bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A simple method for the production of large volume 3D macroporous hydrogels for advanced biotechnological, medical and environmental applications
Authors: Savina Irina N. , Ingavle Ganesh C. , Cundy Andrew B. , Mikhalovsky Sergey V. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe development of bulk, three-dimensional (3D), macroporous polymers with high permeability, large surface area and large volume is highly desirable for a range of applications in the biomedical, biotechnological and environmental areas. The experimental techniques currently used are limited to the production of small size and volume cryogel material. In this work we propose a novel, versatile, simple and reproducible method for the synthesis of large volume porous polymer hydrogels by cryogelation. By controlling the freezing process of the reagent/polymer solution, large-scale 3D macroporous gels with wide interconnected pores (up to 200 μm in diameter) and large accessible surface area have been synthesized. For the first time, macroporous gels (of up to 400 ml bulk volume) with controlled porous structure were manufactured, with potential for scale up to much larger gel dimensions. This method can be used for production of novel 3D multi-component macroporous composite materials with a uniform distribution of embedded particles. The proposed method provides better control of freezing conditions and thus overcomes existing drawbacks limiting production of large gel-based devices and matrices. The proposed method could serve as a new design concept for functional 3D macroporous gels and composites preparation for biomedical, biotechnological and environmental applications.
Interaction of EGFR to δ-catenin leads to δ-catenin phosphorylation and enhances EGFR signaling
Authors: He Yongfeng , Ryu Taeyong , Shrestha Nensi , Yuan Tingting , Kim Hangun , Shrestha Hridaya , Cho Young-Chang , Seo Young-Woo , Song Woo Keun , Kim Kwonseop 
Published: February 2016

AbstractExpression of δ-catenin reportedly increases during late stage prostate cancer. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that expression of EGFR is enhanced in hormone refractory prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the possible correlation between EGFR and δ-catenin in prostate cancer cells. We found that EGFR interacted with δ-catenin and the interaction decreased in the presence of EGF. We also demonstrated that, on one hand, EGFR phosphorylated δ-catenin in a Src independent manner in the presence of EGF and on the other hand, δ-catenin enhanced protein stability of EGFR and strengthened the EGFR/Erk1/2 signaling pathway. Our findings added a new perspective to the interaction of EGFR to the E-cadherin complex. They also provided novel insights to the roles of δ-catenin in prostate cancer cells.
Photoacoustic monitoring of tumor and normal tissue response to radiation
Authors: Rich Laurie J. , Seshadri Mukund 
Published: February 2016

AbstractHypoxia is a recognized characteristic of tumors that influences efficacy of radiotherapy (RT). Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a relatively new imaging technique that exploits the optical characteristics of hemoglobin to provide information on tissue oxygenation. In the present study, PAI based measures of tumor oxygen saturation (%sO2) were compared to oxygen-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of longitudinal relaxation rate (R1 = 1/T1) and ex-vivo histology in patient derived xenograft (PDX) models of head and neck cancer. PAI was utilized to assess early changes (24 h) in %sO2 following RT and chemoRT (CRT) and to assess changes in salivary gland hemodynamics following radiation. A significant increase in tumor %sO2 and R1 was observed following oxygen inhalation. Good spatial correlation was observed between PAI, MRI and histology. An early increase in %sO2 after RT and CRT detected by PAI was associated with significant tumor growth inhibition. Twenty four hours after RT, PAI also detected loss of hemodynamic response to gustatory stimulation in murine salivary gland tissue suggestive of radiation-induced vascular damage. Our observations illustrate the utility of PAI in detecting tumor and normal tissue hemodynamic response to radiation in head and neck cancers.
Early malnutrition results in long-lasting impairments in pattern-separation for overlapping novel object and novel location memories and reduced hippocampal neurogenesis
Authors: Pérez-García Georgina , Guzmán-Quevedo Omar , Da Silva Aragão Raquel , Bolaños-Jiménez Francisco 
Published: February 2016

