bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial constraints, board governance standards, and corporate cash holdings
Authors: Lee Choonsik , Park Heungju
Published: October 2015

This study examines whether financial constraints and board governance play substitution roles in lowering agency concerns in corporate cash holdings. Using four firm‐specific characteristics of financial constraints and 28 forward‐looking board governance standards, we find that board governance mitigates agency concerns in cash holdings more significantly for financially less‐constrained firms. Consistently, financially less‐constrained firms increase the level of board governance and adopt more board governance standards. A natural experiment with the 2007 financial crisis provides robustness to our findings. Our evidence suggests that financial constraints interrelate with the effectiveness of board governance on corporate cash holdings.
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) and Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) Bites and Contact Abrasions in Open-Water Swimmers: A Series of 11 Cases
Authors: Nuckton Thomas J. , Simeone Claire A. , Phelps Roger T.
Published: October 2015

Objective

To review cases of bites and contact abrasions in open-water swimmers from California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus) and harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina richardii).

Methods

Open-water swimmers from a San Francisco swimming club were questioned about encounters with pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) that resulted in bites or contact abrasions. When possible, wounds were documented with photographs. Medical follow-up and treatment complications were also reviewed.

Results

From October 2011 to December 2014, 11 swimmers reported bites by a sea lion (n = 1), harbor seal (n = 7), or unidentified pinniped (n = 3). Ten of the encounters occurred in San Francisco Bay; 1 occurred in the Eld Inlet, in Puget Sound, near Olympia, WA. None of the swimmers were wearing wetsuits. All bites involved the lower extremities; skin was broken in 4 of 11 bites and antibiotics were prescribed in 3 cases. One swimmer, who was bitten by a harbor seal, also had claw scratches. A treatment failure occurred with amoxicillin/clavulanate in another swimmer who was bitten by an unidentified pinniped; the wound healed subsequently with doxycycline, suggesting an infection with Mycoplasma spp. There were no long-lasting consequences from any of the bites. The majority of cases occurred at low tide, and bumping of the swimmer by the animal before or after a bite was common, but no clear tide or attack pattern was identified.

Conclusions

Bites and contact abrasions from sea lions and harbor seals are reported infrequently in open-water swimmers and typically involve the lower extremities. Because of the risk of Mycoplasma infection, treatment with a tetracycline is recommended in pinniped bites with signs of infection or serious trauma. Attempting to touch or pet sea lions or seals is inadvisable and prohibited by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Swimmers should leave the water as soon as possible after a bite or encounter.
Coca: High Altitude Remedy of the Ancient Incas
Authors: Biondich Amy Sue , Joslin Jeremy D.
Published: October 2015

The use of coca leaf for medicinal purposes is a centuries-old tradition of the native peoples of South America. Coca products are thought by many laypersons to provide risk-free benefits to users participating in strenuous activities at high altitude. Physiologic studies of coca have increased understanding of its possible mechanism of action as well as its potential impact on high altitude activities. This present work explores the role of coca throughout the history of the Andean peoples and explores whether this ancient remedy has a place in modern medicine. A focused summary of research articles with particular relevance to the field of wilderness medicine is also included to better provide the reader with lessons not only from history but also from another culture.
DOES RURAL-TO-URBAN MIGRATION PLACE ADOLESCENTS AT RISK OF DELETERIOUS SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES? EVIDENCE FROM HAITI
Authors: Heckert Jessica
Published: October 2015

This study examines the links between migration and sexual and reproductive health among rural-to-urban migrant youth in Haiti. It evaluates behavioural, knowledge and attitudinal components from the perspective of three competing explanations for migrants’ behaviours: adaptation, disruption and selection. Discrete-time event history analysis is employed to compare these hypotheses using Haiti Demographic and Health Survey data (N=1215 adolescent girls,N=829 adolescent boys). Multi-level models are used to compare changes in knowledge and attitudes in individuals using data from the Haiti Youth Transitions Study (N=223). The findings reveal that disruption is the most plausible explanation for the timing of migration and first sex among girls. However, contrary to the assumption that migrant youth risk experiencing first sex earlier, girls are less likely to experience first sex near the time they migrate, and rural-to-urban migrant boys may experience first sex at later ages. The high aspirations of migrant youth provide a likely explanation for these findings. Furthermore, male migrants accumulate less protective knowledge, which is consistent with the disruption hypothesis, and migrants endorse premarital sex similarly to non-migrants. Sexual and reproductive health curricula should be adapted to the unique needs of migrant youth, and youth should be targeted before they migrate.
Monitoring local well-being in environmental interventions: a consideration of practical trade-offs
Authors: Palmer Fry B. , Agarwala M. , Atkinson G. , Clements T. , Homewood K. , Mourato S. , Rowcliffe J.M. , Wallace G. , Milner-Gulland E.J.
Published: October 2015

