bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Defined three-dimensional culture conditions mediate efficient induction of definitive endoderm lineage from human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Al Madhoun Ashraf , Ali Hamad , AlKandari Sarah , Atizado Valerie Lopez , Akhter Nadeem , Al-Mulla Fahd , Atari Maher 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Background
Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are gaining increasing interest as an alternative source of stem cells for regenerative medicine applications. Definitive endoderm (DE) specification is a prerequisite for the development of vital organs such as liver and pancreas. Hence, efficient induction of the DE lineage from stem cells is crucial for subsequent generation of clinically relevant cell types. Here we present a defined 3D differentiation protocol of WJ-MSCs into DE cells.

Methods
WJ-MSCs were cultured in suspension to generate spheroids, about 1500 cells each, for 7 days. The serum-free differentiation media contained specific growth factors, cytokines, and small molecules that specifically regulate signaling pathways including sonic hedgehog, bone morphogenetic protein, Activin/Wnt, and Notch.

Results
We obtained more than 85 % DE cells as shown with FACS analysis using antibodies directed against the DE marker CXCR4. In addition, biochemical and molecular analysis of bona-fide DE markers revealed a time-course induction of Sox17, CXCR4, and FoxA2. Focused PCR-based array also indicated a specific induction into the DE lineage.

Conclusions
In this study, we report an efficient serum-free protocol to differentiate WJ-MSCs into DE cells utilizing 3D spheroid formation. Our approach might aid in the development of new protocols to obtain DE-derivative lineages including liver-like and pancreatic insulin-producing cells.
Reluctant civilian world powers? How nationalism threatens the soft power image of Japan and Germany
Authors: Hein Patrick 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe article examines how Japan and Germany face the challenge of maintaining their self-images of global civilian powers in an unstable and unstructured world order. Both Japan and Germany have been struggling since 1945 with defining and identifying norms and interests that would help them interpret the lessons of history and enable them to act responsibly and constructively in a globalizing world. Even though multilateralism and anti-militarism have characterized the foreign policy of both states in the past, the article holds that Germany and Japan have exposed discrepancies between norms they avow and interests they pursue. It also contends that nationalist policies worsen those discrepancies. Indeed, nationalist ideas of restoring pride and honor in Japan explain why Japan has interpreted its war history differently from Germany. Likewise the quest for an equal military status explains why Germany has endorsed the selective use of force abroad whereas Japan has not. A comparison of migration policies shows that Japan embraces a more closed and descent based concept of nationhood, whereas Germany’s national identity norms of openness, respect for difference and tolerance have been strained by nationalist immigration fears and terrorist threats. It is concluded that Japan’s and Germany’s ability to be perceived as respected international partners depends on their continued ability to act in full agreement with the high principles they claim to hold dear.
Multi- and Transgenerational Consequences of Bisphenol A on Sexually Dimorphic Cell Populations in Mouse Brain
Authors: Goldsby Jessica A. , Wolstenholme Jennifer T. , Rissman Emilie F. 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting compound used to manufacture plastics; it is present in linings of food cans, bottles, thermal receipts, and many other everyday items and is detectable in human urine and blood. Exposure to BPA during development can disrupt sexual differentiation of some brain regions. Moreover, BPA can have transgenerational effects on gene expression and behaviors. Here, we used a diet and breeding regimen that produces transgenerational effects on behaviors. C57BL/6J mice consumed control or BPA-containing diets during pregnancy. We examined vasopressin (AVP) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) immunoreactivity (ir) in sexually dimorphic brain regions from first-generation (F1) offspring and transgenerational effects of BPA in third-generation offspring. In all but one brain region examined, the expected sex differences were noted in both generations of control mice. In F1 mice, a diet by sex interaction was present for AVP-ir in the lateral septum and posterodorsal medial amygdala. In both regions, BPA exposure reduced immunoreactivity in male brains. An interaction between diet and sex for ERα-ir in the ventromedial hypothalamus was caused by reduced immunoreactivity in BPA-exposed females. Of interest, BPA had transgenerational effects on ERα-ir in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Our data show that BPA produces immunoreactive differences in ERα-ir generations after exposure to BPA. We speculate that actions of BPA in utero on ERα-ir in brain have long-term consequences for reproduction and social behavior.
The pH Dependent Protein Structure Transitions and Related Spin-State Transition of Cytochrome c′ from Alcaligenes xylosoxidans NCIMB 11015
Authors: Takashina Akiko , Tiedemann Michael T , Unno Masaki , Yamaguchi Takahide , Stillman Martin J , Kohzuma Takamitsu 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
The unusual magnetic/spectroscopic properties of Cytochrome c′ (Cyt c′) have been discussed, especially concerning the possibility of a quantum mechanically mixed-spin configuration of heme Fe(III). Here, four unique-spin species were identified from the magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of Cyt c′ from Alcaligenes xylosoxidans (AxCyt c′). The electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic data showed the overall conformation of AxCyt c′ was unchanged, in complete contrast to the drastic changes in the heme MCD spectra over the range of pH 3.5 and 11.8. The pH dependency of ESI-MS, electronic absorption, MCD, and CD spectroscopic properties of AxCyt c′ enabled us to reveal the undiscovered correlation between the protein-folding state and the electronic structure of the active site as a function of pH. The mechanism of alkaline spin-state transition through the rearrangement of the hydrogen-bonding linkage between Helix C and D is also proposed on the basis of atomic resolution crystal structure analyses (A. Takashina, M. Unno, T. Kohzuma, Chem. Lett. 2015, 44, 268).
Capability Oriented Combat System of Systems Networked Modeling and Analyzing
Authors: Zhao Qingsong , Zhang Xiaoke , Yang Zhiwei 
Published: November 2016

