bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental Well-being Considerations in Preparation for Disaster Health Care: Learning From Deployment
Authors: Mäkinen Tytti H. , Miettinen Sari M. , Kernohan W. George
Published: June 2015

Introduction

The mental well-being of internationally deployed disaster-relief workers has become an issue of concern. The psychological consequences for the relief worker being exposed to trauma and threats have been well documented; however, the role of pre-deployment preparation in supporting mental well-being has not received due attention, despite research indicating the need for it.

Hypothesis/Problem

This case series examines the experiences of deployed volunteers of one emergency-relief organization. The aim of this research was to identify the participants’ interpretations of the appropriateness of the pre-deployment preparation they had received in light of supporting their mental well-being during and after deployment.

The main research questions were: How appropriate was pre-deployment preparation in supporting mental well-being? What elements were lacking, and what else would be useful?

Methods

Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, thematic, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six deployed volunteers of an international emergency-relief organization. Data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results

The participants in this study regarded the pre-deployment preparation they had received, on the whole, as appropriate in supporting their mental well-being. The seven main themes identified as important and supportive of mental well-being were: (1) realistic expectations, (2) team building and support, (3) self-awareness and self-care, (4) post-deployment support, (5) practical skills and creative solutions, (6) shared values and beliefs, and (7) safety and security. Specific areas identified as lacking within these themes included communication, self-care, post-deployment support, and safety and security.

Conclusion

Themes identified as important for supporting mental well-being in this research largely were consistent with those in previous research. The generally positive experiences of the support received do not reflect results from existing research, where significant shortcomings in worker support have been expressed. However, important elements were also identified as lacking in this specific pre-deployment preparation.

MäkinenTH,MiettinenSM,KernohanWG.Mental well-being considerations in preparation for disaster health care: learning from deployment.Prehosp Disaster Med.2015;30(4):110.
The Role of Corporations in Shaping the Global Rules of the Game: In Search of New Foundations
Authors: Oosterhout J. (Hans) van
Published: June 2015

Although a research focus on the increasing involvement of corporations in shaping and maintaining the global rules of the game points out promising avenues for future research, it simultaneously makes clear how little currently established, mostly managerial conceptual frameworks have to offer in making sense of these developments. It is argued that we need to expand the rather restricted perspectives that these frameworks provide, in order to explore new conceptual foundations that will not only enable us to travel the confines of the different disciplines involved with the study of the changing role of business in shaping the global rules of the game, but that can also systematically connect normative and positive research questions at the conceptual level. Three directions for this search for new foundations are briefly explored.
Vitamin D deficiency and its associated risk factors in children and adolescents in southern Iran
Authors: Saki Forough , Dabbaghmanesh Mohammad Hossein , Omrani Gholamhossein Ranjbar , Bakhshayeshkaram Marzieh
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To evaluate prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors in southern Iranian children.

Design

Cross-sectional study. Anthropometric and pubertal characteristics were assessed by a trained physician. Physical activity and sun exposure were evaluated using standard questionnaires. Body composition measurements were performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum Ca, P alkaline phosphatase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were assessed in all children. Statistical analysis was done using the statistical software package IBM SPSS Statistics 18·0.

Subjects

Iranian children (n 477) aged 9–18 years.

Setting

Fars Province, Iran, 2011.

Results

Of the children, 81·3 % were 25(OH)D deficient. There was no significant difference in 25(OH)D concentration between boys and girls (P=0·3). 25(OH)D concentration was associated with BMI (r=−0·1, P=0·02), pubertal status (r=−0·08, P=0·04) and sun exposure (r=0·10, P=0·04). Fat mass index was associated with 25(OH)D concentration (r=−0·13, P=0·03), but not lean mass index (P=0·86). In multiple regression analysis with adjustment for confounding factors, age and puberty were found to be independently associated with 25(OH)D concentration (P=0·008 and P=0·006); there was a significant correlation between exercise and 25(OH)D concentration after adjustment for either BMI (P=0·01) or fat mass index (P=0·02).

Conclusions

25(OH)D deficiency is highly prevalent among children in the south of Iran. It is related to insufficient sun exposure, low physical activity, advancing age and pubertal stage. Measures should be taken to improve the health of southern Iranian children in this critical age group by preventing 25(OH)D deficiency.
Emerging pestiviruses infecting domestic and wildlife hosts
Authors: Ridpath Julia F.
Published: June 2015

Until the early 1990s there were just three recognized species in the pestivirus genus, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), border disease virus (BDV) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Subsequently BVDV were divided into two different species, BVDV1 and BVDV2 and four additional putative pestivirus species have been identified, based on phylogenetic analysis. The four putative pestivirus specices, listed in chronological order of published reports, are Giraffe (isolated from one of several giraffes in the Nanyuki District of Kenya suffering from mucosal disease-like symptoms), HoBi (first isolated from fetal bovine serum originating in Brazil and later from samples originating in Southeast Asia), Pronghorn (isolated from an emaciated blind pronghorn antelope in the USA), and Bungowannah (isolated following an outbreak in pigs, resulting in still birth and neonatal death, in Australia). In addition to the emergence of putative new species of pestivirus, changes in host and virulence of recognized or ‘classic’ pestiviruses have led to reevaluation of disease control programs and management of domestic and wildlife populations.
Impact of species and subgenotypes of bovine viral diarrhea virus on control by vaccination
Authors: Fulton Robert W.
Published: June 2015

Bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDV) are diverse genetically and antigenically. This diversity impacts both diagnostic testing and vaccination. In North America, there are two BVDV species, 1 and 2 with 3 subgentoypes, BVDV1a, BVDV1b and BVDV2a. Initially, US vaccines contained BVDV1a cytopathic strains. With the reporting of BVDV2 severe disease in Canada and the USA there was focus on protection by BVDV1a vaccines on BVDV2 disease. There was also emphasis of controlling persistently infected (PI) cattle resulted in studies for fetal protection afforded by BVDV1a vaccines. Initially, studies indicated that some BVDV1a vaccines gave less than 100% protection against BVDV2 challenge for fetal infection. Eventually vaccines in North America added BVDV2a to modified live virus (MLV) and killed BVDV1a vaccines. Ideally, vaccines should stimulate complete immunity providing 100% protection against disease, viremias, shedding, and 100% fetal protection in vaccinates when challenged with a range of diverse antigenic viruses (subgenotypes). There should be a long duration of immunity stimulated by vaccines, especially for fetal protection. MLV vaccines should be safe when given according to the label and free of other pathogens. While vaccines have now included BVDV1a and BVDV2a, with the discovery of the predominate subgenotype of BVDV in the USA to be BVDV1b, approximately 75% or greater in prevalence, protection in acute challenge and fetal protection studies became more apparent for BVDV1b. Thus many published studies examined protection by BVDV1a and BVDV2a vaccines against BVDV1b in acute challenge and fetal protection studies. There are no current BVDV1b vaccines in the USA. There are now more regulations on BVDV reproductive effects by the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) regarding label claims for protection against abortion, PI calves, and fetal infections, including expectations for studies regarding those claims. Also, the USDA CVB has a memorandum providing the guidance for exemption of the warning label statement against the use of the MLV BVDV in pregnant cows and calves nursing pregnant cows. In reviews of published studies in the USA, the results of acute challenge and fetal protection studies are described, including subgenotypes in vaccines and challenge strains and the results in vaccinates and the vaccinates' fetuses/newborns. In general, vaccines provide protection against heterologous strains, ranging from 100% to partial but statistically significant protection. In recent studies, the duration of immunity afforded by vaccines was investigated and reported. Issues of contamination remain, especially since fetal bovine serums may be contaminated with noncytopathic BVDV. In addition, the potential for immunosuppression by MLV vaccines exists, and new vaccines will be assessed in the future to prove those MLV components are not immunosuppressive by experimental studies. As new subgenotypes are found, the efficacy of the current vaccines should be evaluated for these new strains.
BVDV vaccination in North America: risks versus benefits
Authors: Griebel Philip J.
Published: June 2015

The control and prevention of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections has provided substantial challenges. Viral genetic variation, persistent infections, and viral tropism for immune cells have complicated disease control strategies. Vaccination has, however, provided an effective tool to prevent acute systemic infections and increase reproductive efficiency through fetal protection. There has been substantial controversy about the safety and efficacy of BVDV vaccines, especially when comparing killed versus modified-live viral (MLV) vaccines. Furthermore, numerous vaccination protocols have been proposed to protect the fetus and ensure maternal antibody transfer to the calf. These issues have been further complicated by reports of immune suppression during natural infections and following vaccination. While killed BVDV vaccines provide the greatest safety, their limited immunogenicity makes multiple vaccinations necessary. In contrast, MLV BVDV vaccines induce a broader range of immune responses with a longer duration of immunity, but require strategic vaccination to minimize potential risks. Vaccination strategies for breeding females and young calves, in the face of maternal antibody, are discussed. With intranasal vaccination of young calves it is possible to avoid maternal antibody interference and induce immune memory that persists for 6–8 months. Thus, with an integrated vaccination protocol for both breeding cows and calves it is possible to maximize disease protection while minimizing vaccine risks.
Immune response to bovine viral diarrhea virus—looking at newly defined targets
Authors: Chase Christopher C. L. , Thakur Neelu , Darweesh Mahmoud F. , Morarie-Kane Susan E. , Rajput Mrigendra K.
Published: June 2015

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) has long been associated with a wide variety of clinical syndromes and immune dysregulation, many which result in secondary bacterial infections. Current understanding of immune cell interactions that result in activation and tolerance are explored in light of BVDV infection including: depletion of lymphocytes, effects on neutrophils, natural killer cells, and the role of receptors and cytokines. In addition, we review some new information on the effect of BVDV on immune development in the fetal liver, the role of resident macrophages, and greater implications for persistent infection.
AC-KBO revisited
Authors: YAMADA AKIHISA , WINKLER SARAH , HIROKAWA NAO , MIDDELDORP AART
Published: June 2015

