bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Should I Perform Genetic Testing? A Qualitative Look into the Decision Making Considerations of Religious Israeli Undergraduate Students
Authors: Siani Merav , Assaraf Orit Ben‐Zvi
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study is to draw a picture of the concerns that guide the decision making of Israeli religious undergraduate students and the complex considerations they take into account while facing the need to have genetic testing or to attend a genetic counseling session. We examined how the religious affiliation of the students influences their perceptions toward genetics and how these are expressed. Qualitative data were collected from 51 semi‐structured interviews with students, in which recurring themes were identified using ‘thematic analysis.’ The codes from the thematic analysis were obtained according to ‘grounded theory’. Our results show that religious undergraduate students’ decision making in these issues is influenced by factors that fall under three main categories: knowledge and perceptions, values, and norms. In order to include all the components of influence, we created the Triple C model: “Culture influences Choices towards genetic Counseling” which aims to generalize the complex decision making considerations that we detected. Our model places religion, as part of culture, as its central point of influence that impacts all three of the main categories we detected. It also traces the bidirectional influences that each of these main categories have on one another. Using this model may help identify the sociocultural differences between different types of patients, helping genetic counselors to better assist them in addressing their genetic status by tailoring the counseling more specifically to the patient's cultural uniqueness.
Evaluation of metabolomics profiles of grain from maize hybrids derived from near-isogenic GM positive and negative segregant inbreds demonstrates that observed differences cannot be attributed unequivocally to the GM trait
Authors: Harrigan George G. , Venkatesh Tyamagondlu V. , Leibman Mark , Blankenship Jonathan , Perez Timothy , Halls Steven , Chassy Alexander W. , Fiehn Oliver , Xu Yun , Goodacre Royston
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Past studies on plant metabolomes have highlighted the influence of growing environments and varietal differences in variation of levels of metabolites yet there remains continued interest in evaluating the effect of genetic modification (GM).

Objectives

Here we test the hypothesis that metabolomics differences in grain from maize hybrids derived from a series of GM (NK603, herbicide tolerance) inbreds and corresponding negative segregants can arise from residual genetic variation associated with backcrossing and that the effect of insertion of the GM trait is negligible.

Methods

Four NK603-positive and negative segregant inbred males were crossed with two different females (testers). The resultant hybrids, as well as conventional comparator hybrids, were then grown at three replicated field sites in Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska during the 2013 season. Metabolomics data acquisition using gas chromatography–time of flight-mass spectrometry (GC–TOF-MS) allowed the measurement of 367 unique metabolite features in harvested grain, of which 153 were identified with small molecule standards. Multivariate analyses of these data included multi-block principal component analysis and ANOVA-simultaneous component analysis. Univariate analyses of all 153 identified metabolites was conducted based on significance testing (α = 0.05), effect size evaluation (assessing magnitudes of differences), and variance component analysis.

Results

Results demonstrated that the largest effects on metabolomic variation were associated with different growing locations and the female tester. They further demonstrated that differences observed between GM and non-GM comparators, even in stringent tests utilizing near-isogenic positive and negative segregants, can simply reflect minor genomic differences associated with conventional back-crossing practices.

Conclusion

The effect of GM on metabolomics variation was determined to be negligible and supports that there is no scientific rationale for prioritizing GM as a source of variation.
Treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in congenital heart disease in Singapore versus the Netherlands: age exceeds ethnicity in influencing clinical outcome
Authors: van Riel A. C. M. J. , Schuuring M. J. , van Hessen I. D. , van Dijk A. P. J. , Hoendermis E. S. , Yip J. W. , Mulder B. J. M. , Bouma B. J.
Published: March 2016

Background

Advanced treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in congenital heart disease (CHD) is increasingly applied worldwide following the—mainly Western world based—international PAH-CHD guidelines. However, studies comparing clinical presentation and outcome after the initiation of PAH-specific treatment are lacking. We aimed to analyse this in a Singaporean and Dutch cohort of PAH-CHD patients.

Methods

Adult CHD patients starting PAH-specific therapy, enrolled in two nationwide registries, were analysed. Patients received phosphodiesterase-type-5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists, or a combination. Change in six-minute walk test (6MWT) during follow-up was analysed using linear mixed model analysis. Determinants for mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazard analyses.

Results

A total of 74 patients, 45 Dutch (mean age 47 ± 14 years) and 29 Singaporean (mean age 41 ± 14 years) were analysed. Despite a lower 6MWT (312 versus 395 metres, p = 0.01) and peak VO2 (35 versus 49 % of predicted, p = 0.01) at baseline in Singaporean patients, the treatment effect was similar in the two populations. Age at initiation of therapy (per 5 year lower age, β = + 4.5, p = 0.017) was the strongest predictor of improvement in exercise capacity, corrected for ethnicity, baseline 6MWT, sex and CHD defect.

