bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic advances in tremor
Authors: Fasano Alfonso , Deuschl Günther
Published: August 2015

Although tremor is a highly prevalent movement disorder, progress in this field is limited because of the poor understanding of many of the underlying conditions. This review summarizes recent treatment attempts since 2013. For essential tremor, recent innovations are phase I or II studies of Octanol, several clinically relevant refinements for deep brain stimulation, and the development of the new magnetic resonance imaging guided focused ultrasound technique. Further new invasive and noninvasive electrical and magnetic stimulation techniques have been tested for essential tremor and parkinsonian tremor. For multiple sclerosis tremor, some open‐label observations have shown positive results (natalizumab, dalfampridine, levetiracetam), whereas controlled trials using cannabinoids have been negative. Functional tremor has shown a positive response to retrainment. Neuroprosthetic devices have been tested in a variety of tremor conditions. Several promising medical and surgical treatment trials are underway and will be completed shortly. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Effectiveness of β‐thalassemia prenatal diagnosis in Southern Iran: a cohort study
Authors: Moghadam Mohamad , Karimi Mehran , Dehghani Seyed Javad , Dehbozorgian Javad , Montazeri Somaye , Javanmardi Elham , Asadzade Rahimeh , Amiri Azizollah , Saghatoleslam Zahra , Sotodegan Fatemosadat , Morshedi Nazila , Imanifard Jaber , Afrasiabi Abdolreza
Published: August 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of prenatal diagnosis (PND) for the prevention of thalassemia in Southern Iran.

Methods

From 2004 to 2012 1346 couples with β‐thalassemia minor were referred to our center. Mutation analyses utilized different methods including polymerase chain reaction‐based technique of amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS), Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis of PCR‐Amplified Fragments (PCR‐RFLP) and Gel Electrophoresis and direct sequencing. Haplotype analysis of the β‐globin gene cluster was done routinely using the PCR‐RFLP technique.

Results

Of the 1346 couples, 884 (66%) requested PND. They had a total of 985 pregnancies (954 singleton and 31 twin pregnancies): the 1016 fetuses underwent chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Thalassemia major was diagnosed in 266 cases (26.2%), and termination of pregnancy was requested by the parents in 264 of them (99%). Thalassemia trait was detected in 499 (49.1%) and 251 cases (24.7%) showed no β‐thalassemia mutations. There were three misdiagnoses (0.4%) (affected children diagnosed as carriers at PND). A unique pattern of thalassemia mutations was present in the study population, with IVS II‐I (G→A), C36–37(−T), IVS I‐5(G>C), −25bpdel (252–276), IVS I‐110(G>A) and C44 (−C) being present in 62% of cases.

Conclusion

The pattern of distribution of thalassemia mutations differs among ethnic groups within the same country © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of γ‐irradiation on glycolysis of PET waste and preparation of ecofriendly coatings using bio‐based and recycled materials
Authors: Jamdar Vandana , Kathalewar Mukesh , Jagtap R.N. , Dubey Kumar Abhinav , Sabnis Anagha
Published: August 2015

Recycling of postconsumer poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a worldwide concern due to large increasing volume of these materials produced by society. In the present study, we report the effect of gamma irradiation on degradation of PET and its subsequent effect on glycolysis by using excess ethylene glycol (EG). The results as analyzed by molecular weight determination showed that extent of depolymerization of PET were dose dependent. The doses of 30, 50, 70, and 100 kGy resulted in decrease in the molecular weight by about 15%, 25%, 30%, and 40% respectively. The irradiated waste PET samples were further subjected to glycolysis using EG by conventional and microwave method which resulted in increased yield of monomeric product, bis (2‐hydroxyethylterephthalate) (BHET). The recycled material, BHET, was then used in combination with bio‐based monomers to prepare a new eco‐friendly polyester polyol which was analyzed for hydroxyl, saponification, acid value and further characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR, and GPC techniques for molecular weight determination. Polyurethane coatings were prepared from the polyester polyol and various commercial polyisocyanate curing agents. The coated films were evaluated for their performance properties. Thermal properties of coatings were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2653–2660, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Thermal stimuli‐responsive behavior of pyrene end‐functionalized PDMS through tunable Π–Π interactions
Authors: Ha Heonjoo , Shanmuganathan Kadhiravan , Fei Yunping , Ellison Christopher J.
Published: August 2015

Pyrene end‐functionalized, telechelic poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) materials were synthesized and their response to different thermal stimuli was evaluated. The incorporation of pyrene end groups introduces strong π–π interactions that facilitated a broad range of thermally responsive properties, in some circumstances forming pyrene nanocrystals that serve as physical crosslinks leading to elastic materials. By synthesizing different chain lengths, samples exhibiting a 7 orders of magnitude change in storage modulus in response to thermal stimuli were produced by modifying only the end‐groups (0.6 wt % of all polymer segments). Repeated thermal cycling during rheological experiments revealed that π–π interaction and crystallization/melting kinetics of pyrene chain‐ends plays a key role in their thermal responsiveness. The properties of these materials were tuned by adding free pyrene, neat PDMS, or graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles, making them attractive for many applications (e.g., tunable damping materials, heat/light sensors, conductive gels, or light repositionable adhesives). For example, nanocomposites containing 1 wt % GO caused the melting temperature for pyrene crystal domains to more than double, and even induced pyrene end‐group crystallization in samples that did not exhibit crystals in neat form. It is hypothesized that these features originate from π–π interactions between pyrene ends and GO surfaces. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 159–168
Extended Defects in Semiconductors
Authors: Seibt Michael , Kittler Martin
Published: August 2015

