bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adverse effects of thiram-treated seed ingestion on the reproductive performance and the offspring immune function of the red-legged partridge
Authors: Lopez-Antia Ana , Ortiz-Santaliestra Manuel E. , Blas Esther García-de , Camarero Pablo R. , Mougeot Francois , Mateo Rafael
Published: February 2015

Pesticide research traditionally has focused on compounds with high acute toxicity or persistence, but the adverse sublethal effects of pesticides with different properties also may have important consequences on exposed wildlife. The authors studied the effects of thiram, a fungicide used for seed coating with known effects as endocrine disruptor. Red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa; n = 15 pairs per treatment group) were fed wheat treated with 0%, 20%, or 100% of the thiram application rate used in autumn (25 d) and late winter (10 d) to mimic cereal sowing periods. The authors studied the effects on reproductive performance, carotenoid-based ornamentation and cellular immune responsiveness of adult partridges, and their relationship with changes in oxidative stress biomarkers and plasma biochemistry. The authors also studied the effect of parental exposure on egg antioxidant content and on the survival, growth, and cellular immune response of offspring. Exposure to thiram-coated seeds delayed egg laying, reduced clutch size, and affected egg size and eggshell thickness. Partridges exposed to the 20% thiram dose exhibited reduced egg fertility and brood size (55% and 28% of controls, respectively). Chick survival was unaffected by parental exposure to treated seeds, but adverse effects on their growth rate and cellular immune response were apparent. These effects on reproduction and immune function may have important demographic consequences on farmland bird populations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1320–1329. © 2015 SETAC
Modeling ready biodegradability of fragrance materials
Authors: Ceriani Lidia , Papa Ester , Kovarich Simona , Boethling Robert , Gramatica Paola
Published: February 2015

In the present study, quantitative structure activity relationships were developed for predicting ready biodegradability of approximately 200 heterogeneous fragrance materials. Two classification methods, classification and regression tree (CART) and k-nearest neighbors (kNN), were applied to perform the modeling. The models were validated with multiple external prediction sets, and the structural applicability domain was verified by the leverage approach. The best models had good sensitivity (internal ≥80%; external ≥68%), specificity (internal ≥80%; external 73%), and overall accuracy (≥75%). Results from the comparison with BIOWIN global models, based on group contribution method, show that specific models developed in the present study perform better in prediction than BIOWIN6, in particular for the correct classification of not readily biodegradable fragrance materials. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1224–1231. © 2015 SETAC
Substrate tunnels in enzymes: Structure–function relationships and computational methodology
Authors: Kingsley Laura J. , Lill Markus A.
Published: February 2015

In enzymes, the active site is the location where incoming substrates are chemically converted to products. In some enzymes, this site is deeply buried within the core of the protein, and, in order to access the active site, substrates must pass through the body of the protein via a tunnel. In many systems, these tunnels act as filters and have been found to influence both substrate specificity and catalytic mechanism. Identifying and understanding how these tunnels exert such control has been of growing interest over the past several years because of implications in fields such as protein engineering and drug design. This growing interest has spurred the development of several computational methods to identify and analyze tunnels and how ligands migrate through these tunnels. The goal of this review is to outline how tunnels influence substrate specificity and catalytic efficiency in enzymes with buried active sites and to provide a brief summary of the computational tools used to identify and evaluate these tunnels. Proteins 2015; 83:599–611. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Renal responses produced by microinjection of the kappa opioid receptor agonist, U50‐488H, into sites within the rat lamina terminalis
Authors: Franklin Cynthia , Fortepiani Lourdes , Nguyen Tin , Rangel Yolanda , Strong Randy , Gottlieb Helmut B.
Published: February 2015

