bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Granulites of the South Muya block (Baikal–Muya Foldbelt): Age of metamorphism and nature of protolith
Authors: Skuzovatov S.Yu. , Sklyarov E.V. , Shatsky V.S. , Wang K.-L. , Kulikova K.V. , Zarubina O.V.
Published: March 2016

High-pressure mafic granulites and garnet pyroxenites occur within the South Muya block as boudins or lenses among metamorphic rocks of the Kindikan Group. Their primary minerals crystallized at 670-750 °C and 9.5–12.0 kbar. Granulite metamorphism peaked at 630 Ma, according to LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon ages. Judging by their major- and trace-element compositions and Hf isotope ratios in zircons, the South Muya granulites were derived from differentiated within-plate basalts, which, in turn, resulted from melting of juvenile mantle source and Meso- or Paleoproterozoic crust. The events of granulite and eclogite metamorphism in the South and North Muya blocks, respectively, were coeval and the two blocks were spatially close to each other at the onset of Late Baikalian subduction and collision events.
Integrated archeological and geophysical studies in West Siberia
Authors: Epov M.I. , Molodin V.I. , Manshtein A.K. , Balkov E.V. , Dyad’kov P.G. , Matasova G.G. , Kazansky A.Yu. , Bortnikova S.B. , Pozdnyakova O.A. , Karin Yu.G. , Kuleshov D.A.
Published: March 2016

We present the most informative results of archeological and geophysical field studies of the Baraba forest–steppe over the last three years. The studies of the archeological sites of different types belonging to a wide time interval (~6000 BC–2000 AD) were carried out. Data on the presence, size, and configuration of archeological objects were obtained by magnetometry and electrometry. We studied contrast between the magnetic properties of the upper horizon of present-day soil and underlying substratum at archeological sites of different types and ages. Low contrast reduces amplitudes of magnetic anomalies above buried ancient structures. It has been shown that geoelectric methods are efficient in cases when magnetometry is not.
Fluctuations in geomagnetic secular variation rate according to data from the global network of magnetic observatories
Authors: Ladynin A.V.
Published: March 2016

The secular variation rate (SVR) of geomagnetic-field components (horizontal intensity H, vertical intensity Z, and inclination I) shows two types of fluctuations: with a short period (3 ± 0.15 years) and a long period (10–70 years). The amplitudes of the short-period fluctuations (SPFs) were estimated. The SPFs are uniform throughout the Earth, the Z and I SVR fluctuations are synchronous and have the same phases, and H SVR fluctuations are opposite in phase. Modeling of an eccentric-dipole field with a variable axial-pole latitude has shown that the SPFs in SVR are caused by the nutation of the dipole axis (and by the outer-core current systems responsible for the dipole field). LPFs in SVR manifest themselves differently in different regions, and their nature is dominated by the effect of currents in the liquid core near the mantle.
Stabilizers of actions of lattices in products of groups
Authors: CREUTZ DARREN
Published: March 2016

We prove that any ergodic non-atomic probability-preserving action of an irreducible lattice in a semisimple group, with at least one factor being connected and of higher-rank, is essentially free. This generalizes the result of Stuck and Zimmer [Stabilizers for ergodic actions of higher rank semisimple groups.Ann. of Math. (2)139(3) (1994), 723–747], who found that the same statement holds when the ambient group is a semisimple real Lie group and every simple factor is of higher-rank. We also prove a generalization of a result of Bader and Shalom [Factor and normal subgroup theorems for lattices in products of groups.Invent. Math.163(2) (2006), 415–454] by showing that any probability-preserving action of a product of simple groups, with at least one having property$(T)$, which is ergodic for each simple subgroup, is either essentially free or essentially transitive. Our method involves the study of relatively contractive maps and the Howe–Moore property, rather than relying on algebraic properties of semisimple groups and Poisson boundaries, and introduces a generalization of the ergodic decomposition to invariant random subgroups, which is of independent interest.
Imperial Law or Councils of the Church? Theodosius I and the Imposition of Doctrinal Uniformity
Authors: Hunt E. D.
Published: March 2016

On 27 February 380, the emperor Theodosius – newly elevated the previous year to take control of the East amid the political and military turmoil unleashed by the debacle at Adrianople -addressed an edict from his current headquarters at Thessalonica to the people of Constantinople. The text famously proclaimed the religion to be followed by ‘all the peoples’ who fell under his rule as that handed down at Rome from the apostle Peter, now maintained by the pontifex Damasus and bishop Peter of Alexandria, ‘that is,… we should believe in the single godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in equal majesty and holy trinity’. Those who subscribed to this doctrine, Theodosius ordered, were to ‘embrace the name of Catholic Christians’, while all the rest were branded heretics, whose places of assembly were denied the name of churches, and who would be smitten ‘first by divine vengeance, and afterwards by the retribution of our own punishment, which we shall enact in accordance with the judgement of Heaven’.
Council Proceedings and Juridical Process: The Cases of Aquileia (AD 381) and Ephesus (AD 431)
Authors: Graumann Thomas
Published: March 2016

