bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐molecule imaging reveals the translocation and DNA looping dynamics of hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase
Authors: Lin Chang‐Ting , Tritschler Felix , Lee Kyung Suk , Gu Meigang , Rice Charles M. , Ha Taekjip 
Published: February 2017

AbstractNon‐structural protein 3 (NS3) is an essential enzyme and a therapeutic target of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Compared to NS3‐catalyzed nucleic acids unwinding, its translation on single stranded nucleic acids have received relatively little attention. To investigate the NS3h translocation with single‐stranded nucleic acids substrates directly, we have applied a hybrid platform of single‐molecule fluorescence detection combined with optical trapping. With the aid of mechanical manipulation and fluorescence localization, we probed the translocase activity of NS3h on laterally stretched, kilobase‐size single‐stranded DNA and RNA. We observed that the translocation rate of NS3h on ssDNA at a rate of 24.4 nucleotides per second, and NS3h translocates about three time faster on ssRNA, 74 nucleotides per second. The translocation speed was minimally affected by the applied force. A subpopulation of NS3h underwent a novel translocation mode on ssDNA where the stretched DNA shortened gradually and then recovers its original length abruptly before repeating the cycle repetitively. The speed of this mode of translocation was reduced with increasing force. With corroborating data from single‐molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) experiments, we proposed that NS3h can cause repetitive looping of DNA. The smFRET dwell time analysis showed similar translocation time between sole translocation mode versus repetitive looping mode, suggesting that the motor domain exhibits indistinguishable enzymatic activities between the two translocation modes. We propose a potential secondary nucleic acids binding site at NS3h which might function as an anchor point for translocation‐coupled looping.
Single molecule force spectroscopy reveals the effect of BiP chaperone on protein folding
Authors: Ramírez María Paz , Rivera Maira , Quiroga‐Roger Diego , Bustamante Andrés , Vega Marcela , Baez Mauricio , Puchner Elias M. , Wilson Christian A. M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBiP (Immunoglobulin Binding Protein) is a member of the Hsp70 chaperones that participates in protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. The function of BiP relies on cycles of ATP hydrolysis driving the binding and release of its substrate proteins. It still remains unknown how BiP affects the protein folding pathway and there has been no direct demonstration showing which folding state of the substrate protein is bound by BiP, as previous work has used only peptides. Here, we employ optical tweezers for single molecule force spectroscopy experiments to investigate how BiP affects the folding mechanism of a complete protein and how this effect depends on nucleotides. Using the protein MJ0366 as the substrate for BiP, we performed pulling and relaxing cycles at constant velocity to unfold and refold the substrate. In the absence of BiP, MJ0366 unfolded and refolded in every cycle. However, when BiP was added, the frequency of folding events of MJ0366 significantly decreased, and the loss of folding always occurred after a successful unfolding event. This process was dependent on ATP and ADP, since when either ATP was decreased or ADP was added, the duration of periods without folding events increased. Our results show that the affinity of BiP for the substrate protein increased in these conditions, which correlates with previous studies in bulk. Therefore, we conclude that BiP binds to the unfolded state of MJ0366 and prevents its refolding, and that this effect is dependent on both the type and concentration of nucleotides.
Atmospheric tank failures: Mechanisms and an unexpected case study
Authors: Schmidt Michael S. 
Published: February 2017

The literature on catastrophic failures of low‐pressure tanks focuses on the ignition of explosive mixtures in the vapor space of those tanks, and rightly so, because most catastrophic failures of atmospheric tanks involve explosions of such mixtures. Moreover, there is a general sense in the industry that other than explosions of flammable mixtures, the only other hazard associated with low‐pressure tanks is the occasional dramatic implosion of a vessel that is inadequately protected against vacuum.In fact, there are a number of mechanisms that can lead to the catastrophic failure of a low‐pressure tank that have nothing to do with combustion or unprotected vacuum. Under certain circumstances, even a tank equipped with an atmospheric vent and containing nothing other than salt water can explode, with disastrous impacts.This article reviews the mechanisms for catastrophic failure of low pressure tanks, both implosion and explosion, and serves as a reminder for experienced process safety practitioners and as a tutorial for new process safety practitioners of what to look for during a hazard review. It also includes a case study of an atmospheric caustic tank explosion that resulted from a previously unreported mechanism that involved neither combustion nor vacuum. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 36: 353–361, 2017
Maternal Inferential Input and Children's Language Skills
Authors: Tompkins Virginia , Bengochea Alain , Nicol Susanna , Justice Laura M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractResearchers have consistently found a link between the quality of early parent–child book‐reading interactions and children's language skill. Two aspects of quality (level of abstraction and utterance function) were examined simultaneously in the current study to further refine our understanding of how parents’ talk during shared reading predicts children's vocabulary growth and elicits children's participation in book reading. To achieve this aim, the authors examined mothers’ extratextual utterances while reading to their preschool children across a continuum of four levels of abstraction (two literal and two inferential) and in terms of utterance function (wh‐ question, yes/no question, and statement). In a sample of 49 mother–child dyads (mean child age = 4.47 years), the authors found that mothers’ inferential yes/no questions and statements predicted children's receptive vocabulary growth over six months, controlling for children's age, mothers’ education, and frequency of reading, and that mothers’ inferential wh‐ questions and literal utterances of all types were not predictive of children's vocabulary growth. Using sequential analysis, the authors also found significant contingencies between mothers’ utterances and children's responses during shared reading that were within the same level of abstraction across all utterance functions. These results are discussed in relation to prior work that has largely examined these two qualities of parent–child book interactions separately.
Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Functional Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Taking Cues from Chondrocyte-Based Constructs
Authors: Tan Andrea R. , Hung Clark T. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Osteoarthritis, the most prevalent form of joint disease, afflicts 9% of the U.S. population over the age of 30 and costs the economy nearly $100 billion annually in healthcare and socioeconomic costs. It is characterized by joint pain and dysfunction, though the pathophysiology remains largely unknown. Due to its avascular nature and limited cellularity, articular cartilage exhibits a poor intrinsic healing response following injury. As such, significant research efforts are aimed at producing engineered cartilage as a cell-based approach for articular cartilage repair. However, the knee joint is mechanically demanding, and during injury, also a milieu of harsh inflammatory agents. The unforgiving mechano-chemical environment requires tissue replacements that are capable of bearing such burdens. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cartilage tissue engineering has emerged as a promising cell source due to their ease of isolation, capacity to readily expand in culture, and ability to undergo lineage-specific differentiation into chondrocytes. However, to date, very few studies utilizing MSCs have successfully recapitulated the structural and functional properties of native cartilage, exposing the difficult process of uniformly differentiating stem cells into desired cell fates and maintaining the phenotype during in vitro culture and after in vivo implantation. To address these shortcomings, here, we present a concise review on modulating stem cell behavior, tissue development and function using well-developed techniques from chondrocyte-based cartilage tissue engineering.
Content‐adaptive steganalysis for color images
Authors: Liao Xin , Chen Guoyong , Yin Jiaojiao 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSome steganography methods for gray‐scale image can be extended to true RGB color image by treating each of its three color channels as a gray‐scale image. In modern popular steganography, most embedding changes are highly concentrated on those complex textural regions with smaller embedding distortions. However, the existing steganalysis methods for color images directly extract steganalytic features from the whole image. In this paper, we propose a content‐adaptive steganalysis strategy for color images. The new strategy aims to extract spatial rich model features from each color channel and just extract color rich model features from the pixels that may have been modified. In order to locate those suspected pixels, we first calculate the embedding costs of each channel, and then a subset of pixels with smaller embedding costs is selected. Experimental results show that the proposed strategy performs better than the state‐of‐the‐art color image steganalysis method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FeCoNi Alloy as Noble Metal‐Free Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER)
Authors: Saha Soumen , Ganguli Ashok K. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe development of efficient and durable noble metal‐free electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is highly desired in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) based water electrolysis and metal‐ air batteries but still remains a challenge. In this paper, we employ co‐precipitation method to prepare layered double hydroxides followed by calcination to synthesize nanoalloy catalyst, which was further characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM)and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As a novel OER electrocatalyst, the FeCoNi alloy catalyst shows remarkable OER activity enhancement with an overpotential of only 400 mV and a low Tafel slope 72 mV dec−1. This work offers a unique paradigm for the synthesis of competitive electrocatalyst for OER with excellent durability under alkaline condition.
Carbon Based Nanomaterials for High Performance Optoelectrochemical Systems
Authors: Ayranci Rukiye , Başkaya Gaye , Güzel Merve , Bozkurt Sait , Şen Fatih , Ak Metin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractCarbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene are two significant carbon based nanomaterials which have extraordinary physicochemical properties, used in diverse fields of research. Recently, some actual studies were made to associate these carbon nanomaterials to produce CNT‐graphene hybrid with synergic effects of graphene and CNTs. Addressed herein, EDOT‐modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO), functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (f‐MWCNT) and hybrid material (rGO‐f‐MWCNT) have been prepared. Then, PEDOT‐modified composite films were synthesized via electrochemical polymerization to examine enhancing electrochemical properties of PEDOT and characterized by SEM, AFM analysis. As a conclusive finding, an improved stability, charge density, electrochromic switching kinetics and optical contrast of polymer composite films were observed on presence of nanocarbon materials in comparison to the control PEDOT film due to facile ion transport, high surface area.
