bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postnatal Cytomegalovirus Exposure in Infants of Antiretroviral-Treated and Untreated HIV-Infected Mothers
Authors: Meyer Sarah A. , Westreich Daniel J. , Patel Emily , Ehlinger Elizabeth P. , Kalilani Linda , Lovingood Rachel V. , Denny Thomas N. , Swamy Geeta K. , Permar Sallie R.
Published: March 2014

HIV-1 and CMV are important pathogens transmitted via breastfeeding. Furthermore, perinatal CMV transmission may impact growth and disease progression in HIV-exposed infants. Although maternal antiretroviral therapy reduces milk HIV-1 RNA load and postnatal transmission, its impact on milk CMV load is unclear. We examined the relationship between milk CMV and HIV-1 load (4–6 weeks postpartum) and the impact of antiretroviral treatment in 69 HIV-infected, lactating Malawian women and assessed the relationship between milk CMV load and postnatal growth in HIV-exposed, breastfed infants through six months of age. Despite an association between milk HIV-1 RNA and CMV DNA load (0.39 log10rise CMV load per log10rise HIV-1 RNA load, 95% CI 0.13–0.66), milk CMV load was similar in antiretroviral-treated and untreated women. Higher milk CMV load was associated with lower length-for-age (−0.53, 95% CI: −0.96, −0.10) and weight-for-age (−0.40, 95% CI: −0.67, −0.13)Z-score at six months in exposed, uninfected infants. As the impact of maternal antiretroviral therapy on the magnitude of postnatal CMV exposure may be limited, our findings of an inverse relationship between infant growth and milk CMV load highlight the importance of defining the role of perinatal CMV exposure on growth faltering of HIV-exposed infants.
Induction of Immunoregulatory CD271+ Cells by Metastatic Tumor Cells That Express Human Endogenous Retrovirus H
Authors: Kudo-Saito Chie , Yura Masahiro , Yamamoto Ryusuke , Kawakami Yutaka
Published: March 2014

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) are associated with many diseases such as autoimmune diseases and cancer. Although the frequent expression of a variety of HERVs in tumor cells has been demonstrated, their functional contributions in cancer are as yet unclear. Intriguingly, HERVs and other retroviruses include an immunosuppressive domain in their transmembrane envelope proteins, but its mechanism of action and cancer relevance are obscure. In this study, we demonstrate that the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-H has a critical role in tumor metastasis and immune escape. We found that expression of herv-h mRNA was elevated in metastatic tumor cells undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and in primary tumor tissues from advanced colon cancer. The immunosuppressive peptide H17 derived from HERV-H was sufficient to induce EMT in tumor cells that expressed low levels of HERV-H, and it amplified this event within the tumor microenvironment. H17 also stimulated CCL19 expression in tumor cells, which in turn recruited and expanded a population of pluripotent immunoregulatory CD271+ cells, which included mesenchymal stem cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In tumor tissues from patients with advanced colon cancer, we confirmed that CD271+ cells were increased in HERV-H+CCL19+ tumor tissues. Notably, RNAi-mediated change of HERV-H or CCL19, or depletion of CD271+ cells, improved immune responses in vitro and in vivo accompanied by tumor regression. Together, our results argued that HERV-H is a critical determinant of immune escape in cancer, suggesting its candidacy as a promising therapeutic target to treat patients with advanced cancer. Cancer Res; 74(5); 1361–70. ©2014 AACR.
Natural Killer Cells: The Secret Weapon in Dendritic Cell Vaccination Strategies
Authors: Van Elssen Catharina H.M.J. , Oth Tammy , Germeraad Wilfred T.V. , Bos Gerard M.J. , Vanderlocht Joris
Published: March 2014

In cancer therapy, dendritic cell (DC) vaccination is still being explored. Clinical responses, however, are diverse and there is a lack of immunologic readout systems that correspond with clinical outcome. Only in the minority of patients, T-cell responses correlate with clinical outcome, indicating that other immune cells also gain anticancer activity. We still have limited knowledge of the effect of DC vaccination on different immune effector cells. However, it has been shown that bidirectional cross-talk between natural killer (NK) cells and DCs is responsible for enhanced activation of both cell types and increases their antitumor activity. In this review, we postulate the possibility that NK cells are the secret weapons in DC vaccination and studying their behavior together with T-cell activation in vaccinated individuals might predict clinical outcome. Clin Cancer Res; 20(5); 1095–103. ©2014 AACR.
The Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblast Expressing Fibroblast Activation Protein and Escape from Immune Surveillance
Authors: Fearon Douglas T.
Published: March 2014

