bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Meta-analysis of Voxel-based Brain Morphometry Studies in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Shi Yan , Chen Lizhou , Chen Taolin , Li Lei , Dai Jing , Lui Su , Huang Xiaoqi , Sweeney John A. , Gong Qiyong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGray matter (GM) anomalies may represent a critical pathology underlying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the evidence regarding their clinical relevance is inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies of patients with OSA to identify their brain abnormalities. A systematic search was conducted based on PRISMA guidelines, and a meta-analysis was performed using the anisotropic effect-size-based algorithms (ASE-SDM) to quantitatively estimate regional GM changes in patients with OSA. Fifteen studies with 16 datasets comprising 353 untreated patients with OSA and 444 healthy controls were included. Our results revealed GM reductions in the bilateral anterior cingulate/paracingulate gyri (ACG/ApCG), left cerebellum (lobules IV/V and VIII), bilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG, medial rostral part), right middle temporal gyrus (MTG), and right premotor cortex. Moreover, GM reductions in the bilateral ACG/ApCG were positively associated with body mass index (BMI) and age among patients with OSA, and GM reductions in the SFG (medial rostral part) were negatively associated with Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) scores and sex (male). These abnormalities may represent structural brain underpinnings of neurocognitive abnormalities and respiratory-related abnormalities in OSA. ﻿In particular, this study adds to Psychoradiology, which is a promising subspecialty of clinical radiology mainly for psychiatric disorders.
Phylogeny and expression pattern analysis of TCP transcription factors in cassava seedlings exposed to cold and/or drought stress
Authors: Lei Ning , Yu Xiang , Li Shuxia , Zeng Changying , Zou Liangping , Liao Wenbin , Peng Ming 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe TCP transcription factors usually act as integrators of multiple growth regulatory and environmental stimuli. However, little is known about this gene family in the important tropical crop cassava (Manihot esculenta). In this study, 36 TCP genes were identified and renamed based on cassava whole-genome sequence and their sequence similarity with Arabidopsis TCPs. Typical TCP domains were detected in these proteins by multiple sequence alignment analysis. Evolutionary analysis indicated that MeTCPs could be divided into 8 subgroups, which was further supported by gene structure and conserved motif analyses. qRT-PCR analysis revealed tissue-specific and hormone-responsive expression patterns of MeTCP genes. Moreover, with global expression and promoter analysis, we found that MeTCPs showed similar or distinct expression patterns under cold and/or drought stress, suggesting that they might participate in distinct signaling pathways. Our study provides the first comprehensive analysis of TCP gene family in the cassava genome. The data will be useful for uncovering the potential functions of MeTCP genes, and their possible roles in mediating hormone and abiotic stress responses in cassava.
Customized binary and multi-level HfO2−x-based memristors tuned by oxidation conditions
Authors: He Weifan , Sun Huajun , Zhou Yaxiong , Lu Ke , Xue Kanhao , Miao Xiangshui 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe memristor is a promising candidate for the next generation non-volatile memory, especially based on HfO2−x, given its compatibility with advanced CMOS technologies. Although various resistive transitions were reported independently, customized binary and multi-level memristors in unified HfO2−x material have not been studied. Here we report Pt/HfO2−x/Ti memristors with double memristive modes, forming-free and low operation voltage, which were tuned by oxidation conditions of HfO2−x films. As O/Hf ratios of HfO2−x films increase, the forming voltages, SET voltages, and Roff/Ron windows increase regularly while their resistive transitions undergo from gradually to sharply in I/V sweep. Two memristors with typical resistive transitions were studied to customize binary and multi-level memristive modes, respectively. For binary mode, high-speed switching with 103 pulses (10 ns) and retention test at 85 °C (>104 s) were achieved. For multi-level mode, the 12-levels stable resistance states were confirmed by ongoing multi-window switching (ranging from 10 ns to 1 μs and completing 10 cycles of each pulse). Our customized binary and multi-level HfO2−x-based memristors show high-speed switching, multi-level storage and excellent stability, which can be separately applied to logic computing and neuromorphic computing, further suitable for in-memory computing chip when deposition atmosphere may be fine-tuned.
