bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frictional Properties of Simulated Fault Gouges from the Seismogenic Groningen Gas Field Under In Situ P–T ‐Chemical Conditions
Authors: Hunfeld L. B. , Niemeijer A. R. , Spiers C. J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe investigated the frictional properties of simulated fault gouges derived from the main lithologies present in the seismogenic Groningen gas field (NE Netherlands), employing in situ P–T conditions and varying pore fluid salinity. Direct shear experiments were performed on gouges prepared from the Carboniferous shale/siltstone substrate, the Upper Rotliegend Slochteren sandstone reservoir, the overlying Ten Boer claystone, and the Basal Zechstein anhydrite–carbonate caprock, at 100°C, 40 MPa effective normal stress, and sliding velocities of 0.1–10 μm/s. As pore fluids, we used pure water, 0.5–6.2 M NaCl solutions, and a 6.9 M mixed chloride brine mimicking the formation fluid. Our results show a marked mechanical stratigraphy, with a maximum friction coefficient (μ) of ~0.66 for the Basal Zechstein, a minimum of ~0.37 for the Ten Boer claystone, ~0.6 for the reservoir sandstone, and ~0.5 for the Carboniferous. Mixed gouges showed intermediate μ values. Pore fluid salinity had no effect on frictional strength. Most gouges showed velocity‐strengthening behavior, with little systematic effect of pore fluid salinity or sliding velocity on (a–b). However, Basal Zechstein gouge showed velocity weakening at low salinities and/or sliding velocities, as did 50:50 mixtures with sandstone gouge, tested with the 6.9 M reservoir brine. From a rate and state friction viewpoint, our results imply that faults incorporating Basal Zechstein anhydrite–carbonate material at the top of the reservoir are the most prone to accelerating slip, that is, have the highest seismogenic potential. The results are equally relevant to other Rotliegend fields in the Netherlands and N. Sea region and to similar sequences globally.
The Impact of Late Holocene Land Use Change, Climate Variability, and Sea Level Rise on Carbon Storage in Tidal Freshwater Wetlands on the Southeastern United States Coastal Plain
Authors: Jones Miriam C. , Bernhardt Christopher E. , Krauss Ken W. , Noe Gregory B. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis study examines Holocene impacts of changes in climate, land use, and sea level rise (SLR) on sediment accretion, carbon accumulation rates (CAR), and vegetation along a transect of tidal freshwater forested wetlands (TFFW) to oligohaline marsh along the Waccamaw River, South Carolina (four sites) and along the Savannah River, Georgia (four sites). We use pollen, plant macrofossils, accretion, and CAR from cores, spanning the last 1,500–6,000 years to test the hypothesis that TFFW have remained stable throughout the late Holocene and that marshes transitioned from TFFW during elevated SLR during the Medieval Climate Anomaly, with further transformation resulting from colonial land use change. Results show low and stable accretion and CAR through much of the Holocene, despite moderate changes associated with Holocene paleoclimate. In all records, the largest observed change occurred within the last ~400 years, driven by colonial land clearance, shifting terrigenous sediment into riparian wetlands, resulting in order‐of‐magnitude increases in accretion and C accumulation. The oligohaline marshes transitioned from TFFW ~300–500 years ago, coincident with colonial land clearance. Postcolonial decreases in CAR and accretion occur because of watershed reforestation over the last century. All sites show evidence of recent (decades to century) swamp forest decline due to increasing salinity and tidal inundation from SLR. This study suggests that allochthonous sediment input during colonialization helped maintain TFFW but that current SLR rates are too high for TFFW to persist, although higher accretion rates in oligohaline marshes increase the resilience of tidal wetlands as they transition from TFFW to marsh.
Haploinsufficiency
Authors: Read Andrew P 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Diploid organisms such as humans have two copies of each autosomal gene. Loss of both copies often has serious consequences – but what happens if just one copy is lost? For some genes, it matters; for others, it does not. Haploinsufficiency describes the situation where having only a single functioning copy of a gene is not enough for normal function, so that loss‐of‐function mutations cause a dominant phenotype. The reasons why some genes, but not others, show haploinsufficiency are interesting. In a few cases, the gene product is required in such large amounts that a single gene copy cannot satisfy the need. But more often, the reason is that the gene product interacts with something else in the cell in a way that requires the correct relative amounts of the interacting partners: a ligand interacting with its receptor or a transcription factor interacting with its target sequence, for example.

