bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surviving a flood: effects of inundation period, temperature and embryonic development stage in locust eggs
Authors: Woodman J.D.
Published: April 2015

The Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker), is an important agricultural pest and oviposits into compacted soil across vast semi-arid and arid regions prone to irregular heavy summer rainfall. This study aimed to quantify the effects of flooding (control, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days) at different temperatures (15, 20 and 25°C) and embryonic development stages (25 and 75%) on egg viability, hatchling nymph body mass and survival to second-instar. Egg viability after flooding was dependent on temperature and flood duration. Eggs inundated at 15°C showed ≥53.5% survival regardless of flood duration and development stage compared with ≤29.6% for eggs at 25°C for ≥21 days early in development and ≥14 days late in development. Hatchling nymphs did not differ in body mass relative to temperature or flood duration, but weighed more from eggs inundated early in development rather than late. Survival to second-instar was ≤55.1% at 15 and 20°C when eggs were flooded for ≥28 days late in development, ≤35.6% at 25°C when flooded for ≥28 days early in development, and zero when flooded for ≥21 days late in development. These results suggest that prolonged flooding in summer and early autumn may cause very high egg mortality and first-instar nymph mortality of any survivors, but is likely to only ever affect a small proportion of the metapopulation. More common flash flooding for ≤14 days is unlikely to cause high mortality and have any direct effect on distribution and abundance.
Associations between major fatty acids in plant oils fed to dairy goats and C18 isomers in milk fat
Authors: Martínez Marín Andrés L , Gómez-Cortés Pilar , Núñez Sánchez Nieves , Juárez Manuela , Garzón Sigler Ana I , Blanco Francisco Peña , de la Fuente Miguel Angel
Published: April 2015

Relationships between fatty acids (FAs) in plant oils included in goat diets and milk fat C18 isomers were determined by Principal Factor Analysis (PFA). The three first principal factors (PF1, PF2 and PF3) accounted for 64·5% of the total variation in milk FAs contents. Fatty acids with a double bond at carbons 13, 14, 15 or 16 had high (>0·6) and positive loadings for PF1, trans-4 to trans-8 C18:1 for PF2, whereas trans-10 C18:1, trans-11 C18:1 and cis-9 trans-11 C18:2 showed high and positive loadings for PF3. Pearson's correlations supported that PF1, PF2 and PF3 were related to α-linolenic, oleic and linoleic acid intakes, respectively. Our results show that the quantitatively main FAs in plant lipids supplemented to dairy ruminants are often the main cause of the observed changes in milk C18 isomer contents. However, sometimes the observed changes are caused, or at least are influenced, by other FAs present in lower quantities in the plant lipids. Thus, using mixtures of plant oils with differently unsaturated main FAs could be a way of tailoring milk fat composition to a pre-designed pattern.
Biodiversity ofLactobacillus helveticusbacteriophages isolated from cheese whey starters
Authors: Zago Miriam , Bonvini Barbara , Rossetti Lia , Meucci Aurora , Giraffa Giorgio , Carminati Domenico
Published: April 2015

Twenty-oneLactobacillus helveticusbacteriophages, 18 isolated from different cheese whey starters and three from CNRZ collection, were phenotypically and genetically characterised. A biodiversity between phages was evidenced both by host range and molecular (RAPD-PCR) typing. A more detailed characterisation of six phages showed similar structural protein profiles and a relevant genetic biodiversity, as shown by restriction enzyme analysis of total DNA. Latent period, burst time and burst size data evidenced that phages were active and virulent. Overall, data highlighted the biodiversity ofLb. helveticusphages isolated from cheese whey starters, which were confirmed to be one of the most common phage contamination source in dairy factories. More research is required to further unravel the ecological role ofLb. helveticusphages and to evaluate their impact on the dairy fermentation processes where whey starter cultures are used.
Intellectual abilities in tuberous sclerosis complex: risk factors and correlates from the Tuberous Sclerosis 2000 Study
Authors: Bolton P. F. , Clifford M. , Tye C. , Maclean C. , Humphrey A. , le Maréchal K. , Higgins J. N. P. , Neville B. G. R. , Rijsdjik F. ,   The Tuberous Sclerosis 2000 Study Group, Yates J. R. W.
Published: April 2015

Background

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is associated with intellectual disability, but the risk pathways are poorly understood.

Method

The Tuberous Sclerosis 2000 Study is a prospective longitudinal study of the natural history of TSC. One hundred and twenty-five UK children age 0–16 years with TSC and born between January 2001 and December 2006 were studied. Intelligence was assessed using standardized measures at ≥2 years of age. The age of onset of epilepsy, the type of seizure disorder, the frequency and duration of seizures, as well as the response to treatment was assessed at interview and by review of medical records. The severity of epilepsy in the early years was estimated using the E-Chess score. Genetic studies identified the mutations and the number of cortical tubers was determined from brain scans.

Results

TSC2 mutations were associated with significantly higher cortical tuber count than TSC1 mutations. The extent of brain involvement, as indexed by cortical tuber count, was associated with an earlier age of onset and severity of epilepsy. In turn, the severity of epilepsy was strongly associated with the degree of intellectual impairment. Structural equation modelling supported a causal pathway from genetic abnormality to cortical tuber count to epilepsy severity to intellectual outcome. Infantile spasms and status epilepticus were important contributors to seizure severity.

