bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sphenofrontal distance in euploid and aneuploid fetuses
Authors: Abele H. , Sonek J. , Goldschmid D. , Wagner P. , Hoopmann M. , Kagan K. O. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo examine the sphenofrontal distance (SFD) in a large series of aneuploid fetuses in the second and third trimesters and compare findings with those of a euploid population.MethodsThe database at our unit was searched to identify pregnancies with a diagnosis of trisomy 21, 18 or 13, triploidy or Turner syndrome after 15 weeks' gestation. Stored ultrasound images obtained between 19 and 22 weeks were reviewed. For the normal population, two euploid fetuses matched for gestational age were selected randomly for each aneuploid case. The SFD was measured from the anterior edge of the sphenoid bone to the lowest posterior edge of the frontal bone using on‐screen calipers. The SFD measurement was parallel to the long axis of the maxilla. If the sphenoid bone did not extend superiorly enough for direct measurement of the SFD, a tangential line was drawn at the anterior wall of the sphenoid bone and extended cranially. In these cases, the distance between the extended line and the frontal bone was measured. One operator measured the SFD twice and was blinded to the results and karyotype.ResultsThe study population consisted of 591 pregnancies: 394 euploid fetuses, 122 fetuses with trisomy 21, 45 with trisomy 18, 16 with trisomy 13, eight with Turner syndrome and six with triploidy. For both euploid and aneuploid groups, mean gestational age at examination was 22.8 (range: euploid, 15.0–40.7; aneuploid, 15.0–40.3) weeks. For euploid fetuses, mean SFD was 1.27 cm and measurements ranged from 0.53 cm to 2.56 cm. SFD was significantly dependent on gestational age (SFD = 0.138 + 0.005 × gestational age, P < 0.001, r = 0.802). Mean SFD was significantly smaller in each aneuploid group compared with the euploid population (trisomies 21, 18 and 13: all P < 0.001; triploidy: P = 0.026; Turner syndrome: P = 0.047). For 32 (26.2%), nine (20.0%) and six (37.5%) fetuses with trisomy 21, 18 and 13, respectively, SFD was < 5th percentile. Only one (12.5%) fetus with Turner syndrome and none with triploidy had SFD < 5th percentile.ConclusionIn aneuploid fetuses, the SFD is smaller than in their euploid counterparts. However, for a false‐positive rate of 5%, the detection rate of trisomy 21 is only 26%. Therefore, using the method we have proposed, it is unlikely that this marker will play a major role in second‐ and third‐trimester screening for aneuploidy. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Morphological and nanomechanical analyses of ground tire rubber-modified asphalts
Authors: Rashid A. M. Feroze , Hossain Zahid 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Automobile industries produce more than 5.2 million tons of scrapped tires each year in the United States. Disposal of such a huge amount of waste scrapped tires has become a serious environmental issue. Scopes to use scrapped tires in the form of Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) in pavement industry have been analyzed in recent years. The GTR has potential to improve hot mix asphalt’s performance from the view points of stiffness, resilience and shock absorbance properties. On the other hand, in recent years, researchers have attempted to explain performance of asphalt in terms of its nanomechanical characteristics. In this study, the PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (PFQNM™) mode of an atomic force microscope has been employed to find basic nanomechanistic properties and the morphology of GTR-modified asphalt binders. A performance grade (PG) binder (PG 64-22) modified with two different grades of GTR (Mesh #30 and Mesh #40) samples have been evaluated in this study. Nanomechanical properties such as adhesion, energy dissipation, deformation, and DMT (Derjaguin, Muller, and Toporov) modulus for the GTR-modified binders have been quantified. Each sample was scanned for three different (5 × 5, 10 × 10, and 20 × 20 µm) areas. The PFQNM™ analyses revealed distinct microstructures and grain distributions among tested additive modified binder samples. Two distinct phases, namely Catana and Peri-phase, were observed in GTR-modified samples, although the DMT moduli were found to be in a close range in these areas. The neat binder showed another phase, named Perpetua, which was missing from the GTR-modified samples. It was observed that modification of asphalt by addition of GTR considerably changes the mechanistic properties of the base binder.
