bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome After Curative Surgery for Gastric Cancer Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wang Kuo‐Chung , Huang Kuo‐Hung , Lan Yuan‐Tzu , Fang Wen‐Liang , Lo Su‐Shun , Li Anna Fen‐Yau , Wu Chew‐Wun
Published: October 2013

Background

Bariatric surgery has been adapted to the management of morbid obesity, leading to not only loss of body weight but also improvement of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The goal of our study was to evaluate the effect of gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients with type 2 DM.

Methods

From 1989 to 2011, a total of 69 gastric cancer patients receiving curative surgery were enrolled in this study. They were diagnosed with type 2 DM preoperatively and all are alive without tumor recurrence. The clinical characteristics were compared between groups with improved or unimproved DM, and groups were also analyzed based on the extent of gastrectomy and different reconstruction methods.

Results

Of the 69 patients, 58 received subtotal gastrectomy and 11 received total gastrectomy. The frequency of DM improvement was significantly higher after total gastrectomy than subtotal gastrectomy (81.8 vs. 36.2 %; p = 0.007). Patients with DM duration of less than 5 years tended to experience DM improvement after surgery more frequently than patients with DM duration of more than 5 years (p = 0.028). Roux‐en‐Y esophagojejunostomy (R‐Ye) led to a higher rate of DM improvement than did R‐Y gastrojejunostomy (R‐Yg), especially in patients with DM duration more than 5 years. Among patients receiving duodenal bypass after gastrectomy, R‐Ye was associated with a higher frequency of DM improvement than R‐Yg and B‐II.

Conclusions

The extent of gastrectomy rather than the reconstruction method played an important role in DM improvement after curative surgery for gastric cancer.
Nonlinear scalar field equations: Existence of a positive solution with infinitely many bumps
Authors: Cerami Giovanna , Passaseo Donato , Solimini Sergio
Published: October 2013

In this paper we consider the equation

\tag{E}
−\mathrm{\Delta }u + a(x)u = |u|^{p−1}u\:\text{in }\mathbb{R}^{N},

where

N⩾2

,

p > 1

,

p < 2^*−1 = \frac{N + 2}{N−2}

, if

N⩾3

. During last thirty years the question of the existence and multiplicity of solutions to (

\mathrm E

) has been widely investigated mostly under symmetry assumptions on

a

. The aim of this paper is to show that, differently from those found under symmetry assumption, the solutions found in [6] admit a limit configuration and so (

\mathrm E

) also admits a positive solution of infinite energy having infinitely many ‘bumps’.

Dans ce papier nous considérons l'équation

\tag{E}
−\mathrm{\Delta }u + a(x)u = |u|^{p−1}u\:\text{en }\mathbb{R}^{N},

où

N⩾2

,

p > 1

,

p < 2^*−1 = \frac{N + 2}{N−2}

, si

N⩾3

. Pendant les trente dernières années la question de l'existence et de la multiplicité de solutions d‘ (

\mathrm E

) a été largement examinée surtout conformément aux suppositions de symétrie sur

a

. Le but de ce papier est de montrer que, différemment de ceux trouvés conformément à la supposition de symétrie, les solutions trouvées dans [6] admettent une configuration de limite et donc (

\mathrm E

) admet aussi une solution positive d'énergie infinie ayant une infinité de ‘bumps’.
Dynamic expression of miR‐126∗ and its effects on proliferation and contraction of hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Guo Can-Jie , Pan Qin , Xiong Hua , Qiao Yu-Qi , Bian Zhao-Lian , Zhong Wei , Sheng Li , Li Hai , Shen Lei , Hua Jing , Ma Xiong , Fang Jing-Yuan
Published: October 2013

In our previous study, miR‐126 was identified as one of the leading miRNAs that is downregulated during activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, the roles and related mechanisms of miR‐126 in HSCs are not understood. In this study, we compared expression of miR‐126 during HSC activation both in vitro and in vivo. We also applied RNA interference to analyze the role and mechanism of miR‐126∗ in the activation of HSCs. Restoring HSCs with Lv‐miR‐126∗ resulted in decreased proliferation, accumulation of extracellular matrix components, and cell contraction, while also negatively regulating the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signal transduction pathways by partially targeted VEGF‐A. Thus, we postulate that miR‐126 may be a biological marker for the activation of HSCs, and useful for reducing intrahepatic vascular resistance and improving the sinusoidal microcirculation in chronic liver diseases.
Are amyloid fibrils molecular spandrels?
Authors: Hane Francis
Published: October 2013

Amyloid‐β, the protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease, along with a number of other proteins, has been shown to form amyloid fibrils. Fibril forming proteins share no common primary structure and have little known function. Furthermore, all proteins have the ability to form amyloid fibrils under certain conditions as the fibrillar structure lies at the global free energy minimum of proteins. This raises the question of the mechanism of the evolution of the amyloid fibril structure. Experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that the fibril structure is a by‐product of the forces of protein folding and lies outside the bounds of evolutionary pressures.
The multiple forms of bovine seminal ribonuclease: Structure and stability of a C‐terminal swapped dimer
Authors: Sica Filomena , Pica Andrea , Merlino Antonello , Russo Krauss Irene , Ercole Carmine , Picone Delia
Published: October 2013

