bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P2X7 Blockade Attenuates Murine Lupus Nephritis by Inhibiting Activation of the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase 1 Pathway
Authors: Zhao Jijun , Wang Hongyue , Dai Chao , Wang Hongyang , Zhang Hui , Huang Yuefang , Wang Shuang , Gaskin Felicia , Yang Niansheng , Man Fu Shu 
Published: September 2013

ObjectiveThe NLRP3 inflammasome plays key roles in inflammation and autoimmunity, and purinergic receptor P2X7 has been proposed to be upstream of NLRP3 activation. The aim of the present study, using murine models, was to investigate whether the P2X7/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN).MethodsMRL/lpr mice were treated with the selective P2X7 antagonist brilliant blue G (BBG) for 8 weeks. Following treatment, the severity of renal lesions, production of anti–double‐stranded DNA (anti‐dsDNA) antibodies, rate of survival, activation of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase 1 inflammasome pathway, and ratio of Th17 cells to Treg cells were evaluated. P2X7‐targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA) was also used for in vivo intervention. Similar evaluations were carried out in NZM2328 mice, a model of LN in which the disease was accelerated by administration of adenovirus‐expressing interferon‐α (AdIFNα).ResultsSignificant up‐regulation of P2X7/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling molecules was detected in the kidneys of MLR/lpr mice as compared with normal control mice. Blockade of P2X7 activation by BBG suppressed NLRP3/ASC/caspase 1 assembly and the subsequent release of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), resulting in a significant reduction in the severity of nephritis and circulating anti‐dsDNA antibodies. The lifespan of the treated mice was significantly prolonged. BBG treatment reduced the serum levels of IL‐1β and IL‐17 and the Th17:Treg cell ratio. Similar results were obtained by specific siRNA silencing of P2X7 in vivo. The effectiveness of BBG treatment in modulating LN was confirmed in NZM2328 mice with AdIFNα‐accelerated disease.ConclusionActivation of the P2X7 signaling pathway accelerates murine LN by activating the NLRP3/ASC/caspase 1 inflammasome, resulting in increased IL‐1β production and enhanced Th17 cell polarization. Thus, targeting of the P2X7/NLRP3 pathway should be considered as a novel therapeutic strategy in patients with lupus.
Indocyanine Green–Enhanced Fluorescence Optical Imaging in Patients With Early and Very Early Arthritis: A Comparative Study With Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Werner Stephanie G. , Langer Hans‐Eckhard , Schott Peter , Bahner Malte , Schwenke Carsten , Lind‐Albrecht Gudrun , Spiecker Felicitas , Kurtz Bernward , Burmester Gerd R. , Backhaus Marina 
Published: September 2013