Evaluating a novel neonatal‐care assessment tool among trained delivery attendants in a resource‐limited setting
Authors: Kassick Megan E. , Chinbuah Margaret A. , Serpa Magdalena , Mazia Goldy , Tang Alice M. , Sagoe‐Moses Isabella , Taylor Mira , Dwomo‐Fokuo Adoma , Salifu Nihad , Arhinful Daniel K. , Engmann Cyril , Burke Thomas F. , Cofie Patience , Nelson Brett D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo validate a novel objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) tool for assessing neonatal care skills among delivery attendants trained as part of the Essential Care for Every Baby (ECEB) program and to assess ECEB training effectiveness.MethodsBetween August 1 and September 30, 2015, a cross‐sectional study enrolled ECEB‐trained healthcare providers who attended deliveries from the Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions of Ghana. Participants completed a previously developed 21‐item OSCE tool that assessed neonatal‐care competency. Participant performance was scored independently by regional trainers and national master trainers. The inter‐rater scoring reliability was assessed using the Cohen kappa coefficient and performance was compared across participant characteristics.ResultsThe study enrolled 57 trained delivery attendants from 12 district hospitals. Inter‐rater agreement was perfect (kappa 1.00) or almost perfect (kappa 0.81–0.99) for nine OSCE items, substantial (kappa 0.61–0.80) or moderate (kappa 0.41–0.60) for 11 items, and fair (kappa 0.21–0.40) for one item. Differences in OSCE‐item performance were recorded based on participants’ regions, facility type, age, and education level (P < 0.05).ConclusionsIn a resource‐limited setting, the OSCE tool demonstrated substantial reliability and ECEB‐trained healthcare practitioners exhibited satisfactory performance. The OSCE tool could be useful in similar settings and could have potential for up‐scaled use in assessing neonatal‐management skills.
Alzheimer’s disease-associated mutations increase amyloid precursor protein resistance to γ-secretase cleavage and the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio
Authors: Xu Ting-Hai , Yan Yan , Kang Yanyong , Jiang Yi , Melcher Karsten , Xu H Eric 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene and the aberrant cleavage of APP by γ-secretase are associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here we have developed a simple and sensitive cell-based assay to detect APP cleavage by γ-secretase. Unexpectedly, most familial AD (FAD)-linked APP mutations make APP partially resistant to γ-secretase. Mutations that alter residues N terminal to the γ-secretase cleavage site Aβ42 have subtle effects on cleavage efficiency and cleavage-site selectivity. In contrast, mutations that alter residues C terminal to the Aβ42 site reduce cleavage efficiency and dramatically shift cleavage-site specificity toward the aggregation-prone Aβ42. Moreover, mutations that remove positive charge at residue 53 greatly reduce the APP cleavage by γ-secretase. These results suggest a model of γ-secretase substrate recognition, in which the APP region C terminal to the Aβ42 site and the positively charged residue at position 53 are the primary determinants for substrate binding and cleavage-site selectivity. We further demonstrate that this model can be extended to γ-secretase processing of notch receptors, a family of highly conserved cell-surface signaling proteins.
Topology and structure of an engineered human cohesin complex bound to Pds5B
Authors: Hons Michael T. , Huis in ‘t Veld Pim J. , Kaesler Jan , Rombaut Pascaline , Schleiffer Alexander , Herzog Franz , Stark Holger , Peters Jan-Michael 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe cohesin subunits Smc1, Smc3 and Scc1 form large tripartite rings which mediate sister chromatid cohesion and chromatin structure. These are thought to entrap DNA with the help of the associated proteins SA1/2 and Pds5A/B. Structural information is available for parts of cohesin, but analyses of entire cohesin complexes are limited by their flexibility. Here we generated a more rigid ‘bonsai’ cohesin by truncating the coiled coils of Smc1 and Smc3 and used single-particle electron microscopy, chemical crosslinking-mass spectrometry and in silico modelling to generate three-dimensional models of cohesin bound to Pds5B. The HEAT-repeat protein Pds5B forms a curved structure around the nucleotide-binding domains of Smc1 and Smc3 and bridges the Smc3-Scc1 and SA1-Scc1 interfaces. These results indicate that Pds5B forms an integral part of the cohesin ring by contacting all other cohesin subunits, a property that may reflect the complex role of Pds5 proteins in controlling cohesin–DNA interactions.