Within the field of environmental management and conservation, the concept of well-being is starting to gain traction in monitoring the socio-economic and cultural impact of interventions on local people. Here we consider the practical trade-offs policy makers and practitioners must navigate when utilizing the concept of well-being in environmental interventions. We first review current concepts of well-being before considering the need to balance the complexity and practical applicability of the definition used and to consider both positive and negative components of well-being. A key determinant of how well-being is operationalized is the identity of the organization wishing to monitor it. We describe the trade-offs around the external and internal validity of different approaches to measuring well-being and the relative contributions of qualitative and quantitative information to understanding well-being. We explore how these trade-offs may be decided as a result of a power struggle between stakeholders. Well-being is a complex, multi-dimensional, dynamic concept that cannot be easily defined and measured. Local perspectives are often missed during the project design process as a result of the more powerful voices of national governments and international NGOs, so for equity and local relevance it is important to ensure these perspectives are represented at a high level in project design and implementation.
Hollywood in China: How American Popular Culture Shapes Chinese Views of the “Beautiful Imperialist” – An Experimental Analysis
Authors: Gries Peter , Sanders Matthew A. , Stroup David R. , Cai Huajian
Published: October 2015

While most mainland Chinese today have extremely few direct contacts with either America or Americans, their indirect contacts with both, via globalized American popular culture, are increasing rapidly. Do daily parasocial contacts with American celebrities shape Chinese views of America? Based on two experimental studies, this paper argues that even indirect, subconscious exposure to American celebrities via popular magazine covers shapes Chinese views of America. However, the impact of that exposure depends upon both the specific nature of the bicultural exposure and the psychological predispositions of the Chinese involved. Not all Chinese are alike, and their personality differences shape whether they experience American popular culture as enriching or threatening, leading to integrative and exclusionary reactions, respectively.
A classical case of the Gasul phenomenon
Authors: Sabnis Girish R. , Phadke Milind S. , Kerkar Prafulla G.
Published: October 2015

This case demonstrates the development of secondary infundibular stenosis in a 10-year-old male child with documented large non-restrictive perimembranous ventricular septal defect in infancy – the classical Gasul phenomenon.
Levoatriocardinal vein and partial anomalous pulmonary vein drainage in left-sided obstructive CHDs: diagnostic and surgical implications
Authors: Marini Davide , Agnoletti Gabriella , Pace Napoleone Carlo
Published: October 2015

We report two cases with levoatriocardinal vein and partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage in left-sided obstructive lesions. This association may be difficult to recognise by echocardiography. Cardiac CT and MRI were crucial to define the diagnosis and to tailor the best therapeutic option.
Escitalopram Versus SNRI Antidepressants in the Acute Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Integrative Analysis of Four Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Kornstein Susan G. , Li Dayong , Mao Yongcai , Larsson Sara , Andersen Henning F. , Papakostas George I.
Published: October 2015

Introduction: Recent data suggest that escitalopram may be more effective in severe depression than other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Methods: Individual patient data from four randomized, double-blind comparative trials of escitalopram versus a serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) (two trials with duloxetine and two with venlafaxine extended release) in outpatients (18–85 years of age) with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder were pooled. The primary efficacy parameter in all four trials was mean change in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score.

Results: Significantly fewer escitalopram (82/524) than SNRI (114/527) patients prematurely withdrew from treatment due to all causes (15.6% vs. 21.6%, Fisher Exact: P=.014) and adverse events (5.3% vs. 12.0%, Fisher Exact: P <.0001). Mean reduction in MADRS score from baseline to Week 8 was significantly greater for the escitalopram group versus the SNRI group using the last observation carried forward (LOCF) approach [mean treatment difference at Week 8 of 1.7 points (P <.01)]. Similar results were observed in the severely depressed (baseline MADRS score ≥30) patient subset (mean treatment difference at Week 8 of 2.9 points [P <.001, LOCF]). Observed cases analyses yielded no significant differences in efficacy parameters.

Conclusion: This pooled analysis indicates that escitalopram is at least as effective as the SNRIs (venlafaxine XR and duloxetine), even in severe depression, and escitalopram treatment was better tolerated.
L1 and L2 processing of compound words: Evidence from masked priming experiments in English
Authors: LI MAN , JIANG NAN , GOR KIRA
Published: October 2015

This study reports results from a series of masked priming experiments investigating early automatic processes involved in the visual recognition of English bimorphemic compounds in native and non-native processing. Results show that NSs produced robust and statistically equivalent masked priming effects with semantically transparent (e.g., toothbrush-TOOTH) and opaque (e.g., honeymoon-HONEY) compound primes, but no priming with orthographic controls (e.g., restaurant-REST), irrespective of constituent position. Similarly, advanced Chinese learners of English also produced robust and statistically equivalent priming effects with transparent and opaque compound primes in both positions. However, a clear orthographic priming effect was observed in theword-initialoverlap position but no such effect in theword-finalposition. We argue that L2 compound priming originates from a different source from form priming. We conclude that these findings lend support to the sublexical morpho-orthographic decomposition mechanism underlying early English compound recognition not only in L1 but also in L2 processing.
CERTAIN GENERALIZED MORDELL CURVES OVER THE RATIONAL NUMBERS ARE POINTLESS
Authors: DONG QUAN NGUYEN NGOC
Published: October 2015

