bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term treatment with the beta‐3 adrenoceptor agonist, mirabegron ameliorates detrusor overactivity and restores cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in obese mice
Authors: Calmasini Fabiano B. , de Oliveira Mariana G. , Alexandre Eduardo C. , da Silva Fábio H. , da Silva Carmem P.V. , Candido Tuany Z. , Antunes Edson , Mónica Fabíola Z. 
Published: October 2016

AimsTo evaluate the effects of the beta‐3 adrenoceptor agonist, mirabegron in a mouse model of detrusor overactivity induced by obesity.MethodsC57BL/6 male mice were fed with standard chow or high‐fat diet for 12 weeks. Lean and obese mice were treated orally with mirabegron (10 mg/kg/day) from the last 2 weeks of diet. Cystometric evaluations, functional assays, protein expression for phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) measurement were carried out.ResultsIn obese mice the body weight, epididymal fat mass, fasting glucose, and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were higher (P < 0.001) than in the lean mice. A reduction of 34% and 54% and an increase of 35% in the epididimal fat, LDL, and HDL levels (P < 0.05), respectively, were observed in the obese group treated with mirabegron, whereas no changes were seen in the lipid profile from lean mice. Obese group showed irregular micturition pattern, characterized by significant increases in frequency and non‐void contractions. Carbachol, potassium chloride, and electrical‐field stimulation induced detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) contractions, which were greater in bladders from obese mice than from lean mice. Two‐week treatment with mirabegron restored all the contractile response alterations in the DSM. Basal intracellular levels of cAMP were reduced (68%), whereas PDE4 protein expression was increased (54%) in bladder from obese mice. Mirabegron restored the cAMP levels in obese bladder, without changing the PDE4 expression.ConclusionMirabegron was able to completely restore the urinary alterations seen in the bladder from obese mice.
Semi‐global output feedback control for nonlinear systems with uncertain time‐delay and output function
Authors: Xie Xue‐Jun , Li Zhan‐Jie , Zhang Kemei 
Published: November 2016