This proceedings volume of physica status solidi contains papers presented at the 17th International Conference on Extended Defects in Semiconductors (EDS 2014). They have been selected during a peer‐review process.

The conference was organized by the Georg‐August‐University Göttingen and was held at the Physics Faculty as part of the university's North Campus in Göttingen from September 14 to 19, 2014. The biennial conference series on Extended Defects in Semiconductors started with a meeting in Hünfeld, Germany, in 1978. Subsequent meetings took place in France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia and the preceding EDS 2012 in Thessaloniki (Greece).

EDS 2014 was a conference following the tradition of previous conferences of this series, i.e. it brought together experts in fundamental and applied research on structural defects in current and future semiconducting material systems, their nanostructures and devices. For the first time, carbon‐related materials had been included. It provided a forum for excellent presentations and lively discussions in a stimulating scientific atmosphere.

Topics of the conference included

– Thin films and heterostructures

– Low‐dimensional systems and related defects: semiconductor nanocrystals, quantum wells, quantum dots, nanowires

– Extended defects in C‐related materials (incl. graphen)

– Interface structures and defect interaction

– Doping‐, irradiation‐, and implantation‐induced defects

– Electronic structure of defects

– Defect engineering, strain engineering

– Mechanical properties and dislocation dynamics

– Role of defects in optoelectronic and magnetic properties

– Degradation mechanisms in semiconductor devices

– Atomistic and multiscale simulations, modeling approaches of defects, interfaces and nanostructures

– Advanced characterisation techniques and methods for the investigation of semiconductor materials, in‐situ imaging and analysis

– Interaction of point and extended defects, point defect agglomeration

– Materials for solar energy conversion and energy storage.

The organizers want to express their gratitude to all members of the EDS Scientific Committee as well as to the members of the EDS 2014 Program Committee and all referees for their invaluable work. Support by the Georg‐August‐University and the CRC1073 is also gratefully acknowledged.

Last but not least, we thank all participants of EDS 2014 whose excellent contributions built the base for a fruitful and stimulating conference. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Prepare for the implications on campus of concealed carry laws
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: August 2015

A number of state legislatures have recently considered — or are currently considering — bills to allow permit holders to carry concealed weapons on college campuses. But many campus safety professionals agree that's a problem.
Identify common values, strategize for a valuable partnership with academic affairs
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: August 2015

Academic and student affairs divisions often work in silos or, worse yet, against each other. The predominant model in higher education has been, and still is, to have two separate units. This traditional model doesn't always foster cooperation.
Review tips to effectively address racist incidents on your campus
Authors: Munin Art , Davenport John
Published: August 2015

A racist incident occurred at the end of the semester at our university. We wish we could write that this, in and of itself, was notable, but it is not.
Under‐sampling spectrum‐sparse signals based on active aliasing for low probability detection
Authors: Li Lintao , An Jianping , Wang Zhongyong , Li Xiangming
Published: August 2015

Because of the broadcast nature of the wireless communication medium, their security issues are receiving extensive concern. In this paper, we propose a spectrum‐sparse signal based on multi‐carrier modulation for secure wireless communication. The proposed signal is a summation of multiple sub‐band signals over several equally spaced carriers. The power spectrum density of the proposed signal can be reduced to a level even lower than the background noise, provided the number of sub‐bands is sufficiently large. Thus, the proposed signal possesses a favorable low probability detection property similar to that of spread spectrum signals. At the intended receiver, an under‐sampling method based on active aliasing is proposed. In this way, the intended receiver can coherently collect the transmitted signal power over all sub‐bands and extract the information reliably. We also derive a closed‐form expression for bit error rate performance of the proposed scheme in additive white Gaussian channel with binary phase shift keying modulation. Finally, numerical and simulation results to testify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme are generated for both binary phase shift keying and eight‐phase shift keying modulations in additive white Gaussian channel. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Security and efficiency analysis of the Hamming distance computation protocol based on oblivious transfer
Authors: Kiraz Mehmet Sabir , Genc Ziya Alper , Kardas Suleyman
Published: August 2015

Bringer et al. proposed two cryptographic protocols for the computation of Hamming distance. Their first scheme uses oblivious transfer and provides security in the semi‐honest model. The other scheme uses committed oblivious transfer and is claimed to provide full security in the malicious case. The proposed protocols have direct implications to biometric authentication schemes between a prover and a verifier where the verifier has biometric data of the users in plain form.

