-rising electronic density of states near the top of the valence band, and (iii) a Fermi level that lies in the σ-band, allowing for a strong coupling with the C-C bond-stretching modes. The simultaneous presence of these properties generates remarkably high superconducting transition temperatures above 80 K at an experimentally accessible hole doping level of only a few percent. These results identify a new extraordinary electron-phonon superconductor and pave the way for further exploration of this novel superconducting covalent metal.
Crop yield response to climate change varies with crop spatial distribution pattern
Authors: Leng Guoyong , Huang Maoyi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe linkage between crop yield and climate variability has been confirmed in numerous studies using statistical approaches. A crucial assumption in these studies is that crop spatial distribution pattern is constant over time. Here, we explore how changes in county-level corn spatial distribution pattern modulate the response of its yields to climate change at the state level over the Contiguous United States. Our results show that corn yield response to climate change varies with crop spatial distribution pattern, with distinct impacts on the magnitude and even the direction at the state level. Corn yield is predicted to decrease by 20~40% by 2050 s when considering crop spatial distribution pattern changes, which is 6~12% less than the estimates with fixed cropping pattern. The beneficial effects are mainly achieved by reducing the negative impacts of daily maximum temperature and strengthening the positive impacts of precipitation. Our results indicate that previous empirical studies could be biased in assessing climate change impacts by ignoring the changes in crop spatial distribution pattern. This has great implications for understanding the increasing debates on whether climate change will be a net gain or loss for regional agriculture.
Individual differences in the early recognition of moral information in lexical processing: An event-related potential study
Authors: Yang Qun , Luo Canhuang , Zhang Ye 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that intuitive moral cognition occurs at an early stage. However, inconsistent findings indicate that moral information is recognized at a relatively late stage. This study uses the recognition potential (RP) as a neural index and simultaneously measures individuals’ moral preferences using the Moral Foundation Questionnaire. We aim to investigate how individual differences in moral preferences modulate the processing of morality in the pre-semantic stage and provide some insights to explain the variation in rapid information processing linked to morality. The participants performed an implicit task in which recognizable words depicting geographical names or behaviors related to moral, disgusting or neutral content alternated with background stimuli at high rates of presentation. The results showed that the early recognition of moral information manifested in the RP depended on an individual’s moral concerns. Participants with a higher level of endorsement of the harm/care foundation exhibited a greater net moral effect, namely, greater mean amplitudes of the moral-neutral RP difference waves. Meanwhile, only the group that was more sensitive to the harm/care foundation showed a distinctively larger RP for the moral words than for the neutral words. Overall, these findings suggest that the early processing of moral cognition may hinge on individual differences in moral concerns about other people’s suffering.
Highly Selective and Sensitive Self-Powered Glucose Sensor Based on Capacitor Circuit
Authors: Slaughter Gymama , Kulkarni Tanmay 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEnzymatic glucose biosensors are being developed to incorporate nanoscale materials with the biological recognition elements to assist in the rapid and sensitive detection of glucose. Here we present a highly sensitive and selective glucose sensor based on capacitor circuit that is capable of selectively sensing glucose while simultaneously powering a small microelectronic device. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is chemically modified with pyrroloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) and bilirubin oxidase (BOD) at anode and cathode, respectively, in the biofuel cell arrangement. The input voltage (as low as 0.25 V) from the biofuel cell is converted to a stepped-up power and charged to the capacitor to the voltage of 1.8 V. The frequency of the charge/discharge cycle of the capacitor corresponded to the oxidation of glucose. The biofuel cell structure-based glucose sensor synergizes the advantages of both the glucose biosensor and biofuel cell. In addition, this glucose sensor favored a very high selectivity towards glucose in the presence of competing and non-competing analytes. It exhibited unprecedented sensitivity of 37.66 Hz/mM.cm2 and a linear range of 1 to 20 mM. This innovative self-powered glucose sensor opens new doors for implementation of biofuel cells and capacitor circuits for medical diagnosis and powering therapeutic devices.
Construction of a map-based reference genome sequence for barley, Hordeum vulgare L.
Authors: Beier Sebastian , Himmelbach Axel , Colmsee Christian , Zhang Xiao-Qi , Barrero Roberto A. , Zhang Qisen , Li Lin , Bayer Micha , Bolser Daniel , Taudien Stefan , Groth Marco , Felder Marius , Hastie Alex , Šimková Hana , Staňková Helena , Vrána Jan , Chan Saki , Muñoz-Amatriaín María , Ounit Rachid , Wanamaker Steve , Schmutzer Thomas , Aliyeva-Schnorr Lala , Grasso Stefano , Tanskanen Jaakko , Sampath Dharanya , Heavens Darren , Cao Sujie , Chapman Brett , Dai Fei , Han Yong , Li Hua , Li Xuan , Lin Chongyun , McCooke John K. , Tan Cong , Wang Songbo , Yin Shuya , Zhou Gaofeng , Poland Jesse A. , Bellgard Matthew I. , Houben Andreas , Doležel Jaroslav , Ayling Sarah , Lonardi Stefano , Langridge Peter , Muehlbauer Gary J. , Kersey Paul , Clark Matthew D. , Caccamo Mario , Schulman Alan H. , Platzer Matthias , Close Timothy J. , Hansson Mats , Zhang Guoping , Braumann Ilka , Li Chengdao , Waugh Robbie , Scholz Uwe , Stein Nils , Mascher Martin 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBarley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a cereal grass mainly used as animal fodder and raw material for the malting industry. The map-based reference genome sequence of barley cv. ‘Morex’ was constructed by the International Barley Genome Sequencing Consortium (IBSC) using hierarchical shotgun sequencing. Here, we report the experimental and computational procedures to (i) sequence and assemble more than 80,000 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones along the minimum tiling path of a genome-wide physical map, (ii) find and validate overlaps between adjacent BACs, (iii) construct 4,265 non-redundant sequence scaffolds representing clusters of overlapping BACs, and (iv) order and orient these BAC clusters along the seven barley chromosomes using positional information provided by dense genetic maps, an optical map and chromosome conformation capture sequencing (Hi-C). Integrative access to these sequence and mapping resources is provided by the barley genome explorer (BARLEX).
Guilty repair sustains cooperation, angry retaliation destroys it
Authors: Skatova Anya , Spence Alexa , Leygue Caroline , Ferguson Eamonn 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSustained cooperative social interactions are key to successful outcomes in many real-world contexts (e.g., climate change and energy conservation). We explore the self-regulatory roles of anger and guilt, as well as prosocial or selfish social preferences in a repeated social dilemma game framed around shared electricity use at home. We explore the proposal that for sustained cooperation, guilty repair needs to override angry retaliation. We show that anger is damaging to cooperation as it leads to retaliation and an increase of defection, while, through guilt, cooperation is repaired resulting in higher levels of cooperation. We demonstrate a disconnect between the experience of anger and subsequent retaliation which is a function of participants’ social preferences. While there is no difference in reports of anger between prosocial and selfish individuals after finding out that others use more energy from the communal resource, prosocials are less likely to act on their anger and retaliate. Selfish individuals are motivated by anger to retaliate but not motivated by guilt to repair and contribute disproportionately to the breakdown of cooperation over repeated interactions. We suggest that guilt is a key emotion to appeal to when encouraging cooperation.
Comparative study of AC and DC inclined plane tests on silicone rubber (SiR) insulation
Authors: Kaaiye Sharif F. , Nyamupangedengu Cuthbert 
Published: April 2017

