bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-Americanism and Anti-Interventionism in Arabic Twitter Discourses
Authors: Jamal Amaney A. , Keohane Robert O. , Romney David , Tingley Dustin
Published: March 2015

Systematic investigation of attitudes expressed in Arabic on Twitter towards the United States and Iran during 2012–13 shows how the analysis of social media can illuminate the politics of contemporary political discourses and generates an informative analysis of anti-Americanism in the Middle East. We not only analyze overall attitudes, but using a novel events-based analytical strategy, we examine reactions to specific events, including the removal of Mohamed Morsi in Egypt, theInnocence of Muslimsvideo, and reactions to possible U.S. intervention in Syria. We also examine the Boston Marathon bombings of April 2013, in which the United States suffered damage from human beings, and Hurricane Sandy, in which it suffered damage from nature. Our findings reinforce evidence from polling that anti-Americanism is pervasive and intense, but they also suggest that this animus is directed less toward American society than toward the impingement of the United States on other countries. Arabic Twitter discourses about Iran are at least as negative as discourses about the United States, and less ambivalent. Anti-Americanism may be a specific manifestation of a more general phenomenon: resentment toward powerful countries perceived as interfering in national and regional affairs.
Perceived Experience of Fatigue in Clinical and General Population: Descriptors and Associated Reactivities
Authors: Fuentes-Márquez Sandra , Senín-Calderón Cristina , Rodríguez-Testal Juan F. , Carrasco Miguel A.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study is the analysis of different descriptors and reactions related to the experience of fatigue. Two groups were compared: a clinical sample (n= 92, 31 males, mean age = 38.87) and a non-clinical (n= 225, 135 males, mean age = 32.45) sample. The total sample was composed of 317 participants (52% males), ranging in age from 18 to 76 years. Findings show the experience of fatigue was mainly related to somatic terms (76% of the total sample). Specific results were found only for the clinical group: (a) significant relationships between fatigue and anxiety, χ2(1) = 34.71,p <.01; tension, χ2(1) = 16.80,p <.01; and sadness, χ2(1) = 24.59,p <.01; (b) higher intensity of fatigue (F= 84.15,p= .001), and predominance of the cognitive components of fatigue. Results showed that fatigue in subjects with a clinical disorder (versus those without) was associated both, to negative emotional states, and to a higher intensity of fatigue, especially in its cognitive elements. Important clinical implications for its assessment and intervention are discussed.
The Promotion of Executive Functioning in a Brazilian Public School: A Pilot Study
Authors: Dias Natália Martins , Seabra Alessandra Gotuzo
Published: March 2015

Studies have highlighted the role of early Executive Functioning (EF) interventions with regard to preventing behavioral and mental health problems. In this sense, interventions to promote EF have been developed and tested; however, in Latin America, evidence of early EF-related interventions is still limited. We developed a program for EF promotion in children and applied it to first-grade students. Sixty-eight six-year-old children and their five teachers were divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). EG teachers administered the Intervention Program for Self-regulation and Executive Functions in a classroom context. The results of the ANCOVAs showed that children in the EG had significantly better performance in measures of cognitive flexibility (Trail Making Test for Preschoolers; p = .05), attention (Cancellation Attention Test – errors in the Part 3; p = .027), inhibition (Simon Task – interference score in the part 1; p = .008 and interference reaction time in the part 2; p = .010), and planning (CHEXI - planning scale; p = .041) than those in the CG. The results show that EF can be promoted using classroom intervention in public schools. These results expand previous findings for Latin America.
Low Birth Weight in MZ Twins Discordant for Birth Weight is Associated with Shorter Telomere Length and lower IQ, but not Anxiety/Depression in Later Life
Authors: Strohmaier Jana , van Dongen Jenny , Willemsen Gonneke , Nyholt Dale R. , Zhu Gu , Codd Veryan , Novakovic Boris , Hansell Narelle , Wright Margaret J. , Rietschel Liz , Streit Fabian , Henders Anjali K. , Montgomery Grant W. , Samani Nilesh J. , Gillespie Nathan A. , Hickie Ian B. , Craig Jeffrey M. , Saffery Richard , Boomsma Dorret I. , Rietschel Marcella , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: March 2015

Shorter telomere length (TL) has found to be associated with lower birth weight and with lower cognitive ability and psychiatric disorders. However, the direction of causation of these associations and the extent to which they are genetically or environmentally mediated are unclear. Within-pair comparisons of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins can throw light on these questions. We investigated correlations of within pair differences in telomere length, IQ, and anxiety/depression in an initial sample from Brisbane (242 MZ pairs, 245 DZ same sex (DZSS) pairs) and in replication samples from Amsterdam (514 MZ pairs, 233 DZSS pairs) and Melbourne (19 pairs selected for extreme high or low birth weight difference). Intra-pair differences of birth weight and telomere length were significantly correlated in MZ twins, but not in DZSS twins. Greater intra-pair differences of telomere length were observed in the 10% of MZ twins with the greatest difference in birth weight compared to the bottom 90% in both samples and also in the Melbourne sample. Intra-pair differences of telomere length and IQ, but not of TL and anxiety/depression, were correlated in MZ twins, and to a smaller extent in DZSS twins. Our findings suggest that the same prenatal effects that reduce birth weight also influence telomere length in MZ twins. The association between telomere length and IQ is partly driven by the same prenatal effects that decrease birth weight.
Genetic Contribution to the Variance of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression of Twin Studies
Authors: Wang Biqi , Liao Chunxiao , Zhou Bin , Cao Weihua , Lv Jun , Yu Canqing , Gao Wenjing , Li Liming
Published: March 2015