In this paper, we show that their protocol is not actually fully secure against malicious adversaries. More precisely, our attack breaks the soundness property of their protocol where a malicious user can compute a Hamming distance, which is different from the actual value. For biometric authentication systems, this attack allows a malicious adversary to pass the authentication without knowledge of the honest user's input with at most O(n) complexity instead of O(2n), where n is the input length. We propose an enhanced version of their protocol where this attack is eliminated. The security of our modified protocol is proven using the simulation‐based paradigm. Furthermore, as for efficiency concerns, the modified protocol utilizes verifiable oblivious transfer, which does not require the commitments to outputs, which improves its efficiency significantly. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fame and the fortune of academic economists: How the market rewards influential research in economics
Authors: Hilmer Michael J. , Ransom Michael R. , Hilmer Christiana E.
Published: August 2015

We analyze the pay and position of 1009 faculty members who teach in doctoral‐granting economics departments at 53 large public universities in the United States. Using the Web of Science, we have identified the journal articles published by these scholars and the number of times each of these articles has been subsequently cited in published research articles. We find that research influence, as measured by various measures of total citations, is a remarkably strong predictor of the salary and the prestige of the department in which professors are employed. We also examine the effect of coauthorship. Surprisingly, we find no salary penalty for sharing authorship; however, in terms of prestige of employing department, coauthorship is fully discounted.
Clinical Significance of Sentinel Node Positivity in Patients with Superficial Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroya , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Nakamura Rieko , Fukuda Kazumasa , Takahashi Tsunehiro , Wada Norihito , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: August 2015

Background

Sentinel node (SN) mapping in esophageal cancer has been reported to be technically feasible with an acceptable detection rate and accuracy. However, the clinical significance and survival analysis findings associated with the metastatic status of SNs in patients with early‐stage esophageal cancer have not been clarified. In this study, we investigated the clinical significance and survival impact of SN mapping in early‐stage esophageal cancer.

Methods

Among patients who were diagnosed preoperatively with clinical T1N0M0 or T2N0M0 esophageal cancer and who underwent SN mapping, 70 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with pathological T1 primary thoracic esophageal cancer were enrolled in this study. Sixty‐four (91 %) patients were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma while 5 (7 %) patients were with adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic injection of technetium‐99m tin colloid was performed before surgery, and radioactive SNs were identified by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probing. Standard esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed in all patients, and all resected nodes were evaluated by routine pathological examination.

Results

SNs were successfully detected in 65 (92.9 %) of 70 patients with pT1 esophageal cancer. The sensitivity to predict lymph node metastasis was 91.7 %, and the diagnostic accuracy based on SN status was 96.9 %. Although there was a wide distribution of SNs from cervical to abdominal areas, 84.5 % of the patients had no lymph node metastasis or had lymph node metastasis only in SN. The disease‐specific survival of the patients with metastatic non‐SNs was significantly worse relative to that of the patients with no lymph node metastasis or lymph node metastasis only in SN.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that radio‐guided SN mapping is useful not only as an accurate diagnostic tool for detecting lymph node metastasis but also as a tool for prognostic stratification in patients with cN0 early esophageal cancer.
The School Assessment for Environmental Typology (SAfETy): An Observational Measure of the School Environment
Authors: Bradshaw Catherine P. , Milam Adam J. , Furr-Holden C. Debra M. , Lindstrom Johnson Sarah
Published: August 2015

School safety is of great concern for prevention researchers, school officials, parents, and students, yet there are a dearth of assessments that have operationalized school safety from an organizational framework using objective tools and measures. Such a tool would be important for deriving unbiased assessments of the school environment, which in turn could be used as an evaluative tool for school violence prevention efforts. The current paper presents a framework for conceptualizing school safety consistent with Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) model and social disorganization theory, both of which highlight the importance of context as a driver for adolescents’ risk for involvement in substance use and violence. This paper describes the development of a novel observational measure, called the School Assessment for Environmental Typology (SAfETy), which applies CPTED and social disorganizational frameworks to schools to measure eight indicators of school physical and social environment (i.e., disorder, trash, graffiti/vandalism, appearance, illumination, surveillance, ownership, and positive behavioral expectations). Drawing upon data from 58 high schools, we provide preliminary data regarding the validity and reliability of the SAfETy and describe patterns of the school safety indicators. Findings demonstrate the reliability and validity of the SAfETy and are discussed with regard to the prevention of violence in schools.
A Hyperbolic–Elliptic Model Problem for Coupled Surface–Subsurface Flow
Authors: Magiera Jim , Rohde Christian , Rybak Iryna
Published: August 2015

