bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solvent Effect on the Grafting of an Organophilic Silane Onto Smectite‐type Clay: Application as Electrode Modifiers for Pesticide Detection
Authors: Yanke Jenna Geralde Mbokana , Dedzo Gustave Kenne , Ngameni Emmanuel 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe effect of a non‐swelling (toluene) and a swelling (ethylene glycol (EG)) solvent on the grafting of an organophilic silane (octyltriethoxisilane) onto a smectitic clay was investigated. XRD patterns of the resulting materials reveals that the grafting occurred exclusively on the edges of the clay particles without intercalation, as evidenced by the non‐variability of the d‐value before and after the grafting. FTIR and TGA characterizations show that higher amount of silane was grafted when toluene was used as solvent. With EG, the clay particles were well‐dispersed and the grafting well controlled. These functionalized materials were used as carbon paste electrode modifiers to evaluate their abilities for electrochemical detection of organophilic pollutants at trace level. Carbendazim (cbz), a widely used fungicide was used as model compound. The clay functionalized in EG was the most efficient modifier, due to the combined effect of the characteristics of the pristine clay and the grafted silane. The electroanalysis experimental parameters were carefully optimized (pH 6.8, 15 min of accumulation time and 10 % of the modifier in the carbon paste). By varying cbz concentration, a 0.03 μM detection limit was obtained. The sensor provide very reproducible response but strongly affected by some metal ions interferences. By varying cbz concentration in river water, used as environmental sample model, higher detection limit was obtained (0.2 μM), due to interfering species.
Electrochemical Immunosensors for the Rapid Screening of Cystic Fibrosis and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Alshehri Nawal , Eissa Shimaa , Balobaid Laila , Abdel Rahman Anas M. , Dasouki Majed , Zourob Mohammed 
Published: May 2017

AbstractCystic Fibrosis (CF) and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) are well characterized progressive inherited diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the early, rapid and affordable diagnosis of these disorders through newborn screening is highly important for the appropriate management. Here, we report label‐free impedance immunosensors for the simple screening of CF and DMD through the detection of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein fragment and a peptide sequence for dystrophin (DMD). The biosensors were constructed by the covalent immobilization of specific antibodies for CFTR and DMD on standard gold (Au) electrodes. The immunosensors response was measured based on the change in the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) signals after binding with the peptides. The specific recognition of the immunosensor surfaces to the target antigens leads to retardation of the access of ferri‐ferrocyanide redox molecules to the surface and thus, enhances the charge transfer resistance (Rct). These impedimetric immunosensors enabled sensitive, fast, selective and accurate estimation of CFTR and DMD levels within a linear range from 1.0 pg/mL to 1 μg/mL and 1.0 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL with lower detection limits of 0.8 and 0.7 pg/mL for CFTR and DMD, respectively. Moreover, the immunosensors were tested for the detection of CFTR and DMD in human serum showing very good agreement with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). This work represents a novel low cost analytical method that aims to satisfy the unmet public health need in the early diagnosis of CF and DMD and can be extended to detect other hereditary disorders.
Potential serum biomarkers associated with mild and severe leptospirosis infection: A cohort study in the Malaysian population
Authors: Tan Xue Ting , Amran Fairuz binti , Thayan Ravindran , Ahmad Norazah , Jaafar Roslinda , Haron Rahimah , Abdullah Rafidah , bin Shamsuddin Sazwan Reezal , Md. Riffin Nor Suhaila binti , Abdul‐Rahman Puteri Shafinaz 
Published: May 2017

AbstractLeptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic infectious disease in Malaysia. The symptoms of leptospirosis vary from mild nonspecific flu‐like illness to a severe condition which is usually associated with serious complication and fatality. To study the protein expression profile of mild and severe leptospirosis, 15 paired sera were collected from the patients who were mildly infected and following that progressed to severe stage. The proteome profiles of mild and severe cases were studied using 2DE analysis in combination with LC‐MS/MS. The expression of proteins that were significantly different and had a fold difference of at least 2 had been identified and then validated using Western blot. Our study demonstrated apolipoprotein A‐I (APOA‐I), serum amyloid A (SAA), transferrin (TF), haptoglobin (HP) and transthyretin (TTR) have significantly different expression between mild and severe leptospirosis. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software suggested the expression of these five proteins were modulated by acute phase response signaling pathway. Besides that, a functional network of lipid metabolism, molecular transport and small molecule biochemistry that interconnects these five proteins with interactomes also had been predicted by this software. In conclusion, this finding supports the potential of these five proteins to be the biomarkers for mild and severe human leptospirosis.
