bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short-term mass changes and retreat of the Ecology and Sphinx glacier system, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Sobota Ireneusz , Kejna Marek , Araźny Andrzej 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis study investigated the mass balance, melting, near-surface ice thermal structure and meteorological conditions of the Ecology and Sphinx glacier system (ESGS), located on King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. The study also analysed the role of climate change in glacial retreat of the ESGS in the long (1979–2012) and short term, with a particular focus on the impact on the 2012–13 mass balance of the ESGS. In 2012–13, the glaciers had a mean annual net mass balance of +17.8 cm w.e., but over the long term the glaciers have been receding in this region. The area loss of the ESGS between 1979 and 2012 amounted to 41%. This investigation of mass balance is especially important as it offers one of only a few records available on King George Island. The mean near-surface ice temperature (February to June 2012) for the Ecology and Sphinx glaciers was -0.3°C and -1.0°C at 10 m depth, respectively. From 1948–2012, the air temperature on King George Island increased by 1.2°C (0.19°C per decade).
Does the Implementation of an Advanced Life Support Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) in an Integrated Fire/EMS System Improve Patient Contact Response Time?
Authors: Anderson Dustin W. , Dhindsa Harinder S. , Wan Wen , Salot David 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe current Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) model throughout the United States involves emergency vehicles which respond from a primary location (ie, firehouse or municipal facility) to emergency calls. Quick response vehicles (QRVs) have been used in various Fire/EMS systems; however, their effectiveness has never been studied.ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to determine if patient response times would decrease by placing an Advanced Life Support (ALS) QRV in an integrated Fire/EMS system.MethodsResponse times from an integrated Fire/EMS system with an annual EMS call volume of 3,261 were evaluated over the three years prior to the implementation of this study. For a 2-month period, an ALS QRV staffed by a firefighter/paramedic responded to emergency calls during peak call volume hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The staging of this vehicle was based on historical call volume percentages using respective geocodes as well as system requirements during multiple emergency dispatches.ResultsPrior to the study, the citywide average response time for the twelve months preceding was 5.44 minutes. During the study, the citywide average response time decreased to 4.09 minutes, resulting in a 27.62% reduction in patient response time.ConclusionThe implementation of an ALS QRV in an integrated Fire/EMS system reduces patient response time. Having a QRV that is not staged continuously in a traditional fire station or municipal location reduces the time needed to reach patients. Also, using predictive models of historic call volume can aid Fire and EMS administrators in reduction of call response times.AndersonDW, DhindsaHS, WanW, SalotD. Does the implementation of an Advanced Life Support quick response vehicle (QRV) in an integrated Fire/EMS system improve patient contact response time?Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(4):1 – 3.
New peptide architectures through C–H activation stapling between tryptophan–phenylalanine/tyrosine residues
Authors: Mendive-Tapia Lorena , Preciado Sara , García Jesús , Ramón Rosario , Kielland Nicola , Albericio Fernando , Lavilla Rodolfo 
Published: May 2015

AbstractNatural peptides show high degrees of specificity in their biological action. However, their therapeutical profile is severely limited by their conformational freedom and metabolic instability. Stapled peptides constitute a solution to these problems and access to these structures lies on a limited number of reactions involving the use of non-natural amino acids. Here, we describe a synthetic strategy for the preparation of unique constrained peptides featuring a covalent bond between tryptophan and phenylalanine or tyrosine residues. The preparation of such peptides is achieved in solution and on solid phase directly from the corresponding sequences having an iodo-aryl amino acid through an intramolecular palladium-catalysed C–H activation process. Moreover, complex topologies arise from the internal stapling of cyclopeptides and double intramolecular arylations within a linear peptide. Finally, as a proof of principle, we report the application to this new stapling method to relevant biologically active compounds.