We consider a model problem for coupled surface–subsurface flow. The model consists of a nonlinear kinematic wave equation for the surface fluid’s height and a Brinkman model that governs fluid velocity and pressure for subsurface dynamics. For this coupled hyperbolic–elliptic model we establish the existence of weak solutions. The proof is based on a viscous approximation and the method of compensated compactness by virtue of appropriate energy estimates. To solve the coupled problem numerically, a finite volume method is applied. The numerical scheme is used to illustrate the influence of the Brinkman parameter on the coupled flow pattern for infiltration scenarios.
Brief report: Examining children's disruptive behavior in the wake of trauma – A two‐piece growth curve model before and after a school shooting
Authors: Liao Yue , Shonkoff Eleanor T. , Barnett Elizabeth , Wen C.K. Fred , Miller Kimberly A. , Eddy J. Mark
Published: August 2015

School shootings may have serious negative impacts on children years after the event. Previous research suggests that children exposed to traumatic events experience heightened fear, anxiety, and feelings of vulnerability, but little research has examined potential aggressive and disruptive behavioral reactions. Utilizing a longitudinal dataset in which a local school shooting occurred during the course of data collection, this study sought to investigate whether the trajectory of disruptive behaviors was affected by the shooting. A two‐piece growth curve model was used to examine the trajectory of disruptive behaviors during the pre‐shooting years (i.e., piece one) and post‐shooting years (i.e., piece two). Results indicated that the two‐piece growth curve model fit the data better than the one‐piece model and that the school shooting precipitated a faster decline in aggressive behaviors. This study demonstrated a novel approach to examining effects of an unexpected traumatic event on behavioral trajectories using an existing longitudinal data set.
Examining the dimensional structure and nomological network of achievement goals in the Philippines
Authors: King Ronnel B.
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study was to test the cross‐cultural validity of the 2 × 2 achievement goal model in the Philippine context. The dimensional structure of the four achievement goals (mastery‐approach, performance‐approach, mastery‐avoidance, and performance‐avoidance) and their associations with key learning outcomes were investigated. In Study 1, support for the dimensional structure of the 2 × 2 model was found. In Study 2, associations between achievement goals and learning outcomes such as engagement, disaffection, and achievement were investigated. Contrary to Western research, performance‐avoidance was positively associated with adaptive outcomes and performance‐approach goals were only weakly related to achievement. Cross‐cultural implications are discussed.
Personally important posttraumatic growth in adolescents: The effect on self‐esteem beyond commonly defined posttraumatic growth
Authors: Taku Kanako , McDiarmid Leah
Published: August 2015

Research on posttraumatic growth (PTG), positive psychological changes that may occur as a result of highly stressful life events, reveals adolescents are able to experience PTG. The current study tests individual differences among adolescents in relative importance of PTG and examines the relationships among personally important PTG, commonly defined PTG, and self‐esteem. Adolescents (N = 145) with the mean age of 15.75 (SD = 1.13) completed the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale and PTG Inventory, and then reported which items on the PTG Inventory were personally important to them. Results indicated within‐scale differences in item importance on the PTG Inventory. Personally important PTG was a better predictor of adolescent self‐esteem than commonly defined PTG, measured as total PTGI score or each of the five factors. These findings suggest future research should look at both short‐term and long‐term effects of personally important PTG as well as commonly defined PTG.
MENS REA IN JOINT ENTERPRISE: A ROLE FOR ENDORSEMENT?
Authors: Krebs Beatrice
Published: August 2015

This paper argues that the problems commonly associated with the joint enterprise doctrine might be alleviated by supplementing the cognitive mens rea standard of foresight with a volitional element that looks to how the defendant related to the foreseen risk. A re-examination of the case law suggests that a mens rea conception of foresight plus endorsement might be within interpretative reach. The paper considers possible objections to such a development but ultimately rejects them. It concludes that it is not necessary to wait for Parliament to put in place reforms: joint enterprise is a creature of the common law, and the common law is able to tame it unaided.
Performance of Tsol-p27 antigen for the serological diagnosis of cysticercosis in Mozambique
Authors: Nhancupe N. , Noormahomed E.V. , Afonso S. , Falk K.I. , Lindh J.
Published: August 2015

The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NCC) requires expensive neuroimaging techniques that are seldom affordable for people in endemic countries. Accordingly, there is a need for new low-cost diagnostic methods that offer high sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we evaluated Western blot analysis of the previously described recombinant antigen Tsol-p27 in relation to a commercial or in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for NCC, and compared the results with those provided by a commercial enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) assay, which was regarded as the reference standard method. The analysed serum samples were obtained from 165 people, 18 of whom were confirmed to be NCC positive by EITB. Comparing our Western blot analysis of Tsol-p27 with a previous evaluation performed in Central America showed similar specificity (96.69% versus 97.8%) and sensitivity (85.71% versus 86.7%). The present results indicate that the recombinant Tsol-p27 antigen provides good sensitivity and specificity, and might be preferable as a diagnostic antigen in poorly equipped laboratories in endemic countries.
“Am I Becoming a Serial Killer?” A Case Study of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Mental Illness Anxiety
Authors: Gelinas Bethany L. , Hadjistavropoulos Heather
Published: August 2015

