bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrokinetically controlled fluid injection into unicellular microalgae
Authors: Zhou Xuewen , Zhang Xixi , Boualavong Jonathan , Durney Andrew R. , Wang Tonghui , Kirschner Scott , Wentz Michaela , Mukaibo Hitomi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractElectrokinetically controlled microinjection is reported as an effective transport mechanism for microinjection into the wild‐type strain of the widely studied model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. A microinjection system using glass capillary pipettes was developed to capture and impale the motile cells. To apply an electric field and induce electrokinetic flow (e.g., electrophoresis and electroosmosis), an electrode was inserted directly into the solution inside the impaling injection pipette and another electrode was inserted into the external cell media. The viability of the impaled cells was confirmed for more than an hour under 0.01 V using the fluorescein diacetate/propidium iodide dual fluorescent dye based assay. The viability was also found to increase almost logarithmically with decreasing voltage and to depend strongly on the solution within the injection pipette. Successful electrokinetic microinjection into cells was confirmed by both an increase in cell volume under an applied voltage and electric field dependent delivery of fluorescent fluorescein molecules into an impaled cell. Our study offers novel opportunities for quantitative delivery of biomolecules into microalgae and advancing the research and development of these organisms as biosynthetic factories.
Stress softening behaviour of HDNR bearings: modelling and influence on the seismic response of isolated structures
Authors: Tubaldi Enrico , Ragni Laura , Dall'Asta Andrea , Ahmadi Hamid , Muhr Alan 
Published: April 2017

SummaryHigh‐damping natural rubber (HDNR) bearings are extensively employed for seismic isolation of structures because of their low horizontal stiffness and high damping capacity. Filler is used in HDNR formulations to increase the dissipative capacity, and it induces also a stress softening behaviour, known as the Mullins effect. In this paper, a wide experimental campaign is carried out on a large number of virgin HDNR samples to better investigate some aspects of the stress softening behaviour, such as the direction dependence and recovery properties, and to characterize the stable and softening response under different strain histories. Test results are also used to define a model for simulating the response of HDNR bearings in shear that advances the state of the art in the description of the stress softening, which can be significant during the earthquake time history. The proposed model is used to analyse the seismic response of a simplified isolated structure modelled as an SDOF system under ground motions with different characteristics and by considering two different conditions for the bearings: one assuming the virgin (or fully recovered) rubber properties and the other assuming the stable (or fully scragged) rubber properties. The results show that, in the case of far‐field records, the differences between the responses are limited although not negligible, whereas for near‐fault records, modelling the bearings as being in their virgin state significantly reduces the effect of this kind of motion on isolated structures. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The automatic weather stations NOANN network of the National Observatory of Athens: operation and database
Authors: Lagouvardos K. , Kotroni V. , Bezes A. , Koletsis I. , Kopania T. , Lykoudis S. , Mazarakis N. , Papagiannaki K. , Vougioukas S. 
Published: April 2017

During the last 10 years, the Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development of the National Observatory of Athens has developed and operates a network of automated weather stations across Greece. The motivation behind the network development is the monitoring of weather conditions in Greece with the aim to support not only the research needs (weather monitoring and analysis, weather forecast skill evaluation) but also the needs of various communities of the production sector (agriculture, constructions, leisure and tourism, etc.). By the end of 2016, 335 weather stations are in operation, providing real‐time data at 10‐min intervals. This paper provides information about the logistics of this network, including real‐time applications of the collected data as well as information on the quality control protocols, the construction of the station data and metadata repository and the means through which the data are made available to users.