Conclusions

Patients from Singapore had a worse clinical performance at baseline compared with the PAH-CHD patients from the Netherlands. No relation between ethnicity and improvement in 6MWT after PAH-specific therapy was found. Age at initiation of PAH-specific therapy was the strongest predictor of treatment efficacy and mortality, emphasising the need for early initiation of treatment in these patients.
Biodegradation and Water Washing Effect on Gasoline Range Hydrocarbons and Quality of Crude Oils from HJN and MKM Fields of Upper Assam Basin, India
Authors: Sarmah Manoj Kumar , Raju Srinivasan V.
Published: March 2016

The crude oils from Oligocene and Miocene formation of upper Assam basin have moderate API gravity and significant wax content. Crude oils from HJN and MKM fields of upper Assam basin are being produced from Oligocene and Miocene sands. These oils are somewhat biodegraded in nature as evidenced from their API gravity, density, bulk composition, GC fingerprints and relative concentrations of compounds in the gasoline range. It is observed from whole oil gas chromatographic data that the lighter hydrocarbons are more effected as a result of biodegradation and water washing than the heavier components. In the gasoline range compounds highest degradation of n-alkanes are observed followed by iso- and cyclo-alkanes. The extent of the effect of biodegradation of the gasoline range compounds in crude oil samples cannot be illustrated by the concentrations of the compounds. The concentrations only describe qualitative differences in molecular composition. This difficulty can be overcome by using parameters called degradative loss (%). This parameter shows exactly how much loss or gain has taken place in the gasoline range compounds. Within the gasoline range compounds, n-alkanes, Benzene baring HJN 15 and MKM 14 and Toluene experienced degradative loss indicating effects of both biodegradation and water washing in these oils. Cyclo-alkanes are least effected by biodegradation followed by iso-alkanes in all the oils. The extent of biodegradation and water washing is different for each oils from HJN and MKM fields as indicated by the degradative loss (%) of the compounds in the gasoline range.
Vegetarian dietary patterns and the risk of breast cancer in a low-risk population
Authors: Penniecook-Sawyers Jason A. , Jaceldo-Siegl Karen , Fan Jing , Beeson Larry , Knutsen Synnove , Herring Patti , Fraser Gary E.
Published: March 2016

Among cancers in American women, breast cancer (BC) has the second highest incidence and mortality. The association of BC with diet has been inconsistent. Studies that evaluate associations with dietary patterns are less common and reflect an individual’s whole diet. We associated dietary patterns with the risk of BC in American women of the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2), a prospective cohort of 96 001 subjects recruited between 2002 and 2007. Answers to a previously validated FFQ were used to classify subjects to vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, semi-vegetarian and non-vegetarian dietary patterns. Incident BC were identified by matching AHS-2 subjects to data from forty-eight state cancer registries. Statistical analyses used proportional hazard regression analyses with covariates that were chosena priori. From 50 404 female participants (26 193 vegetarians), we identified 892 incident BC cases, with 478 cases among vegetarians. As compared with non-vegetarians, all vegetarians combined did not have a significantly lower risk (hazard ratio (HR) 0·97; CI 0·84, 1·11;P=0·64). However, vegans showed consistently lower (but non-significant) point estimates when compared with non-vegetarians (all cases: HR 0·78; CI 0·58, 1·05;P=0·09). In summary, participants in this cohort who follow a vegetarian dietary pattern did not experience a lower risk of BC as compared with non-vegetarians, although lower risk in vegans is possible. These findings add to the very limited literature associating vegetarian diets with BC risk and can assist nutritionists when evaluating the impact of these diets. The findings will also motivate further evaluation of vegan diets and their special characteristics.
BIAS CORRECTION OF SEMIPARAMETRIC LONG MEMORY PARAMETER ESTIMATORS VIA THE PREFILTERED SIEVE BOOTSTRAP
Authors: Poskitt D. S. , Martin Gael M. , Grose Simone D.
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates bootstrap-based bias correction of semiparametric estimators of the long memory parameter,d, in fractionally integrated processes. The re-sampling method involves the application of the sieve bootstrap to data prefiltered by a preliminary semiparametric estimate of the long memory parameter. Theoretical justification for using the bootstrap technique to bias adjust log periodogram and semiparametric local Whittle estimators of the memory parameter is provided in the case where the true value ofdlies in the range 0 ≤d< 0.5. That the bootstrap method provides confidence intervals with the correct asymptotic coverage is also proven, with the intervals shown to adjust explicitly for bias, as estimated via the bootstrap. Simulation evidence comparing the performance of the bootstrap bias correction with analytical bias-correction techniques is presented. The bootstrap method is shown to produce notable bias reductions, in particular when applied to an estimator for which some degree of bias reduction has already been accomplished by analytical means.
THE POLITICS OF HISTORICAL ECONOMICS: WILHELM ROSCHER ON DEMOCRACY, SOCIALISM AND CAESARISM
Authors: MCDANIEL IAIN
Published: March 2016

Wilhelm Friedrich Georg Roscher (1817–94) is generally remembered as a significant nineteenth-century German political economist and a contributor to the “German historical school of economics.” His work is usually placed in the context of a larger narrative about the development of economic thought. Yet intellectual historians have rarely noticed that, for Roscher, Staatswirthschaft or Nationalökonomie were subordinate to a larger science of politics, and few have engaged with the substance of his political thought (as opposed to his economics). The aim of this article is to provide an interpretation of Roscher as a political thinker, focusing especially on his account of the modern European state between the 1840s and the 1890s. In particular, it explores Roscher's concern that nineteenth-century Europe's economically advanced societies, characterized by an unstable combination of democratic sovereignty, deep socio-economic inequality and a centralized state apparatus, would soon find themselves at the mercy of “military tyranny” or “Caesarism.” It underlines the ways in which Roscher's preoccupation with ancient history fed into his estimation of nineteenth-century politics, and also examines his comparative assessment of democracy's prospects in Britain, France and the United States.
Introduction to Special Issue on Advances and Applications of Surface Analysis Methods
Authors: Baer Donald R.
Published: March 2016