The genetic contribution of blood pressure and heart rate (HR) varied widely between studies. Demographic factors such as ethnicity, age and/or sex might explain some of the heterogeneity. We performed a systematic review focusing on four phenotypes: systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), HR and pulse pressure (PP). Meta-regression was conducted to analyze potential factors in relation to SBP and DBP heritability. A total of 10,613 independent twins that came from 17 studies were included in the analysis. The weighted mean value of heritability for SBP and DBP was 0.54 (95% CIs: 0.48–0.60) and 0.49 (95% CIs: 0.42–0.56). Comparatively, three studies of HR and four studies of PP heritability were limited for the heterogeneity test. Meta-regression showed that, on average, SBP heritability with additive genes/unique environment (AE) model tend to have a higher heritability than additive genes/shared environment/unique environment (ACE) model (coefficient = 0.0947,p= .0142). A similar result was found for DBP as well. No other factors such as sex, age, ethnicity, publication year were significantly associated with heritability variance. Our study shows heritability estimates based on twin studies of both SBP and DBP are around 50%, using an AE rather than an ACE model; the variance due to C ended up in A, suggesting that the AE model may overestimate heritability if a small contribution of shared environment exists.
Psychotherapie und Neurowissenschaften
Authors: Böker Heinz , Seifritz Erich
Published: March 2015

Es werden die Ergebnisse von Neuroimaging-Studien zu den neuronalen Korrelaten der Wirkmechanismen von Psychotherapie bei Angststörungen, Zwangsstörungen und der Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung präsentiert. Die Studienergebnisse unterstreichen die Wechselwirkung von selbstregulativen affektiv-kognitiven Fähigkeiten, die durch Psychotherapie gefördert werden, mit Aktivierungsmustern des Gehirns. Die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen neurowissenschaftlicher Studien zu den Wirkmechanismen der Psychotherapie werden kritisch diskutiert.
Neurowissenschaftliche Forschung und Psychotherapie bei der Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung
Authors: Winter Dorina , Schmahl Christian , Krause-Utz Annegret
Published: March 2015

Die Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung (BPS) ist durch gestörte Affektregulation, veränderte Schmerzverarbeitung, Dissoziation, Impulsivität und interpersonelle Probleme gekennzeichnet. Diese psychopathologische Kernbereiche konnten mit Veränderungen auf neuronaler Ebene in Verbindung gebracht werden: Im Vergleich zu Gesunden zeigten Patienten mit BPS eine stärkere Aktivierung in (para)limbischen Gehirnregionen, die mit Emotionsverarbeitung assoziiert sind (z. B. Amygdala, Insel), und eine verminderte Rekrutierung cingulärer und präfrontaler Gehirnareale, die mit exekutiven und regulatorischen Prozessen assoziiert sind (z. B. anteriorer Cingulärer Cortex, orbitofrontaler Cortex, dorsomedialer und dorsolateraler präfrontaler Cortex). Erste Studien legen einen Einfluss von Psychotherapie auf neuronale Korrelate der Emotionsverarbeitung nahe. Mit dem Neurofeedback-Training ist zudem ein Verfahren entwickelt worden, das gezielt an neurowissenschaftlichen Forschungsbefunden ansetzt und Interventionen auf neuronaler Ebene ermöglicht. Wesentlich mehr Forschung ist jedoch nötig, um den Zusammenhang von Neurobiologie und Psychotherapie bei der BPS zu untersuchen. Ein Ausblick auf mögliche Implikationen und offene Fragestellungen wird gegeben.
Neurowissenschaftliche Befunde zur Psychotherapie von Angststörungen
Authors: Brühl Annette Beatrix , Herwig Uwe , Rufer Michael , Weidt Steffi
Published: March 2015

In dieser Übersicht werden Studien zusammengefasst, die neurobiologische Effekte der Psychotherapie oder neurobiologische Prädiktoren der Therapieresponse bei Angststörungen und Zwangsstörungen untersucht haben. Die Haupteffekte therapeutischer Interventionen bestanden in einer Aktivitäts-Normalisierung von zuvor meist überaktiven Hirnregionen. Bei den Angststörungen reduzierte bzw. normalisierte Psychotherapie die zunächst erhöhte Aktivität in der Amygdala sowie in präfrontalen Regionen. Bei der Zwangsstörung reduzierte bzw. normalisierte Psychotherapie eher die Aktivität im orbitofrontalen Cortex und anterioren Cingulum sowie in den Basalganglien (Striatum). Zusammenfassend scheint ein neurobiologischer Effekt von Psychotherapie bei Angst- und Zwangsstörungen darin zu bestehen, dass sich die im Vergleich zu Gesunden gesteigerte Aktivität spezifischer Netzwerke normalisiert. Es gibt hingegen keine deutlichen Hinweise auf kompensatorische Mechanismen. Dabei zeigen sich Unterschiede zwischen den Angststörungen (Fokus Amygdala) und der Zwangsstörung (Fokus orbitofrontal/striatal). Zukünftig könnten solche Befunde auch eine Basis für Neurofeedback-Training als Ergänzung zur Psychotherapie sein.
Climate Science Day on Capitol Hill Connects Scientists and Policy Makers
Authors: Strelich Lily
Published: March 2015

Climate scientists gathered in Washington, D. C., to meet with congressional staff and to emphasize the importance of climate science and its role in protecting jobs, infrastructure, and public safety.
Shooting Stars and Cosmic Dust Help Form Clouds, Fertilize Plankton
Authors: Betz Eric
Published: March 2015

