bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increasing dietary nitrate has no effect on cancellous bone loss or fecal microbiome in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Conley Melissa N. , Roberts Cooper , Sharpton Thomas J. , Iwaniec Urszula T. , Hord Norman G. 
Published: January 2017

ScopeStudies suggest diets rich in fruit and vegetables reduce bone loss, although the specific compounds responsible are unknown. Substrates for endogenous nitric oxide (NO) production, including organic nitrates and dietary nitrate, may support NO production in age‐related conditions, including osteoporosis. We investigated the capability of dietary nitrate to improve NO bioavailability, reduce bone turnover and loss.Methods and resultsSix‐month‐old Sprague Dawley rats [30 ovariectomized (OVX) and 10 sham‐operated (sham)] were randomized into three groups: (i) vehicle (water) control, (ii) low‐dose nitrate (LDN, 0.1 mmol nitrate/kg bw/day), or (iii) high‐dose nitrate (HDN, 1.0 mmol nitrate/kg bw/day) for three weeks. The sham received vehicle. Serum bone turnover markers; bone mass, mineral density, and quality; histomorphometric parameters; and fecal microbiome were examined. Three weeks of LDN or HDN improved NO bioavailability in a dose‐dependent manner. OVX resulted in cancellous bone loss, increased bone turnover, and fecal microbiome changes. OVX increased relative abundances of Firmicutes and decreased Bacteroideceae and Alcaligenaceae. Nitrate did not affect the skeleton or fecal microbiome.ConclusionThese data indicate that OVX affects the fecal microbiome and that the gut microbiome is associated with bone mass. Three weeks of nitrate supplementation does not slow bone loss or alter the fecal microbiome in OVX.
d‐Chiro inositol ameliorates endothelial dysfunction via inhibition of oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission
Authors: Zhang Bobo , Guo Xudan , Li Yunlong , Peng Qiang , Gao Jinfeng , Liu Baolin , Wang Min 
Published: January 2017

Scoped‐chiro inositol (DCI), an isomer of inositol, possesses anti‐oxidative and endothelial protective properties. The mechanism by which DCI prevents endothelial dysfunction was investigated, with emphasis on oxidative stress.Methods and resultsDCI was found to inhibit NOX4 induction and enhance Nrf2 activity in palmitate (PA)‐stimulated cells, showing that DCI prevents oxidative stress. DCI suppressed Ser616 phosphorylation and increased Ser637 phosphorylation of Drp1 and inhibited PA‐induced mitochondrial fission. Knockdown of Drp1 attenuated NOX4 over‐expression and increased the inhibitory effect of DCI. In addition, DCI enhanced AMPK activity through the LKB1‐dependent pathway. AMPK knockdown diminished the inhibitory effect of DCI on Drp1/NOX4 induction, indicating that AMPK is essential for Drp1 and NOX4 suppression by DCI. As a result, DCI inhibited cell apoptosis against PA insults. Consistent with the effects observed in cells, DCI reversed endothelial dysfunction in rat aorta rings under lipid‐challenged conditions. In high fat‐fed mice, oral administration of DCI inhibited Drp1/NOX4 induction and enhanced NO generation in the aortic endothelium, confirming its protective role in endothelial function in vivo.ConclusionDrp1 activation‐induced mitochondrial fission and NOX4 over‐expression are associated with endothelial injury. DCI prevented endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission in an AMPK‐dependent manner.