A conjecture of Scharaschkin and Skorobogatov states that there is a Brauer–Manin obstruction to the existence of rational points on a smooth geometrically irreducible curve over a number field. In this paper, we verify the Scharaschkin–Skorobogatov conjecture for explicit families of generalized Mordell curves. Our approach uses standard techniques from the Brauer–Manin obstruction and the arithmetic of certain threefolds.
WEAK POTENTIAL CONDITIONS FOR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATIONS WITH CRITICAL NONLINEARITIES
Authors: TANG X. H. , CHEN SITONG
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we prove the existence of nontrivial solutions to the following Schrödinger equation with critical Sobolev exponent: $$\begin{eqnarray}\left\{\begin{array}{@{}l@{}}-{\rm\Delta}u+V(x)u=K(x)|u|^{2^{\ast }-2}u+f(x,u),\quad x\in \mathbb{R}^{N},\\ u\in H^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{N})\end{array}\right.\end{eqnarray}$$ under assumptions that (i) $V(x_{0})<0$ for some $x_{0}\in \mathbb{R}^{N}$ and (ii) there exists $b>0$ such that the set ${\mathcal{V}}_{b}:=\{x\in \mathbb{R}^{N}:V(x)<b\}$ has finite measure, in addition to some common assumptions on $K$ and $f$, where $N\geq 3$, $2^{\ast }=2N/(N-2)$.
Developing Japanese Populism Research through Readings Of European Populist Radical Right Studies: Populism As An Ideological Concept, Classifications Of Politicians And Explanations For Political Success
Authors: LINDGREN PETTER Y.
Published: October 2015

Former Prime Minister Koizumi's surprising victory within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 2001 and his subsequent popularity as prime minister led to increased interest in the study of populism in Japan. In addition to Ōtake Hideo's prominent contributions, several others have also employed populism as a prism to study Japanese politics. Compared to the major debates on populism and particularly on the populist radical right (PRR) in Western Europe over the last two decades, however, the study of Japanese populism seems to be at a less mature stage. Lessons may be learned from the European literature for the community studying Japanese populism. This paper first summarizes the studies on Japanese populism. Then, the main discussions and arguments presented in the academic literature on the PRR in Europe are discussed. Next, this study evaluates how arguments found in studies of European populism can be exploited in further research on populist politicians and parties in Japan. The author recommends further studies on conceptual definitions, on the classifications of politicians and parties, and on explaining the emergence and persistence of these parties and politicians. The findings in this paper encourage and support further research on populism in the Japanese political system.
Barriers to Ratification of the United Nations Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants
Authors: SCHLOENHARDT Andreas , MACDONALD Hamish
Published: October 2015

The United Nations Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air sets out an ambitious international approach to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants. Although the Protocol has found widespread adoption worldwide, many countries have not—or not yet—signed and ratified the Protocol. Many critics argue that the Protocol promotes the views of rich, developed destination countries and offers little incentives for developing countries of origin to support the Protocol. This paper examines the reasons why some countries choose not to ratify the Protocol. The paper sheds light on the common concerns and characteristics of the forty-five non-Party States in order to pave the way for wider adoption of the Protocol and for more concerted efforts to combat the smuggling of migrants worldwide.
A Review of the 2010 Domestic Violence Law in Timor-Leste
Authors: Yogaratnam Jeswynn
Published: October 2015