Equational theories that contain axioms expressing associativity and commutativity (AC) of certain operators are ubiquitous. Theorem proving methods in such theories rely on well-founded orders that are compatible with the AC axioms. In this paper, we consider various definitions of AC-compatible Knuth-Bendix orders. The orders of Steinbach and of Korovin and Voronkov are revisited. The former is enhanced to a more powerful version, and we modify the latter to amend its lack of monotonicity on non-ground terms. We further present new complexity results. An extension reflecting the recent proposal of subterm coefficients in standard Knuth-Bendix orders is also given. The various orders are compared on problems in termination and completion.
Missing memories of death: Dissociative amnesia in the bereaved the day after a cancer death
Authors: Ishida Mayumi , Onishi Hideki , Toyama Hiroaki , Tsutsumi Chizuko , Endo Chieko , Tanahashi Iori , Takahashi Takao , Uchitomi Yosuke
Published: June 2015

Objective:

The death of a loved one is one of the most stressful events of life, and such stress affects the physical and psychological well-being of the bereaved. Dissociative amnesia is characterized by an inability to recall important autobiographical information. Dissociative amnesia in the bereaved who have lost a loved one to cancer has not been previously reported. We discuss herein the case of a patient who developed dissociative amnesia the day after the death of here beloved husband.

Method:

A 38-year-old woman was referred for psychiatric consultation because of restlessness and abnormal behavior. Her 44-year-old husband had died of pancreatic cancer the day before the consultation. On the day of the death, she looked upset and began to hyperventilate. The next day, she behaved as if the deceased were still alive, which embarrassed her family. At her initial psychiatric consultation, she talked and behaved as if her husband was still alive and in the hospital.

Results:

Her psychiatric features fulfilled the DSM–V criteria for dissociative amnesia. The death of her husband had been very traumatic for her and was considered to have been one of the causes of this dissociation.

Significance of Results:

This report adds to the list of psychiatric symptoms in the bereaved who have lost a loved one to cancer. In an oncology setting, we should consider the impact of death, the concomitant defense mechanisms, and the background of the families.
Double-Bind on the Bench: Citizen Perceptions of Judge Gender and the Court
Authors: Nelson Kjersten
Published: June 2015

Scholars of gender and politics have long discussed the various manifestations of the “double-bind” for women who seek political leadership. Using a survey experiment with a nationally representative sample, this article examines whether this double-bind exists for female judges. The study reveals that while gender stereotypes are not uniformly applied to female judges, women on the bench are assessed differently in terms of their empathy and knowledge under certain circumstances. The article then discusses the potential implications of these gendered assessments for perceptions of the court, its actions, and women who aspire to judicial roles.
Feminist Security Studies and Feminist International Political Economy: Considering Feminist Stories
Authors: Allison Katherine
Published: June 2015

In reflecting upon the divergence of Feminist Political Economy (FPE) and Feminist Security Studies (FSS) one feels puzzled and perhaps even a little embarrassed. How could such a schism occur and be sustained for seemingly so long? This divergence certainly did not appear to characterize the founding of feminist International Relations (IR) when scholars such as Cynthia Enloe (1983, 1989) and Ann Tickner (1992) were attentive to both dimensions and carefully connected issues of gender to the global economy and to understandings of security and militarism. Moreover, to my mind, there is no immediate epistemological or ontological schism between FSS and FPE of the sort that has characterized other feminist divides. The security studies/International Political Economy (IPE) split seems to be more one of empirical focus that does not require a painstaking and perhaps ultimately futile attempt to suture the feminist IR body back together. Indeed, recent and highly illuminating work on the connections between gender violence and global and local political economies (Meger 2014; True 2012a) would suggest no reason why we should not simply press ahead with the task of reconnection and driving feminist IR forward to new and insightful places.
Diversity and first record of heterobranch gastropods (opisthobranchs) from the Saurashtra coast of Kathiawar Peninsula, India
Authors: Poriya Paresh , Vakani Bhavik , Chaudhari Bhavendra , Kachhiya Pradip , Kundu Rahul
Published: June 2015

This paper reports seven species of opisthobranchs from the intertidal zone of the south Saurashtra coastline off the Arabian Sea, Kathiawar Peninsula, west coast of India. Field surveys were undertaken along the intertidal zones of south Saurashtra coast during 2012–2014. In this study, seven species belonging to six families were recorded, of whichHaminoea ovalis, Flabellina bicolor, Phidiana militaris, Baeolidia palythoaeandSakuraeolis gujaraticaare new records from this coastline.
Early microbial contact, the breast milk microbiome and child health
Authors: Rautava S.
Published: June 2015

The significance of contact with microbes in early life for subsequent health has been the subject of intense research during the last 2 decades. Disturbances in the establishment of the indigenous intestinal microbiome caused by cesarean section delivery or antibiotic exposure in early life have been linked to the risk of immune-mediated and inflammatory conditions such as atopic disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and obesity later in life. Distinct microbial populations have recently been discovered at maternal sites including the amniotic cavity and breast milk, as well as meconium, which have previously been thought to be sterile. Our understanding of the impact of fetal microbial contact on health outcomes is still rudimentary. Breast milk is known to modulate immune and metabolic programming. The breast milk microbiome is hypothesized to guide infant gut colonization and is affected by maternal health status and mode of delivery. Immunomodulatory factors in breast milk interact with the maternal and infant gut microbiome and may mediate some of the health benefits associated with breastfeeding. The intimate connection between the mother and the fetus or the infant is a potential target for microbial therapeutic interventions aiming to support healthy microbial contact and protect against disease.
The “Ought” Premise of Moral Psychology and the Importance of the Ethical “Ideal”
Authors: Cornwell James F. M. , Higgins E. Tory
Published: June 2015