El Niño and coral larval dispersal across the eastern Pacific marine barrier
Authors: Wood S. , Baums I. B. , Paris C. B. , Ridgwell A. , Kessler W. S. , Hendy E. J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMore than 5,000 km separates the frequently disturbed coral reefs of the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) from western sources of population replenishment. It has been hypothesized that El Niño events facilitate eastward dispersal across this East Pacific Barrier (EPB). Here we present a biophysical coral larval dispersal model driven by 14.5 years of high-resolution surface ocean current data including the extreme 1997–1998 El Niño. We find no eastward cross-EPB connections over this period, which implies that ETP coral populations decimated by the 1998 bleaching event can only have recovered from eastern Pacific sources, in congruence with genetic data. Instead, rare connections between eastern and central Pacific reefs are simulated in a westward direction. Significant complexity and variability in the surface flows transporting larvae mean that generalized upper-ocean circulation patterns are poor descriptors of inter-regional connectivity, complicating the assessment of how climate change will impact coral gene flow Pacific wide.
Sources of black carbon to the Himalayan–Tibetan Plateau glaciers
Authors: Li Chaoliu , Bosch Carme , Kang Shichang , Andersson August , Chen Pengfei , Zhang Qianggong , Cong Zhiyuan , Chen Bing , Qin Dahe , Gustafsson Örjan 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCombustion-derived black carbon (BC) aerosols accelerate glacier melting in the Himalayas and in Tibet (the Third Pole (TP)), thereby limiting the sustainable freshwater supplies for billions of people. However, the sources of BC reaching the TP remain uncertain, hindering both process understanding and efficient mitigation. Here we present the source-diagnostic Δ14C/δ13C compositions of BC isolated from aerosol and snowpit samples in the TP. For the Himalayas, we found equal contributions from fossil fuel (46±11%) and biomass (54±11%) combustion, consistent with BC source fingerprints from the Indo-Gangetic Plain, whereas BC in the remote northern TP predominantly derives from fossil fuel combustion (66±16%), consistent with Chinese sources. The fossil fuel contributions to BC in the snowpits of the inner TP are lower (30±10%), implying contributions from internal Tibetan sources (for example, yak dung combustion). Constraints on BC sources facilitate improved modelling of climatic patterns, hydrological effects and provide guidance for effective mitigation actions.
The suppression of Antarctic bottom water formation by melting ice shelves in Prydz Bay
Authors: Williams G. D. , Herraiz-Borreguero L. , Roquet F. , Tamura T. , Ohshima K. I. , Fukamachi Y. , Fraser A. D. , Gao L. , Chen H. , McMahon C. R. , Harcourt R. , Hindell M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA fourth production region for the globally important Antarctic bottom water has been attributed to dense shelf water formation in the Cape Darnley Polynya, adjoining Prydz Bay in East Antarctica. Here we show new observations from CTD-instrumented elephant seals in 2011–2013 that provide the first complete assessment of dense shelf water formation in Prydz Bay. After a complex evolution involving opposing contributions from three polynyas (positive) and two ice shelves (negative), dense shelf water (salinity 34.65–34.7) is exported through Prydz Channel. This provides a distinct, relatively fresh contribution to Cape Darnley bottom water. Elsewhere, dense water formation is hindered by the freshwater input from the Amery and West Ice Shelves into the Prydz Bay Gyre. This study highlights the susceptibility of Antarctic bottom water to increased freshwater input from the enhanced melting of ice shelves, and ultimately the potential collapse of Antarctic bottom water formation in a warming climate.
A MUB E2 structure reveals E1 selectivity between cognate ubiquitin E2s in eukaryotes
Authors: Lu Xiaolong , Malley Konstantin R. , Brenner Caitlin C. , Koroleva Olga , Korolev Sergey , Downes Brian P. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractUbiquitin (Ub) is a protein modifier that controls processes ranging from protein degradation to endocytosis, but early-acting regulators of the three-enzyme ubiquitylation cascade are unknown. Here we report that the prenylated membrane-anchored ubiquitin-fold protein (MUB) is an early-acting regulator of subfamily-specific E2 activation. An AtMUB3:AtUBC8 co-crystal structure defines how MUBs inhibit E2∼Ub formation using a combination of E2 backside binding and a MUB-unique lap-bar loop to block E1 access. Since MUBs tether Arabidopsis group VI E2 enzymes (related to HsUbe2D and ScUbc4/5) to the plasma membrane, and inhibit E2 activation at physiological concentrations, they should function as potent plasma membrane localized regulators of Ub chain synthesis in eukaryotes. Our findings define a biochemical function for MUB, a family of highly conserved Ub-fold proteins, and provide an example of selective activation between cognate Ub E2s, previously thought to be constitutively activated by E1s.
