bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seismic properties and anisotropy of the continental crust: Predictions based on mineral texture and rock microstructure
Authors: Almqvist Bjarne S. G. , Mainprice David 
Published: March 2017

AbstractProgress in seismic methodology and ambitious large‐scale seismic projects are enabling high‐resolution imaging of the continental crust. The ability to constrain interpretations of crustal seismic data is based on laboratory measurements on rock samples and calculations of seismic properties. Seismic velocity calculations and their directional dependence are based on the rock microfabric, which consists of mineral aggregate properties including crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO), grain shape and distribution, grain boundary distribution, and misorientation within grains. Single‐mineral elastic constants and density are crucial for predicting seismic velocities, preferably at conditions that span the crust. However, high‐temperature and high‐pressure elastic constant data are not as common as those determined at standard temperature and pressure (STP; atmospheric conditions). Continental crust has a very diverse mineral composition; however, a select number of minerals appear to dominate seismic properties because of their high‐volume fraction contribution. Calculations of microfabric‐based seismic properties and anisotropy are performed with averaging methods that in their simplest form takes into account the CPO and modal mineral composition, and corresponding single crystal elastic constants. More complex methods can take into account other microstructural characteristics, including the grain shape and distribution of mineral grains and cracks and pores. Dynamic or active wave propagation schemes have recently been developed, which offer a complementary method to existing static averaging methods generally based on the use of the Christoffel equation. A challenge for the geophysics and rock physics communities is the separation of intrinsic factors affecting seismic anisotropy, due to properties of crystals within a rock and apparent sources due to extrinsic factors like cracks, fractures, and alteration. This is of particular importance when trying to deduce crustal composition and the state of deformation from seismic parameters.
Predictors of clinical recovery from vestibular neuritis: a prospective study
Authors: Cousins Sian , Kaski Diego , Cutfield Nicholas , Arshad Qadeer , Ahmad Hena , Gresty Michael A. , Seemungal Barry M. , Golding John , Bronstein Adolfo M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe sought to identify predictors of symptomatic recovery in vestibular neuritis. Forty VN patients were prospectively studied in the acute phase (median = 2 days) and 32 in the recovery phase (median = 10 weeks) with vestibulo‐ocular reflex, vestibular‐perceptual, and visual dependence tests and psychological questionnaires. Clinical outcome was Dizziness Handicap Inventory score at recovery phase. Acute visual dependency and autonomic arousal predicted outcome. Worse recovery was associated with a combination of increased visual dependence, autonomic arousal, anxiety/depression, and fear of bodily sensations, but not with vestibular variables. Findings highlight the importance of early identification of abnormal visual dependency and concurrent anxiety.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Spiropyrazolones by Rhodium‐Catalyzed C(sp2)−H Functionalization/Annulation Reactions
Authors: Zheng Jun , Wang Shao‐Bo , Zheng Chao , You Shu‐Li 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRhodium‐catalyzed C(sp2)−H functionalization reactions of 4‐aryl‐5‐pyrazolones followed by [3+2] annulation reactions with alkynes provide rapid access to highly enantioenriched five‐membered‐ring 4‐spiro‐5‐pyrazolones. The use of a chiral SCpRh catalyst enabled the synthesis of a large range of spiropyrazolones with all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic centers in up to 99 % yield and 98 % ee from readily available substrates.
Locally controlled as‐rigid‐as‐possible deformation for 2D characters
Authors: Chen Jiaxu , Zhang Long , Li Xiaoxu , Zhang Bo , Ye Zhongfu 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDue to its practical use in animation and image editing, two‐dimensional shape deformation has received great attention during the past decades. The traditional paradigms, spreading local modifications over the whole shape, will cause a global deformation. For the simultaneous realization of the local control and preservation of the rigidity of the shape, a novel deformation method is proposed for point, skeleton, and cage handles. Our framework can be accomplished in terms of the minimization of the improved as‐rigid‐as‐possible energy with local and smooth penalties, named locally controlled as‐rigid‐as‐possible energy. The visually pleasing experiment results demonstrate the success of our method in two‐dimensional character deformation.