Background: Although mental illness anxiety is described in the literature, there is very little information on which to draw when treating individuals who present with fears and worries about mental health. In fact, we identified no previous case descriptions focused on this form of anxiety and treated from a cognitive behavioral perspective. Aims: The current case study aims to advance the understanding of the clinical picture of mental illness anxiety, and facilitate the understanding of how cognitive behavioral techniques for health anxiety can be effectively adapted and implemented for such a case. Method: A case study approach was adopted in which a baseline condition and repeated assessments were conducted during an 8-week treatment and 2-month follow-up period. In the current case study, we discuss the assessment, conceptualization, and cognitive behavioral treatment of a 24-year old woman who presented with mental illness anxiety. Several common health anxiety assessment tools and cognitive behavioural techniques were adapted for her particular clinical presentation. Results: Consistent with research evidence for health anxiety, significant improvements in health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity were seen after eight sessions of therapy and maintained at 2-month follow-up. Conclusions: The results provide preliminary evidence that cognitive behavioral techniques for health anxiety can be effectively and efficiently adapted for mental illness anxiety. However, the lack of available research pertaining to mental illness anxiety contributes to challenges in conceptualization, assessment and treatment.
Improvements in Interpersonal Functioning Following Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) with Adolescents and their Association with Change in Depression
Authors: Spence Susan H. , O’Shea Gabrielle , Donovan Caroline L.
Published: August 2015

Background: This study adds to the body of evidence regarding the theoretical underpinnings of interpersonal psychotherapy and the mechanisms through which it impacts upon depression in adolescents. Aims: The aims were to determine whether the interpersonal constructs proposed to underpin interpersonal psychotherapy do indeed change in response to this therapy and whether such changes are associated with changes in depression in young people. Method: Thirty-nine adolescents, aged 13–19 years, with a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder, were randomly assigned in blocks to group or individual treatment. Assessments were conducted at pre and posttreatment, and 12-month follow-up. Results: The results supported the hypotheses, with significant improvements in social skills, social functioning, and the quality of parent-adolescent relationships, and an increase in secure attachment style and decrease in insecure attachment style being evident following treatment. Benefits were maintained at 12-month follow-up. Adolescents who showed greater reductions in depressive symptoms over this period tended to also show greater improvement in parent reported social skills, quality of the parent-adolescent relationship, and attachment style from pretreatment to 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: The findings are consistent with the proposed underpinnings of interpersonal psychotherapy. Adolescents showed significant improvements in interpersonal functioning and changes in attachment style following treatment, and changes in social skills, parent-adolescent conflict and attachment style were associated with reductions in depression. As such, the results add to the body of knowledge regarding the construct validity of interpersonal psychotherapy as an intervention for depression in young people. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
T-cell ligands modulate the cytolytic activity of the CD33/CD3 BiTE antibody construct, AMG 330
Authors: Laszlo G S , Gudgeon C J , Harrington K H , Walter R B
Published: August 2015

Preclinical and emerging clinical studies demonstrate that bispecific T-cell engaging (BiTE) antibody constructs can potently lyse targeted tumor cells, but the determinants for their activity remain incompletely understood. Using human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines engineered to overexpress individual T-cell ligands, we found that expression of the inhibitory ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, reduced the cytolytic activity of the BiTE antibody construct targeting CD33, AMG 330; conversely, expression of the activating ligands, CD80 and CD86, augmented the cytotoxic activity of AMG 330. Consistent with these findings, treatment with an activating antibody directed at the co-stimulatory T-cell receptor, CD28, significantly increased AMG 330-induced cytotoxicity in human AML cell lines. Using specimens from 12 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory AML, we found that activation of CD28 also increased the activity of AMG 330 in primary human AML cells (P=0.023). Together, our findings indicate that T-cell ligands and co-receptors modulate the anti-tumor activity of the CD33/CD3 BiTE antibody construct, AMG 330. These findings suggest that such ligands/co-receptors could serve as biomarkers of response and that co-treatment strategies with pharmacological modulators of T-cell receptor signaling could be utilized to further enhance the activity of this targeted therapeutic.
miR-526b targets 3′ UTR of MMP1 mRNA
Authors: Kim Kyu-Han , Jung Ji-Yong , Son Eui Dong , Shin Dong Wook , Noh Minsoo , Lee Tae Ryong
Published: August 2015

Regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is important for many physiological processes involving cancers, inflammation, tissue remodeling and skin aging. Here, we report the novel finding that the expression of MMP1 mRNA is downregulated by the overexpression of miR-526b which is a member of chromosome 19 microRNA cluster (C19MC). Our analysis using reporter constructs containing the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of MMP1 and its mutant form showed that the region from 377–383 in the 3′ UTR of MMP1 is critical for targeting by miR-526b. In addition, the expression pattern of miR-526b and MMP1 mRNA showed reverse relation between adult dermal and neonatal fibroblasts. We show for the first time that miR-526b, an miRNA belonging to C19MC, can target the 377–383 region of the MMP1 3′ UTR.
Experimental insights into the importance of aquatic bacterial community composition to the degradation of dissolved organic matter
Authors: Logue Jürg B , Stedmon Colin A , Kellerman Anne M , Nielsen Nikoline J , Andersson Anders F , Laudon Hjalmar , Lindström Eva S , Kritzberg Emma S
Published: August 2015

