bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutritional regulation of long-chain PUFA biosynthetic genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Gregory Melissa K. , Collins Robert O. , Tocher Douglas R. , James Michael J. , Turchini Giovanni M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMost studies on dietary vegetable oil in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have been conducted on a background of dietary EPA (20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3) contained in the fishmeal used as a protein source in aquaculture feed. If dietary EPA and DHA repress their endogenous synthesis fromα-linolenic acid (ALA, 18 : 3n-3), then the potential of ALA-containing vegetable oils to maintain tissue EPA and DHA has been underestimated. We examined the effect of individual dietaryn-3 PUFA on the expression of the biosynthetic genes required for metabolism of ALA to DHA in rainbow trout. A total of 720 juvenile rainbow trout were allocated to twenty-four experimental tanks and assigned one of eight diets. The effect of dietary ALA, EPA or DHA, in isolation or in combination, on hepatic expression of fatty acyl desaturase (FADS)2a(Δ6),FADS2b(Δ5), elongation of very long-chain fatty acid (ELOVL)5andELOVL2was examined after 3 weeks of dietary intervention. The effect of these diets on liver and muscle phospholipid PUFA composition was also examined. The expression levels ofFADS2a(Δ6), ELOVL5andELOVL2were highest when diets were high in ALA, with no added EPA or DHA. Under these conditions ALA was readily converted to tissue DHA. Dietary DHA had the largest and most consistent effect in down-regulating the gene expression of all four genes. TheELOVL5expression was the least responsive of the four genes to dietaryn-3 PUFA changes. These findings should be considered when optimising aquaculture feeds containing vegetable oils and/or fish oil or fishmeal to achieve maximum DHA synthesis.
β2-1 Fructan supplementation alters host immune responses in a manner consistent with increased exposure to microbial components: results from a double-blinded, randomised, cross-over study in healthy adults
Authors: Clarke Sandra T. , Green-Johnson Julia M. , Brooks Stephen P. J. , Ramdath D. Dan , Bercik Premysl , Avila Christian , Inglis G. Douglas , Green Judy , Yanke L. Jay , Selinger L. Brent , Kalmokoff Martin 
Published: March 2016

Abstractβ2-1 Fructans are purported to improve health by stimulating growth of colonic bifidobacteria, increasing host resistance to pathogens and stimulating the immune system. However, in healthy adults, the benefits of supplementation remain undefined. Adults (thirteen men, seventeen women) participated in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised, cross-over study consisting of two 28-d treatments separated by a 14-d washout period. Subjects’ regular diets were supplemented withβ2-1 fructan or placebo (maltodextrin) at 3×5 g/d. Fasting blood and 1-d faecal collections were obtained at the beginning and at the end of each phase. Blood was analysed for clinical, biochemical and immunological variables. Determinations of well-being and general health, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, regularity, faecal SCFA content, residual faecalβ2-1 fructans and faecal bifidobacteria content were undertaken.β2-1 Fructan supplementation had no effect on blood lipid or cholesterol concentrations or on circulating lymphocyte and macrophage numbers, but significantly increased serum lipopolysaccharide, faecal SCFA, faecal bifidobacteria and indigestion. With respect to immune function,β2-1 fructan supplementation increased serum IL-4, circulating percentages of CD282+/TLR2+myeloid dendritic cells andex vivoresponsiveness to a toll-like receptor 2 agonist.β2-1 Fructans also decreased serum IL-10, but did not affect C-reactive protein or serum/faecal Ig concentrations. No differences in host well-being were associated with either treatment, although the self-reported incidence of GI symptoms and headaches increased during theβ2-1 fructan phase. Althoughβ2-1 fructan supplementation increased faecal bifidobacteria, this change was not directly related to any of the determined host parameters.