Abstract: Introduction to the special issue on surface analysis, providing thumbnail sketches of several popular techniques. A table gives the capabilities of each technique.
Phase-selective entrainment of nonlinear oscillator ensembles
Authors: Zlotnik Anatoly , Nagao Raphael , Kiss István Z. , Li Jr-Shin
Published: March 2016

The ability to organize and finely manipulate the hierarchy and timing of dynamic processes is important for understanding and influencing brain functions, sleep and metabolic cycles, and many other natural phenomena. However, establishing spatiotemporal structures in biological oscillator ensembles is a challenging task that requires controlling large collections of complex nonlinear dynamical units. In this report, we present a method to design entrainment signals that create stable phase patterns in ensembles of heterogeneous nonlinear oscillators without using state feedback information. We demonstrate the approach using experiments with electrochemical reactions on multielectrode arrays, in which we selectively assign ensemble subgroups into spatiotemporal patterns with multiple phase clusters. The experimentally confirmed mechanism elucidates the connection between the phases and natural frequencies of a collection of dynamical elements, the spatial and temporal information that is encoded within this ensemble, and how external signals can be used to retrieve this information.
Nighttime dissolution in a temperate coastal ocean ecosystem increases under acidification
Authors: Kwiatkowski Lester , Gaylord Brian , Hill Tessa , Hosfelt Jessica , Kroeker Kristy J. , Nebuchina Yana , Ninokawa Aaron , Russell Ann D. , Rivest Emily B. , Sesboüé Marine , Caldeira Ken
Published: March 2016

Anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) are causing ocean acidification, lowering seawater aragonite (CaCO3) saturation state (Ωarag), with potentially substantial impacts on marine ecosystems over the 21stCentury. Calcifying organisms have exhibited reduced calcification under lower saturation state conditions in aquaria. However, thein situsensitivity of calcifying ecosystems to future ocean acidification remains unknown. Here we assess the community level sensitivity of calcification to local CO2-induced acidification caused by natural respiration in an unperturbed, biodiverse, temperate intertidal ecosystem. We find that on hourly timescales nighttime community calcification is strongly influenced by Ωarag, with greater net calcium carbonate dissolution under more acidic conditions. Daytime calcification however, is not detectably affected by Ωarag. If the short-term sensitivity of community calcification to Ωaragis representative of the long-term sensitivity to ocean acidification, nighttime dissolution in these intertidal ecosystems could more than double by 2050, with significant ecological and economic consequences.
Further deliberating the relationship between do-not-resuscitate and the increased risk of death
Authors: Chen Yen-Yuan , Chen Yih-Sharng , Chu Tzong-Shinn , Lin Kuan-Han , Wu Chau-Chung
Published: March 2016

Few studies have examined the outcome of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) patients in surgical intensive care units (SICUs). This study deliberated the association between a DNR decision and the increased risk of death methodologically and ethically. This study was conducted in three SICUs. We collected patients’ demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics and the status of death/survival at SICU and hospital discharge. We used Kaplan–Meier survival curves to compare the time from SICU admission to the end of SICU stay for the DNR and non-DNR patients. Differences in the Kaplan-Meier curves were tested using log-rank tests. We also conducted a Cox proportional hazards model to account for the effect of a DNR decision on mortality. We found that having a DNR order was associated with an increased risk of death during the SICU stay (aRR = 2.39, p < 0.01) after adjusting for severity of illness upon SICU admission and other confounding variables. To make the conclusion that a DNR order is causally related to an increased risk of death, or that a DNR order increases the risk of death is absolutely questionable. By clarifying this key point, we expect that the discussion of DNR between healthcare professionals and patients/surrogate decision-makers will not be hampered or delayed.
Substrate engagement of integrins α5β1 and αvβ3 is necessary, but not sufficient, for high directional persistence in migration on fibronectin
Authors: Missirlis Dimitris , Haraszti Tamás , Scheele Catharina v. C. , Wiegand Tina , Diaz Carolina , Neubauer Stefanie , Rechenmacher Florian , Kessler Horst , Spatz Joachim P.
Published: March 2016

The interplay between specific integrin-mediated matrix adhesion and directional persistence in cell migration is not well understood. Here, we characterized fibroblast adhesion and migration on the extracellular matrix glycoproteins fibronectin and vitronectin, focusing on the role of α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins. Fibroblasts manifested high directional persistence in migration on fibronectin-, but not vitronectin-coated substrates, in a ligand density-dependent manner. Fibronectin stimulated α5β1-dependent organization of the actin cytoskeleton into oriented, ventral stress fibers and assembly of dynamic, polarized protrusions, characterized as regions free of stress fibers and rich in nascent adhesions at their edge. Such protrusions correlated with persistent, local leading edge advancement, but were not sufficient, nor necessary for directional migration over longer times. Selective blocking of αvβ3 or α5β1 integrins using small molecule integrin antagonists reduced directional persistence on fibronectin, indicating integrin cooperativity in maintaining directionality. On the other hand, patterned substrates, designed to selectively engage either integrin, or their combination, were not sufficient to establish directional migration. Overall, our study demonstrates adhesive coating-dependent regulation of directional persistence in fibroblast migration and challenges the generality of the previously suggested role of β1 and β3 integrins in directional migration.
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells foster conversion of CD4+CD25−Foxp3− T cells into CD4+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells via Transforming Growth Factor-β
Authors: Oettel Anika , Lorenz Mario , Stangl Verena , Costa Serban-Dan , Zenclussen Ana Claudia , Schumacher Anne
Published: March 2016