In exile in a remote and desolate place, Nestorius was still bitter about the Council of Ephesus (AD 431) some twenty years after the event. He remembered it as a travesty of a tribunal: ‘I was summoned by Cyril, who had assembled the Council […]. Who was judge? Cyril. Who was the accuser? Cyril. […]. Cyril was everything.’ In view of his condemnation, and in identifying Cyril’s activities on the occasion with roles usually played out in a court case, Nestorius recognized the basic pattern of proceedings of the council as that of a trial. Yet, in taking over all the major roles in such a trial simultaneously, Cyril had made a mockery of all proper judicial procedure. Minimum standards of proper procedure had been violated, and Nestorius, in his outburst against Cyril’s misconduct, expects his audience to recognize the fact and share his expectations of due process. However, his frustration with the council runs deeper than a mere dispute over correct procedure. Nestorius is even more deeply angered by the apparent lack of proper examination of his theology. Even if he is not explicit on the point, it seems obvious that he had expected the council to be something altogether different from a trial, something more closely resembling a philosophical dialogue or substantive doctrinal debate. In fact, the emperor’s letter of invitation had expressed a similar expectation, in that it had called for an open-ended discussion of theological difficulties and admonished the participants of the council to aim for an amicable consensus.
The official attitude of Basil of Caesarea as a Christian bishop towards Greek philosophy and science
Authors: De Mendieta Emmanuel Amand
Published: March 2016

In this paper I wish to deal with a rather specialised topic. But this specialised topic may partly explain what was in fact the official attitude of the Byzantine Church, of its patriarchs, bishops and monks, over the centuries, towards Greek philosophy and science. May I suggest that Greek philosophy and science were, and still are indeed, one of the component factors and inspirations of our renaissance and post-renaissance western civilisation?

In order to avoid misunderstanding, I must explain the title of this paper, so that the limitations or strict boundaries of this paper, and also its precise contents, its scope or design may be fully realised.
Made in Architecture: Education as collaborative practice
Authors: Kattein Jan
Published: March 2016

In an attempt to make architectural education more relevant to professional architectural practice and as a response to increasing tuition fees, major changes to university curricula in the UK are afoot. This brings unprecedented opportunities to re-consider what and how universities teach - and to make architectural education more relevant to real-world challenges.

Last year, undergraduate design unit UG3 at the Bartlett School of Architecture completed an innovative project. The unit teamed-up with educational charity Global Generation to design and build a series of small buildings for a real client on a real site in King’s Cross. The article ‘Made in Architecture: Education as collaborative practice’ evaluates the emerging tradition of the live project as a vehicle for teaching architecture students about teamwork, collaboration and engagement. These skills - although increasingly significant to architectural practice - have until now been largely side-lined by university curricula.

Only if educators and practitioners together embrace new opportunities for architects to engage and empower communities can the profession reverse increasing marginalisation and re-define it’s remit in the face of new social and environmental challenges.
Architectures of deviation: exploring the spatial protocols of contemporary videogames
Authors: Pearson Luke
Published: March 2016

This essay attempts to outline the ways in which contemporary videogames produce spatial experiences, and how architects might interrogate their unique media form. Framing videogames as both computational constructions and cultural artefacts, the paper places the study in a lineage of architectural thinkers examining ‘pop-culture’ and technology. This draws from the Smithson's writings on advertisements as technical images, Venturi Scott-Brown's studies on symbolism, through to Reyner Banham's definition of mass produced gizmos. The paper first outlines the importance of videogames on society and their Smithsonian impulses towards architectural design. To support this, I examine the work of game theorists such as Espen Aarseth and Ian Bogost. Aarseth argues that game spaces sever certain ties and ‘deviate’ from reality in order to become playable spaces. Bogost contends that game rules produce ‘procedural rhetoric’ - games may advance arguments through the playing of their rules. Reading from these theories I argue that these rule-based breaks from the real are a potent site for architectural speculation.

The second section comprises design case studies scrutinising existing game worlds and producing new videogames as architectural experiments. I begin by examining the significance of symbolism in videogame worlds, and how this might provide alternative trajectories for digital architectural design. I subsequently explore Atkinson and Willis’ concept of the ludodrome, slippages between virtual and real, and discuss Ubiquity, a game I produced to explore this condition. I return to Banham's Great Gizmo, alongside PW Singer's writings on military robotics, to see the gamepad as a new order of gizmo for colonising space. And I discuss ‘Grand Theft Auto V’'s loading screen as a manifestation of satellite imagery aesthetics that collapse space. The paper concludes that games are powerful media for spatial experimentation and we must prepare for new generations of designers highly influenced by such ‘deviated’ architectures.
Conflict and Compromise in multi-storey timber architecture
Authors: Larsson Magnus , Kaiser Alex , Girhammar Ulf Arne
Published: March 2016

From the Stone Age to the Silicon Age, humanity’s relationship with materials has framed our scientific and cultural evolution. Despite recent scientific advances that open the laboratory doors to a future of material experimentation, the building industry remains stuck in the Concrete Age. The next material age is likely to be a Timber Age, as engineered timber finally comes into its own as a structural material suitable for multi-storey buildings.

The research and design methodology of our practice can be summarised as an essay in conflict and compromise; a continual infliction of self-imposed constraints that allows us to discover hitherto unimaginable paths through the available options. We achieve this by searching through a space of possibilities demarcated by the properties and performative logic of the material at hand. First, we create an abundant field of alternatives, then we often use evolutionary computations to find our way through this field towards a visionary and original design.

All design involves conflicting objectives. The best schemes offer the best compromise between desires. This article discusses how evolutionary solvers can be used as a tool for material-based architectural optimisation of geometries and structures, and how we have used them in designs for the imminent Timber Age. As one potentially conflicting objective is weighed against another, we move closer and closer to a tradeoff: the fitness of cooperating, opposing or unconnected variables.

