bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stainless steel surface functionalization for immobilization of antibody fragments for cardiovascular applications
Authors: Foerster A. , Hołowacz I. , Sunil Kumar G. B. , Anandakumar S. , Wall J. G. , Wawrzyńska M. , Paprocka M. , Kantor A. , Kraskiewicz H. , Olsztyńska‐Janus S. , Hinder S. J. , Bialy D. , Podbielska H. , Kopaczyńska M. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractStainless steel 316 L material is commonly used for the production of coronary and peripheral vessel stents. Effective biofunctionalization is a key to improving the performance and safety of the stents after implantation. This paper reports the method for the immobilization of recombinant antibody fragments (scFv) on stainless steel 316 L to facilitate human endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) growth and thus improve cell viability of the implanted stents for cardiovascular applications. The modification of stent surface was conducted in three steps. First the stent surface was coated with titania based coating to increase the density of hydroxyl groups for successful silanization. Then silanization with 3 aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) was performed to provide the surface with amine groups which presence was verified using FTIR, XPS, and fluorescence microscopy. The maximum density of amine groups (4.8*10−5 mol/cm2) on the surface was reached after reaction taking place in ethanol for 1 h at 60° C and 0.04M APTS. On such prepared surface the glycosylated scFv were subsequently successfully immobilized. The influence of oxidation of scFv glycan moieties and the temperature on scFv coating were investigated. The fluorescence and confocal microscopy study indicated that the densest and most uniformly coated surface with scFv was obtained at 37°C after oxidation of glycan chain. The results demonstrate that the scFv cannot be efficiently immobilized without prior aminosilanization of the surface. The effect of the chemical modification on the cell viability of EPC line 55.1 (HucPEC‐55.1) was performed indicating that the modifications to the 316 L stainless steel are non‐toxic to EPCs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 821–832, 2016.
Hutterite‐type cataract maps to chromosome 6p21.32‐p21.31, cosegregates with a homozygous mutation in LEMD2, and is associated with sudden cardiac death
Authors: Boone Philip M. , Yuan Bo , Gu Shen , Ma Zhiwei , Gambin Tomasz , Gonzaga‐Jauregui Claudia , Jain Mahim , Murdock Todd J. , White Janson J. , Jhangiani Shalini N. , Walker Kimberly , Wang Qiaoyan , Muzny Donna M. , Gibbs Richard A. , Hejtmancik J. Fielding , Lupski James R. , Posey Jennifer E. , Lewis Richard A. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundJuvenile‐onset cataracts are known among the Hutterites of North America. Despite being identified over 30 years ago, this autosomal recessive condition has not been mapped, and the disease gene is unknown.MethodsWe performed whole exome sequencing of three Hutterite‐type cataract trios and follow‐up genotyping and mapping in four extended kindreds.ResultsTrio exomes enabled genome‐wide autozygosity mapping, which localized the disease gene to a 9.5‐Mb region on chromosome 6p. This region contained two candidate variants, LEMD2 c.T38G and MUC21 c.665delC. Extended pedigrees recruited for variant genotyping revealed multiple additional relatives with juvenile‐onset cataract, as well as six deceased relatives with both cataracts and sudden cardiac death. The candidate variants were genotyped in 84 family members, including 17 with cataracts; only the variant in LEMD2 cosegregated with cataracts (LOD = 9.62). SNP‐based fine mapping within the 9.5 Mb linked region supported this finding by refining the cataract locus to a 0.5‐ to 2.9‐Mb subregion (6p21.32‐p21.31) containing LEMD2 but not MUC21. LEMD2 is expressed in mouse and human lenses and encodes a LEM domain‐containing protein; the c.T38G missense mutation is predicted to mutate a highly conserved residue within this domain (p.Leu13Arg).ConclusionWe performed a genetic and genomic study of Hutterite‐type cataract and found evidence for an association of this phenotype with sudden cardiac death. Using combined genetic and genomic approaches, we mapped cataracts to a small portion of chromosome 6 and propose that they result from a homozygous missense mutation in LEMD2.
