bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative phase‐filtered wavelength‐modulated differential photoacoustic radar tumor hypoxia imaging toward early cancer detection
Authors: Dovlo Edem , Lashkari Bahman , soo Sean Choi Sung , Mandelis Andreas , Shi Wei , Liu Fei‐Fei 
Published: October 2016

Overcoming the limitations of conventional linear spectroscopy used in multispectral photoacoustic imaging, wherein a linear relationship is assumed between the absorbed optical energy and the absorption spectra of the chromophore at a specific location, is crucial for obtaining accurate spatially‐resolved quantitative functional information by exploiting known chromophore‐specific spectral characteristics. This study introduces a non‐invasive phase‐filtered differential photoacoustic technique, wavelength‐modulated differential photoacoustic radar (WM‐DPAR) imaging that addresses this issue by eliminating the effect of the unknown wavelength‐dependent fluence. It employs two laser wavelengths modulated out‐of‐phase to significantly suppress background absorption while amplifying the difference between the two photoacoustic signals. This facilitates pre‐malignant tumor identification and hypoxia monitoring, as minute changes in total hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin oxygenation are detectable. The system can be tuned for specific applications such as cancer screening and SO2 quantification by regulating the amplitude ratio and phase shift of the signal. The WM‐DPAR imaging of a head and neck carcinoma tumor grown in the thigh of a nude rat demonstrates the functional PA imaging of small animals in vivo. The PA appearance of the tumor in relation to tumor vascularity is investigated by immunohistochemistry. Phase‐filtered WM‐DPAR imaging is also illustrated, maximizing quantitative SO2 imaging fidelity of tissues.
Oxygenation levels within a tumor grown in the thigh of a nude rat using the two‐wavelength phase‐filtered differential PAR method.magnified imageOxygenation levels within a tumor grown in the thigh of a nude rat using the two‐wavelength phase‐filtered differential PAR method.
Generation of Large‐Scale DNA Hydrogels with Excellent Blood and Cell Compatibility
Authors: Stoll Heidi , Steinle Heidrun , Stang Katharina , Kunnakattu Silju , Scheideler Lutz , Neumann Bernd , Kurz Julia , Degenkolbe Ilka , Perle Nadja , Schlensak Christian , Wendel Hans Peter , Avci‐Adali Meltem 
Published: October 2016

Hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility of biomaterials codetermine the success of tissue engineering applications. DNA, the natural component of our cells, is an auspicious biomaterial for the generation of designable scaffolds with tailorable characteristics. In this study, a combination of rolling circle amplification and multiprimed chain amplification is used to generate hydrogels at centimeter scale consisting solely of DNA. Using an in vitro rotation model and fresh human blood, the reaction of the hemostatic system on DNA hydrogels is analyzed. The measurements of hemolysis, platelets activation, and the activation of the complement, coagulation, and neutrophils using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays demonstrate excellent hemocompatibility. In addition, the cytocompatibility of the DNA hydrogels is tested by indirect contact (agar diffusion tests) and material extract experiments with L929 murine fibroblasts according to the ISO 10993‐5 specifications and no negative impact on the cell viability is detected. These results indicate the promising potential of DNA hydrogels as biomaterials for versatile applications in the field of regenerative medicine.
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Acid‐Cleavable Unimolecular Micelles from Amphiphilic Star Copolymers for Triggered Release of Anticancer Drugs
Authors: Zhang Shan , Xu Jianbin , Chen Heng , Song Zhangfa , Wu Yalan , Dai Xingyi , Kong Jie 
Published: October 2016