The fibroblastic element of the tumor microenvironment has been of great interest to cancer biologists but less so to cancer immunologists. Yet, the sharing of a common mesenchymal cell type in the stroma of tumors and at sites of chronic inflammatory lesions, some of which have an autoimmune basis, has been a strong hint that this cellular component of the tumor microenvironment may have an immunologic function. Recent studies have confirmed this possibility. These fibroblast-like cells, which are termed carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF), can be identified by their expression of the membrane protein, fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP). The conditional depletion of the FAP+ CAF permits immune control not only of an artificial, transplanted tumor, but also of an autochthonous model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) that replicates the molecular, histologic, clinical, and immunologic characteristics of the human disease. Immune suppression by the FAP+ CAF is mediated by CXCL12, the chemokine that binds to cancer cells and excludes T cells by a mechanism that depends on signaling by the CXCL12 receptor CXCR4. Inhibition of CXCR4 leads to the elimination of cancer cells by enabling the rapid, intratumoral accumulation of preexisting, PDA-specific CD8+ T cells, and reveals the antitumor efficacy of the T-cell checkpoint antagonist anti–PD-L1. Recent studies have also shown that the FAP+ CAF is related to FAP-expressing stromal cells of normal tissues, demonstrating that cancers recruit a member of an essential stromal cell lineage that is involved not only in wound repair but also in normal tissue homeostasis. These findings extend the concept introduced by cancer biologists that the fibroblastic component of tumors has a critical role in the adaptation of the cancer to the host. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(3); 187–93. ©2014 AACR.
Toward an Algorithmic Realism: The Evolving Nature of Astronomical Knowledge in Representations of the Non-Visible
Authors: Mackinnon Lee
Published: March 2014

This paper explores the gathering of radio, optical and electromagnetic wavelength data in assembling images of the Crab Nebula (1844–2000). The author considers the expanding fields of astronomical and astrophysical knowledge to which such data analysis has given rise. She suggests that the data that makes such imaging possible moves us further from conventions of the optical real toward an algorithmic realism, alluding to time-scales that delimit and circumvent human time. Thus Cartesian metaphysics is displaced—the human becomes one agent among many in a process of algorithmic inference.
Alan Turing's Drawings, Autopoiesis and Can Buildings Think?
Authors: Dollens Dennis
Published: March 2014

Alan Turing decoded nature in drawings and algorithmic programming. His botanical decryptions helped situate synthetic AI/ALife processes in digital realms now encompassing algorithmic simulation. These little-known drawings prompted the author's analysis via Maturana and Varela's theory of autopoiesis because of its emphasis on self-organization and minimal requirements for life. Autopoiesis, if hybridized with Andy Clark's extended cognition, then supports an underpinning hypothesis for generative architecture. Together, the theory and drawings propel design research, leading to the question: Can buildings think?—reprocessing Turing's original question: “Can machines think?” This paper thus situates Turing's 1950s' nature-to-computation images as unacknowledged design patrimony appropriated for generative architecture derived from nature and implemented via autopoietic-extended design.
Abstract Art as a Universal Language?
Authors: Brinkmann Hanna , Commare Laura , Leder Helmut , Rosenberg Raphael
Published: March 2014

The concept of abstract art as “world language” became famous after documenta II (1959). Abstract art was considered as universally comprehensible and independent of cultural, political or historical contexts. However, this was never explicitly tested empirically. If these assumptions were true, there should be higher intersubjective coherence in perceiving abstract paintings compared to representational art. In order to test this hypothesis, the authors recorded the eye-movements of 38 participants and collected information on their cognitive and emotional evaluations. The results suggest that the concept of abstract art as a universal language was not confirmed and needs to be revised.
The Serial Collaborator: A Meta-Pianist for Real-Time Tonal and Non-Tonal Music Generation
Authors: Dean Roger T.
Published: March 2014

Serial music, which is mainly non-tonal, superimposes compositional freedom onto an unusually rigorous process of pitch-sequence transformations based on ‘tone rows’: a row is usually a sequence of notes using each of the 12 chromatic pitches once. Compositional freedom comprises forming chords from the sequences, and in multi-strand music, also in simultaneously presenting different segments of pitch-sequences. The present project coded a real-time serial music composer for automatic or interactive music performance. This Serial Keyboardist Collaborator can perform keyboard music which is impossible for a human to realize. Surprisingly, it was also useful in making more tonal music based on the same rigorous pitch-sequence generation.
Computer Music Network
Authors: Gresham-Lancaster Scot
Published: March 2014

The social climate and cultural atmosphere of the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 70's early 80's plus the emergence of the nascent microcomputer industry made for a social network and approach that fostered the creation of a new type of collaborative electronic music ensemble with techniques that have come to be known as “Computer Music Network”. A transformation from initial heterogeneous to a more homogeneous underlying paradigm has brought with it aesthetic questions about the reason and evolution of this new genre.
Linked Sources: A Network Approach to the Repertory of Sixteenth-Century Polyphony
Authors: van Berchum Marnix
Published: March 2014

This paper presents the first results of the author's PhD research on how network theory can help musicology to understand the formation and transmission of musical repertories in the sixteenth century.
Delayed Dynamic in Genre Emergence
Authors: Amster Pablo , Mesz Bruno , Pinasco Juan P. , Rodríguez Zivic Pablo H.
Published: March 2014

We present a model of style emergence based on flocking models. The system stabilizes in states with several non-interacting genres or style clusters, and the delayed dynamic yields more styles than the non-delayed ones.
Hybrids Are Hubs: Transdisciplinarity, the Two Cultures and the Special Status of Artscientists
Authors: Lapointe François-Joseph
Published: March 2014

