bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of four toxic metals in a single rice seed by matrix solid phase dispersion -inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: He Xiufen , Chen Lixia , Chen Xin , Yu Huamei , Peng Lixu , Han Bingjun 
Published: December 2016

AbstractToxic metals in rice pose great risks to human health. Metal bioaccumulation in rice grains is a criterion of breeding. Rice breeding requires a sensitive method to determine metal content in single rice grains to assist the variety selection. In the present study, four toxic metals of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) in a single rice grain were determined by a simple and rapid method. The developed method is based on matrix solid phase dispersion using multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as dispersing agent and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The experimental parameters were systematically investigated. The limits of detection (LOD) were 5.0, 0.6, 10 and 2.1 ng g−1 for As, Cd, Cr, and Pb, respectively, with relative standard deviations (n = 6) of <7.7%, demonstrating the good sensitivity and precision of the method. The results of 30 real world rice samples analyzed by this method agreed well with those obtained by the standard microwave digestion. The amount of sample required was reduced approximately 100 fold in comparison with the microwave digestion. The method has a high application potential for other sample matrices and elements with high sensitivity and sample throughput.
Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 by ZnO Micro/nanomaterials with Different Morphologies and Ratios of {0001} Facets
Authors: Liu Xiaodi , Ye Liqun , Liu Shanshan , Li Yinping , Ji Xiaoxu 
Published: December 2016

AbstractZnO microspheres, ZnO microflowers and ZnO nanorods are successfully synthesized via a convenient solvothermal method in distilled water-ethanol mixed medium. The as-prepared ZnO micro/nanomaterials are characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, BET, and UV-Vis. The morphologies and exposed facets of the ZnO micro/nanomaterials can be controlled by simply changing the volume ratio of distilled water to ethanol, and their formation mechanisms are also proposed. In addition, the photocatalytic activities of the ZnO samples are investigated towards the photoreduction of CO2 to CO. It is found that ZnO nanorods with high ratio of {0001} facets and large surface areas possess higher CO formation rate (3.814 μmol g−1 h−1) in comparison with ZnO microspheres and ZnO microflowers (3.357 and 1.627 μmol g−1 h−1, respectively). The results can not only provide an important indication about the influence of the {0001} facets on the activity of CO2 photoreduction over ZnO, but also demonstrate a strategy for tuning the CO2 photoreduction performance by tailoring the surface structures of ZnO micro/nanomaterials.
An ultra-low crosstalk and broadband two-mode (de)multiplexer based on adiabatic couplers
Authors: Sun Chunlei , Yu Yu , Ye Mengyuan , Chen Guanyu , Zhang Xinliang 
Published: December 2016

AbstractA novel adiabatic couplers (ACs) based broadband and fabrication-tolerant two-mode multiplexer (MUX) is designed using silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. Being different from the previously reported ACs-based scheme, the converted and multiplexed signals are on conventional modes, rather than supermodes. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulations. Over a wavelength range of 75 nm measured, the crosstalk is lower than −20 dB, and the insertion loss is ~1 dB. The eye diagram and bit error rate measurements validate the good performance of the proposed mode MUX. The investigation on fabrication tolerance indicates reasonable performance degradation for a large gap deviation from −30 to 30 nm and etching depth deviation from −50 to 50 nm.
Ultra-sustainable Fe78Si9B13 metallic glass as a catalyst for activation of persulfate on methylene blue degradation under UV-Vis light
Authors: Jia Zhe , Duan Xiaoguang , Zhang Wenchang , Wang Weimin , Sun Hongqi , Wang Shaobin , Zhang Lai-Chang 
Published: December 2016