ObjectiveIndocyanine green–enhanced fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) is a novel diagnostic tool for the assessment of inflammation in arthritis. We undertook this study to compare FOI with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 32 patients with early and very early untreated arthritis (mean disease duration 7.1 months).MethodsFOI images were acquired with the commercially available Xiralite system. Image interpretation was done for an early phase (phase 1), an intermediate phase (phase 2), and a late phase (phase 3), and for an electronically generated composite image. The results were compared with those of clinical examination (960 joints) and contrast (gadolinium)–enhanced 1.5T MRI (382 joints) of the clinically more affected hand. Additionally, we evaluated FOI in a control group of 46 subjects without any signs of inflammatory joint disease (1,380 joints).ResultsWith MRI as the reference method, the sensitivity of FOI was 86% and the specificity was 63%, while the composite image, phase 1, and phase 3 reached high specificities (87%, 90%, and 88%, respectively). The results differed considerably between the composite image and the phases. FOI did not detect inflammation in 11 joint regions that showed palmar tenosynovitis on MRI. Intrareader and interreader agreements were moderate to substantial (κ = 0.55–0.73). In the control group, FOI showed positive findings in 5% of normal joints in phase 2.ConclusionFurther multicenter studies will address the question of whether FOI allows sensitive and reliable detection of inflammatory changes in early arthritis, as suggested by our initial findings. If this is confirmed, FOI has the potential to be a sensitive and valuable tool for monitoring disease activity on site in clinical settings and for serving as an outcome parameter in clinical trials.
PID Stabilization of Retarded‐Type Time‐Delay System
Authors: Zhao Xiu‐wei , Ren Jian‐yue 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTAn analytical method is proposed to construct the stabilizing PID region of a retarded‐type time‐delay system, based on Pontryagin's results and a generalization of the Hermite‐Biehler theorem. It is shown that the stable region in the (ki, kd)‐plane is made up of some convex polygons for a fixed kp, and the whole region in the (kp, ki, kd)‐space is comprised of some polyhedrons, each of which is mapped onto a real used string. Additionally, a method for determining the feasible kp‐intervals is given in this paper. Two examples are employed to illustrate and verify the construction procedure of the stabilizing PID region in detail.
Simultaneous improvement of specificity and affinity of aptamers against Streptococcus mutans by in silico maturation for biosensor development
Authors: Savory Nasa , Takahashi Yayoi , Tsukakoshi Kaori , Hasegawa Hijiri , Takase Madoka , Abe Koichi , Yoshida Wataru , Ferri Stefano , Kumazawa Shizuko , Sode Koji , Ikebukuro Kazunori 
Published: September 2013

AbstractIn silico evolution with an in vitro system can facilitate the development of functional aptamers with high specificity and affinity. Although a general technique known as systematic evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is an efficient method for aptamer selection, it sometimes fails to identify aptamers with sufficient binding properties. We have previously developed in silico maturation (ISM) to improve functions of aptamers based on genetic algorithms. ISM represents an intelligent exploitation of a random search within a defined sequence space to optimize aptamer sequences and improve their function of interest. Here we demonstrated a successful application of ISM of aptamers to simultaneously improve specificity and affinity for Streptococcus mutans with discovery of a core sequence, which was required to form a polymerized guanine quadruplex structure for target binding. We applied ISM to aptamers selected by whole‐cell SELEX and identified an aptamer with up to 16‐fold improvement in affinity compared to its parent aptamers, and specificity was increased to show 12‐fold more binding to S. mutans than to Lactobacillus acidophilus. Furthermore, we demonstrated a specific flow‐through detection of S. mutans at a concentration range of 1 × 105–108 CFU/mL using the evolved aptamer immobilized on gold colloids. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 454–461. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Length‐Dependent Charge Generation from Vertical Arrays of High‐Aspect‐Ratio ZnO Nanowires
Authors: Rivera Vivian Farías , Auras Florian , Motto Paolo , Stassi Stefano , Canavese Giancarlo , Celasco Edvige , Bein Thomas , Onida Barbara , Cauda Valentina 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAqueous chemical growth of zinc oxide nanowires is a flexible and effective approach to obtain dense arrays of vertically oriented nanostructures with high aspect ratio. Herein we present a systematic study of the different synthesis parameters that influence the ZnO seed layer and thus the resulting morphological features of the free‐standing vertically oriented ZnO nanowires. We obtained a homogeneous coverage of transparent conductive substrates with high‐aspect‐ratio nanowire arrays (length/diameter ratio of up to 52). Such nanostructured vertical arrays were examined to assess their electric and piezoelectric properties, and showed an electric charge generation upon mechanical compressive stress. The principle of energy harvesting with these nanostructured ZnO arrays was demonstrated by connecting them to an electronic charge amplifier and storing the generated charge in a series of capacitors. We found that the generated charge and the electrical behavior of the ZnO nanowires are strictly dependent on the nanowire length. We have shown the importance of controlling the morphological properties of such ZnO nanostructures for optimizing a nanogenerator device.
Effects of Six‐Membered Carbohydrate Rings on Structure, Stability, and Kinetics of G‐Quadruplexes
Authors: Zhou Jun , Abramov Michael , Liu Fengwu , Amrane Samir , Bourdoncle Anne , Herdewijn Piet , Mergny Jean‐Louis 
Published: September 2013