Much has been said and written about the two-culture paradigm separating the world between artists and scientists. On one side of this debate are those who accept this cultural art/science divide. On the other side are those who reject it altogether to promote a better integration of artscience practices. In this paper, the author presents a network analysis of 40 papers submitted to the SEAD Network for Science, Engineering, Arts and Design and tests the hypothesis that the papers submitted by artists and scientists are disconnected in the corresponding graph, as predicted by the art/science separation. Rejecting this hypothesis will provide support for the alternative artscience integration.
Digitally Researching the Network Drawings of Mark Lombardi
Authors: Tolksdorf Robert
Published: March 2014

The authors do digital research on the work of artist Mark Lombardi (1951–2000) as an experiment in methods for digital art history, manually generating GraphML representations of the networks depicted in his drawings and publishing them at http://www.lombardinetworks.net . Services on the data are implemented like textual search on labels of nodes or an index on what persons or institutions appear in which works. The networks are visualized with nodes linked to Wikipedia information about the actors. With calculations on the networks the authors generate synthetic drawings from multiple original works that overlap in actors.
Neuroaesthetics Research in the Construction of Chinese Character Art
Authors: Yongming Zhu
Published: March 2014

The cognitive mechanism of the brain's visual nerves is the inherent biological basis for the artistic creation and aesthetics of Chinese characters, which has a profound and even decisive influence on the visual construction and cultural communication of Chinese character art. It is mainly manifested in the neural perception model of the forms of Chinese characters, the abstraction and integration instinct of biological visuals, the neural cognition of enhanced adaptability and the neural mirror of aesthetic psychological space, which is the source of formulating the rules of Chinese character art, which is a combination of font and meaning.
A new species and two new taxon records of Digitaria (Poaceae: Panicoideae) for Thailand
Authors: Boonsuk Boonchuang , Chantaranothai Pranom , Hodkinson Trevor R.
Published: March 2014

Field and herbarium studies have revealed a greater diversity of Thai Digitaria (Poaceae) than previously known. A new species, Digitaria thailandica, and two new taxon records, D. setigera var. calliblepharata and D. thyrsoidea, are described and illustrated.
Additions to the Ricciaceae flora of Rio Grande do Sul, including two remarkable records for the Brazilian liverwort flora
Authors: Ayub Daniel Martins , Santos Rinaldo , Costa Denise
Published: March 2014

The first record of Riccia boliviensis and R. iodocheila for Brazil and the first record of R. squamata and R. subplana for the liverwort flora of the state of Rio Grande do Sul are reported. The species were found during a floristic revision of the family Ricciaceae in the state. Taxonomic notes, photographs, habitat and geographic distribution are provided for each species.
Indian Ocean Dipole Overrides ENSO’s Influence on Cool Season Rainfall across the Eastern Seaboard of Australia
Authors: Pepler A. , Timbal B. , Rakich C. , Coutts-Smith A.
Published: March 2014

The strong relationship between eastern Australian winter–spring rainfall and tropical modes of variability such as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) does not extend to the heavily populated coastal strip east of the Great Dividing Range in southeast Australia, where correlations between rainfall and Niño-3.4 are insignificant during June–October. The Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) is found to have a strong influence on zonal wind flow during the winter and spring months, with positive IOD increasing both onshore winds and rainfall over the coastal strip, while decreasing rainfall elsewhere in southeast Australia. The IOD thus opposes the influence of ENSO over the coastal strip, and this is shown to be the primary cause of the breakdown of the ENSO–rainfall relationship in this region.
Water, Drought, Climate Change, and Conflict in Syria
Authors: Gleick Peter H.
Published: March 2014

The devastating civil war that began in Syria in March 2011 is the result of complex interrelated factors. The focus of the conflict is regime change, but the triggers include a broad set of religious and sociopolitical factors, the erosion of the economic health of the country, a wave of political reform sweeping over the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Levant region, and challenges associated with climate variability and change and the availability and use of freshwater. As described here, water and climatic conditions have played a direct role in the deterioration of Syria’s economic conditions. There is a long history of conflicts over water in these regions because of the natural water scarcity, the early development of irrigated agriculture, and complex religious and ethnic diversity. In recent years, there has been an increase in incidences of water-related violence around the world at the subnational level attributable to the role that water plays in development disputes and economic activities. Because conflicts are rarely, if ever, attributable to single causes, conflict analysis and concomitant efforts at reducing the risks of conflict must consider a multitude of complex relationships and contributing factors. This paper assesses the complicated connections between water and conflict in Syria, looks more broadly at future climate-related risks for water systems, and offers some water management strategies for reducing those risks.
Justin Martyr’s Exegesis of Biblical Theophanies and the Parting of the Ways between Christianity and Judaism
Authors: Bucur Bogdan G.
Published: March 2014