SummaryThis paper considers semi‐global output feedback control for more general nonlinear systems with unknown time‐delay and output function whose derivative is unbounded from above. By introducing a new observer and using the backstepping design method and the Razumikhin stability theorem, an output feedback controller is constructed to achieve a semi‐global stability. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐order sliding‐mode observer for linear time‐varying systems with unknown inputs
Authors: Galván‐Guerra R. , Fridman L. , Dávila J. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryIn this article, an observer for linear time variant systems affected by unknown inputs is suggested. The proposed observer combines the deterministic least squares filter and the high‐order sliding‐mode differentiator to provide exact state reconstruction in spite of bounded unknown inputs and system instability. The cascade structure of the algorithm provides a correct state reconstruction for the class of linear time variant systems that satisfy the structural property of strong observability. Simulations illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and Performance Evaluation of a Pyrrolidinyl Peptide Nucleic‐Acid‐Based Displacement Probe as a DNA Sensor
Authors: Boonlua Chalothorn , Charoenpakdee Chayan , Vilaivan Tirayut , Praneenararat Thanit 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA new displacement probe based on pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acid was designed and evaluated for DNA sequence recognition. The probe was prepared by combining an N‐terminally fluorophore‐modified pyrrolidinyl peptide nucleic acid (Flu‐ or TMR‐acpcPNA) and a 3’‐Dabcyl‐modified DNA as a quencher. Fluorescence studies showed that the fluorophore in the acpcPNA strand was efficiently quenched by the quencher strand. After some optimisation, the fluorescence was significantly restored upon the addition of the complementary DNA target, while the fluorescence stayed at a low level with the addition of mismatched DNA. Even with double‐stranded DNA analytes, the high specificity of the PNA‐based displacement probes allowed unambiguous discrimination between complementary and single mismatched DNA targets. Furthermore, immobilisation of the probes onto agarose resin could also recognise only the complementary DNA, thereby demonstrating its potential as a practical DNA sensor.
Role of Hydrogen Bond in the Solvation Behavior of the Binary Mixtures Containing Fluorocarbon Alcohol Molecules and Chloroform: An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Biswas Biswajit , Mondal Saptarsi , Singh Prashant C. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractFluorocarbon containing alcohol molecules are important due to their unusual but important physicochemical properties. We have investigated solvatochromic as well as hydrogen bond behavior of weakly interacting binary mixtures of chloroform (CHCl3) with the fluorocarbon containing alcohols namely, 2‐fluoroethanol (MFE) and 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE) as well as compared them with ethanol (ETH)‐CHCl3 binary mixture. UV‐Vis study depicts that the particular composition (χETH ∼0.6) of the binary mixtures of CHCl3 with ETH and MFE solvate probes more efficiently as compared to the respective counterparts, whereas, the probes are preferably solvated by the TFE as compared to solvent mixtures in the case of TFE‐CHCl3 binary mixture. NMR, IR as well as theoretical calculations establish that CHCl3 forms the C−H…O hydrogen bonded clusters with ETH and MFE whereas TFE‐CHCl3 binary mixture are connected predominantly through C−H…F hydrogen bond. The dipole of probe molecules perturbs the weaker C−H…F hydrogen bond present in the TFE‐CHCl3 binary mixture resulting in the preferential solvation by the TFE, whereas, the comparatively stronger C−H…O hydrogen bonded species is preserved in the binary mixtures of CHCl3 with ETH and MFE which leads to the favorable solvation by the binary mixtures of CHCl3 with ETH and MFE. Further, analytical solvent exchange models have been used to substantiate the solvation behavior of the probe molecules in the CHCl3 binary mixtures with ETH and TFE.
Experiences among Women with Positive Prenatal Expanded Carrier Screening Results
Authors: Rothwell Erin , Johnson Erin , Mathiesen Amber , Golden Kylie , Metcalf Audrey , Rose Nancy C. , Botkin Jeffrey R. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe offering and acceptance of expanded carrier screening is increasing among pregnant women including women without an increased risk based on race, ethnicity or family history. The chances of a positive screening test have been reported to be as high as 24 % when multiple conditions are screened. Yet, little is known about the way these tests are offered and how patients are affected by a positive test result. To explore this area of genetic testing, interviews (n = 17) were conducted among women who received positive expanded carrier results in the context of obstetric care. A content analysis was conducted on the transcript data from the interviews. Outcomes of this research suggest that educational interventions are needed to improve maternal understanding of positive carrier screening results. Most of the participants in this study confused the results with other prenatal screening test options. In addition, the way the results were discussed varied greatly, and influenced participants’ thoughts about reproductive decisions that led to a range of emotional uncertainty. Our data suggests that genetic counseling improved participants’ understanding of positive results. More research is needed to further understand if our results are consistent within a larger, more diverse sample, and to explore how to best provide education about expanded carrier screening.
Peer victimization in adolescence: Concordance between measures and associations with global and daily internalizing problems☆
Authors: Pouwels J. Loes , Lansu Tessa A.M. , Cillessen Antonius H.N. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to shed further light on what is measured by self‐, peer‐, and daily diary‐reports of victimization in adolescence. First, the concordance between self‐, peer‐, and daily diary‐reports of victimization was assessed. Participants were 188 Dutch adolescents (43% male, Mage = 16.07 years, SD = .84) who participated in a classroom assessment and daily diary assessment (5 consecutive school days). Peer‐reports (15%) and self‐reports (13%) yielded higher prevalence rates than diary‐reports (3%). Second, associations of self‐ and peer‐reported victimization with self‐, peer‐, and daily diary‐reported internalizing problems were examined. Due to its low prevalence, diary‐reported victimization could not be related to internalizing. The association of self‐ and peer‐reported victimization with internalizing problems varied by informant (self‐ vs. peer‐reported internalizing) and problem type (interpersonal vs. intrapersonal). Self‐ and peer‐reported victimization were positively associated with daily internalizing affect. Results indicate that self‐, peer‐, and daily diary‐reports tap into different aspects of victimization.
Macular cherry red spot is an important diagnostic marker in children with myoclonic epilepsies
Authors: Kekatpure Minal , Vinayan K. , Nampoothiri Sheela , Pillai Gopal , Kumar Anand 
Published: October 2016

