bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) supported cobalt- nickel sulfide (CoNi2S4) nanoparticles hybrid anode for high performance lithium ion capacitor
Authors: Jagadale Ajay , Zhou Xuan , Blaisdell Douglas , Yang Sen 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLithium ion capacitors possess an ability to bridge the gap between lithium ion battery and supercapacitor. The main concern of fabricating lithium ion capacitors is poor rate capability and cyclic stability of the anode material which uses sluggish faradaic reactions to store an electric charge. Herein, we have fabricated high performance hybrid anode material based on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and cobalt-nickel sulfide (CoNi2S4) nanoparticles via simple electrospinning and electrodeposition methods. Porous and high conducting CNF@CoNi2S4 electrode acts as an expressway network for electronic and ionic diffusion during charging-discharging processes. The effect of anode to cathode mass ratio on the performance has been studied by fabricating lithium ion capacitors with different mass ratios. The surface controlled contribution of CNF@CoNi2S4 electrode was 73% which demonstrates its excellent rate capability. Lithium ion capacitor fabricated with CNF@CoNi2S4 to AC mass ratio of 1:2.6 showed excellent energy density of 85.4 Wh kg−1 with the power density of 150 W kg−1. Also, even at the high power density of 15 kW kg−1, the cell provided the energy density of 35 Wh kg−1. This work offers a new strategy for designing high-performance hybrid anode with the combination of simple and cost effective approaches.
Development of a novel zebrafish xenograft model in ache mutants using liver cancer cell lines
Authors: Avci M. Ender , Keskus Ayse Gokce , Targen Seniye , Isilak M. Efe , Ozturk Mehmet , Atalay Rengul Cetin , Adams Michelle M. , Konu Ozlen 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAcetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme responsible for degradation of acetylcholine, has been identified as a prognostic marker in liver cancer. Although in vivo Ache tumorigenicity assays in mouse are present, no established liver cancer xenograft model in zebrafish using an ache mutant background exists. Herein, we developed an embryonic zebrafish xenograft model using epithelial (Hep3B) and mesenchymal (SKHep1) liver cancer cell lines in wild-type and ache
sb55
sibling mutant larvae after characterization of cholinesterase expression and activity in cell lines and zebrafish larvae. The comparison of fluorescent signal reflecting tumor size at 3-days post-injection (dpi) revealed an enhanced tumorigenic potential and a reduced migration capacity in cancer cells injected into homozygous ache
sb55
mutants when compared with the wild-type. Increased tumor load was confirmed using an ALU based tumor DNA quantification method modified for use in genotyped xenotransplanted zebrafish embryos. Confocal microscopy using the Huh7 cells stably expressing GFP helped identify the distribution of tumor cells in larvae. Our results imply that acetylcholine accumulation in the microenvironment directly or indirectly supports tumor growth in liver cancer. Use of this model system for drug screening studies holds potential in discovering new cholinergic targets for treatment of liver cancers.
Assessment of suitable reference genes for RT–qPCR studies in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Nakayama Tsuguhisa , Okada Naoko , Yoshikawa Mamoru , Asaka Daiya , Kuboki Akihito , Kojima Hiromi , Tanaka Yasuhiro , Haruna Shin-ichi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractReverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction is a valuable and reliable method for gene quantification. Target gene expression is usually quantified by normalization using reference genes (RGs), and accurate normalization is critical for producing reliable data. However, stable RGs in nasal polyps and sinonasal tissues from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have not been well investigated. Here, we used a two-stage study design to identify stable RGs. We assessed the stability of 15 commonly used candidate RGs using five programs—geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, ΔCT, and RefFinder. Ribosomal protein lateral stalk subunit P1 (RPLP1) and ribosomal protein lateral stalk subunit P0 (RPLP0) were the two most stable RGs in the first stage of the study, and these results were validated in the second stage. The commonly used RGs β-actin (ACTB) and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were unstable according to all of the algorithms used. The findings were further validated via relative quantification of IL-5, CCL11, IFN-γ, and IL-17A using the stable and unstable RGs. The relative expression levels varied greatly according to normalization with the selected RGs. Appropriate selection of stable RGs will allow more accurate determination of target gene expression levels in patients with CRS.