The article provides an overview of the three distinct approaches to the exegesis of theophanies documented in the surviving works of Justin Martyr. It argues, contrary to previous scholarship on Justin Martyr, and in agreement with Larry Hurtado, that the argument from theophanies precedes its use by Justin, and suggests that the Dialogue and the Apologies may offer a glimpse into the process by which the exegetical disagreement over theophanies contributed to the crystallization of distinct “Jewish” and “Christian” social identities.
The Eucharistic Species in Light of Peirce’s Sign Theory
Authors: O’Brien William P.
Published: March 2014

The author argues that the thought of American polymath Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914) offers a coherent, adequate, and versatile framework for understanding the eucharistic species as “signs.” Specifically, the historical analyses in the first and second parts of the article provide a conceptual grammar for showing the usefulness of Peirce’s sign theory to interpret the understanding of the Eucharist as expressed in Sacrosanctum concilium (1963). The article concludes by suggesting how these clarifications might help promote cross-disciplinary study of the liturgy.
Beyond Essentialism and Complementarity: Toward a Theological Anthropology Rooted in Haecceitas
Authors: Horan Daniel P.
Published: March 2014

The field of theological anthropology has experienced something of an impasse in recent decades as a result of the critical challenges that have arisen from developments in feminist theory and poststructuralist philosophy. This article explores the possibility that an approach to theological reflection on the human person rooted in the philosophical and theological innovations of John Duns Scotus in the development of his principle of individuation ( haecceitas) can offer new resources for avoiding the pitfalls of essentialism and complementary.
Has the Silence Been Broken? Catholic Theological Ethics and Racial Justice
Authors: Massingale Bryan N.
Published: March 2014

This survey discusses the emerging contours of a distinctive Catholic ethical approach to race, racism, and racial justice. Among its features are the adoption of a more structural and cultural understanding of human sinfulness, engaged intellectual reflection, concern about malformed white identity, an intentional dialogue with African American scholarship and culture, and the cultivation of spiritual practices and disciplines. The “Note” concludes with a discussion of the global challenges of racialization and the future challenges for Catholic ethical reflection on racism.
Five ways of deconstructing Europe
Authors: Almond Ian
Published: March 2014

In this essay, previous attempts to dismantle the idea of Europe as a self-contained space are briefly examined. Five strategies for deconstructing the idea of Europe are considered: re-origination, re-configuration, provincialization/de-universalization, fissuring through internal Othering and strategies of commonality. Each of these strategies, be they philosophical, philological, historical or geographical, tries to undermine the notion of ‘Europe’ as a self-contained space, either by alienating its origins, splitting it into alternative topographies, reducing it to just another language game, revealing its internal differences or showing how many of its features spill over into adjacent cultural spaces. The essay ends with some thoughts on what the consequences of a deconstructed Europe might be.
Cosmopolitan conviviality and negative theology: Europe’s vocation to universalism
Authors: Franke William
Published: March 2014

Recent revolutions in literary and cultural theory have come full circle – or perhaps spiralled back around – to a quest for universal values and perspectives and beliefs. After several decades of accentuated splintering into national, regional, sexual, racial, and religious particularisms, the cry has gone up for attempting to recover some sense of a common bond of universal democratic enfranchisement. Of course, the notion of the universal ‘returns’ metamorphosed. It is no longer the universality of a closed system or of a delimited concept, but rather an open universal that is in question. The crucial breakthrough in the rethinking of universality can best be understood as construing it not as conceptual but rather as what defies conceptualization. This is a non-predicative universality and must be thought of as that which resists or exceeds the closure of identity. It opens a radically alternative vision to that of the Enlightenment philosophies that have typically paraded under the banner of universality, although it also undermines the traditional opposition between rational enlightenment and religious or mystical obscurantism. The universal in this new sense opens up a mysterious region of incommensurability as, paradoxically, our only common measure.
(Re)Programming Europe: European Capitals of Culture: rethinking the role of culture
Authors: Immler Nicole L. , Sakkers Hans
Published: March 2014

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) programme in 2010 as a success story for the cities and member states involved, the European Commission also registered a ‘lack of Europe’ in the programme. This is reflected in the scholarly literature, which has largely focused on the title’s effects on individual cities rather than on its effects on Europe. The starting-point of this article is the demand of the European Commission for a stricter implementation of new guidelines developed since 2006 for enhancing the European dimension. After situating the history of the event and its idea of ‘unity in diversity’ within the wider context of thoughts on Europe as an ‘imagined community’, this article investigates how Europe is presented in earlier and more recent ECoC bidbooks and programmes. We argue that an observed slight shift in the programme’s content, from a competition-based marketing of local identity towards a more universal value discourse, could be read as a first step towards (re)formulating the European dimension. We suggest that this emerging value paradigm also illustrates how such cultural programmes as a kind of laboratory could contribute to a conceptual reflection on (and beyond) Europe.
The Positive Consequences of Negative Stereotypes
Authors: Pedulla David S.
Published: March 2014

