bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tuning the multiferroic mechanisms of TbMnO3 by epitaxial strain
Authors: Shimamoto Kenta , Mukherjee Saumya , Manz Sebastian , White Jonathan S. , Trassin Morgan , Kenzelmann Michel , Chapon Laurent , Lippert Thomas , Fiebig Manfred , Schneider Christof W. , Niedermayer Christof 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA current challenge in the field of magnetoelectric multiferroics is to identify systems that allow a controlled tuning of states displaying distinct magnetoelectric responses. Here we show that the multiferroic ground state of the archetypal multiferroic TbMnO3 is dramatically modified by epitaxial strain. Neutron diffraction reveals that in highly strained films the magnetic order changes from the bulk-like incommensurate bc-cycloidal structure to commensurate magnetic order. Concomitant with the modification of the magnetic ground state, optical second-harmonic generation (SHG) and electric measurements show an enormous increase of the ferroelectric polarization, and a change in its direction from along the c- to the a-axis. Our results suggest that the drastic change of multiferroic properties results from a switch of the spin-current magnetoelectric coupling in bulk TbMnO3 to symmetric magnetostriction in epitaxially-strained TbMnO3. These findings experimentally demonstrate that epitaxial strain can be used to control single-phase spin-driven multiferroic states.
Ultra-wide range field-dependent measurements of the relaxivity of Gd1−xEuxVO4 nanoparticle contrast agents using a mechanical sample-shuttling relaxometer
Authors: Chou Ching-Yu , Abdesselem Mouna , Bouzigues Cedric , Chu Minglee , Guiga Angelo , Huang Tai-Huang , Ferrage Fabien , Gacoin Thierry , Alexandrou Antigoni , Sakellariou Dimitris 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe current trend for Magnetic Resonance Imaging points towards higher magnetic fields. Even though sensitivity and resolution are increased in stronger fields, T1 contrast is often reduced, and this represents a challenge for contrast agent design. Field-dependent measurements of relaxivity are thus important to characterize contrast agents. At present, the field-dependent curves of relaxivity are usually carried out in the field range of 0 T to 2 T, using fast field cycling relaxometers. Here, we employ a high-speed sample shuttling device to switch the magnetic fields experienced by the nuclei between virtually zero field, and the center of any commercial spectrometer. We apply this approach on rare-earth (mixed Gadolinium-Europium) vanadate nanoparticles, and obtain the dispersion curves from very low magnetic field up to 11.7 T. In contrast to the relaxivity profiles of Gd chelates, commonly used for clinical applications, which display a plateau and then a decrease for increasing magnetic fields, these nanoparticles provide maximum contrast enhancement for magnetic fields around 1–1.5 T. These field-dependent curves are fitted using the so-called Magnetic Particle (MP) model and the extracted parameters discussed as a function of particle size and composition. We finally comment on the new possibilities offered by this approach.
Novel hypophysiotropic AgRP2 neurons and pineal cells revealed by BAC transgenesis in zebrafish
Authors: Shainer Inbal , Buchshtab Adi , Hawkins Thomas A. , Wilson Stephen W. , Cone Roger D. , Gothilf Yoav 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe neuropeptide agouti-related protein (AgRP) is expressed in the arcuate nucleus of the mammalian hypothalamus and plays a key role in regulating food consumption and energy homeostasis. Fish express two agrp genes in the brain: agrp1, considered functionally homologous with the mammalian AgRP, and agrp2. The role of agrp2 and its relationship to agrp1 are not fully understood. Utilizing BAC transgenesis, we generated transgenic zebrafish in which agrp1- and agrp2-expressing cells can be visualized and manipulated. By characterizing these transgenic lines, we showed that agrp1-expressing neurons are located in the ventral periventricular hypothalamus (the equivalent of the mammalian arcuate nucleus), projecting throughout the hypothalamus and towards the preoptic area. The agrp2 gene was expressed in the pineal gland in a previously uncharacterized subgroup of cells. Additionally, agrp2 was expressed in a small group of neurons in the preoptic area that project directly towards the pituitary and form an interface with the pituitary vasculature, suggesting that preoptic AgRP2 neurons are hypophysiotropic. We showed that direct synaptic connection can exist between AgRP1 and AgRP2 neurons in the hypothalamus, suggesting communication and coordination between AgRP1 and AgRP2 neurons and, therefore, probably also between the processes they regulate.