In July 2010 the Timor-Leste Government promulgated the Law Against Domestic Violence. This is part of a constitutional promise to improve women and child security. Inherent in this development is the shift from traditional dispute resolution system to a state criminal justice system. This shift identifies domestic violence as a public crime and relies on greater participation from the stakeholders of domestic violence, i.e., the police, prosecution, legal services, health care services, social care services and community leaders. This paper examines the legal framework of the new domestic violence law and the impact on the stakeholders in delivering the legal obligation to promote women and child security in Timor-Leste. Inherent in this discussion is the question of whether the new law can reform the traditional justice system, change community behaviour and meet the competing challenges of cultural relativism in each district of Timor-Leste.
Epilepsie und Fahreignung: die neue Richtlinie
Authors: Kurthen Martin
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Die für die Schweiz gültige Richtlinie zur Fahreignung bei Epilepsie ist kürzlich überarbeitet worden. Daraus ergeben sich bezüglich dieses für die Epilepsiepatienten eminent wichtigen Krankheitsaspektes einige relevante Veränderungen. Diese entstehen überwiegend mittelbar, durch Anwendung neuer Definitionen und Diagnosekriterien der Epilepsie, die es u.a. erlauben, in bestimmten Situationen schon nach einem einzigen Anfallsereignis die Diagnose einer Epilepsie zu stellen. Auch wurden fahreignungsrelevante Konzepte wie die «ausgeheilte Epilepsie» (resolved epilepsy) und die «drohende Epilepsie» neu eingeführt. Ferner ergeben sich leicht veränderte und differenziertere Empfehlungen zu Fahrkarenzen bei bestimmten Krankheitskonstellationen.
Die Gesundheit junger Schweizer Männer: Monitoring-Ergebnisse der Armee-Rekrutierung
Authors: Staub Kaspar , Wyss Thomas , Lehmann Susanne , Abel Thomas , Rühli Frank
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Aufgrund ihrer Repräsentativität und der gleichbleibenden Erhebungsstandards stellen die medizinischen und sportlichen Daten der Stellungspflichtigen eine gute Basis für ein kontinuierliches Gesundheitsmonitoring für junge Schweizer Männer dar. Beispielsweise kann gezeigt werden, dass seit drei bis vier Jahren Übergewicht und Adipositas bei jungen Männern nicht mehr zunehmen und sich die körperliche Leistungsfähigkeit seit 2006 nicht relevant verändert hat. Der Trend sinkender Leistungen beim Ausdauerlauf der letzten 20 Jahre vor der Jahrhundertwende ist in der Schweiz seit 2002 gestoppt. Jedoch sind Gesundheit und Gesundheitsverhalten in der Altersgruppe der jungen Erwachsenen sozial und regional nach wie vor ungleich verteilt. Neben ökonomischen Ressourcen und dem Bildungsstand tragen auch gesundheitsbezogenes Wissen, Werte und Einstellungen zu dieser Ungleichverteilung bei.
Schmerztherapie bei multimorbiden Patienten
Authors: Siegenthaler Andreas
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Keine Therapie ohne Risiken. Das gilt insbesondere bei der pharmakologischen Schmerztherapie von multimorbiden Patienten. Im folgenden Artikel sollen klinisch relevante Fragen wie z.B. der Einsatz von Opiaten bei kognitiv beeinträchtigten Patienten oder Entscheidungshilfen bei der Auswahl der verschiedenen NSAID/Coxiben bei Patienten mit oder ohne Aspirin geboten werden. Die Vor- und Nachteile der am häufigsten verschriebenen Analgetika werden beleuchtet. Es kommen auch kurz die sinnvollsten interventionellen schmerztherapeutischen Verfahren beim multimorbiden Patienten zur Sprache. Keine Therapie ohne Risiken. Das gilt insbesondere bei der pharmakologischen Schmerztherapie von multimorbiden Patienten. Im folgenden Artikel sollen klinisch relevante Fragen wie z.B. der Einsatz von Opiaten bei kognitiv beeinträchtigten Patienten oder Entscheidungshilfen bei der Auswahl der verschiedenen NSAID/Coxiben bei Patienten mit oder ohne Aspirin geboten werden. Die Vor- und Nachteile der am häufigsten verschriebenen Analgetika werden beleuchtet. Es kommen auch kurz die sinnvollsten interventionellen schmerztherapeutischen Verfahren beim multimorbiden Patienten zur Sprache.
Contrasting Objectification and Competence
Authors: Grey Melissa J. , Horgan Terrence G. , Long Tiffany A. , Herzog Noelle K. , Lindemulder James R.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Research on priming self-objectification in women frequently implements product-only control groups or nonhuman control images. This study aimed to clarify whether there was a difference in levels of self-objectification among female participants who viewed objectifying images of women, body-competent images of women, or product-only images. A sample of undergraduate females was primed with one of the above image types, after which they completed the Twenty Statements Test (TST) to examine their preoccupation with their own appearance. Results revealed that those who were primed with objectifying images of women exhibited more self-objectification than women who were primed with either body-competent images of women or product-only images. There was also no significant difference between those who only viewed products and those who viewed body-competent images of women. Results are discussed in the context of self-objectification research methods and implications for visual media artists.
Uniform yolk-shell iron sulfide–carbon nanospheres for superior sodium–iron sulfide batteries
Authors: Wang Yun-Xiao , Yang Jianping , Chou Shu-Lei , Liu Hua Kun , Zhang Wei-xian , Zhao Dongyuan , Dou Shi Xue
Published: October 2015

Sodium–metal sulfide battery holds great promise for sustainable and cost-effective applications. Nevertheless, achieving high capacity and cycling stability remains a great challenge. Here, uniform yolk-shell iron sulfide–carbon nanospheres have been synthesized as cathode materials for the emerging sodium sulfide battery to achieve remarkable capacity of ∼545 mA h g−1 over 100 cycles at 0.2 C (100 mA g−1), delivering ultrahigh energy density of ∼438 Wh kg−1. The proven conversion reaction between sodium and iron sulfide results in high capacity but severe volume changes. Nanostructural design, including of nanosized iron sulfide yolks (∼170 nm) with porous carbon shells (∼30 nm) and extra void space (∼20 nm) in between, has been used to achieve excellent cycling performance without sacrificing capacity. This sustainable sodium–iron sulfide battery is a promising candidate for stationary energy storage. Furthermore, this spatially confined sulfuration strategy offers a general method for other yolk-shell metal sulfide–carbon composites.
Reinforcing endothelial junctions prevents microvessel permeability increase and tumor cell adhesion in microvessels in vivo
Authors: Fu Bingmei M. , Yang Jinlin , Cai Bin , Fan Jie , Zhang Lin , Zeng Min
Published: October 2015