AbstractStability and reusability are important characteristics of advanced catalysts for wastewater treatment. In this work, for the first time, sulfate radicals (SO4∙−) with a high oxidative potential (Eo = 2.5–3.1 V) were successfully activated from persulfate by a Fe78Si9B13 metallic glass. This alloy exhibited a superior surface stability and reusability while activating persulfate as indicated by it being used for 30 times while maintaining an acceptable methylene blue (MB) degradation rate. The produced SiO2 layer on the ribbon surface expanded strongly from the fresh use to the 20th use, providing stable protection of the buried Fe. MB degradation and kinetic study revealed 100% of the dye degradation with a kinetic rate k = 0.640 within 20 min under rational parameter control. The dominant reactive species for dye molecule decomposition in the first 10 min of the reaction was hydroxyl radicals (∙OH, Eo = 2.7 V) and in the last 10 min was sulfate radicals (SO4∙−), respectively. Empirical operating variables for dye degradation in this work were under catalyst dosage 0.5 g/L, light irradiation 7.7 μW/cm2, and persulfate concentration 1.0 mmol/L. The amorphous Fe78Si9B13 alloy in this work will open a new gate for wastewater remediation.
Hypothalamic activation is essential for endotoxemia-induced acute muscle wasting
Authors: Duan Kaipeng , Chen Qiyi , Cheng Minhua , Zhao Chenyan , Lin Zhiliang , Tan Shanjun , Xi Fengchan , Gao Tao , Shi Jialiang , Shen Juanhong , Li Weiqin , Yu Wenkui , Li Jieshou , Li Ning 
Published: December 2016

AbstractGrowing evidence suggests acute skeletal muscle wasting is a key factor affecting nutritional support and prognosis in critical patients. Previously, plenty of studies of muscle wasting focused on the peripheral pathway, little was known about the central role. We tested the hypothesis whether central inflammatory pathway and neuropeptides were involved in the process. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated rats, hypothalamic NF-κB pathway and inflammation were highly activated, which was accompanied with severe muscle wasting. Central inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway activation by infusion of an inhibitor (PS1145) can efficiently reduce muscle wasting as well as attenuate hypothalamic neuropeptides alteration. Furthermore, knockdown the expression of anorexigenic neuropeptide proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression with a lentiviral vector containing shRNA can significantly alleviate LPS-induced muscle wasting, whereas hypothalamic inflammation or NF-κB pathway was barely affected. Taken together, these results suggest activation of hypothalamic POMC is pivotal for acute muscle wasting caused by endotoxemia. Neuropeptide POMC expression may have mediated the contribution of hypothalamic inflammation to peripheral muscle wasting. Pharmaceuticals with the ability of inhibiting hypothalamic NF-κB pathway or POMC activation may have a therapeutic potential for acute muscle wasting and nutritional therapy in septic patients.
Regulation of hepcidin expression by inflammation-induced activin B
Authors: Kanamori Yohei , Sugiyama Makoto , Hashimoto Osamu , Murakami Masaru , Matsui Tohru , Funaba Masayuki 
Published: December 2016

AbstractActivin B is induced in response to inflammation in the liver and enhances hepcidin expression, but the source of activin B and the molecular mechanism underlying hepcidin induction are not clear yet. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation induced inhibin βB but not inhibin α or inhibin βA expression in the liver, implicating activin B induction. Immunoreactive inhibin βB was detected in endothelial cells and Kupffer cells in LPS-treated liver. Activin B, but not activin A or activin AB, directly increased hepcidin expression. Activin B induced phosphorylation and activation of Smad1/5/8, the BMP-regulated (BR)-Smads. The stimulation of hepcidin transcription by activin B was mediated by ALK2 and ActRIIA, receptors for the TGF-β family. Unexpectedly, activin B-induced hepcidin expression and BR-Smad phosphorylation were resistant to the effects of LDN-193189, an ALK2/3/6 inhibitor. ALK2 and ActRIIA complex formation in response to activin B may prevent the approach of LDN-193189 to ALK2 to inhibit its activity. Activin B also induced phosphorylation of Smad2/3, the TGF-β/activin-regulated (AR)-Smad, and increased expression of connective tissue growth factor, a gene related to liver fibrogenesis, through ALK4 and ActRIIA/B. Activin B-induced activation of the BR-Smad pathway was also detected in non-liver-derived cells. The present study reveals the broad signaling of activin B, which is induced in non-parenchymal cells in response to hepatic inflammation, in hepatocytes.
Set/reset reference and parasitic matching scheme to speed up PCM read operation
Authors: Lei Yu , Chen Houpeng , Li Xi , Wang Qian , Zhang Qi , Hu Jiajun , Li Xiaoyun , Song Zhitang 
Published: December 2016