Impact of unilateral carbon dioxide laser posterior transverse cordotomy on vocal and aerodynamic parameters in bilateral vocal fold paralysis
Authors: Asik M B , Karasimav O , Birkent H , Merati A L , Gerek M , Yildiz Y 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives:Carbon dioxide laser posterior transverse cordotomy is a common option for bilateral vocal fold paralysis. This study prospectively evaluated aerodynamic and acoustic effects of unilateral carbon dioxide laser posterior transverse cordotomy in bilateral vocal fold paralysis patients.Methods:The study comprised 11 bilateral vocal fold paralysis patients (9 females, 2 males), with a mean age of 46.6 ± 14.1 years. All patients were treated by laser posterior transverse cordotomy. Pre-operative and two-month post-operative assessments were conducted, including: dyspnoea scales, maximum phonation time measurement, spirometry and bicycle ergometry.Results:All subjective and objective aerodynamic parameters showed statistically significant improvements between the pre- and post-operative period. Objective spirometric and ergometric parameters showed a significant increase post-operatively. The changes in objective voice parameters (fundamental frequency (f0), jitter, shimmer, soft phonation index and noise-to-harmonic ratio) were statistically non-significant; however, there was a significant improvement in subjective voice parameters post-operatively, as assessed by the voice handicap index and grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenia-strain scale (p = 0.026 and p = 0.018 respectively).Conclusion:Unilateral carbon dioxide laser posterior transverse cordotomy is an effective procedure that results in improved dyspnoea and aerodynamic performance with some worsening of voice parameters.
Bathymetry and geological setting of the South Sandwich Islands volcanic arc
Authors: Leat Philip T. , Fretwell Peter T. , Tate Alex J. , Larter Robert D. , Martin Tara J. , Smellie John L. , Jokat Wilfried , Bohrmann Gerhard 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe South Sandwich Islands and associated seamounts constitute the volcanic arc of an active subduction system situated in the South Atlantic. We introduce a map of the bathymetry and geological setting of the South Sandwich Islands and the associated East Scotia Ridge back-arc spreading centre that consists of two sides: side 1, a regional overview of the volcanic arc, trench and back-arc, and side 2, detailed maps of the individual islands. Side 1 displays the bathymetry at scale 1:750 000 of the intra-oceanic, largely submarine South Sandwich arc, the back-arc system and other tectonic boundaries of the subduction system. Satellite images of the islands on side 2 are at scales of 1:50 000 and 1:25 000 with contours and main volcanological features indicated. These maps are the first detailed topological and bathymetric maps of the area. The islands are entirely volcanic in origin, and most have been volcanically or fumarolically active in historic times. Many of the islands are ice-covered, and the map forms a baseline for future glaciological changes caused by volcanic activities and climate change. The back-arc spreading centre consists of nine segments, most of which have rift-like morphologies.
Human adaptation and population differentiation in the light of ancient genomes
Authors: Key Felix M. , Fu Qiaomei , Romagné Frédéric , Lachmann Michael , Andrés Aida M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe influence of positive selection sweeps in human evolution is increasingly debated, although our ability to detect them is hampered by inherent uncertainties in the timing of past events. Ancient genomes provide snapshots of allele frequencies in the past and can help address this question. We combine modern and ancient genomic data in a simple statistic (DAnc) to time allele frequency changes, and investigate the role of drift and adaptation in population differentiation. Only 30% of the most strongly differentiated alleles between Africans and Eurasians changed in frequency during the colonization of Eurasia, but in Europe these alleles are enriched in genic and putatively functional alleles to an extent only compatible with local adaptation. Adaptive alleles—especially those associated with pigmentation—are mostly of hunter-gatherer origin, although lactose persistence arose in a haplotype present in farmers. These results provide evidence for a role of local adaptation in human population differentiation.
Cross-modal representations of first-hand and vicarious pain, disgust and fairness in insular and cingulate cortex
Authors: Corradi-Dell’Acqua Corrado , Tusche Anita , Vuilleumier Patrik , Singer Tania 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe anterior insula (AI) and mid-anterior cingulate cortex (mACC) have repeatedly been implicated in first-hand and vicarious experiences of pain, disgust and unfairness. However, it is debated whether these regions process different aversive events through a common modality-independent code, reflecting the shared unpleasantness of the experiences or through independent modality-specific representations. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we subjected 19 participants (and 19 confederates) to equally unpleasant painful and disgusting stimulations, as well as unfair monetary treatments. Multivoxel pattern analysis identified modality-independent activation maps in the left AI and mACC, pointing to common coding of affective unpleasantness, but also response patterns specific for the events’ sensory properties and the person to whom it was addressed, particularly in the right AI. Our results provide evidence of both functional specialization and integration within AI and mACC, and support a comprehensive role of this network in processing aversive experiences for self and others.