Why were 800 m of the Boßler Tunnel built twice? – TBM passing a shotcrete section
Authors: Goldberger Harald , Esslinger Christoph , Lützerath Thomas , Müller Jörg Rainer , Galli Mario 
Published: April 2017

AbstractImpermeable tunnels are usually built conventionally with drill and blast or excavators followed by an inner lining or by mechanized tunnelling method with a segment lining. A combination of both methods on certain sections is commonly used for large tunnels due to geological and geotechnical considerations. The construction of the same section with both methods is not common and seems bizarre.However, this is exactly what happened at the 8.8 km Boßler Tunnel, part of the new high‐speed line Wendlingen–Ulm. Due to a section of about 800 m built by drill and blast as well as geological explorations, the mechanized tunnel drive could be extended. So a solution had to be developed to enable the TBM to pass through the existing tunnel. Design, economic, contractual and technical issues were considered to obtain the best solution: the TBM passed through the existing shotcrete section cutting replacement soil, followed by the installation of precast tunnel segments.
Design and construction of the new railway bridge over the River Neckar – Challenges of the foundations
Authors: Zimmerer Martin , Wenger Philipp , Lienhart Christoph , Heer Sebastian 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAs part of the Stuttgart 21 infrastructure project, German Railways is building a four‐line railway bridge across the River Neckar in Stuttgart, work started in 2016.The Neckar railway bridge has an overall length of 345 m and has two abutments and six support axes. The structure crosses rail lines from the urban transit (Stadtbahn), the main trunk road B 10, inner city roads, the Neckar River, pedestrian and cycle ways as well as diverse public and private utilities.The bridge structure is located within the core mineral water protection zone, with its strict restrictions regarding the permissible depth of penetration into the subsoil and groundwater reservoirs. The mineral water springs lie within the construction site 26 m below the surface as artesian aquifers with an artesian pressure of ca. 10 m above ground level. From a groundwater management perspective, and following a program of five ground investigations and their evaluation, a raft foundation at the mid‐level of the lower Keuper, built using cut‐and‐cover technique with a compressed air caisson, was chosen as the most economical foundation type for the three primary supports.A further programme of hydrochemical and geomechanical ground investigations was undertaken during the construction design phase. Following an evaluation of these additional ground parameters, it was possible to replace the compressed air caisson with a more economical deep foundation using large diameter piles. A management concept for possible scenarios was needed for the large diameter pile construction to achieve the required consent for exceptions from the ban on ground penetration in the area of the mineral springs.
Tired and misconnected: A breakdown of brain modularity following sleep deprivation
Authors: Ben Simon Eti , Maron‐Katz Adi , Lahav Nir , Shamir Ron , Hendler Talma 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSleep deprivation (SD) critically affects a range of cognitive and affective functions, typically assessed during task performance. Whether such impairments stem from changes to the brain's intrinsic functional connectivity remain largely unknown. To examine this hypothesis, we applied graph theoretical analysis on resting‐state fMRI data derived from 18 healthy participants, acquired during both sleep‐rested and sleep‐deprived states. We hypothesized that parameters indicative of graph connectivity, such as modularity, will be impaired by sleep deprivation and that these changes will correlate with behavioral outcomes elicited by sleep loss. As expected, our findings point to a profound reduction in network modularity without sleep, evident in the limbic, default‐mode, salience and executive modules. These changes were further associated with behavioral impairments elicited by SD: a decrease in salience module density was associated with worse task performance, an increase in limbic module density was predictive of stronger amygdala activation in a subsequent emotional‐distraction task and a shift in frontal hub lateralization (from left to right) was associated with increased negative mood. Altogether, these results portray a loss of functional segregation within the brain and a shift towards a more random‐like network without sleep, already detected in the spontaneous activity of the sleep‐deprived brain. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3300–3314, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antibacterial and bioactive coatings on titanium implant surfaces
Authors: Kulkarni Aranya Anupama , Pushalkar Smruti , Zhao Minglei , LeGeros Racquel Z. , Zhang Yu , Saxena Deepak 
Published: April 2017

AbstractVarious surface modifications have been tried for enhancing osseointegration of the dental implants like mechanical and/or chemical treatments and deposition of calcium phosphate coatings. The objective of this research was to develop calcium‐phosphate based thin coatings with antibacterial and bioactive properties for potential application in dental implants. Titanium (Ti) discs were immersed in different calcifying solutions: CaP (positive control), F‐CaP, Zn‐CaP, and FZn‐CaP and incubated for 24 h. Negative control was uncoated Ti discs. Coated surfaces were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Antibacterial properties were tested using Porphyromonas gingivalis because of its strong association with periodontal and peri‐implant infections. Bacterial adhesion and colonization were studied at different timepoints. The coated surfaces had compositional characteristics similar to that of bone mineral and they inhibited the growth, colonization and adherence of P. gingivalis, resulted in reduced thickness of biofilms and bacterial inhibition in the culture medium as compared to the positive and negative controls (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the experimental groups (p > 0.05). It has been previously demonstrated that these coatings have excellent in vitro bioactivity (formed carbonate hydroxyapatite when immersed in a simulated body fluid). Such coatings can enhance osseointegration and prevent infection in implants, thereby improving the success rates of implants. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2218–2227, 2017.