Conclusions

The findings support the proposition that severe, early onset epilepsy may impair intellectual development in TSC and highlight the potential importance of early, prompt and effective treatment or prevention of epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis.
The foundational efficiency of love: reconciling with Aquinas
Authors: Putt Sharon L.
Published: April 2015

Anabaptist theologians who vie for the most convincing theory of divine non-violence in the contemporary ‘atonement debate’ quite often fail to appreciate the contributions of medieval scholars such as St Thomas Aquinas. Of course, that failure does have a rationale. Aquinas does, indeed, support various systematic expressions of a satisfaction theory of atonement. In doing so, he insists upon God's violent solution to the problem of sin and also employs language fraught with quid pro quo, mercantile and penal images. Aquinas does attempt to ‘correct’ Anselm and rearticulate the satisfaction theory of atonement; however, his expression of that motif still hinges upon the divine demand for remuneration, balanced accounts or an economic transaction in order to repair the damage done by sin. God's desire for this redemptive reparation results in the necessity of the violent death of an innocent man. Consequently, although Aquinas expresses the notion of necessity differently than Anselm, his theory also necessitates, at best, divine complicity with violence and, at worst, divine insistence on violence. Anabaptist theologians who remain true to the tradition's pacifist roots rightfully cry ‘foul’ in response to Aquinas’ theory. If Jesus of Nazareth fully reveals the character of God as indicated in John 14:7 with the words, ‘if you have seen me, you have seen the Father’, theories of atonement which depict God as condoning or requiring violence do not harmonise with the life and teachings of the man Christians call the Prince of Peace, especially if that violence pertains to the redemption of a loving God's good creation. As a result, those who oppose the implicit divine violence embedded in Aquinas’ satisfaction theory of atonement may opt to disengage with him, to expel him completely from the conversation. Yet I suggest that non-violent atonement theologians pause and rethink their indictment of the angelic doctor. Satisfaction remains the prevalent theme surrounding Aquinas’ atonement motif, but it is not by any means the only image he brings to bear on the topic. In fact, throughout his ruminations on the passion of Christ, St Thomas focuses explicitly on the unfathomable, extravagant and immeasurable divine love as the primary motivation for God's desire and subsequent actions to redeem and restore a sinful humanity. I suggest that, given Aquinas’ emphasis on divine love, Anabaptist theologians may well discover a satisfying interlocutor for further theological conversation which carries significant implications for the life of the church. Indeed, scholastic savants such as Thomas Aquinas still do warrant a place at the communal table.
Infant and Child Burial Rites in Roman Britain: a Study from East Yorkshire
Authors: Millett Martin , Gowland Rebecca
Published: April 2015

The discovery of infant burials on excavated domestic sites in Roman Britain is fairly common but in the past these burials have often been dismissed as a product of unceremonious disposal. There is a growing literature which considers the phenomenon, but it has been dominated by debates around the suggestion that these burials provide evidence for infanticide, with a focus on the osteological evidence for and against this hypothesis. There has been less systematic consideration of the archaeological context of such burials. In this paper we examine the excavated evidence of two large groups of such burials from sites in East Yorkshire which demonstrate that the burial of neonatal infants followed a careful age-specific funerary rite. We suggest that this conclusion further undermines the widespread assumption that infants were disposed of without ceremony and as a result of infanticide.
Stability of L1 contractions
Authors: BARREIRA LUIS , VALLS CLAUDIA
Published: April 2015

The notion of an exponential contraction is only one among many possible rates of contraction of a nonautonomous system, while for an autonomous system all contractions are exponential. We consider the notion of an L1 contraction that includes exponential contractions as a very particular case and that is naturally adapted to the variation-of-parameters formula. Both for discrete and continuous time, we show that under very general assumptions the notion of an L1 contraction persists under sufficiently small linear and nonlinear perturbations, also maintaining the type of stability. As a natural development, we establish a version of the Grobman–Hartman theorem for nonlinear perturbations of an L1 contraction.
Impact of Multi-GNSS on Positioning Accuracy and Multipath Errors in High-Precision Single-Epoch Solutions – A Case Study in Ningbo China
Authors: Lau Lawrence , Tateshita Hiroaki , Sato Kazutoshi
Published: April 2015

Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Positioning System (GPS) carrier phase-based precise positioning has been widely using in geodesy and surveying applications, and other high accuracy positioning and navigation applications in the last two decades. More Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are being developed and it is usually expected that combining GNSS will have a positive impact on positioning accuracy. This paper describes a case study carried out at Ningbo in China on the impact of multi-GNSS on RTK single epoch solutions. Both GPS and GLONASS are fully operational now. Moreover, the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) can be observed at Ningbo. Currently, only one QZSS satellite “MICHIBIKI” is operational. This paper carries out an early assessment of the impact of QZSS on GPS and GLONASS single-epoch high precision positioning (i.e., single-epoch positioning accuracy assessment) and investigates the multipath errors in the GPS, GLONASS and QZSS multi-frequency data.
Synchronization ofE. coliO157 shedding in a grass-fed beef herd: a longitudinal study
Authors: LAMMERS G. A. C. , McCONNEL C. S. , JORDAN D. , AYTON M. S. , MORRIS S. , PATTERSON E. I. , WARD M. P. , HELLER J.
Published: April 2015

This study aims to describe in detail the temporal dynamics ofE. coliO157 shedding and risk factors for shedding in a grass-fed beef herd. During a 9-month period, 23 beef cows were sampled twice a week (58 sampling points) andE. coliO157 was enumerated from faecal samples. Isolates were screened by PCR for presence ofrfbE,stx1andstx2. The prevalence per sampling day ranged from 0% to 57%. This study demonstrates that many members of the herd were concurrently sheddingE. coliO157. Occurrence of rainfall (P< 0·01), feeding silage (P< 0·01) and lactating (P< 0·01) were found to be predictors of shedding. Moving cattle to a new paddock had a negative effect on shedding. This approach, based on short-interval sampling, confirms the known variability of shedding within a herd and highlights that high shedding events are rare.
Group B streptococcus infections of soft tissue and bone in California adults, 1995–2012
Authors: SMITH E. M. , KHAN M. A. , REINGOLD A. , WATT J. P.
Published: April 2015