MicroRNA‐206 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch and vascular neointimal formation
Authors: Sun Huiyan , Cai Songzhi , Zhang Mei , Zhao Juan , Wei Shuping , Luo Yuyu , Meng Xiangyan , Zhou Xin , Li Yuming , Zhang Wencheng 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMiR‐206 has been found to play a critical role in skeletal muscle proliferation, differentiation, and regeneration. However, little is known about the function of miR‐206 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) biology. In this study, we will investigate its roles in phenotypic switching of VSMCs and neointimal lesion formation. First, we identified the expression of miR‐206 in VSMCs treated with various concentrations of TGFβ1 and in rat carotid arteries after angioplasty by using qPCR. TGFβ1 inhibited the expression of miR‐206 and TGFβ1 inhibitor induced miR‐206 expression. In VSMCs of injured vascular walls, miR‐206 expression was upregulated. Then, we overexpressed miR‐206 using lentivirus Lv‐rno‐mir‐206 and knocked down miR‐206 using LV‐rno‐mir‐206‐inhibitor in rat carotid arteries after angioplasty. Overexpression of miR‐206 resulted in decreasing SM22α expression in VSMCs in vitro and knockdown of miR‐206 suppressed neointimal lesion formation in vivo. Finally, ZFP580 (zinc finger protein 580) was identified as the direct target of miR‐206 in VSMCs by using luciferase report assay. The results indicate that miR‐206 is involved in phenotypic switching of VSMCs and neointimal lesion formation after angioplasty through targeting ZFP580. These findings may provide a novel therapeutic target in post‐angioplasty restenosis.
Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Protecting‐Group‐Free 1,5‐Benzothiazepines
Authors: Meninno Sara , Volpe Chiara , Lattanzi Alessandra 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA one‐pot enantioselective route to N‐unprotected 2,3‐dihydro‐1,5‐benzothiazepinones, by an organocatalyzed sulfa‐Michael reaction of readily available α,β‐unsaturated N‐acyl pyrazoles with 2‐aminothiophenols followed by silica‐gel‐catalyzed lactamization, has been developed. The method proceeds under mild conditions at room temperature and it requires only 1 mol % catalyst loading, to give 2‐aryl/alkyl‐substituted 1,5‐benzothiazepines in generally good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The process, used for a short synthesis of antidepressant drug (R)‐(−)‐thiazesim, represents the first method to access enantioenriched unprotected 1,5‐benzothiazepines, which are useful for rapid derivatization in drug discovery.
Shear‐induced aggregation of colloidal particles: A comparison between two different approaches to the modelling of colloidal interactions
Authors: Frungieri Graziano , Vanni Marco 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe process of shear‐induced aggregation of fully destabilized colloidal suspensions has been investigated by adopting a mixed deterministic‐stochastic modelling method. This method is based on a combination of a Monte Carlo algorithm, used to solve in a stochastic way the population balance equation for a purely aggregating suspension, and a Discrete Element Method, employed to simulate aggregation events in a fully predictive manner. The DEM was built in the framework of the well‐established Stokesian dynamics technique to get an accurate prediction of the hydrodynamic forces acting on the primary particles. Two different approaches were instead used to describe colloidal interactions: the first assumes primary particles to interact only by means of central forces; a second model assumes also tangential interactions to act on primary particles upon contact. To describe such interactions we adopted a spring‐like force model recently proposed by Becker and Briesen. Simulations were performed to ascertain the effect of these two different modelling approaches on the process of aggregation, showing that substantial differences appear in the predicted cluster morphology.