A population of possible design responses is visualised as a ‘fitness landscape’. Inspired by the role of natural selection in biological evolution, we use evolutionary algorithms to perform a selection process in which the ‘most fit’ members of such a population survive, while the ‘least fit’ members are eliminated, with the selection process guiding the algorithm towards ever-better solutions. The resulting timber structures would have made Darwin proud.
Predictors of radiation-induced skin toxicity in nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated by intensity-modulated radiation therapy: a prospective study
Authors: Radaideh Khaldoon M. , Matalqah Laila M.
Published: March 2016

Purposes

Exposure of skin to high doses of radiation may lead to the development of erythematous skin changes. The aims of this study were to measure skin doses and to identify potential factors that may contribute to skin reactions in nasopharyngeal cancer patients undergoing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Material and methods

This study was a prospective study with 21 nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated by IMRT. Personal data were collected and in vivo skin dose measurements were performed using Thermoluminescent dosimeters. All patients were monitored clinically and skin reactions were classified according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software to identify skin toxicity risk factors.

Results

Grade 1 toxicity was observed in eight patients, Grade 2 in 11 patients and Grade 3 in two patients towards the end of treatment. It was found that accumulative skin doses >7 Gy (p<0·05) was a risk factor for skin toxicity. However, previous or concomitant chemotherapy with radiotherapy and stage of cancer were not significant factors for the severity of skin reactions.

Conclusion

The neck skin should be identified as a sensitive structure for dose optimisation. Skin dose measurement and skin-sparing techniques are highly recommended for head and neck patients treated with IMRT.
Schulabsentismus: Entwicklungen und fortbestehende Herausforderungen
Authors: Lenzen Christoph , Brunner Romuald , Resch Franz
Published: March 2016

Zusammenfassung. Schulabsentismus dient als Überbegriff für in der Vergangenheit oft uneinheitlich und missverständlich verwendete Bezeichnungen wie Schulverweigerung, Schulschwänzen, Schulangst und Schulphobie. Ungeklärt ist bis dato die Frage, ab welchem Ausmaß Schulabsentismus als problematisch anzusehen ist. Dies bedingt eine uneinheitliche Datenlage, aufgrund derer die Prävalenz von Schulabsentismus nur geschätzt werden kann (ca. 5 % der Schüler). Schulabsentismus hat Wechselwirkungen auf individueller, schulischer, familiärer und gesellschaftlicher Ebene. An diesen Ebenen sollten auch Interventionsmaßnahmen ansetzen, die multimodal sowie individualisiert ausgerichtet sein und als erstes Ziel immer die Wiederaufnahme eines vollumfänglichen Schulbesuchs haben sollten. Dies erfordert eine gute Vernetzung von Schulen, Eltern, Jugendhilfe und psychotherapeutischen Angeboten. Eine Therapie sollte zunächst ambulant erfolgen und bei dann weiter ausbleibendem Schulbesuch stationär durchgeführt werden.
Wirksamkeit von variablem Licht in der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie
Authors: Auras Marleen Isabell , Barkmann Claus , Niemeyer Marie , Schulte-Markwort Michael , Wessolowski Nino
Published: March 2016

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Studien zur Wirkung von Licht auf Kinder in regulären schulischen Einrichtungen zeigen, dass variables Licht (vL) zur Steigerung der Konzentrationsleistung und zum Rückgang der motorischen Unruhe eingesetzt werden kann. Diese Ergebnisse legen es nahe, spezifische Lichtsituationen auch für den Einsatz in der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie (KJP) zu erproben. Methodik: Anhand eines quasi-experimentellen A-B-A-B-Untersuchungsdesigns wurden die Lichtprogramme «Konzentrieren» und «Beruhigen» in einer ausgewählten kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Klinik evaluiert. Zu Kontrollzwecken diente Standardlicht. Im Setting der Klinikschule wurde die Konzentrationsleistung von n = 30 Patienten anhand des d2-Tests überprüft und mittels Fragebögen die Selbsteinschätzung erfasst. Die Bewegungsunruhe von n = 42 Patienten wurde durch ein optisches Messverfahren während Gesprächsrunden gemessen. Ergebnisse: Hinsichtlich der Konzentrationsleistung ergaben sich im objektiven d2-Test signifikante Verbesserungen mittlerer Größe zugunsten der Interventionsbedingungen. Die subjektive Selbsteinschätzung der Teilnehmer hingegen zeigte unter Interventionsbedingungen eine Konzentrationsabnahme und eine Zunahme der Stressbelastung und der Müdigkeit. Bei Verwendung von vL reduzierte sich die motorische Unruhe signifikant mit großer Effektstärke. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse sprechen für die Wirksamkeit von vL in der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und geben erste Hinweise darauf, dass vL zur Verbesserung der Umgebungsbedingungen und zur Unterstützung der therapeutischen Arbeit in der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie eingesetzt werden kann.
New Interest in Reservoir Evaporation in Western United States
Authors: Livneh Ben , Friedrich Katja , Blanken Peter
Published: March 2016

Reservoir Evaporation Workshop; Boulder, Colorado, 22–23 October 2015
Dynamic optoelectric trapping and deposition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Mishra Avanish , Clayton Katherine , Velasco Vanessa , Williams Stuart J. , Wereley Steven T.
Published: March 2016