Activation of central kappa opioid receptors (KOR) has been demonstrated to produce marked free water diuresis with a concurrent increase in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). This study investigated the cardiovascular (CV) and renal effects evoked by central activation of KOR in two lamina terminalis sites, the median preoptic area (MPA) and anterolateral division of the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST). Rats anesthetized with urethane alpha‐chloralose were instrumented to record mean arterial pressure, heart rate, RSNA, and urine output (V). Rats were infused with isotonic saline (25 μL/min) and urine samples were collected during two 10‐min control periods and six consecutive 10‐min experimental periods following microinjection of vehicle, U50‐448H (U50, KOR agonist) alone or norbinaltorphimine (nor‐BNI, KOR antagonist) plus U50. Microinjection of U50 into the BST increased V (peak at 30 min, 84.8 ± 12.9 μL/min) as compared to its respective control, vehicle, or nor‐BNI plus U50. This diuretic effect occurred without any significant changes in CV parameters, RSNA, or urinary sodium excretion. In contrast, U50 injection into the MPA significantly increased RSNA (peak at 20 mins: 129 ± 9.9) without increasing the other parameters. This study demonstrated novel sites through which activation of KOR selectively increases V and RSNA. The ability of U50 to increase V without affecting sodium excretion and RSNA raises the possibility that LT neurons could be an important substrate through which drugs targeting KOR could selectively facilitate water excretion in sodium‐retaining diseases such as congestive heart failure.
Inhibition of adenosine deaminase (ADA)‐mediated metabolism of cordycepin by natural substances
Authors: Li Gen , Nakagome Izumi , Hirono Shuichi , Itoh Tomoo , Fujiwara Ryoichi
Published: February 2015

Cordycepin, which is an analogue of a nucleoside adenosine, exhibits a wide variety of pharmacological activities including anticancer effects. In this study, ADA1‐ and ADA2‐expressing HEK293 cells were established to determine the major ADA isoform responsible for the deamination of cordycepin. While the metabolic rate of cordycepin deamination was similar between ADA2‐expressing and Mock cells, extensive metabolism of cordycepin was observed in the ADA1‐expressing cells with Km and Vmax values of 54.9 μmol/L and 45.8 nmole/min/mg protein. Among five natural substances tested in this study (kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, naringenin, and naringin), naringin strongly inhibited the deamination of cordycepin with Ki values of 58.8 μmol/L in mouse erythrocytes and 168.3 μmol/L in human erythrocytes. A treatment of Jurkat cells with a combination of cordycepin and naringin showed significant cytotoxicity. Our in silico study suggests that not only small molecules such as adenosine derivatives but also bulky molecules like naringin can be a potent ADA1 inhibitor for the clinical usage.
On Critical Behaviour in Systems of Hamiltonian Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Dubrovin Boris , Grava Tamara , Klein Christian , Moro Antonio
Published: February 2015

We study the critical behaviour of solutions to weakly dispersive Hamiltonian systems considered as perturbations of elliptic and hyperbolic systems of hydrodynamic type with two components. We argue that near the critical point of gradient catastrophe of the dispersionless system, the solutions to a suitable initial value problem for the perturbed equations are approximately described by particular solutions to the Painlevé-I (P

$$_I$$

I

) equation or its fourth-order analogue P

$$_I^2$$

I
2

. As concrete examples, we discuss nonlinear Schrödinger equations in the semiclassical limit. A numerical study of these cases provides strong evidence in support of the conjecture.
Predictive factors of functional capacity and real-world functioning in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Menendez-Miranda I. , Garcia-Portilla M.P. , Garcia-Alvarez L. , Arrojo M. , Sanchez P. , Sarramea F. , Gomar J. , Bobes-Bascaran M.T. , Sierra P. , Saiz P.A. , Bobes J.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

This study was performed to identify the predictive factors of functional capacity assessed by the Spanish University of California Performance Skills Assessment (Sp-UPSA) and real-world functioning assessed by the Spanish Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP) in outpatients with schizophrenia.

Methods

Naturalistic, 6-month follow-up, multicentre, validation study. Here, we report data on 139 patients with schizophrenia at their baseline visit. Assessment: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), Sp-UPSA and PSP. Statistics: Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to determine the relationships between variables, and multivariable stepwise linear regression analyses to identify predictive variables of Sp-UPSA and PSP total scores.