A flux conserving meshfree method for conservation laws
Authors: Suchde Pratik , Kuhnert Jörg , Schröder Simon , Klar Axel 
Published: January 2017

SummaryLack of conservation has been the biggest drawback in meshfree generalized finite difference methods (GFDMs). In this paper, we present a novel modification of classical meshfree GFDMs to include local balances which produce an approximate conservation of numerical fluxes. This numerical flux conservation is performed within the usual moving least squares framework. Unlike Finite Volume Methods, it is based on locally defined control cells, rather than a globally defined mesh. We present the application of this method to an advection diffusion equation and the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. Our simulations show that the introduction of flux conservation significantly reduces the errors in conservation in meshfree GFDMs. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
iTRAQ‐based quantitative proteomic analysis and bioinformatics study of proteins in pterygia
Authors: Linghu Dandan , Guo Lili , Zhao Yinghua , Liu Zhiming , Zhao Mingwei , Huang Lvzhen , Li Xiaoxin 
Published: January 2017

PurposeTo analyze proteins in the tissue of pterygia, and to investigate their potential roles in pterygia, using the comparative proteomic technique of Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with offline 2DLC‐MS/MS, Western‐bolt.MethodThe tissue of pterygia and healthy conjunctiva was collected from 10 pterygia patients (6 females, 4 males; average age was 52 years old; average course of disease was 6 years) in our hospital from September, 2015 to March, 2016. iTRAQ was used to analyze proteins in the patients’ pterygia and healthy conjunctiva. Proteins with a fold change of >2. 0 or <0. 5 were considered to be significantly differentially expressed (with corrected p‐values of <0. 1). The identified proteins were subjected to subsequent gene ontology analysis using the DAVID database. Then we confirmed the targeted proteins with western‐blot.Results156 proteins that expressed differently between the pterygia and healthy conjunctiva were identified using iTRAQ analysis. Of these proteins, 18 were down‐regulated, and 138 were up‐regulated. On the basis of biological processes in gene ontology, the identified proteins were mainly involved in cellular process, metabolic process, developmental process, location, cellular component organization, Among these proteins, matrix Metalloproteinase 10 (MMP‐10) and CD34 may have potential roles in the pathogenesis of pterygia. Then we confirmed with Western‐bolt that MMP‐10 and CD34 were up‐regulated in pterygia.ConclusionThis study is the first to identify 156 proteins associated with pterygia with iTRAQ technology. Data in our study will aid in providing a better understanding of pterygia.
Effective Model for Olefin/Paraffin Separation using (Co, Fe, Mn, Ni)‐MOF‐74
Authors: Luna‐Triguero Azahara , Vicent‐Luna Jose Manuel , Becker Tim M. , Vlugt Thijs J. H. , Dubbeldam David , Gómez‐Álvarez Paula , Calero Sofia 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAn increase in demand for energy efficient processes for the separation of saturated and unsaturated light hydrocarbons mixtures drives the need of noncryogenic processes. The adsorptive separation using Metal‐Organic Frameworks with coordinatively unsaturated metal sites may provide a cost‐effective alternative due to the strong binding of the metal cation with the unsaturated hydrocarbons. Since experiments on adsorption equilibrium of gas mixtures are challenging, we propose classical force field based simulations to analyse the ability of MOF‐74 with different metal substitutions for the separation of C2 and C3 olefin/paraffin binary mixtures. We parametrized the force field by fitting to available experimental single‐component adsorption isotherms of ethane, ethene, propane, and propene in M–MOF‐74 (M=Co, Fe, Mn, and Ni). The force field was validated for a variety of temperatures ranged from 273 K to 353 K. We then conducted Monte Carlo simulations in the Grand‐Canonical ensemble to elucidate the adsorption mechanisms of the saturated/unsaturated hydrocarbon mixtures, at 318 K and 353 K. We computed the adsorption isotherms, and from these the adsorption selectivity, and addressed the variations of MOF properties with different metal cations. Fe‐based MOF‐74 appears the best option for both ethane/ethene and propane/propene separation applications. This finding partly agrees with previous work based on the Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory.
The Nature of the Chemical Bond from a Quantum Mechanical Interference Perspective
Authors: Fantuzzi Felipe , de Sousa David Wilian Oliveira , Nascimento Marco Antonio Chaer 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe analysis of the chemical bond in a variety of systems exhibiting distinct bonding patterns was performed using the Generalized Product Function Energy Partitioning (GPF‐EP) approach in order to verify the role played by quantum interference. Diatomic and polyatomic molecules, with single, double and triple bonds, with different degrees of polarity, linear or branched, cyclic or not, conjugated and aromatics, have been considered. In all cases the conclusion was exactly the same: for each bond of the molecule the energy partitioning results showed that the main contribution to the depth of the potential wells comes from the interference term. From the quantum interference perspective the minimum requirement for a chemical bond to be formed is one electron and two interfering one‐electron states belonging to different atoms. As a consequence, all chemical bonds are covalent in the sense that it takes a one‐electron state of each atom to form the bond, irrespective of its polarity.