Tumor cell adhesion to the microvessel wall is a critical step during tumor metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a secretion of tumor cells, can increase microvessel permeability and tumor cell adhesion in the microvessel. To test the hypothesis that inhibiting permeability increase can reduce tumor cell adhesion, we used in vivo fluorescence microscopy to measure both microvessel permeability and adhesion rates of human mammary carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells in post-capillary venules of rat mesentery under the treatment of VEGF and a cAMP analog, 8-bromo-cAMP, which can decrease microvessel permeability. By immunostaining adherens junction proteins between endothelial cells forming the microvessel wall, we further investigated the structural mechanism by which cAMP abolishes VEGF-induced increase in microvessel permeability and tumor cell adhesion. Our results demonstrate that 1) Pretreatment of microvessels with cAMP can abolish VEGF-enhanced microvessel permeability and tumor cell adhesion; 2) Tumor cells prefer to adhere to the endothelial cell junctions instead of cell bodies; 3) VEGF increases microvessel permeability and tumor cell adhesion by compromising endothelial junctions while cAMP abolishes these effects of VEGF by reinforcing the junctions. These results suggest that strengthening the microvessel wall integrity can be a potential approach to inhibiting hematogenous tumor metastasis.
The histone deacetylase HDA19 controls root cell elongation and modulates a subset of phosphate starvation responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chen Chun-Ying , Wu Keqiang , Schmidt Wolfgang
Published: October 2015

The length of root epidermal cells and their patterning into files of hair-bearing and non-hair cells are genetically determined but respond with high plasticity to environmental cues. Limited phyto-availability of the essential mineral nutrient phosphate (Pi) increases the number of root hairs by longitudinal shortening of epidermal cells and by reprogramming the fate of cells in positions normally occupied by non-hair cells. Through analysis of the root morphology and transcriptional profiles from transgenic Arabidopsis lines with altered expression of the histone deacetylase HDA19, we show that in an intricate interplay of Pi availability and intrinsic factors, HDA19 controls the epidermal cell length, probably by altering the positional bias that dictates epidermal patterning. In addition, HDA19 regulates several Pi-responsive genes that encode proteins with important regulatory or metabolic roles in the acclimation to Pi deficiency. In particular, HDA19 affects genes encoding SPX (SYG1/Pho81/XPR) domain-containing proteins and genes involved in membrane lipid remodeling, a key response to Pi starvation that increases the free Pi in plants. Our data add a novel, non-transcriptionally regulated component of the Pi signaling network and emphasize the importance of reversible post-translational histone modification for the integration of external signals into intrinsic developmental and metabolic programs.
Synergistic anti-tumor therapy by a comb-like multifunctional antibody nanoarray with exceptionally potent activity
Authors: Li Huafei , Sun Yun , Chen Di , Zhao He , Zhao Mengxin , Zhu Xiandi , Ke Changhong , Zhang Ge , Jiang Cheng , Zhang Li , Zhang Fulei , Wei Huafeng , Li Wei
Published: October 2015

Simultaneously blocking multiple mediators offers new hope for the treatment of complex diseases. However, the curative potential of current combination therapy by chronological administration of separate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or multi-specific mAbs is still moderate due to inconvenient manipulation, low cooperative effectors, poor pharmacokinetics and insufficient tumor accumulation. Here, we describe a facile strategy that arms distinct mAbs with cooperative effectors onto a long chain to form a multicomponent comb-like nano mAb. Unlike dissociative parental mAbs, the multifunctional mAb nanoarray (PL-RB) constructed from type I/II anti-CD20 mAbs shows good pharmacokinetics. This PL-RB simultaneously targets distinct epitopes on a single antigen (Ag) and neighboring Ags on different lymphocytes. This unique intra- and intercellular Ag cross-linking endows the multifunctional mAb nanoarray with potent apoptosis activity. The exceptional apoptosis, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) that are synchronously evoked by the nano PL-RB are further synergistically promoted via enhanced permeability and retention (EPR), which resulted in high intratumor accumulation and excellent anti-lymphoma efficiency.
Identification and validation of immunogenic potential of India specific HPV-16 variant constructs: In-silico & in-vivo insight to vaccine development
Authors: Kumar Anoop , Hussain Showket , Sharma Gagan , Mehrotra Ravi , Gissmann Lutz , Das Bhudev C. , Bharadwaj Mausumi
Published: October 2015

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological cancers in the world but in India, it is the top most cancer among women. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) is the most important risk factor. The sequence variation(s) in the most common HR-HPV i.e. HPV type 16 leads to altered biological functions with possible clinical significance in the different geographical locations. Sixteen major variants (V1-V16) in full length L1 gene of HPV-16 were identified following analysis of 250 prospectively collected cervical cancer tissue biopsies and their effect on immunogenicity was studied. The effect of these major variations on the epitopes were predicted by in silico methods and the immunogenicity of variants and respective reference DNA vaccine constructs were evaluated by administration of prepared DNA vaccine constructs in female BALB/c mice to evaluate antibody titer. In the present study, L500F (V16) variation showed a significant ~2.7 fold (p < 0.002) increase in antibody titer, whereas T379P (V8) showed ~0.4 fold (p < 0.328) decrease after final injection. These results showed a promising roadmap for the development of DNA based vaccine and for the generation of effective response, though there is a need to study more prevalent variants of HPV in the Indian population.
Molecular developmental evidence for a subcoxal origin of pleurites in insects and identity of the subcoxa in the gnathal appendages
Authors: Coulcher Joshua F. , Edgecombe Gregory D. , Telford Maximilian J.
Published: October 2015