Trans-placental cell trafficking is a naturally occurring process during pregnancy that results in the direct recognition of foreign maternal antigens by fetal tissue and vice versa. Immigration of potentially harmful allo-reactive maternal T cells into fetal circulation may provoke anti-fetal immune responses. However, the contact with fetal tissue may favor differentiation of maternal immune cells into cells with a regulatory phenotype. Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) possess immune-regulating properties and are one of the first fetal cells to get in contact with foreign maternal immune cells. Therefore, here we studied whether HUVECs induce the conversion of maternal T cells into regulatory T (Treg) cells. Moreover, we assessed whether this response is changing according to the sex of the HUVECs. Both female and male HUVECs induced the conversion of maternal T cells into Treg cells which is partially mediated via TGF-β. Female HUVECs showed a stronger capacity to induce Treg cells compared to male HUVECs. Our findings propose that HUVECs contribute to fetal-maternal tolerance by the increase of the Treg cell population. Sex-specific differences in Treg cell induction may partly account for the disparities on the incidence of infectious and autoimmune diseases between both sexes during early childhood.
Thermodynamic theory of the plasmoelectric effect
Authors: van de Groep Jorik , Sheldon Matthew T. , Atwater Harry A. , Polman Albert
Published: March 2016

Resonant metal nanostructures exhibit an optically induced electrostatic potential when illuminated with monochromatic light under off-resonant conditions. This plasmoelectric effect is thermodynamically driven by the increase in entropy that occurs when the plasmonic structure aligns its resonant absorption spectrum with incident illumination by varying charge density. As a result, the elevated steady-state temperature of the nanostructure induced by plasmonic absorption is further increased by a small amount. Here, we study in detail the thermodynamic theory underlying the plasmoelectric effect by analyzing a simplified model system consisting of a single silver nanoparticle. We find that surface potentials as large as 473 mV are induced under 100 W/m2 monochromatic illumination, as a result of a 11 mK increases in the steady-state temperature of the nanoparticle. Furthermore, we discuss the applicability of this analysis for realistic experimental geometries and show that this effect is generic for optical structures in which the resonance is linked to the charge density.
Fluvoxamine, an anti-depressant, inhibits human glioblastoma invasion by disrupting actin polymerization
Authors: Hayashi Keiichiro , Michiue Hiroyuki , Yamada Hiroshi , Takata Katsuyoshi , Nakayama Hiroki , Wei Fan-Yan , Fujimura Atsushi , Tazawa Hiroshi , Asai Akira , Ogo Naohisa , Miyachi Hiroyuki , Nishiki Tei-ichi , Tomizawa Kazuhito , Takei Kohji , Matsui Hideki
Published: March 2016

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor with a median survival time about one year. Invasion of GBM cells into normal brain is the major cause of poor prognosis and requires dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, which includes lamellipodial protrusions, focal adhesions, and stress fibers at the leading edge of GBM. Therefore, we hypothesized that inhibitors of actin polymerization can suppress GBM migration and invasion. First, we adopted a drug repositioning system for screening with a pyrene-actin-based actin polymerization assay and identified fluvoxamine, a clinically used antidepressant. Fluvoxamine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, was a potent inhibitor of actin polymerization and confirmed as drug penetration through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and accumulation of whole brain including brain tumor with no drug toxicity. Fluvoxamine inhibited serum-induced ruffle formation, cell migration, and invasion of human GBM and glioma stem cells in vitro by suppressing both FAK and Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. Daily treatment of athymic mice bearing human glioma-initiating cells with fluvoxamine blocked tumor cell invasion and prolonged the survival with almost same dose of anti-depressant effect. In conclusion, fluvoxamine is a promising anti-invasive treatment against GBM with reliable approach.
Self-Monitoring Artificial Red Cells with Sufficient Oxygen Supply for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Luo Zhenyu , Zheng Mingbin , Zhao Pengfei , Chen Ze , Siu Fungming , Gong Ping , Gao Guanhui , Sheng Zonghai , Zheng Cuifang , Ma Yifan , Cai Lintao
Published: March 2016

Photodynamic therapy has been increasingly applied in clinical cancer treatments. However, native hypoxic tumoural microenvironment and lacking oxygen supply are the major barriers hindering photodynamic reactions. To solve this problem, we have developed biomimetic artificial red cells by loading complexes of oxygen-carrier (hemoglobin) and photosensitizer (indocyanine green) for boosted photodynamic strategy. Such nanosystem provides a coupling structure with stable self-oxygen supply and acting as an ideal fluorescent/photoacoustic imaging probe, dynamically monitoring the nanoparticle biodistribution and the treatment of PDT. Upon exposure to near-infrared laser, the remote-triggered photosensitizer generates massive cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) with sufficient oxygen supply. Importantly, hemoglobin is simultaneously oxidized into the more active and resident ferryl-hemoglobin leading to persistent cytotoxicity. ROS and ferryl-hemoglobin synergistically trigger the oxidative damage of xenograft tumour resulting in complete suppression. The artificial red cells with self-monitoring and boosted photodynamic efficacy could serve as a versatile theranostic platform.
A new approach for fabrications of SiC based photodetectors
Authors: Aldalbahi Ali , Li Eric , Rivera Manuel , Velazquez Rafael , Altalhi Tariq , Peng Xiaoyan , Feng Peter X.
Published: March 2016