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is an increasing cause of disease in adults. We present long-term trends in incidence of overall infections and identify characteristics of patients with GBS cellulitis, bone and joint infections. Active, population-based surveillance was conducted from 1995–2012 in three California counties and the data were analysed retrospectively. All cases had isolation of GBS from a normally sterile site. Cases of cellulitis were classified based on clinical diagnosis. GBS bone or joint infection was defined as isolation of GBS from a bone or joint or a diagnosis of osteomyelitis or septic arthritis. Medical charts were reviewed for demographic and clinical information. There were 3917 cases of GBS; the incidence of disease increased from 5·8 to 8·3 cases/100 000 persons (P < 0·001) from 1995 to 2012. In adults aged ⩾40 years, the overall incidence of GBS increased from 8·5 to 14·2 cases/100 000 (P < 0·001) persons during the study period. The incidence of cellulitis increased from 1·6 to 3·8 cases/100 000 (P < 0·001), bone infection increased from 0·7 to 2·6 cases/100 000 (P < 0·001), and the incidence of joint infection remained approximately constant at an average rate of 1·0 case/100 000. The highest incidence rates were observed in men, persons aged ⩾80 years, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics. Diabetes was the most common underlying condition (51·2% cellulitis cases, 76·3% bone infections, 29·8% joint infections).
Epidemic outbreak of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis caused by coxsackievirus A24 in Thailand, 2014
Authors: CHANSAENROJ J. , VONGPUNSAWAD S. , PUENPA J. , THEAMBOONLERS A. , VUTHITANACHOT V. , CHATTAKUL P. , AREECHOKCHAI D. , POOVORAWAN Y.
Published: April 2015

Acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreaks are often attributed to viral infection. In 2014, an unprecedented nationwide outbreak of infectious conjunctivitis occurred in Thailand, which affected >300 000 individuals over 3 months. To identify and characterize the virus responsible for the epidemic, eye swab specimens from 119 patients were randomly collected from five different provinces. Conserved regions in the enteroviral 5′-UTR and adenovirus hexon gene were analysed. Enterovirus was identified in 71·43% (85/119) of the samples, while no adenovirus was detected. From enterovirus-positive samples, the coxsackievirus A24 variant (70·59%, 84/119) and echovirus (0·84%, 1/119) were identified. Additional sequencing of full-length VP1 and 3C genes and subsequent phylogenetic analysis revealed that these clinical isolates form a new lineage cluster related to genotype IV-C5. In summary, the coxsackievirus A24 variant was identified as an aetiological agent for the recent acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreak in Thailand.
From Amelia to Calista and Beyond: Sentimental Heroines, ‘Fallen’ Women and Handel’s Oratorio Revisions for Susanna Cibber
Authors: Lee Jonathan Rhodes
Published: April 2015

The history of singer and famed tragedienne Susanna Cibber (1714–66) demonstrates the influences of the British theatre and the culture of sentiment on Handel’s oratorios. Throughout Cibber’s long career, audiences lauded the ‘natural’ qualities of her performances, conflating her onstage and offstage identities as both deeply moving and holding great potential for moral instruction. In the late 1730s and early 1740s this presumed symbiosis was challenged by a highly publicised sex scandal that had profound effects on Cibber’s roles in the spoken theatre. At the same moment, Handel began crafting parts for Cibber inMessiah,Samson,HerculesandBelshazzarin ways that showed awareness of the new complexity of her image. This article both illustrates the nature of Cibber’s evolving public identity and explains Handel’s revisions of pre-existing parts for her. It shows that Handel recognised the challenges of Cibber’s troubled public image and continued to highlight her greatest skills, setting her the task of harnessing the power of sympathy, drawing audiences in by appealing to them as fellow men and women of sensibility.
Berry syndrome: the importance of genetic evaluation before surgical intervention
Authors: Remon Juan I. , Briston David A. , Stern Kenan W.
Published: April 2015

Berry syndrome is a rare CHD. Approximately 29 cases have been described in the literature. Surgical correction has been successfully performed as well. We report the case of a newborn diagnosed with Berry syndrome who was subsequently diagnosed with trisomy 13. Cytogenetic analysis should be performed before surgical repair for optimal management.
Prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of heart disease in children with asymptomatic murmurs
Authors: Sackey Adziri H.
Published: April 2015

This study was performed to determine the prevalence of CHD among children referred with asymptomatic murmurs and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the assessment of asymptomatic heart murmurs by general paediatricians. We reviewed the records of children who had been referred by general paediatricians to a cardiology clinic for further evaluation of a heart murmur. The referring paediatricians’ clinical assessment of the murmur was compared with the cardiologist’s echocardiographic diagnosis. A total of 150 children were referred by paediatricians to a paediatric cardiologist for further assessment of a heart murmur. Out of 150 children, 72 had a paediatrician’s diagnosis of innocent murmur; of these 72 patients, two (3%) had heart disease on echocardiography. In all, after echocardiography, a range of congenital heart lesions was found in 28 (19%) of the 150 children. CHD is not rare among children with asymptomatic heart murmurs. In this series of children with asymptomatic murmurs, 19% had heart lesions on echocardiography. Most, but not all, of the children with heart lesions were identified on clinical examination by general paediatricians.
High prevalence of undernutrition and low dietary diversity in institutionalised elderly living in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rathnayake Kumari M , Wimalathunga MPPM , Weech Michelle , Jackson Kim G , Lovegrove Julie A
Published: April 2015

Objective

The present study aimed to assess nutritional status, dietary diversity and lifestyle risk factors associated with undernutrition in an institutionalised Sri Lankan elderly population.