A Valuable Biochar from Poplar Catkins with High Adsorption Capacity for Both Organic Pollutants and Inorganic Heavy Metal Ions
Authors: Liu Xia , Sun Ju , Duan Shengxia , Wang Yanan , Hayat Tasawar , Alsaedi Ahmed , Wang Chengming , Li Jiaxing 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this paper, biochar derived from poplar catkins was used as an economical and renewable adsorbent for adsorption organic and inorganic pollutants such as, dyes, organic compounds, and heavy metal ions from wastewater. Mesoporous activated carbonized poplar catkins (ACPCs) were produced from char as a by-product by carbonized poplar catkins (CPCs). With their high surface area, ACPCs exhibited the maximum adsorption capacities of 71.85 and 110.17 mg/g for the removal of inorganic U(VI) and Co(II). Compared other biochars adsorbents, ACPCs can also adsorb organic pollutants with the maximum adsorption capacities of 534, 154, 350, 148 and 384 mg/g for methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), Congo red (CR), chloramphenicol (CAP) and naphthalene. The adsorption of organic pollutants was fitted with pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models figure out the kinetic parameters and adsorption mechanisms. Langmuir adsorption isotherm was found to be suitable for Co(II) and U(VI) adsorption and thermodynamic studies indicated adsorption processes to be endothermic and spontaneous. The adsorption process includes both outer-sphere surface complexes and hydrogen-bonding interactions. The results showed that biochar derived from poplar catkins was a potential material to remove pollutants in wastewater.
Improved vessel painting with carbocyanine dye-liposome solution for visualisation of vasculature
Authors: Konno Alu , Matsumoto Naoya , Okazaki Shigetoshi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractVessel painting is one of the most accessible and cost-effective techniques for visualising vasculature by fluorescence microscopy. In this method, the hydrophobic carbocyanine dye DiIC18 labels the plasma membrane via insertion of its alkyl chains into the lipid bilayer. A major disadvantage of this procedure is that it does not stain veins and some microvessels in mouse brain. Furthermore, DiIC18 molecules can aggregate during perfusion, thereby occluding arteries and reducing the success rate and reproducibility of the experiment. To overcome these problems, we developed an improved vessel painting procedure that employs neutral liposomes (NLs) and DiIC12. NLs prevented DiI aggregation under physiological conditions whereas DiIC12 showed enhanced dye incorporation into liposomes and consequently increased staining intensity. Using this method, we successfully labelled all major blood vessel types in the mouse brain, including both veins and microvessels. Thus, liposome-mediated vessel painting is a simple and efficient method for visualising vasculature.
Identifying Defects with Guided Algorithms in Bragg Coherent Diffractive Imaging
Authors: Ulvestad A. , Nashed Y. , Beutier G. , Verdier M. , Hruszkewycz S. O. , Dupraz M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCrystallographic defects such as dislocations can significantly alter material properties and functionality. However, imaging these imperfections during operation remains challenging due to the short length scales involved and the reactive environments of interest. Bragg coherent diffractive imaging (BCDI) has emerged as a powerful tool capable of identifying dislocations, twin domains, and other defects in 3D detail with nanometer spatial resolution within nanocrystals and grains in reactive environments. However, BCDI relies on phase retrieval algorithms that can fail to accurately reconstruct the defect network. Here, we use numerical simulations to explore different guided phase retrieval algorithms for imaging defective crystals using BCDI. We explore different defect types, defect densities, Bragg peaks, and guided algorithm fitness metrics as a function of signal-to-noise ratio. Based on these results, we offer a general prescription for phasing of defective crystals with no a priori knowledge.