We report on a new approach to quickly synthesize high-quality single crystalline wide band gap silicon carbide (SiC) films for development of high-performance deep ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors. The fabricated SiC based UV photodetectors exhibited high response while maintaining cost-effectiveness and size miniaturization. Focus of the experiments was on studies of electrical and electronic properties, as well as responsivity, response and recovery times, and repeatability of the deep UV photodetectors. Raman scattering spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to characterize the SiC materials. Analyses of the SEM data indicated that highly flat SiC thin films have been obtained. Based on the synthesized SiC, deep UV detectors are designed, fabricated, and tested with various UV wavelength lights at different radiation intensities. Temperature effect and bias effect on the photocurrent strength and signal-to-noise ratio, humidity effect on the response time and recovery time of the fabricated detectors have been carefully characterized and discussed. The detectors appear to have a very stable baseline and repeatability. The obtained responsivity is more than 40% higher compared to commercial detectors. The good performance of the photodetectors at operating temperature up to 300 °C remains nearly unchanged.
Enantioselective bromocyclization of 2-geranylphenols induced by chiral phosphite–urea bifunctional catalysts
Authors: Sawamura Yasuhiro , Ogura Yoshihiro , Nakatsuji Hidefumi , Sakakura Akira , Ishihara Kazuaki
Published: March 2016

Chiral phosphite–urea bifunctional catalysts have been developed for the enantioselective bromocyclization of 2-geranylphenols withN-bromophthalimide (NBP) for the first time.
CH3-deprotonation of 9-methylanthracene under mild conditions
Authors: Finkelmeier Nils , Visscher Arne , Wandtke Sebastian , Herbst-Irmer Regine , Stalke Dietmar
Published: March 2016

The chromophore building-block 9-methylanthracene is selectively deprotonated at the methyl group and activated for reactions with electrophiles.
Control of nitrosamines during non-potable and de facto wastewater reuse with medium pressure ultraviolet light and preformed monochloramine
Authors: McCurry Daniel L. , Krasner Stuart W. , Mitch William A.
Published: March 2016

Medium pressure UV light and preformed monochloramine can effectively control NDMA formation for de facto or non-potable wastewater reuse.
Correlated S-palmitoylation profiling of Snail-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition
Authors: Hernandez Jeannie L. , Davda Dahvid , Majmudar Jaimeen D. , Won Sang Joon , Prakash Ashesh , Choi Alexandria I. , Martin Brent R.
Published: March 2016

Over-expression of the mesenchymal transcription factor Snail alters expression of many proteins. These changes are largely correlated with changes inS-palmitoylation, but in some cases are uncoupled.
Theoretical investigation on the one- and two-photon responsive behavior of fluoride ion probes based on diketopyrrolopyrrole and its π-expanded derivatives
Authors: Zhang Li , Zou Lu-Yi , Guo Jing-Fu , Ren Ai-Min
Published: March 2016

The intrinsic two-photon absorption properties of the studied fluoride anion probes and their corresponding reaction products are systematically investigated.
Effect of precursor on the catalytic properties of Ni2P/SiO2 in methyl palmitate hydrodeoxygenation
Authors: Shamanaev Ivan V. , Deliy Irina V. , Aleksandrov Pavel V. , Gerasimov Evgeny Yu. , Pakharukova Vera P. , Kodenev Evgeny G. , Ayupov Artem B. , Andreev Andrey S. , Lapina Olga B. , Bukhtiyarova Galina A.
Published: March 2016

The effect of phosphorus precursor on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of silica-supported nickel phosphide catalysts in the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of aliphatic model compound methyl palmitate (C15H31COOCH3) has been considered.
First principles analysis of oxygen vacancy formation and migration in Sr2BMoO6 (B = Mg, Co, Ni)
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Gao Liguo , Lan Chunfeng , Pandey Shyam S. , Hayase Shuzi , Ma Tingli
Published: March 2016

In this work, we present a detailed first-principles investigation on the stoichiometric and oxygen-deficient structures of double perovskites, Sr2BMoO6 (B = Mg, Co and Ni), using the density functional theory (DFT) method.
Diethyl carbonate: critical review of synthesis routes, catalysts used and engineering aspects
Authors: Shukla Kartikeya , Srivastava Vimal Chandra
Published: March 2016

Diethyl carbonate (DEC) is a well-known linear organic carbonate that has wide applications.
pH-Degradable antioxidant nanoparticles based on hydrogen-bonded tannic acid assembly
Authors: Liang Hongshan , Pei Yaqiong , Li Jing , Xiong Wenfei , He Yun , Liu Shilin , Li Yan , Li Bin
Published: March 2016

Hydrogen-bonded polyphenol-based assemblies have attracted increasing interest for biomedical applications.
Exceptional activity of gallium(iii) chloride and chlorogallate(iii) ionic liquids for Baeyer–Villiger oxidation
Authors: Markiton Magdalena , Chrobok Anna , Matuszek Karolina , Seddon Kenneth R. , Swadźba-Kwaśny Małgorzata
Published: March 2016