AbstractCombat modeling is an important area of military operations. System of system counterwork is an important mode of information-based war which is a mode of “network centered” instead of “platform centered” and “capability oriented” instead of “function oriented”. Under the conditions of informationization, the combat model must therefore address these challenges by properly representing the networked efficient based on mutual relations among combat entities. The implementation process of combat system of systems capability is analyzed which is the result of complex interactions between the entities in four domains through a sequence of action processes. The combat network model of combat system of systems is described which reflects the fundamental structure of combat system of systems. The entity with three types of functions and five types of relations in the combat network is analyzed. The capability loop is defined and the evaluation index of combat network of combat system of systems is proposed based on the capability loop analysis. Finally, an example is used to illustrate the methodology.
Does Medical Insurance Improve Household Consumption in China? — A Re-analysis Based on Meta Regression Analysis
Authors: Chai Jian , Xing Limin , Yang Ying , Lai Kin Keung 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn recent years, it has been a hot pot to explore the effectiveness of basic medical insurance. However, due to different sample characteristics, time series length, models and so on used by authors, there exists big difference among relevant papers. In this paper, we try to apply meta regression analysis (MRA, a prevalent statistic literature review method) to explore its influence on family expenditure, and 90 sample observations were extracted from 49 important literatures. We find: 1) All the index construction, sample characteristic, model selection, control factors will influence the conclusions of medical insurance effectiveness; 2) The implement of basic medical insurance will increase household consumption other than the new rural cooperative systems; 3) The implement of basic health insurance has not really reduce family’s medical expense. Thus, we induce that adverse selection exists in China’s medical insurance.
The Optimal Strategy of Reinsurance-Investment Problem for an Insurer with Dynamic Income Under Stochastic Interest Rate
Authors: Sheng Delei 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis paper considers the reinsurance-investment problem for an insurer with dynamic income to balance the profit of insurance company and policy-holders. The insurer’s dynamic income is given by a net premium minus a dynamic reward budget item and the net premium is obtained according to the expected premium principle. Applying the stochastic control technique, a Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation is established under stochastic interest rate model and the explicit solution is obtained by maximizing the insurer’s power utility of terminal wealth. In addition, the comparison with corresponding results under constant interest rate helps us to understand the role and influence of stochastic interest rates more in-depth.
Group Consensus of Second-Order Dynamic Multi-Agent Systems with Time-Varying Communication Delays and Directed Networks
Authors: Meng Shuanghe , Xu Lü , Chen Liang 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis paper studies the group consensus problem for second-order multi-agent dynamic systems with time-varying delays, where the agents in a network may reach one more consistent values asymptotically. The fixed network topology is in case of being directed and weakly connected. Based on algebraic graph theory and Lyapunov function approach, we propose some sufficient conditions for reaching group consensus. All the results are presented in the form of linear matrix inequalities(LMIs). A simulation example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.
Fuzzy Integral Multiple Criteria Decision Making Method Based on Fuzzy Preference Relation on Alternatives
Authors: Zhao Qiaojiao , Zeng Ling , Liu Jinjin 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA new method is proposed to solve the multiple criteria decision making with interacting criteria, where the preference information on alternatives in a fuzzy relation given by the decision maker. On the basis of the decision maker’s preference information, two types of models — the least squares model, the linear programming model — are constructed to determine the capacities and then to select the most desirable alternative. Finally, a numerical example is used to illustrate the validity and practicality of the proposed method.
Prescribed Performance Adaptive Control for a Class of Non-affine Uncertain Systems with State and Input Constraints
Authors: Chen Longsheng , Wang Qi 
Published: November 2016

