bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crystal Structure and Improved Synthesis of 1‐(2H‐Tetrazol‐5‐yl)guanidium Nitrate
Authors: Nimesh Sasidharan , Ang How‐Ghee 
Published: April 2016

AbstractEnergetic derivatives of tetrazoles are one of the key areas of research focus in pursuit of novel high energy materials, useful as propellants and explosives. Herein, the crystal structure and an improved synthetic procedure of 1‐(2H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)guanidine (1) and its nitrate salt (2) are reported. The compounds were structurally characterized by spectroscopic (FT‐IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR) and elemental analysis. The molecular structure of tetrazolyl guanidium nitrate (2) was solved using low temperature single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. 2 crystallized as its hemihydrate in the orthorhombic space group Fdd2, with a crystal density of 1.69 g cm−3. Thermal behavior and decomposition of the molecules were studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Molar enthalpy of formation (ΔfHm) of compound 2 was back calculated from heat of combustion (ΔcH0) value obtained experimentally using bomb calorimetric measurements. Lattice enthalpy of 1‐(2H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)guanidium nitrate was directly calculated from measured crystal density using Jenkins equation. Preliminary ballistic parameters of the compound were predicted and compared with reported high nitrogen tetrazole derivatives.
Quantitative differentiation of normal and scarred tissues using second‐harmonic generation microscopy
Authors: Yildirim Murat , Quinn Kyle P. , Kobler James B. , Zeitels Steven M. , Georgakoudi Irene , Ben‐Yakar Adela 
Published: April 2016

SummaryThe aim of this study was to differentiate normal and scarred hamster cheek pouch samples by applying a quantitative image analysis technique for determining collagen fiber direction and density in second‐harmonic generation microscopy images. This paper presents a collagen tissue analysis of scarred cheek pouches of four adult male Golden Syrian hamsters as an animal model for vocal fold scarring. One cheek pouch was scarred using an electrocautery unit and the other cheek was used as a control for each hamster. A home‐built upright microscope and a compact ultrafast fiber laser were used to acquire depth resolved epi‐collected second‐harmonic generation images of collagen fibers. To quantify the average fiber direction and fiber density in each image, we applied two‐dimensional Fourier analysis and intensity thresholding at five different locations for each control and scarred tissue sample, respectively. The resultant depth‐resolved average fiber direction variance for scarred hamster cheek pouches (0.61 ± 0.03) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than control tissue (0.73 ± 0.04), indicating increased fiber alignment within the scar. Depth‐resolved average voxel density measurements indicated scarred tissues contained greater (p < 0.005) fiber density (0.72 ± 0.09) compared to controls (0.18 ± 0.03). In the present study, image analysis of both fiber alignment and density from depth‐resolved second‐harmonic generation images in epi‐detection mode enabled the quantification of the increased collagen fiber deposition and alignment typically observed in fibrosis. The epi‐detection geometry is the only viable method for in vivo imaging as well as imaging thick turbid tissues. These quantitative endpoints, clearly differentiating between control and scarred hamster cheek pouches, provide an objective means to characterize the extent of vocal fold scarring in vivo in preclinical and clinical research. In particular, this non‐invasive method offers advantages for monitoring scar treatments in live animals and following the effects of scarring‐related treatments such as application of steroids or drugs targeting pathways involved in fibrosis. SCANNING 38:684–693, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nanostructural characterization of Sf9 cells during virus‐like particles generation
Authors: Lee Gi‐Ja , Lee Su‐Hwa , Lee Young Ju , Quan Fu‐Shi 
Published: April 2016

SummarySf9 cells (a clonal isolate of Spodoptera frugiperda Sf21 cells) are commonly used to generate recombinant virus‐like particles (VLPs). For VLPs generation, Sf9 cells are infected with recombinant baculoviruses (rBV) expressing desired proteins. During rBV infections, Sf9 cells have changes in cell diameters and surface structures. In this study, for the first time, we investigated nanostructural changes of Sf9 cells using atomic force microscopy (AFM) during VLPs generation containing Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry protein 18 (ROP 18). As results, Sf9 cells were changed to be larger at 2 days after rBV infections. They maintained their sizes and morphologies on day 3 and 4. Based on morphological (perimeter and diameter) and surface roughness (roughness average and root mean square) changes of Sf9 cells observed by AFM, we inferred that these nanostructural changes in Sf9 cell membranes might be due to the production and extrusion of VLPs after rBV infection. Our results suggest that shape and roughness parameters of Sf9 cell morphology and membrane surface by AFM could be very effective for quantitative analysis of VLP production. This study provides important information about structural and mechanochemical properties of Sf9 cells which are closely related with biological function. SCANNING 38:735–742, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Software product assurance at the German space agency