Bovine seminal ribonuclease (BS‐RNase) acquires an interesting anti‐tumor activity associated with the swapping on the N‐terminal. The first direct experimental evidence on the formation of a C‐terminal swapped dimer (C‐dimer) obtained from the monomeric derivative of BS‐RNase, although under non‐native conditions, is here reported. The X‐ray model of this dimer reveals a quaternary structure different from that of the C‐dimer of RNase A, due to the presence of three mutations in the hinge peptide 111–116. The mutations increase the hinge peptide flexibility and decrease the stability of the C‐dimer against dissociation. The biological implications of the structural data are also discussed.
Cardiac arrhythmias during long‐duration spaceflights
Authors: Anzai Tagayasu , Frey Mary Anne , Nogami Akihiko
Published: October 2013

Few studies have investigated cardiac arrhythmias during spaceflight. Atrial and ventricular premature contractions, short‐duration atrial fibrillation, and non‐sustained ventricular tachycardia were reported by previous spaceflight programs. Some of these arrhythmias occurred following extravehicular activity in space. Arrhythmias during spaceflight are related with hypokalemia, microgravity, changes in the autonomic nervous system, and physical stress. Some astronauts have needed radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial arrhythmias. Future long‐duration spaceflights beyond the Earth's orbit may expose astronauts to significant levels of radiation that affect the coronary arteries. Genetic tests for arrhythmias might be added to the present cardiac screening examinations in the future.
NAKED ANXIETY: BATHHOUSES, NUDITY, AND THEDHIMMĪWOMAN IN 18TH-CENTURY ALEPPO
Authors: Semerdjian Elyse
Published: October 2013

In the 18th century, non-Muslims and women crossed social boundaries during a period of increased global consumption, prompting intervention on the part of Ottoman officials. On the imperial level, the sultan promulgated edicts to restrict such crossings, following the path of earlier laws that had regulated public spaces including bathhouses. In Aleppo, a local reflection of these 18th-century trends was increased monitoring of nudity and of contact between Muslims and non-Muslims within the city's bathhouses. Regulations required that bathkeepers provide separate bath sundries for Muslims and non-Muslims and prohibited co-confessional bathing for women in particular. With the assistance of guilds—and to a lesser extentmilletrepresentatives—complex bathing schedules for Muslim and non-Muslim women were registered at court to support segregation policies. Jurists discussing modesty requirements for Muslim women declared that non-Muslim (dhimmī) women were to be treated as unrelated men in that they were forbidden to gaze upon a naked Muslim woman. Shariʿa court rulings were constructed along similar lines, indicating that thedhimmīwoman was an unstable, liminal social category because in some circumstances her gaze was gendered male. Muslim male elites and local guilds ultimately instituted segregated bathing schedules to protect the purity of Muslim women from the danger posed by thedhimmīfemale figure.
THE SULTAN AND THE REBEL: SAʿDUN AL-MANSUR'S REVOLT IN THE MUNTAFIQ, C. 1891–1911
Authors: Fattah Hala , Badem Candan
Published: October 2013

From 1891 to 1911, a disenfranchised shaykh of the Muntafiq tribe, Saʿdun al-Mansur, led a large uprising against Ottoman rule in southern Iraq. Feeling that he had been disinherited from properties that were his birthright, he fought battle after battle against rival family claimants, shaykhs in Arabia and the Gulf, and reformist Ottoman governors in Baghdad and Basra. This article analyzes Saʿdun's insurgency both within the context of his life and against the background of shifting socioeconomic and political events in Iraq, Arabia, and the Gulf at the turn of the 20th century. One of the last rebellions against Ottoman central authority in southern Iraq, the insurgency was also notable for the indirect but intriguing links between the rebel shaykh and his nominal overlord Sultan ʿAbd al-Hamid II, who paid special attention to the rebel's fate.
DIDACTIC ENTERTAINMENT: THE MOROCCANPOLICE JOURNALAND THE ORIGINS OF THE ARABIC POLICE PROCEDURAL
Authors: Smolin Jonathan
Published: October 2013

This article traces the ways that the MoroccanPolice Journal, a state-produced periodical that first appeared in 1961, constructed and disseminated an aspirational identity for the Moroccan police, one that was radically distinct from the image of the brutal security forces of the Protectorate period. Unlike other state-produced periodicals in Morocco or the Middle East at the time,Police Journalincluded fictional short stories written in the form of a police procedural, a genre that places a real-world criminal detective in the center of a narrative depicting a believable police investigation into a puzzling crime. As this article shows, these stories are the first examples of police procedurals in the Arabic language. The article examines three stories fromPolice Journal, tracing how they projected a new professional institutional culture for the police in the era of independence and served as both didactic pieces for police readers and entertaining works of fiction for the literate public.
Effect of melamine onin vitrorumen microbial growth, methane production and fermentation of Chinese wild rye hay and maize meal in binary mixtures
Authors: YANG H. J. , ZHUANG H. , MENG X. K. , ZHANG D. F. , CAO B. H.
Published: October 2013