Bacteria play a central role in the cycling of carbon, yet our understanding of the relationship between the taxonomic composition and the degradation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is still poor. In this experimental study, we were able to demonstrate a direct link between community composition and ecosystem functioning in that differently structured aquatic bacterial communities differed in their degradation of terrestrially derived DOM. Although the same amount of carbon was processed, both the temporal pattern of degradation and the compounds degraded differed among communities. We, moreover, uncovered that low-molecular-weight carbon was available to all communities for utilisation, whereas the ability to degrade carbon of greater molecular weight was a trait less widely distributed. Finally, whereas the degradation of either low- or high-molecular-weight carbon was not restricted to a single phylogenetic clade, our results illustrate that bacterial taxa of similar phylogenetic classification differed substantially in their association with the degradation of DOM compounds. Applying techniques that capture the diversity and complexity of both bacterial communities and DOM, our study provides new insight into how the structure of bacterial communities may affect processes of biogeochemical significance.
Calorimetric determination of the magnetic phase diagram of underdoped ortho II YBa2Cu3O6.54 single crystals
Authors: Marcenat C. , Demuer A. , Beauvois K. , Michon B. , Grockowiak A. , Liang R. , Hardy W. , Bonn D. A. , Klein T.
Published: August 2015

The recent discovery of a charge order in underdoped YBa2Cu3Oy raised the question of the interplay between superconductivity and this competing phase. Understanding the normal state of high-temperature superconductors is now an essential step towards the description of the pairing mechanism in those materials and determining the upper critical field is therefore of fundamental importance. We present here a calorimetric determination of the field–temperature phase diagram in underdoped YBa2Cu3Oy single crystals. We show that the specific heat saturates in high magnetic fields. This saturation is consistent with a normal state without any significant superconducting contribution and a total Sommerfeld coefficient γN∼6.5±1.5 mJ mol−1 K−2 putting strong constraints on the theoretical models for the Fermi surface reconstruction.
Moisture dipole over the Tibetan Plateau during the past five and a half centuries
Authors: Zhang Qi-Bin , Evans Michael N. , Lyu Lixin
Published: August 2015

The South Asian Monsoon and mid-latitude Westerlies are two important controls on Tibetan Plateau (TP) fresh water resources. Understanding their interaction requires long-term information on spatial patterns in moisture variability on the TP. Here we develop a network of 23 moisture-sensitive tree-ring chronologies from major juniper forests in a north–south transect on the eastern TP. Over the past five and a half centuries, we find that these chronologies cluster into two groups, North and South, of ∼33° N. Southern and northern regional chronology subsets are positively and significantly correlated with May–June Palmer Drought Severity Indices (PDSI). The meridional moisture stress gradient reconstructed from these data suggests substantial stochastic variation, yet persistent moisture stress differences are observed between 1463–1502 CE and 1693–1734 CE. Identification of these patterns provides clues linking them with forced or intrinsic tropical–extratropical interactions and thus facilitates studies of interannual–decadal dipole variations in hydroclimate over the TP.
Plk1 relieves centriole block to reduplication by promoting daughter centriole maturation
Authors: Shukla Anil , Kong Dong , Sharma Meena , Magidson Valentin , Loncarek Jadranka
Published: August 2015

Centrosome overduplication promotes mitotic abnormalities, invasion and tumorigenesis. Cells regulate the number of centrosomes by limiting centriole duplication to once per cell cycle. The orthogonal orientation between a mother and a daughter centriole, established at the time of centriole duplication, is thought to block further duplication of the mother centriole. Loss of orthogonal orientation (disengagement) between two centrioles during anaphase is considered a licensing event for the next round of centriole duplication. Disengagement requires the activity of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), but how Plk1 drives this process is not clear. Here we employ correlative live/electron microscopy and demonstrate that Plk1 induces maturation and distancing of the daughter centriole, allowing reduplication of the mother centriole even if the original daughter centriole is still orthogonal to it. We find that mother centrioles can undergo reduplication when original daughter centrioles are only ∼80 nm apart, which is the distance centrioles normally reach during prophase.
Zero-Determinant Strategies in Iterated Public Goods Game
Authors: Pan Liming , Hao Dong , Rong Zhihai , Zhou Tao
Published: August 2015

Recently, Press and Dyson have proposed a new class of probabilistic and conditional strategies for the two-player iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma, so-called zero-determinant strategies. A player adopting zero-determinant strategies is able to pin the expected payoff of the opponents or to enforce a linear relationship between his own payoff and the opponents’ payoff, in a unilateral way. This paper considers zero-determinant strategies in the iterated public goods game, a representative multi-player game where in each round each player will choose whether or not to put his tokens into a public pot and the tokens in this pot are multiplied by a factor larger than one and then evenly divided among all players. The analytical and numerical results exhibit a similar yet different scenario to the case of two-player games: (i) with small number of players or a small multiplication factor, a player is able to unilaterally pin the expected total payoff of all other players; (ii) a player is able to set the ratio between his payoff and the total payoff of all other players, but this ratio is limited by an upper bound if the multiplication factor exceeds a threshold that depends on the number of players.
Large epidemic thresholds emerge in heterogeneous networks of heterogeneous nodes
Authors: Yang Hui , Tang Ming , Gross Thilo
Published: August 2015

