bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low Electron Scattering Potentials in High Performance Mg2Si0.45Sn0.55 Based Thermoelectric Solid Solutions with Band Convergence
Authors: Liu Xiaohua , Zhu Tiejun , Wang Heng , Hu Lipeng , Xie Hanhui , Jiang Guangyu , Snyder G. Jeffrey , Zhao Xinbing 
Published: April 2013

AbstractUnderstanding the electron and phonon transport characteristics is crucial for designing and developing high performance thermoelectric materials. Weak scattering effects on charge carriers, characterized by deformation potential and alloy scattering potential, are favorable for thermoelectric solid solutions to enable high carrier mobility and thereby promising thermoelectric performance. Mg2(Si,Sn) solid solutions have attracted much attention due to their low cost and environmental compatibility. Usually, their high thermoelectric performance with ZT ∼ 1 is ascribed to the band convergence and reduced lattice thermal conductivity caused by alloying. In this work, both a low deformation potential Ξ = 13 eV and a low alloy scattering potential U = 0.7 eV are found for the thermoelectric alloys by characterizing and modeling of thermoelectric transport properties. The band convergence is also verified by the increased density‐of‐states effective mass. It is proposed that, in addition to band convergence and reduced lattice thermal conductivity, the low deformation potential and alloy scattering potential are additional intrinsic features that contribute to the high thermoelectric performance of the solid solutions.
A new single gene deletion on 2q34: ERBB4 is associated with intellectual disability
Authors: Kasnauskiene Jurate , Ciuladaite Zivile , Preiksaitiene Egle , Utkus Algirdas , Peciulyte Agnė , Kučinskas Vaidutis 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe report on a 15‐year‐old patient with hyperactivity, intellectual disability and severe speech developmental delay. An array CGH analysis revealed de novo 2q34 deletion, 958 kb in size, involving a single protein coding gene ERBB4 (position 212,505,294–213,463,152; NCBI build 36). The ERBB4 gene is important in numerous neurobiological processes in both the developing and the adult brain. The NRG1–ERBB4 signaling pathway has been recently implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and epilepsy. Many risk haplotypes were identified in several studies across different populations. The severe clinical consequences in our patient demonstrate that the haploinsufficiency of ERBB4 is crucial for intellectual and cognitive function. These observations are compatible with previously reported results. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Technical Note: Comparing von Luschan skin color tiles and modern spectrophotometry for measuring human skin pigmentation
Authors: Swiatoniowski Anna K. , Quillen Ellen E. , Shriver Mark D. , Jablonski Nina G. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTPrior to the introduction of reflectance spectrophotometry into anthropological field research during the 1950s, human skin color was most commonly classified by visual skin color matching using the von Luschan tiles, a set of 36 standardized, opaque glass tiles arranged in a chromatic scale. Our goal was to establish a conversion formula between the tile‐based color matching method and modern reflectance spectrophotometry to make historical and contemporary data comparable. Skin pigmentation measurements were taken on the forehead, inner upper arms, and backs of the hands using both the tiles and a spectrophotometer on 246 participants showing a broad range of skin pigmentation. From these data, a second‐order polynomial conversion formula was derived by jackknife analysis to estimate melanin index (M‐index) based on tile values. This conversion formula provides a means for comparing modern data to von Luschan tile measurements recorded in historical reports. This is particularly important for populations now extinct, extirpated, or admixed for which tile‐based measures of skin pigmentation are the only data available. Am J Phys Anthropol 151:325–330, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evidence That CXCL16 Is a Potent Mediator of Angiogenesis and Is Involved in Endothelial Progenitor Cell Chemotaxis: Studies in Mice With K/BxN Serum–Induced Arthritis
Authors: Isozaki Takeo , Arbab Ali S. , Haas Christian S. , Amin M. Asif , Arendt Monica D. , Koch Alisa E. , Ruth Jeffrey H. 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveTo examine the possibility that CXCL16 recruits endothelial cells (ECs) to developing neovasculature in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium.MethodsWe utilized the RA synovial tissue SCID mouse chimera system to examine human microvascular EC (HMVEC) and human endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) recruitment into engrafted human synovium that was injected intragraft with CXCL16‐immunodepleted RA synovial fluid (SF). CXCR6‐deficient and wild‐type (WT) C57BL/6 mice were primed to develop K/BxN serum–induced arthritis and evaluated for angiogenesis. HMVECs and EPCs from human cord blood were also examined for CXCR6 expression, by immunofluorescence and assessment of CXCL16 signaling activity.ResultsCXCR6 was prominently expressed on human EPCs and HMVECs, and its expression on HMVECs could be up‐regulated by interleukin‐1β. SCID mice injected with CXCL16‐depleted RA SF exhibited a significant reduction in EPC recruitment. In experiments using the K/BxN serum–induced inflammatory arthritis model, CXCR6−/− mice showed profound reductions in hemoglobin levels, which correlated with reductions in monocyte and T cell recruitment to arthritic joint tissue compared to that observed in WT mice. Additionally, HMVECs and EPCs responded to CXCL16 stimulation, but exhibited unique signal transduction pathways and homing properties.ConclusionThese results indicate that CXCL16 and its receptor CXCR6 may be a central ligand/receptor pair that is closely associated with EPC recruitment and blood vessel formation in the RA joint.