Graphene oxide enrichment of collagen membranes improves DPSCs differentiation and controls inflammation occurrence
Authors: Radunovic Milena , De Colli Marianna , De Marco Patrizia , Di Nisio Chiara , Fontana Antonella , Piattelli Adriano , Cataldi Amelia , Zara Susi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCollagen membranes are used in oral surgery for bone defects treatment acting as a barrier that does not allow the invasion of soft tissue into the growing bone. To improve biocompatibility collagen membranes were coated with graphene oxide (GO), a graphene derivative. The aim of this study was to investigate the biocompatibility of GO coated collagen membranes on human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) focusing on biomaterial cytotoxicity, ability to promote DPSCs differentiation process and to control inflammation event induction. DPSCs were cultured on uncoated membranes and on both 2 and 10 μg mL−1 GO coated membranes up to 28 days. Alamar blue and LDH cytotocicity assay, PGE2 ELISA assay, real time RT‐PCR for RUNX2, BMP2, SP7, TNFα and COX2 genes expression were performed. Proliferation is higher on GO coated membranes at days 14 and 28. LDH assay evidences no cytotoxicity. BMP2 and RUNX2 expression is higher on coated membranes, BMP2 at early and RUNX2 and SP7 at late experimental times. PGE2 levels are lower on GO coated membranes at days 14 and 28, both TNFα and COX2 expression is significantly decreased when GO is applied. GO coated membranes are not toxic for DPSCs, induce a faster DPSCs differentiation into odontoblasts/osteoblasts and may represent good alternative to conventional membranes thus ensuring more efficient bone formation and improving the clinical performance. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2312–2320, 2017.
Histone Modifications Pattern Associated With a State of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Cultures Derived From Amniotic Fluid of Normal and Fetus‐Affected Gestations
Authors: Savickienė Jūratė , Matuzevičius Dalius , Baronaitė Sandra , Treigytė Gražina , Krasovskaja Natalija , Zaikova Ilona , Navakauskas Dalius , Utkus Algirdas , Navakauskienė Rūta 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTHuman amniotic fluid (AF)‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) sharing embryonic and adult stem cells characteristics are interesting by their multipotency and the usage for regenerative medicine. However, the usefulness of these cells for revealing the fetal diseases still needs to be assessed. Here, we have analyzed the epigenetic environment in terms of histone modifications in cultures of MSCs derived from AF of normal pregnancies and those with fetal abnormalities. The comparison of MSCs samples from AF of normal pregnancies (N) and fetus‐affected (P) revealed two distinct cultures by their proliferation potential (P I and P II). Cell populations from N and P I samples had similar growth characteristics and exhibited quite similar cell surface (CD44, CD90, CD105) and stemness markers (Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, Rex1) profile that was distinct in slower growing and faster senescent P II cultures. Those differences were associated with changes in 5‐Cyt DNA methylation and alterations in the expression levels of chromatin modifiers (DNMT1, HDAC1/2), activating (H4ac, H3K4me3), and repressive (H3K9me2/me3, H3K27me3) histone marks. MSCs isolated from AF with the genetic or multifactorial fetal diseases (P II samples) were enriched with repressive histone marks and H4K16ac, H3K9ac, H3K14ac modifications. This study indicates that differential epigenetic environment reflects a state of AF‐MSCs dependently on their growth, phenotype, and stemness characteristics suggesting a way for better understanding of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in AF‐MSCs cultures in normal and diseased gestation conditions. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3744–3755, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NEAT1/miR‐181c Regulates Osteopontin (OPN)‐Mediated Synoviocyte Proliferation in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Wang Qiyuan , Wang Wanchun , Zhang Fan , Deng Youwen , Long Zeling 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTOsteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive destruction of articular cartilage, resulting in significant disability. Inflammatory cytokines commonly initiate the extreme changes in the synovium and cartilage microenvironment of the OA patients, subsequently resulting in cell dysfunctions, especially synoviocyte dysfunction. We revealed that the expression of osteopontin (OPN), which has been reported to regulate expression of various inflammatory factors associating with the pathogenesis of OA including matrix metalloprotease 13 (MMP13), interlukine‐6 and 8 (IL‐6 and IL‐8), is significantly upregulated in OA tissues. In the present study, online tools were used to screen out the candidate miRNAs of OPN. Among the candidate miRNAs, miR‐181c inhibited OPN mRNA expression the most strongly. Ectopic expression of miR‐181c significantly repressed synoviocyte proliferation, as well as the levels of OPN, MMP13, IL‐6, and IL‐8. Further, the candidate lncRNAs of miR‐181c were screened out by using DianaTools; among which NEAT1 showed to inversely regulate miR‐181c. By performing Luciferase assays, we revealed that NEAT1 competed with OPN for miR‐181c binding. After NEAT1 knockdown, MMP13, IL‐6, and IL‐8 expression was reduced; the synoviocyte proliferation was repressed, as well as OPN protein levels; the suppressive effect of NETA1 knockdown on synoviocyte proliferation and the indicated factors were partially reversed by miR‐181c inhibition. In OA tissues, OPN mRNA, and NEAT1 expression was upregulated, whereas miR‐181c expression was downregulated, indicating that targeting NEAT1 to rescue miR‐181c expression so as to inhibit OPN expression and synoviocyte proliferation might be an efficient strategy for OA treatment. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3775–3784, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MiR‐21/PTEN Axis Promotes Skin Wound Healing by Dendritic Cells Enhancement
Authors: Han Zhaofeng , Chen Ya , Zhang Yile , Wei Aizhou , Zhou Jian , Li Qian , Guo Lili 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTA number of miRNAs associated with wound repair have been identified and characterized, but the mechanism has not been fully clarified. MiR‐21 is one of wound‐related lncRNAs, and the study aimed to explore the functional involvement of miR‐21 and its concrete mechanism in wound healing. In this study, the rat model of skin wounds was established. The expression of miR‐21, PTEN and related molecules of wound tissues or cells was determined by quantitative real‐time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The regulatory role of miR‐21 on PTEN was examined by luciferase reporter gene assay. Flow cytometry assay was applied to measure cell number changes. MiR‐21 was upregulated at 6, 24, 48, 72 h after model establishment, and the increase reached a maximum at 24 h in wound tissues. MMP‐9 expression presented the same tread as miR‐21 and was significantly enhanced within 6 h of wound formation, and then remained to be increased to the maximum at 24 h. The increase of miR‐21 was accompanied by the increase of cell total number and DCs ratio in wound fluids. MiR‐21 overexpression significantly improved the healing of skin wounds and increased the ratio of DCs in rats. The results of using FL confirmed that miR‐21 overexpression obviously promoted DCs differentiation. Additionally, miR‐21 could activate AKT/PI3K signaling pathway via inhibition of PTEN. MiR‐21 contributes to wound healing via inhibition of PTEN that activated AKT/PI3K signaling pathway to increase DCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3511–3519, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of denoising on precision and accuracy of saturation‐recovery‐based myocardial T1 mapping
Authors: Bustin Aurélien , Ferry Pauline , Codreanu Andrei , Beaumont Marine , Liu Shufang , Burschka Darius , Felblinger Jacques , Brau Anja C.S. , Menini Anne , Odille Freddy 
Published: April 2017