The effects of melamine on gas production (GP) kinetics, methane (CH4) production and fermentation of diets differing in forage content (low-forage (LF) diet: 200 g/kg and high-forage (HF) diet: 800 g/kg) by rumen micro-organismsin vitrowere studied using batch cultures. Rumen contents were collected from three Simmental×Luxi crossbred beef cattle. Melamine was added to the incubation bottles to achieve final concentration of 0 (control), 2, 6, 18, 54, 162 and 484 mg/kg of each diet. Cumulative GP was continuously measured in an automated gas recording instrument during 72 h of incubation, while fermentation gas end-products were collected to determine molar proportions of carbon dioxide (CO2), CH4and hydrogen gas (H2) in manually operated batch cultures. Differences in GP kinetics and fermentation gases were observed in response to the nature of the diets incubated. Although melamine addition did not affect GP kinetics and fermentation gas pattern compared to the control, the increase of melamine addition stimulated the yield of CH4by decreasing CO2, especially during the fermentation of the HF diet. The concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (N), amino acid N and microbial N in culture fluids were greater in the fermentation of LF- than HF diets, and these concentrations were increased by the increase of melamine addition after 72-h fermentation. The concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were greater in HF than LF diets. The addition of melamine decreased total VFA concentrations and this response was greater in HF than LF diet fermentations. Melamine addition did not affect molar proportions of acetate, butyrate, propionate and valerate compared with the control; however, branched-chain VFA production, which was lower in the HF than the LF diet, was increased by the melamine addition, especially in the HF diet fermentation. The ratio of non-glucogenic to glucogenic acids was lower in the HF than the LF diet, but it was not affected by melamine addition. In brief, the greater reduction in the rate and extent of rumen fermentation found for the HF diet in comparison with the LF diet suggested that rumen fermentation rate and extentin vitrodepended mainly on the nature of the incubated substrate, and that they could be further inhibited by the increase of melamine addition.
Infliximab for autoimmune inner ear disease: case report and literature review
Authors: Heywood R L , Hadavi S , Donnelly S , Patel N
Published: October 2013

Objectives:

This study aimed (1) to report the long-term effects of infliximab, a murine monoclonal antibody directed against tumour necrosis factor-α, on autoimmune inner ear disease, and (2) to discuss dilemmas surrounding the long-term management of autoimmune inner ear disease.

Case report:

A 49-year-old man presented with sudden-onset, left-sided, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo. He was prescribed oral prednisolone, with benefit. Over several subsequent months, he experienced frequent relapses and progressive deterioration of high-frequency hearing bilaterally. Multiple agents failed to stabilise his condition. Following infliximab treatment, there was a documented and sustained improvement in his hearing and tinnitus. He stopped the treatment after 46 weeks, with rapid relapse of his condition. His hearing recovered quickly again after recommencing infliximab.

Conclusion:

The benefits of prolonged infliximab use and potential side effects must be balanced against allowing the disease to take its course, with progressive deafness. Randomised controlled trials are required to assess infliximab's optimal duration of use, long-term efficacy and safety in the treatment of autoimmune inner ear disease.
Stapled double head and neck drape for otological procedures
Authors: Amin N , Fu B , Rutka J , Das P
Published: October 2013

Introduction:

During otologic surgical procedures, there is often a dilemma when ensuring that hair is kept out of the surgical field. For a surgeon, the simplest and commonest technique is to liberally shave the head, but this can cause aesthetic concerns for the patient. Failure to keep the area hair-free can lead to a range of adverse surgical outcomes including wound infection and poor scar cosmesis. We describe a technique used in our department to effectively control hair during otologic surgical procedures, with no post-operative aesthetic concerns.

Methods:

The use of re-usable or disposable surgical drapes with disposable skin staples can effectively exclude hair from the operative field throughout the procedure, without fear of the drapes slipping or losing adhesiveness.

Results:

The authors have obtained good results both during and after surgery, using this quick and easily learnt method, with no cases of long-term skin damage or scarring.

Discussion:

We find this to be an effective method of hair and skin preparation for otologic surgical procedures, and suggest it to fellow otorhinolaryngologists as a helpful alternative technique.
The conservation status of bats in Fiji
Authors: Scanlon Annette , Petit Sophie , Bottroff Guy
Published: October 2013

Bats provide important ecosystem services throughout the South Pacific but many species are threatened. The Fiji archipelago has a rich bat fauna yet few arrangements exist to promote the conservation of this group. From July 2008 to March 2011 we visited important sites identified in previous surveys for bats on Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Viti Levu and the Yasawa Islands. We netted and recorded five of Fiji's six bat species (Pteropus tonganus, Pteropus samoensis nawaiensis, Notopteris macdonaldi, Chaerephon bregullae and the Critically Endangered Mirimiri acrodonta). This was only the sixth recorded capture of M. acrodonta. P. tonganus is widespread in Fiji and exploits many different environments. P. samoensis nawaiensis mostly uses forested areas, and large tracts of forest are required for its long-term protection. Cave protection is vital for the two insectivorous species (C. bregullae and Emballonura semicaudata) and N. macdonaldi. In particular, the Nakanacagi maternity site remains globally significant for C. bregullae. E. semicaudata was not caught or detected during our surveys. It appears to be extinct from most large islands in Fiji and has abandoned the only large cave roost (Yaqeta) observed 10 years ago. This species has disappeared from or declined dramatically on Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. We recommend that the category of E. semicaudata semicaudata on the IUCN Red List be changed to Critically Endangered. Management priorities should focus on community engagement and education, and improved cave and forest management and protection.
WATERWAYS AND THE POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY OF SOUTH-EAST CYPRUS IN THE SECOND MILLENNIUM BC
Authors: Brown Michael
Published: October 2013