Design

The study was of cross-sectional design followed by a stratified sampling method.

Setting

Twelve homes for the elderly recruited from six provinces in Sri Lanka.

Subjects

A total of 311 institutionalised elderly aged ≥60 years.

Results

The mean age of the study population was 75 (sd8) years. Prevalence of undernutrition was 30 %. Mean food variety score, dietary diversity score and dietary serving score of the study population were 8·7 (sd1·5), 7·3 (sd1·2) and 10·9 (sd2·0), respectively. Mean daily intakes of fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and pulses and dairy portions were below the national recommendations, whereas the mean consumption of sugar exceeded the national recommendation. Only the mean intake of starch was within the recommendation. Food allergies (OR=8·0; 95 % CI 3·9, 16·2), skipping meals (OR=3·8; 95 % CI 2·0, 7·5) and lack of leisure activities (OR=3·1; 95 % CI 1·5, 6·7) significantly increased the risk of undernutrition, whereas the use of dentures decreased the risk (OR=0·20; 95 % CI 0·06, 0·69).

Conclusions

High prevalence of undernutrition and low dietary diversity were observed in an institutionalised elderly Sri Lankan population. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement nutrition interventions as part of geriatric care to reduce undernutrition and improve the diets of the institutionalised elderly population in Sri Lanka.
EQUIVARIANT CALCULUS OF FUNCTORS AND-ANALYTICITY OF REAL ALGEBRAIC -THEORY
Authors: Dotto Emanuele
Published: April 2015

We define a theory of Goodwillie calculus for enriched functors from finite pointed simplicial $G$-sets to symmetric $G$-spectra, where $G$ is a finite group. We extend a notion of $G$-linearity suggested by Blumberg to define stably excisive and ${\it\rho}$-analytic homotopy functors, as well as a $G$-differential, in this equivariant context. A main result of the paper is that analytic functors with trivial derivatives send highly connected $G$-maps to $G$-equivalences. It is analogous to the classical result of Goodwillie that ‘functors with zero derivative are locally constant’. As the main example, we show that Hesselholt and Madsen’s Real algebraic $K$-theory of a split square zero extension of Wall antistructures defines an analytic functor in the $\mathbb{Z}/2$-equivariant setting. We further show that the equivariant derivative of this Real $K$-theory functor is $\mathbb{Z}/2$-equivalent to Real MacLane homology.
DREADFUL ENEMIES: THE “BEAST,” THE HYENA, AND NATURAL HISTORY IN THE ENLIGHTENMENT
Authors: SMITH JAY M.
Published: April 2015

The hypothesis that the beast of the Gévaudan (an intriguingly mysterious killer that roamed southern France in the 1760s) might be an African hyena was not simply a popular and amusing misconception; it reflected an important dimension of the critical spirit driving eighteenth-century science. By historicizing natural discovery and its motivations, this essay uncovers aspects of Enlightenment natural history—namely an attraction to the unknowable and a desire for uncertainty, both reflected in the fascination with the sublime—that only became more marked as the frontiers of knowledge receded. In doing so, the essay shows the distinctively hybrid character of an Enlightenment mentality that savored both illumination and darkness.
A NEGLECTED RESOLUTION OF RUSSELL’S PARADOX OF PROPOSITIONS
Authors: UZQUIANO GABRIEL
Published: April 2015

Bertrand Russell offered an influential paradox of propositions in Appendix B ofThe Principles of Mathematics, but there is little agreement as to what to conclude from it. We suggest that Russell’s paradox is best regarded as a limitative result on propositional granularity. Some propositions are, on pain of contradiction, unable to discriminate between classes with different members: whatever they predicate of one, they predicate of the other. When accepted, this remarkable fact should cast some doubt upon some of the uses to which modern descendants of Russell’s paradox of propositions have been put in recent literature.
Displacing Misinformation about Events: An Experimental Test of Causal Corrections
Authors: Nyhan Brendan , Reifler Jason
Published: April 2015

Misinformation can be very difficult to correct and may have lasting effects even after it is discredited. One reason for this persistence is the manner in which people make causal inferences based on available information about a given event or outcome. As a result, false information may continue to influence beliefs and attitudes even after being debunked if it is not replaced by an alternate causal explanation. We test this hypothesis using an experimental paradigm adapted from the psychology literature on the continued influence effect and find that a causal explanation for an unexplained event is significantly more effective than a denial even when the denial is backed by unusually strong evidence. This result has significant implications for how to most effectively counter misinformation about controversial political events and outcomes.
When Do Conflicting Parties Share Political Power?
Authors: Battaglini Marco , Mechtenberg Lydia
Published: April 2015

We conduct a laboratory experiment to study the incentives of a privileged group (the “yellows”) to share political power with another group (the “blues”). The yellows collectively choose the voting rule for a general election: a simple-majority rule that favors them, or a proportional rule. In two treatments, the blues can use a costly punishment option. We find that the yellows share power voluntarily only to a small extent, but they are more inclined to do so under the threat of punishment, despite the fact that punishments are not sub-game perfect. The blue group conditions punishments both on the voting rule and the electoral outcome.
Psychologie im Kontext der Kybernetik und im Kontext des Sozialismus
Authors: Schönpflug Wolfgang
Published: April 2015