Comparative membrane proteomics analyses of breast cancer cell lines to understand the molecular mechanism of breast cancer brain metastasis
Authors: Peng Wenjing , Zhang Yu , Zhu Rui , Mechref Yehia 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBreast cancer is the leading type of cancer in women. Breast cancer brain metastasis is currently considered an issue of concern among breast cancer patients. Membrane proteins play important roles in breast cancer brain metastasis, involving cell adhesion and penetration of blood–brain barrier. To understand the mechanism of breast cancer brain metastasis, liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) was employed in conjunction with enrichment of membrane proteins to analyze the proteomes from five different breast cancer and a brain cancer cell lines. Quantitative proteomic data of all cell lines were compared with MDA‐MB‐231BR which is a brain seeking breast cancer cell line, thus representing brain metastasis characteristics. Label‐free proteomics of the six cell lines facilitates the identification of 1238 proteins and the quantification of 899 proteins of which more than 70% were membrane proteins. Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) of the label‐free proteomics data resulted in a distinct clustering of cell lines, suggesting quantitative differences in the expression of several proteins among the different cell lines. Unique protein expressions in 231BR were observed for 28 proteins. The up‐regulation of STAU1, AT1B3, NPM1, hnRNP Q, and hnRNP K and the down‐regulation of TUBB4B and TUBB5 were noted in 231BR relative to 231 (precursor cell lines from which 231BR is derived). These proteins might contribute to the breast cancer brain metastasis. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) supported the great brain metastatic propensity of 231BR and suggested the importance of the up‐regulation of integrin proteins and down‐regulation of EPHA2 in brain metastasis.
U–Pb zircon and geochemical constraints on age and genesis of granitoids from the Jinchang Au deposit in Heilongjiang, NE China
Authors: Han S. J. , Yang Y. C. , Ye S. Q. , Khomich V. G. , Boriskina N. G. , Wang X. Y. 
Published: May 2017

The Jinchang Au deposit is a large‐sized deposit in Heilongjiang Province, and mineralization is closely related to the Early Cretaceous granitoids. The orebodies occurred within granite, granite porphyry, granodiorite, and diorite. Gold mineralization type consists of crypto‐explosive breccia, vein, and veinlet‐disseminated types. In this paper, we present U–Pb age as well as major and trace element geochemistry of intrusive bodies from the Jinchang deposit. Our study indicates that granite, granite porphyry, and granodiorite from the Jinchang deposit are calc‐alkaline to high‐K calc‐alkaline with geochemical characteristics of typical island‐arc environment. Diorite and diorite porphyrite show calc‐alkaline affinities with geochemical characteristics of adakite or adakitic rock. Concordant zircon U–Pb ages of 184.69 ± 0.98 Ma and 203.62 ± 0.86 Ma are obtained from granites; 190.4 ± 4.7 Ma, 205.88 ± 0.95 Ma, and 109.0 ± 2.4 Ma are obtained from granite porphyry, granodiorite, and quartz diorite. Combined with previous geochronological data, the diagenetic ages for granitoids in the Jinchang deposit are mainly focused on 2 episodes: 110 ~ 120 Ma and 185 ~ 200 Ma. The corresponding tectonic settings for the 2 episodes of magmatic activities are subduction of the Izanagi Plate towards the Eurasian Plate, and post‐collision system after the collision of North China Craton and Jiamusi‐Khanka Massif, respectively. We suggest that the magmatism (110 ~ 120 Ma) formed adakitic diorite and diorite porphyrite and closely associated with mineralization. Upwelling mantle results in partial melting of the lower crust and extract and transfer metals to the upper crust for further concentration. It also reveals that Jinchang Au deposit is an adakite‐associated deposit.