One of the famous results of network science states that networks with heterogeneous connectivity are more susceptible to epidemic spreading than their more homogeneous counterparts. In particular, in networks of identical nodes it has been shown that network heterogeneity, i.e. a broad degree distribution, can lower the epidemic threshold at which epidemics can invade the system. Network heterogeneity can thus allow diseases with lower transmission probabilities to persist and spread. However, it has been pointed out that networks in which the properties of nodes are intrinsically heterogeneous can be very resilient to disease spreading. Heterogeneity in structure can enhance or diminish the resilience of networks with heterogeneous nodes, depending on the correlations between the topological and intrinsic properties. Here, we consider a plausible scenario where people have intrinsic differences in susceptibility and adapt their social network structure to the presence of the disease. We show that the resilience of networks with heterogeneous connectivity can surpass those of networks with homogeneous connectivity. For epidemiology, this implies that network heterogeneity should not be studied in isolation, it is instead the heterogeneity of infection risk that determines the likelihood of outbreaks.
Early warning signs for saddle-escape transitions in complex networks
Authors: Kuehn Christian , Zschaler Gerd , Gross Thilo
Published: August 2015

Many real world systems are at risk of undergoing critical transitions, leading to sudden qualitative and sometimes irreversible regime shifts. The development of early warning signals is recognized as a major challenge. Recent progress builds on a mathematical framework in which a real-world system is described by a low-dimensional equation system with a small number of key variables, where the critical transition often corresponds to a bifurcation. Here we show that in high-dimensional systems, containing many variables, we frequently encounter an additional non-bifurcative saddle-type mechanism leading to critical transitions. This generic class of transitions has been missed in the search for early-warnings up to now. In fact, the saddle-type mechanism also applies to low-dimensional systems with saddle-dynamics. Near a saddle a system moves slowly and the state may be perceived as stable over substantial time periods. We develop an early warning sign for the saddle-type transition. We illustrate our results in two network models and epidemiological data. This work thus establishes a connection from critical transitions to networks and an early warning sign for a new type of critical transition. In complex models and big data we anticipate that saddle-transitions will be encountered frequently in the future.
CoMOGrad and PHOG: From Computer Vision to Fast and Accurate Protein Tertiary Structure Retrieval
Authors: Karim Rezaul , Aziz Mohd. Momin Al , Shatabda Swakkhar , Rahman M. Sohel , Mia Md. Abul Kashem , Zaman Farhana , Rakin Salman
Published: August 2015

The number of entries in a structural database of proteins is increasing day by day. Methods for retrieving protein tertiary structures from such a large database have turn out to be the key to comparative analysis of structures that plays an important role to understand proteins and their functions. In this paper, we present fast and accurate methods for the retrieval of proteins having tertiary structures similar to a query protein from a large database. Our proposed methods borrow ideas from the field of computer vision. The speed and accuracy of our methods come from the two newly introduced features- the co-occurrence matrix of the oriented gradient and pyramid histogram of oriented gradient- and the use of Euclidean distance as the distance measure. Experimental results clearly indicate the superiority of our approach in both running time and accuracy. Our method is readily available for use from this website: http://research.buet.ac.bd:8080/Comograd/.
Isolation of Genetically Tractable Most-Wanted Bacteria by Metaparental Mating
Authors: Cuív Páraic Ó , Smith Wendy J. , Pottenger Sian , Burman Sriti , Shanahan Erin R. , Morrison Mark
Published: August 2015

Metagenomics has rapidly advanced our inventory and appreciation of the genetic potential inherent to the gut microbiome. However it is widely accepted that two key constraints to further genetic dissection of the gut microbiota and host-microbe interactions have been our inability to recover new isolates from the human gut and the paucity of genetically tractable gut microbes. To address this challenge we developed a modular RP4 mobilisable recombinant vector system and an approach termed metaparental mating to support the rapid and directed isolation of genetically tractable fastidious gut bacteria. Using this approach we isolated transconjugants affiliated with Clostridium cluster IV (Faecalibacterium and Oscillibacter spp.), Clostridium cluster XI (Anaerococcus) and Clostridium XIVa (Blautia spp.) and group 2 ruminococci amongst others and demonstrated that the recombinant vectors were stably maintained in their recipient hosts. By a similar approach we constructed fluorescently labelled bacterial transconjugants affiliated with Clostridium cluster IV (including Flavonifractor and Pseudoflavonifractor spp.), Clostridium XIVa (Blautia spp.) and Clostridium cluster XVIII (Clostridium ramosum) that expressed a flavin mononucleotide-based reporter gene (evoglow-C-Bs2). Our approach will advance the integration of bacterial genetics with metagenomics and realize new directions to support a more mechanistic dissection of host-microbe associations relevant to human health and disease.
Comparative Assessment of Different Health Utility Measures in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Wang Su-li , Hsieh Evelyn , Zhu Li-an , Wu Bin , Lu Liang-jing
Published: August 2015