Key Concepts

DNA sequence variants in a protein‐coding gene may cause monogenic conditions either by causing a loss of function of the gene product or by causing a gain of function.

Conditions caused by a gain of function are normally dominant (a single copy of the variant gene is sufficient to cause the condition). Usually, they are caused by a very limited set of variants.

Conditions caused by a loss of function usually show extensive allelic heterogeneity.

Loss‐of‐function conditions may be either dominant or recessive, depending whether the 50% overall level of function in a heterozygote is sufficient for a normal phenotype. Haploinsufficiency describes the situation where a 50% level of function is not sufficient. In these cases, loss‐of‐function mutations cause a dominant condition.

Haploinsufficiency is sometimes caused due to inability of a single functional copy of a gene to produce a sufficient quantity of an abundant protein, but more often, it is because the gene product is interacting with something else in the cell, and the correct relative amounts are important. Examples would include interaction of a ligand with its receptor or a transcription factor with its target sequence.

Haploinsufficiency may be suspected when databases of genome sequences of healthy individuals show a significant deficiency of heterozygous loss‐of‐function mutations in a particular gene.
Genetics of Human Personality
Authors: Wiebe Annika W , Luciano Michelle 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Personality traits are stable character dispositions that are influenced by both genes and the environment. The most common genetic investigations have been of a five‐factor personality taxonomy that includes the traits of openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. Twin and family studies confirm that around half of the variance in these traits is due to genes, with evidence of additive and nonadditive genetic influences. The remaining variance is due to unique environmental experiences, that is, they are unshared by family members. Molecular genetic studies have not found any genes of large effect influencing human personality, but progress is being made in identifying numerous genes each with small individual effect. Increasing genetic insight allows the development of evolutionary theories of personality.

Key Concepts

A dominant personality theory includes five independent domains ‐ openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism ‐ each varying along a continuum from low to high.

Twin and family studies have found that around 40–50% of variation in the Big Five personality traits are influenced by genes.

Nonadditive genetic influences on personality are significant and are likely to be due to epistasis rather than genetic dominance.

The unique, or nonshared, environment of individuals (and not their shared environment, e.g. with family members) influences their personality.

Individual genes with large effect do not influence personality, rather gene effects explaining less than 0.5% of variance have been supported.