Projected 21st century climate change on snow conditions over Shasta Dam watershed by means of dynamical downscaling
Authors: Trinh Toan , Kavvas M. Levent , Ishida Kei , Carr Kara , Ohara Noriaki 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSnow is an important component of the Earth's climate system and is particularly vulnerable to global warming. It has been suggested that warmer temperatures may cause significant declines in snow water content and snow cover duration. In this study, snowfall and snowmelt were projected by means of a regional climate model that was coupled to a physically based snow model over Shasta Dam watershed to assess changes in snow water content and snow cover duration during the 21st century. This physically based snow model requires both physical data and future climate projections. These physical data include topography, soils, vegetation, and land use/land cover, which were collected from associated organizations. The future climate projections were dynamically downscaled by means of the regional climate model under 4 emission scenarios simulated by 2 general circulation models (fifth‐generation of the ECHAM general circulation model and the third‐generation atmospheric general circulation model). The downscaled future projections were bias corrected before projecting snowfall and snowmelt processes over Shasta Dam watershed during 2010–2099. This study's results agree with those of previous studies that projected snow water equivalent is decreasing by 50–80% whereas the fraction of precipitation falling as snowfall is decreasing by 15% to 20%. The obtained projection results show that future snow water content will change in both time and space. Furthermore, the results confirm that physical data such as topography, land cover, and atmospheric–hydrologic data are instrumental in the studies on the impact of climate change on the water resources of a region.
Family planning knowledge and use among women in camps for internally displaced people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Kisindja Rogatien M. , Kimona Christophe , Etoy Modestine , Dorme Florby , Benfield Nerys 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo describe family planning awareness and needs among internally displaced women residing in the Mugunga camps in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey of women aged 14–45 years residing in the Mugunga camps was conducted during March 2014. The verbally administered survey assessed participants' obstetric history and their family planning knowledge, interest, and use. Descriptive statistics were obtained.ResultsOf the 155 participants, 145 (93.5%) had been camp residents for 2 years or less. Previous receipt of information on contraception was reported by 130 (83.9%) women, of whom 65 (50.0%) had received information during prenatal care. Fifty‐four (34.8%) women knew at least two contraceptive methods. Overall, 47 (30.5%) of 154 women reported ever using contraception. Women who never used contraception cited lack of interest (66/107 [61.7%]) or knowledge (22/107 [20.6%]) and religious opposition (13/107 [12.1%]) as reasons. In the cohort overall, 33 (21.3%) women reported having had an induced abortion; 20 (60.6%) of these abortions were self‐induced.ConclusionContraceptive knowledge among female camp residents was moderate, actual usage was low, and a considerable proportion reported a history of induced abortion. Efforts must be made to improve access to contraception to prevent unintended pregnancy, and to provide safe abortions and postabortion care.
In vivo noninvasive analysis of graphene nanomaterial pharmacokinetics using photoacoustic flow cytometry
Authors: Nedosekin Dmitry A. , Nolan Jacqueline , Cai Chengzhong , Bourdo Shawn E. , Nima Zeid , Biris Alexandru S. , Zharov Vladimir P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractGraphene‐based nanomaterials (GBNs) are quickly revolutionizing modern electronics, energy generation and storage, clothing and biomedical devices. Due to GBN's variety of physical and chemical parameters that define their toxicity and their aggregation in suspension, interpreting its toxicology without accurate information on graphene's distribution and behavior in live organisms is challenging. In this work, we present a laser‐based optical detection methodology for noninvasive detection and pharmacokinetics analysis of GBNs directly in blood flow in mice using in vivo photoacoustic (PA) flow cytometry (PAFC). PAFC provides unique insight on how chemical modifications of GBNs affect their distribution in blood circulation and how quickly they are eliminated from the flow. Overall, PAFC provided unique data crucial for understanding GBN toxicity through real‐time detection of GBNs using their intrinsic light absorption contrast. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational Investigation of Growth Hormone Receptor Trp169Arg Heterozygous Mutation in a Child With Short Stature