Die Kybernetik nach den Prinzipien der marxistisch-leninistischen Ideologie als Wissenschaft auszuarbeiten und zur Grundlage gegenstandsorientierter Forschung, Organisation und Planung zu machen, war ein Anliegen, das seit der zweiten Hälfte der 1950er Jahre in der DDR diskutiert wurde. Die SED hat unter Walter Ulbricht als ihrem Ersten Sekretär dieses Anliegen unterstützt. Nach der Machtübernahme durch Erich Honecker im Jahre 1971 hat die Partei jedoch die Kybernetik als universelles, gesellschaftspolitisches Programm verurteilt und nur noch als einzelwissenschaftlichen, technisch und ökonomisch orientierten Forschungsansatz gefördert. Als universeller Ansatz verstanden, der sich nach Disziplinen gliederte, schloss Kybernetik auch eine Kybernetische Psychologie ein, die in der DDR zunächst an der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena betrieben und dann an die Humboldt-Universität Berlin verlagert wurde; die Forschungsgruppe „Kybernetik und Psychologie” der Humboldt-Universität erweiterte sich in die Akademie der Wissenschaften der DDR, als dort ein Zentralinstitut für Kybernetik und Informationsprozesse gegründet wurde.

Dargestellt werden das Projekt der kybernetisch orientierten Psychologie in den Jahren 1960 bis 1972, der gleichzeitige Entwurf eines sozialistischen Reformprogramms nach Grundsätzen der Kybernetik sowie die einschlägige Wissenschaftspolitik der DDR. Im Mittelpunkt der Diskussion steht die Frage der Kontextualität oder der Autonomie der Psychologie als wissenschaftliches Projekt. Wie weit war sie in die Kybernetik sowie in die Wissenschaftspolitik der DDR eingebunden? Wie weit hat sie in ihrem regionalen Umfeld Selbständigkeit genossen?
Mariotti Receives 2014 Luna B. Leopold Young Scientist Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: April 2015

Giulio Mariotti received the 2014 Luna B. Leopold Young Scientist Award at the 2014 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, held 15–19 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes "a young scientist for making a significant and outstanding contribution that advances the field of Earth and planetary surface processes."
[11C]PBR28 PET Imaging is Sensitive to Neuroinflammation in the Aged Rat
Authors: Walker Matthew D , Dinelle Katherine , Kornelsen Rick , Lee Nathan V , Miao Qing , Adam Mike , Takhar Christine , Mak Edwin , Schulzer Michael , Farrer Matthew J , Sossi Vesna
Published: April 2015

Neuroinflammation in the aging rat brain was investigated using [11C]PBR28 microPET (positron emission tomography) imaging. Normal rats were studied alongside LRRK2 p.G2019S transgenic rats; this mutation increases the risk of Parkinson's disease in humans. Seventy [11C]PBR28 PET scans were acquired. Arterial blood sampling enabled tracer kinetic modeling and estimation of VT. In vitro autoradiography was also performed. PBR28 uptake increased with age, without differences between nontransgenic and transgenic rats. In 12 months of aging (4 to 16 months), standard uptake value (SUV) increased by 56% from 0.44 to 0.69 g/mL, whereas VT increased by 91% from 30 to 57 mL/cm3. Standard uptake value and VT were strongly correlated (r = 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.31 to 0.69, n = 37). The plasma free fraction, fp, was 0.21 ± 0.03 (mean ± standard deviation, n = 53). In vitro binding increased by 19% in 16 months of aging (4 to 20 months). The SUV was less variable across rats than VT; coefficients of variation were 13% ( n = 27) and 29% ( n = 12). The intraclass correlation coefficient for SUV was 0.53, but was effectively zero for VT. These data show that [11C]PBR28 brain uptake increases with age, implying increased microglial activation in the aged brain.
Tracking the origins and drivers of subclonal metastatic expansion in prostate cancer
Authors: Hong Matthew K.H. , Macintyre Geoff , Wedge David C. , Van Loo Peter , Patel Keval , Lunke Sebastian , Alexandrov Ludmil B. , Sloggett Clare , Cmero Marek , Marass Francesco , Tsui Dana , Mangiola Stefano , Lonie Andrew , Naeem Haroon , Sapre Nikhil , Phal Pramit M. , Kurganovs Natalie , Chin Xiaowen , Kerger Michael , Warren Anne Y. , Neal David , Gnanapragasam Vincent , Rosenfeld Nitzan , Pedersen John S. , Ryan Andrew , Haviv Izhak , Costello Anthony J. , Corcoran Niall M. , Hovens Christopher M.
Published: April 2015

Tumour heterogeneity in primary prostate cancer is a well-established phenomenon. However, how the subclonal diversity of tumours changes during metastasis and progression to lethality is poorly understood. Here we reveal the precise direction of metastatic spread across four lethal prostate cancer patients using whole-genome and ultra-deep targeted sequencing of longitudinally collected primary and metastatic tumours. We find one case of metastatic spread to the surgical bed causing local recurrence, and another case of cross-metastatic site seeding combining with dynamic remoulding of subclonal mixtures in response to therapy. By ultra-deep sequencing end-stage blood, we detect both metastatic and primary tumour clones, even years after removal of the prostate. Analysis of mutations associated with metastasis reveals an enrichment of TP53 mutations, and additional sequencing of metastases from 19 patients demonstrates that acquisition of TP53 mutations is linked with the expansion of subclones with metastatic potential which we can detect in the blood.
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β ubiquitination by TRAF6 regulates TLR3-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production
Authors: Ko Ryeojin , Park Jin Hee , Ha Hyunil , Choi Yongwon , Lee Soo Young
Published: April 2015