Complete genome sequencing and antibiotics biosynthesis pathways analysis of Streptomyces lydicus 103
Authors: Jia Nan , Ding Ming-Zhu , Luo Hao , Gao Feng , Yuan Ying-Jin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMore and more new natural products have been found in Streptomyces species, which become the significant resource for antibiotics production. Among them, Streptomyces lydicus has been known as its ability of streptolydigin biosynthesis. Herein, we present the genome analysis of S. lydicus based on the complete genome sequencing. The circular chromosome of S. lydicus 103 comprises 8,201,357 base pairs with average GC content 72.22%. With the aid of KEGG analysis, we found that S. lydicus 103 can transfer propanoate to succinate, glutamine or glutamate to 2-oxoglutarate, CO2 and L-glutamate to ammonia, which are conducive to the the supply of amino acids. S. lydicus 103 encodes acyl-CoA thioesterase II that takes part in biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and harbors the complete biosynthesis pathways of lysine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and isoleucine. Furthermore, a total of 27 putative gene clusters have been predicted to be involved in secondary metabolism, including biosynthesis of streptolydigin, erythromycin, mannopeptimycin, ectoine and desferrioxamine B. Comparative genome analysis of S. lydicus 103 will help us deeply understand its metabolic pathways, which is essential for enhancing the antibiotic production through metabolic engineering.
Upregulation of skeletal muscle PGC-1α through the elevation of cyclic AMP levels by Cyanidin-3-glucoside enhances exercise performance
Authors: Matsukawa Toshiya , Motojima Hideko , Sato Yuki , Takahashi Shinya , Villareal Myra O. , Isoda Hiroko 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRegular exercise and physical training enhance physiological capacity and improve metabolic diseases. Skeletal muscles require peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) in the process of their adaptation to exercise owing to PGC-1α’s ability to regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, angiogenesis, and oxidative metabolism. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy3G) is a natural polyphenol and a nutraceutical factor, which has several beneficial effects on human health. Here, the effect of Cy3G on exercise performance and the underlying mechanisms involved were investigated. ICR mice were given Cy3G (1 mg/kg, orally) everyday and made to perform weight-loaded swimming exercise for 15 days. The endurance of mice orally administered with Cy3G was improved, enabling them to swim longer (time) and while the levels of exercise-induced lactate and fatigue markers (urea nitrogen, creatinine and total ketone bodies) were reduced. Additionally, the expression of lactate metabolism-related genes (lactate dehydrogenase B and monocarboxylate transporter 1) in gastrocnemius and biceps femoris muscles was increased in response to Cy3G-induced PGC-1α upregulation. In vitro, using C2C12 myotubes, Cy3G-induced elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels increased PGC-1α expression via the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase pathway. This study demonstrates that Cy3G enhances exercise performance by activating lactate metabolism through skeletal muscle PGC-1α upregulation.
Wide dynamic range enrichment method of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes with weak field centrifugation
Authors: Reis Wieland G. , Tomović Željko , Weitz R. Thomas , Krupke Ralph , Mikhael Jules 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe potential of single–walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to outperform silicon in electronic application was finally enabled through selective separation of semiconducting nanotubes from the as-synthesized statistical mix with polymeric dispersants. Such separation methods provide typically high semiconducting purity samples with narrow diameter distribution, i.e. almost single chiralities. But for a wide range of applications high purity mixtures of small and large diameters are sufficient or even required. Here we proof that weak field centrifugation is a diameter independent method for enrichment of semiconducting nanotubes. We show that the non-selective and strong adsorption of polyarylether dispersants on nanostructured carbon surfaces enables simple separation of diverse raw materials with different SWCNT diameter. In addition and for the first time, we demonstrate that increased temperature enables higher purity separation. Furthermore we show that the mode of action behind this electronic enrichment is strongly connected to both colloidal stability and protonation. By giving simple access to electronically sorted SWCNTs of any diameter, the wide dynamic range of weak field centrifugation can provide economical relevance to SWCNTs.