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Multiple Cardiovascular Fates from Embryonic Stem Cells Predicts Novel Regulators in Human Cardiogenesis
Authors: Li Yang , Lin Bo , Yang Lei 
Published: May 2015

AbstractDissecting the gene expression programs which control the early stage cardiovascular development is essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms of human heart development and heart disease. Here, we performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of highly purified human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs), hESC-derived Multipotential Cardiovascular Progenitors (MCPs) and MCP-specified three cardiovascular lineages. A novel algorithm, named as Gene Expression Pattern Analyzer (GEPA), was developed to obtain a refined lineage-specificity map of all sequenced genes, which reveals dynamic changes of transcriptional factor networks underlying early human cardiovascular development. Moreover, our GEPA predictions captured ~90% of top-ranked regulatory cardiac genes that were previously predicted based on chromatin signature changes in hESCs and further defined their cardiovascular lineage-specificities, indicating that our multi-fate comparison analysis could predict novel regulatory genes. Furthermore, GEPA analysis revealed the MCP-specific expressions of genes in ephrin signaling pathway, positive role of which in cardiomyocyte differentiation was further validated experimentally. By using RNA-seq plus GEPA workflow, we also identified stage-specific RNA splicing switch and lineage-enriched long non-coding RNAs during human cardiovascular differentiation. Overall, our study utilized multi-cell-fate transcriptomic comparison analysis to establish a lineage-specific gene expression map for predicting and validating novel regulatory mechanisms underlying early human cardiovascular development.
Roles of small RNAs in the effects of nutrition on apoptosis and spermatogenesis in the adult testis
Authors: Guan Yongjuan , Liang Guanxiang , Hawken Penelope A. R. , Malecki Irek A. , Cozens Greg , Vercoe Philip E. , Martin Graeme B. , Guan Le Luo 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe tested whether reductions in spermatozoal quality induced by under-nutrition are associated with increased germ cell apoptosis and disrupted spermatogenesis and whether these effects are mediated by small RNAs. Groups of 8 male sheep were fed for a 10% increase or 10% decrease in body mass over 65 days. Underfeeding increased the number of apoptotic germ cells (P < 0.05) and increased the expression of apoptosis-related genes (P < 0.05) in testicular tissue. We identified 44 miRNAs and 35 putative piRNAs that were differentially expressed in well-fed and underfed males (FDR < 0.05). Some were related to reproductive system development, apoptosis (miRNAs) and sperm production and quality (piRNAs). Novel-miR-144 (miR-98), was found to target three apoptotic genes (TP53,CASP3,FASL). The proportion of miRNAs as a total of small RNAs was greater in well-fed males than in underfed males (P < 0.05) and was correlated (r = 0.8, P < 0.05) with the proportion of piRNAs in well-fed and underfed males. In conclusion, the reductions in spermatozoal quality induced by under-nutrition are caused, at least partly, by disruptions to Sertoli cell function and increased germ cell apoptosis, mediated by changes in the expression of miRNAs and piRNAs.
Synergetic antibacterial activity of reduced graphene oxide and boron doped diamond anode in three dimensional electrochemical oxidation system
Authors: Qi Xiujuan , Wang Ting , Long Yujiao , Ni Jinren 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA 100% increment of antibacterial ability has been achieved due to significant synergic effects of boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) coupled in a three dimensional electrochemical oxidation system. The rGO, greatly enhanced by BDD driven electric field, demonstrated strong antibacterial ability and even sustained its excellent performance during a reasonable period after complete power cut in the BDD-rGO system. Cell damage experiments and TEM observation confirmed much stronger membrane stress in the BDD-rGO system, due to the faster bacterial migration and charge transfer by the expanded electro field and current-carrying efficiency by quantum tunnel. Reciprocally the hydroxyl-radical production was eminently promoted with expanded area of electrodes and delayed recombination of the electron–hole pairs in presence of the rGO in the system. This implied a huge potential for practical disinfection with integration of the promising rGO and the advanced electrochemical oxidation systems.
Silver Nanoscale Hexagonal Column Chips for Detecting Cell-free DNA and Circulating Nucleosomes in Cancer Patients
Authors: Ito Hiroaki , Hasegawa Katsuyuki , Hasegawa Yuuki , Nishimaki Tadashi , Hosomichi Kazuyoshi , Kimura Satoshi , Ohba Motoi , Yao Hiroshi , Onimaru Manabu , Inoue Ituro , Inoue Haruhiro 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBlood tests, which are commonly used for cancer screening, generally have low sensitivity. Here, we developed a novel rapid and simple method to generate silver nanoscale hexagonal columns (NHCs) for use in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). We reported that the intensity of SERS spectra of clinical serum samples obtained from gastrointestinal cancer patients is was significantly higher than that of SERS spectra of clinical serum samples obtained from non-cancer patients. We estimated the combined constituents on silver NHCs by using a field emission-type scanning electron microscope, Raman microscopes and a 3D laser scanning confocal microscope. We obtained the Raman scattering spectra of samples of physically fractured cells and clinical serum. No spectra were obtained for chemically lysed cultured cells and DNA, RNA and protein extracted from cultured cells. We believe that our method, which uses SERS with silver NHCs to detect circulating nucleosomes bound by methylated cell-free DNA, may be successfully implemented in blood tests for cancer screening.