Pleurites are chitinous plates in the body wall of insects and myriapods. They are believed to be an adaptation to locomotion on land but their developmental and evolutionary origins are unclear. A widely endorsed explanation for their origin is through toughening pre-existing parts of the body wall; in contrast, the subcoxal theory suggests pleurites derive from a redeployment of the proximal-most section of the leg, the subcoxa. Here, by studying expression of appendage patterning genes in embryos and larvae of the beetle Tribolium castaneum, we provide the first molecular evidence for the existence of a cryptic subcoxal segment in developing legs. We follow this structure during development and show that the embryonic subcoxa later forms the pleurites of the larva as predicted by the subcoxal theory. Our data also demonstrate that subcoxal segments are present in all post-antennal appendages, including the first molecular evidence of a two-segmented mandible with a subcoxal segment in insects.
Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells possess better immunoregulatory properties compared to their cord-derived counterparts–a paired sample study
Authors: Talwadekar Manasi D. , Kale Vaijayanti P. , Limaye Lalita S.
Published: October 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show immunoregulatory properties. Here, we compared MSCs obtained from placenta (P-MSCs) and umbilical cord (C-MSCs) from the same donor, for their immunomodulatory efficacy. P-MSCs and C-MSCs showed similar morphology and phenotypic profile, but different clonogenic ability. Importantly, they showed a significant difference in their immunosuppressive properties as assessed in mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). The P-MSCs affected the antigen presenting ability of mononuclear cells (MNCs) and dendritic cells (DCs) significantly as compared to C-MSCs resulting in a reduced T-cell proliferation. P-MSC conditioned medium (CM) showed a significant reduction in T cell proliferation as compared to C-MSC CM, thus suggesting that a cell to cell contact is not essential. We found increased levels of IL-10 and TGFβ1 and reduction in levels of IFNγ in P-MSC MLRs as compared to C-MSC MLRs. Furthermore, the CD3+ CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory cells were enriched in case of P-MSCs in both, MSC-MNC and MSC-DC co-cultures. This observation was further supported by increased mRNA expression of FoxP3 in P-MSCs. Presently, cord-derived MSCs are being employed in transplantation therapies parallel to the bone marrow-derived MSCs. Our findings suggest that P-MSCs can be a better alternative to C-MSCs, to provide aid in immunological ailments.
On-chip plasmonic waveguide optical waveplate
Authors: Gao Linfei , Huo Yijie , Zang Kai , Paik Seonghyun , Chen Yusi , Harris James S. , Zhou Zhiping
Published: October 2015

Polarization manipulation is essential in almost every photonic system ranging from telecommunications to bio-sensing to quantum information. This is traditionally achieved using bulk waveplates. With the developing trend of photonic systems towards integration and miniaturization, the need for an on-chip waveguide type waveplate becomes extremely urgent. However, this is very challenging using conventional dielectric waveguides, which usually require complex 3D geometries to alter the waveguide symmetry and are also difficult to create an arbitrary optical axis. Recently, a waveguide waveplate was realized using femtosecond laser writing, but the device length is in millimeter range. Here, for the first time we propose and experimentally demonstrate an ultracompact, on-chip waveplate using an asymmetric hybrid plasmonic waveguide to create an arbitrary optical axis. The device is only in several microns length and produced in a flexible integratable IC compatible format, thus opening up the potential for integration into a broad range of systems.
Identification of the Streptococcus pyogenes surface antigens recognised by pooled human immunoglobulin
Authors: Reglinski Mark , Gierula Magdalena , Lynskey Nicola N. , Edwards Robert J. , Sriskandan Shiranee
Published: October 2015

Immunity to common bacteria requires the generation of antibodies that promote opsonophagocytosis and neutralise toxins. Pooled human immunoglobulin is widely advocated as an adjunctive treatment for clinical Streptococcus pyogenes infection however, the protein targets of the reagent remain ill defined. Affinity purification of the anti-streptococcal antibodies present within pooled immunoglobulin resulted in the generation of an IgG preparation that promoted opsonophagocytic killing of S. pyogenes in vitro and provided passive immunity in vivo. Isolation of the streptococcal surface proteins recognised by pooled human immunoglobulin permitted identification and ranking of 94 protein antigens, ten of which were reproducibly identified across four contemporary invasive S. pyogenes serotypes (M1, M3, M12 and M89). The data provide novel insight into the action of pooled human immunoglobulin during invasive S. pyogenes infection and demonstrate a potential route to enhance the efficacy of antibody based therapies.
Synthesis and characterization of ion imprinted polymeric nanoparticles for selective extraction and determination of mercury ions
Authors: Hashemi Beshare , Shamsipur Mojtaba , Javadi Ali , Rofouei Mohammad Kazem , Shockravi Abbas , Tajarrod Narjes , Mandumy Nushin
Published: October 2015

In the present work we have prepared a novel Hg2+-ion imprinted polymer which has efficient analytical performance in pre-concentration of mercury. The proposed sorbent permits fast recognition of mercury ions in aqueous samples.
Prediction of spin–orbital coupling effects on the electronic structure of two dimensional van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: You Baiqing , Wang Xiaocha , Mi Wenbo
Published: October 2015