PurposeTo evaluate the impact of a novel postprocessing denoising technique on accuracy and precision in myocardial T1 mapping.Materials and MethodsThis study introduces a fast and robust denoising method developed for magnetic resonance T1 mapping. The technique imposes edge‐preserving regularity and exploits the co‐occurence of spatial gradients in the acquired T1‐weighted images. The proposed approach was assessed in simulations, ex vivo data and in vivo imaging on a cohort of 16 healthy volunteers (12 males, average age 39 ± 8 years, 62 ± 9 bpm) both in pre‐ and postcontrast injection. The method was evaluated in myocardial T1 mapping at 3T with a saturation‐recovery technique that is accurate but sensitive to noise. ROIs in the myocardium and left‐ventricle blood pool were analyzed by an experienced reader. Mean T1 values and standard deviation were extracted and compared in all studies.ResultsSimulations on synthetic phantom showed signal‐to‐noise ratio and sharpness improvement with the proposed method in comparison with conventional denoising. In vivo results demonstrated that our method preserves accuracy, as no difference in mean T1 values was observed in the myocardium (precontrast: 1433/1426 msec, 95%CI: [−40.7, 55.9], p = 0.75, postcontrast: 766/759 msec, 95%CI: [−60.7, 77.2], p = 0.8). Meanwhile, precision was improved with standard deviations of T1 values being significantly decreased (precontrast: 223/151 msec, 95%CI: [27.3, 116.5], p = 0.003, postcontrast: 176/135 msec, 95%CI: [5.5, 77.1], p = 0.03).ConclusionThe proposed denoising method preserves accuracy and improves precision in myocardial T1 mapping, with the potential to offer better map visualization and analysis.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1377–1388.
Surface cross‐linked UHMWPE using peroxides
Authors: Gul Rizwan M. , Fung Katharina , Doshi Brinda N. , Oral Ebru , Muratoglu Orhun K. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTCrosslinking of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been successfully used to improve its wear performance. Wear is a surface phenomenon and limiting crosslinking to a layer only on the surface is desirable, as crosslinking of the bulk of the implant reduces its mechanical strength and toughness. We present a novel technique to surface crosslink consolidated UHMWPE/vitamin‐E blends by diffusing an organic peroxide into the polymer at moderate temperatures, followed by heating to above the peroxide decomposition temperature to cause crosslinking on the surface. We characterized the surface crosslink density and wear rate of surface crosslinked UHMWPE/vitamin‐E blends with two different types of peroxides. Both peroxides resulted in surface crosslinking with an increase in wear resistance comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art highly crosslinked UHMWPE used for orthopedic implants. The addition of the antioxidant vitamin‐E led to higher oxidation resistance. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2551–2556, 2017.
Predicament of Chinese legislation on genetically modified food (GMF) labeling management and solutions – from the perspective of the new food safety law
Authors: Li Wei , Li Han 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis paper considers the background of Article 69 of the newly revised Food Safety Law in China in combination with the current situation of Chinese legislation on GMF labeling management, compared with a foreign genetically modified food labeling management system, revealing deficiencies in the Chinese legislation with respect to GMF labeling management, and noting that institutions should properly consider the GMF labeling management system in China.RESULTSChina adheres to the principle of mandatory labeling based on both product and processes in relation to GMFs and implements a system of process‐centered mandatory labeling under a negotiation–construction form. However, China has not finally defined the supervision mode of mandatory labeling of GMFs through laws, and this remains a challenge for GMF labeling management when two mandatory labeling modes coexist.CONCLUSIONSince April 2015 and October 1, 2015 when the Food Safety Law was revised and formally implemented respectively, the applicable judicial interpretations and enforcement regulations have not made applicable revisions and only principle‐based terms have been included in the Food Safety Law, it is still theoretically and practically difficult for mandatory labeling of GMFs in juridical practices and conflicts between the principle of GMF labeling and the purpose that safeguards consumers' right to know remain. The GMF labeling system should be legislatively and practically improved to an extent that protects consumers' right to know. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry