bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbial synthesis of Pd/Fe3O4, Au/Fe3O4 and PdAu/Fe3O4 nanocomposites for catalytic reduction of nitroaromatic compounds
Authors: Tuo Ya , Liu Guangfei , Dong Bin , Zhou Jiti , Wang Aijie , Wang Jing , Jin Ruofei , Lv Hong , Dou Zeou , Huang Wenyu 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMagnetically recoverable noble metal nanoparticles are promising catalysts for chemical reactions. However, the chemical synthesis of these nanocatalysts generally causes environmental concern due to usage of toxic chemicals under extreme conditions. Here, Pd/Fe3O4, Au/Fe3O4 and PdAu/Fe3O4 nanocomposites are biosynthesized under ambient and physiological conditions by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Microbial cells firstly transform akaganeite into magnetite, which then serves as support for the further synthesis of Pd, Au and PdAu nanoparticles from respective precursor salts. Surface-bound cellular components and exopolysaccharides not only function as shape-directing agent to convert some Fe3O4 nanoparticles to nanorods, but also participate in the formation of PdAu alloy nanoparticles on magnetite. All these three kinds of magnetic nanocomposites can catalyze the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and some other nitroaromatic compounds by NaBH4. PdAu/Fe3O4 demonstrates higher catalytic activity than Pd/Fe3O4 and Au/Fe3O4. Moreover, the magnetic nanocomposites can be easily recovered through magnetic decantation after catalysis reaction. PdAu/Fe3O4 can be reused in at least eight successive cycles of 4-nitrophenol reduction. The biosynthesis approach presented here does not require harmful agents or rigorous conditions and thus provides facile and environmentally benign choice for the preparation of magnetic noble metal nanocatalysts.
A facile and low-cost micro fabrication material: flash foam
Authors: He Yong , Xiao Xiao , Wu Yan , Fu Jian-zhong 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAlthough many microfabrication methods have been reported, the preliminary replication templates used in most microfabrication still depend on the expensive and long-period photolithography. This paper explores an alternative replication templates based on a daily used material, flash foam (FF) and proposes a facile microfabrication method, flash foam stamp lithography (FFSL). When FF is exposed with a desired pattern mask, the negative of the pattern is transferred to its surface and micro structures are formed due to the shrinkage of the exposed area. As FF is commonly used in personal stamps, FFSL is very simple and cost-effective. In this paper, we demonstrated that FF is a good and low-cost template for many micro fabrication methods, such as micro casting and soft lithography. Thus, designing and fabricating micro structures at personal office immediately become possible with FFSL. Furthermore, we demonstrated that multi-scale micro structures can be easily fabricated by double exposure with FFSL. Skin textures is used as another case to demonstrate that FFSL can fabricate structures with different depth in a single exposure. As a result, FF shows a promising future in biology and analytical chemistry, such as rapid fabrication of point of care diagnostics and microfluidic analytical devices with low cost.
Dissecting the role of distinct OCT4-SOX2 heterodimer configurations in pluripotency
Authors: Tapia Natalia , MacCarthy Caitlin , Esch Daniel , Gabriele Marthaler Adele , Tiemann Ulf , Araúzo-Bravo Marcos J. , Jauch Ralf , Cojocaru Vlad , Schöler Hans R. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe transcription factors OCT4 and SOX2 are required for generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and for maintaining embryonic stem cells (ESCs). OCT4 and SOX2 associate and bind to DNA in different configurations depending on the arrangement of their individual DNA binding elements. Here we have investigated the role of the different OCT4-SOX2-DNA assemblies in regulating and inducing pluripotency. To this end, we have generated SOX2 mutants that interfere with specific OCT4-SOX2 heterodimer configurations and assessed their ability to generate iPSCs and to rescue ESC self-renewal. Our results demonstrate that the OCT4-SOX2 configuration that dimerizes on a Hoxb1-like composite, a canonical element with juxtaposed individual binding sites, plays a more critical role in the induction and maintenance of pluripotency than any other OCT4-SOX2 configuration. Overall, the results of this study provide new insight into the protein interactions required to establish a de novo pluripotent network and to maintain a true pluripotent cell fate.