Pharmacokinetic parameters explain the therapeutic activity of antimicrobial agents in a silkworm infection model
Authors: Paudel Atmika , Panthee Suresh , Urai Makoto , Hamamoto Hiroshi , Ohwada Tomohiko , Sekimizu Kazuhisa 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPoor pharmacokinetic parameters are a major reason for the lack of therapeutic activity of some drug candidates. Determining the pharmacokinetic parameters of drug candidates at an early stage of development requires an inexpensive animal model with few associated ethical issues. In this study, we used the silkworm infection model to perform structure-activity relationship studies of an antimicrobial agent, GPI0039, a novel nitrofuran dichloro-benzyl ester, and successfully identified compound 5, a nitrothiophene dichloro-benzyl ester, as a potent antimicrobial agent with superior therapeutic activity in the silkworm infection model. Further, we compared the pharmacokinetic parameters of compound 5 with a nitrothiophene benzyl ester lacking chlorine, compound 7, that exerted similar antimicrobial activity but had less therapeutic activity in silkworms, and examined the metabolism of these antimicrobial agents in human liver fractions in vitro. Compound 5 had appropriate pharmacokinetic parameters, such as an adequate half-life, slow clearance, large area under the curve, low volume of distribution, and long mean residence time, compared with compound 7, and was slowly metabolized by human liver fractions. These findings suggest that the therapeutic effectiveness of an antimicrobial agent in the silkworms reflects appropriate pharmacokinetic properties.
On the origins of strain inhomogeneity in amorphous materials
Authors: Lunt Alexander J. G. , Chater Philip , Korsunsky Alexander M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractStrain is a crucial measure of materials deformation for evaluating and predicting the mechanical response, strength, and fracture. The spatial resolution attainable by the modern real and reciprocal space techniques continues to improve, alongside the ability to carry out atomistic simulations. This is offering new insights into the very concept of strain. In crystalline materials, the presence of well-defined, stable atomic planes allows defining strain as the relative change in the interplanar spacing. However, the presence of disorder, e.g. locally around defects such as dislocation cores, and particularly the pervasive atomic disorder in amorphous materials challenge existing paradigms: disorder prevents a reference configuration being defined, and allows strain to be accommodated in a different manner to crystalline materials. As an illustration, using experimental pair distribution function analysis in combination with Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations, we highlight the importance of bond angle change vs bond stretching for strain accommodation in amorphous systems.
Isolation and characterization of novel mutations in the pSC101 origin that increase copy number
Authors: Thompson Mitchell G. , Sedaghatian Nima , Barajas Jesus F. , Wehrs Maren , Bailey Constance B. , Kaplan Nurgul , Hillson Nathan J. , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila , Keasling Jay D. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractpSC101 is a narrow host range, low-copy plasmid commonly used for genetically manipulating Escherichia coli. As a byproduct of a genetic screen for a more sensitive lactam biosensor, we identified multiple novel mutations that increase the copy number of plasmids with the pSC101 origin. All mutations identified in this study occurred on plasmids which also contained at least one mutation localized to the RepA protein encoded within the origin. Homology modelling predicts that many of these mutations occur within the dimerization interface of RepA. Mutant RepA resulted in plasmid copy numbers between ~31 and ~113 copies/cell, relative to ~5 copies/cell in wild-type pSC101 plasmids. Combining the mutations that were predicted to disrupt multiple contacts on the dimerization interface resulted in copy numbers of ~500 copies/cell, while also attenuating growth in host strains. Fluorescent protein production expressed from an arabinose-inducible promoter on mutant origin derived plasmids did correlate with copy number. Plasmids harboring RepA with one of two mutations, E83K and N99D, resulted in fluorescent protein production similar to that from p15a- (~20 copies/cell) and ColE1- (~31 copies/cell) based plasmids, respectively. The mutant copy number variants retained compatibility with p15a, pBBR, and ColE1 origins of replication. These pSC101 variants may be useful in future metabolic engineering efforts that require medium or high-copy vectors compatible with p15a- and ColE1-based plasmids.
Identification of a biosynthetic gene cluster for the polyene macrolactam sceliphrolactam in a Streptomyces strain isolated from mangrove sediment
Authors: Low Zhen Jie , Pang Li Mei , Ding Yichen , Cheang Qing Wei , Le Mai Hoang Kim , Thi Tran Hoa , Li Jinming , Liu Xue-Wei , Kanagasundaram Yoganathan , Yang Liang , Liang Zhao-Xun 
Published: January 2018

AbstractStreptomyces are a genus of Actinobacteria capable of producing structurally diverse natural products. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a biosynthetically talented Streptomyces (Streptomyces sp. SD85) from tropical mangrove sediments. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that Streptomyces sp. SD85 harbors at least 52 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), which constitute 21.2% of the 8.6-Mb genome. When cultivated under lab conditions, Streptomyces sp. SD85 produces sceliphrolactam, a 26-membered polyene macrolactam with unknown biosynthetic origin. Genome mining yielded a putative sceliphrolactam BGC (sce) that encodes a type I modular polyketide synthase (PKS) system, several β-amino acid starter biosynthetic enzymes, transporters, and transcriptional regulators. Using the CRISPR/Cas9–based gene knockout method, we demonstrated that the sce BGC is essential for sceliphrolactam biosynthesis. Unexpectedly, the PKS system encoded by sce is short of one module required for assembling the 26-membered macrolactam skeleton according to the collinearity rule. With experimental data disfavoring the involvement of a trans-PKS module, the biosynthesis of sceliphrolactam seems to be best rationalized by invoking a mechanism whereby the PKS system employs an iterative module to catalyze two successive chain extensions with different outcomes. The potential violation of the collinearity rule makes the mechanism distinct from those of other polyene macrolactams.