Tons of cosmic dust enter Earth's atmosphere each day, triggering a range of phenomena that scientists are only just beginning to understand.
A Modified Technique to Remotely Detect Subsurface Melt
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: March 2015

Adapting a technique known as H-κ stacking to consider anisotropy opens up the approach to new uses.
Oligoadenylate synthase-like (OASL) proteins: dual functions and associations with diseases
Authors: Choi Un Yung , Kang Ji-Seon , Hwang Yune Sahng , Kim Young-Joon
Published: March 2015

The study of antiviral pathways to reveal methods for the effective response and clearance of virus is closely related to understanding interferon (IFN) signaling and its downstream target genes, IFN-stimulated genes. One of the key antiviral factors induced by IFNs, 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthase (OAS), is a well-known molecule that regulates the early phase of viral infection by degrading viral RNA in combination with RNase L, resulting in the inhibition of viral replication. In this review, we describe OAS family proteins from a different point of view from that of previous reviews. We discuss not only RNase L-dependent (canonical) and -independent (noncanonical) pathways but also the possibility of the OAS family members as biomarkers for various diseases and clues to non-immunological functions based on recent studies. In particular, we focus on OASL, a member of the OAS family that is relatively less well understood than the other members. We will explain its anti- and pro-viral dual roles as well as the diseases related to single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the corresponding gene.
Conserved and divergent aspects of human T‐cell development and migration in humanized mice
Authors: Halkias Joanna , Yen Bonnie , Taylor Kayleigh T , Reinhartz Olaf , Winoto Astar , Robey Ellen A , Melichar Heather J
Published: March 2015

Humanized mice represent an important model to study the development and function of the human immune system. While it is known that mouse thymic stromal cells can support human T‐cell development, the extent of interspecies cross‐talk and the degree to which these systems recapitulate normal human T‐cell development remain unclear. To address these questions, we compared conventional and non‐conventional T‐cell development in a neonatal chimera humanized mouse model with that seen in human fetal and neonatal thymus samples, and also examined the impact of a human HLA‐A2 transgene expressed by the mouse stroma. Given that dynamic migration and cell–cell interactions are essential for T‐cell differentiation, we also studied the intrathymic migration pattern of human thymocytes developing in a murine thymic environment. We found that both conventional T‐cell development and intra‐thymic migration patterns in humanized mice closely resemble human thymopoiesis. Additionally, we show that developing human thymocytes engage in short, serial interactions with other human hematopoietic‐derived cells. However, non‐conventional T‐cell differentiation in humanized mice differed from both fetal and neonatal human thymopoiesis, including a marked deficiency of Foxp3+ T‐cell development. These data suggest that although the murine thymic microenvironment can support a number of aspects of human T‐cell development, important differences remain, and additional human‐specific factors may be required.
The biogeography of abundant and rare bacterioplankton in the lakes and reservoirs of China
Authors: Liu Lemian , Yang Jun , Yu Zheng , Wilkinson David M
Published: March 2015

Bacteria play key roles in the ecology of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; however, little is known about their diversity and biogeography, especially in the rare microbial biosphere of inland freshwater ecosystems. Here we investigated aspects of the community ecology and geographical distribution of abundant and rare bacterioplankton using high-throughput sequencing and examined the relative influence of local environmental variables and regional (spatial) factors on their geographical distribution patterns in 42 lakes and reservoirs across China. Our results showed that the geographical patterns of abundant and rare bacterial subcommunities were generally similar, and both of them showed a significant distance–decay relationship. This suggests that the rare bacterial biosphere is not a random assembly, as some authors have assumed, and that its distribution is most likely subject to the same ecological processes that control abundant taxa. However, we identified some differences between the abundant and rare groups as both groups of bacteria showed a significant positive relationship between sites occupancy and abundance, but the abundant bacteria exhibited a weaker distance–decay relationship than the rare bacteria. Our results implied that rare subcommunities were mostly governed by local environmental variables, whereas the abundant subcommunities were mainly affected by regional factors. In addition, both local and regional variables that were significantly related to the spatial variation of abundant bacterial community composition were different to those of rare ones, suggesting that abundant and rare bacteria may have discrepant ecological niches and may play different roles in natural ecosystems.
High-intensity double-pulse X-ray free-electron laser
Authors: Marinelli A. , Ratner D. , Lutman A.A. , Turner J. , Welch J. , Decker F.-J. , Loos H. , Behrens C. , Gilevich S. , Miahnahri A.A. , Vetter S. , Maxwell T.J. , Ding Y. , Coffee R. , Wakatsuki S. , Huang Z.
Published: March 2015

The X-ray free-electron laser has opened a new era for photon science, improving the X-ray brightness by ten orders of magnitude over previously available sources. Similar to an optical laser, the spectral and temporal structure of the radiation pulses can be tailored to the specific needs of many experiments by accurately manipulating the lasing medium, that is, the electron beam. Here we report the generation of mJ-level two-colour hard X-ray pulses of few femtoseconds duration with an XFEL driven by twin electron bunches at the Linac Coherent Light Source. This performance represents an improvement of over an order of magnitude in peak power over state-of-the-art two-colour XFELs. The unprecedented intensity and temporal coherence of this new two-colour X-ray free-electron laser enable an entirely new set of scientific applications, ranging from X-ray pump/X-ray probe experiments to the imaging of complex biological samples with multiple wavelength anomalous dispersion.
Visualizing real-time influenza virus infection, transmission and protection in ferrets
Authors: Karlsson Erik A. , Meliopoulos Victoria A. , Savage Chandra , Livingston Brandi , Mehle Andrew , Schultz-Cherry Stacey
Published: March 2015