Dual‐Functionalized Hollow Polymer Particle as a pH‐Responsive Adsorbent for Selective Removal of Basic Dye
Authors: Chen Dong , Liu Yang , Qin Yan , Wang Li , Ma Yuhong , Yang Wantai 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn the present work, novel dual‐functionalized hollow polymer particles (DF‐HPP) with high density of carboxylate and amino dual functional groups have been specially designed and fabricated to serve as high‐performance adsorbent for selective removal of basic dye (methylene blue, b‐MB, as a model dye). Due to both the high surface area and the extremely high density of carboxylate and amino groups, the DF‐HPPs exhibited excellent adsorption property for methylene blue (b‐MB), including high adsorption capacity, fast adsorption/desorption rates, unique pH‐sensitivity and easy recovery. The equilibrium adsorption data of b‐MB on the DF‐HPPs were evaluated using Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models, and the equilibrium isotherm was better fit with Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 538.8 mg/g at pH 12. More interestingly, the DF‐HPPs showed a significant pH‐dependent equilibrium adsorption capacity, which decreased dramatically from 516.1 mg/g to 24 mg/g as the solution pH decreased from 12 to 3. The dye‐adsorbed DF‐HPPs can be facilely and rapidly regenerated under mild condition (under weak acidic solution, pH 3, in 30 min) to recover both b‐MB and the DF‐HPPs, and the regenerated DF‐HPPs can be reused for dye removal with high efficiency, indicating the exceptional recyclability of the DF‐HPPs.
The 13th Winter Conference on Medicinal and Bioorganic Chemistry
Authors: Williams Scott D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe Medicinal and Bioorganic Chemistry Foundation (MBCF) hosted its 13th biannual Winter Conference on Medicinal and Bioorganic Chemistry (WCMBC) this past January 22nd–26th in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (USA). The gathering this year kept true to the tradition of this conference series, with an impressive lineup of presenters from both academia and industry. With about 125 delegates, the conference took all the advantages of a mid‐sized gathering: a sufficiently wide spectrum of scientists in attendance, yet an intimate atmosphere conducive to solid networking and frank, open discussions. This conference report summarizes the presentations that were given this year.
Face shield design against blast‐induced head injuries
Authors: Tan Long Bin , Tse Kwong Ming , Tan Yuan Hong , Sapingi Mohamad Ali Bin , Tan Vincent Beng Chye , Lee Heow Pueh 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBlast‐induced traumatic brain injury has been on the rise in recent years because of the increasing use of improvised explosive devices in conflict zones. Our study investigates the response of a helmeted human head subjected to a blast of 1 atm peak overpressure, for cases with and without a standard polycarbonate (PC) face shield and for face shields comprising of composite PC and aerogel materials and with lateral edge extension. The novel introduction of aerogel into the laminate face shield is explored and its wave‐structure interaction mechanics and performance in blast mitigation is analysed. Our numerical results show that the face shield prevented direct exposure of the blast wave to the face and help delays the transmission of the blast to reduce the intracranial pressures (ICPs) at the parietal lobe. However, the blast wave can diffract and enter the midface region at the bottom and side edges of the face shield, resulting in traumatic brain injury. This suggests that the bottom and sides of the face shield are important regions to focus on to reduce wave ingress. The laminated PC/aerogel/PC face shield yielded higher peak positive and negative ICPs at the frontal lobe, than the original PC one. For the occipital and temporal brain regions, the laminated face shield performed better than the original. The composite face shield with extended edges reduced ICP at the temporal lobe but increases ICP significantly at the parietal lobe, which suggests that a greater coverage may not lead to better mitigating effects.
Intra‐trophic isotopic discrimination of 15N/14N for amino acids in autotrophs: Implications for nitrogen dynamics in ecological studies
Authors: Takizawa Yuko , Dharampal Prarthana S. , Steffan Shawn A. , Takano Yoshinori , Ohkouchi Naohiko , Chikaraishi Yoshito 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe differential discrimination of nitrogen isotopes (15N/14N) within amino acids in consumers and their diets has been routinely used to estimate organismal tropic position (TP). Analogous isotopic discrimination can occur within plants, particularly in organs lacking chloroplasts. Such discrimination likely arises from the catabolic deamination of amino acids, resulting in a numerical elevation of estimated TP, within newly synthesized biomass. To investigate this phenomenon, we examined the 15N/14N of amino acids (δ15NAA) in spring leaves and flowers from eight deciduous and two annual plants. These plants were classified on the basis of their time of bloom, plants that bloomed when their leaves were absent (Type I) versus plants that bloomed while leaves were already present (Type II). Based on the δ15NAA values from leaves, both plant types occupied comparable and ecologically realistic mean TPs (=1.0 ± 0.1, mean ± 1σ). However, the estimated TPs of flowers varied significantly (Type I: 2.2 ± 0.2; Type II: 1.0 ± 0.1). We hypothesize that these results can be interpreted by the following sequence of events: (1) Type I floral biomass is synthesized in absence of active photosynthesis; (2) the catabolic deamination of amino acids in particular, leaves behind 15N in the residual pool of amino acids; and (3) the incorporation of these 15N‐enriched amino acids within the biomass of Type I flowers results in the numerical elevation of the TPs. In contrast, the actively photosynthesizing Type II leaves energetically sustain the synthesis of Type II flower biomass, precluding any reliance on catabolic deamination of amino acids. Amino acids within Type II flowers are therefore isotopically comparable to the Type II leaves. These findings demonstrate the idiosyncratic nature of the δ15NAA values within autotrophic organs and have implications for interpreting trophic hierarchies using primary producers and their consumers.