Genetic association between the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene p27/Kip1 polymorphism (rs34330) and cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis
Authors: Cheng Xiao-Ke , Wang Xue-Jun , Li Xiao-Dong , Ren Xue-Qun 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe p27 rs34330 (-79C/T) polymorphism has been widely studied for human cancer susceptibility. The current findings, however, still remained controversial. Therefore, we performed the meta-analysis to provide a more accurate result. Eligible studies were identified from PubMed database up to June 2015. The association of p27 rs34330 polymorphism and cancer susceptibility was estimated with odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. The meta-analysis was performed with Stata 12. A total of ten studies with 11,214 cases and more than 8,776 controls were included in the meta-analysis (including breast, lung, thyroid, endometrial, and hepatocellular cancer). In pooled analysis, p27 gene rs34330 polymorphism significantly increased the cancer susceptibility. Subgroup analysis indicated that the elevated risk was observed under all the genetic models for Asians and under three genetic models for Caucasians. Results of sensitivity analysis were similar to the overall results. The results suggested that the p27 rs34330 polymorphism increased the cancer susceptibility, especially in Asians. Further well-designed and large sample size studies are warranted to verify the conclusion.
Extreme adaptations for probable visual courtship behaviour in a Cretaceous dancing damselfly
Authors: Zheng Daran , Nel André , Jarzembowski Edmund A. , Chang Su-Chin , Zhang Haichun , Xia Fangyuan , Liu Haoying , Wang Bo 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCourtship behaviours, frequent among modern insects, have left extremely rare fossil traces. None are known previously for fossil odonatans. Fossil traces of such behaviours are better known among the vertebrates, e.g. the hypertelic antlers of the Pleistocene giant deerMegaloceros giganteus. Here we describe spectacular extremely expanded, pod-like tibiae in males of a platycnemidid damselfly from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Such structures in modern damselflies, help to fend off other suitors as well as attract mating females, increasing the chances of successful mating. Modern Platycnemidinae and Chlorocyphidae convergently acquired similar but less developed structures. The new findings provide suggestive evidence of damselfly courtship behaviour as far back as the mid-Cretaceous. These data show an unexpected morphological disparity in dancing damselfly leg structure, and shed new light on mechanisms of sexual selection involving intra- and intersex reproductive competition during the Cretaceous.
Rigid High Temperature Heat-Shrinkable Polyimide Tubes with Functionality as Reducer Couplings
Authors: Kong Deyan , Xiao Xinli 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFlexible and semi-rigid heat-shrinkable tubes (HSTs) have been used in thousands of applications, and here rigid high temperature HSTs are reported for the first time. These rigid HSTs are prepared with shape memory polyimides possessing glass transition temperatures (Tgs) from 182 to 295 °C, and the relationships between Tg and their molecular structures are studied. The polyimide HSTs (PIHSTs) can fix expanded diameters and shrink back to original diameters very well, and the mechanisms of their heat-shrinkage performance are discussed. Their differences from commercially available HSTs in heat-shrinkage are also analyzed. They can withstand low temperature of −196 °C, much lower than those of other HSTs. The PIHSTs can also connect subjects of different sizes by heat-shrinkage and then fix them upon cooling like reducer couplings, and the possible mechanisms of their reducer coupling effect are analyzed. With their unique characteristics, PIHSTs will expand the application areas of HSTs enormously.
Anisotropic free-discontinuity functionals as theΓ-limit of second-order elliptic functionals
Authors: Bach Annika 
Published: March 2017

We provide an approximation result for free-discontinuity functionals of the form 𝓕(u) = ∫Ωf(x, u, ∇u)dx + ∫Su∩Ωθ(x, νu)d𝓗n−1, u ∈ SBV2(Ω),wherefis quadratic in the gradient-variable andθis an arbitrary smooth Finsler metric. The approximating functionals are of Ambrosio-Tortorelli type and depend on the Hessian of the edge variable through a suitable nonhomogeneous metricϕ.