Currently there are no international standards for evaluating the tracking and erosion resistance of DC polymeric insulation under contaminated conditions. Researchers often modify the existing AC inclined plane test standards such as the IEC‐60587 to accommodate DC voltage conditions but this has been reported to give various inconsistences. This paper presents comprehensive experimental results on inclined plane tests of silicone rubber (SiR) insulation at 3.5 and 4.5 kV AC and positive DC using intravenous (IV) system as the pollutant supply. The leakage currents (LC) were recorded throughout the entire tests. In addition, various physiochemical tests namely, Fourier Transform Infrared analysis, thermo‐gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy were performed on the aged and unaged samples. Results show that DC LC is bigger (about three times) than that under AC for the same equivalent voltages. Furthermore, DC LC variations are less random and the average magnitudes increase with duration of voltage application compared with AC. The physiochemical analyses show that 3.5 kVrms AC and 3.5 kV DC aged samples have comparable chemical characteristics albeit with electrode corrosion elements detected on the DC aged samples. Under 4.5 kV DC the degradation becomes significantly more severe and unrepeatable. It is therefore concluded that at 0.3 ml/min, pollutant flow rate, 3.5 kV positive DC and 3.5 kVrms AC are comparable as test voltages for inclined plane accelerated ageing of SiR insulation.
Bandwidth oriented proportional‐integral controller design for back‐to‐back power converters in DFIG wind turbine system
Authors: Zhou Dao , Blaabjerg Frede 
Published: April 2017

The doubly‐fed induction generator (DFIG) system currently occupies close to 50% of the wind energy market. The vector control is the proven and state‐of‐the‐art solution for its back‐to‐back power converters by using the dual‐loop controller design: the inner current and the outer voltage/power. This paper focuses on the modelling of power converters and the parameters design of proportional‐integral controller. According to the Bode plots, the relationship among the switching frequency, inner loop bandwidth, and outer loop bandwidth can be found. At least one‐tenth difference between them is necessary for the sake of either the switching harmonic mitigation or the fully decouple of the dual loops. The procedure to design bandwidth for the grid‐side converter and the rotor‐side converter is thoroughly addressed and explained on a real‐scale 2 MW and a down‐scaled 7.5 kW DFIG systems. On the basis of the relationship between the controller bandwidth and the rise time, the theoretically designed bandwidth is able to be verified in both the simulation and the experiment.
Modified In-Office Maxillary Balloon Sinus Dilation for Post-Procedure Sinus Monitoring and Access
Authors: Nishioka Gary 
Published: April 2017