Authors: Porto William Farias , Marques Felipe Albuquerque , Pogue Huri Brito , de Oliveira Cardoso Maria Teresinha , do Vale Maria Gabriela Rodrigues , da Silva Pires Állan , Franco Octavio Luiz , de Alencar Sérgio Amorim , Pogue Robert 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTMutations in the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene can cause disruption of the growth hormone signaling pathway, resulting in growth deficiency due to growth hormone (GH) resistance. Both recessive and apparently dominant mutations have been described in the literature. In order to shed some light on the molecular mechanism of partial growth hormone resistance caused by heterozygous mutations, we performed an in‐depth in silico analysis of a mutation found in a girl with a previous diagnosis of idiopathic short stature. An array of algorithms was used to predict pathogenicity and potential impact on the protein, and molecular modeling, docking and dynamics were used to determine structural consequences. The results suggest that both of the possible single mutation‐containing heteromeric GH–GHR complexes, as well as the double GHR mutant complex result in perturbation of complex structures, with altered ability of the GHR dimers to interact with the GH peptide. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4762–4771, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Edge‐transitive homogeneous factorizations of complete uniform hypergraphs
Authors: Chen Hu Ye , Lu Zai Ping 
Published: May 2017

AbstractFor a finite set V and a positive integer k with , letting be the set of all k‐subsets of V, the pair is called the complete k‐hypergraph on V, while each k‐subset of V is called an edge. A factorization of the complete k‐hypergraph of index , simply a ‐factorization of order n, is a partition of the edges into s disjoint subsets such that each k‐hypergraph , called a factor, is a spanning subhypergraph of . Such a factorization is homogeneous if there exist two transitive subgroups G and M of the symmetric group of degree n such that G induces a transitive action on the set and M lies in the kernel of this action.In this article, we give a classification of homogeneous factorizations of that admit a group acting transitively on the edges of . It is shown that, for and , there exists an edge‐transitive homogeneous ‐factorization of order n if and only if is one of (32, 3, 5), (32, 3, 31), (33, 4, 5), , and , where and q is a prime power with .
Projected changes in temperature and precipitation indices in Morocco from high‐resolution regional climate models
Authors: Filahi Said , Tramblay Yves , Mouhir Latifa , Diaconescu Emilia Paula 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTThe climate of Morocco is characterized by a strong spatial and inter‐annual variability. This study provides an evaluation of high‐resolution regional climate model (RCM) simulations of precipitation and temperature over Morocco and future projections based on two emission scenarios. The evaluation of the RCM ensemble over the historical period is performed with a network of 20 weather stations, using Taylor and Portrait diagrams. The results show that the four simulations considered (CLM, CNRM, KNMI and IPSL) are generally able to simulate climate indices and no model is performing significantly better. This ensemble of RCM simulations captures the precipitation and temperature spatiotemporal patterns in the evaluation and historical runs. Climate change scenarios are presented with the goal to identify spatial patterns of change over Morocco, to provide information for climate policy and adaptation. The RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios are considered for two time horizons, 2036–2065 and 2066–2095. A large increase in temperature is observed by the end of the century in particular for the RCP8.5 scenario over the Southeast regions. The minimum temperature is expected to increase more than maximum temperature in most parts of Morocco, with the exception of the Eastern regions. The different RCMs show a strong agreement towards similar changes for most temperature‐based indices. The climate change signal is less homogeneous in the different simulations for most of the precipitation indices. Nevertheless, there is a clear decrease of precipitation totals in the different simulations, following a north to south gradient. However, for heavy rainfall events, there are strong uncertainties in projections and the four RCM simulations disagree about the future changes.
Electrospun Nanostructures for High Performance Chemiresistive and Optical Sensors
Authors: Choi Seon‐Jin , Persano Luana , Camposeo Andrea , Jang Ji‐Soo , Koo Won‐Tae , Kim Sang‐Joon , Cho Hee‐Jin , Kim Il‐Doo , Pisignano Dario 
Published: May 2017

Chemical sensors have been essential components in recent years due to the gathering attention in environmental monitoring and healthcare. In this review, the authors comprehensively highlight recent progresses on the 1D chemiresistive‐type sensors based on semiconductor metal oxides (SMOs) and optical‐type sensors, which are prepared by electrospinning technique. In the part of chemiresistive‐type sensors, diverse synthesis techniques for 1D SMO nanofibrous structure are presented with controlled microstructure and surface morphology. In addition, unique functionalization routes of emerging nanocatalysts encapsulated by bio‐inspired templates are described for the next generation catalyst on the 1D SMO nanofibers (NFs). For the optical‐type sensors, new classes of 1D NFs employing specific absorption and emission properties are introduced. In particular, diverse 1D NF‐based colorimetric and fluorescence sensors as well as Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering sensors are covered in the view point of material preparation and optical sensing properties. Finally, the authors prospect future research directions to overcome current limitations and challenges to achieve high performance chemical sensors.