Large-grain MBE-grown GaSe on GaAs with a Mexican hat-like valence band dispersion
Authors: Chen Ming-Wei , Kim HoKwon , Ovchinnikov Dmitry , Kuc Agnieszka , Heine Thomas , Renault Olivier , Kis Andras 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAtomically thin GaSe has been predicted to have a non-parabolic, Mexican hat-like valence band structure due to the shift of the valence band maximum (VBM) near the Γ point which is expected to give rise to novel, unique properties such as tunable magnetism, high effective mass suppressing direct tunneling in scaled transistors, and an improved thermoelectric figure of merit. However, the synthesis of atomically thin GaSe remains challenging. Here, we report on the growth of atomically thin GaSe by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and demonstrate the high quality of the resulting van der Waals epitaxial films. The full valence band structure of nominal bilayer GaSe is revealed by photoemission electron momentum microscopy (k-PEEM), confirming the presence of a distorted valence band near the Γ point. Our results open the way to demonstrating interesting new physical phenomena based on MBE-grown GaSe films and atomically thin monochalcogenides in general.
Contralateral Eyebrow Approach for Unilateral Suprasellar Meningioma
Authors: Aldea Sorin , Gaillard Stéphan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUnilateral suprasellar meningiomas have distinct features compared to other midline tumors, as they may produce severe visual symptoms even if small due to an early involvement of the optic canal. Surgical treatment of these tumors from an ipsilateral approach is challenging, as the tumor is covered by the optic nerve that needs to be mobilized to access the optic canal extension. A contralateral approach allows a direct line of sight to the tumor despite a longer working distance. We report the case of a 49-year-old patient presenting with unilateral visual loss related to a left suprasellar meningioma extending to the left optic canal and displacing the optic nerve laterally. Through a right eyebrow approach, a 2.5/2 cm supraorbital bone flap was raised and the orbital floor was thoroughly flattened. After dural opening, the carotid cistern was opened and CSF evacuated allowing a surgery without fixed retractors. The intracranial part of the tumor was removed, but the optic nerve seemed to be still displaced by the intracanalicular part. Under copious irrigation, the medial part of the optic canal was drilled, the dura incised, and the tumor removed. Postoperative course was favorable and the patient made a complete visual recovery. Postoperative MRI showed complete removal of the tumor. We present different surgical steps and discuss the nuances of the procedure. The contralateral eyebrow approach is an interesting addition to the surgical armamentarium and should be discussed for unilateral suprasellar tumors.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/2LTEOaGoKzo.
Folk perception of variation in Cavite Chabacano
Authors: Lesho Marivic 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCavite Chabacano, an endangered creole language spoken in Cavite City, Philippines, has dialectal variation that can be traced to the settlement patterns established by the Spanish during the colonial era. This study focuses on Cavite Chabacano speakers’ metalinguistic awareness of dialectal variation, what their attitudes are toward it, and how they believe the different dialects are influenced by the superstrate Spanish or the substrate Tagalog. Participants’ comments during a map-labeling task show where Chabacano is still believed to be spoken and reveal that they have high metalinguistic awareness of variation in the vowel system and in second person pronoun usage. The Chabacano spoken in the San Roque district is perceived to have the closest relationship to Spanish, despite having more substrate influence in the vowel system. This study demonstrates the usefulness of perceptual dialectology for endangered language documentation and for studying variation and language attitudes in small communities and creole or other multilingual settings.
Analyzing the linguistic landscape of mass-scale
events
Authors: Seals Corinne A. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The past few years have seen a redefining of the linguistic landscape to become
inclusive of the wide variety of semiotic encounters that people have each day.
The current article partakes in this expansion by looking to the ever-shifting
nature of the LL of mass-scale events, particularly protests. In particular, the
current article outlines a method for designing LL studies of mass-scale events,
including data collection, data analysis, and presentation of findings. The
strengths and limitations of such a method are also discussed, paying particular
attention to the experiential nature of mass-scale events and importance of
transparent researcher positionality and reflexivity.
(T)Apping the linguistic landscape
Authors: Purschke Christoph 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
This article explores methodological challenges and scientific perspectives of a
citizen science approach to linguistic landscapes research. Starting from the
outline of a disciplinary landscape, the text first discusses development
strategies and practical implementation of crowdsourcing via mobile applications
as means to data collection in two participatory research projects. The
comparison highlights the complex trade-off between empirical benefits and
methodological drawbacks in relation to mobile app setups for crowdsourcing. In
a second step, the use of crowdsourcing technology is embedded in a
methodological framework for a citizen science approach to the study of social
semiotics and discussed against the background of five guiding principles:
participatory research, lifeworld orientation, societal engagement,
computational analysis, and open research practice. The discussion points out
that a citizen science approach brings about numerous opportunities as well as
substantial challenges for academic practice in terms of a democratization,
social embedding, and opening of research activities.