Researchers’ interest in the psychology of ethics has increased dramatically in the last 20 years. Because of the influence of “modern” moral philosophy on psychology, what has received most attention, and has even been taken by some to be an essential characteristic of morality, are oughts (i.e., duties and obligations). Consistent with some more recent advances in the psychological literature (and contemporary philosophy), we propose that this is not the only approach to moral value. Using regulatory focus theory as a lens, we suggest that more attention should also be paid to an important motivational alternative—ethical ideals (i.e. advances and aspirations). We review evidence that we believe supports the conclusion that ethics consists of (at least) 2 evaluative systems—not only a system of oughts that is concerned with maintaining obligations, but also a system of ideals that is concerned with attaining virtues.
Signal-sequence induced conformational changes in the signal recognition particle
Authors: Hainzl Tobias , Sauer-Eriksson A. Elisabeth
Published: June 2015

Co-translational protein targeting is an essential, evolutionarily conserved pathway for delivering nascent proteins to the proper cellular membrane. In this pathway, the signal recognition particle (SRP) first recognizes the N-terminal signal sequence of nascent proteins and subsequently interacts with the SRP receptor. For this, signal sequence binding in the SRP54 M domain must be effectively communicated to the SRP54 NG domain that interacts with the receptor. Here we present the 2.9 Å crystal structure of unbound- and signal sequence bound SRP forms, both present in the asymmetric unit. The structures provide evidence for a coupled binding and folding mechanism in which signal sequence binding induces the concerted folding of the GM linker helix, the finger loop, and the C-terminal alpha helix αM6. This mechanism allows for a high degree of structural adaptability of the binding site and suggests how signal sequence binding in the M domain is coupled to repositioning of the NG domain.
Emergence of spin–orbit fields in magnetotransport of quasi-two-dimensional iron on gallium arsenide
Authors: Hupfauer T. , Matos-Abiague A. , Gmitra M. , Schiller F. , Loher J. , Bougeard D. , Back C. H. , Fabian J. , Weiss D.
Published: June 2015

The desire for higher information capacities drives the components of electronic devices to ever smaller dimensions so that device properties are determined increasingly more by interfaces than by the bulk structure of the constituent materials. Spintronic devices, especially, benefit from the presence of interfaces—the reduced structural symmetry creates emergent spin–orbit fields that offer novel possibilities to control device functionalities. But where does the bulk end, and the interface begin? Here we trace the interface-to-bulk transition, and follow the emergence of the interfacial spin–orbit fields, in the conducting states of a few monolayers of iron on top of gallium arsenide. We observe the transition from the interface- to bulk-induced lateral crystalline magnetoanisotropy, each having a characteristic symmetry pattern, as the epitaxially grown iron channel increases from four to eight monolayers. Setting the upper limit on the width of the interface-imprinted conducting channel is an important step towards an active control of interfacial spin–orbit fields.
Direct characterization of photoinduced lattice dynamics in BaFe2As2
Authors: Gerber S. , Kim K. W. , Zhang Y. , Zhu D. , Plonka N. , Yi M. , Dakovski G. L. , Leuenberger D. , Kirchmann P.S. , Moore R. G. , Chollet M. , Glownia J. M. , Feng Y. , Lee J.-S. , Mehta A. , Kemper A. F. , Wolf T. , Chuang Y.-D. , Hussain Z. , Kao C.-C. , Moritz B. , Shen Z.-X. , Devereaux T. P. , Lee W.-S.
Published: June 2015

Ultrafast light pulses can modify electronic properties of quantum materials by perturbing the underlying, intertwined degrees of freedom. In particular, iron-based superconductors exhibit a strong coupling among electronic nematic fluctuations, spins and the lattice, serving as a playground for ultrafast manipulation. Here we use time-resolved X-ray scattering to measure the lattice dynamics of photoexcited BaFe2As2. On optical excitation, no signature of an ultrafast change of the crystal symmetry is observed, but the lattice oscillates rapidly in time due to the coherent excitation of an A1g mode that modulates the Fe–As–Fe bond angle. We directly quantify the coherent lattice dynamics and show that even a small photoinduced lattice distortion can induce notable changes in the electronic and magnetic properties. Our analysis implies that transient structural modification can be an effective tool for manipulating the electronic properties of multi-orbital systems, where electronic instabilities are sensitive to the orbital character of bands.
Coherent Generation of Photo-Thermo-Acoustic Wave from Graphene Sheets
Authors: Tian Yichao , Tian He , Wu Y. L. , Zhu L. L. , Tao L. Q. , Zhang W. , Shu Y. , Xie D. , Yang Y. , Wei Z. Y. , Lu X. H. , Ren Tian-Ling , Shih Chih-Kang , Zhao Jimin
Published: June 2015