On the complex structural diffusion of proton holes in nanoconfined alkaline solutions within slit pores
Authors: Muñoz-Santiburcio Daniel , Marx Dominik 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe hydroxide anion OH−(aq) in homogeneous bulk water, that is, the solvated proton hole, is known to feature peculiar properties compared with excess protons solvated therein. In this work, it is disclosed that nanoconfinement of such alkaline aqueous solutions strongly affects the key structural and dynamical properties of OH−(aq) compared with the bulk limit. The combined effect of the preferred hypercoordinated solvation pattern of OH−(aq), its preferred perpendicular orientation relative to the confining surfaces, the pronounced layering of nanoconfined water and the topology of the hydrogen bond network required for proton hole transfer lead to major changes of the charge transport mechanism, in such a way that the proton hole migration mechanism depends exquisitely on the width of the confined space that hosts the water film. Moreover, the anionic Zundel complex, which is of transient nature in homogeneous bulk solutions, can be dynamically trapped as a shallow intermediate species by suitable nanoconfinement conditions.
ADP-ribosylation Factor-related Protein 1 Interacts with NS5A and Regulates Hepatitis C Virus Propagation
Authors: Lim Yun-Sook , Ngo Huong T. T. , Lee Jihye , Son Kidong , Park Eun-Mee , Hwang Soon B. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe life cycle of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is tightly coupled to the lipid metabolism of host cells. In order to identify host factors involved in HCV propagation, we have previously screened a small interfering RNA (siRNA) library targeting host genes that control lipid metabolism and lipid droplet (LD) formation using cell culture-grown HCV (HCVcc)-infected cells. In this study, we selected and characterized the gene encoding ADP-ribosylation factor-related protein 1 (ARFRP1). ARFRP1 is essential for LD growth and is involved in the regulation of lipolysis. siRNA-mediated knockdown of ARFRP1 significantly inhibited HCV replication in both subgenomic replicon cells and HCVcc-infected cells. ARFRP1 interacted with NS5A and NS5A partially colocalized with LD. Silencing of ARFRP1 abrogated HCV-induced LD growth and viral protein expressions. Moreover, ARFRP1 recruited synaptosomal-associated protein 23 (SNAP23) to sites in close proximity to LDs in HCV-infected cells. Silencing of ARFRP1 ablated relocalization of SNAP23 to LD. These data indicate that HCV regulates ARFRP1 for LD growth to facilitate viral propagation and thus ARFRP1 may be a potential target for antiviral therapy.
ZnO Luminescence and scintillation studied via photoexcitation, X-ray excitation and gamma-induced positron spectroscopy
Authors: Ji J. , Colosimo A. M. , Anwand W. , Boatner L. A. , Wagner A. , Stepanov P. S. , Trinh T. T. , Liedke M. O. , Krause-Rehberg R. , Cowan T. E. , Selim F. A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe luminescence and scintillation properties of ZnO single crystals were studied by photoluminescence and X-ray-induced luminescence (XRIL) techniques. XRIL allowed a direct comparison to be made between the near-band emission (NBE) and trap emissions providing insight into the carrier recombination efficiency in the ZnO crystals. It also provided bulk luminescence measurements that were not affected by surface states. The origin of a green emission, the dominant trap emission in ZnO, was then investigated by gamma-induced positron spectroscopy (GIPS) - a unique defect spectroscopy method that enables positron lifetime measurements to be made for a sample without contributions from positron annihilation in the source materials. The measurements showed a single positron decay curve with a 175 ps lifetime component that was attributed to Zn vacancies passivated by hydrogen. Both oxygen vacancies and hydrogen-decorated Zn vacancies were suggested to contribute to the green emission. By combining scintillation measurements with XRIL, the fast scintillation in ZnO crystals was found to be strongly correlated with the ratio between the defect luminescence and NBE. This study reports the first application of GIPS to semiconductors and it reveals the great benefits of the XRIL technique for the study of emission and scintillation properties of materials.