AbstractSymptomatic myoclonus is the major presenting feature of a small but very important and genetically diverse group of rare disorders included under the umbrella of progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) and progressive myoclonus ataxia (PMA) syndromes. These disorders often require extensive investigations to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. We present a case series highlighting the importance of a detailed fundoscopic eye examination; particularly when occurring in conjunction with a clinical history of myoclonus, developmental regression and other systemic features in clinching an etiologic diagnosis of storage disorder, specifically, gangliosidosis and sialidosis in children with suspected progressive myoclonus epilepsies. The causes of macular cherry red spot (CRS) on fundoscopic examination are limited and in a given child may provide an important clue for narrowing the differential diagnoses and finally making an accurate diagnosis. Current literature on symptomatic myoclonus, cherry red spot and their occurrence in PME/PMA syndromes is also reviewed.
The Colombian Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative (API) Registry
Authors: Rios‐Romenets Silvia , Lopez Hugo , Lopez Liliana , Hincapie Liliana , Saldarriaga Amanda , Madrigal Lucia , Piedrahita Francisco , Navarro Alex , Acosta‐Uribe Juliana , Ramirez Laura , Giraldo Margarita , Acosta‐Baena Natalia , Sánchez Sebastián , Ramos Claudia , Muñoz Claudia , Baena Ana , Alzate Diana , Ospina Paula , Langbaum Jessica B. , Cho William , Tariot Pierre N. , Paul Robert , Reiman Eric M. , Lopera Francisco 
Published: October 2016

SummaryThe Colombian Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative (API) Registry is a collaborative project among the Neurosciences Group of Antioquia, the Banner Alzheimer's Institute, and Genentech. The main goal is to provide a source of interested research participants and data to support the API‐Colombia Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease Trial and help find treatments to delay or prevent the clinical onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Aberrant β‐catenin expression in urothelial carcinomas in blackfoot disease‐endemic areas
Authors: Chen Yi‐Ting , Wu Chun‐Chieh , Liu Xuan‐Ping , Chai Chee‐Yin 
Published: November 2016

AbstractArsenic is a well‐known toxic element and carcinogenic agent. The aim of this study was to investigate p63, E‐cadherin, and β‐catenin proteins in urothelial carcinoma (UC) in both arsenic contaminated areas [so‐called blackfoot disease (BFD) area] and non‐BFD areas. The expressions of p63, E‐cadherin, and β‐catenin proteins in 20 UC cases of blackfoot disease and 22 UC cases in non‐BFD areas were detected using immunohistochemical methods. The results revealed a high p63 expression in 20 (47.6%) UC cases and high E‐cadherin expression in six (14.3%) UC cases. Expressions of p63 and E‐cadherin showed no significant correlations with clinicopathologic parameters. However, all 20 BFD cases and 12 of 22 (54.5%) non‐BFD cases showed aberrant β‐catenin expression. Ten out of 22 (45.5%) non‐BFD cases also had normal membranous immunoreactivity. The β‐catenin staining pattern significantly differed between cases in endemic and nonendemic areas of BFD (p = 0.001). Tumor sites also significantly correlated with β‐catenin expression (p = 0.044). In addition, membranous localization of β‐catenin was lower in UC from BFD‐endemic areas compared with those from non‐BFD endemic areas. In conclusion, it is suggested that relocalization of β‐catenin from membrane to cytoplasm may be involved in the tumorigenesis of UC from BFD‐endemic areas.
Proton acceleration in three-dimensional non-null magnetic reconnection
Authors: Akbari Z. , Hosseinpour M. , Mohammadi M. A. 
Published: November 2016