Highly Monodisperse Pt/Rh Nanoparticles Confined in the Graphene Oxide for Highly Efficient and Reusable Sorbents for Methylene Blue Removal from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Yildiz Yunus , Okyay Tugba Onal , Sen Betül , Gezer Bahdisen , Kuzu Sultan , Savk Aysun , Demir Enes , Dasdelen Zeynep , Sert Hakan , Sen Fatih 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAddressed herein, a robust methodology to generate monodisperse Pt/Rh@GO nanocomposites and their adsorption performances have been reported to clean methylene blue (MB) from the aqueous mixtures. The monodisperse Pt/Rh@GO nanocomposites were produced by the ultrasonic double solvent reduction method. Their characterization was performed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanism of MB adsorption was explored in aqueous solutions. The adsorbtion findings revealed that the Pt/Rh@GO nanocomposites are highly effective adsorbents for MB removal offering 346.79 mg/g as the one of the record adsorption capacity. 40 minutes was observed as the equilibrium time for MB adsorption. More than that, they are reusable as they promise cleaning MB from MB‐contaminated waters maintaining 97.83 % of their initial efficacy after six sequential cycles of adsorption‐desorption.
The Synthesis and Study of Compounds Based on 3,4‐Bis(aminofurazano)furoxan
Authors: Yu Qiong , Yang Hongwei , Ju Xuehai , Lu Chunxu , Cheng Guangbin 
Published: January 2017

AbstractN‐trinitroethylamino functionalization products of 4,4′′‐diamino‐[3,3′:4′,3′′‐ter(1,2,5‐oxadiazole)] 2′‐oxide (i) and energetic salts of 4,4′′‐bis(nitroamino)‐[3,3′:4′,3′′‐ter(1,2,5‐oxadiazole)] 2′‐oxide (4) were synthesized. These compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR, IR, and elemental analyses. The structures of 4′′‐amino‐4‐((2,2,2‐trinitroethyl)amino)‐[3,3′:4′,3′′‐ter(1,2,5‐oxadiazole)] 2′‐oxide (1), 4,4′′‐bis((2,2,2‐trinitroethyl)amino)‐[3,3′:4′,3′′‐ter (1,2,5‐ oxadiazole)] 2′‐oxide (2), dihydroxylammonium (2′‐oxido‐[3,3′:4′,3′′‐ter(1,2,5‐oxadiazole)]‐4,4′′‐diyl)bis(nitroamide) (5), diguanidium (2′‐oxido‐[3,3′:4′,3′′‐ter(1,2,5‐oxadiazole)]‐4,4′′‐diyl)bis(nitroamide) (6) and diaminoguanidium (2′‐oxido‐[3,3′:4′,3′′‐ter(1,2,5‐oxadiazole)]‐4,4′′‐diyl)bis(nitroamide) (7) were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analyses. Among all these new compounds, compounds 2, 5 and 4,4′′‐bis(nitro(2,2,2‐trinitroethyl)amino)‐[3,3′:4′,3′′‐ter(1,2,5‐ oxadiazole)] 2′‐oxide (3), exhibit favorable measured densities (1.83‐1.90 g cm‐1), good thermal stabilities (167.3‐171.3 oC, except 3, 108.6 oC), acceptable sensitivities (IS, 3.6‐14.2 J; FS, 100‐240 N) and excellent detonation performance (D, 8935‐9407 m s‐1; P, 35.9‐40.5 GPa). Furthermore, compound 2 shows good compatibilities with the traditional explosives. These indicate that compounds 2, 3 and 5 could be used as high detonation performance energetic materials.
Electrochemical Studies on the Interaction between (E)‐4‐((6‐Methoxybenzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)diazenyl)‐N‐Phenylaniline (MBDPA) and Bovine Serum Albumin
Authors: Surucu Ozge , Abaci Serdar 
Published: January 2017

AbstractProtein electrochemistry is important in the understanding of the redox properties of biomacromolecules and in the development of commercial applications such as biosensors and diagnostic tools. For this purpose, the interaction between a novel synthesized (E)‐4‐((6‐methoxybenzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)diazenyl)‐N‐phenylaniline and bovine serum albumin was investigated electrochemically. The measurements were carried out by using cyclic voltammetry technique and pencil graphite electrode. The modification of pencil graphite electrode was performed using (E)‐4‐((6‐methoxybenzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)diazenyl)‐N‐phenylaniline. 10 cycles were made for coating. The interaction occurred with bovine serum albumin after 15 minutes. The characterization of surfaces was carried out using scanning electron microscope and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The limit of detection and kinetic parameters were calculated using various concentrations of bovine serum albumin and various scan rates. The results were compared with hemoglobin and the priority of interaction between azo dyes and protein was proved. The binding constant and binding ratio were calculated as 3.98 × 1022 and 1:5, respectively. The interference study was made using coexisting substances including metal ions, amino acids and carbohydrates in blood.