The extremely high activity of chlorogallate(iii) ionic liquids and GaCl3 in promoting Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclic ketones with H2O2 to lactones is reported.
New nitrogen-rich azo-bridged porphyrin-conjugated microporous networks for high performance of gas capture and storage
Authors: Xu Yanfei , Li Zhi , Zhang Fan , Zhuang Xiaodong , Zeng Zheng , Wei Jianjun
Published: March 2016

Synthesis of a series of nitrogen-rich azo-bridged porphyrin conjugates and its application for excellent CO2 adsorption.
A water-soluble hyperbranched copolymer based on a dendritic structure for low-to-moderate permeability reservoirs
Authors: Lai Nanjun , Zhang Yan , Xu Qian , Zhou Ning , Wang Hongjiang , Ye Zhongbin
Published: March 2016

An excellent matching relationship in size exists between HPDA and the pore throat with a permeability reservoir of under 500–100 mD.
Oxidation behaviour of lattice oxygen in Li-rich manganese-based layered oxide studied by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Shimoda Keiji , Minato Taketoshi , Nakanishi Koji , Komatsu Hideyuki , Matsunaga Toshiyuki , Tanida Hajime , Arai Hajime , Ukyo Yoshio , Uchimoto Yoshiharu , Ogumi Zempachi
Published: March 2016

The oxidation/reduction behaviours of lattice oxygen and transition metals in Li[Li0.25Ni0.20Mn0.55]O1.93are investigated by using HAX-PES.
Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of gold nanoparticles on hydroxyapatite nanorods for sensitive hydrazine sensors
Authors: Bharath G. , Naldoni Alberto , Ramsait K. Hasini , Abdel-Wahab Ahmed , Madhu Rajesh , Alsharaeh Edreese , Ponpandian N.
Published: March 2016

With the synthesized Au/hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocomposites, the HAp nanorods favored adsorption of hydrazine, thus bringing hydrazine closer to the catalytic sites of Au nanoparticles and increasing the efficiency of hydrazine oxidation.
Influence of heteroatoms on the charge mobility of anthracene derivatives
Authors: Yan Lijia , Zhao Yang , Yu Hongtao , Hu Zhao , He Yaowu , Li Aiyuan , Goto Osamu , Yan Chaoyi , Chen Ting , Chen Runfeng , Loo Yueh-Lin , Perepichka Dmitrii F. , Meng Hong , Huang Wei
Published: March 2016

We present a comparative systematic study of heteroatom (namely, oxygen and sulfur) effects on device performance with three model phenyl anthracene compounds.
Molecular basis of lipo-chitooligosaccharide recognition by the lysin motif receptor-like kinase LYR3 in legumes
Authors: Malkov Nikita , Fliegmann Judith , Rosenberg Charles , Gasciolli Virginie , Timmers Antonius C.J. , Nurisso Alessandra , Cullimore Julie , Bono Jean-Jacques
Published: March 2016

LYR3 [LysM (lysin motif) receptor-like kinase 3] of Medicago truncatula is a high-affinity binding protein for symbiotic LCO (lipo-chitooligosaccharide) signals, produced by rhizobia bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The present study shows that LYR3 from several other legumes, but not from two Lupinus species which are incapable of forming the mycorrhizal symbiosis, bind LCOs with high affinity and discriminate them from COs (chitooligosaccharides). The biodiversity of these proteins and the lack of binding to the Lupinus proteins were used to identify features required for high-affinity LCO binding. Swapping experiments between each of the three LysMs of the extracellular domain of the M. truncatula and Lupinus angustifolius LYR3 proteins revealed the crucial role of the third LysM in LCO binding. Site-directed mutagenesis identified a tyrosine residue, highly conserved in all LYR3 LCO-binding proteins, which is essential for high-affinity binding. Molecular modelling suggests that it may be part of a hydrophobic tunnel able to accommodate the LCO acyl chain. The lack of conservation of these features in the binding site of plant LysM proteins binding COs provides a mechanistic explanation of how LCO recognition might differ from CO perception by structurally related LysM receptors.
Acinar phenotype is preserved in human exocrine pancreas cells cultured at low temperature: implications for lineage-tracing of β-cell neogenesis
Authors: Mfopou Josué K. , Houbracken Isabelle , Wauters Elke , Mathijs Iris , Song Imane , Himpe Eddy , Baldan Jonathan , Heimberg Harry , Bouwens Luc
Published: March 2016

The regenerative medicine field is expanding with great successes in laboratory and preclinical settings. Pancreatic acinar cells in diabetic mice were recently converted into β-cells by treatment with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). This suggests that human acinar cells might become a cornerstone for diabetes cell therapy in the future, if they can also be converted into glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells. Presently, studying pancreatic acinar cell biology in vitro is limited by their high plasticity, as they rapidly lose their phenotype and spontaneously transdifferentiate to a duct-like phenotype in culture. We questioned whether human pancreatic acinar cell phenotype could be preserved in vitro by physico-chemical manipulations and whether this could be valuable in the study of β-cell neogenesis. We found that culture at low temperature (4°C) resulted in the maintenance of morphological and molecular acinar cell characteristics. Specifically, chilled acinar cells did not form the spherical clusters observed in controls (culture at 37°C), and they maintained high levels of acinar-specific transcripts and proteins. Five-day chilled acinar cells still transdifferentiated into duct-like cells upon transfer to 37°C. Moreover, adenoviral-mediated gene transfer evidenced an active Amylase promoter in the 7-day chilled acinar cells, and transduction performed in chilled conditions improved acinar cell labelling. Together, our findings indicate the maintenance of human pancreatic acinar cell phenotype at low temperature and the possibility to efficiently label acinar cells, which opens new perspectives for the study of human acinar-to-β-cell transdifferentiation.
Zero‐shot learning by exploiting class‐related and attribute‐related prior knowledge
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Chen Chen , Cheng Yuhu
Published: March 2016