Many remarkable properties of graphene are derived from its large energy window for Dirac-like electronic states and have been explored for applications in electronics and photonics. In addition, strong electron-phonon interaction in graphene has led to efficient photo-thermo energy conversions, which has been harnessed for energy applications. By combining the wavelength independent absorption property and the efficient photo-thermo energy conversion, here we report a new type of applications in sound wave generation underlined by a photo-thermo-acoustic energy conversion mechanism. Most significantly, by utilizing ultrafast optical pulses, we demonstrate the ability to control the phase of sound waves generated by the photo-thermal-acoustic process. Our finding paves the way for new types of applications for graphene, such as remote non-contact speakers, optical-switching acoustic devices, etc.
Relationship between differentially expressed mRNA and mRNA-protein correlations in a xenograft model system
Authors: Koussounadis Antonis , Langdon Simon P. , Um In Hwa , Harrison David J. , Smith V. Anne
Published: June 2015

Differential mRNA expression studies implicitly assume that changes in mRNA expression have biological meaning, most likely mediated by corresponding changes in protein levels. Yet studies into mRNA-protein correspondence have shown notoriously poor correlation between mRNA and protein expression levels, creating concern for inferences from only mRNA expression data. However, none of these studies have examined in particular differentially expressed mRNA. Here, we examined this question in an ovarian cancer xenograft model. We measured protein and mRNA expression for twenty-nine genes in four drug-treatment conditions and in untreated controls. We identified mRNAs differentially expressed between drug-treated xenografts and controls, then analysed mRNA-protein expression correlation across a five-point time-course within each of the four experimental conditions. We evaluated correlations between mRNAs and their protein products for mRNAs differentially expressed within an experimental condition compared to those that are not. We found that differentially expressed mRNAs correlate significantly better with their protein product than non-differentially expressed mRNAs. This result increases confidence for the use of differential mRNA expression for biological discovery in this system, as well as providing optimism for the usefulness of inferences from mRNA expression in general.
Bayesian-based deconvolution fluorescence microscopy using dynamically updated nonstationary expectation estimates
Authors: Wong Alexander , Wang Xiao Yu , Gorbet Maud
Published: June 2015

Fluorescence microscopy is widely used for the study of biological specimens. Deconvolution can significantly improve the resolution and contrast of images produced using fluorescence microscopy; in particular, Bayesian-based methods have become very popular in deconvolution fluorescence microscopy. An ongoing challenge with Bayesian-based methods is in dealing with the presence of noise in low SNR imaging conditions. In this study, we present a Bayesian-based method for performing deconvolution using dynamically updated nonstationary expectation estimates that can improve the fluorescence microscopy image quality in the presence of noise, without explicit use of spatial regularization.
Contrasting environmental drivers of adult and juvenile growth in a marine fish: implications for the effects of climate change
Authors: Ong Joyce Jia Lin , Nicholas Rountrey Adam , Jane Meeuwig Jessica , John Newman Stephen , Zinke Jens , Gregory Meekan Mark
Published: June 2015

Many marine fishes have life history strategies that involve ontogenetic changes in the use of coastal habitats. Such ontogenetic shifts may place these species at particular risk from climate change, because the successive environments they inhabit can differ in the type, frequency and severity of changes related to global warming. We used a dendrochronology approach to examine the physical and biological drivers of growth of adult and juvenile mangrove jack (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) from tropical north-western Australia. Juveniles of this species inhabit estuarine environments and adults reside on coastal reefs. The Niño-4 index, a measure of the status of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) had the highest correlation with adult growth chronologies, with La Niña years (characterised by warmer temperatures and lower salinities) having positive impacts on growth. Atmospheric and oceanographic phenomena operating at ocean-basin scales seem to be important correlates of the processes driving growth in local coastal habitats. Conversely, terrestrial factors influencing precipitation and river runoff were positively correlated with the growth of juveniles in estuaries. Our results show that the impacts of climate change on these two life history stages are likely to be different, with implications for resilience and management of populations.
Analysis of the human diseasome using phenotype similarity between common, genetic and infectious diseases
Authors: Hoehndorf Robert , Schofield Paul N. , Gkoutos Georgios V.
Published: June 2015

Phenotypes are the observable characteristics of an organism arising from its response to the environment. Phenotypes associated with engineered and natural genetic variation are widely recorded using phenotype ontologies in model organisms, as are signs and symptoms of human Mendelian diseases in databases such as OMIM and Orphanet. Exploiting these resources, several computational methods have been developed for integration and analysis of phenotype data to identify the genetic etiology of diseases or suggest plausible interventions. A similar resource would be highly useful not only for rare and Mendelian diseases, but also for common, complex and infectious diseases. We apply a semantic text-mining approach to identify the phenotypes (signs and symptoms) associated with over 6,000 diseases. We evaluate our text-mined phenotypes by demonstrating that they can correctly identify known disease-associated genes in mice and humans with high accuracy. Using a phenotypic similarity measure, we generate a human disease network in which diseases that have similar signs and symptoms cluster together and we use this network to identify closely related diseases based on common etiological, anatomical as well as physiological underpinnings.
Dietary proanthocyanidins modulate BMAL1 acetylation, Nampt expression and NAD levels in rat liver
Authors: Ribas-Latre Aleix , Baselga-Escudero Laura , Casanova Ester , Arola-Arnal Anna , Salvadó M-Josepa , Bladé Cinta , Arola Lluís
Published: June 2015