AbstractNumerous epidemiological studies indicate that malnutrition during in utero development and/or childhood induces long-lasting learning disabilities and enhanced susceptibility to develop psychiatric disorders. However, animal studies aimed to address this question have yielded inconsistent results due to the use of learning tasks involving negative or positive reinforces that interfere with the enduring changes in emotional reactivity and motivation produced by in utero and neonatal malnutrition. Consequently, the mechanisms underlying the learning deficits associated with malnutrition in early life remain unknown. Here we implemented a behavioural paradigm based on the combination of the novel object recognition and the novel object location tasks to define the impact of early protein-restriction on the behavioural, cellular and molecular basis of memory processing. Adult rats born to dams fed a low-protein diet during pregnancy and lactation, exhibited impaired encoding and consolidation of memory resulting from impaired pattern separation. This learning deficit was associated with reduced production of newly born hippocampal neurons and down regulation of BDNF gene expression. These data sustain the existence of a causal relationship between early malnutrition and impaired learning in adulthood and show that decreased adult neurogenesis is associated to the cognitive deficits induced by childhood exposure to poor nutrition.
Carbon storage in Chinese grassland ecosystems: Influence of different integrative methods
Authors: Ma Anna , He Nianpeng , Yu Guirui , Wen Ding , Peng Shunlei 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe accurate estimate of grassland carbon (C) is affected by many factors at the large scale. Here, we used six methods (three spatial interpolation methods and three grassland classification methods) to estimate C storage of Chinese grasslands based on published data from 2004 to 2014, and assessed the uncertainty resulting from different integrative methods. The uncertainty (coefficient of variation, CV, %) of grassland C storage was approximately 4.8% for the six methods tested, which was mainly determined by soil C storage. C density and C storage to the soil layer depth of 100 cm were estimated to be 8.46 ± 0.41 kg C m−2 and 30.98 ± 1.25 Pg C, respectively. Ecosystem C storage was composed of 0.23 ± 0.01 (0.7%) above-ground biomass, 1.38 ± 0.14 (4.5%) below-ground biomass, and 29.37 ± 1.2 (94.8%) Pg C in the 0–100 cm soil layer. Carbon storage calculated by the grassland classification methods (18 grassland types) was closer to the mean value than those calculated by the spatial interpolation methods. Differences in integrative methods may partially explain the high uncertainty in C storage estimates in different studies. This first evaluation demonstrates the importance of multi-methodological approaches to accurately estimate C storage in large-scale terrestrial ecosystems.
One-way helical electromagnetic wave propagation supported by magnetized plasma
Authors: Yang Biao , Lawrence Mark , Gao Wenlong , Guo Qinghua , Zhang Shuang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn this paper we reveal the presence of photonic one-way helical surface states in a simple natural system- magnetized plasma. The application of an external magnetic field to a bulk plasma body not only breaks time-reversal-symmetry but also leads to separation of Equi-Frequency Contour surfaces (EFCs) to form topologically nontrivial gaps in k space. Interestingly, these EFCs support topologically protected surface states. We numerically investigate an interface between magnetized plasma, using a realistic model for parameter dispersion and vacuum, to confirm the existence of one-way scatter-immune helical surface states. Unlike previous proposals for achieving photonic one-way propagation, our scheme does not require the use of artificial structures and should therefore be simple to implement experimentally.
Trace analysis of multi-class pesticide residues in Chinese medicinal health wines using gas chromatography with electron capture detection
Authors: Kong Wei-Jun , Liu Qiu-Tao , Kong Dan-Dan , Liu Qian-Zhen , Ma Xin-Ping , Yang Mei-Hua 
Published: February 2016