TRAF6 is critical for the production of inflammatory cytokines in various TLR-mediated signalling pathways. However, it is poorly understood how TRAF6 regulates TLR3 responses. Here we demonstrate that GSK3β interacts with TRAF6 and positively regulates the TLR3-mediated signalling. Suppression of GSK3β expression or its kinase activity drastically reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines and the induction of c-Fos by decreasing ERK and p38 phosphorylation. GSK3β physically associates with TRAF6 in a TLR3 ligand poly I:C-dependent manner. TRAF6 is determined to be a direct E3 ligase for GSK3β, and TRAF6-mediated GSK3β ubiquitination is essential for poly I:C-dependent cytokine production by promoting the TLR3 adaptor protein TRIF-assembled signalling complex.
Effects of nitrogen stress on the photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll fluorescence and sugar-nitrogen ratio in corn
Authors: Jin Xiuliang , Yang Guijun , Tan Changwei , Zhao Chunjiang
Published: April 2015

A field experiment was conducted using three corn cultivars (Jingyu7, Nongda80 and Tangyu10) and three nitrogen (N) application rates (0, 75 and 150 kg N ha−1). The objectives of this study were to investigate the responses of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation (Ph), the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), leaf dry weight (LDW), leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC), leaf sugar concentration (LSC) and the sugar-to-nitrogen concentration ratio (S/N) to N levels in three different field-grown corn cultivars on three sampling dates. The results showed that the LDW, Fv/Fm, Ph, LNC and LSC increased with increasing N levels and the variation patterns of Fv/Fm, Ph and LNC were “low-high-low”. In contrast, S/N decreased with increasing N levels and its variation pattern was “high-low-high”. The values of LDW, Fv/Fm, Ph, LNC, LSC and S/N were greatest under high N conditions, followed by medium N conditions and finally low N conditions. Significant interactions occurred between Ph, Fv/Fm, LNC, LSC, LDW and S/N, with the exception of the interaction between LSC and S/N and between LSC and LDW. The correlation coefficients between Ph and S/N and between Fv/Fm and S/N were −0.714 and −0.798, respectively.
Charging a Capacitor from an External Fluctuating Potential using a Single Conical Nanopore
Authors: Gomez Vicente , Ramirez Patricio , Cervera Javier , Nasir Saima , Ali Mubarak , Ensinger Wolfgang , Mafe Salvador
Published: April 2015

We explore the electrical rectification of large amplitude fluctuating signals by an asymmetric nanostructure operating in aqueous solution. We show experimentally and theoretically that a load capacitor can be charged to voltages close to 1 V within a few minutes by converting zero time-average potentials of amplitudes in the range 0.5–3 V into average net currents using a single conical nanopore. This process suggests that significant energy conversion and storage from an electrically fluctuating environment is feasible with a nanoscale pore immersed in a liquid electrolyte solution, a system characteristic of bioelectronics interfaces, electrochemical cells and nanoporous membranes.
Printing 2-Dimentional Droplet Array for Single-Cell Reverse Transcription Quantitative PCR Assay with a Microfluidic Robot
Authors: Zhu Ying , Zhang Yun-Xia , Liu Wen-Wen , Ma Yan , Fang Qun , Yao Bo
Published: April 2015

This paper describes a nanoliter droplet array-based single-cell reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay method for quantifying gene expression in individual cells. By sequentially printing nanoliter-scale droplets on microchip using a microfluidic robot, all liquid-handling operations including cell encapsulation, lysis, reverse transcription and quantitative PCR with real-time fluorescence detection, can be automatically achieved. The inhibition effect of cell suspension buffer on RT-PCR assay was comprehensively studied to achieve high-sensitivity gene quantification. The present system was applied in the quantitative measurement of expression level of mir-122 in single Huh-7 cells. A wide distribution of mir-122 expression in single cells from 3061 copies/cell to 79998 copies/cell was observed, showing a high level of cell heterogeneity. With the advantages of full-automation in liquid-handling, simple system structure and flexibility in achieving multi-step operations, the present method provides a novel liquid-handling mode for single cell gene expression analysis and has significant potentials in transcriptional identification and rare cell analysis.
Faculty development programs improve the quality of Multiple Choice Questions items' writing
Authors: Abdulghani Hamza Mohammad , Ahmad Farah , Irshad Mohammad , Khalil Mahmoud Salah , Al-Shaikh Ghadeer Khalid , Syed Sadiqa , Aldrees Abdulmajeed Abdurrahman , Alrowais Norah , Haque Shafiul
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of long term faculty development programs (FDPs) in order to improve the quality of multiple choice questions (MCQs) items' writing. This was a quasi-experimental study, conducted with newly joined faculty members. The MCQ items were analyzed for difficulty index, discriminating index, reliability, Bloom's cognitive levels, item writing flaws (IWFs) and MCQs' nonfunctioning distractors (NFDs) based test courses of respiratory, cardiovascular and renal blocks. Significant improvement was found in the difficulty index values of pre- to post-training (p = 0.003). MCQs with moderate difficulty and higher discrimination were found to be more in the post-training tests in all three courses. Easy questions were decreased from 36.7 to 22.5%. Significant improvement was also reported in the discriminating indices from 92.1 to 95.4% after training (p = 0.132). More number of higher cognitive level of Bloom's taxonomy was reported in the post-training test items (p<0.0001). Also, NFDs and IWFs were reported less in the post-training items (p<0.02). The MCQs written by the faculties without participating in FDPs are usually of low quality. This study suggests that newly joined faculties need active participation in FDPs as these programs are supportive in improving the quality of MCQs' items writing.
A hybrid chimeric system for versatile and ultra-sensitive RNase detection
Authors: Persano Stefano , Vecchio Giuseppe , Pompa Pier Paolo
Published: April 2015