Elective Primary or Secondary Delayed Sternal Closure Improves Outcome in Severely Compromised Patients
Authors: Calafiore Antonio , Sheikh Azmat , Alfonso Juan , Tantawi Tarek , Maklouf Belgeit , Shawki Ahmed , Allam Ahmed , Awadi Mohammed , Osman Ahmed , Habib Aly , Di Mauro Michele 
Published: March 2017

Background Delayed sternal closure (DSC) in patients with severely compromised preoperative hemodynamics can be helpful as the chest sometimes cannot be able to contain both lungs and heart. We report our experience to evaluate the midterm results of this strategy in an adult population.
Materials and Methods From May 2009 till July 2015, 33 patients had DSC as first treatment of severe hemodynamic deterioration after cardiac surgery. Surgical procedures were valvular (9.27%) or coronary artery bypass grafting + others (24.73%). Stepwise logistic regression (SLR) showed that patients with lower ejection fraction, dilated right ventricle, and severe pulmonary hypertension were more likely to need DSC. Patients were divided in two groups: group A (n = 17), when the sternum was reopened before any hemodynamic collapse, or was never closed, and group B (n = 16), when the sternum was reopened after hemodynamic collapse.
Results Inhospital mortality was 39% (n = 13), 18% in group A and 62% in group B (p < 0.0001). In 28 patients where the sternum was reopened, cardiac index increased from 1.7 (1.6, 1.9) L/m2 to 2.8 (2.4, 3) L/m2, p < 0.0001. The sternum was closed in 28 patients (85%), 94% in group A and 75% in group B (p = 0.13), after a median of 4 (2.5) days. SLR showed that only group B (p < 0.0001) was a risk factor for early death. Two-year survival was 48 ± 9%, higher in group A (71 ± 13) than in group B (25 ± 11), p < 0.0001. Cox's analysis showed that group B (p < 0.0001) and redo (p < 0.0001) were risk factors for lower survival.
Conclusion Elective DSC represents a useful strategy in severely compromised patients, entailing an improvement of hemodynamics and a higher survival.
Coronary Endarterectomy or Patch Angioplasty for Diffuse Left Anterior Descending Artery Disease
Authors: Pirundini Paul , Leshem Eyal , Consalvi Carrie , McGurk Siobhan , King Quincy , Loberman Dan , Bitan Ohad 
Published: March 2017

Background Coronary endarterectomy and patch angioplasty for the left anterior descending (LAD) artery have been shown to be effective adjunct techniques to surgical revascularization for severe coronary lesions. The objective of this study is to review the short- and long-term results of these two methods in our institution.
Methods We retrospectively reviewed 166 consecutive patients who underwent internal thoracic artery grafting to the LAD, with either adjunct endarterectomy (95 patients) or patch angioplasty (71 patients) between 2002 and 2014. We compared the early and late outcomes between groups.
Results The endarterectomy patients were older than the patch angioplasty patients (71 vs. 67 years, p = 0.007) and had lower rates of recent myocardial infarction (25% vs. 45%, respectively, p = 0.008). Median pulmonary bypass times and aortic cross clamp times were significantly longer in the endarterectomy group compared with the patch angioplasty group by 47 minutes (p < 0.001) and 42 minutes (p < 0.001), respectively. Median follow-up time was 6.9 years. No significant differences in operative mortality, perioperative myocardial infarction, and long-term survival were found. Freedom from percutaneous coronary intervention at 1 and 5 years was significantly higher in the endarterectomy group compared with the patch angioplasty group (p = 0.002).
Conclusions Endarterectomy and patch angioplasty are comparable methods to reach complete revascularization for highly selected patients with diffuse atherosclerotic disease in the LAD. Compared with patch angioplasty, complete extraction of the atherosclerotic plaque with an endarterectomy leads to similar short-term outcomes and long-term survival while significantly reducing the need for further interventions in the future.
Occipitosacral Fusion for Multiple Vertebral Fractures with Kyphotic Deformity in a Patient with Mutilating Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report
Authors: Tanouchi Tetsu , Shimizu Takachika , Ino Masatake , Toda Naofumi , Manabe Nodoka , Itoh Kanako , Fueki Keisuke 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOsteoporotic vertebral fractures are well-known complications of rheumatoid arthritis. The management of multiple vertebral fractures with kyphotic deformity is controversial. We present a case of a patient with mutilating rheumatoid arthritis who had multiple vertebral fractures with kyphotic deformity after occipitothoracic fusion for rheumatoid cervical disorder. Occipitosacral fusion was effective to create stable spine with better sagittal alignment in this case, but careful clinical assessment for early detection and management of postoperative insufficient pelvic fracture were required.