AbstractA method is described for multi-residue, high-throughput determination of trace levels of 22 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 5 pyrethroid pesticides (PYPs) in Chinese medicinal (CM) health wines using a QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) based extraction method and gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD). Several parameters were optimized to improve preparation and separation time while still maintaining high sensitivity. Validation tests of spiked samples showed good linearities for 27 pesticides (R = 0.9909–0.9996) over wide concentration ranges. Limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were measured at ng/L levels, 0.06–2 ng/L and 0.2–6 ng/L for OCPs and 0.02–3 ng/L and 0.06–7 ng/L for PYPs, respectively. Inter- and intra-day precision tests showed variations of 0.65–9.89% for OCPs and 0.98–13.99% for PYPs, respectively. Average recoveries were in the range of 47.74–120.31%, with relative standard deviations below 20%. The developed method was then applied to analyze 80 CM wine samples. Beta-BHC (Benzene hexachloride) was the most frequently detected pesticide at concentration levels of 5.67–31.55 mg/L, followed by delta-BHC, trans-chlordane, gamma-BHC, and alpha-BHC. The validated method is simple and economical, with adequate sensitivity for trace levels of multi-class pesticides. It could be adopted by laboratories for this and other types of complex matrices analysis.
Detection of preperimetric glaucoma using Bruch membrane opening, neural canal and posterior pole asymmetry analysis of optical coherence tomography
Authors: Hua Rui , Gangwani Rita , Guo Lei , McGhee Sarah , Ma Xiaoli , Li Jun , Yao Kai 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe analysed retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) defects in eyes with normal circumpapillary RNFL (cpRNFL) thickness using posterior pole asymmetry analysis (PPAA) and investigated the parameters of Bruch membrane opening (BMO) and neural canals using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-SDOCT). A total of 112 preperimetric glaucomatous eyes of 92 patients were examined to obtain cpRNFL thickness using SD-OCT. Posterior pole asymmetry analysis (PPAA) and central cross-sectional images of the optic nerve head (ONH) were obtained using EDI-SDOCT. Minimal and horizontal distances between the BMO and ONH surfaces (BMOM, BMOH) and the terminal of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and ONH surfaces (RPEM, RPEH) were measured. The distribution of the absolute black cells in PPAA was more concentrated in eyes with “U”-shaped neural canals (p < 0.0001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the ratio of RPEM to RPEH (RPE-R, 0.771 ± 0.08) was significantly larger than the ratio of BMOM to BMOH (BMO-R, 0.719 ± 0.009) for PPAA results. A U-shaped neural canal, lower ratio of RPEM to RPEH, and lower ratio of BMOM to BMOH were considered early indicators of RNFL defects in preperimetric glaucomatous eyes with normal cpRNFL.
Foot-and-mouth disease virus non-structural protein 3A inhibits the interferon-β signaling pathway
Authors: Li Dan , Lei Caoqi , Xu Zhisheng , Yang Fan , Liu Huanan , Zhu Zixiang , Li Shu , Liu Xiangtao , Shu Hongbing , Zheng Haixue 
Published: February 2016

AbstractFoot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is the etiological agent of FMD, which affects cloven-hoofed animals. The pathophysiology of FMDV has not been fully understood and the evasion of host innate immune system is still unclear. Here, the FMDV non-structural protein 3A was identified as a negative regulator of virus-triggered IFN-β signaling pathway. Overexpression of the FMDV 3A inhibited Sendai virus-triggered activation of IRF3 and the expressions of RIG-I/MDA5. Transient transfection and co-immunoprecipitation experiments suggested that FMDV 3A interacts with RIG-I, MDA5 and VISA, which is dependent on the N-terminal 51 amino acids of 3A. Furthermore, 3A also inhibited the expressions of RIG-I, MDA5 and VISA by disrupting their mRNA levels. These results demonstrated that 3A inhibits the RLR-mediated IFN-β induction and uncovered a novel mechanism by which the FMDV 3A protein evades the host innate immune system.
Wide range temperature sensor with adaptive nonlinearity cancellation (ANC) technique for HVICs
Authors: Zhang Yunwu , Zhu Jing , Sun Weifeng , Lu Yangyang , Wang Fagang , Yu Kuo 
Published: February 2016

A new temperature sensor utilising an adaptive nonlinearity cancellation circuit is proposed among two base‐emitter voltages (VBEPT and VBEIO) of the diode‐connected bipolar junction transistors driven in saturation region with a proportional to absolute temperature current and an independent of absolute temperature current, respectively. In this way, the nonlinear effect originated from the temperature dependence of saturation current (IS) drift can be cancelled adaptively through subtraction circuits. The measurements indicate that the proposed temperature sensor can achieve a sensitivity of −9.75 mV/°C with linearity up to 99.95% over the temperature range of 170°C (−40–130°C).
Efficacy of physical layer preamble manipulation for IEEE 802.11a/ac
Authors: Ramsey B. , Fuller J. , Badenhop C. 
Published: February 2016

Wireless physical layer manipulation is a recently discovered technique for selective packet obfuscation. This process exploits the unique and proprietary nature of transceiver designs rather than manufacturing imperfections. To date, preamble manipulation has only successfully been demonstrated on low data rate transceivers operating in the 2.4 GHz band. This Letter investigates the effectiveness of preamble manipulation on common 5 GHz IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11ac wireless transceivers for the first time. Herein it is demonstrated that the preamble short training sequence length can be manipulated to discern among the six transceiver designs under test with greater than 99% accuracy using fewer than 20 packets.
Non‐volatile memory operation in normally‐off GaN MOS heterostructure field effect transistors with thin AlGaN barrier
Authors: Keum D. , Cho K. , Kim H. 
Published: February 2016