Prospective motion correction and selective reacquisition using volumetric navigators for vessel‐encoded arterial spin labeling dynamic angiography
Authors: Frost Robert , Hess Aaron T. , Okell Thomas W. , Chappell Michael A. , Tisdall M. Dylan , van der Kouwe André J. W. , Jezzard Peter 
Published: November 2015

PurposeThe aim of this study was to improve robustness to motion in a vessel‐encoded angiography sequence used for patient scans. The sequence is particularly sensitive to motion between imaging segments, which causes ghosting and blurring that propagates to the final angiogram.MethodsVolumetric echo planar imaging (EPI) navigators acquired in 275 ms were inserted after the imaging readout in a vessel‐encoded pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (VEPCASL) sequence. The effects of movement between segments on the images were tested with phantom experiments. Deliberate motion experiments with healthy volunteers were performed to compare prospective motion correction (PMC) with reacquisition versus no correction.ResultsIn scans without motion, the addition of the EPI navigator to the sequence did not affect the quality of the angiograms in comparison with the original sequence. PMC and reacquisition improved the visibility of vessels in the angiograms compared with the scans without correction. The reacquisition strategy was shown to be important for complete correction of imaging artifacts.ConclusionWe have demonstrated an effective method to correct motion in vessel‐encoded angiography. For reacquisition of 15 segments, the technique requires approximately 30 s of additional scanning (∼25%). Magn Reson Med 76:1420–1430, 2016. © 2015 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Dependent, independent, and pseudo‐independent protection layers in risk analysis
Authors: Jin Hui , Summers Angela 
Published: November 2015

Risk analysis is an important tool to provide support for various risk management decisions in hazardous industries. For the last decade, the semiquantitative Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) has been the dominating risk analysis technique in the US process industry. One basic assumption in LOPA is that all the protection layers are independent from each other and from the initiating cause; otherwise, no risk reduction credit should be taken in the LOPA. However, many processes do have protection layers, which are dependent to some extent. For these systems, assuming independency may be too optimistic, whereas disregarding the partial risk reduction afforded from a partially dependent protection layer is pessimistic.This article considers processes with dependent protection layers (with a shared component), independent protection layers, and pseudo‐independent protection layers (subject to common cause failure). A long distance gas pipeline system is used as an example. Using reduced Event Trees for incident scenario modeling, Fault Trees for protection layers, and solving them in a coupled calculation, this article shows how protection layer dependencies are treated in risk analysis to obtain the overall risk reduction without being too optimistic or pessimistic. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 35: 286–294, 2016
Identification of a novel phenamacril‐resistance‐related gene by the cDNA‐RAPD method in Fusarium asiaticum
Authors: Ren Weichao , Zhao Hu , Shao Wenyong , Ma Weiwei , Wang Jianxin , Zhou Mingguo , Chen Changjun 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDFusarium asiaticum, a dominant pathogen of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in East Asia, causes huge economic losses. Phenamacril, a novel cyanoacrylate fungicide, has been increasingly applied to control FHB in China, especially where resistance of F. asiaticum against carbendazim is severe. It is important to clarify the resistance‐related mechanisms of F. asiaticum to phenamacril so as to avoid control failures, and to sustain the usefulness of the new product.RESULTSA novel phenamacril‐resistance‐related gene Famfs1 was obtained by employing the cDNA random amplified polymorphic DNA (cDNA‐RAPD) technique, and was validated by genetic and biochemical assays. Compared with the corresponding progenitors, deletion of Famfs1 in phenamacril‐sensitive or highly phenamacril‐resistant strains caused a significant decrease in effective concentrations inhibiting radial growth by 50% (EC50 value). Additionally, the biological fitness parameters (including mycelial growth under different stresses, conidiation, perithecium formation and virulence) of the deletion mutants attenuated significantly.CONCLUSIONFamfs1 not only was involved in the resistance of F. asiaticum to phenamacril but also played an important role in adaptation of F. asiaticum to the environment. Moreover, our data suggest that the cDNA‐RAPD method can be a candidate technique to clone resistance‐related genes in fungi. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Differentiation of ring-substituted bromoamphetamine analogs by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Inoue Hiroyuki , Negishi Shoko , Nakazono Yukiko , Iwata Yuko T. , Tsujikawa Kenji , Ohtsuru Osamu , Miyamoto Kazuna , Yamashita Takuya , Kasuya Fumiyo 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