Spin-relaxation time in materials with broken inversion symmetry and large spin-orbit coupling
Authors: Szolnoki Lénárd , Kiss Annamária , Dóra Balázs , Simon Ferenc 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe study the spin-relaxation time in materials where a large spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is present which breaks the spatial inversion symmetry. Such a spin-orbit coupling is realized in zincblende structures and heterostructures with a transversal electric field and the spin relaxation is usually described by the so-called D’yakonov-Perel’ (DP) mechanism. We combine a Monte Carlo method and diagrammatic calculation based approaches in our study; the former tracks the time evolution of electron spins in a quasiparticle dynamics simulation in the presence of the built-in spin-orbit magnetic fields and the latter builds on the spin-diffusion propagator by Burkov and Balents. Remarkably, we find a parameter free quantitative agreement between the two approaches and it also returns the conventional result of the DP mechanism in the appropriate limit. We discuss the full phase space of spin relaxation as a function of SOC strength, its distribution, and the magnitude of the momentum relaxation rate. This allows us to identify two novel spin-relaxation regimes; where spin relaxation is strongly non-exponential and the spin relaxation equals the momentum relaxation. A compelling analogy between the spin-relaxation theory and the NMR motional narrowing is highlighted.
Microbial Communities Associated with Primary and Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma – A High Fusobacterial and Low Streptococcal Signature
Authors: Shin Jae M. , Luo Ting , Kamarajan Pachiyappan , Fenno J. Christopher , Rickard Alexander H. , Kapila Yvonne L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGiven the potential relationship between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and microbial dysbiosis, we profiled the microbiome within healthy normal and tumorous (primary and metastatic) human tissues from the oral cavity, larynx-pharynx, and lymph nodes using 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha and beta diversity analyses revealed that normal tissues had the greatest richness in community diversity, while the metastatic populations were most closely related to one another. Compared to the normal, the microbiota associated with tumors supported altered abundances in the phyla Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Most notably, the relative abundance of Fusobacterium increased whereas Streptococcus decreased in both primary and metastatic samples. Principal coordinate analysis indicated a separation and clustering of samples by tissue status. However, random forest analysis revealed that the microbial profiles alone were a poor predictor for primary and metastatic HNSCC samples. Here, we report that the microbial communities residing in the tumorous tissues are compositionally distinct compared to the normal adjacent tissues. However, likely due to the smaller sample size and sample-to-sample heterogeneity, our prediction models were not able to distinguish by sample types. This work provides a foundation for future studies aimed at understanding the role of the dysbiotic tissue microbiome in HNSCC.
Frequency sensitivity in mammalian hearing from a fundamental nonlinear physics model of the inner ear
Authors: Kanders Karlis , Lorimer Tom , Gomez Florian , Stoop Ruedi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA dominant view holds that the outer and middle ear are the determining factors for the frequency dependence of mammalian hearing sensitivity, but this view has been challenged. In the ensuing debate, there has been a missing element regarding in what sense and to what degree the biophysics of the inner ear might contribute to this frequency dependence. Here, we show that a simple model of the inner ear based on fundamental physical principles, reproduces, alone, the experimentally observed frequency dependence of the hearing threshold. This provides direct cochlea modeling support of the possibility that the inner ear could have a substantial role in determining the frequency dependence of mammalian hearing.
Durable superhydrophobic surfaces made by intensely connecting a bipolar top layer to the substrate with a middle connecting layer
Authors: Zhi Jinghui , Zhang Li-Zhi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study reported a simple fabrication method for a durable superhydrophobic surface. The superhydrophobic top layer of the durable superhydrophobic surface was connected intensely to the substrate through a middle connecting layer. Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-560) after hydrolysis was used to obtain a hydrophilic middle connecting layer. It could be adhered to the hydrophilic substrate by covalent bonds. Ring-open reaction with octadecylamine let the KH-560 middle layer form a net-like structure. The net-like sturcture would then encompass and station the silica particles that were used to form the coarse micro structures, intensely to increase the durability. The top hydrophobic layer with nano-structures was formed on the KH-560 middle layer. It was obtained by a bipolar nano-silica solution modified by hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). This layer was connected to the middle layer intensely by the polar Si hydroxy groups, while the non-polar methyl groups on the surface, accompanied by the micro and nano structures, made the surface rather hydrophobic. The covalently interfacial interactions between the substrate and the middle layer, and between the middle layer and the top layer, strengthened the durability of the superhydrophobic surface. The abrasion test results showed that the superhydrophobic surface could bear 180 abrasion cycles on 1200 CW sandpaper under 2 kPa applied pressure.