In a three-dimensional non-null magnetic reconnection, the process of magnetic reconnection takes place in the absence of a null point where the magnetic field vanishes. By randomly injecting a population of 10 000 protons, the trajectory and energy distribution of accelerated protons are investigated in the presence of magnetic and electric fields of a particular model of non-null magnetic reconnection with the typical parameters for the solar corona. The results show that protons are accelerated along the magnetic field lines away from the non-null point only at azimuthal angles where the magnitude of the electric field is strongest and therefore particles obtain kinetic energies of the order of thousands of MeV and even higher. Moreover, the energy distribution of the population depends strongly on the amplitude of the electric and magnetic fields. Comparison shows that a non-null magnetic reconnection is more efficient in accelerating protons to very high GeV energies than a null-point reconnection.
Diffusion of Charged Species in Liquids
Authors: del Río J. A. , Whitaker S. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn this study the laws of mechanics for multi-component systems are used to develop a theory for the diffusion of ions in the presence of an electrostatic field. The analysis begins with the governing equation for the species velocity and it leads to the governing equation for the species diffusion velocity. Simplification of this latter result provides a momentum equation containing three dominant forces: (a) the gradient of the partial pressure, (b) the electrostatic force, and (c) the diffusive drag force that is a central feature of the Maxwell-Stefan equations. For ideal gas mixtures we derive the classic Nernst-Planck equation. For liquid-phase diffusion we encounter a situation in which the Nernst-Planck contribution to diffusion differs by several orders of magnitude from that obtained for ideal gases.
Tsunamis caused by submarine slope failures along western Great Bahama Bank
Authors: Schnyder Jara S.D. , Eberli Gregor P. , Kirby James T. , Shi Fengyan , Tehranirad Babak , Mulder Thierry , Ducassou Emmanuelle , Hebbeln Dierk , Wintersteller Paul 
Published: November 2016

AbstractSubmarine slope failures are a likely cause for tsunami generation along the East Coast of the United States. Among potential source areas for such tsunamis are submarine landslides and margin collapses of Bahamian platforms. Numerical models of past events, which have been identified using high-resolution multibeam bathymetric data, reveal possible tsunami impact on Bimini, the Florida Keys, and northern Cuba. Tsunamis caused by slope failures with terminal landslide velocity of 20 ms−1 will either dissipate while traveling through the Straits of Florida, or generate a maximum wave of 1.5 m at the Florida coast. Modeling a worst-case scenario with a calculated terminal landslide velocity generates a wave of 4.5 m height. The modeled margin collapse in southwestern Great Bahama Bank potentially has a high impact on northern Cuba, with wave heights between 3.3 to 9.5 m depending on the collapse velocity. The short distance and travel time from the source areas to densely populated coastal areas would make the Florida Keys and Miami vulnerable to such low-probability but high-impact events.
Ultra-low activities of a common radioisotope for permission-free tracking of a drosophilid fly in its natural habitat
Authors: Arthofer Wolfgang , Decristoforo Clemens , Schlick-Steiner Birgit C. , Steiner Florian M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractKnowledge of a species’ ecology, including its movement in time and space, is key for many questions in biology and conservation. While numerous tools for tracking larger animals are available, millimetre-sized insects are averse to standard tracking and labelling procedures. Here, we evaluated the applicability of ultra-low, permission-exempt activities of the metastable isomer of the radionuclide Technetium-99 for labelling and field detection of the mountain fly Drosophila nigrosparsa. We demonstrate that an activity of less than 10 MBq is sufficient to label dozens of flies and detect single individuals using standard radiation protection monitors. The methodology presented here is applicable to many small-sized, low-mobility animals as well as independent from light and weather conditions and visual contact with the target organism.
High Performance Palladium Supported on Nanoporous Carbon under Anhydrous Condition
Authors: Yang Zehui , Ling Ying , Zhang Yunfeng , Xu Guodong 
Published: November 2016