Sozioökonomische Gradienten bei der Inanspruchnahme zahnärztlicher Leistungen in Deutschland
Authors: Leonhardt Konrad , Hirsch Christian 
Published: March 2017

ZusammenfassungZiel der vorliegenden Studie war es Unterschiede in der zahnärztlichen Versorgung in Deutschland in Abhängigkeit vom sozioökonomischen Status (SES) und Haushaltsnettoeinkommen (HHN) zu betrachten. Die Analysen beruhen auf bundesweit repräsentativen Querschnittsbefragungen von Erwachsenen im Alter von 18 bis 79 Jahren (Durchschnittsalter 49,1 Jahre; 55% weiblich) durch den Bertelsmann Gesundheitsmonitor von 2002–2009. Die Zugänglichkeit zur zahnärztlichen Versorgung (im Mittel 2,4 Zahnarztbesuche pro Jahr) war für alle Patienten gleich. Bei höherem HHN zahlten Patienten pro Einkommensgruppe 34 € (95%-Konfidenzintervall [KI]: 6 €–63 €) mehr zu ihrem Zahnersatz zu. Im Vergleich zur niedrigen SES-Schicht hatte die mittlere 1,86 -mal (95%-KI: 1,58–2,18) und die hohe 2,37 -mal (95%-KI: 1,96–2,86) so häufig Zahnzusatzversicherungen abgeschlossen. Mit steigendem SES bzw. HHN nimmt die Fähigkeit zu, Zuzahlungen zum Zahnersatz zu leisten und Zahnzusatzversicherungen abzuschließen. Diese Entwicklung begünstigt stärkere sozioökonomische Diskrepanzen in der zahnmedizinischen Versorgung.
Literary reading and critical thinking
Authors: Koek Martijn , Janssen Tanja , Hakemulder Frank , Rijlaarsdam Gert 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPrevious research suggests that literary reading may involve critical thinking. This involvement may facilitate critical literary understanding (CLU), i.e. understanding the literary text in a reconstructive, de-automatized manner. However, little is known about the cognitive processes this involvement entails. This study aims: (1) to conceptualize CLU, by relating dual process theory to concepts from the domain of literary studies (foregrounding, defamiliarization); (2) to test CLU in an educational context. An instrument to measure CLU was designed. A prospective cohort study was conducted (N = 271, grades 10–12, pre-university education, ages 14–19) at a Dutch secondary school. CLU, critical thinking skills (CTS) and dispositions (CTD) were measured one month after the start of the academic year, CLU was measured again four months later. Results show that students improve in CLU. This improvement is mediated by CTD and moderated by CTS. These results suggest that critical thinking can be engaged in the literature classroom.
Rethinking peace-building practices through the Somaliland experience
Authors: Fernández y Garcia Marta Regina 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTReflecting on the Somali case, the article argues that the systematic failures of international interventions in the country have largely derived from the modernising orientation underlying UN peace-building practices. Following this logic, the solution to the Somali problem becomes dependent upon the construction of a centralised authority. Resisting an alternative romanticisation of the Somaliland experiment, the article suggests that the multiple attempts to build asui generismodel of democracy, which combines Western and local forms of governance, are giving way to a hybrid political order that may, in turn, help us to rethink UN peace-building practices in less ethnocentric terms.
Apoptosis-inducing activity and antiproliferative effect of Paeoniflorigenone from moutan cortex
Authors: Huang Ying , Ohno Osamu , Suenaga Kiyotake , Miyamoto Kenji 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNinety samples from the extracts of plants from traditional Chinese medicines were screened for antitumor activity. Paeoniflorigenone (PFG) was isolated as an active ingredient from the root of moutan cortex, which showed the strongest activity. In addition, our data indicated that PFG was cytotoxic and induced apoptosis selectively in the cancer cell lines. These effects were cancelled by the addition of caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, suggesting that it was mediated by caspase-3 activation.