Development of Quasi‐Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Based on a Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Poly (ethylene glycol)/Functionalized Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Gel Electrolyte
Authors: Khannam Momina , Nath Bikash Chandra , Mohan Kiran Jyoti , Dolui Swapan Kumar 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA series of quasi‐solid state dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated with different wt % of carboxy functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes (c‐MWCNTs) containing poly (vinyl alcohol)/poly (ethylene glycol) gel electrolyte. The structure and morphology of the polymeric gel electrolyte were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectrum (EDX) analyses. The thermal stability of the polymeric gel electrolyte was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. Fabrication of the DSSCs were carried out by sandwiching the poly (vinyl alcohol)/poly (ethylene glycol)/ c‐MWCNT nanocomposite gel electrolyte in between the dye sensitized TiO2 photoanode and platinum‐based counter electrode. However, c‐MWCNTs forms network with channels of PVA/PEG matrix in gel electrolyte which reduces the charge transfer resistance (Rct) of DSSCs, thereby significantly improving the photovoltaic properties of the DSSCs. The maximum photo conversion efficiency (η) of 3.5 % and short circuit current density (Jsc) of 8.80 mAcm‐2 was achieved using an optimum loading of 0.5 % c‐MWCNT.
Mechanistic Insight into Biomass Conversion to Five–membered Lactone Based on Computational and Experimental Analysis
Authors: Yamaguchi Sho , Deguchi Hikaru , Kawauchi Susumu , Motokura Ken , Miyaji Akimitsu , Baba Toshihide 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe investigated the mechanism of a cascade coupling reaction between 1,3‐dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and formaldehyde using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Based on our experimental results, and in contrast to the previously proposed reaction pathway, we propose the following pathway: i) the isomerization and dehydration of DHA to an enolate, ii) an aldol reaction between the enolate and formaldehyde, iii) the formation of a five‐membered ring, and iv) a proton transfer to form α‐hydroxy‐γ‐butyrolactone (HBL). Consideration of the thermodynamic stability of each substrate enabled us to suggest the most likely pathway, and the construction of a transition state model helped us to clarify the origin of the observed product selectivity.
Relevance of neuroimaging for neurocognitive and behavioral outcome after pediatric traumatic brain injury
Authors: Königs Marsh , Pouwels Petra JW , Ernest van Heurn LW , Bakx Roel , Jeroen Vermeulen R , Carel Goslings J , Poll-The Bwee Tien , van der Wees Marleen , Catsman-Berrevoets Coriene E , Oosterlaan Jaap 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis study aims to (1) investigate the neuropathology of mild to severe pediatric TBI and (2) elucidate the predictive value of conventional and innovative neuroimaging for functional outcome. Children aged 8–14 years with trauma control (TC) injury (n = 27) were compared to children with mild TBI and risk factors for complicated TBI (mildRF+,n = 20) or moderate/severe TBI (n = 17) at 2.8 years post-injury. Neuroimaging measures included: acute computed tomography (CT), volumetric analysis on post-acute conventional T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and post-acute diffusion tensor imaging (DTI, analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics and voxel-wise regression). Functional outcome was measured using Common Data Elements for neurocognitive and behavioral functioning. The results show that intracranial pathology on acute CT-scans was more prevalent after moderate/severe TBI (65%) than after mildRF+TBI (35%;p = .035), while both groups had decreased white matter volume on conventional MRI (ps ≤ .029,ds ≥ −0.74). The moderate/severe TBI group further showed decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in a widespread cluster affecting all white matter tracts, in which regional associations with neurocognitive functioning were observed (FSIQ, Digit Span and RAVLT Encoding) that consistently involved the corpus callosum. FA had superior predictive value for functional outcome (i.e. intelligence, attention and working memory, encoding in verbal memory and internalizing problems) relative to acute CT-scanning (i.e. internalizing problems) and conventional MRI (no predictive value). We conclude that children with mildRF+TBI and moderate/severe TBI are at risk of persistent white matter abnormality. Furthermore, DTI has superior predictive value for neurocognitive out-come relative to conventional neuroimaging.