In the path toward the realization of carbon nanotube (CNT)-driven electronics and sensors, the ability to precisely position CNTs at well-defined locations remains a significant roadblock. Highly complex CNT-based bottom–up structures can be synthesized if there is a method to accurately trap and place these nanotubes. In this study, we demonstrate that the rapid electrokinetic patterning (REP) technique can accomplish these tasks. By using laser-induced alternating current (AC) electrothermal flow and particle–electrode forces, REP can collect and maneuver a wide range of vertically aligned multiwalled CNTs (from a single nanotube to over 100 nanotubes) on an electrode surface. In addition, these trapped nanotubes can be electrophoretically deposited at any desired location onto the electrode surface. Apart from active control of the position of these deposited nanotubes, the number of CNTs in a REP trap can also be dynamically tuned by changing the AC frequency or by adjusting the concentration of the dispersed nanotubes. On the basis of a calculation of the stiffness of the REP trap, we found an upper limit of the manipulation speed, beyond which CNTs fall out of the REP trap. This peak manipulation speed is found to be dependent on the electrothermal flow velocity, which can be varied by changing the strength of the AC electric field.
Mondo complexes regulate TFEB via TOR inhibition to promote longevity in response to gonadal signals
Authors: Nakamura Shuhei , Karalay Özlem , Jäger Philipp S. , Horikawa Makoto , Klein Corinna , Nakamura Kayo , Latza Christian , Templer Sven E. , Dieterich Christoph , Antebi Adam
Published: March 2016

Germline removal provokes longevity in several species and shifts resources towards survival and repair. Several Caenorhabditis elegans transcription factors regulate longevity arising from germline removal; yet, how they work together is unknown. Here we identify a Myc-like HLH transcription factor network comprised of Mondo/Max-like complex (MML-1/MXL-2) to be required for longevity induced by germline removal, as well as by reduced TOR, insulin/IGF signalling and mitochondrial function. Germline removal increases MML-1 nuclear accumulation and activity. Surprisingly, MML-1 regulates nuclear localization and activity of HLH-30/TFEB, a convergent regulator of autophagy, lysosome biogenesis and longevity, by downregulating TOR signalling via LARS-1/leucyl-transfer RNA synthase. HLH-30 also upregulates MML-1 upon germline removal. Mammalian MondoA/B and TFEB show similar mutual regulation. MML-1/MXL-2 and HLH-30 transcriptomes show both shared and preferential outputs including MDL-1/MAD-like HLH factor required for longevity. These studies reveal how an extensive interdependent HLH transcription factor network distributes responsibility and mutually enforces states geared towards reproduction or survival.
Function and evolution of local repeats in the Firre locus
Authors: Hacisuleyman Ezgi , Shukla Chinmay J. , Weiner Catherine L. , Rinn John L.
Published: March 2016

More than half the human and mouse genomes are comprised of repetitive sequences, such as transposable elements (TEs), which have been implicated in many biological processes. In contrast, much less is known about other repeats, such as local repeats that occur in multiple instances within a given locus in the genome but not elsewhere. Here, we systematically characterize local repeats in the genomic locus of the Firre long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). We find a conserved function for the RRD repeat as a ribonucleic nuclear retention signal that is sufficient to retain an otherwise cytoplasmic mRNA in the nucleus. We also identified a repeat, termed R0, that can function as a DNA enhancer element within the intronic sequences of Firre. Collectively, our data suggest that local repeats can have diverse functionalities and molecular modalities in the Firre locus and perhaps more globally in other lncRNAs.
Neuronal activity controls Bdnf expression via Polycomb de-repression and CREB/CBP/JMJD3 activation in mature neurons
Authors: Palomer Ernest , Carretero Javier , Benvegnù Stefano , Dotti Carlos G. , Martin Mauricio G.
Published: March 2016

It has been recently described that in embryonic stem cells, the expression of some important developmentally regulated genes is repressed, but poised for fast activation under the appropriate stimuli. In this work we show that Bdnf promoters are repressed by Polycomb Complex 2 in mature hippocampal neurons, and basal expression is guaranteed by the coexistence with activating histone marks. Neuronal stimulation triggered by N-methyl-D-aspartate application induces the transcription of these promoters by H3K27Me3 demethylation and H3K27Me3 phosphorylation at Serine 28 leading to displacement of EZH2, the catalytic subunit of Polycomb Repressor Complex 2. Our data show that the fast transient expression of Bdnf promoters II and VI after neuronal stimulation is dependent on acetylation of histone H3K27 by CREB-p/CBP. Thus, regulatory mechanisms established during development seem to remain after differentiation controlling genes induced by different stimuli, as would be the case of early memory genes in mature neurons.
Pairwise detection of site-specific receptor phosphorylations using single-molecule blotting
Authors: Kim Kyung Lock , Kim Daehyung , Lee Seongsil , Kim Su-Jeong , Noh Jung Eun , Kim Joung-Hun , Chae Young Chan , Lee Jong-Bong , Ryu Sung Ho
Published: March 2016

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) at the plasma membrane (PM) determine the signal transduction efficacy alone and in combination. However, current approaches to identify PTMs provide ensemble results, inherently overlooking combinatorial PTMs in a single polypeptide molecule. Here, we describe a single-molecule blotting (SiMBlot) assay that combines biotinylation of cell surface receptors with single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. This method enables quantitative measurement of the phosphorylation status of individual membrane receptor molecules and colocalization analysis of multiple immunofluorescence signals to directly visualize pairwise site-specific phosphorylation patterns at the single-molecule level. Strikingly, application of SiMBlot to study ligand-dependent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation, which is widely thought to be multi-phosphorylated, reveals that EGFR on cell membranes is hardly multi-phosphorylated, unlike in vitro autophosphorylated EGFR. Therefore, we expect SiMBlot to aid understanding of vast combinatorial PTM patterns, which are concealed in ensemble methods, and to broaden knowledge of RTK signaling.
Amyloid-like ribbons of amelogenins in enamel mineralization
Authors: Carneiro Karina M. M. , Zhai Halei , Zhu Li , Horst Jeremy A. , Sitlin Melody , Nguyen Mychi , Wagner Martin , Simpliciano Cheryl , Milder Melissa , Chen Chun-Long , Ashby Paul , Bonde Johan , Li Wu , Habelitz Stefan
Published: March 2016