In this contribution, amphiphilic star copolymers (H40‐star‐PCL‐a‐PEG) with an H40 hyperbranched polyester core and poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐a‐poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer arms linked with acetal groups are synthesized using ring‐opening polymerization and a copper (I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition click reaction. The acid‐cleavable acetal groups between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments of the arms endow the amphiphilic star copolymers with pH responsiveness. In aqueous solution, unimolecular micelles can be formed with good stability and a unique acid degradability, as is desirable for anticancer drug carriers. For the model drug of doxorubicin, the in vitro release behavior, intracellular release, and inhibition of proliferation of HeLa cells show that the acid‐cleavable unimolecular micelles with anticancer activity can be dissociated in an acidic environment and efficiently internalized by HeLa cells. Due to the acid‐cleavable and biodegradable nature, unimolecular micelles from amphiphilic star copolymers are promising for applications in intracellular drug delivery for cancer chemotherapy.
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Maximising Skeletal Data Collection in Commercial Archaeology
Authors: Průchová E. , Chroustovský L. , Kacl P. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis paper explores the application of quick, simple and low‐cost procedures for data collection in commercial‐driven ‘salvage’ archaeology. In large‐scale cemetery contexts, the collection of a meaningful data set is often under extreme time and cost constraints. This requires the application of tailored field techniques and interdisciplinary collaboration between archaeologists, anthropologists and developers in order to maximise results. The authors examine procedures recently utilised to document and preserve skeletal data in three post‐mediaeval cemeteries in Prague, and evaluate their efficacy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Family factors that characterize adolescents with severe obesity and their role in weight loss surgery outcomes
Authors: Zeller Meg H. , Hunsaker Sanita , Mikhail Carmen , Reiter‐Purtill Jennifer , McCullough Mary Beth , Garland Beth , Austin Heather , Washington Gia , Baughcum Amy , Rofey Dana , Smith Kevin ,   for the TeenView Study Group and in collaboration with the Teen‐LABS Consortium
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveTo comprehensively assess family characteristics of adolescents with severe obesity and whether family factors impact weight loss outcomes following weight loss surgery (WLS).MethodsMultisite prospective data from 138 adolescents undergoing WLS and primary caregivers (adolescent: Mage = 16.9; MBMI= 51.5 kg/m2; caregiver: Mage = 44.5; 93% female) and 83 nonsurgical comparators (NSComp: adolescent: Mage = 16.1; MBMI = 46.9 kg/m2; caregiver: Mage = 43.9; 94% female) were collected using standardized measures at presurgery/baseline and at 1 and 2 years.ResultsThe majority (77.3%) of caregivers had obesity, with rates of caregiver WLS significantly higher in the WLS (23.8%) versus NSComp group (3.7%, P < 0.001). Family dysfunction was prevalent (≈1 in every two to three families), with rates higher for NSComp than the WLS group. For the WLS group, preoperative family factors (i.e., caregiver BMI or WLS history, dysfunction, social support) were not significant predictors of adolescent weight loss at 1 and 2 years postoperatively, although change in family functioning over time emerged as a significant correlate of percent weight loss.ConclusionsRates of severe obesity in caregivers as well as family dysfunction were clinically noteworthy, although not related to adolescent weight loss success following WLS. However, change in family communication and emotional climate over time emerged as potential targets to optimize weight loss outcomes.
Animal models of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: current perspectives and recent advances
Authors: Lau Jennie Ka Ching , Zhang Xiang , Yu Jun 
Published: October 2016

AbstractNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a continuous spectrum of diseases characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. NAFLD progresses from simple liver steatosis to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis and, in more severe cases, to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of its growing worldwide prevalence, various animal models that mirror both the histopathology and the pathophysiology of each stage of human NAFLD have been developed. The selection of appropriate animal models continues to be one of the key questions faced in this field. This review presents a critical analysis of the histopathology and pathogenesis of NAFLD, the most frequently used and recently developed animal models for each stage of NAFLD and NAFLD‐induced HCC, the main mechanisms involved in the experimental pathogenesis of NAFLD in different animal models, and a brief summary of recent therapeutic targets found by the use of animal models. Integrating the data from human disease with those from animal studies indicates that, although current animal models provide critical guidance in understanding specific stages of NAFLD pathogenesis and progression, further research is necessary to develop more accurate models that better mimic the disease spectrum, in order to provide both increased mechanistic understanding and identification/testing of novel therapeutic approaches. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Codes, lower bounds, and phase transitions in the symmetric rendezvous problem
Authors: Dani Varsha , Hayes Thomas P. , Moore Cristopher , Russell Alexander 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTIn the rendezvous problem, two parties with different labelings of the vertices of a complete graph are trying to meet at some vertex at the same time. It is well‐known that if the parties have predetermined roles, then the strategy where one of them waits at one vertex, while the other visits all n vertices in random order is optimal, taking at most n steps and averaging about . Anderson and Weber (J. Appl. Prob. 1990, pp. 839–851) considered the symmetric rendezvous problem, where both parties must use the same randomized strategy. They analyzed strategies where the parties repeatedly play the optimal asymmetric strategy, determining their role independently each time by a biased coin‐flip. By tuning the bias, Anderson and Weber achieved an expected meeting time of about , which they conjectured to be asymptotically optimal.We change perspective slightly: instead of minimizing the expected meeting time, we seek to maximize the probability of meeting within a specified time T. The Anderson‐Weber strategy, which fails with constant probability when , is not asymptotically optimal for large T in this setting. Specifically, we exhibit a symmetric strategy that succeeds with probability in steps. This is tight: for any , any symmetric strategy with fails with constant probability. Our strategy uses a new combinatorial object that we dub a “rendezvous code,” which may be of independent interest.When , we show that the probability of meeting within T steps is indeed asymptotically maximized by the Anderson‐Weber strategy. Our results imply new lower bounds, showing that the best symmetric strategy takes at least steps in expectation. We also present some partial results for the symmetric rendezvous problem on other vertex‐transitive graphs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 49, 742–765, 2016
A novel technique for detecting northern flying squirrels
Authors: Boulerice Jesse T. , Van Fleet Laurie A. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTThe northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) is currently recognized as a keystone species because of a symbiotic relationship between the squirrel, mycorrhizal fungi, and mature forests. As habitat loss threatens to challenge populations of flying squirrels range‐wide, wildlife managers and conservationists could benefit from new techniques to survey this nocturnal and secretive species. Here, we developed a novel noninvasive survey technique that combined remote cameras with enclosed bait tubes designed specifically for detecting the presence of flying squirrels. We used this technique to survey for northern flying squirrels throughout their range in Wyoming, USA, from May to October 2012–2014. This technique produce average daily probability detection rates of 54% (SE = 0.02%) with greater rates in the autumn (Aug–Oct). Detection rates varied with length of survey and number of camera stations, providing flexibility for managers to modify survey design depending on project objectives. This technique also nullified the risk of capture myopathy, to which flying squirrels may be susceptible when surveyed using live‐trapping methods. Our results suggest that remote cameras combined with enclosed bait tubes can be a cost‐efficient and effective tool in assessing and monitoring population trends in occupancy and distribution of northern flying squirrels throughout their range. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Akademische Existenzgründungen in der Internetbranche – welchen Einfluss haben Hochschule und Region auf die Standortwahl?
Authors: Kopper Johannes , Jäger Angelika 
Published: October 2016