The heritability of personality as estimated by common genetic variants is much lower than family study estimates, indicating the potential importance of rare and structural genetic variants.
Preventing Obstructions of Nanosized Drug Delivery Systems by the Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Tomasetti Luise , Breunig Miriam 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAlthough nanosized drug delivery systems are promising tools for the treatment of severe diseases, the extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes a major obstacle that endangers therapeutic success. Mobility of diffusing species is restricted not only by small pore size (down to as low as 3 nm) but also by electrostatic interactions with the network. This article evaluates commonly used in vitro models of ECM, analytical methods, and particle types with respect to their similarity to native conditions in the target tissue. In this cross‐study evaluation, results from a wide variety of mobility studies are analyzed to discern general principles of particle–ECM interactions. For instance, cross‐linked networks and a negative network charge are essential to reliably recapitulate key features of the native ECM. Commonly used ECM mimics comprised of one or two components can lead to mobility calculations which have low fidelity to in vivo results. In addition, analytical methods must be tailored to the properties of both the matrix and the diffusing species to deliver accurate results. Finally, nanoparticles must be sufficiently small to penetrate the matrix pores (ideally Rd/p < 0.5; d = particle diameter, p = pore size) and carry a neutral surface charge to avoid obstructions. Larger (Rd/p >> 1) or positively charged particles are trapped.
Toward 5 V Lithium‐Ion Battery: Exploring the Limit of Charge Cut‐off Voltage of Li‐Rich Layered Oxide Cathode and High‐Voltage Interfacial Processes
Authors: Pham Hieu Quang , Hwang Eui‐Hyung , Kwon Young‐Gil , Song Seung‐Wan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIncreasing the capacity of Li‐rich layered oxide (LMNC) cathode material for high‐energy density lithium‐ion batteries relies on the increase of charge cut‐off voltage toward 5 V, under the utilization of anodically stable electrolyte component. The utilization of di‐(2,2,2 trifluoroethyl)carbonate (DFDEC)‐containing electrolyte permits significant improvement of anodic stability, cathode–electrolyte interface, and cycling stability of LMNC cathode, with respect to conventional electrolyte. In the present study, the limit of anodic stability of DFDEC under charging to 5.5 V versus Li is explored, and the interfacial processes of DFDEC‐derived surface protection mechanism are investigated, utilizing charge cut‐off voltage‐dependent surface and structural analyses. The oxidative decomposition of DFDEC is found to begin at 4.7 V, producing metal fluorides and CF‐containing organic compounds as the earliest surface species, passivating the cathode surface and reducing metal dissolution, structural transformation, and cathode degradation. The tolerable limit of charge cut‐off voltage of a model electrolyte of 0.1 m LiPF6/DFDEC is determined to be 5.0 V, to which the cathode outperforms conventional electrolyte, delivering discharge capacities of 261–225 mAhg−1 with the capacity retention of 86% at the 50th cycle. The data give an insight into the principles of electrolyte design and high‐voltage cathode–electrolyte interfacial stabilization toward advanced 5 V lithium‐ion batteries.
Gold Nanorods with Silica Shell and PAMAM Dendrimers for Efficient Photothermal Therapy and Low Toxic Codelivery of Anticancer Drug and siRNA
Authors: Zhang Qianyu , Wang Li , Jiang Yajun , Gao Wei , Wang Yinsong , Yang Xiaoying , Yang Xinlin , Liu Zunfeng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe multifunctional nanocomposites with grafting polyamidoamine dendrimers up to third generation (G3) are grown onto the surface of mesoporous silica‐coated gold nanorods (AuNRs@SiO2) via a divergent technique. The resultant AuNRs@SiO2‐G3 nanocomposites with uniform size and excellent stability not only enable their utilization as targeted contrast agents for photothermal cancer therapy but also serve as scaffolds for the intracellular delivery of anticancer drug and small interfering RNA (siRNA) to enhance the efficiency of cancer therapy. The controlled doxorubicin (DOX) release from AuNRs@SiO2‐G3 nanocomposites is significantly improved under lower pH condition and near‐infrared laser irradiation. The Bcl‐2‐targeted siRNA is transfected into tumor cells and induces knockdown of the protein expression, which is confirmed by western blot assays. Furthermore, the complementary effect of chemo‐ and gene therapy to MCF‐7 cells for improved photothermal therapy is demonstrated by MTT assay. The DOX and siRNA coloaded AuNRs@SiO2‐G3 nanocomposites show much lower cytotoxicity compared to the DOX, resulting in low toxicity to normal tissues. The multifunctional nanocomposites have potential application as nanoplatforms to integrate the photothermal‐chemo‐gene tumor therapy with high efficiency.