Three kinds of parameters are considered to speed up the read operation of phase change memory: bit line parasitic parameters, read transmission gate parasitic parameters and current mirror parasitic parameters. A set reference cell and a reset reference cell are used in the reference circuit. Simulated in 130 nm process, the read access time of 1‐Mb phase change memory (PCM) is 6.7 ns. In Monte Carlo simulations, the worst read access time is 13.8 ns compared to conventional 85 ns.
The Role of Steroids in a Child with Spinal Pre-Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: Uppuluri Ramya , Nene Abhay , Mehta Rujuta , Shah Ira 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThere has been a rise in the number of reported cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in children in the recent past. Beneficial effects of steroids in the treatment of spine TB on standard antituberculous therapy are known. However, the role of steroids in patients with spinal drug-resistant TB is not established. We report on a 10-year-old girl with pre-extensively drug resistant (XDR) spinal TB and the effect of steroids in drug resistant TB.
Are family ties an opportunity or an obstacle for women entrepreneurs? Empirical evidence from Italy
Authors: Cesaroni Francesca Maria , Paoloni Paola 
Published: December 2016

AbstractMicro-enterprises are important drivers of economic growth and women entrepreneurs are key developers of these businesses. It is therefore important to understand factors that affect their existence and their success or failure. In this study, our aim is to describe some typical women—family relationship profiles, characterized by families playing a central role in influencing the choices, behaviours and activities of women entrepreneurs, in positive and negative ways. We address the research question by adopting a qualitative approach based on multiple case studies—an approach that is particularly well suited to assessing people’s experiences in depth. Our data collection is based on direct interviews with Italian women entrepreneurs through a semi-structured questionnaire, guided by a checklist. This analysis helps us to better focus on one of the key issues facing women entrepreneurs—namely, balancing family life with their work and professional aspirations. Clearly, it is important to know and understand the role of the family in women’s entrepreneurial experiences to interpret the reasons why women-owned businesses succeed or fail, as family ties will inevitably have an impact on their performance. The analysis presented in this paper demonstrates the existence of a strong bond between female entrepreneurs and their families. We conclude that female entrepreneurial experiences—that is, women’s individual choices to become entrepreneurs and the characteristics of their businesses—cannot be truly understood if attention is not additionally paid to the “family” dimension. This article is published as part of a collection on the role of women in management and the workplace.
miR-17∼92 family clusters control iNKT cell ontogenesis via modulation of TGF-β signaling
Authors: Fedeli Maya , Riba Michela , Garcia Manteiga Jose Manuel , Tian Lei , Viganò Valentina , Rossetti Grazisa , Pagani Massimiliano , Xiao Changchun , Liston Adrian , Stupka Elia , Cittaro Davide , Abrignani Sergio , Provero Paolo , Dellabona Paolo , Casorati Giulia 
Published: December 2016

Significance
CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are innate-like T lymphocytes that play fundamental roles in cancer, autoimmunity, and infections. iNKT cells acquire effector functions already in the thymus, because of a distinct developmentally regulated genetic program that is critically controlled by miRNAs. Our study unveils the unexpected requirement for miRNA-dependent fine-tuning of TGF-β signaling in the control of iNKT cell development and functional differentiation. The targeting of a lineage-specific cytokine signaling by miRNA represents a previously unknown level of developmental regulation in the thymus. Furthermore, our study provides a comprehensive atlas of miRNA-regulated molecular pathways involved in iNKT cell ontogenesis, and highlights molecular pathways targeted by defined miRNAs that are predicted to be involved in the development and maturation of CD1d-restricted iNKT cells.
Long-range projections coordinate distributed brain-wide neural activity with a specific spatiotemporal profile
Authors: Leong Alex T. L. , Chan Russell W. , Gao Patrick P. , Chan Ying-Shing , Tsia Kevin K. , Yung Wing-Ho , Wu Ed X. 
Published: December 2016