Homogeneous nucleation and microstructure evolution in million-atom molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Shibuta Yasushi , Oguchi Kanae , Takaki Tomohiro , Ohno Munekazu 
Published: August 2015

AbstractHomogeneous nucleation from an undercooled iron melt is investigated by the statistical sampling of million-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations performed on a graphics processing unit (GPU). Fifty independent instances of isothermal MD calculations with one million atoms in a quasi-two-dimensional cell over a nanosecond reveal that the nucleation rate and the incubation time of nucleation as functions of temperature have characteristic shapes with a nose at the critical temperature. This indicates that thermally activated homogeneous nucleation occurs spontaneously in MD simulations without any inducing factor, whereas most previous studies have employed factors such as pressure, surface effect and continuous cooling to induce nucleation. Moreover, further calculations over ten nanoseconds capture the microstructure evolution on the order of tens of nanometers from the atomistic viewpoint and the grain growth exponent is directly estimated. Our novel approach based on the concept of “melting pots in a supercomputer” is opening a new phase in computational metallurgy with the aid of rapid advances in computational environments.
Redefining metamorphosis in spiny lobsters: molecular analysis of the phyllosoma to puerulus transition in Sagmariasus verreauxi
Authors: Ventura Tomer , Fitzgibbon Quinn P. , Battaglene Stephen C. , Elizur Abigail 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe molecular understanding of crustacean metamorphosis is hindered by small sized individuals and inability to accurately define molt stages. We used the spiny lobsterSagmariasus verreauxiwhere the large, transparent larvae enable accurate tracing of the transition from a leaf-shaped phyllosoma to an intermediate larval-juvenile phase (puerulus). Transcriptomic analysis of larvae at well-defined stages prior to, during and following this transition show that the phyllosoma-puerulus metamorphic transition is accompanied by vast transcriptomic changes exceeding 25% of the transcriptome. Notably, genes previously identified as regulating metamorphosis in other crustaceans do not fluctuate during this transition but in the later, morphologically-subtle puerulus-juvenile transition, indicating that the dramatic phyllosoma-puerulus morphological shift relies on a different, yet to be identified metamorphic mechanism. We examined the change in expression of domains and gene families, with focus on several key genes. Our research implies that the separation in molecular triggering systems between the phyllosoma-puerulus and puerulus-juvenile transitions might have enabled the extension of the oceanic phase in spiny lobsters. Study of similar transitions, where metamorphosis is uncoupled from the transition into the benthic juvenile form, in other commercially important crustacean groups might show common features to point on the evolutionary advantage of this two staged regulation.
Antennal RNA-sequencing analysis reveals evolutionary aspects of chemosensory proteins in the carpenter ant, Camponotus japonicus
Authors: Hojo Masaru K. , Ishii Kenichi , Sakura Midori , Yamaguchi Katsushi , Shigenobu Shuji , Ozaki Mamiko 
Published: August 2015

AbstractChemical communication is essential for the coordination of complex organisation in ant societies. Recent comparative genomic approaches have revealed that chemosensory genes are diversified in ant lineages and suggest that this diversification is crucial for social organisation. However, how such diversified genes shape the peripheral chemosensory systems remains unknown. In this study, we annotated and analysed the gene expression profiles of chemosensory proteins (CSPs), which transport lipophilic compounds toward chemosensory receptors in the carpenter ant, Camponotus japonicus. Transcriptome analysis revealed 12 CSP genes and phylogenetic analysis showed that 3 of these are lineage-specifically expanded in the clade of ants. RNA sequencing and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that, among the ant specific CSP genes, two of them (CjapCSP12 and CjapCSP13) were specifically expressed in the chemosensory organs and differentially expressed amongst ant castes. Furthermore, CjapCSP12 and CjapCSP13 had a ratio of divergence at non-synonymous and synonymous sites (dN/dS) greater than 1 and they were co-expressed with CjapCSP1, which is known to bind cuticular hydrocarbons. Our results suggested that CjapCSP12 and CjapCSP13 were functionally differentiated for ant-specific chemosensory events and that CjapCSP1, CjapCSP12 and CjapCSP13 work cooperatively in the antennal chemosensilla of worker ants.