Influenza transmission efficiency in ferrets is vital for risk-assessment studies. However, the inability to monitor viral infection and transmission dynamics in real time only provides a glimpse into transmissibility. Here we exploit a replication-competent influenza reporter virus to investigate dynamics of infection/transmission in ferrets. Bioluminescent imaging of ferrets infected with A/California/04/2009 H1N1 virus (CA/09) encoding NanoLuc (NLuc) luciferase provides the first real-time snapshot of influenza infection/transmission. Luminescence in the respiratory tract and in less well-characterized extra-pulmonary sites is observed, and imaging identifies infections in animals that would have otherwise been missed by traditional methods. Finally, the reporter virus significantly increases the speed and sensitivity of virological and serological assays. Thus, bioluminescent imaging of influenza infections rapidly determines intra-host dissemination, inter-host transmission and viral load, revealing infection dynamics and pandemic potential of the virus. These results have important implications for antiviral drug susceptibility, vaccine efficacy, transmissibility and pathogenicity studies.
Partially coherent ultrafast spectrography
Authors: Bourassin-Bouchet C. , Couprie M.-E.
Published: March 2015

Modern ultrafast metrology relies on the postulate that the pulse to be measured is fully coherent, that is, that it can be completely described by its spectrum and spectral phase. However, synthesizing fully coherent pulses is not always possible in practice, especially in the domain of emerging ultrashort X-ray sources where temporal metrology is strongly needed. Here we demonstrate how frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG), the first and one of the most widespread techniques for pulse characterization, can be adapted to measure partially coherent pulses even down to the attosecond timescale. No modification of experimental apparatuses is required; only the processing of the measurement changes. To do so, we take our inspiration from other branches of physics where partial coherence is routinely dealt with, such as quantum optics and coherent diffractive imaging. This will have important and immediate applications, such as enabling the measurement of X-ray free-electron laser pulses despite timing jitter.
Nitrogenated holey two-dimensional structures
Authors: Mahmood Javeed , Lee Eun Kwang , Jung Minbok , Shin Dongbin , Jeon In-Yup , Jung Sun-Min , Choi Hyun-Jung , Seo Jeong-Min , Bae Seo-Yoon , Sohn So-Dam , Park Noejung , Oh Joon Hak , Shin Hyung-Joon , Baek Jong-Beom
Published: March 2015

Recent graphene research has triggered enormous interest in new two-dimensional ordered crystals constructed by the inclusion of elements other than carbon for bandgap opening. The design of new multifunctional two-dimensional materials with proper bandgap has become an important challenge. Here we report a layered two-dimensional network structure that possesses evenly distributed holes and nitrogen atoms and a C2N stoichiometry in its basal plane. The two-dimensional structure can be efficiently synthesized via a simple wet-chemical reaction and confirmed with various characterization techniques, including scanning tunnelling microscopy. Furthermore, a field-effect transistor device fabricated using the material exhibits an on/off ratio of 107, with calculated and experimental bandgaps of approximately 1.70 and 1.96 eV, respectively. In view of the simplicity of the production method and the advantages of the solution processability, the C2N-h2D crystal has potential for use in practical applications.
An organic transistor-based system for reference-less electrophysiological monitoring of excitable cells
Authors: Spanu A. , Lai S. , Cosseddu P. , Tedesco M. , Martinoia S. , Bonfiglio A.
Published: March 2015

In the last four decades, substantial advances have been done in the understanding of the electrical behavior of excitable cells. From the introduction in the early 70's of the Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor (ISFET), a lot of effort has been put in the development of more and more performing transistor-based devices to reliably interface electrogenic cells such as, for example, cardiac myocytes and neurons. However, depending on the type of application, the electronic devices used to this aim face several problems like the intrinsic rigidity of the materials (associated with foreign body rejection reactions), lack of transparency and the presence of a reference electrode. Here, an innovative system based on a novel kind of organic thin film transistor (OTFT), called organic charge modulated FET (OCMFET), is proposed as a flexible, transparent, reference-less transducer of the electrical activity of electrogenic cells. The exploitation of organic electronics in interfacing the living matters will open up new perspectives in the electrophysiological field allowing us to head toward a modern era of flexible, reference-less and low cost probes with high-spatial and high-temporal resolution for a new generation of in-vitro and in-vivo monitoring platforms.
Discrete Li-occupation versus pseudo-continuous Na-occupation and their relationship with structural change behaviors in Fe2(MoO4)3
Authors: Yue Ji-Li , Zhou Yong-Ning , Shi Si-Qi , Shadike Zulipiya , Huang Xuan-Qi , Luo Jun , Yang Zhen-Zhong , Li Hong , Gu Lin , Yang Xiao-Qing , Fu Zheng-Wen
Published: March 2015