This paper explores the role of waterways in shaping the settlement landscape of south-east Cyprus during the second millenniumbc. Particular emphasis is placed on the proposed use of the Gialias river, in conjunction with overland portages, for transporting bulk commodities from the island's interior to the coast. The geopolitical characteristics of Alashiya, as known from eastern Mediterranean court correspondence, are considered with reference to adjacent riverine and maritime regions. A dominant trend of continuity in settlement and societal development is identified for south-east Cyprus as a whole throughout the period under review.
Modulation instability of two laser beams in plasma
Authors: Singh Vijay
Published: October 2013

In the present paper, spatial amplitude modulation instability arising due to relativistic self-phase modulation and relativistic cross phase modulation of two co-propagating, linearly polarized laser beams (with arbitrary relative polarization) interacting with homogeneous plasma, has been studied. Wave equations including finite perturbation length effects, group velocity dispersion, and coupled nonlinear source term have been set up. Coupled dispersion relation for the two laser beams has been derived and solved numerically. The growth rate of modulation instability has been obtained and compared with the growth rate of a single beam propagating in homogeneous plasma. It has been shown that modulation instability of a single beam may either be enhanced or suppressed by co-propagation of another laser beam having appropriate polarization.
THE FUTILE SEARCH FOR TRUE UTILITY
Authors: Fumagalli Roberto
Published: October 2013

In traditional decision theory, utility is regarded as a mathematical representation of preferences to be inferred from agents’ choices. In the recent literature at the interface between economics, psychology and neuroscience, several authors argue that economists could develop more predictive and explanatory models by incorporating insights concerning individuals’ hedonic experiences. Some go as far as to contend that utility is literally computed by specific neural areas and urge economists to complement or substitute their notion of utility with some neuro-psychological construct. In this paper, I distinguish three notions of utility that are frequently mentioned in debates about decision theory and examine some critical issues regarding their definition and measurability. Moreover, I provide various empirical and conceptual reasons to doubt that economists should base decision theoretic analyses on some neuro-psychological notion of utility.
Visuospatial, Visuoperceptual, and Visuoconstructive Abilities in Congenital Hypothyroidism
Authors: Simic Nevena , Khan Sarah , Rovet Joanne
Published: October 2013

Individuals with congenital hypothyroidism (CH), even those diagnosed and treated early, experience selective cognitive deficits, the most striking of which involves the visuocognitive domain. However, the range and nature of their visuocognitive disturbances is not fully understood. We assessed a range of higher-order visuocognitive abilities in 19 children and adolescents with CH and 19 age- and sex-matched typically developing peers (TD) using a battery of neuropsychological tests and a novel self-report measure of sense of direction. CH scored lower than TD on direct tests of visuocognitive function (judging line orientation, parts-to-whole localization, copying three-dimensional block towers, discriminating designs, and matching unfamiliar faces in ¾ profile-view) as well as on self-reported problems in spatial ability. Visuocognitive problems were not global as CH and TD did not differ at copying two-dimensional block designs, mentally rotating and matching abstract shapes, or at matching unfamiliar front-view faces, design features, or designs that engaged either figure-ground segregation, visual constancy, or closure. Early and concurrent thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were associated with visuocognitive ability, although attention and working memory were not. Individuals with CH exhibit selective visuocognitive weaknesses, some of which are related to early and concurrent TSH levels. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–9)
PERIODIC MINIMAL SURFACES IN SEMIDIRECT PRODUCTS
Authors: MENEZES ANA
Published: October 2013

In this paper we prove the existence of complete minimal surfaces in some metric semidirect products. These surfaces are similar to the doubly and singly periodic Scherk minimal surfaces in ${ \mathbb{R} }^{3} $. In particular, we obtain these surfaces in the Heisenberg space with its canonical metric, and in ${\mathrm{Sol} }_{3} $ with a one-parameter family of nonisometric metrics.
Crittenden's Dynamic–Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation
Authors: Landa Sophie , Duschinsky Robbie
Published: October 2013

This article undertakes a systematic exposition and analysis of Patricia Crittenden's dynamic–maturational model of attachment and adaptation. It traces Crittenden's information-processing model of attachment behavior to her work with Mary Ainsworth, and shows how this account came to underpin her integration of insights from cognitive science with developmental psychology. The article draws surprising conclusions regarding the differences between the dynamic-maturational model and mainstream attachment theory, clarifying the meaning of contested concepts and identifying important flaws in previous interpretations of Crittenden's work.
Identification of a binding element for the cytoplasmic regulator FROUNT in the membrane-proximal C-terminal region of chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5
Authors: Toda Etsuko , Terashima Yuya , Esaki Kaori , Yoshinaga Sosuke , Sugihara Minoru , Kofuku Yutaka , Shimada Ichio , Suwa Makiko , Kanegasaki Shiro , Terasawa Hiroaki , Matsushima Kouji
Published: October 2013