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Properties of Two Quaternary Selenite/Tellurite‐Nitrates with Formula of Bi(SeO3)(NO3) and Bi3(μ3‐OH)(TeO3)3(NO3)2
Authors: Song Jun‐Ling , Qian Cheng 
Published: February 2017

AbstractHere, we report the preparation and characterization of two quaternary selenite/tellurite‐nitrates, namely, Bi(SeO3)(NO3) and Bi3(μ3‐OH)(TeO3)3(NO3)2 through a facile hydrothermal reaction. Bi(SeO3)(NO3) crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group C2/c (No.15), which features a 2D [Bi(SeO3)]∞ layer in the ab plane and NO3− anions are located between the neighboring [Bi(SeO3)]∞ layers. Bi3(μ3‐OH)(TeO3)3(NO3)2 crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space group P‐62 m (No.189), which exhibits a rare bismuth‐oxo‐tellurite 1D tube that are separated by nitrate groups. This rare bismuth‐oxo‐tellurite 1D tube is formed by the interconnection of hexanuclear [Bi6(μ3‐OH)2O24] cage clusters and 1D chain of [Te3O10]∞. The nonlinear optical property of Bi3(μ3‐OH)(TeO3)3(NO3)2 has been studied and it produces a weak second harmonic generation (SHG) response that of 0.5×KDP (KH2PO4) due to the effect of the stereo‐active lone‐pairs on Bi3+ and Te4+ cations and π‐conjugated NO3 units in Bi3(μ3‐OH)(TeO3)3(NO3)2. IR, UV‐vis spectra and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for the two compounds were also measured.
Extracellular Vesicle-Shuttled mRNA in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Communication
Authors: Ragni Enrico , Banfi Federica , Barilani Mario , Cherubini Alessandro , Parazzi Valentina , Larghi Paola , Dolo Vincenza , Bollati Valentina , Lazzari Lorenza 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent cells able to differentiate into several cell types, hence providing cell reservoirs for therapeutic applications. The absence of detectable MSC homing at injury sites suggests that paracrine functions could, at least in part, be mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs); EVs are newly identified players that are studied mainly as predictive or diagnostic biomarkers. Together with their clinical interests, EVs have recently come to the fore for their role in cell-to-cell communication. In this context, we investigated gene-based communication mechanisms in EVs generated by bone marrow and umbilical cord blood MSC (BMMSC and CBMSC, respectively). Both MSC types released vesicles with similar physical properties, although CBMSC were able to secrete EVs with faster kinetics. A pattern of preferentially incorporated EV transcripts was detected with respect to random internalization from the cytosol, after a validated normalization procedure was established. In the paradigm where EVs act as bioeffectors educating target cells, we demonstrated that kidney tubular cells lacking IL-10 expression and exposed to BMMSC-EVs and CBMSC-EVs acquired the IL-10 mRNA, which was efficiently translated into the corresponding protein. These findings suggest that horizontal mRNA transfer through EVs is a new mechanism in the MSC restoring ability observed in vivo that is here further demonstrated in an in vitro rescue model after acute cisplatin injury of tubular cells.
Neuroprotective effects of extracellular DJ‐1 on reperfusion injury in SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Han Jay , Luk Beryl , Lee Frank J.S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractUsing an in vitro model of ischemic stroke we treated differentiated SH‐SY5Y cells to oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by a reperfusion period where normal growth conditions were restored. Cells undergoing OGD exhibited significant cell death as measure by propidium iodide staining. However, cells treated with exogenous extracellular DJ‐1 during reperfusion exhibited significant rescue from OGD‐induced cell death.