Authors: Prause Christian R. , Bibus Markus , Dietrich Carsten , Jobi Wolfgang 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe DLR Space Administration designs and implements the German space program. While project management rests with the agency, suppliers are contracted for building the space devices and their software. As opposed to many other domains, these are often unique devices with uncommon and custom‐built peripherals. Its software is specifically developed for a single mission only and controls critical functionality. A small coding error can mean the loss of a mission. For this reason, customer and supplier collaborate to improve products and processes to achieve better software at the end of a project. We discuss quality in the context of space projects, and report a cross‐sectional view from a customer's perspective on various management tools for influencing suppliers' processes and product quality: standards, single‐source tailoring and cross‐company product assurance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of wind on secondary regulating power and energy in the Spanish system
Authors: Olea J. , Lobato E. , Egido I. , Fernandez‐Bernal F. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to assess if high penetrations of wind power influence regulating secondary reserve requirements in the Spanish power system including three different topics: (i) needed ramps of variation of regulating power, (ii) amount of total regulating power and (iii) regulating energy. The results (both technical and economical) derived in this paper are based on the net load curve, defined as the difference between the load curve of the system and the wind generation curve. Since wind power does not provide yet secondary regulating reserve, net load represents the load that must be balanced by units providing the AGC service. Thus, the comparison of the three topics (ramps, regulating power and regulating energy) required by the net load with the ones required by the load curve represents the influence of wind on AGC requirements. Historical values of total demand and wind production with a 1 min resolution of the Spanish power system, collected for 2010 (when the wind share was close to 20%), are employed to derive significant conclusions. The analysis of this paper concludes that the main impact of wind in the Spanish system lies on the secondary regulating energy, while the required ramp rate and secondary reserve nearly not affected. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Substrate-decoupled, bulk-acoustic wave gyroscopes: Design and evaluation of next-generation environmentally robust devices
Authors: Serrano Diego E. , Zaman Mohammad F. , Rahafrooz Amir , Hrudey Peter , Lipka Ron , Younkin Duane , Nagpal Shin , Jafri Ijaz , Ayazi Farrokh 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis paper reports on a new type of high-frequency mode-matched gyroscope with significantly reduced dependencies on environmental stimuli such as temperature, vibration, and shock. A novel stress-isolation system is used to effectively decouple an axis-symmetric bulk-acoustic wave (BAW) vibratory gyro from its substrate, minimizing the effect that external sources of error have on the offset and scale factor of the device. Substrate-decoupled (SD) BAW gyros with a resonance frequency of 4.3 MHz and Q values near 60 000 were implemented using the high aspect ratio poly and single-crystal silicon (HARPSS) process to achieve ultra-narrow capacitive gaps. Wafer-level packaged sensors were interfaced with a customized application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to achieve low variations in the offset across temperature (±26° s−1 from −40 to 85 °C), supreme random-vibration immunity (0.012° s−1 gRMS−1) and excellent shock rejection. With a scale factor of 800 μV (°s−1)−1, the SD-BAW gyro system attains a large full-scale range (±1250° s−1) with a non-linearity of less than 0.07%. A measured angle-random walk (ARW) of 0.39°/√h and a bias instability of 10.5°h−1 are dominated by the thermal and flicker noise of the integrated circuit (IC), respectively. Additional measurements using external electronics show bias-instability values as low as 3.5°h−1, which are limited by feed-through signals coupled from the drive loop to the sense channel, which can be further reduced through proper re-routing of the gyroscope pin-out configuration.