Chemokine receptors mediate the migration of leucocytes during inflammation. The cytoplasmic protein FROUNT binds to chemokine receptors CCR2 [chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2] and CCR5, and amplifies chemotactic signals in leucocytes. Although the interaction between FROUNT and chemokine receptors is important for accurate chemotaxis, the interaction mechanism has not been elucidated. In the present study we identified a 16-amino-acid sequence responsible for high-affinity binding of FROUNT at the membrane-proximal C-terminal intracellular region of CCR2 (CCR2 Pro-C) by yeast two-hybrid analysis. Synthesized peptides corresponding to the CCR2 Pro-C sequence directly interacted with FROUNT in vitro. CCR2 Pro-C was predicted to form an amphipathic helix structure. Residues on the hydrophobic side are completely conserved among FROUNT-binding receptors, suggesting that the hydrophobic side is the responsible element for FROUNT binding. The L316T mutation to the hydrophobic side of the predicted helix decreased the affinity for FROUNT. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that the CCR2 L316T mutation diminished the interaction between FROUNT and full-length CCR2 in cells. Furthermore, this mutation impaired the ability of the receptor to mediate chemotaxis. These findings provide the first description of the functional binding element in helix 8 of CCR2 for the cytosolic regulator FROUNT that mediates chemotactic signalling.
The regulatory mechanism of a client kinase controlling its own release from Hsp90 chaperone machinery through phosphorylation
Authors: Lu Xin-an , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhuo Wei , Jia Lin , Jiang Yushan , Fu Yan , Luo Yongzhang
Published: October 2013

It is believed that the stability and activity of client proteins are passively regulated by the Hsp90 (heat-shock protein 90) chaperone machinery, which is known to be modulated by its intrinsic ATPase activity, co-chaperones and post-translational modifications. However, it is unclear whether client proteins themselves participate in regulation of the chaperoning process. The present study is the first example to show that a client kinase directly regulates Hsp90 activity, which is a novel level of regulation for the Hsp90 chaperone machinery. First, we prove that PKCγ (protein kinase Cγ) is a client protein of Hsp90α, and, that by interacting with PKCγ, Hsp90α prevents PKCγ degradation and facilitates its cytosol-to-membrane translocation and activation. A threonine residue set, Thr115/Thr425/Thr603, of Hsp90α is specifically phosphorylated by PKCγ, and, more interestingly, this threonine residue set serves as a ‘phosphorylation switch’ for Hsp90α binding or release of PKCγ. Moreover, phosphorylation of Hsp90α by PKCγ decreases the binding affinity of Hsp90α towards ATP and co-chaperones such as Cdc37 (cell-division cycle 37), thereby decreasing its chaperone activity. Further investigation demonstrated that the reciprocal regulation of Hsp90α and PKCγ plays a critical role in cancer cells, and that simultaneous inhibition of PKCγ and Hsp90α synergistically prevents cell migration and promotes apoptosis in cancer cells.
Delayed Stimulus-Specific Improvements in Discourse Following Anomia Treatment Using an Intentional Gesture
Authors: Altmann Lori J. P. , Hazamy Audrey A. , Carvajal Pamela J. , Benjamin Michelle , Rosenbek John C. , Crosson Bruce
Published: October 2013

Purpose

In this study, the authors assessed how the addition of intentional left-hand gestures to an intensive treatment for anomia affects 2 types of discourse: picture description and responses to open-ended questions.

Method

Fourteen people with aphasia completed treatment for anomia comprising 30 treatment sessions over 3 weeks. Seven subjects also incorporated intentional left-hand gestures into each treatment trial.

Results

Both groups demonstrated significant changes in trained items and improved naming of untrained items but no change in Western Aphasia Battery—Aphasia Quotient (WAB–AQ; Kertesz, 1982) scores. Changes in discourse were limited to the 3-month follow-up assessment. Several discourse measures showed significant improvements in the picture description task and declines during question responses. Additionally, the gesture group produced more words at each assessment, whereas the no gesture group produced fewer words at each assessment. These patterns led to improvements in picture descriptions and minimal declines in question responses in the gesture group. In contrast, the no gesture group showed minimal improvements in picture descriptions and production declines in question responses relative to pretreatment levels.

Conclusion

The intensive treatment protocol is a successful method for improving picture naming even of untrained items. Further, the authors conclude that the intentional left-hand gesture contributed significantly to the generalization of treatment to discourse.
The Role of Utterance Length and Position in 3-Year-Olds' Production of Third Person Singular
-s
Authors: Mealings Kiri T. , Demuth Katherine
Published: October 2013

Purpose

Evidence from children's spontaneous speech suggests that utterance length and utterance position may help explain why children omit grammatical morphemes in some contexts but not others. This study investigated whether increased utterance length (hence, increased grammatical complexity) adversely affects children's third person singular
-s
production in more controlled experimental conditions.

Method

An elicited imitation task with 12 Australian English–speaking children ages 2;9 (years;months) to 3;2 (
M
age
= 2;11) was conducted comparing third person singular
-s
production in 3-word and 5-word utterances, both utterance medially (e.g.,

He
sits
back

;

He
sits
back and swings

) and utterance finally (e.g.,

There he
sits

;

That's the way he
sits

) using a within-subjects design. Children were shown pictorial representations of each utterance on a computer and were invited to repeat 16 pseudorandomized prerecorded utterances. Acoustic analysis determined the presence/absence and duration of the third person singular morpheme.

Results

Third person singular production was significantly lower utterance medially compared to utterance finally for the 5-word utterances and significantly lower utterance medially in the 5-word compared to 3-word utterances.