Greater sage‐grouse male lek counts relative to a wind energy development
Authors: Lebeau Chad W. , Beck Jeffrey L. , Johnson Gregory D. , Nielson Ryan M. , Holloran Matthew J. , Gerow Kenneth G. , McDonald Trent L. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTWind energy development is an emerging source of anthropogenic disturbance that could affect greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage‐grouse) populations. Our objective was to determine the response of male sage‐grouse attending leks (lek counts) to wind energy development using a before/after–control/treatment study design. We counted males attending each lek within control and treatment areas annually and analyzed peak numbers. We obtained lek count data from 5 treatment and 9 control leks over an 11‐year period. We estimated trends in lek counts pre‐ (2006–2008) and postdevelopment (2009–2016) using a generalized linear mixed negative binomial model. We considered time lags at which the effect of the wind energy development was realized by the male breeding population. Although all lek counts were apparently in decline prior to development and trends on the control and treatment area changed during postdevelopment, we found no negative differences in the relative trends in lek counts between control and treatment areas between pre‐ and postdevelopment periods. We detected a 56% drop in lek counts at treatment leks relative to control leks assuming the effect of the wind energy development was realized between 2010 and 2011 (i.e., 3 yr postdevelopment). Use of a posteriori power analysis estimated similar data sets would have 80% probability of detecting a 28% decrease in the rate of decline of lek counts at treatment leks relative to control leks after development. Our findings suggest males attending leks in close proximity to wind energy development may respond differently compared with leks in close proximity to other forms of anthropogenic features, adding to a growing body of literature regarding the potential effects of energy development on prairie grouse. We recommend additional research and an abundance of caution in designating buffer sizes <1.5 km to avoid measurable effects from wind energy development on males attending leks. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Ecological factors affecting wetland occupancy by breeding Anatidae in the southwestern mediterranean
Authors: Cherkaoui Sidi Imad , Selmi Slaheddine , Hanane Saâd 
Published: February 2017

AbstractConservation of Anatidae in North Africa is hindered by lack of information concerning population size, population trends, and species‐habitat relationships. In this work, we used a 2‐year survey data in 25 wetlands distributed throughout Morocco to model duck spatial distribution and to assess the relevance of a set of environmental and anthropogenic factors in predicting site occupancy, by means of Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM). Mallards and Ferruginous ducks were the most commonly detected species, whereas White‐Headed Ducks and Common Pochards were the least detected ones. An inter‐annual variation in site occupancy was recorded for Ruddy Shelducks, Red‐Crested Pochards and White‐Headed Ducks. Geographical location (measured mainly as distance to the coastline and altitude) was the major predictor of the occurrence probability of Ruddy Shelducks, Marbled Teals and Red‐Crested Pochards, while human presence and habitat features were the most relevant factors in shaping Mallard's distribution. However, none of the considered environmental and anthropogenic factors explained the distribution patterns of the Ferruginous Duck, Common Pochard and Gadwall. The results of this study clearly show that there are still gaps in our knowledge on factors driving wetland occupancy by breeding Anatidae in Morocco. The pursuit of the investigations, while considering other explanatory factors such as water quality (limnological data), diet, predation, and conservation status, is of great importance to more profoundly understand the dynamics of Moroccan duck populations.
Surface Rheological Properties of Hydrophobically Modified Polyacrylamide and Imidazolium Surfactant Systems
Authors: Zhou Ting , Yuan Jing , Chen Yijian , Xin Xia , Tan Yebang , Xu Guiying 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe dilational rheological properties of hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide (HMPAM) or hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) solutions without and with imidazolium surfactants ([C14‐4‐C14im]Br2 and [C14mim]Br) at the air/water surface were investigated using oscillating bubble measurements. The results obtained suggest that imidazolium surfactants interact with the polymer on the surface, enhancing the dilational viscoelasticity of surface film. The dilational modulus value of [C14‐4‐C14im]Br2/HMPAM is higher than that of the [C14mim]Br/HMPAM system at low polymer concentration, confirming that [C14‐4‐C14im]Br2 with two head groups and two hydrophobic chains can combine with a polymer to form a strong film on the surface. Moreover, imidazolium surfactants have stronger hydrophobic interaction with HMPAM chains than those of HPAM, thus enhancing the surface film strength for a surfactant/HMPAM system. The surface interaction mechanism between polyacrylamide and imidazolium surfactant is proposed to result from the electrostatic interactions and the hydrophobic effect.
A hospital based cross sectional study on comorbid psychiatric problems in persons with epilepsy from north eastern part of India
Authors: Rehman Sajjadur , Kalita Kamal , Baruah Aparajeeta 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Context The relationship between epilepsy and psychiatric disorders has been recognized for a long time. Psychiatric disturbances like depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis, panic disorder, suicidal behavior etc are associated with epilepsy. Different demographic and clinical factors are associated with the onset of these psychiatric disturbances.
Aims To study the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in persons with epilepsy. Also assess the different demographic and clinical factors and its relation with the presence of psychiatric comorbidity in persons with epilepsy.
Settings and design It was a cross sectional observational study.
Methods and material Diagnosed cases of epilepsy, attending Epilepsy Clinic, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Patients were evaluated with Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to see their psychiatric comorbidities and also the socio-demographic and clinical factors were assessed
Statistical analysis used SPSS version 23.0 for Windows and Graph Pad InStat software trial version 3.1 was used for analysis.
Results Psychiatric comorbidity was seen in 50% subjects with comorbid with epilepsy. Depression 18%, Psychosis 14% and Anxiety Disorders 11%, were the most commonly found psychiatric morbidities. Presence of partial seizures, frequent seizures, long duration of epilepsy and poor compliance to antiepileptic drug were significantly associated with presence of psychiatric comorbidity in persons with epilepsy.
Conclusions Psychiatric comorbidities are very common in epilepsy. Psychosis associated with epilepsy is seen more in hospital settings. Depression and anxiety though commonly reported in studies are less commonly presented to tertiary care settings.