AbstractFor a class of non-affine nonlinear systems with state constraints, input constraint, uncertain parameters and unknown external disturbance, a back-stepping control scheme is proposed based on mean value theorem, nonlinear mapping and prescribed performance bounds (PPB). The non-affine system is first transformed into a time-varying system with a linear structure by using the mean value theorem, and the intervals of the time-varying uncertain parameters are calculated. The bounded time-varying parameters and external disturbance are estimated by adaptive algorithms with projection; the estimation error is compensated by employing nonlinear damping technology. To handle the state and input constraints, the nonlinear mapping technique (NMT), hyperbolic tangent function and Nussbaum function are employed. The prescribed performance control method improves the performance of the system. It is proved that the proposed control scheme can guarantee that all signals of the closed-loop system are bounded through the Lyapunov analysis. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Zonal Isolation in a High Stress Environment: A Case History in Venezuela's In-Situ Combustion Wells
Authors: Brandl Andreas , Bottiglieri Antonio , Han Jiahang , Garcia José 
Published: November 2016

For the heavy oil fields of the Orinoco oil belt in Venezuela, a new cementing concept was successfully applied to maintain zonal isolation during long term exposure to temperatures up to 1,202°F (650 °C) in a process called in-situ combustion. These unconventional wells are often associated with weak and unconsolidated formations complicating proper cement placement and the resulting cement sheath must withstand extreme stresses due to the temperature and pressure cycles during the in-situ combustion process.
During a comprehensive lab study API cement based slurries were engineered with high temperature stable aluminosilicate fibers. The corresponding cement specimens were cured and then exposed in a furnace with temperature cycles up to 1,202°F (650 °C) simulating the anticipated wellbore changes. Mechanical properties and permeabilities of these cementing systems were used in a computerized cement-sheath model to evaluate potential failures from stresses during the in-situ combustion process.
The cementing systems containing 50% of the aluminosilicate fiber were suitable to withstand thermal degradation without any visual cracks. The computerized cement-sheath simulations indicated that stresses induced by prompt pressure and temperature changes during the heat cycles are not causing failures for the lead cement sheath which was critical to provide zonal isolation above the combustion zone. The biggest improvement of this thermal shock resistant cementing system towards the corresponding cementing systems not containing the aluminosilicate fibers was the significantly reduced Young's modulus by around -20%, while the tensile strength increased by at least +60% resulting in a desired resilient cement sheath. The actual cement jobs in the field were successfully executed as planned without any losses or incidents. So far, no well integrity issues have been observed since the well was cemented in March 2012 with the following combustion process.
The thermal shock resistant cementing system, based on API cement, has advantageous towards refractory cements (such as high alumina cements) due to economics, ready availability, but in particular because it performs reliably by adjusting the slurry performance with common chemical admixtures and being flexible in design simplifying operations while contributing to a high-quality job.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ∼2 m DIAMETER NEAR-EARTH ASTEROID 2015 TC25: A POSSIBLE BOULDER FROM E-TYPE ASTEROID (44) NYSA