Comparison of two functional kappa light‐chain transcripts amplified from a hybridoma
Authors: Yang Juan , Zhu Huifen , Tan Zheng , He Fengrong , Sun Xiaoxu , Hong Yi , Hu Heyu , Bian Jing , Lin Yu , Lei Ping , Shen Guanxin 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThree heavy‐chain and three kappa (κ)‐chain transcripts were amplified from hybridoma cells secreting a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against transferrin receptor. Sequence analysis via IMGT/V‐QUEST yielded the functional/aberrant prediction. Two functional κ‐chain transcripts, Vκ2 and Vκ3, and one functional VH1 were revealed. Comprehensive bioinformatics analyses including sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree, somatic hypermutation prediction, and three‐dimensional‐molecular structure modeling were used to predict the origin of the two κ‐chain transcripts. The results of bioinformatics analysis suggest that Vκ3 is derived from the myeloma partner of the hybridoma; Vκ2 is derived from B‐cell. Functional transcripts VH1 and Vκ2 and Vκ3 were then used to construct two chimeric antibodies chi‐C2 (Vκ2–VH1) and chi‐C3 (Vκ3–VH1), respectively. Antigen‐binding experiments showed that only chi‐C2 remained the same affinity as its parental mAb. Possible explanations for the coexistence of two functional κ‐chain transcripts and the different affinity of the two chimeric antibodies are discussed.
Dinuclear Cobalt(II) Complexes as Metallo‐β‐lactamase Mimics
Authors: Daumann Lena J. , Larrabee James A. , Comba Peter , Schenk Gerhard , Gahan Lawrence R. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe β‐lactamase activity of two previously reported dinuclear cobalt(II) complexes is described. The two complexes, [Co2(CO2EtH2L1)(CH3COO)2](PF6) (CO2EtH3L1 = ethyl 4‐hydroxy‐3,5‐bis{[(2‐hydroxyethyl)(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)amino]methyl}benzoate) and [Co2(CO2EtL2)(CH3COO)2](PF6) (CO2EtHL2 = ethyl 4‐hydroxy‐3,5‐bis{[(2‐methoxyethyl)(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)amino]methyl}benzoate), differ in that the latter has methyl ether donors in contrast to potentially nucleophilic alkoxide donors in the former. They thus offer a direct comparison of potential ligand‐centered nucleophiles. The complexes were treated with the antibiotic penicillin G and the commonly used lactamase substrate nitrocefin. On the basis of mass spectrometry, UV/Vis, and infrared spectroscopy measurements in solution, it was shown that only [Co2(CO2EtH2L1)(CH3COO)2](PF6) was capable of hydrolyzing both penicillin and nitrocefin, and that the hydrolysis‐initiating nucleophile was an alkoxide donor. Analysis of kinetic data showed that nitrocefin binding occurs more rapidly {k1 = [(2.5 × 103) ± (1.9 × 101)] M–1 min–1} than its subsequent hydrolysis {k2 = [(1.6 × 10–1) ± (8.1 × 10–4)] min–1}. The pH dependence of nitrocefin hydrolysis by [Co2(CO2EtH2L1)(CH3COO)2]+ displays two pKa values (6.88 ± 0.74; 8.45 ± 0.68), the first of which is attributed to the deprotonation of a CoII alcohol, and the second of which is proposed to arise from CoII–OH2. For [Co2(CO2EtL2)(CH3COO)2]+, only one relevant pKa1 (8.47 ± 0.14) is evident, assigned to a terminal water molecule. By using variable‐temperature/variable‐field magnetic circular dichroism (VTVH MCD), it was demonstrated that the sign of the magnetic exchange coupling parameter (J) for the parent dinuclear cobalt(II) complexes changes upon binding of the substrate. This work presents one of the few cobalt(II) β‐lactamase model complexes that is capable of facile hydrolysis of β‐lactam substrates, an outcome that provides a good benchmark to investigate the reaction mechanism(s) applicable to the enzyme systems.