Introduction As experience grows with in-office balloon sinus dilation (BSD) procedures, technique modifications will evolve to meet specific needs. The major disadvantage with the maxillary BSD procedure is that the intact uncinate process prevents visualization of and instrument access into the maxillary sinus both intraoperatively and postoperatively. Combining a partial or complete uncinectomy procedure with maxillary BSD could be beneficial in selected patients with certain maxillary sinus problems.
Objective The primary objective of this study was to see if, in selected patients, combining an uncinectomy and maxillary sinus BSD together allowed visualization of and access to the maxillary sinus cavity at the time of the procedure and at follow-up visits.
Method A chart review was completed for BSD cases performed from 2013 through mid-2015 identifying patients who underwent partial or complete uncinectomy with in-office maxillary sinus BSD. A total of 14 patients were identified, with 26 sinuses treated. The data collected included: difficulty or problems in performing an uncinectomy with the maxillary sinus BSD; visualization and access to the maxillary sinus cavity both intraoperatively and at follow-up visits; and occurrence of complications or late adverse sequelae. All patients completed a minimum 6-month follow-up.
Results Combined uncinectomy and maxillary sinus BSD procedures were easily completed for all patients without complications, and no late adverse sequelae were encountered. The maxillary sinuses could be visualized and accessed, if needed, intraoperatively and at all follow-up visits.
Conclusions In selected subsets of maxillary sinus conditions this procedure modification can provide significant benefits. A case is presented for illustration.
Evaluation of Dizziness Handicap in Adolescents and Adults with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Prabhu Prashanth , Jamuar Pratyasha 
Published: April 2017

Introduction Vestibular symptoms and damage to the vestibular branch of the eighth cranial nerve is reported in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). However, the real life handicap caused by these vestibular problems in individuals with ANSD is not studied.
Objective The present study attempted to evaluate the dizziness-related handicap in adolescents and adults with ANSD.
Method The dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) was administered to 40 adolescents and adults diagnosed with ANSD. The study also attempted to determine if there is any gender effect on DHI scores and its correlation to the reported onset of hearing loss.
Results The results of the study showed that adolescents and adults with ANSD had a moderate degree of dizziness-related handicap. The dizziness affected their quality of life, causing emotional problems. There was no gender effect, and the level of the handicap was greater in the cases in which the onset of the hearing loss was reported soon after the diagnosis of ANSD. There could be a vestibular compensation that could have resulted in a reduction in symptoms in individuals in whom the onset of the hearing loss was reported later on.
Conclusion Thus, a detailed assessment of vestibular problems and their impact on quality of life is essential in adolescents and adults with ANSD. Appropriate management strategies should be considered to resolve their vestibular problems and improve their quality of life.
Development of Multiple-Unit Floating Drug Delivery System of Clarithromycin: Formulation, in vitro Dissolution by Modified Dissolution Apparatus, in vivo Radiographic Studies in Human Volunteers
Authors: Reddy Arun , Reddy Narendar 
Published: April 2017

AbstractClarithromycin (CM), a broad spectrum macrolide antibiotic used to eradicate H. pylori in peptic ulcer. Clarithromycin (CM) is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but has a bioavailability of 50% due to rapid biodegradation. The aim of this investigation was to increase the gastric residence time, and to control the drug release of clarithromycin by formulating into multiple unit floating mini-tablets. Floating tablets were prepared by using direct compression method with HPMC K4M and Polyox WSR 1105 as release retarded polymers and sodium bicarbonate as gas generating agent. The prepared mini-tablets were evaluated for thickness, weight variation, friability, hardness, drug content, in vitro buoyancy, swelling studies, in vitro dissolution studies by using modified Rossett-Rice test and in vivo radiographic studies in healthy human volunteers in fasting conditions. DSC analysis revealed that no interaction between drug and excipients. All the physical parameters of the tablets were within the acceptable limits. The optimized formulation (F6) had showed controlled drug release of 99.16±3.22% in 12 h, by zero-order release kinetics, along with floating lag time of 9.5±1.28 s and total floating time of 12±0.14 h. X-ray imaging studies revealed that in vivo gastric residence time of clarithromycin floating mini-tablet in the stomach was about 3.5 h. The results demonstrated that the developed floating mini-tablets of clarithromycin caused significant enhancement in gastric retention time along with sustained effect and increased oral bioavailability.