Results

Functional capacity: scores on the PSP and PANSS-GP entered first and second atP< 0.0001 and accounted for 21% of variance (R2= 0.208, modeldf= 2,F= 15.724,P< 0.0001). Real-world functioning: scores on the CGI-S (B= −5.406), PANSS-N (B= −0.657) and Sp-UPSA (B= 0.230) entered first, second and third, and accounted for 51% of variance (modeldf= 3,F= 37.741,P< 0.0001).

Conclusion

In patients with schizophrenia, functional capacity and real-world functioning are two related but different constructs. Each one predicts the other along with other factors; general psychopathology for functional capacity, and severity of the illness and negative symptoms for real-world functioning. These findings have important clinical implications: (1) both types of functioning should be assessed in patients with schizophrenia and (2) strategies for improving them should be different.
Redox‐dependent translocation of the heat shock transcription factor AtHSFA8 from the cytosol to the nucleus in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Giesguth Miriam , Sahm Arne , Simon Swen , Dietz Karl-Josef
Published: February 2015

The hypothesis is tested that some heat stress transcription factors (HSFs) are activated after formation of inter‐ or intramolecular disulfide bonds. Based on in silico analyses we identified conserved cysteinyl residues in AtHSFA8 that might function as redox sensors in plants. AtHSFA8 represents a redox‐sensitive transcription factor since upon treatment of protoplasts with H2O2 YFP‐labeled HSFA8 was translocated to the nucleus in a time‐dependent manner. Site‐directed mutagenesis of the conserved residues Cys24 and Cys269 blocked translocation of HSFA8 to the nucleus. The findings concur with a model where HSFA8 functions as redox sensing transcription factor within the stress‐responsive transcriptional network.
Information Accessed or Information Available? The Impact on Consumer Preferences Inferred at a Durable Product E-commerce Website
Authors: Currim Imran S. , Mintz Ofer , Siddarth S.
Published: February 2015

Most previous choice modeling research infers preferences by assuming that consumers consider all the information available at the point-of-purchase. Because e-commerce sites increasingly incorporate tracking technologies that can monitor consumer behavior on their site, our research studies how incorporating the information accessed by consumers into a choice model impacts model performance and inferred preferences. We use data from an electronic goods manufacturer that monitored the attribute information accessed by 582 shoppers while they made Customize and Buy decisions at the firm's website. We find that incorporating the information accessed by consumers into the choice model provides more valid estimates of attribute preferences and better fitting choice models than models based on information available. Because firms can easily obtain this type of information as a by-product of their online operations, we propose that managers who monitor information acquisition and apply the information accessed model will have a useful methodology to gain a better understanding of consumer preferences.
Does it pay to beat around the bush? The case of the obfuscating salesperson
Authors: Bickart Barbara , Morrin Maureen , Ratneshwar S.
Published: February 2015

How often do salespeople obfuscate in response to a customer's question? And when and why does obfuscating help or hurt the prospects of a sale? We investigate these questions in three studies, developing and testing a framework based on theory from persuasion, social cognition, and communication theory. The results show that most consumers report having experienced obfuscation in the marketplace and believe that it is more prevalent in professions where people have strong monetary motives to obfuscate. Further, we find that when consumers' prior expectations of a dishonest response to a question are heightened, either because the construct of honesty is chronically salient to the individual or because of the presence of a monetary motive for the salesperson, obfuscation undermines purchase intentions relative to a straightforward “don't know” response. In contrast, when expectations of a dishonest response are low, an obfuscatory response is as persuasive as an admission of lack of knowledge. These effects are mediated by perceived trust in the salesperson. Implications are discussed for persuasion theory, salesperson influence tactics, and consumer welfare.
Comparison of Two Scaling Methods in Preoperative Digital Templating of Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Leo Leung Kin-Ho , Joanna Mak , On-Bong Lee , Wai-Leuk Tsang , Jennifer Khoo
Published: February 2015

Background/Purpose

Preoperative templating is essential for the planning of total hip replacement. Digital templating has gained popularity due to the availability of digital images. Scaling is the critical step that calibrates magnified digital images to the actual dimension, for subsequent digital templating. We compared the accuracy of two scaling methods: (1) radiological marker; and (2) fixed magnification factor.