The regional orientation of academic activities and economic support of the university region are increasingly important responsibilities. The paper examines to which extent academic founders of the online sector decide to establish firms close to their alma mater, and which factors affecting this decision are associated with the university or the region. Are entrepreneurs’ decisions to stay or leave the region dependent upon factors of the region itself? What influence do the structure and strategic focus of the university have on this decision? These questions are of interest for political decision makers and university stakeholders – especially as the regional effectiveness of start-ups and their contribution to regional economy is put into question. This regional effectiveness justifies high public financial support. The analysis is based on the German digital platform Gründerszene, which provides services for founders in the online sector. By using regression analysis, the factors of influence of academic institutions and the region on the location decision of online founders are identified. There is no noticeably higher rate of founders deciding to stay within regions which are strong with knowledge, innovation, and service compared to structurally weak regions. On the other hand, a regional entrepreneurial climate that is conducive for start-ups is very important.
Using semantic feature norms to investigate how the visual and verbal modes afford metaphor construction and expression
Authors: BOLOGNESI MARIANNA 
Published: October 2016

abstractIn this study, two modalities of expression (verbal and visual) are compared and contrasted, in relation to their ability and their limitations to construct and express metaphors. A representative set of visual metaphors and a representative set of linguistic metaphors are here compared, and the semantic similarity between metaphor terms is modeled within the two sets. Such similarity is operationalized in terms of semantic features produced by informants in a property generation task (e.g., McRae et al., 2005). Semantic features provide insights into conceptual content, and play a role in deep conceptual processing, as opposed to shallow linguistic processing. Thus, semantic features appear to be useful for modeling metaphor comprehension, assuming that metaphors are matters of thought rather than simple figures of speech (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). The question tackled in this paper is whether semantic features can account for the similarity between metaphor terms of both visual and verbal metaphors. For this purpose, a database of semantic features was collected and then used to analyze fifty visual metaphors and fifty verbal metaphors. It was found that the number of semantic features shared between metaphor terms is predicted by the modality of expression of the metaphor: the terms compared in visual metaphors share semantic features, while the terms compared in verbal metaphors do not. This suggests that the two modalities of expression afford different ways to construct and express metaphors.
Plasmid transfer in biofilms: a perspective on limitations and opportunities
Authors: Stalder Thibault , Top Eva 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBiofilms dominate microbial life, and their importance for human health and the environment can no longer be dismissed. Nevertheless many of the processes governing this form of microbial growth are still poorly understood. This includes the horizontal exchange of genetic information, which is a major driver in bacterial evolution and rapid adaptation, exemplified by the alarming spread of multi-drug resistance among pathogens mediated by plasmids. Biofilms are often considered hot spot for horizontal gene transfer, yet several studies have shown that plasmid transfer is limited to the outer layers. On the basis of results from decades of research we analyse this paradox and discuss the mechanisms by which biofilm growth can promote the initial transfer of some plasmids, but also limit further plasmid invasion into the population or community. If we want to adequately promote or combat horizontal gene spread in biofilms, we need to gain better insight into the physicochemical and biological mechanisms that control this process.
Synchronized human skeletal myotubes of lean, obese and type 2 diabetic patients maintain circadian oscillation of clock genes
Authors: Hansen Jan , Timmers Silvie , Moonen-Kornips Esther , Duez Helene , Staels Bart , Hesselink Matthijs K. C. , Schrauwen Patrick 
Published: October 2016