Enamel, the outermost layer of teeth, is an acellular mineralized tissue that cannot regenerate; the mature tissue is composed of high aspect ratio apatite nanocrystals organized into rods and inter-rod regions. Amelogenin constitutes 90% of the protein matrix in developing enamel and plays a central role in guiding the hierarchical organization of apatite crystals observed in mature enamel. To date, a convincing link between amelogenin supramolecular structures and mature enamel has yet to be described, in part because the protein matrix is degraded during tissue maturation. Here we show compelling evidence that amelogenin self-assembles into an amyloid-like structure in vitro and in vivo. We show that enamel matrices stain positive for amyloids and we identify a specific region within amelogenin that self-assembles into β-sheets. We propose that amelogenin nanoribbons template the growth of apatite mineral in human enamel. This is a paradigm shift from the current model of enamel development.
Regulation of Multi-drug Resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells is TRPC6/Calcium Dependent
Authors: Wen Liang , Liang Chao , Chen Enjiang , Chen Wei , Liang Feng , Zhi Xiao , Wei Tao , Xue Fei , Li Guogang , Yang Qi , Gong Weihua , Feng Xinhua , Bai Xueli , Liang Tingbo
Published: March 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is notoriously refractory to chemotherapy because of its tendency to develop multi-drug resistance (MDR), whose various underlying mechanisms make it difficult to target. The calcium signalling pathway is associated with many cellular biological activities, and is also a critical player in cancer. However, its role in modulating tumour MDR remains unclear. In this study, stimulation by doxorubicin, hypoxia and ionizing radiation was used to induce MDR in HCC cells. A sustained aggregation of intracellular calcium was observed upon these stimuli, while inhibition of calcium signalling enhanced the cells’ sensitivity to various drugs by attenuating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), Hif1-α signalling and DNA damage repair. The effect of calcium signalling is mediated via transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6), a subtype of calcium-permeable channel. An in vivo xenograft model of HCC further confirmed that inhibiting TRPC6 enhanced the efficacy of doxorubicin. In addition, we deduced that STAT3 activation is a downstream signalling pathway in MDR. Collectively, this study demonstrated that the various mechanisms regulating MDR in HCC cells are calcium dependent through the TRPC6/calcium/STAT3 pathway. We propose that targeting TRPC6 in HCC may be a novel antineoplastic strategy, especially combined with chemotherapy.
Factors associated with doctors’ knowledge on antibiotic use in China
Authors: Bai Yu , Wang Sijie , Yin Xiaoxv , Bai Jigeng , Gong Yanhong , Lu Zuxun
Published: March 2016

Misuse of antibiotics by the medical profession is a global concern. Examining doctors’ knowledge about antimicrobials will be important in developing strategies to improve antibiotic use. The aim of the study was to survey Chinese doctors’ knowledge on antibiotics and reveal the factors associated with their level of knowledge. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shanxi in central China. A total of 761 physicians were surveyed using a structured self-administered questionnaire. A generalized linear regression model was used to identify the factors associated with doctors’ knowledge on antibiotic. Based on a full score of 10, the average score for doctors’ knowledge on antibiotics was 6.29 (SD = 1.79). Generalized linear regression analysis indicated that doctors who either worked in the internal medicine department, who were chief doctors or who received continuing education on antibiotic, had better knowledge of antibiotics. Compared with doctors working in tertiary hospitals, doctors working in secondary hospitals or primary healthcare facilities had poorer knowledge about antibiotics. Chinese doctors have suboptimal knowledge about antimicrobials. Ongoing education is effective to enhance doctors’ knowledge, but the effect remains to be further improved. More targeted interventions and education programs should improve knowledge about antimicrobials, especially for doctors working in primary healthcare institutions.
HBx-upregulated lncRNA UCA1 promotes cell growth and tumorigenesis by recruiting EZH2 and repressing p27Kip1/CDK2 signaling
Authors: Hu Jiao-Jiao , Song Wei , Zhang Shao-Dan , Shen Xiao-Hui , Qiu Xue-Mei , Wu Hua-Zhang , Gong Pi-Hai , Lu Sen , Zhao Zhu-Jiang , He Ming-Liang , Fan Hong
Published: March 2016