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Pillar[5]arene‐Diketopyrrolopyrrole Fluorescent Copolymer: A Promising Recognition and Adsorption Material for Adiponitrile by Selective Formation of a Conjugated Polypseudorotaxane
Authors: Cui Wei , Tang Hao , Xu Linxian , Wang Lingyun , Meier Herbert , Cao Derong 
Published: May 2017

Conjugated pillar[5]arene‐diketopyrrolopyrrole copolymer (P1) is synthesized by the copolymerization of a difunctionalized pillar[5]arene and a diketopyrrolopyrrole‐based monomer, which shows large extinction coefficients (1.1 × 104m–1 cm–1) at 519 nm and strong emission at 587 nm. P1 exhibits very strong host–guest binding affinity towards adiponitrile but low binding affinity towards 1,4‐dihalobutane and 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)butane. Such an enhanced selectivity is first found in the polypseudorotaxane between pillararene and neutral guests in organic solution and is successfully used for the recognition and adsorption of adiponitrile by the formation of a P1‐adiponitrile polypseudorotaxane.
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Occurrence and abundance of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea and bacteria from the surface to below the water table, in deep soil, and their contributions to nitrification
Authors: Zheng Lei , Zhao Xue , Zhu Guibing , Yang Wei , Xia Chao , Xu Tao 
Published: May 2017

AbstractUsing molecular biology methods (qualitative and quantitative PCR), we determined the occurrence and abundance of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) from a dry inland soil in Basel, Switzerland, and from the riparian zone of Baiyangdian Lake, China. We also determined the contributions of these microorganisms to ammonia oxidization at different depths based on the nitrification rate. The number of archaeal amoA genes (the key functional gene in AOA) was larger than the number of bacterial amoA genes in each sample, suggesting a dominant role for the AOA amoA gene in environments with a low ammonium concentration. In Baiyangdian Lake, the number of archaeal amoA genes was highest at 6 m and lowest at 12 m from the land–water interface in the soil (at depths from 40 to 60 cm), close to the groundwater, which suggests that AOA become more competitive in environments with a low dissolved oxygen content and are promoted by low pH. The nitrification rate was significantly negatively correlated with depth in the Baiyangdian Lake soil and significantly positively correlated with the number of AOB amoA genes at this site, 6 m from the water.
Mechanisms of peptide sex pheromone regulation of conjugation in Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Chen Yuqing , Bandyopadhyay Arpan , Kozlowicz Briana K. , Haemig Heather A. H. , Tai Albert , Hu Wei‐Shou , Dunny Gary M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn many gram positive bacteria, horizontal transfer and virulence are regulated by peptide‐mediated cell‐cell signaling. The heptapeptide cCF10 (C) activates conjugative transfer of the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pCF10, whereas the iCF10 (I) peptide inhibits transfer. Both peptides bind to the same domain of the master transcription regulator PrgX, a repressor of transcription of the prgQ operon encoding conjugation genes. We show that repression of prgQ by PrgX tetramers requires formation of a pCF10 DNA loop where each of two PrgX DNA‐binding sites is occupied by a dimer. I binding to PrgX enhances prgQ repression, while C binding has the opposite effect. Previous models suggested that differential effects of these two peptides on the PrgX oligomerization state accounted for their distinct functions. Our new results demonstrate that both peptides have similar, high‐binding affinity for PrgX, and that both peptides actually promote formation of PrgX tetramers with higher DNA‐binding affinity than Apo‐PrgX. We propose that differences in repression ability of PrgX/peptide complexes result from subtle differences in the structures of DNA‐bound PrgX/peptide complexes. Changes in the induction state of a donor cell likely results from replacement of one type of DNA‐bound peptide/PrgX tetramer with the other.