Metabolism follows circadian rhythms, which are driven by peripheral clocks. Clock genes in the liver are entrained by daytime meals and food components. Proanthocyanidins (PAs), the most abundant flavonoids in the human diet, modulate lipid and glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine whether PAs could adjust the clock system in the liver. Male Wistar rats were orally gavaged with 250 mg grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE)/kg body weight at zeitgeber time (ZT) 0 (light turned on), at ZT12 (light turned off), or before a 6 hour jet-lag and sacrificed at different times. The 24 hour rhythm of clock-core and clock-controlled gene expression indicated that nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) was the most sensitive gene to GSPE. However, Nampt was repressed or overexpressed after GSPE administration at ZT0 or ZT12, respectively. NAD levels, which are controlled by Nampt and also exhibit circadian rhythm, decreased or increased according to Nampt expression. Moreover, the ratio of acetylated Bmal1, that directly drives Nampt expression, only increased when GSPE was administered at ZT12. Therefore, GSPE modulated the clock system in the liver, suggesting that PAs can regulate lipid and glucose metabolism by adjusting the circadian rhythm in the liver.
Large increase in fracture resistance of stishovite with crack extension less than one micrometer
Authors: Yoshida Kimiko , Wakai Fumihiro , Nishiyama Norimasa , Sekine Risako , Shinoda Yutaka , Akatsu Takashi , Nagoshi Takashi , Sone Masato
Published: June 2015

The development of strong, tough and damage-tolerant ceramics requires nano/microstructure design to utilize toughening mechanisms operating at different length scales. The toughening mechanisms so far known are effective in micro-scale, then, they require the crack extension of more than a few micrometers to increase the fracture resistance. Here, we developed a micro-mechanical test method using micro-cantilever beam specimens to determine the very early part of resistance-curve of nanocrystalline SiO2 stishovite, which exhibited fracture-induced amorphization. We revealed that this novel toughening mechanism was effective even at length scale of nanometer due to narrow transformation zone width of a few tens of nanometers and large dilatational strain (from 60 to 95%) associated with the transition of crystal to amorphous state. This testing method will be a powerful tool to search for toughening mechanisms that may operate at nanoscale for attaining both reliability and strength of structural materials.
Moisture-responsive films of cellulose stearoyl esters showing reversible shape transitions
Authors: Zhang Kai , Geissler Andreas , Standhardt Michaela , Mehlhase Sabrina , Gallei Markus , Chen Longquan , Marie Thiele Christina
Published: June 2015

Moisture-responsive materials are gaining greater interest for their potentially wide applications and the readily access to moisture. In this study, we show the fabrication of moisture-responsive, self-standing films using sustainable cellulose as starting material. Cellulose was modified by stearoyl moieties at first, leading to cellulose stearoyl esters (CSEs) with diverse degrees of substitution (DSs). The films of CSE with a low DS of 0.3 (CSE0.3) exhibited moisture-responsive properties, while CSEs with higher DSs of 1.3 or 3 (CSE1.3 and CSE3) not. The CSE0.3 films could reversibly fold and unfold as rhythmical bending motions within a local moisture gradient due to the ab- and desorption of water molecules at the film surface. By spray-coating CSE3 nanoparticles (NPs) onto CSE0.3 films, moisture-responsive films with non-wetting surface were obtained, which can perform quick reversible bending movements and continuous shape transition on water. Furthermore, bilayer films containing one layer of CSE0.3 at one side and one layer of CSE3 at the other side exhibited combined responsiveness to moisture and temperature. By varying the thickness of CSE0.3 films, the minimal bending extent can be adjusted due to altered mechanical resistances, which allows a bending movement preferentially beginning with the thinner side.
Attolitre-sized lipid bilayer chamber array for rapid detection of single transporters
Authors: Soga Naoki , Watanabe Rikiya , Noji Hiroyuki
Published: June 2015

We present an attolitre-sized arrayed lipid bilayer chamber system (aL-ALBiC) for rapid and massively parallel single-molecule assay of membrane transporter activity. Because of the small reaction volume (200 aL), the aL-ALBiC performed fast detection of single transporter activity, thereby enhancing the sensitivity, throughput and accuracy of the analysis. Thus, aL-ALBiC broadens the opportunities for single-molecule analysis of various membrane transporters and can be used in pharmaceutical applications such as drug screening.
A Sweet Spot for Molecular Diagnostics: Coupling Isothermal Amplification and Strand Exchange Circuits to Glucometers
Authors: Du Yan , Hughes Randall A. , Bhadra Sanchita , Jiang Yu Sherry , Ellington Andrew D. , Li Bingling
Published: June 2015

Strand exchange nucleic acid circuitry can be used to transduce isothermal nucleic acid amplification products into signals that can be readable on an off-the-shelf glucometer. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is limited by the accumulation of non-specific products, but nucleic acid circuitry can be used to probe and distinguish specific amplicons. By combining this high temperature isothermal amplification method with a thermostable invertase, we can directly transduce Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Zaire Ebolavirus templates into glucose signals, with a sensitivity as low as 20–100 copies/μl, equating to atto-molar (or low zepto-mole). Virus from cell lysates and synthetic templates could be readily amplified and detected even in sputum or saliva. An OR gate that coordinately triggered on viral amplicons further guaranteed fail-safe virus detection. The method describes has potential for accelerating point-of-care applications, in that biological samples could be applied to a transducer that would then directly interface with an off-the-shelf, approved medical device.
An Effective Way to Optimize the Functionality of Graphene-Based Nanocomposite: Use of the Colloidal Mixture of Graphene and Inorganic Nanosheets
Authors: Jin Xiaoyan , Adpakpang Kanyaporn , Young Kim In , Mi Oh Seung , Lee Nam-Suk , Hwang Seong-Ju
Published: June 2015