Controlled Synthesis of Pt Nanowires with Ordered Large Mesopores for Methanol Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Zhang Chengwei , Xu Lianbin , Yan Yushan , Chen Jianfeng 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) are at the heart of key green-energy fuel cell technology. Nanostructured Pt materials are the most popular and effective catalysts for MOR. Controlling the morphology and structure of Pt nanomaterials can provide opportunities to greatly increase their activity and stability. Ordered nanoporous Pt nanowires with controlled large mesopores (15, 30 and 45 nm) are facilely fabricated by chemical reduction deposition from dual templates using porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes with silica nanospheres self-assembled in the channels. The prepared mesoporous Pt nanowires are highly active and stable electrocatalysts for MOR. The mesoporous Pt nanowires with 15 nm mesopores exhibit a large electrochemically active surface area (ECSA, 40.5 m2 g−1), a high mass activity (398 mA mg−1) and specific activity (0.98 mA cm−2), and a good If/Ib ratio (1.15), better than the other mesoporous Pt nanowires and the commercial Pt black catalyst.
Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties of BiOX1−xYx (X, Y = F, Cl, Br and I) Solid Solutions from DFT Calculations
Authors: Zhao Zong-Yan , Liu Qing-Lu , Dai Wen-Wu 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSix BiOX1−xYx (X, Y = F, Cl, Br and I) solid solutions have been systematically investigated by density functional theory calculations. BiOCl1−xBrx, BiOBr1−xIx and BiOCl1−xIx solid solutions have very small bowing parameters; as such, some of their properties increase almost linearly with increasing x. For BiOF1−xYx solid solutions, the bowing parameters are very large and it is extremely difficult to fit the related calculated data by a single equation. Consequently, BiOX1−xYx (X, Y = Cl, Br and I) solid solutions are highly miscible, while BiOF1−xYx (Y = Cl, Br and I) solid solutions are partially miscible. In other words, BiOF1−xYx solid solutions have miscibility gaps or high miscibility temperature, resulting in phase separation and F/Y inhomogeneity. Comparison and analysis of the calculated results and the related physical–chemical properties with different halogen compositions indicates that the parameters of BiOX1−xYx solid solutions are determined by the differences of the physical–chemical properties of the two halogen compositions. In this way, the large deviation of some BiOX1−xYx solid solutions from Vegard’s law observed in experiments can be explained. Moreover, the composition ratio of BiOX1−xYx solid solutions can be measured or monitored using optical measurements.
Cross talk between miR-214 and PTEN attenuates glomerular hypertrophy under diabetic conditions
Authors: Wang Xiaoxia , Shen E. , Wang Yanzhe , Li Junhui , Cheng Dongsheng , Chen Yuqiang , Gui Dingkun , Wang Niansong 
Published: August 2016

AbstractGlomerular mesangial cells (MCs) hypertrophy is one of the earliest pathological abnormalities in diabetic nephropathy (DN), which correlates with eventual glomerulosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic role of miRNA in diabetic glomerular MCs hypertrophy and synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM). Microarray analysis revealed a significant up-regulation of miR-214 in the renal cortex of diabetic db/db mice, which was confirmed by real-time PCR of isolated glomeruli and primary cultured human MCs. In vitro studies showed that inhibition of miR-214 significantly reduced expression of α-SMA, SM22 and collagen IV, and partially restored phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) protein level in high glucose-stimulated human MCs. Furthermore, we identified PTEN as the target of miR-214 by a luciferase assay in HEK293 cells. Moreover, overexpression of PTEN ameliorated miR-214-mediated diabetic MC hypertrophy while knockdown of PTEN mimicked the MC hypertrophy. In vivo study further confirmed that inhibition of miR-214 significantly decreased the expression of SM22, α-SMA and collagen IV, partially restored PTEN level, and attenuated albuminuria and mesangial expansion in db/db mice. In conclusion, cross talk between miR-214 and PTEN attenuated glomerular hypertrophy under diabetic conditions in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, miR-214 may represent a novel therapeutic target for DN.