It is well accepted that HBx plays the major role in hepatocarcinogenesis associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. However, little was known about its role in regulating long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a large group of transcripts regulating a variety of biological processes including carcinogenesis in mammalian cells. Here we report that HBx upregulates UCA1 genes and downregulates p27 genes in hepatic LO2 cells. Further studies show that the upregulated UCA1 promotes cell growth by facilitating G1/S transition through CDK2 in both hepatic and hepatoma cells. Knock down of UCA1 in HBx-expressing hepatic and hepatoma cells resulted in markedly increased apoptotic cells by elevating the cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-8. More importantly, UCA1 is found to be physically associated with enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), which suppresses p27Kip1 through histone methylation (H3K27me3) on p27Kip1 promoter. We also show that knockdown of UCA1 in hepatoma cells inhibits tumorigenesis in nude mice. In a clinic study, UCA1 is found to be frequently up-regulated in HBx positive group tissues in comparison with the HBx negative group, and exhibits an inverse correlation between UCA1 and p27Kip1 levels. Our findings demonstrate an important mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis through the signaling of HBx-UCA1/EZH2-p27Kip1 axis, and a potential target of HCC.
Dosimetric evaluation of a simple planning method for improving intensity-modulated radiotherapy for stage III lung cancer
Authors: Lu Jia-Yang , Lin Zhu , Zheng Jing , Lin Pei-Xian , Cheung Michael Lok-Man , Huang Bao-Tian
Published: March 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the dosimetric outcomes of a base-dose-plan-compensation (BDPC) planning method for improving intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for stage III lung cancer. For each of the thirteen included patients, three types of planning methods were applied to obtain clinically acceptable plans: (1) the conventional optimization method (CO); (2) a split-target optimization method (STO), in which the optimization objectives were set higher dose for the target with lung density; (3) the BDPC method, which compensated for the optimization-convergence error by further optimization based on the CO plan. The CO, STO and BDPC methods were then compared regarding conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI) of the target, organs at risk (OARs) sparing and monitor units (MUs). The BDPC method provided better HI/CI by 54%/7% on average compared to the CO method and by 38%/3% compared to the STO method. The BDPC method also spared most of the OARs by up to 9%. The average MUs of the CO, STO and BDPC plans were 890, 937 and 1023, respectively. Our results indicated that the BDPC method can effectively improve the dose distribution in IMRT for stage III lung cancer, at the expense of more MUs.
Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand induces cell adhesion and integrin α2 expression via NF-κB in head and neck cancers
Authors: Yamada Tamaki , Tsuda Masumi , Wagatsuma Takanori , Fujioka Yoichiro , Fujioka Mari , Satoh Aya O. , Horiuchi Kosui , Nishide Shinya , Nanbo Asuka , Totsuka Yasunori , Haga Hisashi , Tanaka Shinya , Shindoh Masanobu , Ohba Yusuke
Published: March 2016

Cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix play critical roles in tumor progression. We previously reported that receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) specifically facilitates head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression in vivo. Here, we report a novel role for RANKL in the regulation of cell adhesion. Among the major type I collagen receptors, integrin α2 was significantly upregulated in RANKL-expressing cells and its knockdown suppressed cell adhesion. The mRNA abundance of integrin α2 positively correlated with that of RANKL in human HNSCC tissues. We also revealed that RANK-NF-κB signaling mediated integrin α2 expression in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Interestingly, the amount of active integrin β1 on the cell surface was increased in RANKL-expressing cells through the upregulation of integrin α2 and endocytosis. Moreover, the RANK-integrin α2 pathway contributed to RANKL-dependent enhanced survival in a collagen gel and inhibited apoptosis in a xenograft model, demonstrating an important role for RANKL-mediated cell adhesion in three-dimensional environments.
An essential role for the intra-oocyte MAPK activity in the NSN-to-SN transition of germinal vesicle chromatin configuration in porcine oocytes
Authors: Sun Ming-Ju , Zhu Shuai , Li You-Wei , Lin Juan , Gong Shuai , Jiao Guang-Zhong , Chen Fei , Tan Jing-He
Published: March 2016

The mechanisms for the transition from non-surrounded nucleolus (NSN) to surrounded nucleolus (SN) chromatin configuration during oocyte growth/maturation are unclear. By manipulating enzyme activities and measuring important molecules using small-follicle pig oocytes with a high proportion of NSN configuration and an extended germinal vesicle stage in vitro, this study has the first time up-to-date established the essential role for intra-oocyte mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the NSN-to-SN transition. Within the oocyte in 1–2 mm follicles, a cAMP decline activates MAPK, which prevents the NSN-to-SN transition by activating nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) while inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC). In cumulus cells of 1–2 mm follicles, a lower level of estradiol and oocyte-derived paracrine factor (ODPF) reduces natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2) while enhancing FSH and cAMP actions. FSH elevates cAMP levels, which decreases NPR2 while activating MAPK. MAPK closes the gap junctions, which, together with the NPR2 decrease, reduces cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) delivery leading to the cAMP decline within oocytes. In 3–6 mm follicles, a higher level of estradiol and ODPF and a FSH shortage initiate a reversion of the above events leading to MAPK inactivation and NSN-to-SN transition within oocytes.
Erbium-doped fiber laser passively mode locked with few-layer WSe2/MoSe2 nanosheets
Authors: Mao Dong , She Xiaoyang , Du Bobo , Yang Dexing , Zhang Wending , Song Kun , Cui Xiaoqi , Jiang Biqiang , Peng Tao , Zhao Jianlin
Published: March 2016

Few-layer transition-metal dichalcogenide WSe2/MoSe2 nanosheets are fabricated by a liquid exfoliation technique using sodium deoxycholate bile salt as surfactant and their nonlinear optical properties are investigated based on a balanced twin-detector measurement scheme. It is demonstrated that both types of nanosheets exhibit nonlinear saturable absorption properties at the wavelength of 1.55 μm. By depositing the nanosheets on side polished fiber (SPF) or mixing the nanosheets with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution, SPF-WSe2 saturable absorber (SA), SPF-MoSe2 SA, PVA-WSe2 SA and PVA-MoSe2 SA are successfully fabricated and further tested in erbium-doped fiber lasers. The SPF-based SA is capable of operating at the high pump regime without damage and a train of 3252.65 MHz harmonically mode-locked pulses are obtained based on the SPF-WSe2 SA. Soliton mode locking operations are also achieved in the fiber laser separately with other three types of SAs, confirming that the WSe2 and MoSe2 nanosheets could act as cost-effective high-power SAs for ultrafast optics.
Metformin stimulates IGFBP-2 gene expression through PPARalpha in diabetic states
Authors: Kang Hye Suk , Cho Ho-Chan , Lee Jae-Ho , Oh Goo Taeg , Koo Seung-Hoi , Park Byung-Hyun , Lee In-Kyu , Choi Hueng-Sik , Song Dae-Kyu , Im Seung-Soon
Published: March 2016

