bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gas permeation and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy of poly(ether imides) containing main chain ethylene oxide segments
Authors: Pethrick Richard A. , Santamaria‐Mendia Fernan 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThis article reports a study of four poly(ether imide)s with varying ethylene oxide (EO) segments lengths using positron annihilation lifetimes spectroscopy, wide angle X‐ray diffraction, and gas transport measurements. The measured properties change with the length of the EO segment. Comparison of the poly(ether imide) containing a single ether linkage with those containing one and three EO units, show progressive changes of the permeability and diffusion coefficient with void size. However, when six EO units are incorporated into the polymer backbone certain of the observed trends are reversed. Incorporation of flexible EO segments in the polymer backbone allows changes in the chain–chain interactions which increases the packing density and changes the void size and influences the solubility coefficients leading to variation of the gas transport characteristics. Differences in the measured solubility parameters reflect the extent to which the gases molecules are able to interact with the polymer matrix. The highest values obtained for the gas separation for carbon dioxide and nitrogen is observed when EO has a value of three. Further increasing of the length of the EO segments in the poly(ether imide) leads to a reduction the gas transport properties and hence the extent to which gas separation would be achieved. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1654–1662
Patient exposure to extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields during laparoscopic and robotic surgeries
Authors: Chung Jai Won , Park Jee Soo , Choi Soo Beom , Kim Deok Won 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic and robotic surgeries require many electronic devices, and the hazard of extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MFs) from these devices to humans remains uncertain. This study aimed to measure and compare patients' exposure levels to ELF‐MFs in laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.MethodsThe intensity of ELF‐MF exposure to patients was measured every 10 s during 30 laparoscopic surgeries and 30 robotic surgeries using portable ELF‐MF measuring devices with logging capabilities.ResultsThe mean ELF‐MF exposures were 0.11 ± 0.07 μT for laparoscopic surgeries and 0.12 ± 0.10 μT for robotic surgeries. There were no significant differences between the laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.ConclusionsPatients' mean ELF‐MF exposure levels in laparoscopic and robotic surgeries were lower than 0.2 μT, which is considered safe according to previous studies. However, because many medical devices have been implemented for multiple purposes in hospitals, the MF environment in hospitals regarding patient health should not be overlooked. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Prevent Allostimulation In Vivo and Control Checkpoints of Th1 Priming: Migration of Human DC to Lymph Nodes and NK Cell Activation
Authors: Consentius C. , Akyüz L. , Schmidt-Lucke J. A. , Tschöpe C. , Pinzur L. , Ofir R. , Reinke P. , Volk H.-D. , Juelke K. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAlthough the immunomodulatory potency of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) is well established, the mechanisms behind are still not clear. The crosstalk between myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) and natural killer (NK) cells and especially NK cell-derived interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) play a pivotal role in the development of type 1 helper (Th1) cell immune responses. While many studies explored the isolated impact of MSC on either in vitro generated DC, NK, or T cells, there are only few data available on the complex interplay between these cells. Here, we investigated the impact of MSC on the functionality of human mDC and the consequences for NK cell and Th1 priming in vitro and in vivo. In critical limb ischemia patients, who have been treated with allogeneic placenta-derived mesenchymal-like stromal cells (PLX-PAD), no in vivo priming of Th1 responses toward the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatches could be detected. Further in vitro studies revealed that mDC reprogramming could play a central role for these effects. Following crosstalk with MSC, activated mDC acquired a tolerogenic phenotype characterized by reduced migration toward CCR7 ligand and impaired ability to stimulate NK cell-derived IFN-γ production. These effects, which were strongly related to an altered interleukin (IL)−12/IL-10 production by mDC, were accompanied by an effective prevention of Th1 priming in vivo. Our findings provide novel evidence for the regulation of Th1 priming by MSC via modulation of mDC and NK cell crosstalk and show that off-the-shelf produced MHC-mismatched PLX-PAD can be used in patients without any sign of immunogenicity. Stem Cells 2015;33:3087–3099
Carbyne: The Molecular Approach
Authors: Tykwinski Rik R. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractFor the last 60+ years, the synthesis and study of cumulenes and polyynes have been the focus of a small, but dedicated, group of researchers. Many of the remarkable electronic, optical, and structural properties of cumulenes and polyynes had already been identified in the earliest reports. The molecular lengths achievable by the initial syntheses were, unfortunately, somewhat limited by synthetic methods available. For the past 15 years, we have worked toward expanding on the synthesis of cumulenes and polyynes through the development of new methods and stabilization motifs. As new compounds have become available, homologous series of cumulenes and polyynes have then been examined as a function of molecular length. While we are not yet there, we would like to eventually provide a general description of the sp‐carbon allotrope carbyne, and this account presents some of our efforts toward this goal.