Methods

Forty-five postoperative radiographs in 21 patients who had undergone either total hip replacement or hip hemiarthroplasty were evaluated. The sizes of femoral head components in the digital radiographs were estimated using the two scaling methods. The estimated values were then compared to the true values stated in operation records. The absolute error (AE) and relative error (RE) of both scaling methods were calculated and compared.

Results

Both the mean AE and RE were smaller in Method 2 (fixed magnification factor), and were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

We recommend fixed magnification factor as the scaling method for digital templating.
MicroRNA‐30c‐2‐3p negatively regulates NF‐κB signaling and cell cycle progression through downregulation of TRADD and CCNE1 in breast cancer
Authors: Shukla Kirti , Sharma Ashwini Kumar , Ward Aoife , Will Rainer , Hielscher Thomas , Balwierz Aleksandra , Breunig Christian , Münstermann Ewald , König Rainer , Keklikoglou Ioanna , Wiemann Stefan
Published: February 2015

Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling is frequently deregulated in a variety of cancers and is constitutively active in estrogen receptor negative (ER‐) breast cancer subtypes. These molecular subtypes of breast cancer are associated with poor overall survival. We focused on mechanisms of NF‐κB regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs), which regulate eukaryotic gene expression at the post‐transcriptional level. In a previous genome‐wide miRNA screen, we had identified miR‐30c‐2‐3p as one of the strongest negative regulators of NF‐κB signaling. Here we have uncovered the underlying molecular mechanisms and its consequences in breast cancer. In vitro results show that miR‐30c‐2‐3p directly targets both TNFRSF1A‐associated via death domain (TRADD), an adaptor protein of the TNFR/NF‐κB signaling pathway, and the cell cycle protein Cyclin E1 (CCNE1). Ectopic expression of miR‐30c‐2‐3p downregulated essential cytokines IL8, IL6, CXCL1, and reduced cell proliferation as well as invasion in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells. RNA interference (RNAi) induced silencing of TRADD phenocopied the effects on invasion and cytokine expression caused by miR‐30c‐2‐3p, while inhibition of CCNE1 phenocopied the effects on cell proliferation. We further confirmed the tumor suppressive role of this miRNA using a dataset of 781 breast tumors, where higher expression was associated with better survival in breast cancer patients. In summary we have elucidated the mechanism by which miR‐30c‐2‐3p negatively regulates NF‐κB signaling and cell cycle progression in breast cancer.
A 3000-yr Annually Laminated Stalagmite Record of the Last Glacial Maximum from Hulu Cave, China
Authors: Duan Fucai , Wu Jiangying , Wang Yongjin , Edwards R. Lawrence , Cheng Hai , Kong Xinggong , Zhang Weihong
Published: February 2015

A high-resolution, annual layer-counted and 230Th-dated multi-proxy record is constructed from a stalagmite in Hulu Cave, China. These proxies, including δ18O, annual layer thickness (ALT), gray level (GL) and Sr/Ca, cover a time span of ~ 3000 yr from 21 to 24 ka. The physical proxies (ALT and GL) and the geochemical index (Sr/Ca), all primarily reflecting karst hydrological processes, vary in concert and their coherence is supported by wavelet analyses. Variations in the δ18O data agree with fluctuations in the ALT and Sr/Ca records on multi-decadal to centennial scales, suggesting that the Hulu δ18O signal is strongly associated with varying local rainfall amounts on short timescales. A monsoon failure event at ~ 22.2 ka correlates with a decrease in tropical rainfall, a reduction in global CH 4 and an ice-rafted event in the North Atlantic. This correlation highlights roles of the Asian monsoon and tropical hydrological cycle in modulating global CH 4, because the high-latitude emission was inhibited during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Spectral analysis of the δ18O record displays peaks at periodicities of 139, 59, 53, 43, 30, 23 and 19"15 yr. The absence of typical centennial solar cycles may be related to muted changes in ocean circulation during the LGM.
Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Children’s Hospitals
Authors: Bender Jeffrey M. , Virgallito Mary , Newland Jason G. , Sammons Julia S. , Thorell Emily A. , Coffin Susan E. , Pavia Andrew T. , Sandora Thomas J. , Hersh Adam L.
Published: February 2015