Magnetization Reversal by Out-of-plane Voltage in BiFeO3-based Multiferroic Heterostructures
Authors: Wang J. J. , Hu J.M. , Peng Ren-Ci , Gao Y. , Shen Y. , Chen L. Q. , Nan C. W. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractVoltage controlled 180° magnetization reversal has been achieved in BiFeO3-based multiferroic heterostructures, which is promising for the future development of low-power spintronic devices. However, all existing reports involve the use of an in-plane voltage that is unfavorable for practical device applications. Here, we investigate, using phase-field simulations, the out-of-plane (i.e., perpendicular to heterostructures) voltage controlled magnetism in heterostructures consisting of CoFe nanodots and (110) BiFeO3 thin film or island. It is predicted that the in-plane component of the canted magnetic moment at the CoFe/BiFeO3 interface can be reversed repeatedly by applying a perpendicular voltage across the bottom (110) BiFeO3 thin film, which further leads to an in-plane magnetization reversal in the overlaying CoFe nanodot. The non-volatility of such perpendicular voltage controlled magnetization reversal can be achieved by etching the continuous BiFeO3 film into isolated nanoislands with the same in-plane sizes as the CoFe nanodot. The findings would provide general guidelines for future experimental and engineering efforts on developing the electric-field controlled spintronic devices with BiFeO3-based multiferroic heterostructures.
Sterilization of polydimethylsiloxane surface with Chinese herb extract: a new antibiotic mechanism of chlorogenic acid
Authors: Ren Song , Wu Ming , Guo Jiayu , Zhang Wang , Liu Xiaohan , Sun Lili , Holyst Robert , Hou Sen , Fang Yongchun , Feng Xizeng 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCoating of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface with a traditional Chinese herb extract chlorogenic acid (CA) solves the contemporary problem of sterilization of PDMS surface. The E. coli grows slower and has a higher death rate on the CA-coated PDMS surfaces. A smoother morphology of these E. coli cell wall is observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Unlike the reported mechanism, where CA inhibits bacterial growth by damaging the cell membrane in the bulk solution, we find the CA-coated PDMS surface also decreases the stiffness of the cell wall. A decrease in the Young’s modulus of the cell wall from 3 to 0.8 MPa is reported. Unexpectedly, the CA effect on the swarming ability and the biofilm stability of the bacteria can be still observed, even after they have been removed from the CA environment, indicating a decrease in their resistance to antibiotics for a prolonged time. The CA-coated PDMS surface shows better antibiotic effect against three types of both Gram-positive and Gran-negative bacteria than the gentamicin-coated PDMS surface. Coating of CA on PDMS surface not only solves the problem of sterilization of PDMS surface, but also shines light on the application of Chinese traditional herbs in scientific research.
Cuticular protein with a low complexity sequence becomes cross-linked during insect cuticle sclerotization and is required for the adult molt
Authors: Mun Seulgi , Young Noh Mi , Dittmer Neal T. , Muthukrishnan Subbaratnam , Kramer Karl J. , Kanost Michael R. , Arakane Yasuyuki 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn the insect cuticle, structural proteins (CPs) and the polysaccharide chitin are the major components. It has been hypothesized that CPs are cross-linked to other CPs and possibly to chitin by quinones or quinone methides produced by the laccase2-mediated oxidation of N-acylcatechols. In this study we investigated functions of TcCP30, the third most abundant CP in protein extracts of elytra (wing covers) from Tribolium castaneum adults. The mature TcCP30 protein has a low complexity and highly polar amino acid sequence. TcCP30 is localized with chitin in horizontal laminae and vertically oriented columnar structures in rigid cuticles, but not in soft and membranous cuticles. Immunoblot analysis revealed that TcCP30 undergoes laccase2-mediated cross-linking during cuticle maturation in vivo, a process confirmed in vitro using recombinant rTcCP30. We identified TcCPR27 and TcCPR18, the two most abundant proteins in the elytra, as putative cross-linking partners of TcCP30. RNAi for the TcCP30 gene had no effect on larval and pupal growth and development. However, during adult eclosion, ~70% of the adults were unable to shed their exuvium and died. These results support the hypothesis that TcCP30 plays an integral role as a cross-linked structural protein in the formation of lightweight rigid cuticle of the beetle.
Characterization of a xylanase-producing Cellvibrio mixtus strain J3-8 and its genome analysis
Authors: Wu Yi-Rui , He Jianzhong 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCellvibrio mixtus strain J3-8 is a gram-negative, xylanase-producing aerobic soil bacterium isolated from giant snails in Singapore. It is able to produce up to 10.1 U ml−1 of xylanase, which is comparable to xylanase production from known bacterial and fungal strains. Genome sequence analysis of strain J3-8 reveals that the assembled draft genome contains 5,171,890 bp with a G + C content of 46.66%, while open reading frame (ORF) annotations indicate a high density of genes encoding glycoside hydrolase (GH) families involved in (hemi)cellulose hydrolysis. On the basis of 15 identified putative xylanolytic genes, one metabolic pathway in strain J3-8 is constructed for utilization of xylan. In addition, a 1,083 bp xylanase gene from strain J3-8 represents a new member of GH11 family. This gene is verified to be novel via phylogenetic analysis. To utilize this novel gene for hydrolysis of xylan to xylose, it is expressed in recombinant E. coli and characterized for its hydrolytic activity. This study shows that strain J3-8 is a potential candidate for hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials.
Field-Induced Crystalline-to-Amorphous Phase Transformation on the Si Nano-Apex and the Achieving of Highly Reliable Si Nano-Cathodes
Authors: Huang Yifeng , Deng Zexiang , Wang Weiliang , Liang Chaolun , She Juncong , Deng Shaozhi , Xu Ningsheng 
Published: May 2015

AbstractNano-scale vacuum channel transistors possess merits of higher cutoff frequency and greater gain power as compared with the conventional solid-state transistors. The improvement in cathode reliability is one of the major challenges to obtain high performance vacuum channel transistors. We report the experimental findings and the physical insight into the field induced crystalline-to-amorphous phase transformation on the surface of the Si nano-cathode. The crystalline Si tip apex deformed to amorphous structure at a low macroscopic field (0.6~1.65 V/nm) with an ultra-low emission current (1~10 pA). First-principle calculation suggests that the strong electrostatic force exerting on the electrons in the surface lattices would take the account for the field-induced atomic migration that result in an amorphization. The arsenic-dopant in the Si surface lattice would increase the inner stress as well as the electron density, leading to a lower amorphization field. Highly reliable Si nano-cathodes were obtained by employing diamond like carbon coating to enhance the electron emission and thus decrease the surface charge accumulation. The findings are crucial for developing highly reliable Si-based nano-scale vacuum channel transistors and have the significance for future Si nano-electronic devices with narrow separation.
Endotoxin-induced skeletal muscle wasting is prevented by angiotensin-(1–7) through a p38 MAPK-dependent mechanism
Authors: Morales María Gabriela , Olguín Hugo , Di Capua Gabriella , Brandan Enrique , Simon Felipe , Cabello-Verrugio Claudio 
Published: May 2015

Skeletal muscle atrophy induced during sepsis syndrome produced by endotoxin in the form of LPS (lipopolysaccharide), is a pathological condition characterized by the loss of strength and muscle mass, an increase in MHC (myosin heavy chain) degradation, and an increase in the expression of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 (muscle-specific RING-finger protein 1), two ubiquitin E3 ligases belonging to the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Ang-(1–7) [Angiotensin-(1–7)], through its Mas receptor, has beneficial effects in skeletal muscle. We evaluated in vivo the role of Ang-(1–7) and Mas receptor on the muscle wasting induced by LPS injection into C57BL/10J mice. In vitro studies were performed in murine C2C12 myotubes and isolated myofibres from EDL (extensor digitorum longus) muscle. In addition, the participation of p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) in the Ang-(1–7) effect on the LPS-induced muscle atrophy was evaluated. Our results show that Ang-(1–7) prevents the decrease in the diameter of myofibres and myotubes, the decrease in muscle strength, the diminution in MHC levels and the induction of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 expression, all of which are induced by LPS. These effects were reversed by using A779, a Mas antagonist. Ang-(1–7) exerts these anti-atrophic effects at least in part by inhibiting the LPS-dependent activation of p38 MAPK both in vitro and in vivo. We have demonstrated for the first time that Ang-(1–7) counteracts the skeletal muscle atrophy induced by endotoxin through a mechanism dependent on the Mas receptor that involves a decrease in p38 MAPK phosphorylation. The present study indicates that Ang-(1–7) is a novel molecule with a potential therapeutic use to improve muscle wasting during endotoxin-induced sepsis syndrome.
Distance and Interference in the Reference Management of African American Adults
Authors: Bradford Wainwright Angela , Cannito Michael P. 
Published: May 2015

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of distance and interference on the adequacy of reference management in 2 contrasting narrative conditions among age-defined groups of healthy African American adults.MethodsTwenty middle-aged (M= 51 years) and 20 older (M= 72 years) women produced a complex story retelling and a personal narrative of a childhood experience. All narratives were transcribed orthographically, parsed into terminal units (T-units), and analyzed for surface structure markings of referents.ResultsResults varied on the basis of task complexity and specific dependent variables. Older adults produced shorter T-unit distances between nouns and pronouns in story retelling compared with middle-aged adults. Middle-aged adults, but not older adults, exhibited longer T-unit distances between referents on story retelling than on personal narratives. Both groups performed similarly in the management of intervening information between referents. The presence of African American English features was related to interference but not to referential distance.ConclusionsOlder adults demonstrated an effective age-related strategy for simplifying complex story retelling by producing shorter T-unit distances and, thus, less intervening information between referents. These findings suggest that referential distance may be a more important factor in mediating story recall. (For a summary and guidelines for therapy, see Bunce, 1991.)
Beeinflussung der okulären Pulsamplitude und des Intraokulardrucks durch nicht depolarisierende Muskelrelaxanzien
Authors: Zuche H. , Morinello E. , Viestenz Anja , Fiorentzis M. F. , Volk T. , Seitz B. , Viestenz Arne 
Published: May 2015

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund: Im Rahmen einer Augenoperation hat die Wahl des nicht depolarisierenden Muskelrelaxans für die Intubationsnarkose (ITN) einen erheblichen Einfluss auf das Absinken des intraokularen Druckes (IOD) und der okulären Pulsamplitude (OPA).
Patienten und Methoden: Bei 229 Patienten, die für ihre Operation eine ITN benötigten, wurden mithilfe des dynamischen Konturtonometers (DCT) der IOD und die OPA vor und nach Narkoseeinleitung gemessen. Für die ITN wurden die 3 nicht depolarisierenden Muskelrelaxanzien Mivacurium (n = 71), Atracurium (n = 91) und Rocuronium (n = 67) verwendet und deren Einfluss auf IOD und OPA verglichen.
Ergebnisse: Der IOD fiel bei Mivacurium um 4,0 ± 2,3 mmHg, bei Atracurium um 6,1 ± 2,2 mmHg und bei Rocuronium um 7,4 ± 1,7 mmHg (p < 0,001). Die relative IOD-Senkung betrug für Mivacurium 20 %, für Atracurium 31 % und für Rocuronium 37 %. Bei Mivacurium kam es zu einem Abfall der OPA von 3,4 ± 1,5 mmHg auf 2,2 ± 1,1 mmHg (p < 0,001) im Gegensatz zu Atracurium (Abfall von 3,6 ± 1,5 mmHg auf 1,8 ± 0,8 mmHg; p < 0,001) und Rocuronium (Abfall von 3,1 ± 1,6 mmHg auf 1,7 ± 0,9 mmHg; p < 0,001). Die OPA-Differenz war bei Mivacurium mit 1,3 mmHg am geringsten, bei Atracurium mit 1,7 mmHg am höchsten. Die relative OPA-Senkung lag unter Mivacurium bei 34 %, unter Atracurium bei 46 % und unter Rocuronium bei 43 % (p < 0,001). Es bestand kein linearer Zusammenhang zwischen relativer OPA-Senkung und relativem IOD-Abfall.
Schlussfolgerung: Mivacurium sollte aufgrund seines ungenügend senkenden Einflusses auf den IOD und die OPA zur Risikominimierung nicht mehr bei Operationen in der Ophthalmologie verwendet werden. Rocuronium könnte gerade bei großem OP-Zugang in der Ophthalmochirurgie bevorzugt werden, da es eine ausreichende Drucksenkung induziert.