Authors: Reddy Vishnu , Sanchez Juan A. , Bottke William F. , Thirouin Audrey , Rivera-Valentin Edgard G. , Kelley Michael S. , Ryan William , Cloutis Edward A. , Tegler Stephen C. , Ryan Eileen V. , Taylor Patrick A. , Richardson James E. , Moskovitz Nicholas , Le Corre Lucille 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT
Small near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) (<20 m) are interesting, because they are progenitors for meteorites in our terrestrial collection. The physical characteristics of these small NEAs are crucial to our understanding of the effectiveness of our atmosphere in filtering low-strength impactors. In the past, the characterization of small NEAs has been a challenge, because of the difficulty in detecting them prior to close Earth flyby. In this study, we physically characterized the 2 m diameter NEA 2015 TC25 using ground-based optical, near-infrared and radar assets during a close flyby of the Earth (distance 128,000 km) in 2015 October 12. Our observations suggest that its surface composition is similar to aubrites, a rare class of high-albedo differentiated meteorites. Aubrites make up only 0.14% of all known meteorites in our terrestrial meteorite collection. 2015 TC25 is also a very fast rotator with a period of 133 ± 6 s. We combined the spectral and dynamical properties of 2015 TC25 and found the best candidate source body in the inner main belt to be the 70 km diameter E-type asteroid (44) Nysa. We attribute the difference in spectral slope between the two objects to the lack of regolith on the surface of 2015 TC25. Using the albedo of E-type asteroids (50%–60%) we refine the diameter of 2015 TC25 to 2 m, making it one of the smallest NEAs ever to be characterized.
LOW GAS FRACTIONS CONNECT COMPACT STAR-FORMING GALAXIES TO THEIR z ∼ 2 QUIESCENT DESCENDANTS
Authors: Spilker Justin S. , Bezanson Rachel , Marrone Daniel P. , Weiner Benjamin J. , Whitaker Katherine E. , Williams Christina C. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT
Early quiescent galaxies at

are known to be remarkably compact compared to their nearby counterparts. Possible progenitors of these systems include galaxies that are structurally similar, but are still rapidly forming stars. Here, we present Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) observations of the CO(1–0) line toward three such compact, star-forming galaxies (SFGs) at

, significantly detecting one. The VLA observations indicate baryonic gas fractions

times lower and gas depletion timescales

times shorter than normal, extended massive SFGs at these redshifts. At their current star formation rates, all three objects will deplete their gas reservoirs within 100 Myr. These objects are among the most gas-poor objects observed at

, and are outliers from standard gas scaling relations, a result that remains true regardless of assumptions about the CO–H2 conversion factor. Our observations are consistent with the idea that compact, SFGs are in a rapid state of transition to quiescence in tandem with the buildup of the

quenched population. In the detected compact galaxy, we see no evidence of rotation or that the CO-emitting gas is spatially extended relative to the stellar light. This casts doubt on recent suggestions that the gas in these compact galaxies is rotating and significantly extended compared to the stars. Instead, we suggest that, at least for this object, the gas is centrally concentrated, and only traces a small fraction of the total galaxy dynamical mass.
HOW BRIGHT ARE THE GAPS IN CIRCUMBINARY DISK SYSTEMS?
Authors: Shi Ji-Ming , Krolik Julian H. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT
When a circumbinary disk surrounds a binary whose secondary’s mass is at least