We developed a new versatile strategy that allows the detection of several classes of RNases (i.e., targeting ss- or ds-RNA, DNA/RNA hetero-hybrid or junctions) with higher sensitivity than existing assays. Our two-step approach consists of a DNA-RNA-DNA chimeric Hairpin Probe (cHP) conjugated to magnetic microparticles and containing a DNAzyme sequence in its terminal region and molecular beacons for fluorescence signal generation. In the first step, the digestion of the RNA portion of the cHP sequences in presence of RNases leads to the release of multiple copies of the DNAzyme in solution. Then, after magnetic washing, each DNAzyme molecule elicits the catalytic cleavage of numerous molecular beacons, providing a strong amplification of the overall sensitivity of the assay. We successfully applied our approach to detect very low concentrations of RNase A, E. coli RNase I and RNase H. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of two antibiotics (penicillin and streptomycin) on RNase H activity, demonstrating the applicability of our strategy for the screening of inhibitors. Finally, we exploited our system to detect RNase activity directly in crude biological samples (i.e., blood and saliva) and in cell culture medium, highlighting its suitability as cheap and sensitive tool for the detection of RNase levels.
Intramolecular vibrational redistribution in the non-radiative excited state decay of uracil in the gas phase: an ab initio molecular dynamics study
Authors: Carbonniere Philippe , Pouchan Claude , Improta Roberto
Published: April 2015

MD simulations provide the first atomistic insights into the IVR processes of photoexcited uracil soon after ground state recovery.
Local strain effect on the thermal transport of graphene nanoribbons: a molecular dynamics investigation
Authors: Xu Lanqing , Zhang Xiaoman , Zheng Yongping
Published: April 2015

Local strain created by nano-indentation or molecular adsorption can lead to a spatially confined quantum dot on the graphene sheet. How can the tip–surface interaction affect the heat transfer across the graphene basal plane? In this work molecular dynamics simulations are carried out to investigate this issue.
Rotameric transformations in the photochemistry of TpM(CO)2(η3-C3H4R), where Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)borate, M = Mo or W, and R = H or Me
Authors: Thornley Wyatt A. , Bitterwolf Thomas E.
Published: April 2015

Photolysis of the exo allyl rotamers of TpM(CO)2(η3-C3H4R) complexes, where M = Mo or W, and R = 2-H or 2-Me, at 85 K results in reversible formation of the gauche allyl rotamer.
Ultra-sensitive flow measurement in individual nanopores through pressure – driven particle translocation
Authors: Gadaleta Alessandro , Biance Anne-Laure , Siria Alessandro , Bocquet Lyderic
Published: April 2015

A challenge for the development of nanofluidics is to develop new instrumentation tools, able to probe the extremely small mass transport across individual nanochannels.
Regulation of telomeric i-motif stability by 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine modification
Authors: Xu Baochang , Devi Gitali , Shao Fangwei
Published: April 2015

Thermal denaturation of a C-rich DNA sequence substituted with mC or hmC under various acidic pH indicate that DNA i-motif is stabilized by one or two mCs, but is destabilized by either single modification with hmC or hypermethylation with mC.
Synthesis of poly(spirosilabifluorene) copolymers and their improved stability in blue emitting polymer LEDs over non-spiro analogs
Authors: McDowell Jeffrey J. , Gao Dong , Seferos Dwight S. , Ozin Geoffrey
Published: April 2015

PHSSF-co-PDHSF exhibits blue luminescence, high quantum efficiency and thermal stability. Electroluminescence of OLEDs is more stable than non-spiro poly(silafluorene) devices.
Cylophosphamide elicited intracranial hemorrhage via mitochondrial ROS-hif-1α-ATP depleting pathway—preventive trials with folic acid, resveratrol and vitamin E
Authors: Hsieh Chiu-Lan , Chen Kuan-Chou , Guan William W. , Peng Chiung-Chi , Peng Robert Y.
Published: April 2015

Hepatic CYP2B metabolizes cyclophosphamide (CP) into acrolein and phosphoramide mustard, which are the ultimate toxic teratogenic compounds.
Exploring the effect of manganese in lead sulfide quantum dot sensitized solar cell to enhance the photovoltaic performance
Authors: Punnoose Dinah , Rao S. Srinivasa , Kim Soo-Kyoung , Kim Hee-Je
Published: April 2015

Better stability and higher performance of Mn-doped PbS/CdS/CdSe/ZnS QDSSCs (PCE = 4.25%) than that of PbS/CdS/CdSe/ZnS (PCE = 3.86%).
Synthesis and characterization of “comb-like” poly(ionic liquid-co-styrene): expected applications in graphene dispersion and CO2 separation
Authors: Yang Jintao , Zheng Jiongzhou , Zhang Jingjing , Sun Li , Chen Feng , Fan Ping , Zhong Mingqiang
Published: April 2015

A new PIL “comb-like” copolymer was synthesized by directly polymerizing ionic liquid monomer by ATRP using macroinitiator. This polymer is potentially useful in graphene dispersion and CO2 separation.
Unusual self-assembly of a hydrophilic β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex into vesicles capable of drug encapsulation and release
Authors: Nayak Nagaraj , Gopidas Karical R.
Published: April 2015

A hydrophilic β-cyclodextrin bis-inclusion complex forms supramolecular vesicles which can be loaded with the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin. The loaded drug can be released upon addition of a competitive inclusion binder such as adamantane carboxylate.
Magnetization reversal dependence on effective magnetic anisotropy in electroplated Co–Cu nanowire arrays
Authors: García J. , Prida V. M. , Vivas L. G. , Hernando B. , Barriga-Castro E. D. , Mendoza-Reséndez R. , Luna C. , Escrig J. , Vázquez M.
Published: April 2015