Normally‐off AlGaN/GaN metal‐oxide‐semiconductor heterostructure field effect transistors have been fabricated and characterised for non‐volatile memory operation. 2 nm‐thickness AlGaN barrier layer was obtained by gate recess process using inductively‐coupled‐plasma etching. The device was set to a program state by applying positive gate bias which induced the positive shift of threshold voltage and this shift was switched back to the original value by applying negative gate bias. The threshold voltage shift was 3.6 V between the program and the erase states. The retention characteristics were stable for over 105 s. The device characteristics were not degraded after 103 cycles of program/erase operations.
High‐speed quasi‐distributed strain sensing based on time division multiplexing of fibre Bragg gratings
Authors: Ma L. , Ma C. , Wang Y. , Wang D.Y. , Wang A. 
Published: February 2016

A high‐speed quasi‐distributed fibre optic sensing technique for strain is proposed and a proof‐of‐concept experiment is performed. The sensing link is formed by multiple fibre Bragg gratings and interrogated by a pulsed broadband source. A dispersive unit is used to translate wavelength variations to time‐delay changes to enable high‐speed sensing capability. As the gratings can be weakly reflecting and nominally identical in their reflection spectra, this technique has the inherent capability of high‐capacity multiplexing. Linear and repeatable static strain response was achieved with a strain–delay conversion factor of −3.37 ps/με and a resolution of 4.73 με. Dynamic strain was successfully measured at a sampling rate of 7 kHz and dynamic resolution of 0.2 με/√Hz was obtained.
Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism following Thoracolumbar Surgery: Analysis of 43,777 Patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005 to 2012
Authors: Sebastian Arjun S. , Currier Bradford L. , Kakar Sanjeev , Nguyen Emily C. , Wagie Amy E. , Habermann Elizabeth S. , Nassr Ahmad 
Published: February 2016

Study Design Retrospective clinical study of a prospectively collected, national database. Objective Determine the 30-day incidence, timing, and risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) following thoracolumbar spine surgery. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use File identified 43,777 patients who underwent thoracolumbar surgery from 2005 to 2012. Multiple patient characteristics were identified. The incidence and timing (in days) of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus (PE) were determined. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors. Results Of the 43,777 patients identified as having had thoracolumbar surgery, 202 cases of PE (0.5%) and 311 cases of DVT (0.7%) were identified. VTE rates were highest in patients undergoing corpectomy, with a 1.7% PE rate and a 3.8% DVT rate. Independent risk factors for VTE included length of stay (LOS) ≥ 6 days (odds ratio [OR] 4.07), disseminated cancer (OR 1.77), white blood cell count > 12 (OR 1.76), paraplegia (OR 1.75), albumin < 3 (OR 1.73), American Society of Anesthesiologists class 4 or greater (OR 1.54), body mass index > 40 (OR 1.49), and operative time > 193 minutes (OR 1.43). LOS < 3 days was protective (OR 0.427). Conclusions We report an overall 30-day PE rate of 0.5% and DVT rate of 0.7% following thoracolumbar spine surgery. Patients undergoing corpectomy were at highest risk for VTE. Multiple VTE risk factors were identified. Further studies are needed to develop algorithms to stratify VTE risk and direct prophylaxis accordingly.
Infants use relative numerical group size to infer social dominance
Authors: Pun Anthea , Birch Susan A. J. , Baron Andrew Scott 
Published: February 2016

SignificanceThe ability to detect dominance relationships is essential for survival because it helps individuals weigh the potential costs and benefits of engaging in a physical competition. Here we show that infants as young as 6 mo of age are capable of detecting dominance relations when provided with an ecologically relevant cue such as social group size. Furthermore, infants can infer the social dominance relationship between two competing individuals based on the size of the group to which they belong, and expect individuals from a numerically larger group to get their way. These findings reveal that infants may have an evolutionarily ancient cognitive capacity to represent social dominance relations that is shared with other species within the animal kingdom.
Deep phenotyping of 89 xeroderma pigmentosum patients reveals unexpected heterogeneity dependent on the precise molecular defect
Authors: Fassihi Hiva , Sethi Mieran , Fawcett Heather , Wing Jonathan , Chandler Natalie , Mohammed Shehla , Craythorne Emma , Morley Ana M. S. , Lim Rongxuan , Turner Sally , Henshaw Tanya , Garrood Isabel , Giunti Paola , Hedderly Tammy , Abiona Adesoji , Naik Harsha , Harrop Gemma , McGibbon David , Jaspers Nicolaas G. J. , Botta Elena , Nardo Tiziana , Stefanini Miria , Young Antony R. , Sarkany Robert P. E. , Lehmann Alan R. 
Published: February 2016