the primary’s mass, a nearly empty cavity with radius a few times the binary separation is carved out of the disk. Narrow streams of material pass from the inner edge of the circumbinary disk into the domain of the binary itself, where they eventually join onto the small disks orbiting the members of the binary. Using data from three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics simulations of this process, we determine the luminosity of these streams; it is mostly due to weak laminar shocks, and is in general only a few percent of the luminosity of adjacent regions of either the circumbinary disk or the “mini-disks.” This luminosity therefore hardly affects the deficit in the thermal continuum predicted on the basis of a perfectly dark gap region.
A COMPARISON AND JOINT ANALYSIS OF SUNYAEV–ZEL’DOVICH EFFECT MEASUREMENTS FROM PLANCK AND BOLOCAM FOR A SET OF 47 MASSIVE GALAXY CLUSTERS
Authors: Sayers Jack , Golwala Sunil R. , Mantz Adam B. , Merten Julian , Molnar Sandor M. , Naka Michael , Pailet Gregory , Pierpaoli Elena , Siegel Seth R. , Wolman Ben 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT
We measure the Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ) signal toward a set of 47 clusters with a median mass of 9.5 × 1014
M
☉ and a median redshift of 0.40 using data from Planck and the ground-based Bolocam receiver. When Planck XMM-like masses are used to set the scale radius

, we find consistency between the integrated SZ signal,

, derived from Bolocam and Planck based on generalized Navarro, Frenk, and White model fits using A10 shape parameters, with an average ratio of 1.069 ± 0.030 (allowing for the ≃5% Bolocam flux calibration uncertainty). We also perform a joint fit to the Bolocam and Planck data using a modified A10 model with the outer logarithmic slope β allowed to vary, finding β = 6.13 ± 0.16 ± 0.76 (measurement error followed by intrinsic scatter). In addition, we find that the value of β scales with mass and redshift according to

. This mass scaling is in good agreement with recent simulations. We do not observe the strong trend of β with redshift seen in simulations, though we conclude that this is most likely due to our sample selection. Finally, we use Bolocam measurements of Y
500 to test the accuracy of the Planck completeness estimate. We find consistency, with the actual number of Planck detections falling approximately 1σ below the expectation from Bolocam. We translate this small difference into a constraint on the effective mass bias for the Planck cluster cosmology results, with

.
GLOBAL ENERGETICS OF SOLAR FLARES. III. NONTHERMAL ENERGIES
Authors: Aschwanden Markus J. , Holman Gordon , O’Flannagain Aidan , Caspi Amir , McTiernan James M. , Kontar Eduard P. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT
This study entails the third part of a global flare energetics project, in which Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) data of 191 M and X-class flare events from the first 3.5 years of the Solar Dynamics Observatory mission are analyzed. We fit a thermal and a nonthermal component to RHESSI spectra, yielding the temperature of the differential emission measure (DEM) tail, the nonthermal power-law slope and flux, and the thermal/nonthermal cross-over energy e
co. From these parameters, we calculate the total nonthermal energy E
nt in electrons with two different methods: (1) using the observed cross-over energy e
co as low-energy cutoff, and (2) using the low-energy cutoff e
wt predicted by the warm thick-target bremsstrahlung model of Kontar et al. Based on a mean temperature of T

e
= 8.6 MK in active regions, we find low-energy cutoff energies of

for the warm-target model, which is significantly lower than the cross-over energies

. Comparing with the statistics of magnetically dissipated energies E
mag and thermal energies E
th from the two previous studies, we find the following mean (logarithmic) energy ratios with the warm-target model:

,

, and

. The total dissipated magnetic energy exceeds the thermal energy in 95% and the nonthermal energy in 71% of the flare events, which confirms that magnetic reconnection processes are sufficient to explain flare energies. The nonthermal energy exceeds the thermal energy in 85% of the events, which largely confirms the warm thick-target model.