Bifunctional enhancement of oxygen reduction reaction activity on Ag catalysts due to water activation on LaMnO3 supports in alkaline media
Authors: Park Shin-Ae , Lee Eun-Kyung , Song Hannah , Kim Yong-Tae 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAg is considered to be one of the best candidates for oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts in alkaline media for application in various electrochemical energy devices. In this study, we demonstrate that water activation is a key factor in enhancing the ORR activity in alkaline media, unlike in acid environments. Ag supported on LaMnO3 having a high oxophilicity showed a markedly higher ORR activity than that on carbon with inert surfaces. Through various electrochemical tests, it was revealed that the origin of the enhanced ORR activity of Ag/LaMnO3 is the bifunctional effect mainly due to the water activation at the interface between Ag and LaMnO3. Furthermore, the ligand effect due to the charge transfer from Mn to Ag leads to the enhancement of both oxygen activation on Ag and water activation on Mn sites and hence, an improvement in the ORR activity of Ag/LaMnO3. On the other hand, the strain effect based on the fine structure variation in the lattice was negligible. We therefore suggest that the employment of a co-catalyst or support with highly oxophilic nature and the maximization of the interface between catalyst and support should be considered in the design of electrocatalysts for the ORR in alkaline media.
In vivo reprogrammed pluripotent stem cells from teratomas share analogous properties with their in vitro counterparts
Authors: Choi Hyun Woo , Kim Jong Soo , Hong Yean Ju , Song Hyuk , Seo Han Geuk , Do Jeong Tae 
Published: August 2015

AbstractRecently, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been generated in vivo from reprogrammable mice. These in vivo iPSCs display features of totipotency, i.e., they differentiate into the trophoblast lineage, as well as all 3 germ layers. Here, we developed a new reprogrammable mouse model carrying an Oct4-GFP reporter gene to facilitate the detection of reprogrammed pluripotent stem cells. Without doxycycline administration, some of the reprogrammable mice developed aggressively growing teratomas that contained Oct4-GFP+ cells. These teratoma-derived in vivo PSCs were morphologically indistinguishable from ESCs, expressed pluripotency markers and could differentiate into tissues of all 3 germ layers. However, these in vivo reprogrammed PSCs were more similar to in vitro iPSCs than ESCs and did not contribute to the trophectoderm of the blastocysts after aggregation with 8-cell embryos. Therefore, the ability to differentiate into the trophoblast lineage might not be a unique characteristic of in vivo iPSCs.
Delocalized Surface State in Epitaxial Si(111) Film with Spontaneous √3 × √3 Superstructure
Authors: Chen Jian , Du Yi , Li Zhi , Li Wenbin , Feng Baojie , Qiu Jinlan , Cheng Peng , Xue Dou Shi , Chen Lan , Wu Kehui 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe “multilayer silicene” films were grown on Ag(111), with increasing thickness above 30 monolayers (ML). Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) observations suggest that the “multilayer silicene” is indeed a bulk-like Si(111) film with a (√3 × √3)R30° honeycomb superstructure on surface. The possibility for formation of Si(111)(√3 × √3)R30°-Ag reconstruction on the surface can be distinctively ruled out by peeling off the surface layer with the STM tip. On this surface, delocalized surface state as well as linear energy-momentum dispersion was observed from quasiparticle interference patterns. Our results indicate that a bulklike silicon film with diamondlike structure can also host delocalized surface state, which is even more attractive for potential applications, such as new generation of nanodevices based on Si.