Biofluorescence in Catsharks (Scyliorhinidae): Fundamental Description and Relevance for Elasmobranch Visual Ecology
Authors: Gruber David F. , Loew Ellis R. , Deheyn Dimitri D. , Akkaynak Derya , Gaffney Jean P. , Smith W. Leo , Davis Matthew P. , Stern Jennifer H. , Pieribone Vincent A. , Sparks John S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBiofluorescence has recently been found to be widespread in marine fishes, including sharks. Catsharks, such as the Swell Shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum) from the eastern Pacific and the Chain Catshark (Scyliorhinus retifer) from the western Atlantic, are known to exhibit bright green fluorescence. We examined the spectral sensitivity and visual characteristics of these reclusive sharks, while also considering the fluorescent properties of their skin. Spectral absorbance of the photoreceptor cells in these sharks revealed the presence of a single visual pigment in each species. Cephaloscyllium ventriosum exhibited a maximum absorbance of 484 ± 3 nm and an absorbance range at half maximum (λ1/2max) of 440–540 nm, whereas for S. retifer maximum absorbance was 488 ± 3 nm with the same absorbance range. Using the photoreceptor properties derived here, a “shark eye” camera was designed and developed that yielded contrast information on areas where fluorescence is anatomically distributed on the shark, as seen from other sharks’ eyes of these two species. Phylogenetic investigations indicate that biofluorescence has evolved at least three times in cartilaginous fishes. The repeated evolution of biofluorescence in elasmobranchs, coupled with a visual adaptation to detect it; and evidence that biofluorescence creates greater luminosity contrast with the surrounding background, highlights the potential importance of biofluorescence in elasmobranch behavior and biology.
Role of oxidants in enhancing dewaterability of anaerobically digested sludge through Fe (II) activated oxidation processes: hydrogen peroxide versus persulfate
Authors: Song Kang , Zhou Xu , Liu Yiqi , Gong Yanyan , Zhou Beibei , Wang Dongbo , Wang Qilin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractImproving dewaterability of sludge is important for the disposal of sludge in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study, for the first time, investigated the Fe(II) activated oxidization processes in improving anaerobically digested sludge (ADS) dewaterability. The combination of Fe(II) (0–100 mg/g total solids (TS)) and persulfate (0–1,000 mg/g TS) under neutral pH as well as the combination of Fe(II) (0–100 mg/g TS) and hydrogen peroxide (HP) (0–1,000 mg/g TS) under pH 3.0 were used to examine and compare their effect on the ADS dewaterability enhancement. The highest ADS dewaterability enhancement was attained at 25 mg Fe(II)/g TS and 50 mg HP/g TS, when the CST (CST: the capillary suction time, a sludge dewaterability indicator) was reduced by 95%. In contrast, the highest CST reduction in Fe(II)-persulfate conditioning was 90%, which was obtained at 50 mg Fe(II)/g TS and 250 mg persulfate/g TS. The results showed that Fe(II)-HP conditioning was comparable with Fe(II)-persulfate conditioning in terms of highest CST reduction. Economic analysis suggested that the Fe(II)-HP conditioning was more promising for improving ADS dewaterability compared with Fe(II)-persulfate conditioning, with the saving being up to $65,000 per year in a WWTP with a population equivalent of 100,000.
Two-Dimensional NMR Lineshape Analysis
Authors: Waudby Christopher A. , Ramos Andres , Cabrita Lisa D. , Christodoulou John 
Published: April 2016

AbstractNMR titration experiments are a rich source of structural, mechanistic, thermodynamic and kinetic information on biomolecular interactions, which can be extracted through the quantitative analysis of resonance lineshapes. However, applications of such analyses are frequently limited by peak overlap inherent to complex biomolecular systems. Moreover, systematic errors may arise due to the analysis of two-dimensional data using theoretical frameworks developed for one-dimensional experiments. Here we introduce a more accurate and convenient method for the analysis of such data, based on the direct quantum mechanical simulation and fitting of entire two-dimensional experiments, which we implement in a new software tool, TITAN (TITration ANalysis). We expect the approach, which we demonstrate for a variety of protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions, to be particularly useful in providing information on multi-step or multi-component interactions.