Time‐adaptive wind turbine model for an LES framework
Authors: Sharma V. , Calaf M. , Lehning M. , Parlange M. B. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMost large‐eddy simulation studies related to wind energy have been carried out either by using a fixed pressure gradient to ensure that mean wind direction is perpendicular to the wind turbine rotor disk or by forcing the flow with a geostrophic wind and timely readjusting the turbines' orientation. This has not allowed for the study of wind farm characteristics with a time‐varying wind vector. In this paper, a new time‐adaptive wind turbine model for the large‐eddy simulation framework is introduced. The new algorithm enables the wind turbines to dynamically realign with the incoming wind vector and self‐adjust the yaw orientation with the incoming wind vector similar to real wind turbines. The performance of the new model is tested first with a neutrally stratified atmospheric flow forced with a time‐varying geostrophic wind vector. A posteriori, the new model is used to further explore the interaction between a synthetic time‐changing thermal atmospheric boundary layer and an embedded wind farm. Results show that there is significant potential power to be harvested during the unstable time periods at the cost of designing wind turbines capable of adapting to the enhanced variance of these periods. Stable periods provide less power but are more constant over time with an enhanced lateral shear induced by an increased change in wind direction with height. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phosphodiester Cleavage Promoted by an Asymmetric Di­nuclear Zinc Complex: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic ­Activity
Authors: Wu Ai‐Zhi , Chen Long , Wang Tao 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe dinuclear ZnII complex [Zn2L(DNBA)2]BPh4·EtOH (1) (DNBA = 3,5‐dinitrobenzonic acid) with an asymmetric dinuclear ligand, N‐4‐methyl‐homopiperazine‐N′‐[N‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐N‐2‐(2‐pyridylethyl)amine]‐1,3‐diamino‐propan‐2‐ol (HL), was synthesized and characterized. Single crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis shows that the coordination around the two ZnII ions in 1 is significantly asymmetric, and the distance between both atoms is 3.426 Å, which is close to the Zn···Zn distance in related natural dinuclear metalloenzymes. Phosphodiesterase activity of Zn2L in situ formed from a 2:1 mixture of Zn2+ ion and HL was investigated using bis(4‐nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) as substrate. The pH dependence of the BNPP cleavage in aqueous buffer media reveals a bell‐shaped pH‐kobs profile with an optimum at about pH 7.9, which is parallel to the formation of the dinuclear species Zn2L‐OH obtained from the potentiometric titration. The catalytic rate constant (kcat) is 6.30 × 10–4 s–1 at pH 7.9 and 25 °C, which is approx. 108‐fold higher than that of the uncatalyzed reaction. The homopiperazine bound deprotonated Zn‐OH group is responsible for the hydrolysis reaction. The possible mechanism for the BNPP cleavage promoted by Zn2L is proposed on the basis of kinetic and spectral analysis.
Multiple social identifications and adolescents' self‐esteem
Authors: Benish‐Weisman Maya , Daniel Ella , Schiefer David , Möllering Anna , Knafo‐Noam Ariel 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe research examined the relationship between multiple social identifications and self‐esteem. Early adolescents (M = 11.4, SD = .95) and mid‐adolescents (M = 15.9, SD = 1.18) from Germany and Israel (n = 2337) were studied. Respondents described their social identification as students, family members, and as members of the majority national group and reported self‐esteem. A longitudinal, cross‐sectional and cross‐cultural design revealed, as predicted, multiple social identifications related positively to self‐esteem concurrently; they also related positively to self‐esteem longitudinally over the course of a year. Moreover, multiple social identifications were found to be antecedent to self‐esteem, not vice versa. Finally, multiple social identifications were found to decrease over time. The article discusses the contribution of multiple social identifications to self‐esteem at different ages and in various contexts.