The anti-diabetic drug, metformin, exerts its action through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and Sirtuin (Sirt1) signaling. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) prevents IGF-1 binding to its receptors, thereby contributing to modulate insulin sensitivity. In this study, we demonstrate that metformin upregulates Igfbp-2 expression through the AMPK-Sirt1-PPARα cascade pathway. In the liver of high fat diet, ob/ob, and db/db mice, Igfbp-2 expression was significantly decreased compared to the expression levels in the wild-type mice (p < 0.05). Upregulation of Igfbp-2 expression by metformin administration was disrupted by gene silencing of Ampk and Sirt1, and this phenomenon was not observed in Pparα-null mice. Notably, activation of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R)-dependent signaling by IGF-1 was inhibited by metformin. Finally, when compared to untreated type 2 diabetes patients, the metformin-treated diabetic patients showed increased IGFBP-2 levels with diminished serum IGF-1 levels. Taken together, these findings indicate that IGFBP-2 might be a new target of metformin action in diabetes and the metformin-AMPK-Sirt1-PPARα-IGFBP-2 network may provide a novel pathway that could be applied to ameliorate metabolic syndromes by controlling IGF-1 bioavailability.
Conserved differences in protein sequence determine the human pathogenicity of Ebolaviruses
Authors: Pappalardo Morena , Juliá Miguel , Howard Mark J. , Rossman Jeremy S. , Michaelis Martin , Wass Mark N.
Published: March 2016

Reston viruses are the only Ebolaviruses that are not pathogenic in humans. We analyzed 196 Ebolavirus genomes and identified specificity determining positions (SDPs) in all nine Ebolavirus proteins that distinguish Reston viruses from the four human pathogenic Ebolaviruses. A subset of these SDPs will explain the differences in human pathogenicity between Reston and the other four ebolavirus species. Structural analysis was performed to identify those SDPs that are likely to have a functional effect. This analysis revealed novel functional insights in particular for Ebolavirus proteins VP40 and VP24. The VP40 SDP P85T interferes with VP40 function by altering octamer formation. The VP40 SDP Q245P affects the structure and hydrophobic core of the protein and consequently protein function. Three VP24 SDPs (T131S, M136L, Q139R) are likely to impair VP24 binding to human karyopherin alpha5 (KPNA5) and therefore inhibition of interferon signaling. Since VP24 is critical for Ebolavirus adaptation to novel hosts and only a few SDPs distinguish Reston virus VP24 from VP24 of other Ebolaviruses, human pathogenic Reston viruses may emerge. This is of concern since Reston viruses circulate in domestic pigs and can infect humans, possibly via airborne transmission.
Rapid determination of a fluorinated gas in a lipid microbubble contrast agent by ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction and GC-MS
Authors: Yang Li , Wang Ying , Li Xiao , Pan Diyi , Li Lei , Peng Jing , Hou Lianbing , Chen Zhiliang
Published: March 2016

Bath sonication completely destroys lipid microbubbles which are used for rapid analysis of encapsulated gas by GC-MS.
Two-dimensional interlocked pentagonal bilayer ice: how do water molecules form a hydrogen bonding network?
Authors: Zhu Weiduo , Zhao Wen-Hui , Wang Lu , Yin Di , Jia Min , Yang Jinlong , Zeng Xiao Cheng , Yuan Lan-Feng
Published: March 2016

The tradeoff between the conditions of an ideal hydrogen bonding network can serve as a generic guidance to understand the rich phase behaviors of nanoconfined water.
Electronic structures and second hyperpolarizabilities of alkaline earth metal complexes end-capped with NA2 (A = H, Li, Na)
Authors: Banerjee Paramita , Nandi Prasanta K.
Published: March 2016

The ground state structures and NLO properties of a number of alkaline earth metal complexes end-capped with NA2 groups (A = H, Li, Na) are calculated by employing the CAM-B3LYP, wB97XD and B2PLYP functionals along with MP2 and CCSD(T) for 6-311++G(d,p), 6-311++G(3df,3pd), aug-cc-pVTZ, aug-pc-2 and Hypol basis sets.
Surface passivation of lead sulfide nanocrystals with low electron affinity metals: photoluminescence and photovoltaic performance
Authors: Tavakoli Mohammad Mahdi , Mirfasih Mohammad Hassan , Hasanzadeh Soheil , Aashuri Hossein , Simchi Abdolreza
Published: March 2016

Low electron affinity metals like Cd can annihilate deep trap states and increase the current density, resulting in higher performance.
The first example of cofacial bis(dipyrrins)
Authors: Deschamps Jude , Chang Yi , Langlois Adam , Desbois Nicolas , Gros Claude P. , Harvey Pierre D.
Published: March 2016

Two series of cofacial bis(dipyrrins) were prepared and their photophysical properties as well as their bimolecular fluorescence quenching with C60 were investigated.
Enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition of isorhodanines to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes
Authors: Wu Shanchao , Li Yu , Zhang Yongqiang , Fang Kun , Dong Guoqiang , Liu Na , Miao Zhenyuan , Yao Jianzhong , Wang Wei , Zhang Wannian , Sheng Chunquan
Published: March 2016