Influence of heavy metals on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase interactions in Chironomus riparius larvae
Authors: Wai Isaac , Chong King , Ho Wing Shing 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Some aquatic organisms can live in contaminated environment due to their adaptable defense mechanism related to their inducible detoxification and excretion. A recent study showed glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) can modulate different cellular activities including transcription activation and detoxification. In the present study, the authors report on experiments to test the GAPDH activity of Chironomus riparius toward heavy metals. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was isolated and purified from C. riparius. The kinetics of the enzyme was measured. The results showed that GAPDH was inhibited by heavy metals including Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, but was activated by zinc ions. The kinetics study of the enzyme showed maximum initial velocity (Vmax) of GAPDH increased by 50%. In addition, the substrate and cofactor affinity increased in the presence of zinc. The GAPDH from C. riparius had maximum activities at pH 8.5 and 37 °C. The protein sequence analysis shows that there are 2 additional cysteine and histidine residues in the conserved region of GAPDH from C. riparius, which is believed to play an important role in the interactions with heavy metals. The results suggest that exposure to zinc could modulate GAPDH, which could be related to response of antioxidant defense to other heavy metals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:1882–1887. © 2013 SETAC
Computational Studies for the Evaluation of Fuel Flexibility in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: A Case with Biosyngas
Authors: Fan L. , Qu Z. , Pourquie M. J. B. M. , Verkooijen A. H. M. , Aravind P. V. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe fuel flexibility of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is one of the advantages of this technology, and biosyngas produced from biomass is emerging as a new fuel. The fuelling of SOFCs with different fuels is always challenging because of the associated risks. Mathematical modeling tools are useful for predicting the operational safety constraints and designs of SOFCs that are suitable for different fuels. Using a single channel model that incorporates direct internal reforming (DIR), this work investigates the fuel flexibility of an anode‐supported intermediate temperature planar solid oxide fuel under co‐flow operation. The DIR reaction of methane, the water‐gas shift reaction (WGS) and the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen are the three reactions taken into account in this simulation work. Detailed comparisons of the gas concentrations, the current density distributions and the temperature change profiles are presented and discussed. These simulation results provide the initial data for performance analyses and safety predictions, which will be helpful for our future experimental investigations. The thermodynamic predictions of both nickel oxidation and carbon deposition are employed to check the operational safety of SOFCs fuelled with biosyngas.
Fabrication and Performance of Tubular, Electrode‐Supported BaCe0.2Zr0.7Y0.1O3–δ Fuel Cells
Authors: Robinson S. , Manerbino A. , Grover Coors W. , Sullivan N. P. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this report, we describe fabrication and electrochemical‐performance testing of tubular, anode‐supported fuel cells based on the protonic ceramic BaCe0.2Zr0.7Y0.1O3–δ (BCZY27). These devices are comprised of a 20‐μm‐thick BCZY27 electrolyte spray‐coated and co‐fired onto an extruded, tubular 9.8‐mm‐diameter, 1.25‐mm‐thick 65 wt.% NiO/35 wt.% BCZY27 anode support. Reactive sintering with NiO forms the BCZY27 material from parent oxides. An La0.6Sr0.4 Co0.2Fe0.8O3–δ (LSCF) cathode is applied following co‐sintering. While anode supports can be extruded to 3‐m lengths, the active area of the cells tested here is 7.5 cm2. Performance is quantified through polarization measurements across a range of temperatures with hydrogen‐air reactants. Peak power ranges from 78 to 189 mW cm–2 over the 700–850 °C temperature range. Open‐circuit voltage decreases with increasing operating temperature due to the co‐diffusion of the multiple charge carriers present. The ionic transference number is determined over a range operating temperatures and anode‐gas compositions, and is found to range from 0.77 to 0.88. Finally, an external power supply is used to drive hydrogen across the BCZY27 membrane. At an applied current density of 1 A cm–2 and 700 °C operating temperature, hydrogen flux is measured at 7.5 smL min–1 cm–2 active area.