Magnetic resonance imaging in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative 2
Authors: Jack Clifford R. , Barnes Josephine , Bernstein Matt A. , Borowski Bret J. , Brewer James , Clegg Shona , Dale Anders M. , Carmichael Owen , Ching Christopher , DeCarli Charles , Desikan Rahul S. , Fennema‐Notestine Christine , Fjell Anders M. , Fletcher Evan , Fox Nick C. , Gunter Jeff , Gutman Boris A. , Holland Dominic , Hua Xue , Insel Philip , Kantarci Kejal , Killiany Ron J. , Krueger Gunnar , Leung Kelvin K. , Mackin Scott , Maillard Pauline , Malone Ian B. , Mattsson Niklas , McEvoy Linda , Modat Marc , Mueller Susanne , Nosheny Rachel , Ourselin Sebastien , Schuff Norbert , Senjem Matthew L. , Simonson Alix , Thompson Paul M. , Rettmann Dan , Vemuri Prashanthi , Walhovd Kristine , Zhao Yansong , Zuk Samantha , Weiner Michael 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIntroductionAlzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) is now in its 10th year. The primary objective of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) core of ADNI has been to improve methods for clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders.MethodsWe review the contributions of the MRI core from present and past cycles of ADNI (ADNI‐1, ‐Grand Opportunity and ‐2). We also review plans for the future‐ADNI‐3.ResultsContributions of the MRI core include creating standardized acquisition protocols and quality control methods; examining the effect of technical features of image acquisition and analysis on outcome metrics; deriving sample size estimates for future trials based on those outcomes; and piloting the potential utility of MR perfusion, diffusion, and functional connectivity measures in multicenter clinical trials.DiscussionOver the past decade the MRI core of ADNI has fulfilled its mandate of improving methods for clinical trials in AD and will continue to do so in the future.
The Worldwide Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative: An update
Authors: Hendrix James A. , Finger Brad , Weiner Michael W. , Frisoni Giovanni B. , Iwatsubo Takeshi , Rowe Christopher C. , Kim Seong Yoon , Guinjoan Salvador M. , Sevlever Gustavo , Carrillo Maria C. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), launched in 2004, has worked to accelerate drug development by validating imaging and blood/cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease clinical treatment trials. ADNI is a naturalistic (nontreatment) multisite longitudinal study. A true public‐private partnership, the initiative has set a new standard for data sharing without embargo and for the use of biomarkers in dementia research. The ADNI effort in North America is not the only such effort in the world. The Alzheimer's Association recognized these global efforts and formed Worldwide ADNI (WW‐ADNI). By creating a platform for international collaboration and cooperation, WW‐ADNI's goals are to harmonize projects and results across geographical regions and to facilitate data management and availability to investigators around the world. WW‐ADNI projects include those based in North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, Korea, and Argentina.