We surveyed hospital epidemiologists at 28 Children’s Hospital Association member hospitals regarding their infection prevention and control programs. We found substantial variability between children’s hospitals in both the structure and the practice of these programs. Research and the development of evidence-based guidelines addressing infection prevention in pediatrics are needed.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2015;00(0): 1–4
TMT pay dispersion and firm performance: the moderating role of organizational governance effectiveness
Authors: Sanchez-Marin Gregorio , Baixauli-Soler J. Samuel
Published: February 2015

This study supports tournament theory in relation to high levels of organizational hierarchies, indicating that the job complexity facing the top management team supposes that pay dispersion positively influences firm performance. Examining a sample of 709 firm-year observations of Spanish listed companies spanning the period 2004–2012, our results indicate that the association between firm performance and top management team pay dispersion is conditional on the effectiveness of corporate governance. High top management team pay dispersion is associated with better performance in owner-controlled firms, where more effective monitoring is exerted by the board of directors.
A framework for organizational learning: zero, adaptive and generative learning
Authors: Chiva Ricardo , Habib Johanna
Published: February 2015

Although organizational learning types like adaptive and generative learning are considered to follow different processes, a general framework of organizational learning that includes them has remained elusive. In order to do so, we propose a framework that embraces them and incorporates facets such as consciousness and emotions, which are strongly related to organizational learning but had not been included in any model. These facets are essential in the framework as they bind the process together and represent a sequence and progression through the learning process.
The impact of executive job demands on dismissals of newly appointed CEOs
Authors: Wang Yu-Kai M , Yang Kun M
Published: February 2015

Why are some newly appointed CEOs dismissed from their positions while others are not? Is it hard for newly appointed CEOs to survive in highly diversified firms? Drawing upon the concepts of executive job demands and information-processing theory, we argue that newly appointed CEOs face entirely different degrees of complexity and challenges in their role, and that firms’ product diversification and international diversification predict dismissals of newly appointed CEOs after controlling for other possible explanatory variables. Additionally, we propose that appointment of a new outsider CEO makes newly appointed CEOs more vulnerable to dismissal and consequently strengthens the predicted relationships. The empirical results support our arguments. These results suggest that the demands faced by a high degree of (product or international) diversification are likely to present challenges that increase the likelihood of corporate disruption through the departures of newly appointed CEOs. Contributions to the CEO dismissal and succession literature are discussed.
HR strategy during culture change: Building change agency
Authors: Barratt-Pugh Llandis , Bahn Susanne
Published: February 2015

This paper explores the role played by a Human Resources (HR) department orchestrating culture change during the merger of two large State departments with dissimilar cultures. A 2-year case study determined what HR strategies were having the greatest impact on embedding new organisational values to produce a more flexible culture and how these practices could be accelerated. This paper indicates how a more strategic approach by HR departments can support and develop relational managing capability that accelerates cultures change towards a more flexible work environment.

This paper describes the context of the change process, the relevant literature, and outlines the research process. The findings from the phases of the data collection are summarised revealing the traumatic perceptions of the change process, but also the instrumental actions of some managers, working creatively with their teams to tackle new tasks and projects. The evidence suggests that these informal practices of task allocation were at the core of change agency in this case study and put the new flexible organisational values into action. The findings illustrate how the organisation moves from valuing managers for their technical competence to valuing managers for their relational competence.

The paper then discusses what strategic HR actions were accelerating this process and illuminates the critical role of building managers as change agents. The paper concludes by confirming the need for a strategic approach by HR during organisational change. Building manager capability and supporting informal change agency practices is presented as a core focus for HR during such organisational cultural change programmes.
A Description of the Prehospital Phase of Aortic Dissection in Terms of Early Suspicion and Treatment
Authors: Axelsson Christer , Karlsson Thomas , Pande Katarina , Wigertz Kristin , Örtenwall Per , Nordanstig Joakim , Herlitz Johan
Published: February 2015

Purpose

Aortic dissection is difficult to detect in the early phase due to a variety of symptoms. This report describes the prehospital setting of aortic dissection in terms of symptoms, treatment, and suspicion by the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) staff.