Turning the Old Adjuvant from Gel to Nanoparticles to Amplify CD8+ T Cell Responses
Authors: Jiang Hao , Wang Qin , Li Lin , Zeng Qin , Li Hanmei , Gong Tao , Zhang Zhirong , Sun Xun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDue to its safety and efficacy, aluminum hydroxide is used as an immune adjuvant in human vaccines for over 80 years. Being a Th2 stimulator, the classical gel‐like adjuvant, however, fails to generate CD8+ T cell responses, which are important for cancer vaccines. Here, aluminum hydroxide is turned from gel into nano‐sized vaccine carriers AlO(OH)‐polymer nanoparticles (APNs) to promote their lymphatic migration. After actively uptaken via scavenger receptor‐A by antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) resident in lymph nodes (LNs), APNs destabilize lysosomes resulting in efficient cytosolic delivery and cross‐presentation of antigens. It is demonstrated that administration of APNs loaded with ovalbumin (OVA) and CpG led to the codelivery of both cargos into APCs in LNs, leading to their activation and subsequent adaptive immunity. A prime‐boost strategy with low doses of OVA (1.5 µg) and CpG (0.45 µg) induces potent CD8+ T cell responses and dramatically prolongs the survival of B16‐OVA tumor‐bearing mice. More impressively, when using B16F10 lysates instead of OVA as antigen, substantial antitumor effects on B16F10 tumor model are observed by using APN‐CpG. These results suggest the great potential of APNs as vaccine carriers that activate CD8+ T cell responses and the bright prospect of aluminum adjuvant in a nanoparticle formulation.
Uniform Pomegranate‐Like Nanoclusters Organized by Ultrafine Transition Metal Oxide@Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Subunits with Enhanced Lithium Storage Properties
Authors: Liu Bingqiu , Zhang Qi , Jin Zhanshuang , Zhang Lingyu , Li Lu , Gao Zhigang , Wang Chungang , Xie Haiming , Su Zhongmin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractUniform pomegranate‐like nanoclusters (NCs) organized by ultrafine transition metal oxide@nitrogen‐doped carbon (TMO@N–C) subunits (diameter ≈ 4 nm) are prepared on a large scale for the first time through a facile, novel, and one‐pot approach. Taking pomegranate‐like Fe3O4@N–C NCs as an example, this unique structure provides short Li+/electron diffusion pathways for electrochemical reactions, structural stability during cycling, and high electrical conductivity, leading to superior electrochemical performance. The resulting pomegranate‐like Fe3O4@N–C NCs possess a high specific capacity (1204.3 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 over 100 cycles), a stable cycle life (1063.0 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1, 98.4% retention after 1000 cycles), and excellent rate capacities (606.0 mA h g−1 at 10 A g−1, 92.0% retention; 417.1 mA h g−1 at 20 A g−1, 91.7% retention after 1000 cycles).
Electrochemiluminescence Bioassays with a Water‐Soluble Luminol Derivative Can Outperform Fluorescence Assays
Authors: Mayer Michael , Takegami Shigehiko , Neumeier Michael , Rink Simone , Jacobi von Wangelin Axel , Schulte Silja , Vollmer Moritz , Griesbeck Axel G. , Duerkop Axel , Baeumner Antje J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe most efficient and commonly used electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emitters are luminol, [Ru(bpy)3]2+, and derivatives thereof. Luminol stands out due to its low excitation potential, but applications are limited by its insolubility under physiological conditions. The water‐soluble m‐carboxy luminol was synthesized in 15 % yield and exhibited high solubility under physiological conditions and afforded a four‐fold ECL signal increase (vs. luminol). Entrapment in DNA‐tagged liposomes enabled a DNA assay with a detection limit of 3.2 pmol L−1, which is 150 times lower than the corresponding fluorescence approach. This remarkable sensitivity gain and the low excitation potential establish m‐carboxy luminol as a superior ECL probe with direct relevance to chemiluminescence and enzymatic bioanalytical approaches.
Application of a dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction method for pre‐concentration and ultra‐trace determination of cadmium ions in water and biological samples
Authors: Behbahani Mohammad , Veisi Ali , Omidi Fariborz , Noghrehabadi Aminreza , Esrafili Ali , Ebrahimi Mohammad Hossein 
Published: November 2017