Predictors of Pharmacological Intervention in Adolescents With Protracted Symptoms After Sports‐Related Concussion
Authors: Pinto Shanti M. , Twichell Maria F. , Henry Luke C. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundAlthough recovery after concussion is spontaneous and typically occurs within 2‐3 weeks, a subset of adolescents develop persistent symptoms after a sports‐related concussion. Medications are frequently prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment approach to alleviate these symptoms; however, there are no guidelines for prescription of pharmacologic therapy after concussion.ObjectiveTo investigate common factors that are associated with the use of medications (antiepileptic, antidepressant, neurostimulant, or sleeping medication) during recovery from a sports‐related concussion.DesignRetrospective observational study.SettingSingle‐center specialty concussion center.ParticipantsA total of 100 adolescents, between the ages of 12 and 18 years, who sustained concussion due to sports.Assessment of Risk FactorsIndependent variables collected included age at the time of concussion, gender, sports played, personal history of prior concussion or mental health disorder, and personal or family history of headache (eg, migraines) or seizure disorder.Main Outcome MeasurePrescription of medications for treatment of concussion.ResultsTwenty‐four patients (24%) were prescribed medications in this study, all of whom reported headache at the time of medication prescription. Amantadine was the most commonly prescribed medication, with amitriptyline and melatonin also being prescribed. Among the demographic information collected, only age and gender met criteria for inclusion in the regression model. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the odds that female participants were prescribed medications was 3.790 (95% confidence interval = 1.262‐11.380) higher than male participants. A higher symptom score on the initial Post Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) was associated with increased odds of being prescribed medications (odds ratio = 1.031, 95% CI = 1.009‐1.052).ConclusionsThe current study found that initial symptom severity and female gender were associated with use of medication in recovery from sports‐related concussion among variables available for study.Level of EvidenceII
Musa Siphiwe Doctor Manzi Receives 2016 Africa Award for Research Excellence in Earth Science
Authors:   AGU
Published: January 2017

Musa Siphiwe Doctor Manzi received the 2016 Africa Award for Research Excellence in Earth Science at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 14 December 2016 in San Francisco, Calif. The award honors an early-career scientist from the African continent for "completing significant work that shows the focus and promise of making outstanding contributions to research in Earth and space sciences."
The reference frame of the tilt aftereffect measured by differential Pavlovian conditioning
Authors: Nakashima Yusuke , Sugita Yoichi 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe used a differential Pavlovian conditioning paradigm to measure tilt aftereffect (TAE) strength. Gabor patches, rotated clockwise and anticlockwise, were used as conditioned stimuli (CSs), one of which (CS+) was followed by the unconditioned stimulus (UCS), whereas the other (CS−) appeared alone. The UCS was an air puff delivered to the left eye. In addition to the CS+ and CS−, the vertical test patch was also presented for the clockwise and anticlockwise adapters. The vertical patch was not followed by the UCS. After participants acquired differential conditioning, eyeblink conditioned responses (CRs) were observed for the vertical patch when it appeared to be tilted in the same direction as the CS+ owing to the TAE. The effect was observed not only when the adapter and test stimuli were presented in the same retinotopic position but also when they were presented in the same spatiotopic position, although spatiotopic TAE was weak—it occurred approximately half as often as the full effect. Furthermore, spatiotopic TAE decayed as the time after saccades increased, but did not decay as the time before saccades increased. These results suggest that the time before the performance of saccadic eye movements is needed to compute the spatiotopic representation.
Development of interface-dominant bulk Cu/V nanolamellar composites by cross accumulative roll bonding
Authors: Zeng L. F. , Gao R. , Xie Z. M. , Miao S. , Fang Q. F. , Wang X. P. , Zhang T. , Liu C. S. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractTraditional nanostructured metals are inherently comprised of a high density of high-energy interfaces that make this class of materials not stable in extreme conditions. Therefore, high performance bulk nanostructured metals containing stable interfaces are highly desirable for extreme environments applications. Here, we reported an attractive bulk Cu/V nanolamellar composite that was successfully developed by integrating interface engineering and severe plastic deformation techniques. The layered morphology and ordered Cu/V interfaces remained stable with respect to continued rolling (total strain exceeding 12). Most importantly, for layer thickness of 25 nm, this bulk Cu/V nanocomposite simultaneously achieves high strength (hardness of 3.68 GPa) and outstanding thermal stability (up to 700 °C), which are quite difficult to realize simultaneously in traditional nanostructured materials. Such extraordinary property in our Cu/V nanocomposite is achieved via an extreme rolling process that creates extremely high density of stable Cu/V heterophase interfaces and low density of unstable grain boundaries. In addition, high temperature annealing result illustrates that Rayleigh instability is the dominant mechanism driving the onset of thermal instability after exposure to 800 °C.