Conclusion

These results suggest that increased utterance length results in significantly lower third person singular production, but only in the more articulatorily challenging utterance-medial position. Thus, morpheme omission is greatest at the intersection of grammatical
and
phonological complexity.
Green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles by excimer pulsed laser ablation in water
Authors: Van Overschelde O. , Guisbiers G. , Snyders R.
Published: October 2013

Pure selenium nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by Liquid Phase - Pulsed Laser Ablation (LP-PLA) in de-ionized water. Excimer laser (248 nm) operating at low fluence (F ∼ 1 J/cm2) was used to generate colloidal solutions of selenium nanoparticles. The obtained selenium nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. We describe the multi-modal size distributions generated and use the centrifugation method to isolate the smallest nanoparticles (∼60 nm in diameter).
Lagrangian statistics of turbulent channel flow at Reτ = 950 calculated with direct numerical simulation and Langevin models
Authors: Kuerten J. G. M. , Brouwers J. J. H.
Published: October 2013

We present results of Lagrangian statistical quantities for direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulent channel flow at Reynolds number Reτ = 950 based on shear velocity and channel half-height. Attention is focused on time correlations of fluid particle velocity and on the wall-normal diffusivity as a function of the wall-normal distance. Away from the wall region the DNS results compare favorably with the results of recent statistical models based on Kolmogorov theory and Onsager symmetry relations. It is found that a value for the Kolmogorov constant of C0 = 6 gives optimal agreement between DNS results and results of the statistical models for all quantities considered.
Investigation of deep levels in bulk GaN material grown by halide vapor phase epitaxy
Authors: Duc Tran Thien , Pozina Galia , Janzén Erik , Hemmingsson Carl
Published: October 2013

Electron traps in thick free standing GaN grown by halide vapor phase epitaxy were characterized by deep level transient spectroscopy. The measurements revealed six electron traps with activation energy of 0.252 (E1), 0.53 (E2), 0.65 (E4), 0.69 (E3), 1.40 (E5), and 1.55 eV (E6), respectively. Among the observed levels, trap E6 has not been previously reported. The filling pulse method was employed to determine the temperature dependence of the capture cross section and to distinguish between point defects and extended defects. From these measurements, we have determined the capture cross section for level E1, E2, and E4 to 3.2 × 10−16 cm2, 2.2 × 10−17 cm2, and 1.9 × 10−17 cm2, respectively. All of the measured capture cross sections were temperature independent in the measured temperature range. From the electron capturing kinetic, we conclude that trap E1, E2, and E3 are associated with point defects. From the defect concentration profile obtained by double correlated deep level transient spectroscopy, we suggest that trap E4 and E6 are introduced by the polishing process.
Characteristics of hafnium oxide resistance random access memory with different setting compliance current
Authors: Su Yu-Ting , Chang Kuan-Chang , Chang Ting-Chang , Tsai Tsung-Ming , Zhang Rui , Lou J. C. , Chen Jung-Hui , Young Tai-Fa , Chen Kai-Huang , Tseng Bae-Heng , Shih Chih-Cheng , Yang Ya-Liang , Chen Min-Chen , Chu Tian-Jian , Pan Chih-Hung , Syu Yong-En , Sze Simon M.
Published: October 2013

In this Letter, the characteristics of set process of hafnium oxide based resistance random access memory are investigated by different set processes with increasing compliance current. Through current fitting, carrier conduction mechanism of low resistance state changes from hopping to surface scattering and finally to ohmic conduction with the increase of setting compliance current. Experimental data of current-voltage measurement under successive increasing temperature confirms the conduction mechanism transition. A model of filament growth is eventually proposed in a way by merging discrete metal precipitates and electrical field simulation by comsol Multiphysics further clarifies the properties of filament growth process.
Enhanced dielectric and multiferroic properties of single-phase Y and Zr co-doped BiFeO3 ceramics
Authors: Xu Jianlong , Xie Dan , Yin Cong , Feng Tingting , Zhang Xiaowen , Li Gang , Zhao Haiming , Zhao Yuanfan , Ma Shuo , Ren Tian-Ling , Guan Yujie , Gao Xingsen , Zhao Yonggang
Published: October 2013

We report the structural, dielectric, and multiferroic properties of single-phase Y and Zr co-doped BiFeO3 (BFO) ceramics. Enhancement in dielectric properties, frequency independence, and ferroelectric properties are observed in co-doped BFO due to the reduction of oxygen vacancies by co-doping. Co-doped samples exhibited double hysteresis loop-like magnetization-magnetic field curves with a significantly enhanced remnant magnetization (∼0.41496 emu/g when Y and Zr concentration is 0.15 and 0.05). The possible reasons may be the co-doping induced collapse of cycloidal spin structure, internal structural distortion, and reduction of average particle size to be less than period of the spin cycloid. The improved dielectric and multiferroic properties obtained by co-doping demonstrate the possibility of bulk BFO to practical applications.
Scanning probe oxidation of SiC, fabrication possibilities and kinetics considerations
Authors: Lorenzoni M. , Torre B.
Published: October 2013

We report the outcome of atomic force microscopy local anodic oxidation experiments on 6H-SiC in air. Oxide thickness can be easily tuned by varying applied voltage and pulse duration. The height and the aspect ratio of single dots produced by single DC pulses are remarkably higher than what was reported previously, with self limiting heights exceeding 100 nm. We propose that the diminished density and the change in chemical composition of the oxide grown on SiC with respect to oxide grown under similar condition on Si cause a drop in the activation energy of oxanions diffusion within the newly formed oxide layer.
Unexpected room-temperature ferromagnetism in bulk ZnO
Authors: Chen Yu-Chun , Goering Eberhard , Jeurgens Lars , Wang Zumin , Phillipp Fritz , Baier Johannes , Tietze Thomas , Schütz Gisela
Published: October 2013