Significance
What makes the brain tick? A simple yet challenging question that has captivated our minds for centuries. This sentiment was fittingly reflected in the launch of The BRAIN Initiative 3 years ago, spurred by the rapid advancement of noninvasive brain imaging and neuronal mapping technologies that have advanced our understanding of neural networks, which are central to brain functions and behavior. Here, we study the patterns of large-scale brain-wide interactions mediated by thalamo-cortical networks through optogenetics and functional MRI. We found that the thalamus can recruit long-range cortical and subcortical networks and initiate their interactions in a spatiotemporally specific manner. This finding provides a fresh impetus to study the mysteries of the brain.
Development of high-yield influenza B virus vaccine viruses
Authors: Ping Jihui , Lopes Tiago J. S. , Neumann Gabriele , Kawaoka Yoshihiro 
Published: December 2016

SignificanceThe yield of vaccine viruses is important from an economic point of view. Even more important, the ability to produce high numbers of vaccine doses under tight timelines may save many lives during a virus outbreak. Applying an approach that we recently used to develop high-yield influenza A virus vaccine candidates, we now developed high-yield vaccine candidates for both influenza B virus lineages circulating in humans. These vaccine virus candidates confer higher yield in commonly used propagation systems for influenza vaccine virus production: that is, embryonated chicken eggs, Madin–Darby canine kidney cells, and African green monkey (Vero) cells. Our vaccine candidates could be used to improve the influenza B virus vaccine production process.
Specific detection of biomolecules in physiological solutions using graphene transistor biosensors
Authors: Gao Ning , Gao Teng , Yang Xiao , Dai Xiaochuan , Zhou Wei , Zhang Anqi , Lieber Charles M. 
Published: December 2016