AbstractCell and animal studies have demonstrated that circadian rhythm is governed by autonomous rhythmicity of clock genes. Although disturbances in circadian rhythm have been implicated in metabolic disease development, it remains unknown whether muscle circadian rhythm is altered in human models of type 2 diabetes. Here we used human primary myotubes (HPM) to investigate if rhythmicity of clock- and metabolic gene expression is altered in donors with obesity or type 2 diabetes compared to metabolically healthy donors. HPM were obtained from skeletal muscle biopsies of four groups: type 2 diabetic patients and their BMI- and age-matched obese controls and from lean, healthy and young endurance trained athletes and their age-matched sedentary controls. HPM were differentiated for 7 days before synchronization by serum shock followed by gene expression profiling over the next 72 hours. HPM display robust circadian rhythms in clock genes, but REVERBA displayed dampened rhythmicity in type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, rhythmicity in NAMPT and SIRT1 expression was only observed in HPM from trained athletes. Rhythmicity in expression of key-regulators of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism was modest. We demonstrate that in human skeletal muscle REVERBA/B, NAMPT and SIRT1 circadian rhythms are affected in donors of sedentary life style and poor health status.
Cdk7 mediates RPB1-driven mRNA synthesis in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Deshmukh Abhijit S. , Mitra Pallabi , Maruthi Mulaka 
Published: October 2016

AbstractCyclin-dependent kinase 7 in conjunction with CyclinH and Mat1 activates cell cycle CDKs and is a part of the general transcription factor TFIIH. Role of Cdk7 is well characterized in model eukaryotes however its relevance in protozoan parasites has not been investigated. This important regulator of key processes warrants closer examination particularly in this parasite given its unique cell cycle progression and flexible mode of replication. We report functional characterization of TgCdk7 and its partners TgCyclinH and TgMat1. Recombinant Cdk7 displays kinase activity upon binding its cyclin partner and this activity is further enhanced in presence of Mat1. The activated kinase phosphorylates C-terminal domain of TgRPB1 suggesting its role in parasite transcription. Therefore, the function of Cdk7 in CTD phosphorylation and RPB1 mediated transcription was investigated using Cdk7 inhibitor. Unphosphorylated CTD binds promoter DNA while phosphorylation by Cdk7 triggers its dissociation from DNA with implications for transcription initiation. Inhibition of Cdk7 in the parasite led to strong reduction in Serine 5 phosphorylation of TgRPB1-CTD at the promoters of constitutively expressed actin1 and sag1 genes with concomitant reduction of both nascent RNA synthesis and 5′-capped transcripts. Therefore, we provide compelling evidence for crucial role of TgCdk7 kinase activity in mRNA synthesis.
Large outbreak of herpangina in children caused by enterovirus in summer of 2015 in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Li Wei , Gao Hui-hui , Zhang Qiong , Liu Yu-jie , Tao Ran , Cheng Yu-ping , Shu Qiang , Shang Shi-qiang 
Published: October 2016

AbstractHerpangina, usually caused by coxsackie virus A, is prevalent in children spreading through the fecal-oral transmission and the respiratory droplets dissemination. Also, it is mostly asymptomatic and self-limiting. In our study, we found that large outbreak of herpangina in children occurred in the summer of 2015 in Hangzhou, China. From May 1th to August 31th, a total of 10 210 children were diagnosed with herpangina in Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. 2 310 throat swabs were collected and tested for enterovirus detection by real-time RT-PCR, while 1 651 cases were positive with the rate of 71.5%. Based on VP1 gene or 5′UTR region sequences, Coxsackievirus A2, A4, A6, A10, B2, B4 and echovirus 30 were detected in these cases. More importantly, Coxsackievirus A2 may be the major subtype of enterovirus resulting in children with herpangina in hangzhou, China.
The stability and catalytic activity of W13@Pt42 core-shell structure
Authors: Huo Jin-Rong , Wang Xiao-Xu , Li Lu , Cheng Hai-Xia , Su Yan-Jing , Qian Ping 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis paper reports a study of the electronic properties, structural stability and catalytic activity of the W13@Pt42 core-shell structure using the First-principles calculations. The degree of corrosion of W13@Pt42 core-shell structure is simulated in acid solutions and through molecular absorption. The absorption energy of OH for this structure is lower than that for Pt55, which inhibits the poison effect of O containing intermediate. Furthermore we present the optimal path of oxygen reduction reaction catalyzed by W13@Pt42. Corresponding to the process of O molecular decomposition, the rate-limiting step of oxygen reduction reaction catalyzed by W13@Pt42 is 0.386 eV, which is lower than that for Pt55 of 0.5 eV. In addition by alloying with W, the core-shell structure reduces the consumption of Pt and enhances the catalytic efficiency, so W13@Pt42 has a promising perspective of industrial application.