Chemical Compatibility and Electrical Contact of LaNi0.6Co0.4O3–δ (LNC) between Crofer22APU Interconnect and La0.6Sr0.4FeO3 (LSF) Cathode for IT‐SOFC
Authors: Morán‐Ruiz A. , Vidal K. , Larrañaga A. , Arriortua M. I. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn order to simulate the contact situation of interconnect/contact layer/cathode in SOFC stacks, contact resistance and chemical compatibility of LaNi0.6Co0.4O3–δ (LNC) as contact layer between Crofer22APU interconnect and La0.6Sr0.4FeO3 (LSF) cathode was investigated at 800 °C in air for more than 1300 h using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) set‐up equipped with an energy dispersive X‐ray analyser (EDX) and area specific resistance (ASR) measurements. The XRD analysis reveals that multiple phases were formed during ASR test. The point microanalysis on cross‐section of Fe–Cr/LNC/LSF system, after ASR measurements, shows chromium within the porous contact material mainly concentrated close to interconnect, but no Cr, Ni, or Co was detected in the cathode. It was found between LNC and LSF cathode, a thin and uniform layer which contains Sr, La, Cr, Co, Ni, and Fe. The contact between layers could act as a physical barrier for element migration and thus can suppress degradation of the cathode for these systems. The area specific resistance slope depends on the interactions between the contact material and/or cathode and the interconnect. Co‐containing spinels formed during ASR test can be responsible of the resistance decrease of the system, related to the low degradation of the cell.
Relationship between observable emotional expression and wandering behavior of people with dementia
Authors: Lee Kyung Hee , Algase Donna L. , McConnell Eleanor S. 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveThis study explored the relationship between observable emotional expression and wandering behaviors of people with dementia (PWD).MethodsA secondary data analysis was conducted of a multi‐site study that used a cross‐sectional design with repeated measures nested within subjects. Participants included 142 PWD residing in 17 nursing homes and six assisted‐living facilities in Michigan and Pennsylvania who were randomly assigned to six 20‐min videotaped observation periods, conducted on two non‐consecutive days. Poisson hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine associations between emotional expression and wandering.ResultsParticipants exhibited an average of 13.5 (standard deviation [SD] ± 12.4) episodes of positive emotional expression per observation; only 1.5 (SD ± 2.3) episodes of negative emotional expression per observation were noted. The mean wandering rate was 2.9 episodes (SD ± 6.9) per hour. Positive emotional expression was positively related to wandering rates, whereas negative emotional expression and higher cognitive status were negatively related to wandering rates after controlling for other predictors (age, education, gender, facility type, mobility, and time of day).ConclusionsBoth positive and negative emotional expressions, along with cognitive status, should be considered when developing interventions to improve wandering behaviors of PWD. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipoproteins are an important bacterial component responsible for bone destruction through the induction of osteoclast differentiation and activation
Authors: Kim Jiseon , Yang Jihyun , Park Ok-Jin , Kang Seok-Seong , Kim Woo-Shin , Kurokawa Kenji , Yun Cheol-Heui , Kim Hong-Hee , Lee Bok Luel , Han Seung Hyun 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Bacterial infection can cause inflammatory bone diseases accompanied by the bone destruction resulting from excess generation of osteoclasts. Although lipoproteins are one of the major immunostimulating components of bacteria, little is known about their effects on bone metabolism. In this study, we investigated the role of lipoproteins in bacteria-induced bone destruction using Staphylococcus aureus wild type, its lipoprotein-deficient mutant, and synthetic lipopeptides Pam2CSK4 and Pam3CSK4 known to mimic bacterial lipoproteins. Formaldehyde-inactivated S. aureus or the synthetic lipopeptides induced severe bone loss in the femurs of mice after intraperitoneal administration and in a calvarial bone implantation model, whereas the lipoprotein-deficient S. aureus did not show such effects. Mechanism studies further identified three action mechanisms for the lipopeptide-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption via (i) enhancement of osteoclast differentiation through Toll-like receptor 2 and MyD88-dependent signaling pathways; (ii) induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6; and (iii) upregulation of RANKL expression with downregulation of osteoprotegerin expression in osteoblasts. Taken together, these results suggest that lipoprotein might be an important bacterial component responsible for bone destruction during bacterial infections through augmentation of osteoclast differentiation and activation. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The Cloning and Expression Analysis of Lhx9 During Gonadal Sex Differentiation in the Red‐Eared Slider Turtle, Trachemys scripta, a Species With Temperature‐Dependent Sex Determination