There has been a rapid increase over the last decade in the appearance of new non-controlled psychoactive substances. Minor changes in the chemical structures of these compounds, such as the extension of an alkyl residue or replacement of a single substituent, are regularly made to avoid regulatory control, leading to the manufacture of many new potentially dangerous drugs. Bromoamphetamine analogs (bromoamphetamine [Br-AP] and bromomethamphetamine (Br-MA]) are ring-substituted amphetamines that can behave as stimulants, as well as exhibiting inhibitory activity towards monoamine oxidases in the same way as amphetamines. Gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS–MS) was used in this study to differentiate ring-substituted bromoamphetamine analogs. Free bases, trifluoroacetyl derivatives, and trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of six analytes were successfully separated using DB-1ms and DB-5ms columns. Electron ionization MS–MS analysis of the TMS derivatives allowed for the differentiation of three regioisomers. TMS derivatives of 2-positional isomers provided significant product ions. The spectral patterns of 3- and 4-positional isomers were different. Chemical ionization MS–MS analysis of free bases for [M+H–HBr]+ ions at m/z 134 and 148 allowed for differentiation of the regioisomers. The spectra of 2-positional isomers contained characteristic product ions formed by dehydrogenation at m/z 132 and m/z 146 for 2Br-AP and 2Br-MA, respectively. The spectra of 3-positional isomers contained α-cleaved iminium cations as the base peaks. The spectra of 4-positional isomers showed a tropylium cation at m/z 91 as the base peak. These results demonstrate that GC–MS–MS can be used for the differentiation of regioisomeric Br-AP analogs in forensic practice.
Optimization of Phospholipid Nanoparticle Formulations Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Naeem Sumaira , Kiew Lik Voon , Chung Lip Yong , Suk Vicit Rizal Eh , Mahmood Asif , Misran Misni Bin 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe present study deals with the optimization of phospholipid liposome formulations to mimic red blood cells. Optimization of different concentrations of distearylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylserine at a fixed concentration of lecithin and Tween® 80 was done using response surface methodology. The optimized formulation produced liposomes with a particle size in the range of 112–196 nm. The optimized formulation shows low encapsulation efficiency at low levels of insulin but increases at higher loading levels. Formulated vesicles fulfill the size requirement for intravenous drug delivery. The present system is environmentally friendly with respect to biodegradability and biocompatibility.
International note: Prediction of mathematics work ethic and performance from behavioral, normative, and control beliefs among Qatari adolescents
Authors: Areepattamannil Shaljan , Abdelfattah Faisal , Mahasneh Randa Ali , Khine Myint Swe , Welch Anita G. , Melkonian Michael , Al Nuaimi Samira Ahmed 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTOver half‐a‐million adolescents take part in each cycle of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Yet often, researchers and policy makers across the globe tend to focus their attention primarily on the academic trajectories of adolescents hailing from highly successful education systems. Hence, a vast majority of the adolescent population who regionally and globally constitute the ‘long tail of underachievement’ often remain unnoticed and underrepresented in the growing literature on adolescents' academic trajectories. The present study, therefore, explored the relations of dispositions toward mathematics, subjective norms in mathematics, and perceived control of success in mathematics to mathematics work ethic as well as mathematics performance; and the mediational role of mathematics work ethic in the association between dispositional, normative, and control beliefs and mathematics performance among adolescents in one of the lowest performing education systems, Qatar. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses revealed that Qatari adolescents' dispositional, normative, and control beliefs about mathematics were significantly associated with their mathematics work ethic and mathematics performance, and mathematics work ethic significantly mediated the relationship between dispositional, normative, and control beliefs about mathematics and mathematics performance. However, multi‐group SEM analyses indicated that these relationships were not invariant across the gender and the SES groups.