Intranasally administered in situ gelling nanocomposite system of dimenhydrinate: preparation, characterization and pharmacodynamic applicability in chemotherapy induced emesis model
Authors: Barakat Sara S. , Nasr Maha , Ahmed Rania F. , Badawy Sabry S. , Mansour Samar 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe aim of the current manuscript was to test the applicability of a nanocomposite system of penetration enhancer vesicles (PEVs) within polymeric in situ forming gel network composed of poloxamer and hyaluronic acid for the intranasal delivery of the antiemetic dimenhydrinate (DMH). PEVs were prepared using phospholipids and labrasol/transcutol/PEG 400 as penetration enhancers, and characterized for entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size, zeta potential and morphology. The nanocomposite in situ forming gel system was characterized for its sol-gel temperature, viscosity and mucoadhesiveness, and was pharmacodynamically tested on a cisplatin induced emesis model in rats in terms of food, water, kaolin intake and stomach weight content. The selected PEVs formula displayed EE% of 83% for DMH, particle size of 121 nm and a surface charge of 0.83 mV. The selected nanocomposite in situ gelling formula showed a viscosity of 2.13 Pa.S, mucoadhesive force of 0.62 N and DMH controlled release over 6 hours. The pharmacodynamic study showed the superiority of the nanocomposite in situ gelling formula; being administered at a lower dose than the oral marketed formula. The described nanocomposite system proved to be successful for the intranasal delivery of DMH, thus presenting a promising delivery modality for similar antiemetics.
Location of the Central Retinal Vessel Trunk in the Laminar and Prelaminar Tissue of Healthy and Glaucomatous Eyes
Authors: Wang Bo , Lucy Katie A. , Schuman Joel S. , Ishikawa Hiroshi , Bilonick Richard A. , Sigal Ian A. , Kagemann Larry , Lu Chen , Fujimoto James G. , Wollstein Gadi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGlaucoma is a leading cause of blindness that leads to characteristic changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) region, such as nasalization of vessels. It is unknown whether the spatial location of this vessel shift inside the ONH occurs within the lamina cribrosa (LC) or the prelaminar tissue. The purpose of this study was to compare the location of the central retinal vessel trunk (CRVT) in the LC and prelaminar tissue in living healthy and glaucomatous eyes. We acquired 3-dimensional ONH scans from 119 eyes (40 healthy, 29 glaucoma suspect, and 50 glaucoma) using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The CRVT location was manually delineated in separate projection images of the LC and prelamina. We found that the CRVT in glaucoma suspect and glaucomatous eyes was located significantly more nasally compared to healthy eyes at the level of the prelamina. There was no detectable difference found in the location of the CRVT at the level of the LC between diagnostic groups. While the nasal location of the CRVT in the prelamina has been associated with glaucomatous axonal death, our results suggest that the CRVT in the LC is anchored in the tissue with minimal variation in glaucomatous eyes.
Alcohols react with MCM-41 at room temperature and chemically modify mesoporous silica
Authors: Björklund Sebastian , Kocherbitov Vitaly 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMesoporous silica has received much attention due to its well-defined structural order, high surface area, and tunable pore diameter. To successfully employ mesoporous silica for nanotechnology applications it is important to consider how it is influenced by solvent molecules due to the fact that most preparation procedures involve treatment in various solvents. In the present work we contribute to this important topic with new results on how MCM-41 is affected by a simple treatment in alcohol at room temperature. The effects of alcohol treatment are characterized by TGA, FTIR, and sorption calorimetry. The results are clear and show that treatment of MCM-41 in methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, or octanol at room temperature introduces alkoxy groups that are covalently bound to the silica surface. It is shown that alcohol treated MCM-41 becomes more hydrophobic and that this effect is sequentially more prominent going from methanol to octanol. Chemical formation of alkoxy groups onto MCM-41 occurs both for calcined and hydroxylated MCM-41 and the alkoxy groups are hydrolytically unstable and can be replaced by silanol groups after exposure to water. The results are highly relevant for mesoporous silica applications that involve contact or treatment in protic solvents, which is very common.