AbstractWe have evaluated the conformational, thermal, and kinetic properties of d(TGGGGT) analogues with one or five of the ribose nucleotides replaced with the carbohydrate residues hexitol nucleic acid (HNA), cyclohexenyl nucleic acid (CeNA), or altritol nucleic acid (ANA). All of the modified oligonucleotides formed G‐quadruplexes, but substitution with the six‐membered rings resulted in a mixture of G‐quadruplex structures. UV and CD melting analyses showed that the structure formed by d(TGGGGT) modified with HNA was stabilized whereas that modified with CeNA was destabilized, relative to the structure formed by the unmodified oligonucleotide. Substitution at the fourth base of the G‐tract with ANA resulted in a greater stabilization effect than substitution at the first G residue; substitution with five ANA residues resulted in significant stabilization of the G‐quadruplex. A single substitution with CeNA at the first base of the G‐tract or five substitutions with HNA resulted in striking deceleration or acceleration of G‐quadruplex formation, respectively. Our results shed light on the effect of the sugar moiety on the properties of G‐quadruplex structures.
Technological innovation capabilities, product strategy, and firm performance: The electronics industry in China
Authors: Shan Juan , Jolly Dominique R. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis research was conducted with a sample of 215 Chinese companies from the electronics industry. It shows that the different technological innovation capabilities have a positive impact on product innovation, beginning with the linkage capability, and then moving to the production capability, and ending with the investment capability. The research also shows that product innovation has a mediating effect on the relationship between different technological innovation capabilities and firm performance. Copyright © 2013 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of draft tube geometry on pressure drop in draft tube conical spouted beds
Authors: Altzibar Haritz , Lopez Gartzen , Bilbao Javier , Olazar Martin 
Published: September 2013

AbstractA hydrodynamic study of conical spouted beds equipped with draft tubes of different configurations have been carried out for fine and coarse particles belonging to Geldart groups D and B, respectively. The draft tubes used are conventional non‐porous tubes and open‐sided tubes, and runs have been carried out following a design of experiments in order to ascertain the effect of the draft tube geometry on the operating pressure drop and peak pressure drop. Furthermore, runs have been carried out without tubes to compare the results obtained with those obtained with the two types of tubes. The results evidence that the geometry of the draft tube influences the operating pressure drop and especially the peak pressure drop and, therefore, the hydrodynamics of conical spouted beds.
Stabilized second‐order convex splitting schemes for Cahn–Hilliard models with application to diffuse‐interface tumor‐growth models
Authors: Wu X. , van Zwieten G. J. , van der Zee K. G. 
Published: September 2013

SUMMARYWe present unconditionally energy‐stable second‐order time‐accurate schemes for diffuse‐interface (phase‐field) models; in particular, we consider the Cahn–Hilliard equation and a diffuse‐interface tumor‐growth system consisting of a reactive Cahn–Hilliard equation and a reaction–diffusion equation. The schemes are of the Crank–Nicolson type with a new convex–concave splitting of the free energy and an artificial‐diffusivity stabilization. The case of nonconstant mobility is treated using extrapolation. For the tumor‐growth system, a semi‐implicit treatment of the reactive terms and additional stabilization are discussed. For suitable free energies, all schemes are linear. We present numerical examples that verify the second‐order accuracy, unconditional energy‐stability, and superiority compared with their first‐order accurate variants. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Level and Appraisal of Fatigue are Not Specific in Burnout
Authors: Van Dam Arno , Keijsers Ger , Verbraak Marc , Eling Paul , Becker Eni 
Published: September 2013