Modulation of Protein Fouling and Interfacial Properties at Carbon Surfaces via Immobilization of Glycans Using Aryldiazonium Chemistry
Authors: Zen Federico , Angione M. Daniela , Behan James A. , Cullen Ronan J. , Duff Thomas , Vasconcelos Joana M. , Scanlan Eoin M. , Colavita Paula E. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCarbon materials and nanomaterials are of great interest for biological applications such as implantable devices and nanoparticle vectors, however, to realize their potential it is critical to control formation and composition of the protein corona in biological media. In this work, protein adsorption studies were carried out at carbon surfaces functionalized with aryldiazonium layers bearing mono- and di-saccharide glycosides. Surface IR reflectance absorption spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance were used to study adsorption of albumin, lysozyme and fibrinogen. Protein adsorption was found to decrease by 30–90% with respect to bare carbon surfaces; notably, enhanced rejection was observed in the case of the tested di-saccharide vs. simple mono-saccharides for near-physiological protein concentration values. ζ-potential measurements revealed that aryldiazonium chemistry results in the immobilization of phenylglycosides without a change in surface charge density, which is known to be important for protein adsorption. Multisolvent contact angle measurements were used to calculate surface free energy and acid-base polar components of bare and modified surfaces based on the van Oss-Chaudhury-Good model: results indicate that protein resistance in these phenylglycoside layers correlates positively with wetting behavior and Lewis basicity.
TCF7L2 involvement in estradiol- and progesterone-modulated islet and hepatic glucose homeostasis
Authors: Dong Fengqin , Ling Qi , Ye Dan , Zhang Zhe , Shu Jing , Chen Guoping , Fei Yang , Li Chengjiang 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTo evaluate the role of TCF7L2, a key regulator of glucose homeostasis, in estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4)-modulated glucose metabolism, mouse insulinoma cells (MIN6) and human liver cancer cells (hepG2 and HUH7) were treated with physiological concentrations of E2 or P4 in the up- and down-regulation of TCF7L2. Insulin/proinsulin secretion was measured in MIN6 cells, while glucose uptake and production were evaluated in liver cancer cells. E2 increased insulin/proinsulin secretion under both basal and stimulated conditions, whereas P4 increased insulin/proinsulin secretion only under glucose-stimulated conditions. An antagonistic effect, possibly concentration-dependent, of E2 and P4 on the regulation of islet glucose metabolism was observed. After E2 or P4 treatment, secretion of insulin/proinsulin was positively correlated with TCF7L2 protein expression. When TCF7L2 was silenced, E2- or P4-promoted insulin/proinsulin secretion was significantly weakened. Under glucotoxicity conditions, overexpression of TCF7L2 increased insulin secretion and processing. In liver cancer cells, E2 or P4 exposure elevated TCF7L2 expression, enhanced the activity of insulin signaling (pAKT/pGSK), reduced PEPCK expression, subsequently increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and decreased glucose production. Silencing TCF7L2 eliminated effects of E2 or P4. In conclusion, TCF7L2 regulates E2- or P4-modulated islet and hepatic glucose metabolism. The results have implications for glucose homeostasis in pregnancy.
Bioactivity Focus of α-Cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) Leads to Effective Multifunctional Aldose Reductase Inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Laitao , Li Yi-Fang , Yuan Sheng , Zhang Shijie , Zheng Huanhuan , Liu Jie , Sun Pinghua , Gu Yijun , Kurihara Hiroshi , He Rong-Rong , Chen Heru 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBioactivity focus on α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) scaffold results in a small library of novel multifunctional aldose reductase (ALR2) inhibitors. All the entities displayed good to excellent inhibition with IC5072–405 nM. (R,E)-N-(3-(2-acetamido-3-(benzyloxy)propanamido)propyl)-2-cyano-3-(4-hydroxy phenyl)acrylamide (5f) was confirmed as the most active inhibitor (IC5072.7 ± 1.6 nM), and the best antioxidant.5fbound to ALR2 with new mode without affecting the aldehyde reductase (ALR1) activity, implicating high selectivity to ALR2.5fwas demonstrated as both an effective ALR2 inhibitor (ARI) and antioxidant in a chick embryo model of hyperglycemia. It attenuated hyperglycemia-induced incidence of neural tube defects (NTD) and death rate, and significantly improved the body weight and morphology of the embryos.5frestored the expression of paired box type 3 transcription factor (Pax3), and reduced the hyperglycemia-induced increase of ALR2 activity, sorbitol accumulation, and the generation of ROS and MDA to normal levels. All the evidences support that5fmay be a potential agent to treat diabetic complications.