The Michael reaction of substituted isorhodanines with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes in the presence of a catalytic amount of a chiral secondary amine is presented.
Disposable micro stir bars by photodegradable organic encapsulation of hematite–magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Tina , Costigan Paul , Varshney Nitin , Tricoli Antonio
Published: March 2016

We present a novel method to synthesize microscale stirring bars by the anisotropic assembly of magnetite nanoparticles to overcome diffusion-limited mixing in micro-vessels.
Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polyether imides based on 1,3,5-tris[4-(4′-aminophenoxy)phenoxy]benzene
Authors: Rigana M. Fathima , Thirukumaran P. , Shanthi K. , Sarojadevi M.
Published: March 2016

A new triamine monomer 1,3,5-tris[4-(4′-aminophenoxy)phenoxy]benzene, was synthesized by a three step process using hydroquinone, 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene.
Self-formation of thickness tunable Bi2Te3 nanoplates on thin films with enhanced thermoelectric performance
Authors: Liu Shuai , Peng Nan , Bai Yu , Ma Dayan , Ma Fei , Xu Kewei
Published: March 2016

Bismuth telluride thin films were prepared on flexible substrates by magnetron sputtering and then annealed at different temperatures.
SnSb/TiO2/C nanocomposite fabricated by high energy ball milling for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Haihua , Qi Wen , Li Xuan , Zeng Hong , Wu Ying , Xiang Jingwei , Zhang Shengen , Li Bo , Huang Yunhui
Published: March 2016

Alloy anodes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have attracted great interest due to their high capacity.
Extremely fast Au–Ag alloy–dealloy associated reversible plasmonic modifications in SiO2 films
Authors: Pramanik Sourav , Chattopadhyay Shreyasi , Das Jugal Kishore , Manju Unnikrishnan , De Goutam
Published: March 2016

A unique, extremely fast alloy–dealloy phenomenon of Au–Ag nanoparticles inside transparent SiO2 film associated with large plasmonic modifications is observed.
More from less: high-throughput dual polarity lipid imaging of biological tissues
Authors: Ellis Shane R. , Cappell Joanna , Potočnik Nina Ogrinc , Balluff Benjamin , Hamaide Julie , Van der Linden Annemie , Heeren Ron M. A.
Published: March 2016

Here, we reveal the increased biochemical and spatial information acquired using high-speed MALDI-MSI and sequential acquisitions of positive and negative lipid-MSI data from single tissue sections.
Solid-phase synthesis of Rhodamine-110 fluorogenic substrates and their application in forensic analysis
Authors: Gooch J. , Abbate V. , Daniel B. , Frascione N.
Published: March 2016

A novel synthesis demonstrates the rapid and efficient preparation of fluorogenic substrates containing Rhodamine-110 fluorophores for the detection of biological evidence.
Handheld Raman spectroscopy for the early detection of plant diseases: Abutilon mosaic virus infecting Abutilon sp.
Authors: Yeturu Sivaprasad , Vargas Jentzsch Paul , Ciobotă Valerian , Guerrero Ricardo , Garrido Patricia , Ramos Luis A.
Published: March 2016

Plant diseases have a direct impact on the productivity of crops, and therefore the early detection of diseases is crucial.
Shaped Ir–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles for minimizing Ir utilization in oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Lim Jinkyu , Yang Sungeun , Kim Chanyeon , Roh Chi-Woo , Kwon Yongwoo , Kim Yong-Tae , Lee Hyunjoo
Published: March 2016

Shaped Ir–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized and used for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
Towards “bionic” proteins: replacement of continuous sequences from HIF-1α with proteomimetics to create functional p300 binding HIF-1α mimics
Authors: Burslem George M. , Kyle Hannah F. , Breeze Alexander L. , Edwards Thomas A. , Nelson Adam , Warriner Stuart L. , Wilson Andrew J.
Published: March 2016

An extended sequence of α-amino acids in HIF-1α is replaced with a non-natural topographical mimic of an α-helix comprised from an aromatic oligoamide to reproduce its p300 recognition properties.
Nonvolatile memory devices based on poly(vinyl alcohol) + graphene oxide hybrid composites
Authors: Sun Yanmei , Lu Junguo , Ai Chunpeng , Wen Dianzhong
Published: March 2016

The performance of the ITO/PVA + GO/Al device was effectively enhanced by the introduction of GO into the PVA matrix.
Orbital-optimized linearized coupled-cluster doubles with density-fitting and Cholesky decomposition approximations: an efficient implementation
Authors: Bozkaya Uğur
Published: March 2016

An efficient implementation of the orbital-optimized linearized coupled-cluster double method with the density-fitting (DF-OLCCD) and Cholesky decomposition (CD-OLCCD) approximations is presented.
Methane activation by metal-free Lewis acid centers only – a computational design and mechanism study
Authors: Ma Gongli , Li Zhen Hua
Published: March 2016

The design strategy and mechanism of methane activation by metal-free Lewis acidic silylboranes is investigated.
Origins of entropy change for the amphiphilic molecule in micellization: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Liu Guokui , Wei Yaoyao , Gao Fengfeng , Yuan Shiling , Liu Chengbu
Published: March 2016

The entropy change for amphiphilic molecule in micellization.
Improved electron transport properties of n-type naphthalenediimide polymers through refined molecular ordering and orientation induced by processing solvents
Authors: An Yujin , Long Dang Xuan , Kim Yiho , Noh Yong-Young , Yang Changduk
Published: March 2016

Two new NDI-based polymers, P(NDI2SiC5-T2) and P(NDI2SiC5-TTh) were synthesized to determine the role played by the choice of processing solvents.