Lithium-coated polymeric matrix as a minimum volume-change and dendrite-free lithium metal anode
Authors: Liu Yayuan , Lin Dingchang , Liang Zheng , Zhao Jie , Yan Kai , Cui Yi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractLithium metal is the ideal anode for the next generation of high-energy-density batteries. Nevertheless, dendrite growth, side reactions and infinite relative volume change have prevented it from practical applications. Here, we demonstrate a promising metallic lithium anode design by infusing molten lithium into a polymeric matrix. The electrospun polyimide employed is stable against highly reactive molten lithium and, via a conformal layer of zinc oxide coating to render the surface lithiophilic, molten lithium can be drawn into the matrix, affording a nano-porous lithium electrode. Importantly, the polymeric backbone enables uniform lithium stripping/plating, which successfully confines lithium within the matrix, realizing minimum volume change and effective dendrite suppression. The porous electrode reduces the effective current density; thus, flat voltage profiles and stable cycling of more than 100 cycles is achieved even at a high current density of 5 mA cm−2 in both carbonate and ether electrolyte. The advantages of the porous, polymeric matrix provide important insights into the design principles of lithium metal anodes.
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a tool to predict chemical activity on mammalian development and identify mechanisms influencing toxicological outcome
Authors: Harlow Philippa H. , Perry Simon J. , Widdison Stephanie , Daniels Shannon , Bondo Eddie , Lamberth Clemens , Currie Richard A. , Flemming Anthony J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTo determine whether a C. elegans bioassay could predict mammalian developmental activity, we selected diverse compounds known and known not to elicit such activity and measured their effect on C. elegans egg viability. 89% of compounds that reduced C. elegans egg viability also had mammalian developmental activity. Conversely only 25% of compounds found not to reduce egg viability in C. elegans were also inactive in mammals. We conclude that the C. elegans egg viability assay is an accurate positive predictor, but an inaccurate negative predictor, of mammalian developmental activity. We then evaluated C. elegans as a tool to identify mechanisms affecting toxicological outcomes among related compounds. The difference in developmental activity of structurally related fungicides in C. elegans correlated with their rate of metabolism. Knockdown of the cytochrome P450s cyp-35A3 and cyp-35A4 increased the toxicity to C. elegans of the least developmentally active compounds to the level of the most developmentally active. This indicated that these P450s were involved in the greater rate of metabolism of the less toxic of these compounds. We conclude that C. elegans based approaches can predict mammalian developmental activity and can yield plausible hypotheses for factors affecting the biological potency of compounds in mammals.
Peripheral Intravenous Catheterisation in Obstetric Patients in the Hand or Forearm Vein: A Randomised Trial
Authors: Tan Peng Chiong , Mackeen Anjana , Khong Su Yen , Omar Siti Zawiah , Azmi M. A. Noor 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA peripheral intravenous catheter is often inserted as part of care during labour. The catheter is inserted into the back of the hand or lower forearm vein in usual practice. There is no trial data to guide the care provider on which is the better insertion site in any clinical setting. 307 women admitted to the labour ward who required insertion of intravenous catheter were randomised to back of hand or lower forearm vein catheter insertion. Catheter insertion is by junior to mid-grade providers. We evaluated insertion success at the first attempt, pain during insertion and catheter replacement due to malfunction as main outcomes. After catheter removal, we recorded patient satisfaction with site, future site preference and insertion site swelling, bruising, tenderness, vein thrombosis and pain. Insertion of a catheter into back of hand vein is more likely to be successful at the first attempt. Insertion pain score, catheter replacement rate, patient satisfaction, patient fidelity to site in a future insertion and insertion site complications rate are not different between trial arms. In conclusion, both insertion sites are suitable; the back of the hand vein maybe easier to cannulate and seems to be preferred by our frontline providers.