Significance
Nanoelectronic transistor sensors based on synthesized one- and two-dimensional nanomaterials have achieved real-time label-free detection of a wide range of biological species with high sensitivity, although direct analysis of biological samples has been limited due to Debye charge screening in physiological solutions. This paper describes a general strategy overcoming this challenge involving comodification of the transistor sensor surface with a polymer and receptor, where the polymer forms a permeable layer that increases the effective screening length and receptor enables selective detection of analytes. The capability of this strategy was demonstrated with selective detection of cancer markers in physiological solution, thus opening substantial opportunities for real-time sensing applications in biology and medicine.
Genetic Parameters for Growth and Hypoxic Tolerance Traits in Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at Different Ages
Authors: Zhang Jiachen , Cao Fujun , Liu Jianyong , Yuan Ruipeng , Hu Zhiguo 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
The aim of the current study was to estimate the genetic parameters for growth and hypoxic tolerance traits in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at 8 and 13 weeks of ages. Forty full-sib families (including 28 half-sib families) of L. vannamei, which were produced by 26 sires and 40 dams, were obtained by artificial insemination. There were a total of 3,200 tagged shrimps representing 40 full-sib families evaluated for growth and hypoxic tolerance traits in this study (1,600 records were collected at weeks 8 and 13, respectively). The heritability estimates for growth traits were low to medium (0.11–0.23), and the heritability of hypoxic tolerance traits estimated on the observed scales was also low to medium (0.07–0.15), which suggested that selection for increasing growth and hypoxic tolerance traits was feasible. The genetic correlations between growth traits (including carapace length, abdominal segment length, body length, and body weight) within age were generally high, ranging from 0.84 ± 0.06 to 0.95 ± 0.02 (P &lt; 0.05). A significant correlation between growth traits showed that any growth traits can be replaced by other growth traits for indirect selection. The genetic correlation between growth traits and hypoxic tolerance traits within age was low but positive (0.24–0.29), which indicated that selecting for growth traits will cause a positive correlated response in hypoxic tolerance traits. Our results also showed that there was a relatively low genetic correlation between growth traits at different ages (0.18–0.25), which suggested that selection for growth traits in L. vannamei at an early age may not be optimal and should be undertaken at later stages of growth.
Enhancing Black Crappie Growth by Co-culturing with Bluegills
Authors: Dudenhoeffer Gregory A , Wetzel James E , Zhang Yongfang , Omara-Alwala Thomas R 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Crappies Pomoxis spp. are popular sports fish in the USA and desirable as a food fish. Information on the food production of crappies is limited due to culturing and feed intake challenges. Observations indicated that crappies tend to feed more aggressively in co-culture with Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus or Bluegill hybrids. This study tested this observation by stocking 25 Black Crappies P. nigromaculatus (mean, 5 g) per tank into 16 tanks of a water recirculation aquaculture system and randomly adding zero, one, two, or four Bluegills per tank with four replications per treatment. Fish were fed at 0800, 1200 and 1600 hours 6 d/week. Feed intake was measured daily and growth was monitored by obtaining biweekly biomass by species. After 12 weeks, feed intake and feed conversion ratio tended to improve with the increasing treatment number of Bluegills. Significant differences in these occurred between the zero and the treatment with four Bluegills. Black Crappie co-cultured with Bluegills had increases in weight gain of 15–18% compared with those cultured without Bluegills. Improved growth trends in final weights and specific growth rate also occurred in the co-cultured Black Crappies.
A Review of the Mechanical Properties of Concrete Containing Biofillers
Authors: Mohamad Mazizah Ezdiani , Mahmood Ali A. , Min Alicia Yik Yee , Khalid Nur Hafizah A. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Sustainable construction is a rapidly increasing research area. Investigators of all backgrounds are using industrial and agro wastes to replace Portland cement in concrete to reduce greenhouse emissions and the corresponding decline in general health. Many types of wastes have been used as cement replacements in concrete including: fly ash, slag and rice husk ash in addition to others. This study investigates the possibility of producing a sustainable approach to construction through the partial replacement of concrete using biofillers. This will be achieved by studying the physical and mechanical properties of two widely available biological wastes in Malaysia; eggshell and palm oil fuel ash (POFA). The mechanical properties tests that were studied and compared are the compression, tensile and flexural tests.
The development of Sustainability Graduate Community (SGC) as a learning pathway for sustainability education - a framework for engineering programmes in Malaysia Technical Universities Network (MTUN)
Authors: Johan Kartina , Turan Faiz Mohd 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
‘Environmental and sustainability’ is one of the Program Outcome (PO) designated by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) as one of the accreditation program requirement. However, to-date the implementation of sustainability elements in engineering programme in the technical universities in Malaysia is within individual faculty's curriculum plan and lack of university-level structured learning pathway, which enable all students to have access to an education in sustainability across all disciplines. Sustainability Graduate Community (SGC) is a framework designed to provide a learning pathway in the curriculum of engineering programs to inculcate sustainability education among engineering graduates. This paper aims to study the required attributes in Sustainability Graduate Community (SGC) framework to produce graduates who are not just engineers but also skilful in sustainability competencies using Global Project Management (GPM) P5 Standard for Sustainability. The development of the conceptual framework is to provide a constructive teaching and learning plan for educators and policy makers to work on together in developing the Sustainability Graduates (SG), the new kind of graduates from Malaysia Technical Universities Network (MTUN) in Malaysia who are literate in sustainability practices. The framework also support the call for developing holistic students based on Malaysian Education Blueprint (Higher Education) and address the gap between the statuses of engineering qualification to the expected competencies from industries in Malaysia in particular by achieving the SG attributes outlined in the framework
Novel Technique to improve the pH of Acidic Barren Soil using Electrokinetic-bioremediation with the application of Vetiver Grass
Authors: Azhar A T S , Nabila A T A , Nurshuhaila M S , Zaidi E , Azim M A M , Zahin A M F 
Published: December 2016

AbstractResidual acidic slopes which are not covered by vegetation greatly increases the risk of soil erosion. In addition, low soil pH can bring numerous problems such as Al and Fe toxicity, land degradation issues and some problems related to vegetation. In this research, a series of electrokinetic bioremediation (EK-Bio) treatments usingBacillus sphaericus, Bacillus subtilisandPseudomonas putidawith a combination of Vetiver grass were performed in the laboratory. Investigations were conducted for 14 days and included the observation of changes in the soil pH and the mobilization of microorganism cells through an electrical gradient of 50 V/m under low pH. Based on the results obtained, this study has successfully proven that the pH of soil increases after going through electrokinetic bioremediation (EK-Bio). The treatment usingBacillus sphaericusincreases the pH from 2.95 up to 4.80, followed byBacillus subtiliswith a value of 4.66. Based on the overall performance,Bacillus sphaericusshow the highest number of bacterial cells in acidic soil with a value of 6.6 × 102 cfu/g, followed byBacillus subtiliswith a value of 5.7 × 102 cfu/g. In conclusion,Bacillus sphaericusandBacillus subtilisshow high survivability and is suitable to be used in the remediation of acidic soil.