Basic Procedures

All patients in the Municipality of Gothenburg, Sweden, who, in 2010 and 2011, had a hospital discharge diagnosis of aortic dissection (international classification of disease (ICD) I 71,0) were included. The exclusion criteria were: age < 18 years of age and having a planned operation. This was a retrospective, descriptive study based on patient records. In the statistical analyses, Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for analyses of dichotomous and continuous/ordered variables.

Main findings

Of 92 patients, 78% were transported to the hospital by the EMS. The most common symptom was pain (94%). Pain was intensive or very intensive in 89% of patients, with no significant difference in relation to the use of the EMS. Only 47% of those using the EMS were given pain relief with narcotic analgesics. Only 12% were free from pain on admission to the hospital. A suspicion of aortic dissection was reported by the EMS staff in only 17% of cases. The most common preliminary diagnosis at the dispatch center (31%) and by EMS clinicians (52%) was chest pain or angina pectoris. In all, 79% of patients were discharged alive from the hospital (75% of those that used the EMS and 95% of those that did not).

Conclusion

Among patients who were hospitalized due to aortic dissection in Gothenburg, 78% used the EMS. Despite severe pain in the majority of patients, fewer than half received narcotic analgesics, and only 12% were free from pain on admission to the hospital. In fewer than one-in-five patients was a suspicion of aortic dissection reported by the EMS staff.

AxelssonC, KarlssonT, PandeK, WigertzK, ÖrtenwallP, NordanstigJ, HerlitzJ. A description of the prehospital phase of aortic dissection in terms of early suspicion and treatment. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(2):1-8.
Dynastic Politicians: Theory and Evidence from Japan
Authors: ASAKO YASUSHI , IIDA TAKESHI , MATSUBAYASHI TETSUYA , UEDA MICHIKO
Published: February 2015

Dynastic politicians, defined as those whose family members have also served in the same position in the past, occupy a sizable portion of offices in many parts of the world. We develop a model of how dynastic politicians with inherited political advantages affect electoral outcomes and policy choices. Our model predicts that, as compared with non-dynastic legislators, dynastic legislators bring more distributions to the district, enjoy higher electoral success, and harm the economic performance of the districts, despite the larger amount of distributive benefits they bring. We test the implications of the model using data from Japan between 1997 and 2007.
Personal Attributes of Legislators and Parliamentary Behavior: An Analysis of Parliamentary Activities among Japanese Legislators
Authors: ONO YOSHIKUNI
Published: February 2015

This study explores the individual-level activities of legislators in parliament, which have been largely ignored in the literature on parliamentary democracies. Individual legislators are extensively involved in parliamentary activities such as drafting private members’ bills and posing questions, even though these activities have only been considered to play marginal roles in parliamentary democracies. Moreover, their engagement varies significantly. By using unique data from Japan, this study demonstrates that the personal attributes of legislators affect their choice of parliamentary activities. Under electoral systems with intra-party competition, legislators use parliamentary activities as an important means to inform their constituents about what they can do for them and how they differ from other legislators. In elections, candidates cultivate personal votes by exploiting the image drawn from their personal attributes and, once elected, they behave in accordance with their attributes in order to maintain their electoral ground. Thus, they devote themselves to different activities in parliament. The data analyzed here support this argument. The results of empirical analyses show that legislators with local-level political experience engage in particularistic pork-barrel activities that will benefit their local interests, while legislators with legal-work experience allocate their time and energy to general policy-making activities that will enhance their public image and visibility as legal experts.
THE PROSPECTS OF UNLIMITED CATEGORY THEORY: DOING WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE
Authors: ERNST MICHAEL
Published: February 2015

The big question at the end of Feferman (2013) is: Is it possible to find a foundation for unlimited category theory? I show that the answer is no by showing that unlimited category theory is inconsistent.
The impact of prenatal parental tobacco smoking on risk of diabetes mellitus in middle-aged women
Authors: La Merrill M. A. , Cirillo P. M. , Krigbaum N. Y. , Cohn B. A.
Published: February 2015