How do marginalized social categories, such as being black and gay, combine with one another in the production of discrimination? While much extant research assumes that combining marginalized social categories results in a “double disadvantage,” I argue that in the case of race and sexual orientation the opposite may be true. This article posits that stereotypes about gay men as effeminate and weak will counteract common negative stereotypes held by whites that black men are threatening and criminal. Thus, I argue that being gay will have negative consequences for white men in the job application process, but that being gay will actually have positive consequences for black men in this realm. This hypothesis is tested using data from a survey experiment in which respondents were asked to evaluate resumes for a job opening where the race and sexual orientation of the applicants were experimentally manipulated. The findings contribute to important theoretical debates about stereotypes, discrimination, and intersecting social identities.
Interminority Attitudes
Authors: Hindriks Paul , Verkuyten Maykel , Coenders Marcel
Published: March 2014

This study examined interminority attitudes among a large sample (N = 1,987) of two minority groups (of Turkish and Moroccan origin) in the Netherlands. The focus is on their attitudes toward each other, toward a third ethnic minority group, and toward the native majority group. The aim is to simultaneously test theoretical predictions related to group categorization and group identification, intergroup contacts, and endorsement of multiculturalism. More social distance was reported toward the less-similar ethnic outgroup than the more-similar Muslim one. More contact with a particular outgroup was associated with less social distance toward that outgroup. There was evidence for secondary transfer effects of contact in relation to other ethnic minority outgroups, but not in relation to the native majority group. Stronger national identification and stronger endorsement of multiculturalism were both associated with less social distance toward all ethnic outgroups.
The Hinge
Authors: Fine Gary Alan
Published: March 2014

Although often perceived as distant, social psychology and political sociology have much to offer each other. I build upon a meso-level analysis to examine how groups provide the basis for involvement within civil society. Erving Goffman’s concept of the interaction order proves auspicious for this analysis as it permits the examination of how action routines, organized through groups, connect individuals with larger social systems. Commitments to group cultures— idiocultures—permit allegiance to larger social systems and help to solve the Hobbesian problem of how order is possible. To demonstrate the value of a meso-sociological approach, I address six themes that provide for a group-centered analysis of civil society: (1) group cultures serve as commitment devices, (2) social capital and social relations provide opportunities for creating efficacy, (3) shared spaces serve as platforms for a public sphere, (4) performances permit the coordination of frames of action, (5) collective pasts create the basis for a common future, and (6) forms of social control establish interactional stability.
To look for a needle in a haystack: the search for autoantibodies in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Schirmer Lucas , Srivastava Rajneesh , Hemmer Bernhard
Published: March 2014

The search for autoantibodies in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been challenging for the last 3 decades. With the development of new proteomic methods and advances in expression and assay technologies, progress in the identification of MS autoantibodies has been made. A number of MS-specific autoantibodies have been proposed, most of them targeting proteins expressed in oligodendrocytes and along the myelin sheath. In this review, we summarize the status of antibody research in MS and then discuss recent developments and future strategies in defining and characterizing the potential antigenic targets of autoantibodies in MS.
‘Plays Well with Others’: The engagement of philosophy of education with other educational research
Authors: Ruitenberg Claudia
Published: March 2014

This essay takes up John White’s argument for an engagement and collaboration of philosophy of education with other disciplines, and in particular with other forms of educational research. It examines the benefits and risks of ‘situated’ or ‘embedded’ philosophy as well as Hannah Arendt’s claims about the separation of philosophy from the public world in which people speak and act. Taking the example of the Canadian context, the essay argues for philosophy of education that works with other disciplines to address pressing educational issues distinctive to Canada, notably the educational recognition and success of Canada’s Indigenous people. The essay closes with the caution that a closer engagement and collaboration of philosophers of education with other forms of educational research should maintain the distinctiveness of philosophical questions rather than seeing the philosophical contribution melt into a generic body of ‘theorizing’.
Cancer screening in women with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Reidy Mary , Denieffe Suzanne , Foran Sinéad
Published: March 2014

In the Republic of Ireland, more than 8000 women with intellectual disabilities (IDs), aged 20 years and over, are registered for service provision. Their health needs challenge preventative health services including breast and cervical cancer screening programmes. This review explores the literature about cancer screening participation rates and issues related to screening for Irish women with IDs. Low cancer screening participation rates are evident in Irish women with IDs; and the women shed light on the barriers they perceive related to the screening experience. These experiences are reflected in the international literature for women with IDs. Further research involving the assessment of the breast and cervical cancer awareness in Irish women with IDs and their participation in cancer screening programmes is recommended. Strategies are required to increase their participation in screening programmes that may lead to the earlier diagnosis with better outcomes.
Catechin-capped gold nanoparticles: green synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity toward 4-nitrophenol reduction
Authors: Choi Yoonho , Choi Myung-Jin , Cha Song-Hyun , Kim Yeong Shik , Cho Seonho , Park Youmie
Published: March 2014