The key factors governing the single-phase or multi-phase structural change behaviors during the intercalation/deintercalation of guest ions have not been well studied and understood yet. Through systematic studies of orthorhombic Fe2(MoO4)3 electrode, two distinct guest ion occupation paths, namely discrete one for Li and pseudo-continuous one for Na, as well as their relationship with single-phase and two-phase modes for Na+ and Li+, respectively during the intercalation/deintercalation process have been demonstrated. For the first time, the direct atomic-scale observation of biphasic domains (discrete occupation) in partially lithiated Fe2(MoO4)3 and the one by one Na occupation (pseudo-continuous occupation) at 8d sites in partially sodiated Fe2(MoO4)3 are obtained during the discharge processes of Li/Fe2(MoO4)3 and Na/Fe2(MoO4)3 cells respectively. Our combined experimental and theoretical studies bring the new insights for the research and development of intercalation compounds as electrode materials for secondary batteries.
Amphiregulin activates human hepatic stellate cells and is upregulated in non alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: McKee Chad , Sigala Barbara , Soeda Junpei , Mouralidarane Angelina , Morgan Maelle , Mazzoccoli Gianluigi , Rappa Francesca , Cappello Francesco , Cabibi Daniela , Pazienza Valerio , Selden Claire , Roskams Tania , Vinciguerra Manlio , Oben Jude A.
Published: March 2015

Amphiregulin (AR) involvement in liver fibrogenesis and hepatic stellate cells (HSC) regulation is under study. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Our aim was to investigate ex vivo the effect of AR on human primary HSC (hHSC) and verify in vivo the relevance of AR in NAFLD fibrogenesis. hHSC isolated from healthy liver segments were analyzed for expression of AR and its activator, TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE). AR induction of hHSC proliferation and matrix production was estimated in the presence of antagonists. AR involvement in fibrogenesis was also assessed in a mouse model of NASH and in humans with NASH. hHSC time dependently expressed AR and TACE. AR increased hHSC proliferation through several mitogenic signaling pathways such as EGFR, PI3K and p38. AR also induced marked upregulation of hHSC fibrogenic markers and reduced hHSC death. AR expression was enhanced in the HSC of a murine model of NASH and of severe human NASH. In conclusion, AR induces hHSC fibrogenic activity via multiple mitogenic signaling pathways and is upregulated in murine and human NASH, suggesting that AR antagonists may be clinically useful anti-fibrotics in NAFLD.
New potential eukaryotic substrates of the mycobacterial protein tyrosine phosphatase PtpA: hints of a bacterial modulation of macrophage bioenergetics state
Authors: Margenat Mariana , Labandera Anne-Marie , Gil Magdalena , Carrion Federico , Purificação Marcela , Razzera Guilherme , Portela María Magdalena , Obal Gonzalo , Terenzi Hernán , Pritsch Otto , Durán Rosario , Ferreira Ana María , Villarino Andrea
Published: March 2015

The bacterial protein tyrosine phosphatase PtpA is a key virulence factor released by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the cytosol of infected macrophages. So far only two unrelated macrophage components (VPS33B, GSK3α) have been identified as PtpA substrates. As tyrosine phosphatases are capable of using multiple substrates, we developed an improved methodology to pull down novel PtpA substrates from an enriched P-Y macrophage extract using the mutant PtpA D126A. This methodology reduced non-specific protein interactions allowing the identification of four novel putative PtpA substrates by MALDI-TOF-MS and nano LC-MS: three mitochondrial proteins - the trifunctional enzyme (TFP), the ATP synthase and the sulfide quinone oxidoreductase - and the cytosolic 6-phosphofructokinase. All these proteins play a relevant role in cell energy metabolism. Using surface plasmon resonance, PtpA was found to bind immunopurified human TFP through its catalytic site since TFP-PtpA association was inhibited by a specific phosphatase inhibitor. Moreover, PtpA wt was capable of dephosphorylating immunopurified human TFP in vitro supporting that TFP may be a bona fide PtpA susbtrate. Overall, these results suggest a novel scenario where PtpA-mediated dephosphorylation may affect pathways involved in cell energy metabolism, particularly the beta oxidation of fatty acids through modulation of TFP activity and/or cell distribution.
A Lower pH Value Benefits Regeneration of Trichosanthes kirilowii by Somatic Embryogenesis, Involving Rhizoid Tubers (RTBs), a Novel Structure
Authors: Xu Ke-dong , Chang Yun-xia , Zhang Ju , Wang Pei-long , Wu Jian-xin , Li Yan-yan , Wang Xiao-wen , Wang Wei , Liu Kun , Zhang Yi , Yu De-shui , Liao Li-bing , Li Yi , Ma Shu-ya , Tan Guang-xuan , Li Cheng-wei
Published: March 2015

A new approach was established for the regeneration of Trichosanthes kirilowii from root, stem and leaf explants by somatic embryogenesis (SE), involving a previously unreported SE structure, rhizoid tubers (RTBs). During SE, special rhizoids were first induced from root, stem and leaf explants with average rhizoid numbers of 62.33, 40.17 and 11.53 per explant, respectively, on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (pH 4.0) supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) under dark conditions. Further, one RTB was formed from each of the rhizoids on MS medium (pH 4.0) supplemented with 20 mg/L thidiazuron (TDZ) under light conditions. In the suitable range (pH 4.0–9.0), a lower pH value increased the induction of rhizoids and RTBs. Approximately 37.77, 33.47 and 31.07% of in vivo RTBs from root, stem and leaf explants, respectively, spontaneously developed into multiple plantlets on the same MS medium (supplemented with 20 mg/L TDZ) for induction of RTBs, whereas >95.00% of in vitro RTBs from each kind of explant developed into multiple plantlets on MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Morphological and histological analyses revealed that RTB is a novel type of SE structure that develops from the cortex cells of rhizoids.
Temporal frequency of events rather than speed dilates perceived duration of moving objects
Authors: Linares Daniel , Gorea Andrei
Published: March 2015