The best electrode performance of metal oxide–graphene nanocomposite material for lithium secondary batteries can be achieved by using the colloidal mixture of layered CoO2 and graphene nanosheets as a precursor. The intervention of layered CoO2 nanosheets in-between graphene nanosheets is fairly effective in optimizing the pore and composite structures of the Co3O4–graphene nanocomposite and also in enhancing its electrochemical activity via the depression of interaction between graphene nanosheets. The resulting CoO2 nanosheet-incorporated nanocomposites show much greater discharge capacity of ~1750 mAhg−1 with better cyclability and rate characteristics than does CoO2-free Co3O4–graphene nanocomposite (~1100 mAhg−1). The huge discharge capacity of the present nanocomposite is the largest one among the reported data of cobalt oxide–graphene nanocomposite. Such a remarkable enhancement of electrode performance upon the addition of inorganic nanosheet is also observed for Mn3O4–graphene nanocomposite. The improvement of electrode performance upon the incorporation of inorganic nanosheet is attributable to an improved Li+ ion diffusion, an enhanced mixing between metal oxide and graphene and the prevention of electrode agglomeration. The present experimental findings underscore an efficient and universal role of the colloidal mixture of graphene and redoxable metal oxide nanosheets as a precursor for improving the electrode functionality of graphene-based nanocomposites.
Multifunctional glucose biosensors from Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified chitosan/graphene nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang Wenjing , Li Xiaojian , Zou Ruitao , Wu Huizi , Shi Haiyan , Yu Shanshan , Liu Yong
Published: June 2015

Novel water-dispersible and biocompatible chitosan-functionalized graphene (CG) has been prepared by a one-step ball milling of carboxylic chitosan and graphite. Presence of nitrogen (from chitosan) at the surface of graphene enables the CG to be an outstanding catalyst for the electrochemical biosensors. The resulting CG shows lower ID/IG ratio in the Raman spectrum than other nitrogen-containing graphene prepared using different techniques. Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MNP) are further introduced into the as-synthesized CG for multifunctional applications beyond biosensors such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Carboxyl groups from CG is used to directly immobilize glucose oxidase (GOx) via covalent linkage while incorporation of MNP further facilitated enzyme loading and other unique properties. The resulting biosensor exhibits a good glucose detection response with a detection limit of 16 μM, a sensitivity of 5.658 mA/cm2/M and a linear detection range up to 26 mM glucose. Formation of the multifunctional MNP/CG nanocomposites provides additional advantages for applications in more clinical areas such as in vivo biosensors and MRI agents.
Ammonia-oxidising bacteria not archaea dominate nitrification activity in semi-arid agricultural soil
Authors: Banning Natasha C. , Maccarone Linda D. , Fisk Louise M. , Murphy Daniel V.
Published: June 2015

Ammonia-oxidising archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) are responsible for the rate limiting step in nitrification; a key nitrogen (N) loss pathway in agricultural systems. Dominance of AOA relative to AOB in the amoA gene pool has been reported in many ecosystems, although their relative contributions to nitrification activity are less clear. Here we examined the distribution of AOA and AOB with depth in semi-arid agricultural soils in which soil organic matter content or pH had been altered and related their distribution to gross nitrification rates. Soil depth had a significant effect on gene abundances, irrespective of management history. Contrary to reports of AOA dominance in soils elsewhere, AOA gene copy numbers were four-fold lower than AOB in the surface (0–10 cm). AOA gene abundance increased with depth while AOB decreased and sub-soil abundances were approximately equal (10–90 cm). The depth profile of total archaea did not mirror that of AOA, indicating the likely presence of archaea without nitrification capacity in the surface. Gross nitrification rates declined significantly with depth and were positively correlated to AOB but negatively correlated to AOA gene abundances. We conclude that AOB are most likely responsible for regulating nitrification in these semi-arid soils.
Novel PI3K/AKT targeting anti-angiogenic activities of 4-vinylphenol, a new therapeutic potential of a well-known styrene metabolite
Authors: Yue Grace Gar-Lee , Lee Julia Kin-Ming , Kwok Hin-Fai , Cheng Ling , Wong Eric Chun-Wai , Jiang Lei , Yu Hua , Leung Hoi-Wing , Wong Yuk-Lau , Leung Ping-Chung , Fung Kwok-Pui , Lau Clara Bik-San
Published: June 2015