An eco-friendly approach is described for the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using catechin as a reducing and capping agent. The reaction occurred at room temperature within 1 h without the use of any external energy and an excellent yield (99%) was obtained, as determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Various shapes of gold nanoparticles with an estimated diameter of 16.6 nm were green-synthesized. Notably, the capping of freshly synthesized gold nanoparticles by catechin was clearly visualized with the aid of microscopic techniques, including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Strong peaks in the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-prepared gold nanoparticles confirmed their crystalline nature. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared gold nanoparticles was observed in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4. The results suggest that the newly prepared gold nanoparticles have potential uses in catalysis.
Traumatic brain injury enhances neuroinflammation and lesion volume in caveolin deficient mice
Authors: Niesman Ingrid R , Schilling Jan M , Shapiro Lee A , Kellerhals Sarah E , Bonds Jacqueline A , Kleschevnikov Alexander M , Cui Weihua , Voong April , Krajewski Stan , Ali Sameh S , Roth David M , Patel Hemal H , Patel Piyush M , Head Brian P
Published: March 2014

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) enhances pro-inflammatory responses, neuronal loss and long-term behavioral deficits. Caveolins (Cavs) are regulators of neuronal and glial survival signaling. Previously we showed that astrocyte and microglial activation is increased in Cav-1 knock-out (KO) mice and that Cav-1 and Cav-3 modulate microglial morphology. We hypothesized that Cavs may regulate cytokine production after TBI.

Methods

Controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of TBI (3 m/second; 1.0 mm depth; parietal cortex) was performed on wild-type (WT; C57Bl/6), Cav-1 KO, and Cav-3 KO mice. Histology and immunofluorescence microscopy (lesion volume, glia activation), behavioral tests (open field, balance beam, wire grip, T-maze), electrophysiology, electron paramagnetic resonance, membrane fractionation, and multiplex assays were performed. Data were analyzed by unpairedttests or analysis of variance (ANOVA) withpost-hocBonferroni’s multiple comparison.

Results

CCI increased cortical and hippocampal injury and decreased expression of MLR-localized synaptic proteins (24 hours), enhanced NADPH oxidase (Nox) activity (24 hours and 1 week), enhanced polysynaptic responses (1 week), and caused hippocampal-dependent learning deficits (3 months). CCI increased brain lesion volume in both Cav-3 and Cav-1 KO mice after 24 hours (P< 0.0001, n = 4; one-way ANOVA). Multiplex array revealed a significant increase in expression of IL-1β, IL-9, IL-10, KC (keratinocyte chemoattractant), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in ipsilateral hemisphere and IL-9, IL-10, IL-17, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1α) in contralateral hemisphere of WT mice after 4 hours. CCI increased IL-2, IL-6, KC and MCP-1 in ipsilateral and IL-6, IL-9, IL-17 and KC in contralateral hemispheres in Cav-1 KO and increased all 10 cytokines/chemokines in both hemispheres except for IL-17 (ipsilateral) and MIP-1α (contralateral) in Cav-3 KO (versus WT CCI). Cav-3 KO CCI showed increased IL-1β, IL-9, KC, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in ipsilateral and IL-1β, IL-2, IL-9, IL-10, and IL-17 in contralateral hemispheres (P= 0.0005, n = 6; two-way ANOVA) compared to Cav-1 KO CCI.

Conclusion

CCI caused astrocyte and microglial activation and hippocampal neuronal injury. Cav-1 and Cav-3 KO exhibited enhanced lesion volume and cytokine/chemokine production after CCI. These findings suggest that Cav isoforms may regulate neuroinflammatory responses and neuroprotection following TBI.
Setup of a sustainable indoor cleaning methodology for the sculpted stone surfaces of the Duomo of Milan
Authors: Gulotta Davide , Saviello Daniela , Gherardi Francesca , Toniolo Lucia , Anzani Marilena , Rabbolini Alfiero , Goidanich Sara
Published: March 2014

Cleaning is a fundamental phase of the conservation and maintenance activity of the cultural heritage. It is required to be highly effective in the removal of undesired deposits, controllable at every stage and gradable, selective, and completely respectful of the substrate. Moreover, cleaning procedures which can also assure to be harmless to the environment and the operators are particularly valued nowadays. According to these general guidelines, in the present work a sustainable approach for the cleaning of indoor surfaces of the cultural heritage is presented. A methodology based on agar gel was setup and preliminary tested on pilot areas. It has been then applied to the stone sculpted surfaces of the “Fuga in Egitto” high-relief of the Duomo of Milan.

A multi-analytical approach was carried out during the setup phase to compare the efficacy of different cleaning conditions in terms of agar concentration, application time and presence of additives. Hence, spectrophotometric measurements, optical observations, ESEM-EDX analyses, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and X-Ray Diffraction were performed. Specific attention was paid to the aesthetic features of the sculpted surfaces before and after the cleaning. For this purpose, spectrophotometric data have been analysed by multivariate analysis techniques such as Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchic Cluster Analysis. The overall intervention has been monitored to evaluate the cleaning results and to confirm the absence of any damage to the stone substrate.

The application of agar gel proved to be effective in removing soluble salts and soot particles, as well as very respectful of the valuable sculpted surfaces. This methodology is also totally safe for both the operators and the visitors, it is based on a natural and low-cost raw material, and it is low time-consuming. It can be therefore considered as a sustainable alternative to the traditional procedures.
Soluble platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, a biomarker of ventilator-induced lung injury
Authors: Villar Jesús , Muros Mercedes , Cabrera-Benítez Nuria E , Valladares Francisco , López-Hernández Milagros , Flores Carlos , Martín-Barrasa José L , Blanco Jesús , Liu Mingyao , Kacmarek Robert M
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Endothelial cell injury is an important component of acute lung injury. Platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM1) is a transmembrane protein that connects endothelial cells to one another and can be detected as a soluble, truncated protein (sPECAM1) in serum. We hypothesized that injurious mechanical ventilation (MV) leads to shedding of PECAM1 from lung endothelial cells resulting in increasing sPECAM1 levels in the systemic circulation.