AbstractDue to the high cost of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), replacing platinum (Pt) with some inexpensive metal was carried out. Here, we deposited palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) on nanoporous carbon (NC) after wrapping by poly[2,2′-(2,6-pyridine)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole] (PyPBI) doped with phosphoric acid (PA) and the Pd-NPs size was successfully controlled by varying the weight ratio between Pd precursor and carbon support doped with PA. The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabricated from the optimized electrocatalyst with 0.05 mgPd cm−2 for both anode and cathode sides showed a power density of 76 mW cm−2 under 120 °C without any humidification, which was comparable to the commercial CB/Pt, 89 mW cm−2 with 0.45 mgPt cm−2 loaded in both anode and cathode. Meanwhile, the power density of hybrid MEA with 0.45 mgPt cm−2 in cathode and 0.05 mgPd cm−2 in anode reached 188 mW cm−2. The high performance of the Pt-free electrocatalyst was attributed to the porous structure enhancing the gas diffusion and the PyPBI-PA facilitating the proton conductivity in catalyst layer. Meanwhile, the durability of Pd electrocatalyst was enhanced by coating with acidic polymer. The newly fabricated Pt-free electrocatalyst is extremely promising for reducing the cost in the high-temperature PEFCs.
Spatiotemporal neurodynamics of automatic temporal expectancy in 9-month old infants
Authors: Mento Giovanni , Valenza Eloisa 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAnticipating events occurrence (Temporal Expectancy) is a crucial capacity for survival. Yet, there is little evidence about the presence of cortical anticipatory activity from infancy. In this study we recorded the High-density electrophysiological activity in 9 month-old infants and adults undergoing an audio-visual S1–S2 paradigm simulating a lifelike “Peekaboo” game inducing automatic temporal expectancy of smiling faces. The results indicate in the S2-preceding Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) an early electrophysiological signature of expectancy-based anticipatory cortical activity. Moreover, the progressive CNV amplitude increasing across the task suggested that implicit temporal rule learning is at the basis of expectancy building-up over time. Cortical source reconstruction suggested a common CNV generator between adults and infants in the right prefrontal cortex. The decrease in the activity of this area across the task (time-on-task effect) further implied an early, core role of this region in implicit temporal rule learning. By contrast, a time-on-task activity boost was found in the supplementary motor area (SMA) in adults and in the temporoparietal regions in infants. Altogether, our findings suggest that the capacity of the human brain to translate temporal predictions into anticipatory neural activity emerges ontogenetically early, although the underlying spatiotemporal cortical dynamics change across development.
BMP-SMAD-ID promotes reprogramming to pluripotency by inhibiting p16/INK4A-dependent senescence
Authors: Hayashi Yohei , Hsiao Edward C. , Sami Salma , Lancero Mariselle , Schlieve Christopher R. , Nguyen Trieu , Yano Koyori , Nagahashi Ayako , Ikeya Makoto , Matsumoto Yoshihisa , Nishimura Ken , Fukuda Aya , Hisatake Koji , Tomoda Kiichiro , Asaka Isao , Toguchida Junya , Conklin Bruce R. , Yamanaka Shinya 
Published: October 2016

SignificanceThe development of iPSCs provides unprecedented opportunities for life sciences, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. The efficiency of iPSC generation is quite low: typically less than 1% of human primary somatic cells that have received reprogramming factors turn into iPSCs. Previous studies revealed that cellular senescence was a major barrier to iPSC generation. In this study using human FOP mutant cells, we provide evidence that the BMP-SMAD-ID signaling suppressed p16/INK4A-mediated cellular senescence during the early phase in iPSC generation. These results are unexpected because BMP-SMAD signaling has negative effects on the self-renewal of human iPSCs. Here, we show that a human natural mutation increases the efficiency of iPSC generation.
Impact of interventions and the incidence of ebola virus disease in Liberia—implications for future epidemics
Authors: Kirsch Thomas D , Moseson Heidi , Massaquoi Moses , Nyenswah Tolbert G , Goodermote Rachel , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Lessler Justin , Cumings Derek A T , Peters David H 
Published: October 2016

To better understand the impact of national and global efforts to contain the Ebola virus disease epidemic of 2014–15 in Liberia, we provide a detailed timeline of the major interventions and relate them to the epidemic curve.
In addition to personal experience in the response, we systematically reviewed situation reports from the Liberian government, UN, CDC, WHO, UNICEF, IFRC, USAID, and local and international news reports to create the timeline. We extracted data on the timing and nature of activities and compared them to the timeline of the epidemic curve using the reproduction number—the estimate of the average number of new cases caused by a single case.
Interventions were organized around five major strategies, with the majority of resources directed to the creation of treatment beds. We conclude that no single intervention stopped the epidemic; rather, the interventions likely had reinforcing effects, and some were less likely than others to have made a major impact. We find that the epidemic’s turning coincided with a reorganization of the response in August–September 2014, the emergence of community leadership in control efforts, and changing beliefs and practices in the population. Ebola Treatment Units were important for Ebola treatment, but the vast majority of these treatment centre beds became available after the epidemic curve began declining. Similarly, the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response was launched after the epidemic curve had already turned.
These findings have significant policy implications for future epidemics and suggest that much of the decline in the epidemic curve was driven by critical behaviour changes within local communities, rather than by international efforts that came after the epidemic had turned. Future global interventions in epidemic response should focus on building community capabilities, strengthening local ownership, and dramatically reducing delays in the response.