The Genetic Origin of Short Tail in Endangered Korean Dog, DongGyeongi
Authors: Yoo DongAhn , Kim Kwondo , Kim Hyaekang , Cho Seoae , Kim Jin Nam , Lim Dajeong , Choi Seog-Gyu , Choi Bong-Hwan , Kim Heebal 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe tail of many animal species is responsible for various physiological functions. The functional importance of tail may have brought tail-loss to attention in many evolutionary and developmental studies. To provide a better explanation for the loss of tail, the current study aims to identify the evolutionary history and putative causal variants for the short tail in DongGyeongi (DG), an endangered dog breed, which is also the only dog in Korea that possesses a short tail. Whole genome sequencing was conducted on 22 samples of DG, followed by an investigation of population stratification with 10 other dog breeds. The genotypes, selective sweep and demography of DG were also investigated. As a result, we discovered the unique genetic structure of DG and suggested two possible ways in which the short tail phenotype developed. Moreover, this study suggested that selective sweep genes, ANKRD11 and ACVR2B may contribute to the reduction in tail length, and non-synonymous variant in the coding sequence of T gene and the CpG island variant of SFRP2 gene are the candidate causal variants for the tail-loss.
Bacterial community diversity on in-shell walnut surfaces from six representative provinces in China
Authors: Zhang Lihui , Wang Shaojin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWalnuts (Juglans regia) have been associated with foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of bacteria on in-shell walnut surfaces from six representative provinces in China. The bacterial populations on walnut surfaces were investigated by high-throughput sequencing based on the bacterial 16 S rRNA hypervariable region V4. Twenty-eight samples were collected from fourteen regions in six provinces and harvested in different periods (the fresh in 2016 and the old in 2015). Proteobacteria was the most dominant phylum in all samples except for XJ1. In XJ1, and the most abundant phylum was Cyanobacteria, which also accounted for a large proportion of the abundance in YN1, YN11, XJ2 and SC11. In addition, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were also the abundant phyla in the given samples. Some genera belonging to the opportunistic pathogens were detected, such as Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Burkholderia and Bacillus. The results revealed that the composition and abundance of bacterial consortiums on walnut surfaces varied among the geographical sites where they were harvested. Moreover, the storage time of samples also had impact on the abundance of bacteria. This study may provide a better understanding of the bacterial communities’ diversity on in-shell walnut surfaces.
Pseudo-acetylation of multiple sites on human Tau proteins alters Tau phosphorylation and microtubule binding, and ameliorates amyloid beta toxicity
Authors: Gorsky Marianna Karina , Burnouf Sylvie , Sofola-Adesakin Oyinkan , Dols Jacqueline , Augustin Hrvoje , Weigelt Carina Marianne , Grönke Sebastian , Partridge Linda 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTau is a microtubule-associated protein that is highly soluble and natively unfolded. Its dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), where it aggregates within neurons. Deciphering the physiological and pathogenic roles of human Tau (hTau) is crucial to further understand the mechanisms leading to its dysfunction in vivo. We have used a knock-out/knock-in strategy in Drosophila to generate a strain with hTau inserted into the endogenous fly tau locus and expressed under the control of the endogenous fly tau promoter, thus avoiding potential toxicity due to genetic over-expression. hTau knock-in (KI) proteins were expressed at normal, endogenous levels, bound to fly microtubules and were post-translationally modified, hence displaying physiological properties. We used this new model to investigate the effects of acetylation on hTau toxicity in vivo. The simultaneous pseudo-acetylation of hTau at lysines 163, 280, 281 and 369 drastically decreased hTau phosphorylation and significantly reduced its binding to microtubules in vivo. These molecular alterations were associated with ameliorated amyloid beta toxicity. Our results indicate acetylation of hTau on multiple sites regulates its biology and ameliorates amyloid beta toxicity in vivo.