Methods

We studied 36 Sprague–Dawley rats in two prospective, randomized, controlled studies (healthy and septic) using established animal models of ventilator-induced lung injury. Animals (n = 6 in each group) were randomized to spontaneous breathing or two MV strategies: low tidal volume (VT) (6 ml/kg) and high-VT (20 ml/kg) on 2 cmH2O of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). In low-VT septic animals, 10 cmH2O of PEEP was applied. We performed pulmonary histological and physiological evaluation and measured lung PECAM1 protein content and serum sPECAM1 levels after four hours ventilation period.

Results

High-VT MV caused severe lung injury in healthy and septic animals, and decreased lung PECAM1 protein content (P < 0.001). Animals on high-VT had a four- to six-fold increase of mean sPECAM1 serum levels than the unventilated counterpart (35.4 ± 10.4 versus 5.6 ± 1.7 ng/ml in healthy rats; 156.8 ± 47.6 versus 35.6 ± 12.6 ng/ml in septic rats) (P < 0.0001). Low-VT MV prevented these changes. Levels of sPECAM1 in healthy animals on high-VT MV paralleled the sPECAM1 levels of non-ventilated septic animals.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that circulating sPECAM1 may represent a promising biomarker for the detection and monitoring of ventilator-induced lung injury.
Dynamics of chromatin accessibility and gene regulation by MADS-domain transcription factors in flower development
Authors: Pajoro Alice , Madrigal Pedro , Muiño Jose M , Matus José Tomás , Jin Jian , Mecchia Martin A , Debernardi Juan M , Palatnik Javier F , Balazadeh Salma , Arif Muhammad , Ó’Maoiléidigh Diarmuid S , Wellmer Frank , Krajewski Pawel , Riechmann José-Luis , Angenent Gerco C , Kaufmann Kerstin
Published: March 2014

Background

Development of eukaryotic organisms is controlled by transcription factors that trigger specific and global changes in gene expression programs. In plants, MADS-domain transcription factors act as master regulators of developmental switches and organ specification. However, the mechanisms by which these factors dynamically regulate the expression of their target genes at different developmental stages are still poorly understood.

Results

We characterized the relationship of chromatin accessibility, gene expression, and DNA binding of two MADS-domain proteins at different stages of Arabidopsis flower development. Dynamic changes in APETALA1 and SEPALLATA3 DNA binding correlated with changes in gene expression, and many of the target genes could be associated with the developmental stage in which they are transcriptionally controlled. We also observe dynamic changes in chromatin accessibility during flower development. Remarkably, DNA binding of APETALA1 and SEPALLATA3 is largely independent of the accessibility status of their binding regions and it can precede increases in DNA accessibility. These results suggest that APETALA1 and SEPALLATA3 may modulate chromatin accessibility, thereby facilitating access of other transcriptional regulators to their target genes.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that different homeotic factors regulate partly overlapping, yet also distinctive sets of target genes in a partly stage-specific fashion. By combining the information from DNA-binding and gene expression data, we are able to propose models of stage-specific regulatory interactions, thereby addressing dynamics of regulatory networks throughout flower development. Furthermore, MADS-domain TFs may regulate gene expression by alternative strategies, one of which is modulation of chromatin accessibility.
Direct measurement of transcription rates reveals multiple mechanisms for configuration of the Arabidopsisambient temperature response
Authors: Sidaway-Lee Kate , Costa Maria J , Rand David A , Finkenstadt Bärbel , Penfield Steven
Published: March 2014

Background

Sensing and responding to ambient temperature is important for controlling growth and development of many organisms, in part by regulating mRNA levels. mRNA abundance can change with temperature, but it is unclear whether this results from changes in transcription or decay rates, and whether passive or active temperature regulation is involved.

Results

Using a base analog labelling method, we directly measured the temperature coefficient, Q10, of mRNA synthesis and degradation rates of the Arabidopsis transcriptome. We show that for most genes, transcript levels are buffered against passive increases in transcription rates by balancing passive increases in the rate of decay. Strikingly, for temperature-responsive transcripts, increasing temperature raises transcript abundance primarily by promoting faster transcription relative to decay and not vice versa, suggesting a global transcriptional process exists that controls mRNA abundance by temperature. This is partly accounted for by gene body H2A.Z which is associated with low transcription rate Q10, but is also influenced by other marks and transcription factor activities.