The existing attribute‐based zero‐shot learning models at different levels ignore some necessary prior knowledge. It is essential to improve classification accuracy of zero‐shot learning that how to mine attribute‐related and class‐related prior knowledge further being incorporated into the attribute prediction models. For the mining of class‐related prior knowledge, measurement of the class–class correlation by using whitened cosine similarity is proposed. Likewise for the mining of attribute‐related prior knowledge, measurements of the attribute–class and attribute–attribute correlation are proposed by using sparse representation coefficient. Therefore, a novel indirect attribute prediction (IAP) model is presented by exploiting class‐related and attribute‐related prior knowledge (IAP_CAPK). Experimental results on animals with attributes and a‐Pascal/a‐Yahoo datasets show that, when compared with IAP and direct attribute prediction, the proposed IAP_CAPK not only yields more accurate attribute prediction and zero‐shot image classification, but also achieves much higher computational efficiency.
Edge profile analysis of Joint European Torus (JET) Thomson scattering data: Quantifying the systematic error due to edge localised mode synchronisation
Authors: Leyland M. J. , Beurskens M. N. A. , Flanagan J. C. , Frassinetti L. , Gibson K. J. , Kempenaars M. , Maslov M. , Scannell R. ,   JET Contributors
Published: March 2016

The Joint European Torus (JET) high resolution Thomson scattering (HRTS) system measures radial electron temperature and density profiles. One of the key capabilities of this diagnostic is measuring the steep pressure gradient, termed the pedestal, at the edge of JET plasmas. The pedestal is susceptible to limiting instabilities, such as Edge Localised Modes (ELMs), characterised by a periodic collapse of the steep gradient region. A common method to extract the pedestal width, gradient, and height, used on numerous machines, is by performing a modified hyperbolic tangent (mtanh) fit to overlaid profiles selected from the same region of the ELM cycle. This process of overlaying profiles, termed ELM synchronisation, maximises the number of data points defining the pedestal region for a given phase of the ELM cycle. When fitting to HRTS profiles, it is necessary to incorporate the diagnostic radial instrument function, particularly important when considering the pedestal width. A deconvolved fit is determined by a forward convolution method requiring knowledge of only the instrument function and profiles. The systematic error due to the deconvolution technique incorporated into the JET pedestal fitting tool has been documented by Frassinetti et al. [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 013506 (2012)]. This paper seeks to understand and quantify the systematic error introduced to the pedestal width due to ELM synchronisation. Synthetic profiles, generated with error bars and point-to-point variation characteristic of real HRTS profiles, are used to evaluate the deviation from the underlying pedestal width. We find on JET that the ELM synchronisation systematic error is negligible in comparison to the statistical error when assuming ten overlaid profiles (typical for a pre-ELM fit to HRTS profiles). This confirms that fitting a mtanh to ELM synchronised profiles is a robust and practical technique for extracting the pedestal structure.
From social representations to action: proximity and the relation between social representations of the development of intelligence and authoritative parenting style / De las representaciones sociales a la acción: proximidad y relación entre las representaciones sociales del desarrollo de la inteligencia y un estilo parental democrático
Authors: Miguel Isabel , Valentim Joaquim P. , Carugati Felice
Published: March 2016

A well-established body of literature holds that the construction of social representations of intelligence is guided by the subjective inexplicability about the target-topic and by the social identities of subjects. Within the general framework of the sociogenesis of social representations, this article aims to explore the role of social positions in organizing an individual’s reported action towards the object of representation. A theoretical model which examines the relations between social representations of the development of intelligence, parental goals and the authoritative parenting style was tested in sub-samples of educators, which included 227 mothers, 117 fathers and 122 mother-teachers. Structural equation modeling procedures indicated, as hypothesized, that specific socio-cognitive dynamics are relevant in shaping the patterns of relations with the object of representation, suggesting that these dynamics are a result of the organization of multiple discourses where content, social positions and behavioural interaction are strongly intertwined. Theoretical contributions of findings are discussed.
Bases of random unconditional convergence in Banach spaces
Authors: Lopez-Abad J. , Tradacete P.
Published: March 2016

We study random unconditional convergence for a basis in a Banach space. The connections between this notion and classical unconditionality are explored. In particular, we analyze duality relations, reflexivity, uniqueness of these bases and existence of unconditional subsequences.
Modelling community structure and species co-occurrence using fishery observer data
Authors: Pulver Jeffrey Robert , Liu Hui , Scott-Denton Elizabeth
Published: March 2016