Effects of Microporosity and Surface Chemistry on Separation Performances of N-Containing Pitch-Based Activated Carbons for CO2/N2 Binary Mixture
Authors: Lee Min-Sang , Park Mira , Kim Hak Yong , Park Soo-Jin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn this study, N-containing pitch-based activated carbons (NPCs) were prepared using petroleum pitch with a low softening point and melamine with a high nitrogen content. The major advantage of the preparation method is that it enables variations in chemical structures and textural properties by steam activation at high temperatures. The adequate micropore structures, appropriate chemical modifications, and high adsorption enthalpies of NPCs are favorable for CO2 adsorption onto carbon surfaces. Furthermore, the structure generates a considerable gas/N-containing carbon interfacial area, and provides selective access to CO2 molecules over N2 molecules by offering an increased number of active sites on the carbon surfaces. The highest CO2/N2 selectivity, i.e., 47.5, and CO2 adsorption capacity for a CO2/N2 (0.15:0.85) binary gas mixture, i.e., 5.30 wt%, were attained at 298 K. The NPCs also gave reversible and durable CO2-capturing performances. All the results suggest that NPCs are promising CO2 sorbents, which can meet the challenges of current CO2 capture and separation techniques.
Electrosensitization assists cell ablation by nanosecond pulsed electric field in 3D cultures
Authors: Muratori Claudia , Pakhomov Andrei G. , Xiao Shu , Pakhomova Olga N. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPrevious studies reported a delayed increase of sensitivity to electroporation (termed “electrosensitization”) in mammalian cells that had been subjected to electroporation. Electrosensitization facilitated membrane permeabilization and reduced survival in cell suspensions when the electric pulse treatments were split in fractions. The present study was aimed to visualize the effect of sensitization and establish its utility for cell ablation. We used KLN 205 squamous carcinoma cells embedded in an agarose gel and cell spheroids in Matrigel. A local ablation was created by a train of 200 to 600 of 300-ns pulses (50 Hz, 300–600 V) delivered by a two-needle probe with 1-mm inter-electrode distance. In order to facilitate ablation by engaging electrosensitization, the train was split in two identical fractions applied with a 2- to 480-s interval. At 400–600 V (2.9–4.3 kV/cm), the split-dose treatments increased the ablation volume and cell death up to 2–3-fold compared to single-train treatments. Under the conditions tested, the maximum enhancement of ablation was achieved when two fractions were separated by 100 s. The results suggest that engaging electrosensitization may assist in vivo cancer ablation by reducing the voltage or number of pulses required, or by enabling larger inter-electrode distances without losing the ablation efficiency.
Delocalized Plastic Flow in Proton-Irradiated Monolithic Metallic Glasses
Authors: Heo Jaewon , Kim Sunghwan , Ryu Seunghwa , Jang Dongchan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCreating new materials with novel properties through structural modification is the Holy Grail of materials science. The range of targetable structures for amplification of mechanical properties in metallic glasses would include types of atomic short range orders at the smallest scale through compositions or morphologies of phases in composites. Even though the usefulness of the latter approach has been successfully demonstrated in the past decades, the feasibility of the former has been incompletely proved with only marginal property improvements reported within experimentally-accessible atomic-level structural changes. Here, we report the significant enhancement of deformability in Zr-based monolithic metallic glass only through the atomic disordering by proton irradiation without altering any other structural traits. Metallic glass nanopillars that originally failed catastrophically without any notable plasticity become capable of attaining more than 30% uniaxial plastic strain accommodated by homogeneous deformation when irradiated to ~1 displacement per atom (DPA). We discuss the atomistic origin of this improved plasticity in terms of density and spatial distributions of icosahedral short range order influenced by irradiation.