Pathogen‐induced maternal effects result in enhanced immune responsiveness across generations
Authors: Rosengaus Rebeca B. , Hays Nicole , Biro Colette , Kemos James , Zaman Muizz , Murray Joseph , Gezahegn Bruck , Smith Wendy 
Published: March 2017

AbstractParental investment theory postulates that adults can accurately perceive cues from their surroundings, anticipate the needs of future offspring based on those cues, and selectively allocate nongenetic resources to their progeny. Such context‐dependent parental contributions can result in phenotypically variable offspring. Consistent with these predictions, we show that bacterially exposedManduca sextamothers oviposited significantly more variable embryos (as measured by mass, volume, hatching time, and hatching success) relative to naïve and control mothers. By using an in vivo “clearance of infection” assay, we also show that challenged larvae born to heat‐killed‐ or live‐Serratia‐injected mothers, supported lower microbial loads and cleared the infection faster than progeny of control mothers. Our data support the notion that mothers can anticipate the future pathogenic risks and immunological needs of their unborn offspring, providing progeny with enhanced immune protection likely through transgenerational immune priming. Although the inclusion of liveSerratiainto oocytes does not appear to be the mechanism by which mothers confer protection to their young, other mechanisms, including epigenetic modifications in the progeny due to maternal pathogenic stress, may be at play. The adaptive nature of maternal effects in the face of pathogenic stress provides insights into parental investment, resource allocation, and life‐history theories and highlights the significant role that pathogen‐induced maternal effects play as generators and modulators of evolutionary change.
Hydroclimatic and ecohydrological resistance/resilience conditions across tropical biomes of Costa Rica
Authors: Esquivel‐Hernández Germain , Sánchez‐Murillo Ricardo , Birkel Christian , Good Stephen P. , Boll Jan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWater resources management in the tropics is challenged by climate variability and unregulated land use change and their impacts on the complex interactions between vegetation, soil, and atmosphere. This study focuses on the analysis of hydroclimatic and ecohydrological conditions across 6 major biomes in Costa Rica. Using the Budyko and the Tomer–Schilling frameworks, 31 reanalysis data points located across the Caribbean and Pacific domains were classified according to their ecohydrological resistance and resilience between 1989 and 2005. Observed data were used to evaluate the reanalysis products. Resistance was defined as the standard deviation in the water excess (Q/P), whereas resilience was defined as the standard deviation of the energy (AET/PET) to the water excess. A strong orographic separation was obtained between the water‐limited Pacific slope and the energy‐limited Caribbean slope. The Caribbean slope is characterized by low resistance and high resilience to changes in the hydroclimatic conditions, with small relative changes in water excess (−18% to 2.0%), whereas the Northern Pacific slope has high resistance and low resilience and exhibited strong changes in water excess (−34% to 0%). Some regions of the Northern Pacific region covered by lower and premontane forests have recently suffered significant increments in the dryness index (PET/P). This study demonstrates the need for national–regional strategies to effectively optimize water use efficiency and water storage and to include a climate vulnerability component in future water management plans.