In everyday life moving objects often follow irregular or repetitive trajectories for which distinctive events are potentially noticeable. It is known that the perceived duration of moving objects is distorted, but whether the distortion is due to the temporal frequency of the events or to the speed of the objects remains unclear. Disentangling the contribution of these factors to perceived duration distortions is ecologically relevant: if perceived duration were dependent on speed, it should contract with the distance from the observer to the moving objects. Here, we asked observers to estimate the perceived duration of an object rotating at different speeds and radii and found that perceived duration dilated with temporal frequency of rotations, rather than speed (or perceived speed, which we also measured). We also found that the dilation was larger for two than for one object, but the increase was not large enough to make perceived duration independent of the number of objects when expressed as a function of the local frequency (the number of times an object crossed a given location per time unit). These results suggest that perceived duration of natural stimuli containing distinctive events doesn't depend on the distance of the events to the observer.
Finding communities in sparse networks
Authors: Singh Abhinav , Humphries Mark D.
Published: March 2015

Spectral algorithms based on matrix representations of networks are often used to detect communities, but classic spectral methods based on the adjacency matrix and its variants fail in sparse networks. New spectral methods based on non-backtracking random walks have recently been introduced that successfully detect communities in many sparse networks. However, the spectrum of non-backtracking random walks ignores hanging trees in networks that can contain information about their community structure. We introduce the reluctant backtracking operators that explicitly account for hanging trees as they admit a small probability of returning to the immediately previous node, unlike the non-backtracking operators that forbid an immediate return. We show that the reluctant backtracking operators can detect communities in certain sparse networks where the non-backtracking operators cannot, while performing comparably on benchmark stochastic block model networks and real world networks. We also show that the spectrum of the reluctant backtracking operator approximately optimises the standard modularity function. Interestingly, for this family of non- and reluctant-backtracking operators the main determinant of performance on real-world networks is whether or not they are normalised to conserve probability at each node.
Substitution-induced spin-splitted surface states in topological insulator (Bi1−xSbx)2Te3
Authors: He Xiaoyue , Li Hui , Chen Lan , Wu Kehui
Published: March 2015

We present a study on surface states of topological insulator (Bi1−xSbx)2Te3 by imaging quasiparticle interference patterns (QPI) using low temperature scanning tunneling microscope. Besides the topological Dirac state, we observed another surface state with chiral spin texture within the conduction band range. The quasiparticle scattering in this state is selectively suppressed. Combined with first-principles calculations, we attribute this state to a spin-splitted band induced by the substitution of Bi with Sb atoms. Our results demonstrate that the coexistence of topological order and alloying may open wider tunability in quantum materials.
Microrheology with Optical Tweezers: Measuring the relative viscosity of solutions ‘at a glance’
Authors: Tassieri Manlio , Giudice Francesco Del , Robertson Emma J. , Jain Neena , Fries Bettina , Wilson Rab , Glidle Andrew , Greco Francesco , Netti Paolo Antonio , Maffettone Pier Luca , Bicanic Tihana , Cooper Jonathan M.
Published: March 2015

We present a straightforward method for measuring the relative viscosity of fluidsviaa simple graphical analysis of the normalised position autocorrelation function of an optically trapped bead, without the need of embarking on laborious calculations. The advantages of the proposed microrheology method are evident when it is adopted for measurements of materials whose availability is limited, such as those involved in biological studies. The method has been validated by direct comparison with conventional bulk rheology methods and has been applied both to characterise synthetic linear polyelectrolytes solutions and to study biomedical samples.
Outlier-resilient complexity analysis of heartbeat dynamics
Authors: Lo Men-Tzung , Chang Yi-Chung , Lin Chen , Young Hsu-Wen Vincent , Lin Yen-Hung , Ho Yi-Lwun , Peng Chung-Kang , Hu Kun
Published: March 2015

Complexity in physiological outputs is believed to be a hallmark of healthy physiological control. How to accurately quantify the degree of complexity in physiological signals with outliers remains a major barrier for translating this novel concept of nonlinear dynamic theory to clinical practice. Here we propose a new approach to estimate the complexity in a signal by analyzing the irregularity of the sign time series of its coarse-grained time series at different time scales. Using surrogate data, we show that the method can reliably assess the complexity in noisy data while being highly resilient to outliers. We further apply this method to the analysis of human heartbeat recordings. Without removing any outliers due to ectopic beats, the method is able to detect a degradation of cardiac control in patients with congestive heart failure and a more degradation in critically ill patients whose life continuation relies on extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO). Moreover, the derived complexity measures can predict the mortality of ECMO patients. These results indicate that the proposed method may serve as a promising tool for monitoring cardiac function of patients in clinical settings.
Peripheral Substitution: An Easy Way to Tuning the Magnetic Behavior of Tetrakis(phthalocyaninato) Dysprosium(III) SMMs
Authors: Shang Hong , Zeng Suyuan , Wang Hailong , Dou Jianmin , Jiang Jianzhuang
Published: March 2015

Two tetrakis(phthalocyaninato) dysprosium(III)-cadmium(II) single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with different extent of phthalocyanine peripheral substitution and therefore different coordination geometry for the Dy ions were revealed to exhibit different SMM behavior, providing an easy way to tuning and controlling the molecular structure and in turn the magnetic properties of tetrakis(tetrapyrrole) lanthanide SMMs through simple tetrapyrrole peripheral substitution.
Transforming growth factor beta 3 involved in the pathogenesis of synovial chondromatosis of temporomandibular joint
Authors: Li Yingjie , El.Mozen Loaye Abdelaziz , Cai Hengxing , Fang Wei , Meng Qinggong , Li Jian , Deng Mohong , Long Xing
Published: March 2015