School Closure Decisions Made by Local Health Department Officials During the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Outbreak
Authors: Kayman Harvey , Salter Sarah , Mittal Maanvi , Scott Winifred , Santos Nicholas , Tran Diana , Ma Ryan 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe goal of this study was to gain insights into the decision-making processes used by California public health officials during real-time crises. The decision-making processes used by California public health officials during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic were examined by a survey research team from the University of California Berkeley.MethodsThe survey was administered to local public health officials in California. Guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recommended school closure, and local public health officials had to decide whether to follow these recommendations. Chi-squared tests were used to make comparisons in the descriptive statistics.ResultsThe response rate from local public health departments was 79%. A total of 73% of respondents were involved in the decision-making process. Respondents stated whether they used or did not use 15 ethical, logistical, and political preselected criteria. They expressed interest in receiving checklists and additional training in decision-making.ConclusionsPublic health decision-makers do not appear to have a standard process for crisis decision-making and would benefit from having an organized decision-making model. The survey showed that ethical, logistical, and political criteria were considered but were not prioritized in any meaningful way. A new decision-making tool kit for public health decision-makers plus implementation training is warranted. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:464–471)
PI3K/AKT activation induces PTEN ubiquitination and destabilization accelerating tumourigenesis
Authors: Lee Min-Sik , Jeong Man-Hyung , Lee Hyun-Woo , Han Hyun-Ji , Ko Aram , Hewitt Stephen M. , Kim Jae-Hoon , Chun Kyung-Hee , Chung Joon-Yong , Lee Cheolju , Cho Hanbyoul , Song Jaewhan 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe activity of the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) is known to be suppressed via post-translational modification. However, the mechanism and physiological significance by which post-translational modifications lead to PTEN suppression remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that PTEN destabilization is induced by EGFR- or oncogenic PI3K mutation-mediated AKT activation in cervical cancer. EGFR/PI3K/AKT-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of PTEN are dependent on the MKRN1 E3 ligase. These processes require the stabilization of MKRN1 via AKT-mediated phosphorylation. In cervical cancer patients with high levels of pAKT and MKRN1 expression, PTEN protein levels are low and correlate with a low 5-year survival rate. Taken together, our results demonstrate that PI3K/AKT signals enforce positive-feedback regulation by suppressing PTEN function.
Gains and losses of coral skeletal porosity changes with ocean acidification acclimation
Authors: Fantazzini Paola , Mengoli Stefano , Pasquini Luca , Bortolotti Villiam , Brizi Leonardo , Mariani Manuel , Di Giosia Matteo , Fermani Simona , Capaccioni Bruno , Caroselli Erik , Prada Fiorella , Zaccanti Francesco , Levy Oren , Dubinsky Zvy , Kaandorp Jaap A. , Konglerd Pirom , Hammel Jörg U. , Dauphin Yannicke , Cuif Jean-Pierre , Weaver James C. , Fabricius Katharina E. , Wagermaier Wolfgang , Fratzl Peter , Falini Giuseppe , Goffredo Stefano 
Published: July 2015

AbstractOcean acidification is predicted to impact ecosystems reliant on calcifying organisms, potentially reducing the socioeconomic benefits these habitats provide. Here we investigate the acclimation potential of stony corals living along a pH gradient caused by a Mediterranean CO2 vent that serves as a natural long-term experimental setting. We show that in response to reduced skeletal mineralization at lower pH, corals increase their skeletal macroporosity (features >10 μm) in order to maintain constant linear extension rate, an important criterion for reproductive output. At the nanoscale, the coral skeleton’s structural features are not altered. However, higher skeletal porosity, and reduced bulk density and stiffness may contribute to reduce population density and increase damage susceptibility under low pH conditions. Based on these observations, the almost universally employed measure of coral biomineralization, the rate of linear extension, might not be a reliable metric for assessing coral health and resilience in a warming and acidifying ocean.
Efficient water reduction with gallium phosphide nanowires
Authors: Standing Anthony , Assali Simone , Gao Lu , Verheijen Marcel A. , van Dam Dick , Cui Yingchao , Notten Peter H. L. , Haverkort Jos E. M. , Bakkers Erik P. A. M. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPhotoelectrochemical hydrogen production from solar energy and water offers a clean and sustainable fuel option for the future. Planar III/V material systems have shown the highest efficiencies, but are expensive. By moving to the nanowire regime the demand on material quantity is reduced, and new materials can be uncovered, such as wurtzite gallium phosphide, featuring a direct bandgap. This is one of the few materials combining large solar light absorption and (close to) ideal band-edge positions for full water splitting. Here we report the photoelectrochemical reduction of water, on a p-type wurtzite gallium phosphide nanowire photocathode. By modifying geometry to reduce electrical resistance and enhance optical absorption, and modifying the surface with a multistep platinum deposition, high current densities and open circuit potentials were achieved. Our results demonstrate the capabilities of this material, even when used in such low quantities, as in nanowires.