In a time of increasing economic constraints, it is crucial that health systems optimize their resource use to ensure that they generate the maximum possible health gain. Therefore, it is necessary for health interventions to be evaluated and compared across therapeutic boundaries. Undertaking such an evaluation a generic utility-based measure is required. But it remains uncertain whether the utility values obtained by direct or indirect methods are comparable and which approach is the most appropriate in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) population. In the study, we compared the utility values obtained by an indirect method (EQ-5D) with direct utility instruments, the standard gamble (SG) and visual analog scale (VAS), in SLE patients. The correlations between VAS, EQ-5D and LupusQoL were significant; relative good intraclass correlations or kappa coefficients indicated the reliability of these instruments. A model incorporating the SLEDAI scores and LupusQoL domains of emotional health and pain was a good predictor of VAS. SLEDAI score was a good predictor in the SG regression model. These findings suggested that the VAS and EQ-5D might be valid and reliable measures to assess health related quality of life in SLE patients and represent promising outcome measures for future research in this population.
Copy number variation in exportin-4 (XPO4) gene and its association with histological severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Zain Shamsul Mohd , Mohamed Zahurin , Pirmohamed Munir , Tan Hwa Li , Alshawsh Mohammed Abdullah , Mahadeva Sanjiv , Chan Wah-Kheong , Mustapha Nik Raihan Nik , Mohamed Rosmawati
Published: August 2015

A recent genome-wide copy number (CNV) scan identified a 13q12.11 duplication in the exportin-4 (XPO4) gene to be associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We sought to confirm the finding in a larger cohort and to assess the serum XPO4 pattern in a broad spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cases. We analysed 249 NAFLD patients and 232 matched controls using TaqMan assay and serum XPO4 was measured. Copy number distribution was as follows: copy number neutral (NAFLD: 53.8%, controls: 68.6%), copy number losses (NAFLD: 13.3%, controls: 12.9%), copy number gains (NAFLD: 32.9%, controls: 18.5%). CNV gain was significantly associated with a greater risk of NAFLD (adjusted OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.42–3.46, P = 0.0004) and NASH (adjusted OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.47–3.68, P = 0.0003). Interestingly, subjects carrying extra copy number showed significantly higher serum ALT and triglyceride (P < 0.05). Serum XPO4 levels progressively declined (P = 0.043) from controls (24.6 ng/mL) to simple steatosis (20.8 ng/mL) to NASH (13.8 ng/mL). In conclusion,XPO4CNV duplication was associated with histological severity of NAFLD and accompanied by changes in serum XPO4 levels providing insights into NAFLD pathogenesis and has the potential for biomarker development.
Tracing temperature in a nanometer size region in a picosecond time period
Authors: Nakajima Kaoru , Kitayama Takumi , Hayashi Hiroaki , Matsuda Makoto , Sataka Masao , Tsujimoto Masahiko , Toulemonde Marcel , Bouffard Serge , Kimura Kenji
Published: August 2015

Irradiation of materials with either swift heavy ions or slow highly charged ions leads to ultrafast heating on a timescale of several picosecond in a region of several nanometer. This ultrafast local heating result in formation of nanostructures, which provide a number of potential applications in nanotechnologies. These nanostructures are believed to be formed when the local temperature rises beyond the melting or boiling point of the material. Conventional techniques, however, are not applicable to measure temperature in such a localized region in a short time period. Here, we propose a novel method for tracing temperature in a nanometer region in a picosecond time period by utilizing desorption of gold nanoparticles around the ion impact position. The feasibility is examined by comparing with the temperature evolution predicted by a theoretical model.
Chimeric peptide constructs comprising linear B-cell epitopes: application to the serodiagnosis of infectious diseases
Authors: Lu Yudong , Li Zhong , Teng Huan , Xu Hongke , Qi Songnan , He Jian’an , Gu Dayong , Chen Qijun , Ma Hongwei
Published: August 2015

Linear B-cell epitopes are ideal biomarkers for the serodiagnosis of infectious diseases. However, the long-predicted diagnostic value of epitopes has not been realized. Here, we demonstrated a method, diagnostic epitopes in four steps (DEIFS), that delivers a combination of epitopes for the serodiagnosis of infectious diseases with a high success rate. Using DEIFS for malaria, we identified 6 epitopes from 8 peptides and combined them into 3 chimeric peptide constructs. Along with 4 other peptides, we developed a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), which is able to differentiate Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) from Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) infections with 95.6% overall sensitivity and 99.1% overall specificity. In addition to applications in diagnosis, DEIFS could also be used in the diagnosis of virus and bacterium infections, discovery of vaccine candidates, evaluation of vaccine potency and study of disease progression.