A method for the trace determination of cadmium ions in water, human urine and human blood serum samples using ultrasonic‐assisted dispersive micro‐solid‐phase extraction (UA‐D‐μSPE) was developed. Silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles were coated with polythiophene, and the resulting sorbent was characterized using thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and X‐ray diffraction. Following UA‐D‐μSPE, cadmium ions were quantified using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. A Box–Behnken design was used for optimization of important sorption and desorption parameters in UA‐D‐μSPE: in the sorption step, pH of solution, sorption amount and sonication time for sorption; in the desorption step, concentration of eluent, volume of eluent and sonication time. The optimum conditions for the method were: pH of solution, 7.5; sonication time for sorption, 3 min; sorption amount, 35 mg; type and concentration of eluent, HCl and 1.1 mol l−1; volume of eluent, 360 μl; sonication time for desorption, 110 s. Under the optimized conditions the limit of detection and relative standard deviation for the detection of cadmium ions by UA‐D‐μSPE were found to be 0.8 ng l−1 and <6%, respectively.
Role of surface chemistry and morphology in the reactive adsorption of metal ions on acid modified dry bean pods (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) organic polymers
Authors: Raulino Giselle Santiago Cabral , Silva Leila Soares da , Vidal Carla Bastos , de Sousa Almeida Edmilson , de Quadros Melo Diego , Nascimento Ronaldo Ferreira do 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTThe present study aimed at verifying the acid surface modification of dry bean pods subjected to alkaline pretreatment using tannic acid, poly(acrylic acid), and poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) and evaluate their performances as adsorbents in the metal ions removal. Factorial design was used as a tool to study the variables that affects the modification processes. The results showed that there was an increase in the adsorption capacity after acidic changes, mainly for the tannic acid, achieving 45% increasing of removal of all metal ions. The variable pH had negative significant effect in the modification with tannic acid. When the modifying agent was the poly(acrylic acid), the variable initial concentration presented a positive significant effect. That means more poly(acrylic acid) was immobilized in the surface of the bean pod, resulting in higher capacity of adsorption. Temperature was significant variable in the modification with poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid), resulting in a strongly negative effect. Analyses of material characterization showed that soluble lipid fraction was removed after the alkaline treatment. Although no morphological changes were observed, there was an improving in the availability of the adsorbents sites after chemical modification. Further, the material exhibited thermal stability up to about 300 °C. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45879.
Fabrication of flexible transparent electrodes using PEDOT:PSS and application to resistive touch screen panels
Authors: Mochizuki Takeo , Takigami Yuki , Kondo Takahiro , Okuzaki Hidenori 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTThe flexible transparent electrodes were fabricated by line patterning of conductive inks consisting of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4‐styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) water dispersion, ethylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films. The values of sheet resistance (Rs), total light transmittance, haze, figure‐of‐merit, and pencil hardness of the PEDOT:PSS‐TEOS/PET film were found to be 301 Ω/sq., 85.0%, 2.4%, 41, and 2H, respectively. Furthermore, a resistive touch screen panel was fabricated using the PEDOT:PSS‐TEOS/PET film as the top electrode. It was found that the drawing on the resistive touch screen panel was successfully displayed on the PC screen with good in‐plane uniformity and maximum linearity of 0.8%. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45972.
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure—Universal Health Coverage to Strengthen Health Security
Authors: Clark Geoff , O'Dwyer Michael , Chapman Ysanne , Rolfe Benjamin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe Sustainable Development Goal 3 targets aim to ensure that individuals achieve universal health coverage and that the capacity of countries, to identify early warnings, implement risk reduction plans and to respond and manage national and global health risks including emerging infectious diseases outbreaks is strengthened. Funding for the achievement of these outcomes can be erratic and weak healthcare systems do not cope well with the vagaries of fluctuating economies. Universal health coverage is achievable with formulated social health insurance programs that ensure consistent and predictable financial flows. This article deliberates the situation in the Asia Pacific region considering how funding the elimination of infectious diseases (specifically malaria) can facilitate a strengthening of weak health systems, which in turn will build economic potency and health security in the region.