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) of temporomandibular joint is rare proliferative disorder featured by the formation of cartilaginous nodules in synovium and joint space. Transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGF-β3) is closely related to chondrogenic differentiation and might participate in pathogenesis of SC. We discovered that increased quantity of synoviocytes and blood vessels were observed in SC synovium. The vessel wall and sublining fibroblasts were stained positively by the antibodies against TGF-β3, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) and CD34. In loose bodies (LBs), TGF-β3 was mainly expressed in chondrocytes and FGF-2 was expressed in chondrocytes, fibroblasts and vessel walls. Expressions of TGF-β1, TGF-β3, FGF-2, Sox9, Wnt-4, Foxc2 and VEGF-A mRNA were significantly higher in SC synovium. Stimulation of TGF-β3 on synoviocytes increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and expressions of chondrogenic genes (Sox9, Col2α1, Aggrecan, Wnt-4 and Wnt-11), osteogenic genes (Runx2, Foxc2, osteocalcin and Col1α1) and VEGF-A, but failed to influence FGF-2 expression. However, the addition of FGF-2 increased TGF-β3 expression. In conclusion, TGF-β3 existed in synovium and LBs of SC and was responsible for the pathogenesis of SC.
Emergence of infectious malignant thrombocytopenia in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) by SRV-4 after transmission to a novel host
Authors: Okamoto Munehiro , Miyazawa Takayuki , Morikawa Shigeru , Ono Fumiko , Nakamura Shota , Sato Eiji , Yoshida Tomoyuki , Yoshikawa Rokusuke , Sakai Kouji , Mizutani Tetsuya , Nagata Noriyo , Takano Jun-ichiro , Okabayashi Sachi , Hamano Masataka , Fujimoto Koji , Nakaya Takaaki , Iida Tetsuya , Horii Toshihiro , Miyabe-Nishiwaki Takako , Watanabe Akino , Kaneko Akihisa , Saito Akatsuki , Matsui Atsushi , Hayakawa Toshiyuki , Suzuki Juri , Akari Hirofumi , Matsuzawa Tetsuro , Hirai Hirohisa
Published: March 2015

We discovered a lethal hemorrhagic syndrome arising from severe thrombocytopenia in Japanese macaques kept at the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University. Extensive investigation identified that simian retrovirus type 4 (SRV-4) was the causative agent of the disease. SRV-4 had previously been isolated only from cynomolgus macaques in which it is usually asymptomatic. We consider that the SRV-4 crossed the so-called species barrier between cynomolgus and Japanese macaques, leading to extremely severe acute symptoms in the latter. Infectious agents that cross the species barrier occasionally amplify in virulence, which is not observed in the original hosts. In such cases, the new hosts are usually distantly related to the original hosts. However, Japanese macaques are closely related to cynomolgus macaques and can even hybridize when given the opportunity. This lethal outbreak of a novel pathogen in Japanese macaques highlights the need to modify our expectations about virulence with regards crossing species barriers.
An evolutionary inspection game with labour unions on small-world networks
Authors: Kamal Salahuddin M. , Al-Hadeethi Yas , Abolaban Fouad A. , Al-Marzouki Fahad M. , Perc Matjaž
Published: March 2015

We study an evolutionary inspection game where agents can chose between working and shirking. The evolutionary process is staged on a small-world network, through which agents compare their incomes and, based on the outcome, decide which strategy to adopt. Moreover, we introduce union members that have certain privileges, of which the extent depends on the bargaining power of the union. We determine how the union affects the overall performance of the firm that employs the agents and what are its influences on the employees. We find that, depending on its bargaining power, the union has significant leverage to deteriorate the productivity of a firm and consequently also to lower the long-run benefits of the employees.
Angiotensin-converting enzymes modulate aphid–plant interactions
Authors: Wang Wei , Luo Lan , Lu Hong , Chen Shaoliang , Kang Le , Cui Feng
Published: March 2015

Angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACEs) are key components of the renin–angiotensin system in mammals. However, the function of ACE homologs in insect saliva is unclear. Aphids presumably deliver effector proteins via saliva into plant cells to maintain a compatible insect–plant interaction. In this study, we showed that ACE modulates aphid–plant interactions by affecting feeding behavior and survival of aphids on host plants. Three ACE genes were identified from the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum genome. ACE1 and ACE2 were highly expressed in the salivary glands and are predicted to function as secretory proteins. The ACE2 transcript level decreased in aphids fed on artificial diet compared with aphids fed on Vicia faba. The knockdown of the expression of each ACE by RNAi failed to affect aphid survival. When ACE1 and ACE2 were simultaneously knocked down, aphid feeding was enhanced. Aphids required less time to find the phloem sap and showed longer passive ingestion. However, the simultaneous knockdown of ACE1 and ACE2 resulted in a higher mortality rate than the control group when aphids were fed on plants. These results indicated that ACE1 and ACE2 function together to modulate A. pisum feeding and survival on plants.
Dietary Methionine Restriction in Mice Elicits an Adaptive Cardiovascular Response to Hyperhomocysteinemia
Authors: Ables Gene P. , Ouattara Amadou , Hampton Thomas G. , Cooke Diana , Perodin Frantz , Augie Ines , Orentreich David S.
Published: March 2015