Fatigue is a main feature of the burnout syndrome but also very common in other psychiatric disorders such as major depression and anxiety disorders. This raises the question of whether the level and appraisal of fatigue is experienced differently by individuals suffering from burnout than by those exhibiting anxiety disorders and major depression. If fatigue is experienced differently in burnout compared with other disorders, this may clarify why fatigue is the main feature of the burnout syndrome. This knowledge may lead to the application of specific therapeutic interventions aimed at the experience of fatigue in burnout. In the present study, we investigated whether fatigue is experienced differently in burnout patients than in patients suffering from anxiety disorders or major depression. We presented 73 burnout patients, 67 depressed patients, 57 patients with an anxiety disorder and 127 healthy participants with a rating scale containing statements about the fatigue–performance relationship, and we assessed the level of fatigue, depression and anxiety. The level of fatigue reported by burnout patients was high but did not differ from that of the other patient groups. The appraisal of fatigue also did not differ among the patient groups. The burnout patients did not appraise their fatigue as a result of unrewarding activities nor did they catastrophize fatigue in an exceptional way. Thus, the level of fatigue and the appraisal of fatigue may be less relevant to the understanding of the specific pathological processes associated with burnout than is often presumed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Message

The level of fatigue and the appraisal of fatigue in burnout patients do not differ from those reported in patients with major depression or anxiety disorders ,and may therefore, not be relevant to the understanding of the specific pathological processes associated with burnout.
General level of fatigue appeared to predict worrying about fatigue and fear of social rejection, regardless of diagnosis.
Fatigue is a feature of several psychiatric disorders. Understanding fatigue may help to gain insight into pathological processes underlying a range of disorders.
Morphology‐controllable synthesis of ZnO nano‐/micro‐ structures by a solvothermal process in ethanol solution
Authors: Zhang An‐Qi , Zhang Lu , Sui Li , Qian Dong‐Jin , Chen Meng 
Published: September 2013

Flower‐like ZnO nanostructures assembled by nanorods with bimodal size distribution have been synthesized by a solvothermal process in NaOH‐Et system. Various effects of the solvothermal parameters and assistant additives on the morphologies of ZnO nanostructures have been investigated. The directing effect of chloride ions have been observed in the formation of highly symmetrical 3D ZnO nanostructures. A possible mechanism has been proposed to explain the formation of ZnO nanoflowers in NaOH‐Et system. A strong near‐UV emission band centered at around 396 nm is observed in the photoluminescence spectrum of flower‐like ZnO nanostructures, indicating of their high crystal quality.
Best Practicable Aggregation of Species: a step forward for species surrogacy in environmental assessment and monitoring
Authors: Bevilacqua Stanislao , Claudet Joachim , Terlizzi Antonio 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe available taxonomic expertise and knowledge of species is still inadequate to cope with the urgent need for cost‐effective methods to quantifying community response to natural and anthropogenic drivers of change. So far, the mainstream approach to overcome these impediments has focused on using higher taxa as surrogates for species. However, the use of such taxonomic surrogates often limits inferences about the causality of community patterns, which in turn is essential for effective environmental management strategies. Here, we propose an alternative approach to species surrogacy, the “Best Practicable Aggregation of Species” (BestAgg), in which surrogates exulate from fixed taxonomic schemes. The approach uses null models from random aggregations of species to minimizing the number of surrogates without causing significant losses of information on community patterns. Surrogate types are then selected in order to maximize ecological information. We applied the approach to real case studies on natural and human‐driven gradients from marine benthic communities. Outcomes from BestAgg were also compared with those obtained using classic taxonomic surrogates. Results showed that BestAgg surrogates are effective in detecting community changes. In contrast to classic taxonomic surrogates, BestAgg surrogates allow retaining significantly higher information on species‐level community patterns than what is expected to occur by chance and a potential time saving during sample processing up to 25% higher. Our findings showed that BestAgg surrogates from a pilot study could be used successfully in similar environmental investigations in the same area, or for subsequent long‐term monitoring programs. BestAgg is virtually applicable to any environmental context, allowing exploiting multiple surrogacy schemes beyond stagnant perspectives strictly relying on taxonomic relatedness among species. This prerogative is crucial to extend the concept of species surrogacy to ecological traits of species, thus leading to ecologically meaningful surrogates that, while cost effective in reflecting community patterns, may also contribute to unveil underlying processes. A specific R code for BestAgg is provided.
Flow Field Analysis of Micromixer Powered by Ciliary Motion of Vorticella
Authors: Hayasaka Yo , Nagai Moeto , Matsumoto Nobuyoshi , Kawashima Takahiro , Shibata Takayuki 
Published: September 2013