Photo-induced Doping in GaN Epilayers with Graphene Quantum Dots
Authors: Lin T. N. , Inciong M. R. , Santiago S. R. M. S. , Yeh T. W. , Yang W. Y. , Yuan C. T. , Shen J. L. , Kuo H. C. , Chiu C. H. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe demonstrate a new doping scheme where photo-induced carriers from graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can be injected into GaN and greatly enhance photoluminescence (PL) in GaN epilayers. An 8.3-fold enhancement of PL in GaN is observed after the doping. On the basis of time-resolved PL studies, the PL enhancement is attributed to the carrier transfer from GQDs to GaN. Such a carrier transfer process is caused by the work function difference between GQDs and GaN, which is verified by Kelvin probe measurements. We have also observed that photocurrent in GaN can be enhanced by 23-fold due to photo-induced doping with GQDs. The improved optical and transport properties from photo-induced doping are promising for applications in GaN-based optoelectronic devices.
Pt-free carbon-based fuel cell catalyst prepared from spherical polyimide for enhanced oxygen diffusion
Authors: Nabae Yuta , Nagata Shinsuke , Hayakawa Teruaki , Niwa Hideharu , Harada Yoshihisa , Oshima Masaharu , Isoda Ayano , Matsunaga Atsushi , Tanaka Kazuhisa , Aoki Tsutomu 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe development of a non-precious metal (NPM) fuel cell catalyst is extremely important to achieve globalization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells due to the cost and scarcity of platinum. Here, we report on a NPM cathode catalyst prepared by the pyrolysis of spherical polyimide nanoparticles that contain small amounts of Fe additive. 60 nm diameter Fe-containing polyimide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the precipitation polymerization of pyromellitic acid dianhydride and 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene with Fe(acac)3 (acac = acetylacetonate) as an additive. The particles were subsequently carbonized by multistep pyrolysis to obtain the NPM catalyst while retaining the small particle size. The catalyst has good performance and promising durability for fuel cell applications. The fuel cell performance under a 0.2 MPa air atmosphere at 80 °C of 1.0 A cm−2 at 0.46 V is especially remarkable and better than that previously reported.
Enhanced photovoltaic properties in dye sensitized solar cells by surface treatment of SnO2 photoanodes
Authors: Basu Kaustubh , Benetti Daniele , Zhao Haiguang , Jin Lei , Vetrone Fiorenzo , Vomiero Alberto , Rosei Federico 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe report the fabrication and testing of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) based on tin oxide (SnO2) particles of average size ~20 nm. Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conducting glass substrates were treated with TiOx or TiCl4 precursor solutions to create a blocking layer before tape casting the SnO2 mesoporous anode. In addition, SnO2 photoelectrodes were treated with the same precursor solutions to deposit a TiO2 passivating layer covering the SnO2 particles. We found that the modification enhances the short circuit current, open-circuit voltage and fill factor, leading to nearly 2-fold increase in power conversion efficiency, from 1.48% without any treatment, to 2.85% achieved with TiCl4 treatment. The superior photovoltaic performance of the DSSCs assembled with modified photoanode is attributed to enhanced electron lifetime and suppression of electron recombination to the electrolyte, as confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) carried out under dark condition. These results indicate that modification of the FTO and SnO2 anode by titania can play a major role in maximizing the photo conversion efficiency.
Chiral quantum supercrystals with total dissymmetry of optical response
Authors: Baimuratov Anvar S. , Gun’ko Yurii K. , Baranov Alexander V. , Fedorov Anatoly V. , Rukhlenko Ivan D. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSince chiral nanoparticles are much smaller than the optical wavelength, their enantiomers show little difference in the interaction with circularly polarized light. This scale mismatch makes the enhancement of enantioselectivity in optical excitation of nanoobjects a fundamental challenge in modern nanophotonics. Here we demonstrate that a strong dissymmetry of optical response from achiral nanoobjects can be achieved through their arrangement into chiral superstructures with the length scale comparable to the optical wavelength. This concept is illustrated by the example of the simple helix supercrystal made of semiconductor quantum dots. We show that this supercrystal almost fully absorbs light with one circular polarization and does not absorb the other. The giant circular dichroism of the supercrystal comes from the formation of chiral bright excitons, which are the optically active collective excitations of the entire supercrystal. Owing to the recent advances in assembly and self-organization of nanocrystals in large superparticle structures, the proposed principle of enantioselectivity enhancement has great potential of benefiting various chiral and analytical methods, which are used in biophysics, chemistry, and pharmaceutical science.