We report a first-principles study on the electronic structure of van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures consisting of two dimensional (2D) materials.
Supramolecular polymerization induced self-assembly into micelle and vesicle via acid–base controlled formation of fluorescence responsive supramolecular hyperbranched polymers
Authors: Li Lijie , Zheng Xiaorui , Yu Bingran , He Lipeng , Zhang Jing , Liu Haomin , Cong Yong , Bu Weifeng
Published: October 2015

Micellar and vesicular aggregates were achieved in situ by supramolecular polymerization of π-conjugated AB2 monomers with dibenzo-24-crown-8 and dibenzylammonium groups.
Assembly of three Nd(iii) 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylates (ndc2−) 3D coordination polymers based on various secondary building units (SBUs): structural diversity and gas sorption properties
Authors: Wang Chih-Chieh , Yeh Chang-Tsung , Ke Szu-Yu , Cheng Yi-Ting , Yang Ching-Chun , Lee Gene-Hsiang , Chang Chung-Kai , Sheu Hwo-Shuenn
Published: October 2015

Three Nd(iii)–ndc2− coordination polymers were constructed using ndc2− ligands with hybrid coordination modes to generate octahedral SBUs for 1 and rod-shaped SBUs for 2 and 3, respectively.
Enhanced efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs against colorectal cancer using ligand-decorated self-breakable agents
Authors: Tsai Ming-Hsien , Peng Cheng-Liang , Yao Cheng-Jung , Shieh Ming-Jium
Published: October 2015

Targeting self-breakable micelles could facilitate Caco2 cancer cells in acidic tumor microenvironment to take up SN38 which the micelle loaded with and trigger drug release in cancer cells, resulting in enhanced drug efficacy.
Close-packed assemblies of discrete tiny silver nanoparticles on triangular gold nanoplates as a high performance SERS probe
Authors: Huang Youju , Kannan Palanisamy , Zhang Lei , Rong Yun , Dai Liwei , Huang Rongqin , Chen Tao
Published: October 2015

An island like array of tiny Ag nanoparticles bounded on triangular Au nanoplates was synthesized as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate.
Controllable synthesis and enhanced microwave absorption properties of silane-modified Ni0.4Zn0.4Co0.2Fe2O4 nanocomposites covered with reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Liu Peijiang , Yao Zhengjun , Zhou Jintang
Published: October 2015

Silane coupling agent modified Ni0.4Zn0.4Co0.2Fe2O4 ferrite decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites were firstly synthesized, and their extraordinary microwave adsorption properties were investigated.
Structure identification of endohedral golden cage nanoclusters
Authors: Wang Huai-Qian , Li Hui-Fang
Published: October 2015

The endohedral structures of MAu16− (M = Y, Zr and Nb) nanoclusters.
First results of 28 GHz superconducting electron cyclotron resonance ion source for KBSI accelerator
Authors: Park Jin Yong , Lee Byoung-Seob , Choi Seyong , Kim Seong Jun , Ok Jung-Woo , Yoon Jang-Hee , Kim Hyun Gyu , Shin Chang Seouk , Hong Jonggi , Bahng Jungbae , Won Mi-Sook
Published: October 2015

The 28 GHz superconducting electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source has been developed to produce a high current heavy ion for the linear accelerator at KBSI (Korea Basic Science Institute). The objective of this study is to generate fast neutrons with a proton target via a p(Li,n)Be reaction. The design and fabrication of the essential components of the ECR ion source, which include a superconducting magnet with a liquid helium re-condensed cryostat and a 10 kW high-power microwave, were completed. The waveguide components were connected with a plasma chamber including a gas supply system. The plasma chamber was inserted into the warm bore of the superconducting magnet. A high voltage system was also installed for the ion beam extraction. After the installation of the ECR ion source, we reported the results for ECR plasma ignition at ECRIS 2014 in Russia. Following plasma ignition, we successfully extracted multi-charged ions and obtained the first results in terms of ion beam spectra from various species. This was verified by a beam diagnostic system for a low energy beam transport system. In this article, we present the first results and report on the current status of the KBSI accelerator project.
Accelerating scientific publication in biology
Authors: Vale Ronald D.
Published: October 2015

Scientific publications enable results and ideas to be transmitted throughout the scientific community. The number and type of journal publications also have become the primary criteria used in evaluating career advancement. Our analysis suggests that publication practices have changed considerably in the life sciences over the past 30 years. More experimental data are now required for publication, and the average time required for graduate students to publish their first paper has increased and is approaching the desirable duration of PhD training. Because publication is generally a requirement for career progression, schemes to reduce the time of graduate student and postdoctoral training may be difficult to implement without also considering new mechanisms for accelerating communication of their work. The increasing time to publication also delays potential catalytic effects that ensue when many scientists have access to new information. The time has come for life scientists, funding agencies, and publishers to discuss how to communicate new findings in a way that best serves the interests of the public and the scientific community.
RVFam: an R package for rare variant association analysis with family data
Authors: Chen Ming-Huei , Yang Qiong
Published: October 2015

Summary: Family-based designs offer unique advantage for identifying rare risk variants in genetic association studies. There are existing tools for analyzing rare variants in families but lacking components to handle binary traits properly and survival traits. In this report, we introduce an R software package RVFam (Rare Variant association analysis with Family data) designed to analyze continuous, binary and survival traits against rare and common sequencing variants in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involving family data. Single and multiple variant association tests were implemented while accounting for arbitrary family structures. Extensive simulation studies were performed to evaluate all the approaches implemented in RVFam.