SUMMARYThe use of cilia from microorganisms requires design of the channel and the fabrication process. We developed a method of injecting Vorticella into a microchamber and exploited the properties of Vorticella as a micromixer of two solutions. We characterized a flow field generated by the ciliary motion of Vorticella. We measured the stability and mixing performance of Vorticella by particle image velocimetry (PIV). Our PIV measurements showed that a single Vorticella mixes the half‐area of a microchamber (200 × 400 µm). We conclude that the flow field of a single cell in a chamber is more stable than that of multiple cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 96(10): 43–49, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.11468
Stabilizing Predictive Visual Feedback Control via Image Space Navigation Function
Authors: Murao Toshiyuki , Kawai Hiroyuki , Fujita Masayuki 
Published: September 2013

SUMMARYThis paper investigates stabilizing receding horizon control via an image space navigation function for three‐dimensional (3D) visual feedback systems. First, we describe the representation of a relative pose and a camera model. Next, a visual motion error system which can handle time‐varying desired motion is constructed. Then, visual motion observer‐based stabilizing receding horizon control for 3D visual feedback systems is proposed. Moreover, a path planner appropriate for the visual motion error system is designed through an image space navigation function to keep all features in the camera field of view. The main contribution of this paper is to show that the path planner which always remains in the camera field of view during servoing is designed for position‐based visual feedback receding horizon control based on optimal control theory. Finally, we present simulation and nonlinear experimental results in order to verify control performance with visibility maintenance of the proposed control scheme. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 96(10): 12–21, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.11493
High‐Pressure Synthesis and Characterization of the Actinide Borate Phosphate U2[BO4][PO4]
Authors: Hinteregger Ernst , Wurst Klaus , Perfler Lukas , Kraus Florian , Huppertz Hubert 
Published: September 2013

AbstractA new actinide borate phosphate, U2[BO4][PO4], was synthesized in a Walker‐type multianvil apparatus at 12.5 GPa and 1000 °C. The crystal structure was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data collected at room temperature. U2[BO4][PO4] crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with four formula units per unit cell and the lattice parameters a = 854.6(2), b = 775.3(2), c = 816.3(2) pm, and β = 102.52(3)°. The structure consists of double layers of linked uranium–oxygen polyhedra parallel to [100]. The borate tetrahedra are located between the uranium–oxygen layers inside the double layer. The phosphate groups link the double layers.
‘We were here first, so we determine the rules of the game’: Autochthony and prejudice towards out‐groups
Authors: Martinovic Borja , Verkuyten Maykel 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis paper identifies autochthony—the belief that a place belongs to its original inhabitants and that they are therefore more entitled—as a relevant new determinant of out‐group prejudice. We hypothesized that autochthony uniquely predicts prejudice towards migrant groups and that it mediates the relationship between national identification and prejudice. The mediation process was anticipated to be especially strong for people who perceive out‐group encroachment, that is, those who feel that immigrants are ‘getting out of place’. These hypotheses were tested in two studies using nationally representative samples of native Dutch participants. In Study 1 (N = 793), we showed that autochthony is an empirically distinct construct and that it is a unique predictor of prejudice. Furthermore, higher national identifiers expressed stronger claims of autochthony, and these claims were in turn associated with more negative feelings towards migrant groups. Study 2 (N = 466) showed support for a moderated mediation model: Beliefs in autochthony were only related to prejudice for participants who perceived out‐group encroachment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.