It is demonstrated that a transition from paramagnetic behavior to clear room-temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) exists in pure bulk ZnO. A significant enhancement of RTFM has been observed in argon-annealed ZnO samples. Quantitative chemical analysis unambiguously indicates that oxygen-related vacancies at surface play a crucial role in this observed RTFM. We suppose that the surface magnetic states, paramagnetic in the pure nanoparticles, are converted to ferromagnetic phase after mechanical compaction. Additionally, it is found that weakly adsorbed carbon species could block the exchange coupling between isolated magnetic moments in the surface layers.
Construction of the CSIRO Fragment Library
Authors: Francis Craig L. , Kenny Peter W. , Dolezal Olan , Saubern Simon , Kruger Megan , Savage G. Paul , Peat Thomas S. , Ryan John H.
Published: October 2013

A fundamental component of a successful fragment screening program is a productive fragment library, one that delivers hit fragments with potential for pharmaceutical development. A proprietary fragment library was developed by identifying and extracting subsets of CSIRO’s Compound Collection using two complimentary approaches. Over time, the use of surface plasmon resonance as a front-line screening tool has enabled identification and exclusion of problematic compounds and led to a more reliable fragment screening library.
Restoring the sense of touch with a prosthetic hand through a brain interface
Authors: Tabot Gregg A. , Dammann John F. , Berg Joshua A. , Tenore Francesco V. , Boback Jessica L. , Vogelstein R. Jacob , Bensmaia Sliman J.
Published: October 2013

Significance

Our ability to manipulate objects relies fundamentally on sensory signals originating from the hand. To restore motor function with upper-limb neuroprostheses requires that somatosensory feedback be provided to the tetraplegic patient or amputee. Accordingly, we have developed approaches to convey sensory information critical for object manipulation—information about contact location, pressure, and timing—through intracortical microstimulation of somatosensory cortex. In experiments with nonhuman primates, we show that we can elicit percepts that are projected to a localized patch of skin, that track the pressure exerted on the skin, and that signal the timing of contact events. We anticipate that the proposed biomimetic feedback will constitute an important step in restoring touch to individuals who have lost it.
Essential role for mammalian apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease Ape1/Ref-1 in telomere maintenance
Authors: Madlener Sibylle , Ströbel Thomas , Vose Sarah , Saydam Okay , Price Brendan D. , Demple Bruce , Saydam Nurten
Published: October 2013

Significance

Base excision repair (BER) is the predominant system correcting simple DNA base lesions formed by oxidation or other DNA-damaging agents. Repair of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites arising in the genome spontaneously or as intermediates of BER is critical owing to their toxic and mutagenic effects. Ape1/Ref-1 is the major AP endonuclease that initiates the processing of AP sites, allowing normal transcription and DNA synthesis to resume. In this study, we report a key role for Ape1/Ref-1 in telomere maintenance. Our findings suggest a direct link between BER and telomere dynamics, highlighting the potential contribution of oxidative DNA damage repair activities on telomere dysfunction in cancer, premature aging, or autoimmune diseases.
DIM (3,3′-diindolylmethane) confers protection against ionizing radiation by a unique mechanism
Authors: Fan Saijun , Meng Qinghui , Xu Jiaying , Jiao Yang , Zhao Lin , Zhang Xiaodong , Sarkar Fazlul H. , Brown Milton L. , Dritschilo Anatoly , Rosen Eliot M.
Published: October 2013

Significance

DIM (3,3′-diindolylmethane) is a small molecule compound under investigation as a cancer preventive agent. This research addresses a potential usage of DIM as a medical countermeasure to prevent or mitigate acute radiation syndrome due to whole body exposure. In this regard, DIM can be administered safely to humans and animals by oral or subcutaneous routes. DIM may also be useful in preventing or mitigating late normal tissue damage due to partial body radiation exposure during cancer treatment. DIM works, in part, by a mechanism distinct from other radioprotectors and mitigators involving stimulation of the DNA damage response, including DNA repair, and activation of cell survival signaling through the transcription factor NF-κB.
Catalytically powered dynamic assembly of rod-shaped nanomotors and passive tracer particles
Authors: Wang Wei , Duan Wentao , Sen Ayusman , Mallouk Thomas E.
Published: October 2013

Significance

Microscale catalyst particles suspended in fluids can convert the energy of chemical reactions that occur on their surfaces to movement. Collections of particles undergoing powered motion exhibit behavior that mimics living microparticles such as bacteria: swarming, predator–prey interactions, and chemotaxis. These behaviors originate from pairwise interactions of particles that so far have not been measured or understood. In this article, short-range attractive interactions of catalytic nanorod motors were shown to arise from electrical forces. These forces drive the transient formation of dimers and trimers, and are also responsible for the collection of passive tracer particles at the ends of the nanorods. The quantitative description of these interactions lays the theoretical groundwork for understanding and manipulating the collective behavior of nanomotors.
Mitochondrial protein mitofusin 2 is required for NLRP3 inflammasome activation after RNA virus infection
Authors: Ichinohe Takeshi , Yamazaki Tatsuya , Koshiba Takumi , Yanagi Yusuke
Published: October 2013