Arrays of Co(100−x)Cu(x) (0 ≤ x ≤ 27) nanowires with 45 nm of diameter and 18 μm in length, have been potentiostatically electrodeposited into the hexagonally self-assembled nanopores of anodic alumina membranes.
Parts per billion detection of uranium with a porphyrinoid-containing nanoparticle and in vivo photoacoustic imaging
Authors: Ho I-Ting , Sessler Jonathan L. , Gambhir Sanjiv Sam , Jokerst Jesse V.
Published: April 2015

Chemical tools that can report radioactive isotopes would be of interest to the defense community.
Correction: Testing and validating electroanalytical simulations
Authors: Kätelhön Enno , Compton Richard G.
Published: April 2015

Correction for ‘Testing and validating electroanalytical simulations’ by Enno Kätelhön and Richard G. Compton, Analyst, 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c4an02276a.
A lipidomics demonstration of the importance of single cell analysis
Authors: Phelps Mandy S. , Verbeck Guido F.
Published: April 2015

A novel single cell analytical method showing adipocyte heterogeneity dependent on lipid droplet size using nanomanipulation-coupled nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry.
Monitoring the clandestine synthesis of methamphetamine in real-time with ambient sampling, portable mass spectrometry
Authors: O'Leary Adam E. , Hall Seth E. , Vircks Kyle E. , Mulligan Christopher C.
Published: April 2015

In this paper, an ambient sampling, portable mass spectrometer coupled to a selection on ambient ionization methods was used to perform real-time reaction monitoring of clandestine methamphetamine syntheses.
An ESIPT-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for the imaging of nitroxyl in living cells
Authors: Lv Hao-Ming , Yi Chen Yi Chen , Lei Jian , Au Chak-Tong , Yin Shuang-Feng
Published: April 2015

A novel fluorescent probe based on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism for the detection of nitroxyl was developed for the first time.
A homogeneous surface-enhanced Raman scattering platform for ultra-trace detection of trinitrotoluene in the environment
Authors: Jamil Arniza K. M. , Izake Emad L. , Sivanesan Arumugam , Agoston Roland , Ayoko Godwin A.
Published: April 2015

Extraction and SERS detection of TNT in soil.
A highly selective fluorescent sensor for glucosamine
Authors: Tran Tam Minh , Alan Yuksel , Glass Timothy Edward
Published: April 2015

A new fluorescent chemical sensor with a multifunctional binding pocket produces high selectivity for glucosamine over related biomolecules.
Repurposing de novo designed entities reveals phosphodiesterase 3B and cathepsin L modulators
Authors: Rodrigues Tiago , Lin Yen-Chu , Hartenfeller Markus , Renner Steffen , Lim Yi Fan , Schneider Gisbert
Published: April 2015

Scaffold hopping: a computational algorithm correctly predicted the macromolecular target ofde novogenerated small molecular entities.
Saccharothriolides A–C, novel phenyl-substituted 10-membered macrolides isolated from a rare actinomycete Saccharothrix sp.
Authors: Lu Shan , Nishimura Shinichi , Hirai Go , Ito Masashi , Kawahara Teppei , Izumikawa Miho , Sodeoka Mikiko , Shin-ya Kazuo , Tsuchida Toshio , Kakeya Hideaki
Published: April 2015

Three new 10-membered macrolides, saccharothriolides A–C (1–3), were discovered from a rare actinomycete Saccharothrix sp. A1506.
Stereoselective synthesis and reaction of gold(i) (Z)-enethiolates
Authors: Miyamoto Kazunori , Hirobe Masaya , Uchiyama Masanobu , Ochiai Masahito
Published: April 2015

Bench-top-storable (Z)-enethiol reagents: gold (Z)-1-decenylthiolates were synthesized stereoselectively in high yields.
A hydrophobic adsorbent based on hierarchical porous polymers derived from morphologies of a biomineral
Authors: Sato Kosuke , Oaki Yuya , Imai Hiroaki
Published: April 2015

Functional biogenic hierarchical morphologies are applied to a hydrophobic adsorbent consisting of polystyrene through the morphology replication technique.
Crystallisation and physicochemical property characterisation of conformationally-locked co-crystals of fenamic acid derivatives
Authors: Wittering K. E. , Agnew L. R. , Klapwijk A. R. , Robertson K. , Cousen A. J. P. , Cruickshank D. L. , Wilson C. C.
Published: April 2015

Co-crystals of fenamic acid and its highly polymorphic derivatives with 4,4′-bipyridine are prepared using various crystallisation techniques and have been shown to afford single polymorphic forms for each of the co-crystals.
First principles investigation of the activity of thin film Pt, Pd and Au surface alloys for oxygen reduction
Authors: Tripkovic Vladimir , Hansen Heine Anton , Rossmeisl Jan , Vegge Tejs
Published: April 2015

Several binary and ternary thin film surface alloys made of Pt, Pd and Au are promising catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Fragmentation mechanisms of cytosine, adenine and guanine ionized bases
Authors: Sadr-Arani Leila , Mignon Pierre , Chermette Henry , Abdoul-Carime Hassan , Farizon Bernadette , Farizon Michel
Published: April 2015

The different fragmentation channels of cytosine, adenine and guanine have been studied through DFT calculations.
Enhanced field emission from in situ synthesized 2D copper sulfide nanoflakes at low temperature by using a novel controllable solvothermal preferred edge growth route
Authors: Song Zengcai , Lei Hongwei , Li Borui , Wang Haoning , Wen Jian , Li Songzhan , Fang Guojia
Published: April 2015

Patterned CuS nanoflakes with preferred edge growth and their enhanced field emission properties.