Dietary methionine restriction (MR) in rodents increased lifespan despite higher heart-to-body weight ratio (w/w) and hyperhomocysteinemia, which are symptoms associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. We investigated this paradoxical effect of MR on cardiac function using young, old and apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-KO) mice. Indeed, MR animals exhibited higher heart-to-body weight ratio (w/w) and hyperhomocysteinemia with a molecular pattern consistent with cardiac stress while maintaining the integrity of cardiac structure. Baseline cardiac function, which was measured by non-invasive electrocardiography (ECG), showed that young MR mice had prolonged QRS intervals compared with control-fed (CF) mice, whereas old and ApoE-KO mice showed similar results for both groups. Following β-adrenergic challenge, responses of MR mice were either similar or attenuated compared with CF mice. Cardiac contractility, which was measured by isolated heart retrograde perfusion, was similar in both groups of old mice. Finally, the MR diet induced secretion of cardioprotective hormones, adiponectin and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), in MR mice with concomitant alterations in cardiac metabolic molecular signatures. Our findings demonstrate that MR diet does not alter cardiac function in mice despite the presence of hyperhomocysteinemia because of the adaptive responses of increased adiponectin and FGF21 levels.
Exploring Mn–O bonding in the context of an electronically flexible secondary coordination sphere: synthesis of a Mn(iii)–oxo
Authors: Park Yun Ji , Matson Ellen M. , Nilges Mark J. , Fout Alison R.
Published: March 2015

Stabilization of Mn–O bonds by hydrogen-bond donating and accepting secondary coordination sphere.
A visual and organic vapor sensitive photonic crystal sensor consisting of polymer-infiltrated SiO2 inverse opal
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Qiu Jianhua , Hu Rongrong , Li Pei , Gao Loujun , Heng Liping , Tang Ben Zhong , Jiang Lei
Published: March 2015

Tetraphenylethene polymer-infiltrated SiO2 inverse opal can detect tetrahydrofuran/acetones vapors according to the color change, which is resulted from the adsorption–desorption of vapors.
A dual-responsive “turn-on” bifunctional receptor: a chemosensor for Fe3+ and chemodosimeter for Hg2+
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Sujay , Gupta Rakesh Kumar , Biswas Arnab , Kumar Amit , Dubey Mrigendra , Hundal Maninder Singh , Pandey Daya Shankar
Published: March 2015

Synthesis and characterization of L1–L3 along with their selective detection toward Fe3+ and Hg2+ at ppb level, exhibiting bifunctional behaviour have been presented.
Morphology control of the perovskite films for efficient solar cells
Authors: Zheng Lingling , Zhang Danfei , Ma Yingzhuang , Lu Zelin , Chen Zhijian , Wang Shufeng , Xiao Lixin , Gong Qihuang
Published: March 2015

In the past two years, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells has significantly increased up to 20.1%.
Influence of gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuel in the combined blend of Jatropha biodiesel and diesel: an analysis of engine combustion–performance–emission parameters
Authors: Sajjad H. , Masjuki H. H. , Varman M. , Kalam M. A. , Arbab M. I. , Imtenan S. , Rashedul H. K.
Published: March 2015

This study presents a comparative analysis of the blends of JBD (J20) and GTL fuel (G20) with diesel, including a ternary blend of JBD-GTL-diesel (DJG20), in the context of fuel properties, engine performance and emission characteristics.
Reaction-based Indicator displacement Assay (RIA) for the selective colorimetric and fluorometric detection of peroxynitrite
Authors: Sun Xiaolong , Lacina Karel , Ramsamy Elena C. , Flower Stephen E. , Fossey John S. , Qian Xuhong , Anslyn Eric V. , Bull Steven D. , James Tony D.
Published: March 2015

Using the self-assembly of aromatic boronic acids with Alizarin Red S (ARS), we developed a new chemosensor for the selective detection of peroxynitrite.
Metal acetylacetonate complexes for high energy density non-aqueous redox flow batteries
Authors: Suttil J. A. , Kucharyson J. F. , Escalante-Garcia I. L. , Cabrera P. J. , James B. R. , Savinell R. F. , Sanford M. S. , Thompson L. T.
Published: March 2015

Modulation of the ligand structure results in complex solubilities that can varied by more than four orders of magnitude. The most soluble of these complexes yields an electrolyte with theoretical energy densities 6-fold higher than commercial aqueous vanadium RFBs.
Carbon dioxide sensors based on a surface acoustic wave device with a graphene–nickel–l-alanine multilayer film
Authors: Xu Sheng , Li Cuiping , Li Hongji , Li Mingji , Qu Changqing , Yang Baohe
Published: March 2015

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors containing graphene–nickel (Ni)–l-alanine composite sensing films for carbon dioxide (CO2) detection were investigated.
An Au nanocomposite based biosensor for determination of cholesterol
Authors: Xu Lin , Zhang Mengdan , Hou Yiting , Huang Wei , Yao Cheng , Wu Qiong
Published: March 2015

The present study aims to construct a biosensor to detect cholesterol by ChOx/HRP/Au/APTES/ITO.
Enzyme immunoassays as screening tools for catalysts and reaction discovery
Authors: Créminon Christophe , Taran Frédéric
Published: March 2015

This feature article summarizes the development and use of immunoassay techniques (ELISA) as screening tools for fast identification of efficient catalysts in libraries and for the discovery of new chemical reactions.
Reversible redox modulation of a lanthanide emissive molecular film
Authors: Lehr Joshua , Tropiano Manuel , Beer Paul D. , Faulkner Stephen , Davis Jason J.
Published: March 2015

Reactive nitrene insertion is utilized in the surface construction of ferrocene-incorporating europium d–f dyads exhibiting a reversible redox switched sensitized phosphorescence.