Conclusions

Our data show that less frequent chromatin states can produce temperature responses simply by virtue of their rarity and the difference between their thermal properties and those of the most common states, and underline the advantages of directly measuring transcription rate changes in dynamic systems, rather than inferring rates from changes in mRNA abundance.
Putting PhDs to Work: Career Planning for Today's Scientist
Authors: Hobin Jennifer A. , Clifford Philip S. , Dunn Ben M. , Rich Susan , Justement Louis B.
Published: March 2014

Individual development plans (IDPs) have been promoted nationally as a tool to help research trainees explore career opportunities and set career goals. Despite the interest in IDPs from a policy perspective, there is little information about how they have been used. The authors examined IDP awareness and use, the benefits of creating an IDP, and ways to facilitate its use by administering a survey to current or former postdoctoral researchers via the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) and University of Alabama at Birmingham email lists; individuals belonging to Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology member societies who mentored postdocs; and postdoctoral administrators at member institutions of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the NPA. Although most postdoctoral administrators (>80%) were familiar with IDPs, less than 50% of postdocs and only 20% of mentors were aware of IDPs. For those postdocs and mentors who reported creating an IDP, the process helped postdocs to identify the skills and abilities necessary for career success and facilitated communication between postdocs and their mentors. Despite the fact that creating an IDP benefits postdocs and mentors, IDP use will likely remain low unless institutions and research mentors encourage trainees to engage in this process.
Is It the Intervention or the Students? Using Linear Regression to Control for Student Characteristics in Undergraduate STEM Education Research
Authors: Theobald Roddy , Freeman Scott
Published: March 2014

Although researchers in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education are currently using several methods to analyze learning gains from pre- and posttest data, the most commonly used approaches have significant shortcomings. Chief among these is the inability to distinguish whether differences in learning gains are due to the effect of an instructional intervention or to differences in student characteristics when students cannot be assigned to control and treatment groups at random. Using pre- and posttest scores from an introductory biology course, we illustrate how the methods currently in wide use can lead to erroneous conclusions, and how multiple linear regression offers an effective framework for distinguishing the impact of an instructional intervention from the impact of student characteristics on test score gains. In general, we recommend that researchers always use student-level regression models that control for possible differences in student ability and preparation to estimate the effect of any nonrandomized instructional intervention on student performance.
A Course-Based Research Experience: How Benefits Change with Increased Investment in Instructional Time
Authors: Shaffer Christopher D. , Alvarez Consuelo J. , Bednarski April E. , Dunbar David , Goodman Anya L. , Reinke Catherine , Rosenwald Anne G. , Wolyniak Michael J. , Bailey Cheryl , Barnard Daron , Bazinet Christopher , Beach Dale L. , Bedard James E. J. , Bhalla Satish , Braverman John , Burg Martin , Chandrasekaran Vidya , Chung Hui-Min , Clase Kari , DeJong Randall J. , DiAngelo Justin R. , Du Chunguang , Eckdahl Todd T. , Eisler Heather , Emerson Julia A. , Frary Amy , Frohlich Donald , Gosser Yuying , Govind Shubha , Haberman Adam , Hark Amy T. , Hauser Charles , Hoogewerf Arlene , Hoopes Laura L. M. , Howell Carina E. , Johnson Diana , Jones Christopher J. , Kadlec Lisa , Kaehler Marian , Silver Key S. Catherine , Kleinschmit Adam , Kokan Nighat P. , Kopp Olga , Kuleck Gary , Leatherman Judith , Lopilato Jane , MacKinnon Christy , Martinez-Cruzado Juan Carlos , McNeil Gerard , Mel Stephanie , Mistry Hemlata , Nagengast Alexis , Overvoorde Paul , Paetkau Don W. , Parrish Susan , Peterson Celeste N. , Preuss Mary , Reed Laura K. , Revie Dennis , Robic Srebrenka , Roecklein-Canfield Jennifer , Rubin Michael R. , Saville Kenneth , Schroeder Stephanie , Sharif Karim , Shaw Mary , Skuse Gary , Smith Christopher D. , Smith Mary A. , Smith Sheryl T. , Spana Eric , Spratt Mary , Sreenivasan Aparna , Stamm Joyce , Szauter Paul , Thompson Jeffrey S. , Wawersik Matthew , Youngblom James , Zhou Leming , Mardis Elaine R. , Buhler Jeremy , Leung Wilson , Lopatto David , Elgin Sarah C. R.
Published: March 2014

There is widespread agreement that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs should provide undergraduates with research experience. Practical issues and limited resources, however, make this a challenge. We have developed a bioinformatics project that provides a course-based research experience for students at a diverse group of schools and offers the opportunity to tailor this experience to local curriculum and institution-specific student needs. We assessed both attitude and knowledge gains, looking for insights into how students respond given this wide range of curricular and institutional variables. While different approaches all appear to result in learning gains, we find that a significant investment of course time is required to enable students to show gains commensurate to a summer research experience. An alumni survey revealed that time spent on a research project is also a significant factor in the value former students assign to the experience one or more years later. We conclude: 1) implementation of a bioinformatics project within the biology curriculum provides a mechanism for successfully engaging large numbers of students in undergraduate research; 2) benefits to students are achievable at a wide variety of academic institutions; and 3) successful implementation of course-based research experiences requires significant investment of instructional time for students to gain full benefit.