Retinal synaptic regeneration via microfluidic guiding channels
Authors: Su Ping-Jung , Liu Zongbin , Zhang Kai , Han Xin , Saito Yuki , Xia Xiaojun , Yokoi Kenji , Shen Haifa , Qin Lidong 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn vitro culture of dissociated retinal neurons is an important model for investigating retinal synaptic regeneration (RSR) and exploring potentials in artificial retina. Here, retinal precursor cells were cultured in a microfluidic chip with multiple arrays of microchannels in order to reconstruct the retinal neuronal synapse. The cultured retinal cells were physically connected through microchannels. Activation of electric signal transduction by the cells through the microchannels was demonstrated by administration of glycinergic factors. In addition, an image-based analytical method was used to quantify the synaptic connections and to assess the kinetics of synaptic regeneration. The rate of RSR decreased significantly below 100 μM of inhibitor glycine and then approached to a relatively constant level at higher concentrations. Furthermore, RSR was enhanced by chemical stimulation with potassium chloride. Collectively, the microfluidic synaptic regeneration chip provides a novel tool for high-throughput investigation of RSR at the cellular level and may be useful in quality control of retinal precursor cell transplantation.
Dielectric relaxation, resonance and scaling behaviors in Sr3Co2Fe24O41 hexaferrite
Authors: Tang Rujun , Jiang Chen , Qian Wenhu , Jian Jie , Zhang Xin , Wang Haiyan , Yang Hao 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe dielectric properties of Z-type hexaferrite Sr3Co2Fe24O41 (SCFO) have been investigated as a function of temperature from 153 to 503 K between 1 and 2 GHz. The dielectric responses of SCFO are found to be frequency dependent and thermally activated. The relaxation-type dielectric behavior is observed to be dominating in the low frequency region and resonance-type dielectric behavior is found to be dominating above 108 Hz. This frequency dependence of dielectric behavior is explained by the damped harmonic oscillator model with temperature dependent coefficients. The imaginary part of impedance (Z″) and modulus (M″) spectra show that there is a distribution of relaxation times. The scaling behaviors of Z″ and M″ spectra further suggest that the distribution of relaxation times is temperature independent at low frequencies. The dielectric loss spectra at different temperatures have not shown a scaling behavior above 108 Hz. A comparison between the Z″ and the M″ spectra indicates that the short-range charges motion dominates at low temperatures and the long-range charges motion dominates at high temperatures. The above results indicate that the dielectric dispersion mechanism in SCFO is temperature independent at low frequencies and temperature dependent at high frequencies due to the domination of resonance behavior.
Information Retention and Overload in First-Time Hearing Aid Users: An Interactive Multimedia Educational Solution
Authors: Ferguson Melanie , Brandreth Marian , Brassington William , Wharrad Heather 
Published: August 2015

Purpose
An educational intervention to improve knowledge of hearing aids and communication in first-time hearing aid users was assessed. This intervention was based on the concept of reusable learning objects (RLOs).

Method
A randomized controlled trial was conducted. One group received the educational intervention, and the other acted as a control group. RLOs were delivered online and through DVD for television and personal computer. Knowledge of both practical and psychosocial aspects of hearing aids and communication was assessed using a free-recall method 6 weeks postfitting.

Results
Knowledge of both practical and psychosocial issues was significantly higher in the group that received the RLOs than in the control group. Moderate to large effect sizes indicated that these differences were clinically significant.

Conclusion
An educational intervention that supplements clinical practice results in improved knowledge in first-time hearing aid users.
Trends in e-commerce for the food marketing system.
Authors: Carpio C. E. , Lange K. Y. 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
E-commerce has emerged as a viable option for connecting agribusinesses and consumers within the food marketing system. The purpose of this review is to assess the current status and impact of e-commerce in the food marketing system. The review comprises issues related to adoption and use of computers and the internet by agribusinesses and the economic impact of e-commerce for these businesses. The review also covers aspects related to the importance of consumers' e-commerce food purchases, the factors affecting its usage and some new developments in the use of e-commerce to market food products using social media and mobile marketing. Regarding the adoption and use of e-commerce by agribusinesses, we find heterogeneous rates of adoption, use and impact across sectors and countries. For example, in the USA even though 67% of farms had access to the internet in 2013, only 14% reported conducting marketing activities over the internet. On the other hand, US Census data show that in 2012 the e-commerce value of food product manufacturing shipments accounted for more than 50% of their total value. Data from the USA and UK, two of the most advanced e-commerce markets in the world, indicate that food internet sales account for less than 4% of total sales. We conclude that while e-commerce has influenced the food marketing system, its impact does not appear to have been as dramatic and swift as had been expected. More research is needed in order to better understand the ways in which e-commerce affects agribusinesses and consumers. The review also identifies a paucity of e-commerce related statistical data.