Significance
Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a genetic disorder caused by defective repair of DNA damage. Affected patients are mutated in one of eight genes and develop skin pigmentation changes, skin cancers, ocular surface abnormalities, and, in some cases, acute sunburn and neurodegeneration. The XP proteins are involved in different steps in the repair of DNA damage. Examination of 89 patients, the largest reported cohort under long-term follow-up, by the same multidisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists has revealed unexpected clinical heterogeneity dependent on the affected gene and the exact mutation. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, ocular surface disease, and neurodegeneration, as well as providing improved clinical management and more definitive prognostic predictions.
Gene control of tyrosine kinase
TIE2
and vascular manifestations of infections
Authors: Ghosh Chandra C. , David Sascha , Zhang Ruyang , Berghelli Anthony , Milam Katelyn , Higgins Sarah J. , Hunter Jon , Mukherjee Aditi , Wei Yongyue , Tran Mei , Suber Freeman , Kobzik Lester , Kain Kevin C. , Lu Shulin , Santel Ansgar , Yano Kiichiro , Guha Prajna , Dumont Daniel J. , Christiani David C. , Parikh Samir M. 
Published: February 2016

Significance
Major infections, such as influenza and bacterial sepsis, kill millions of individuals yearly, most commonly from complications affecting the vasculature, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Poor outcomes from rare infections, such as Ebola virus disease, have also been linked to the vasculature. The basis for prominent vascular involvement in infectious syndromes remains poorly understood. The present work shows that humans exhibit common, yet highly consequential, genetic variation in the ability to sustain expression of a key homeostatic vascular receptor called tunica interna endothelial cell kinase 2. The results suggest that host determinants of the molecular vascular response to infection may have a heretofore underappreciated impact on clinical outcomes. They also suggest new means to identify at-risk individuals and personalize future therapies.
A highly precise and portable genome engineering method allows comparison of mutational effects across bacterial species
Authors: Nyerges Ákos , Csörgő Bálint , Nagy István , Bálint Balázs , Bihari Péter , Lázár Viktória , Apjok Gábor , Umenhoffer Kinga , Bogos Balázs , Pósfai György , Pál Csaba 
Published: February 2016

SignificanceCurrent tools for bacterial genome engineering suffer from major limitations. They have been optimized for a few laboratory model strains, lead to the accumulation of numerous undesired, off-target modifications, and demand extensive modification of the host genome prior to large-scale editing. Herein, we address these problems and present a simple, all-in-one solution. By utilizing a highly conserved mutant allele of the bacterial mismatch-repair system, we were able to gain unprecedented precision in the control over the generation of desired modifications in multiple bacterial species. These results have broad implications with regards to both biotechnological and clinical applications.
Tailoring nanoparticle designs to target cancer based on tumor pathophysiology
Authors: Sykes Edward A. , Dai Qin , Sarsons Christopher D. , Chen Juan , Rocheleau Jonathan V. , Hwang David M. , Zheng Gang , Cramb David T. , Rinker Kristina D. , Chan Warren C. W. 
Published: February 2016

Significance
Nanotechnology is a promising approach for improving cancer diagnosis and treatment with reduced side effects. A key question that has emerged is: What is the ideal nanoparticle size, shape, or surface chemistry for targeting tumors? Here, we show that tumor pathophysiology and volume can significantly impact nanoparticle targeting. This finding presents a paradigm shift in nanomedicine away from identifying and using a universal nanoparticle design for cancer detection and treatment. Rather, our results suggest that future clinicians will be capable of tailoring nanoparticle designs according to the patient's tumor characteristics. This concept of “personalized nanomedicine” was tested for detection of prostate tumors and was successfully demonstrated to improve nanoparticle targeting by over 50%.