Capacitive DNA sensor for rapid and sensitive detection of whole genome human herpesvirus‐1 dsDNA in serum
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Oueslati Rania , Wu Jayne , Chen Jiangang , Eda Shigetoshi 
Published: March 2017

This work presents a rapid, highly sensitive, low‐cost, and specific capacitive DNA sensor for detection of whole genome human herpesvirus‐1 DNA. This sensor is capable of direct DNA detection with a response time of 30 s, and it can be used to test standard buffer or serum samples. The sensing approach for DNA detection is based on alternating current (AC) electrokinetics. By applying an inhomogeneous AC electric field on sensor electrodes, positive dielectrophoresis is induced to accelerate DNA hybridization. The same applied AC signal also directly measures the hybridization of target with the probe on the sensor surface. Experiments are conducted to optimize the AC signal, as well as the buffers for probe immobilization and target DNA hybridization. The assay is highly sensitive and specific, with no response to human herpesvirus‐2 DNA at 5 ng/mL and a LOD of 1.0 pg/mL (6.5 copies/μL or 10.7 aM) in standard buffer. When testing the double stranded (ds) DNA spiked in human serum samples, the sensor yields a LOD of 20.0 pg/mL (129.5 copies/μL or 0.21 femtomolar (fM)) in neat serum. In this work, the target is whole genome dsDNA, consequently the test can be performed without the use of enzyme or amplification, which considerably simplifies the sensor operation and is highly suitable for point of care disease diagnosis.
Studies on PEMFC Stack for SO2 Contamination at Air Cathode
Authors: Prithi J. A. , Sasank Viswanath B. , Rajalakshmi N. , Dhathathreyen K. S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSulfur dioxide (SO2) is a common atmospheric contaminant which has a deleterious effect on performance of fuel cells. In the present paper, we are reporting the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack exposed to SO2 as a contaminant, introduced in air stream and the process of recovery. The stack is exposed to a non‐continuous step wise poisoning of 10ppm of SO2 in air for about 100 minutes. The response of stack to the contaminant exposure is observed to understand the immediate effect of SO2 on stack performance and its distribution profile among individual cells. Successive polarization recovery technique, by cycling between two voltages, is adopted to recover the stack after contamination. The sulfur adsorption onto platinum can also be associated to weak and strong adhesion of sulfur species leading to drop in catalyst utilization. The recovery suggests that the sulfur is irreversibly adsorbed on to platinum sites at low current density regions. However, at higher current densities, in the presence of H2O, this undergoes rapid hydrolysis to form H2SO4, leading to partial recovery. The recovered performance of the stack is also presented.
Large‐scale ocean‐atmospheric processes and seasonal rainfall variability in South Australia: potential for improving seasonal hydroclimatic forecasts
Authors: Tozer C. R. , Kiem A. S. , Verdon‐Kidd D. C. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTSeasonal rainfall forecasts are an important tool for risk management across many sectors. However, significant challenges arise in the development of skilful and practically useful seasonal forecasts for regions where the temporal and spatial variability of rainfall is large and/or knowledge about what causes this variability is in its infancy. This is evident in the state of South Australia (SA), where seasonal rainfall currently has low predictive skill. The key climate processes have yet to be fully identified in SA and therefore may not be adequately represented in forecast models. The aim of this paper is to identify and quantify relationships between large‐scale ocean‐atmospheric processes and seasonal rainfall variability across SA. We identify two distinct climate zones: (1) the arid northern region, where rainfall is mostly influenced by climate processes stemming from the tropical Indian and/or Pacific Oceans and (2) southern SA, which is dominated by Southern Ocean processes. The average percent of variability of SA rainfall accounted for by any single large‐scale climate process (i.e. linear regression using a single predictor) is 8% in summer, 19% in autumn, 33% in winter and 24% in spring. However, when two or more processes are considered in combination (through multiple linear regression), this rises to 13, 26, 46, and 33%, respectively, highlighting the importance of capturing the interaction among multiple climate processes. Importantly, the findings from this study provide a set of metrics against which existing statistical and dynamical forecasting schemes can be tested and highlight processes that should be focused on in order to improve (or develop new) forecasting schemes. The study also recommends the need for further investigations into non‐linear relationships between rainfall and large‐scale ocean‐atmospheric processes and the development of more objective methods for determining which climate process, or combination of processes, are most important for a certain season or location.