Growth of local food systems: a review of potential food safety implications.
Authors: Wright K. G. , Sirsat S. A. , Neal J. A. , Gibson K. E. 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
In the USA, local food markets account for a growing share of agriculture production and with this growth come unique food safety challenges. Even though consumers often perceive local foods as safer and more wholesome, there is no evidence that local food products would be less prone to contamination with foodborne pathogens, especially since local foods generally receive less government oversight both at the federal and local levels. This paper reviews the history and growth of direct marketing venues for local food commodities and the food safety issues that have been identified or that could arise with increased growth. In addition, the current knowledge related to food safety education and outreach at local food outlets is discussed. This review concludes that, if left unaddressed, the role of local food commodities as vehicles of foodborne pathogens may become more significant and that food safety training and education that is specific to personnel (i.e. market managers, vendors, farm-to-school buyers) in direct-marketing venues is integral for the protection of public health, specifically consumers of local food commodities.
Optimizing Time of Initiation for Triploid Walleye Production Using Pressure Shock Treatment
Authors: Fetherman Eric R , Lepak Jesse M , Brown Bonnie L , Harris David J 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Walleyes Sander vitreus support important recreational and commercial fisheries, and have been introduced into many systems throughout the United States and Canada. Use of sterile triploid fish is a valuable management strategy for protecting native fish species from naturally reproducing populations of introduced predators like Walleyes. Hydrostatic pressure is one of the more effective methods for inducing triploidy in Walleyes, and the technique is currently evolving. A 2.7-L capacity electric pressure chamber (TRC-APV Aqua Pressure Vessel; TRC Hydraulics) was used to produce triploid Walleyes using hydrostatic pressure with eggs collected from Pueblo Reservoir, Colorado. The TRC-APV has many advantages over manually operated pressure chambers including its portability, large capacity, and safety. Here, the methods used to create triploid Walleyes using the TRC-APV and the flow cytometric methods for estimating the efficacy of ploidy induction from pooled samples of fry are described. In addition, times of initiation (TIs), the times between fertilization and when eggs were subjected to pressure, were varied to determine the optimal time for maximizing induction and hatching success rates. Results suggest that triploidy in Walleyes is maximized with a TI of approximately 7.5 min, whereas hatching success is maximized with a TI of just over 8 min.
Comparing self‐report and mental chronometry measures of motor imagery ability
Authors: Williams Sarah E , Guillot Aymeric , Di Rienzo Franck , Cumming Jennifer 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe present study investigated the relationship between two of the most common measures of motor imagery ability, self‐report ratings, and chronometric assessment. This was done for three types of imagery modalities: external visual imagery (EVI), internal visual imagery (IVI), and kinesthetic imagery (KI). Measures of imagery ability (i.e. self‐report and mental chronometry) were also compared across skill levels. Participants (N = 198) completed the Movement Imagery Questionnaire‐3 (MIQ‐3) to generate self‐report ratings. Chronometric assessment was obtained by recording the duration of each MIQ‐3 movement imaged and physically performed and then calculating a discrepancy score. There were no significant correlations between self‐report and mental chronometry for any of the three motor imagery types (p > .05). When assessing the different types of motor imagery ability using self‐report ratings, elite athletes had significantly higher KI than IVI, which was in turn significantly higher than EVI (p < .05). When assessing motor imagery ability using mental chronometry, there were no significant differences in imagery type (p > .05). Findings suggest both measures address different components of MI quality and should be used together to obtain a more comprehensive assessment of motor imagery ability.