A portable expression resource for engineering cross-species genetic circuits and pathways
Authors: Kushwaha Manish , Salis Howard M. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractGenetic circuits and metabolic pathways can be reengineered to allow organisms to process signals and manufacture useful chemicals. However, their functions currently rely on organism-specific regulatory parts, fragmenting synthetic biology and metabolic engineering into host-specific domains. To unify efforts, here we have engineered a cross-species expression resource that enables circuits and pathways to reuse the same genetic parts, while functioning similarly across diverse organisms. Our engineered system combines mixed feedback control loops and cross-species translation signals to autonomously self-regulate expression of an orthogonal polymerase without host-specific promoters, achieving nontoxic and tuneable gene expression in diverse Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Combining 50 characterized system variants with mechanistic modelling, we show how the cross-species expression resource’s dynamics, capacity and toxicity are controlled by the control loops’ architecture and feedback strengths. We also demonstrate one application of the resource by reusing the same genetic parts to express a biosynthesis pathway in both model and non-model hosts.
A dendritic nano-sized hexanuclear ruthenium(II) complex as a one- and two-photon luminescent tracking non-viral gene vector
Authors: Qiu Kangqiang , Yu Bole , Huang Huaiyi , Zhang Pingyu , Huang Juanjuan , Zou Shanshan , Chen Yu , Ji Liangnian , Chao Hui 
Published: July 2015

AbstractFluorescent tracking gene delivery could provide us with a better understanding of the critical steps in the transfection process. However, for in vivo tracking applications, a small diameter (<10 nm) is one of the rigorous requirements for tracking vectors. Herein, we have demonstrated a new paradigm for two-photon tracking gene delivery based on a dendritic nano-sized hexanuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex. Because this metallodendrimer has a multivalent periphery, the complex, which is 6.1 nm, showed high stability and excellent dispersibility and could stepwise condense DNA in vitro. With the outstanding photochemical properties of Ru(II) polypyridyl, this complex could track gene delivery in vivo using one- and two-photon imaging.
Theoretical requirements for broadband perfect absorption of acoustic waves by ultra-thin elastic meta-films
Authors: Duan Yuetao , Luo Jie , Wang Guanghao , Hang Zhi Hong , Hou Bo , Li Jensen , Sheng Ping , Lai Yun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe derive and numerically demonstrate that perfect absorption of elastic waves can be achieved in two types of ultra-thin elastic meta-films: one requires a large value of almost pure imaginary effective mass density and a free space boundary, while the other requires a small value of almost pure imaginary effective modulus and a hard wall boundary. When the pure imaginary density or modulus exhibits certain frequency dispersions, the perfect absorption effect becomes broadband, even in the low frequency regime. Through a model analysis, we find that such almost pure imaginary effective mass density with required dispersion for perfect absorption can be achieved by elastic metamaterials with large damping. Our work provides a feasible approach to realize broadband perfect absorption of elastic waves in ultra-thin films.
Rice Xa21 primed genes and pathways that are critical for combating bacterial blight infection
Authors: Peng Hai , Chen Zheng , Fang Zhiwei , Zhou Junfei , Xia Zhihui , Gao Lifen , Chen Lihong , Li Lili , Li Tiantian , Zhai Wenxue , Zhang Weixiong 
Published: July 2015

AbstractRice bacterial blight (BB) is a devastating rice disease. The Xa21 gene confers a broad and persistent resistance against BB. We introduced Xa21 into Oryza sativa L ssp indica (rice 9311), through multi-generation backcrossing and generated a nearly isogenic, blight-resistant 9311/Xa21 rice. Using next-generation sequencing, we profiled the transcriptomes of both varieties before and within four days after infection of bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. The identified differentially expressed (DE) genes and signaling pathways revealed insights into the functions of Xa21. Surprisingly, before infection 1,889 genes on 135 of the 316 signaling pathways were DE between the 9311/Xa21 and 9311 plants. These Xa21-mediated basal pathways included mainly those related to the basic material and energy metabolisms and many related to phytohormones such as cytokinin, suggesting that Xa21 triggered redistribution of energy, phytohormones and resources among essential cellular activities before invasion. Counter-intuitively, after infection, the DE genes between the two plants were only one third of that before the infection; other than a few stress-related pathways, the affected pathways after infection constituted a small subset of the Xa21-mediated basal pathways. These results suggested that Xa21 primed critically important genes and signaling pathways, enhancing its resistance against bacterial infection.