Authors: BIESER KAYLA L. , WIBBELS THANE , MOURAD GEORGE , PALADINO FRANK 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMany reptiles, including the red‐eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta), possess a temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD) mechanism where the temperature at which the developing embryos are incubated dictates the gonadal sex of the animal. A number of mammalian gene orthologues have been identified in the sex determination/differentiation cascade of reptiles with TSD although the exact trigger(s) is not well understood. A potential early regulator of gonadal differentiation, Lhx9, controls the proliferation of gonadal cells in mice and its absence prevents gonadal development and drastically reduces the expression of Sf‐1, a gene that regulates the expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the bipotential gonad. In the current study, we cloned Lhx9 from T. scripta and analyzed its expression throughout the thermosensitive period of gonad development using quantitative PCR. We examined the expression profiles of Lhx9 in embryos incubated under control conditions at male‐ and female‐producing temperatures and with the application of exogenous 17β‐estradiol or an aromatase inhibitor, Letrozole, to induce sex reversal. The T. scripta Lhx9 cDNA and predicted amino acid sequence showed high homology to those of chicken, anole, and mouse. Lhx9 was expressed at both male‐ and female‐producing temperatures with expression levels increasing throughout the thermosensitive period. Letrozole induced sex‐reversal did not alter Lhx9 expression levels. 17β‐estradiol treatments appeared to inhibit or delay gonadal differentiation and resulted in lower Lhx9 expression from the presumptive gonadal ridge region. The structural homology and temporal expression pattern of Lhx9 suggests that this represents a conserved element in the gonadal differentiation cascade of T. scripta. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 320B:238–246, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wolbachia in the Malpighian Tubules: Evolutionary Dead‐End or Adaptation?
Authors: FARIA VÍTOR G. , SUCENA ÉLIO 
Published: April 2013

AbstractFacultative endosymbionts, such as Wolbachia, perpetuate by vertical transmission mostly through colonization of the germline during embryogenesis. The remaining Wolbachia inside the embryo are internalized in progenitor cells of the somatic tissue. This perpetuation strategy triggers a cyclic bacterial bottleneck across host generations. However, throughout the host's life history (Drosophila, for example), some somatic tissues such as the Malpighian tubules (MTs) show large numbers of Wolbachia. It is assumed that Wolbachia present in the progenitor cells of the MTs are confined to this somatic tissue, implicitly considering MTs as an evolutionary dead‐end for these bacteria. Nevertheless, the fact that bacteria can survive and proliferate inside MTs suggests a different fate as they may access the host's reproductive system and persist in the host population through vertical transmission. Indeed, based on the particular physiological and developmental characteristics of MT, as well as of Wolbachia, we argue the bacteria present in the MTs may constitute a secondary pool of vertically transmitted bacteria. Moreover, somatic pools of Wolbachia capable of reaching the gonads and insure vertical transmission may also provide an interesting element to the elucidation of horizontal transmission mechanisms. Finally, we also speculate that somatic pools of Wolbachia may play an important role in host fitness, namely during viral infections. In brief, we argue that the somatic pools of Wolbachia, with special emphasis on the MT subset, deserve experimental attention as putative players in the physiology and evolution of both bacteria and hosts. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 320B:195–199, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.