Availability and Implementation:  http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/RVFam/

Contact:  qyang@bu.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
funtooNorm: an R package for normalization of DNA methylation data when there are multiple cell or tissue types
Authors: Oros Klein Kathleen , Grinek Stepan , Bernatsky Sasha , Bouchard Luigi , Ciampi Antonio , Colmegna Ines , Fortin Jean-Philippe , Gao Long , Hivert Marie-France , Hudson Marie , Kobor Michael S. , Labbe Aurelie , MacIsaac Julia L. , Meaney Michael J. , Morin Alexander M. , O’Donnell Kieran J. , Pastinen Tomi , Van Ijzendoorn Marinus H. , Voisin Gregory , Greenwood Celia M.T.
Published: October 2015

Motivation: DNA methylation patterns are well known to vary substantially across cell types or tissues. Hence, existing normalization methods may not be optimal if they do not take this into account. We therefore present a new R package for normalization of data from the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation450 BeadChip (Illumina 450 K) built on the concepts in the recently published funNorm method, and introducing cell-type or tissue-type flexibility.

Results: funtooNorm is relevant for data sets containing samples from two or more cell or tissue types. A visual display of cross-validated errors informs the choice of the optimal number of components in the normalization. Benefits of cell (tissue)-specific normalization are demonstrated in three data sets. Improvement can be substantial; it is strikingly better on chromosome X, where methylation patterns have unique inter-tissue variability.

Availability and Implementation: An R package is available at https://github.com/GreenwoodLab/funtooNorm, and has been submitted to Bioconductor at http://bioconductor.org.

Contact:  celia.greenwood@mcgill.ca

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The impact of health information technology on cancer care across the continuum: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tarver Will L , Menachemi Nir
Published: October 2015

Introduction Health information technology (HIT) has the potential to play a significant role in the management of cancer. The purpose of this review is to identify and examine empirical studies that investigate the impact of HIT in cancer care on different levels of the care continuum.

Methods Electronic searches were performed in four academic databases. The authors used a three-step search process to identify 122 studies that met specific inclusion criteria. Next, a coding sheet was used to extract information from each included article to use in an analysis. Logistic regression was used to determine study-specific characteristics that were associated with positive findings.

Results Overall, 72.4% of published analyses reported a beneficial effect of HIT. Multivariate analysis found that the impact of HIT differs across the cancer continuum with studies targeting diagnosis and treatment being, respectively, 77 ( P  = .001) and 39 ( P  = .039) percentage points less likely to report a beneficial effect when compared to those targeting prevention. In addition, studies targeting HIT to patients were 31 percentage points less likely to find a beneficial effect than those targeting providers ( P  = .030). Lastly, studies assessing behavior change as an outcome were 41 percentage points less likely to find a beneficial effect ( P  = .006), while studies targeting decision making were 27 percentage points more likely to find a beneficial effect ( P  = .034).

Conclusion Based on current evidence, HIT interventions seem to be more successful when targeting physicians, care in the prevention phase of the cancer continuum, and/or decision making. An agenda for future research is discussed.
Cheminformatics-aided pharmacovigilance: application to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Authors: Low Yen S , Caster Ola , Bergvall Tomas , Fourches Denis , Zang Xiaoling , Norén G Niklas , Rusyn Ivan , Edwards Ralph , Tropsha Alexander
Published: October 2015

Objective Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models can predict adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and thus provide early warnings of potential hazards. Timely identification of potential safety concerns could protect patients and aid early diagnosis of ADRs among the exposed. Our objective was to determine whether global spontaneous reporting patterns might allow chemical substructures associated with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) to be identified and utilized for ADR prediction by QSAR models.

Materials and Methods Using a reference set of 364 drugs having positive or negative reporting correlations with SJS in the VigiBase global repository of individual case safety reports (Uppsala Monitoring Center, Uppsala, Sweden), chemical descriptors were computed from drug molecular structures. Random Forest and Support Vector Machines methods were used to develop QSAR models, which were validated by external 5-fold cross validation. Models were employed for virtual screening of DrugBank to predict SJS actives and inactives, which were corroborated using knowledge bases like VigiBase, ChemoText, and MicroMedex (Truven Health Analytics Inc, Ann Arbor, Michigan).

Results We developed QSAR models that could accurately predict if drugs were associated with SJS (area under the curve of 75%–81%). Our 10 most active and inactive predictions were substantiated by SJS reports (or lack thereof) in the literature.

Discussion Interpretation of QSAR models in terms of significant chemical descriptors suggested novel SJS structural alerts.

Conclusions We have demonstrated that QSAR models can accurately identify SJS active and inactive drugs. Requiring chemical structures only, QSAR models provide effective computational means to flag potentially harmful drugs for subsequent targeted surveillance and pharmacoepidemiologic investigations.