Blastomere removal from cleavage-stage mouse embryos alters placental function, which is associated with placental oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Yao Qi , Chen Li , Liang Yuanjiao , Sui Liucai , Guo Li , Zhou Jingwei , Fan Kai , Jing Jun , Zhang Yunhai , Yao Bing 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBlastomere biopsy is an essential technique in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), a screening test that can detect genetic abnormalities of embryos before their transfer into uterus. Our results showed that the weights of fetuses derived from biopsied embryos were lower than that of non-biopsied counterparts at E12.5, E15.5, and E18.5. The ratio of fetal/placental (F/P) weights in the biopsied group was significantly lower than that in the non-biopsied group at E18.5. At E18.5, the mRNAs for selected glucose transporters, system A amino acid transporters, system L amino acid transporters, and imprinted genes were downregulated in the placentae of biopsied group, and the GLUT1 and CAT3 protein levels were decreased too. More apoptotic cells were detected by TUNEL in the placentae of biopsied group. Placentae from biopsied embryos exhibited lower levels of SOD and GSH. Furthermore, the concentration of MDA increased in the placentae from biopsied group. The levels of IL1B, IL6, and TNFA also significantly increased in the placentae of biopsied group. This study suggested that placental function may be sensitive to blastomere biopsy procedures, and placental oxidative stress and inflammation associated with blastomere biopsy may be critical factors of abnormal placental function and further influence the fetal development.
Pediatric Audiology Report: Assessment and Revision of an Audiology Report Written to Parents of Children With Hearing Impairment
Authors: Donald Ashleigh J. , Kelly-Campbell Rebecca J. 
Published: April 2016

Objective
The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to evaluate a typical pediatric diagnostic audiology report to establish its readability and comprehensibility for parents and, second, to revise the report to improve its readability, as well as the comprehension, sense of self-efficacy, and positive opinions of parent readers.

Method
In Experiment 1, a mock audiology report was evaluated via a readability analysis and semistructured interviews with 5 parents. In Experiment 2, the report was revised using best practice guidelines and parental recommendations from Experiment 1. The revision was verified by randomly assigning 32 new parent participants to read either the revised or unrevised report before their comprehension, self-efficacy, and opinions were assessed.

Results
In Experiment 1, results confirmed that the report was difficult to read and understand. In Experiment 2, parents who read the revised report had significantly greater comprehension, self-efficacy, and opinion ratings than those who read the unrevised report. In addition, the readability of the revised report was markedly improved compared with the unrevised report.

Conclusions
This study shows that pediatric diagnostic audiology reports can be revised to adhere to best practice guidelines and yield improved readability, in addition to improving the comprehension, sense of self-efficacy, and positive opinions of parents of children with hearing impairment.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14963664
Synthesis of gold structures by gold-binding peptide governed by concentration of gold ion and peptide
Authors: Kim Jungok , Kim Dong-Hun , Lee Sylvia J , Rheem Youngwoo , Myung Nosang V , Hur Hor-Gil 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Although biological synthesis methods for the production of gold structures by microorganisms, plant extracts, proteins, and peptide have recently been introduced, there have been few reports pertaining to controlling their size and morphology. The gold ion and peptide concentrations affected on the size and uniformity of gold plates by a gold-binding peptide Midas-11. The higher concentration of gold ions produced a larger size of gold structures reached 125.5 μm, but an increased amount of Midas-11 produced a smaller size of gold platelets and increased the yield percentage of polygonal gold particles rather than platelets. The mechanisms governing factors controlling the production of gold structures were primarily related to nucleation and growth. These results indicate that the synthesis of gold architectures can be controlled by newly isolated and substituted peptides under different reaction conditions.