In this study, we modelled fishery observer data to compare methods of identifying community structure using cluster analyses to determine stratifications and probabilistic models for examining species co-occurrence in the Gulf of Mexico deepwater reef fish fishery. Comparing cluster analysis methods, the correlation measure of dissimilarity in combination with average agglomerative linkage was the most efficient method for determining species relationships using simulated random species as a comparison tool. Cluster analysis revealed distinct species stratifications and in combination with multiscale bootstrapping generated probabilities indicating the strength of stratifications in the fishery. A more parsimonious approach with probabilistic models was also developed to quantify pairwise species co-occurrence as random, positive, or negative based on the observed vs. expected fishing sets with co-occurrence. For the most common species captured, the probabilistic models predicted positive or negative co-occurrence between 84.2% of the pairwise combinations examined. These methods provide fishery managers tools for determining multispecies quota allocations and offer insights into other bycatch species of interest.
Devil in the details: growth, productivity, and extinction risk of a data-sparse devil ray
Authors: Pardo Sebastián A. , Kindsvater Holly K. , Cuevas-Zimbrón Elizabeth , Sosa-Nishizaki Oscar , Pérez-Jiménez Juan Carlos , Dulvy Nicholas K.
Published: March 2016

Devil rays (Mobulaspp.) face rapidly intensifying fishing pressure to meet the ongoing international trade and demand for their gill plates. This has been exacerbated by trade regulation of manta ray gill plates following their 2014 CITES listing. Furthermore, the paucity of information on growth, mortality, and fishing effort for devil rays make quantifying population growth rates and extinction risk challenging. Here, we use a published size-at-age dataset for a large-bodied devil ray species, the Spinetail Devil Ray (Mobula japanica), to estimate somatic growth rates, age at maturity, maximum age and natural and fishing mortality. From these estimates, we go on to calculate a plausible distribution of the maximum intrinsic population growth rate (rmax) and place the productivity of this large devil ray in context by comparing it to 95 other chondrichthyan species. We find evidence that larger devil rays have low somatic growth rate, low annual reproductive output, and low maximum population growth rates, suggesting they have low productivity. Devil ray maximum intrinsic population growth rate (rmax) is very similar to that of manta rays, indicating devil rays can potentially be driven to local extinction at low levels of fishing mortality. We show that fishing rates of a small-scale artisanal Mexican fishery were up to three times greater than the natural mortality rate, and twice as high as our estimate ofrmax, and therefore unsustainable. Our approach can be applied to assess the limits of fishing and extinction risk of any species with indeterminate growth, even with sparse size-at-age data.
Experimental tests of the quantum property of protein folding
Authors: Luo Liaofu
Published: March 2016

Experimental tests on the quantum property of protein folding are discussed. It includes: the test of the instantaneousness of torsion transition through observation of protein structural change in a short time scale of microsecond; the test of non-Arrhenius temperature dependence of protein folding rate and other biomolecular conformational changes; and the search for the narrow spectral lines of the protein photo-folding.
Modeling Chromosome Maintenance as a Property of Cell Cycle inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Frumkin Jesse P. , Patra Biranchi N. , Sevold Anthony , Ganguly Kumkum , Patel Chaya , Yoon Stephanie , Schmid Molly B. , Ray Animesh
Published: March 2016

Defects in DNA repair, synthesis, and chromosome transmission can often cause chromosome instability, which are understood with respect to molecular-genetic mechanisms. However, transition from descriptive models to quantitative ones is generally difficult. Here we use a computationally intensive numerical technique based on linear programming to analyze the processes of chromosome maintenance during the cell cycle in yeast,Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We first experimentally identify 19 genes that when ectopically expressed cause chromosome instability. We then build an 18 x 19 matrix by assaying the genetic interactions of pairs of genes that each normally functions to maintain chromosomes, including the 19 genes discovered here. We then use a ”seriation” algorithm based on linear optimization to find an optimal arrangement of rows and columns to confirm an optimum temporal arrangement of gene influence during cell cycle phases. We experimentally demonstrate that the method yields new biological insights, which we test and validate.
Wavelength-dispersive dark-field contrast: micrometre structure resolution in neutron imaging with gratings
Authors: Strobl M. , Betz B. , Harti R. P. , Hilger A. , Kardjilov N. , Manke I. , Gruenzweig C.
Published: March 2016

Dark-field imaging using grating interferometers has been proven to have a high potential for applications in engineering, magnetism, and soft matter and biophysics, as well as in medicine with both neutrons and X-rays. The access to spatially resolved small-angle scattering information in neutron dark-field imaging provides information about structures beyond direct spatial image resolution. The dark-field contrast modality is hence a valuable tool for materials science based on neutron imaging. This is underlined by the success of the method, despite its current limitation to qualitative scattering information. Here it is demonstrated how a wavelength-dispersive approach allows such drawbacks to be overcome by providing quantitative structure size information and hence can introduce novel possibilities and insights for materials science.
Ethyl 2-(4-chloro-3-methylphenoxy)acetate
Authors: Mohammed Yasser Hussein Issa , Naveen S. , Lokanath N. K. , Khanum Shaukath Ara
Published: March 2016

In the title compound, C11H13ClO3, the pendant ethyl chain has an extended conformation and lies in the plane of the substituted benzene ring; the r.m.s. deviation of the 15 non-H atoms comprising the molecule is 0.002 Å. The crystal structure features inversion-related dimers linked by pairs of benzene–carbonyl C—H...O hydrogen bonds, generatingR22(16) loops.