Language planning and language policy in Sardinia
Authors: Lai Rosangela 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn 1999, the Italian Republic acknowledged the status of Sardinian as a minority language. Since then the Autonomous Region of Sardinia has been committed to the development of language policies for Sardinian. A regional law approved in 1997 adopted the aim of promoting the different varieties of the languages spoken in Sardinia. The goals changed substantially when the Region adopted for its language planning activities the ideas of a cultural-political movement known asMovimentu Linguisticu Sardu, and appointed an activist Director of the Bureau of the Sardinian Language. This article presents and discusses the key steps in the last decade of language planning: the proposals, their development and consequences.
A pedagogical model for integrating film education and audio
description in foreign language acquisition
Authors: Herrero Carmen , Escobar Manuela 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Films are particularly powerful pedagogical tools that can help improve the
linguistic skills of foreign language learners. Audio describing tasks can
provide additional benefits. However, for an efficient use of feature films,
learners need to be trained on how to elaborate audio description texts and
develop active viewing strategies. This article discusses a language teaching
approach that advocates the addition of Film Literacy education and audio
description tasks to the language curriculum. It focuses on the application of
audio description, in both oral and written form, to the acquisition of Spanish
as a foreign language in Higher Education. It presents a pedagogical model
designed to help students develop linguistic, cultural and intercultural
competences while encouraging the aesthetic appreciation of films as cultural
objects that can be evaluated through a wide range of critical approaches.
The implications of Cognitive Load Theory and exposure to subtitles
in English Foreign Language (EFL)
Authors: Frumuselu Anca Daniela 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The pedagogical use of subtitled and captioned material in the foreign language
classroom is upheld by various theories which reveal the cognitive processing
activated when students are exposed to multimedia and subtitled audiovisual
materials. The three theories that will be considered here are Cognitive Load
Theory (CLT), Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML) and Cognitive
Affective Theory of Learning with Media (CATLM). The main purpose of the paper
is to illustrate the internal mechanisms triggered in learners when various
sensorial channels (visual, auditory and textual) coincide simultaneously on
screen and how this may affect their cognitive engagement and motivation while
learning a foreign language. Additionally, two empirical studies will be
presented in the second part of the article in order to provide evidence of the
benefits of using subtitled audiovisual materials in the English Foreign
Language (EFL) classroom in higher education. The results show that both
interlingual (L1) and intralingual (L2) subtitles prove to have a facilitating
role in informal and colloquial language learning in this context.
The use of audio description in foreign language education
Authors: Navarrete Marga 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Audio description (AD) is a type of audiovisual translation (AVT) used for making video content accessible to the blind and
visually impaired. Over the last decade, the pedagogic potential of AVT in foreign language learning (FLL) has gained increasing
recognition by experts. However, AD as a didactic tool in FLL is an innovative area that has received very little attention so
far, despite its significant potential for language learners. In addition, many experts in Applied Linguistics have shown a
growing interest in the study of fluency, pronunciation and intonation.
With these ideas in mind the author of the present article has carried out a small scale preliminary experiment with university
students of Spanish as a foreign language. This article presents the methodological framework of the experiment which includes the
instruments for data gathering. Although only six students completed the experiment, their responses were positive and encouraging
as they found active AD tasks useful for language learning. It is hoped that the lessons learnt will inform the methodological
framework for larger scale studies.
Tree biomechanics.
Authors: James K. R. , Moore J. R. , Slater D. , Dahle G. A. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
This review of tree biomechanics covers recent research publications that offer new insights into how trees respond to mechanical loads and resist failure, especially in winds. Biomechanical studies using dynamic rather than static structural methods are showing that the form of the tree influences dynamic response in winds and differences in tree morphology can produce extreme behaviours such as very little or nearly critical dissipation of stem oscillations. Biomechanical studies on trees that measure the forces, stresses and strains are reviewed including a new method of optical strain measurement where small dots (speckle) sprayed on tree surfaces show the strain distribution of trunks and branches under load. The role of stress and strain in tree growth is currently an important research question and the review includes papers that are indicating that strain may be the factor, more than stress, in triggering adaptive growth response. The importance of the form of trees influencing their wind loading is leading to investigations of the importance of branches, especially in winds where they act like coupled oscillators attached to an oscillating trunk to modify sway behaviour. Branch unions are being studied and new concepts on their attachment are also reviewed. Collectively, these developments are leading to a better understanding of tree biomechanics and the complex dynamic response of trees in wind.