The pneumo- and hepato-toxicity of 4-vinylphenol (4VP), a styrene metabolite, has been previously reported. Nevertheless, the present study reported the novel anti-angiogenic activities of 4VP which was firstly isolated from the aqueous extract of a Chinese medicinal herb Hedyotis diffusa. Our results showed that 4VP at non-toxic dose effectively suppressed migration, tube formation, adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins, as well as protein and mRNA expressions of metalloproteinase-2 of human endothelial cells (HUVEC and HMEC-1). Investigation of the signal transduction revealed that 4VP down-regulated PI3K/AKT and p38 MAPK. Besides, 4VP interfered with the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, the translocation and expression of NFkappaB. In zebrafish embryo model, the new blood vessel growth was significantly blocked by 4VP (6.25–12.5 μg/mL medium). The VEGF-induced blood vessel formation in Matrigel plugs in C57BL/6 mice was suppressed by 4VP (20–100 μg/mL matrigel). In addition, the blood vessel number and tumor size were reduced by intraperitoneal 4VP (0.2–2 mg/kg) in 4T1 breast tumor-bearing BALB/c mice, with doxorubicin as positive control. Together, the in vitro and in vivo anti-angiogenic activities of 4VP were demonstrated for the first time. These findings suggest that 4VP has great potential to be further developed as an anti-angiogenic agent.
Automated Detection of Vessel Abnormalities on Fluorescein Angiogram in Malarial Retinopathy
Authors: Zhao Yitian , MacCormick Ian J. C. , Parry David G. , Beare Nicholas A. V. , Harding Simon P. , Zheng Yalin
Published: June 2015

The detection and assessment of intravascular filling defects is important, because they may represent a process central to cerebral malaria pathogenesis: neurovascular sequestration. We have developed and validated a framework that can automatically detect intravascular filling defects in fluorescein angiogram images. It first employs a state-of-the-art segmentation approach to extract the vessels from images and then divide them into individual segments by geometrical analysis. A feature vector based on the intensity and shape of saliency maps is generated to represent the level of abnormality of each vessel segment. An AdaBoost classifier with weighted cost coefficient is trained to classify the vessel segments into normal and abnormal categories. To demonstrate its effectiveness, we apply this framework to 6,358 vessel segments in images from 10 patients with malarial retinopathy. The test sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under curve (AUC) are 74.7%, 73.5%, 74.1% and 74.2% respectively when compared to the reference standard of human expert manual annotations. This performance is comparable to the agreement that we find between human observers of intravascular filling defects. Our method will be a powerful new tool for studying malarial retinopathy.
Investigation on Spin Dependent Transport Properties of Core-Shell Structural Fe3O4/ZnS Nanocomposites for Spintronic Application
Authors: Liu Er , Yuan Honglei , Kou Zhaoxia , Wu Xiumei , Xu Qingyu , Zhai Ya , Sui Yunxia , You Biao , Du Jun , Zhai Hongru
Published: June 2015

The core-shell structural Fe3O4/ZnS nanocomposites with controllable shell thickness were well-fabricated via seed-mediate growth method. Structural and morphological characterizations reveal the direct deposition of crystalline II-VI compound semiconductor ZnS shell layer on Fe3O4 particles. Spin dependent electrical transport is studied on Fe3O4/ZnS nanocomposites with different shell thickness and a large magnetoresistance (MR) ratio is observed under the magnetic field of 1.0 T at room temperature and 100 K for the compacted sample by Fe3O4/ZnS nanocomposites, which is 50% larger than that of sample with pure Fe3O4 particles, indicating that the enhanced MR is contributed from the spin injection between Fe3O4 and ZnS layer.
11-GHz waveguide Nd:YAG laser CW mode-locked with single-layer graphene
Authors: Okhrimchuk Andrey G. , Obraztsov Petr A.
Published: June 2015

We report stable, passive, continuous-wave (CW) mode-locking of a compact diode-pumped waveguide Nd:YAG laser with a single-layer graphene saturable absorber. The depressed cladding waveguide in the Nd:YAG crystal is fabricated with an ultrafast laser inscription method. The saturable absorber is formed by direct deposition of CVD single-layer graphene on the output coupler. The few millimeter-long cavity provides generation of 16-ps pulses with repetition rates in the GHz range (up to 11.3 GHz) and 12 mW average power. Stable CW mode-locking operation is achieved by controlling the group delay dispersion in the laser cavity with a Gires–Tournois interferometer.
The actions of neurotensin in rat bladder detrusor contractility
Authors: Dong Xingyou , Bai Xinyu , Zhao Jiang , Wang Liang , Wang Qingqing , Li Longkun
Published: June 2015

This study assessed the expression, distribution and function of neurotensin (NTs) and two main neurotensin receptors (NTSR), NTSR1 and NTSR2 in normal rat urinary bladders. NTs is primarily located in the suburothelium and the interstitium of smooth muscle bundles. The NTSR1 and NTSR2 receptor subtypes are found to co-localize with smooth muscle cells (SMCs). NTs not only can directly act on bladder SMCs to induce intracellular calcium mobilization by activating the phospholipase C/inositol triphosphate (PLC/IP3) pathway, promoting extracellular calcium influx through a non-selective cation channels, but may be also involved in the modulation of the cholinergic system. Nowadays, the selective antimuscarinic drugs (solifenacin) and the selective beta 3-adrenergic agonist (mirabegron) are used as the first-line pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder (OAB), but without satisfactory treatment benefits in some patients. This study provided evidence suggesting that bladder NTs may play an important role in the regulation of micturition. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of NTs on bladder contractility and the underlying mechanism, which might reveal that the administration of NTSR antagonists can potentially relieve the symptoms of OAB by coordination with antimuscarinic pharmacotherapy.