Ruminative exploration and reconsideration of commitment as risk factors for suboptimal identity development in adolescence and emerging adulthood☆
Authors: Beyers Wim , Luyckx Koen 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTRather than looking at quantitative differences in exploration and commitment as indicators of (un)healthy identity formation, this study focuses on two qualitatively different forms of exploration using cross‐sectional data of 4259 Belgian adolescents and emerging adults (aged 14–30 years; 64% female). First, ruminative exploration or brooding and worrying without being able to decide what you want in life, emerged as a risk factor for weak commitments and maladjustment. Its strong relationship with maladjustment was only slightly buffered by healthy forms of exploration. Second, reconsideration of commitment or feeling uncertain about current commitments and start looking for new commitments, showed similar negative relationships with commitment making and identification. Moreover, reconsideration of commitment rendered healthy forms of exploration ineffective (i.e., not predicting strong commitments or identifications with life choices). By focusing on the exact meaning and role of these two risk factors, this study sheds light on the dark side of identity formation and might be relevant for counselors working with youth that struggle with identity formation.
Why do early adolescents bully? Exploring the influence of prestige norms on social and psychological motives to bully
Authors: Berger Christian , Caravita Simona C.S. 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTThe present study examines psychological (e.g., Machiavellianism) and social (i.e., perceived popularity) motives for bullying, exploring the effects that classroom prestige norms for physical and relational aggression may have on these associations. A longitudinal multilevel study design was adopted, which included 978 5th to 7th graders from four Chilean schools. Participants were assessed three times over one year on self reports on bullying and Machiavellianism, and peer reports on popularity. Classroom prestige norms were calculated as the within classroom association between peer perceived coolness and aggression. Both Machiavellianism and perceived popularity were associated with bullying. However, hierarchical linear modeling analyses showed that Machiavellianism, but not perceived popularity, predicted bullying after controlling for baseline scores. Classroom prestige norms for relational aggression increased the association between Machiavellianism and bullying. Separate models were tested for boys and girls, showing no differences. Results are discussed in light of conceptual and methodological considerations.
Policy capacity: A conceptual framework for understanding policy competences and capabilities
Authors: Wu X , Ramesh M , Howlett M 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAlthough policy capacity is among the most fundamental concepts in public policy, there is considerable disagreement over its definition and very few systematic efforts try to operationalize and measure it. This article presents a conceptual framework for analysing and measuring policy capacity under which policy capacity refers to the competencies and capabilities important to policy-making. Competences are categorized into three general types of skills essential for policy success—analytical, operational and political—while policy capabilities are assessed at the individual, organizational and system resource levels. Policy failures often result from imbalanced attention to these nine different components of policy capacity and the conceptual framework presented in the paper provides a diagnostic tool to identify such capacity gaps. It offers critical insights into strategies able to overcome such gaps in professional behaviour, organizational and managerial activities, and the policy systems involved in policy-making.
FasL expression in cardiomyocytes activates the ERK1/2 pathway, leading to dilated cardiomyopathy and advanced heart failure
Authors: Huby Anne-Cecile , Turdi Subat , James Jeanne , Towbin Jeffrey A. , Purevjav Enkhsaikhan 
Published: November 2015

Increase in the apoptotic molecule Fas ligand (FasL) in serum and cardiomyocytes has been shown to be associated with progressive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and congestive heart failure (CHF) in humans. However, the underlying mechanism(s) of FasL-related deterioration of heart function remain obscure. The aim of the present study is to determine roles of myocardial FasL in the activation of alternative pathways such as extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), inflammation or fibrosis and to identify effective treatments of progressive DCM and advanced CHF. Transgenic mice with cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of FasL were investigated and treated with an ERK1/2 inhibitor (U-0126), losartan (los), prednisolone (pred) or placebo. Morpho-histological and molecular studies were subsequently performed. FasL mice showed significantly higher mortality compared with wild-type (WT) littermates due to DCM and advanced CHF. Prominent perivascular and interstitial fibrosis, increased interleukin secretion and diffuse CD3-positive cell infiltration were evident in FasL hearts. Up-regulation of the short form of Fas-associated death domain (FADD)-like interleukin 1β-converting enzyme (FLICE) inhibitory protein (s-FLIP), RIP (receptor-interacting protein) and ERK1/2 and down-regulation of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was determined in the myocardium, whereas expression of ERK1/2, periostin (Postn) and osteopontin increased in cardiac fibroblasts. U-0126 and los increased CHF survival by 75% compared with pred and placebo groups. U-0126 had both anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic effects, whereas los reduced fibrosis only. Myocardial FasL expression in mice activates differential robust fibrotic, apoptotic and inflammatory responses via ERK1/2 in cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts inducing DCM and CHF. Blocking the ERK1/2 pathway prevented progression of FasL-induced DCM and CHF by reducing fibrosis, inflammation and apoptosis in the myocardium.