Growing evidence indicates that parental smoking is associated with risk of offspring obesity. The purpose of this study was to identify whether parental tobacco smoking during gestation was associated with risk of diabetes mellitus. This is a prospective study of 44- to 54-year-old daughters (n=1801) born in the Child Health and Development Studies pregnancy cohort between 1959 and 1967. Their mothers resided near Oakland California, were members of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and reported parental tobacco smoking during an early pregnancy interview. Daughters reported physician diagnoses of diabetes mellitus and provided blood samples for hemoglobin A1C measurement. Prenatal maternal smoking had a stronger association with daughters’ diabetes mellitus risk than prenatal paternal smoking, and the former persisted after adjustment for parental race, diabetes and employment (aRR=2.4 [95% confidence intervals 1.4–4.1] P<0.01 and aRR=1.7 [95% confidence intervals 1.0–3.0] P=0.05, respectively). Estimates of the effect of parental smoking were unchanged when further adjusted by daughters’ birth weight or current body mass index (BMI). Maternal smoking was also significantly associated with self-reported type 2 diabetes diagnosis (2.3 [95% confidence intervals 1.0–5.0] P<0.05). Having parents who smoked during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus among adult daughters, independent of known risk factors, providing further evidence that prenatal environmental chemical exposures independent of birth weight and current BMI may contribute to adult diabetes mellitus. While other studies seek to confirm our results, caution toward tobacco smoking by or proximal to pregnant women is warranted in diabetes mellitus prevention efforts.
Improving image contrast and material discrimination with nonlinear response in bimodal atomic force microscopy
Authors: Forchheimer Daniel , Forchheimer Robert , Haviland David B.
Published: February 2015

Atomic force microscopy has recently been extented to bimodal operation, where increased image contrast is achieved through excitation and measurement of two cantilever eigenmodes. This enhanced material contrast is advantageous in analysis of complex heterogeneous materials with phase separation on the micro or nanometre scale. Here we show that much greater image contrast results from analysis of nonlinear response to the bimodal drive, at harmonics and mixing frequencies. The amplitude and phase of up to 17 frequencies are simultaneously measured in a single scan. Using a machine-learning algorithm we demonstrate almost threefold improvement in the ability to separate material components of a polymer blend when including this nonlinear response. Beyond the statistical analysis performed here, analysis of nonlinear response could be used to obtain quantitative material properties at high speeds and with enhanced resolution.
Extensive load of somatic CNVs in the human placenta
Authors: Kasak Laura , Rull Kristiina , Vaas Pille , Teesalu Pille , Laan Maris
Published: February 2015

Placenta is a temporary, but indispensable organ in mammalian pregnancy. From its basic nature, it exhibits highly invasive tumour-like properties facilitating effective implantation through trophoblast cell proliferation and migration and a critical role in pregnancy success. We hypothesized that similarly to cancer, somatic genomic rearrangements are promoted in the support of placental function. Here we present the first profiling of copy number variations (CNVs) in human placental genomes, showing an extensive load of somatic CNVs, especially duplications and suggesting that this phenomenon may be critical for normal gestation. Placental somatic CNVs were significantly enriched in genes involved in cell adhesion, immunity, embryonic development and cell cycle. Overrepresentation of imprinted genes in somatic duplications suggests that amplified gene copies may represent an alternative mechanism to support parent-of-origin specific gene expression. Placentas from pregnancy complications exhibited significantly altered CNV profile compared to normal gestations, indicative to the clinical implications of the study.
CRISPR-engineered mosaicism rapidly reveals that loss of Kcnj13 function in mice mimics human disease phenotypes
Authors: Zhong Hua , Chen Yiyun , Li Yumei , Chen Rui , Mardon Graeme
Published: February 2015