Significance

Mitochondria play pivotal roles not only in the energy production, apoptosis, and calcium storages, but also in innate antiviral immunity. Mitochondrial antiviral signaling expressed on the outer membrane of mitochondria is essential for intracellular viral RNA-mediated induction of type I interferon. In addition, damaged mitochondria generate reactive oxygen species required for nod-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-dependent inflammatory responses. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondrial membrane potential-dependent association between NLRP3 and mitochondrial outer membrane protein mitofusin 2, a key regulator of mitochondrial fusion, is required for the full activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome after infection with RNA viruses. Our results highlight the importance of mitochondria as a platform of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Polyunsaturated fatty acid saturation by gut lactic acid bacteria affecting host lipid composition
Authors: Kishino Shigenobu , Takeuchi Michiki , Park Si-Bum , Hirata Akiko , Kitamura Nahoko , Kunisawa Jun , Kiyono Hiroshi , Iwamoto Ryo , Isobe Yosuke , Arita Makoto , Arai Hiroyuki , Ueda Kazumitsu , Shima Jun , Takahashi Satomi , Yokozeki Kenzo , Shimizu Sakayu , Ogawa Jun
Published: October 2013

Significance

Microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract interact with their host in many ways. Lipid metabolism by gastrointestinal microbes generates multiple fatty acid species that can affect host health. In the representative gut bacterium
Lactobacillus plantarum
, we revealed a fatty acid metabolism, saturation metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acid, that generates hydroxy fatty acids, oxo fatty acids, conjugated fatty acids, and partially saturated
trans
-fatty acids as intermediates. Furthermore, fatty acid analysis in mice suggests that the fatty acid metabolism by gastrointestinal microbes modifies fatty acid composition of the host. Therefore, functional investigations of lipid metabolisms of gastrointestinal microbes may provide new methods for improving our health by altering lipid metabolism related to the onset of metabolic syndrome.
BcsA and BcsB form the catalytically active core of bacterial cellulose synthase sufficient for in vitro cellulose synthesis
Authors: Omadjela Okako , Narahari Adishesh , Strumillo Joanna , Mélida Hugo , Mazur Olga , Bulone Vincent , Zimmer Jochen
Published: October 2013

Significance

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, primarily formed by vascular plants, but also by some bacteria. Bacterial extracellular polysaccharides, such as cellulose and alginate, are an important component of biofilms, which are multicellular, usually sessile, aggregates of bacteria. Biofilms exhibit a greater resistance to antimicrobial treatments compared with isolated bacteria and thus are a particular concern to human health. Cellulose synthases synthesize cellulose by polymerizing UDP-activated glucose and transport the growing polymer across the cell membrane during its synthesis. Despite numerous attempts, reconstituting cellulose synthesis in vitro from purified components has been unsuccessful. Here we present the complete reconstitution of bacterial cellulose synthesis from components from
Rhodobacter sphaeroides,
thereby establishing an experimental basis for cellulose and biofilm research.
DNA-uptake machinery of naturally competent
Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Seitz Patrick , Blokesch Melanie
Published: October 2013

Significance

Transformation allows naturally competent bacteria to take up DNA from the environment and integrate the DNA into the chromosome by recombination. In Gram-negative bacteria, the DNA-uptake machinery shuttles the incoming DNA across the outer membrane, the periplasmic space, and the inner membrane. This study investigates the DNA-uptake complex of the human pathogen
Vibrio cholerae
, using a cellular biology-based approach. We visualized different components of this multicomponent complex, including a type IV pilus appendage, determined their (co)localization within the bacterial cell, and conducted an analysis of competence-gene mutants. We conclude that the uptake of DNA occurs via (at least) a two-step process.
A naturally occuring insertion of a single amino acid rewires transcriptional regulation by glucocorticoid receptor isoforms
Authors: Thomas-Chollier Morgane , Watson Lisa C. , Cooper Samantha B. , Pufall Miles A. , Liu Jennifer S. , Borzym Katja , Vingron Martin , Yamamoto Keith R. , Meijsing Sebastiaan H.
Published: October 2013

Significance

For proteins to be able to have context-specific activities, they can adopt context-specific conformations that enhance or restrict their activity. For transcriptional regulatory factors, such a context-specific signal is provided by the sequence of the DNA response element to which it binds. Here we show how one signal, an alternative splicing event, rewires a transcriptional regulatory protein to respond differently to a second signal, the DNA sequence to which it binds, by changing the functional interplay between protein domains. Together, our findings argue that bidirectional allosteric signaling between the DNA:protein interface and other regulatory domains fine tunes the activity of transcriptional regulatory factors toward individual target genes.
A
Drosophila
model of closed head traumatic brain injury
Authors: Katzenberger Rebeccah J. , Loewen Carin A. , Wassarman Douglas R. , Petersen Andrew J. , Ganetzky Barry , Wassarman David A.
Published: October 2013

Significance

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a strong jolt to the head causes damage to brain cells, resulting in immediate and long-term consequences including physical, behavioral, and cognitive problems. Despite the importance of TBI as a major health issue, our understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms is limited. To unravel these mechanisms, we have developed a model of TBI in the fruit fly,
Drosophila melanogaster
, where we can apply many powerful experimental tools. The main features of human TBI also occur in flies, suggesting that the underlying mechanisms are conserved. Our studies demonstrate the value of a fly model for understanding the consequences of TBI and may ultimately enable development of therapies for their prevention and treatment.