Reverse blocking IGCT optimised for 1 kV DC bi‐directional solid state circuit breaker
Authors: Vemulapati Umamaheswara , Arnold Martin , Rahimo Munaf , Antoniazzi Antonello , Pessina Davide 
Published: November 2015

This study presents the simulation and experimental results of the newly developed 2.5 kV reverse blocking‐integrated gate commutated thyristor (RB‐IGCT) which has been designed and optimised to have very low conduction losses and high turn‐off current capability for DC solid state circuit breaker (SSCB) applications. The device has been optimised through anode engineering, thickness and resistivity to achieve the required blocking capability of 2.5 kV and to have very low conduction losses below 1 kW at 1 kA, that is, the on‐state voltage drop is as low as 0.9 V at 1 kA. This study also presents the simulation and experimental results at the system level including the influence of the surge arrester (SA) which is connected in parallel to the RB‐IGCT to clamp the overvoltage and to absorb the energy stored in the system inductance at the current interruption. The influence of different voltage rating SAs and parallel combination of SAs on the switching behaviour of the RB‐IGCT has been investigated. A bi‐directional SSCB for 1 MW application based on 2.5 kV RB‐IGCT has been built successfully. The device simulations show that the results are in good agreement with the measurement results both at the device and system levels.
Sectional linear LED driver for optimised efficiency in lighting applications
Authors: Liu Cong , Lai Xin‐Quan , He Hui‐Sen , Du Han‐Xiao 
Published: November 2015

A novel sectional linear driving method for light‐emitting diode (LED) driver is studied. Considering several issues to be concerned in LED lighting applications, a complete introduction and analysis of the technique is proposed in this study. As the performance of the sectional linear LED driver can be affected by the LED distribution in each LED sub‐string, a behavioural model is established to guide the design. Simulation results are obtained by utilising the behavioural model to optimise the output power and efficiency. The LED driver is fabricated with a 1 µm 5 V/20 V/500 V BCD technology, and a 15‐W T‐8 LED tube light prototype is established on the basis of the driver IC. A series of experiments are conducted to verify the theoretical analysis and the accuracy of the proposed model. The experimental data agrees with the simulation results, above 0.9 power factor (PF) and 90% efficiency are achieved with few peripheral components based on the design guidance made by the proposed model. Both the driving technique and the behavioural model are believed to be useful in the high efficiency, high PF, and cost‐effective ac LED lighting applications.
Breaking evolutionary constraint with a tradeoff ratchet
Authors: de Vos Marjon G. J. , Dawid Alexandre , Sunderlikova Vanda , Tans Sander J. 
Published: November 2015

Significance
Suboptimal fitness peaks are generally recognized as causing evolutionary stasis. Here, we show that these constraints can be overcome in an adaptive manner by reconstructing mutational trajectories for a transcription factor and its DNA binding site in variable environments. Cross-environmental tradeoffs, typically associated with evolutionary limitations, are an essential enabling component of this evolutionary mechanism. Our results underscore the importance of characterizing environmental dependencies when studying genetic interactions and provide the clearest indication so far that environmental variability can accelerate evolution hampered by stasis in constant conditions. Given that environmental variations and tradeoffs are ubiquitous, this evolutionary mechanism may be relevant to a wide range of genetically constrained phenotypes and major evolutionary transitions.