The era of genomics has demanded the development of more efficient and timesaving approaches to validate gene function in disease. Here, we utilized the CRISPR-Cas9 system to generate Kcnj13 mutant mice by zygote injection to verify the pathogenic role of human KCNJ13, mutations of which are thought to cause Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), an early-onset form of blindness. We found that complete loss of Kcnj13 is likely postnatal lethal. Among surviving F0-generation mice examined, 80% show mosaic KCNJ13 expression in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Mosaic expression correlates with decreased response to light and photoreceptor degeneration, indicating that Kcnj13 mutant mice mimic human KCNJ13-related LCA disease. Importantly, mosaic animals enable us to directly compare Kcnj13 mutant and wild-type RPE cells in the same eye. We found that RPE cells lacking KCNJ13 protein still survive but overlying photoreceptors exhibit cell degeneration. At the same time, wild-type RPE cells can rescue neighboring photoreceptor cells that overlie mutant RPE cells. These results suggest that KCNJ13 expression is required for RPE cells to maintain photoreceptor survival. Moreover, we show that CRISPR-Cas9 engineered mosaicism can be used to rapidly test candidate gene function in vivo.
A simple method for tuning the glass transition process in inorganic phosphate glasses
Authors: Fulchiron René , Belyamani Imane , Otaigbe Joshua U. , Bounor-Legaré Véronique
Published: February 2015

The physical modification of glass transition temperature (Tg) and properties of materials via blending is a common practice in industry and academia and has a large economic advantage. In this context, simple production of hitherto unattainable new inorganic glass blends from already existing glass compositions via blending raises much hope with the potential to provide new glasses with new and improved properties, that cannot be achieved with classical glass synthesis, for a plethora of applications such as computers screens, glass-to-metal seals and storage materials for nuclear wastes. Here, we demonstrate that blends of the specific glass compositions studied are miscible in all proportions, an unreported phenomenon in hard condensed matter like glass. Interestingly, excellent agreement was found between the obtained data and calculated Tgs from theoretical equations (Supplementary information) for predicting the composition dependence of Tg for miscible blends with weak but significant specific interactions between the blend components. That this blending method is at present not applied to inorganic glasses reflects the fact that water and chemically resistant phosphate glasses with relatively low Tgs have become available only recently.
The tomato borer, Tuta absoluta, invading the Mediterranean Basin, originates from a single introduction from Central Chile
Authors: Guillemaud Thomas , Blin Aurélie , Le Goff Isabelle , Desneux Nicolas , Reyes Maritza , Tabone Elisabeth , Tsagkarakou Anastasia , Niño Laura , Lombaert Eric
Published: February 2015

The Lepidopteran pest of tomato, Tuta absoluta, is native to South America and is invasive in the Mediterranean basin. The species' routes of invasion were investigated. The genetic variability of samples collected in South America, Europe, Africa and Middle East was analyzed using microsatellite markers to infer precisely the source of the invasive populations and to test the hypothesis of a single versus multiple introductions into the old world continents. This analysis provides strong evidence that the origin of the invading populations was unique and was close to or in Chile and probably in Central Chile near the town of Talca in the district of Maule.
The relative contribution of common and rare genetic variants to ADHD
Authors: Martin J , O'Donovan M C , Thapar A , Langley K , Williams N
Published: February 2015

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly heritable. Genome-wide molecular studies show an increased burden of large, rare copy-number variants (CNVs) in children with ADHD compared with controls. Recent polygenic risk score analyses have also shown that en masse common variants are enriched in ADHD cases compared with population controls. The relationship between these common and rare variants has yet to be explored. In this study, we tested whether children with ADHD with (N=60) a large (>500 kb), rare (<1% frequency) CNV differ by polygenic risk scores for ADHD to children with ADHD without such CNVs (N=421). We also compared ADHD polygenic scores in ADHD children with and without CNVs with a group of population controls (N=4670; of whom N=397 had CNVs). The results show that children with ADHD with large, rare CNVs have lower polygenic scores than children without such CNVs (odds ratio (OR)=0.73, P=0.023). Although ADHD children without CNVs had higher scores than controls (OR=1.18, P=0.0031), this difference was not observed for ADHD children with CNVs (OR=0.86, P=0.27). These results are consistent with a polygenic liability threshold model of ADHD with both common and rare variants involved.
Visual colorimetry for determination of trace arsenic in groundwater based on improved molybdenum blue spectrophotometry
Authors: Okazaki Takuya , Kuramitz Hideki , Hata Noriko , Taguchi Shigeru , Murai Keita , Okauchi Kanji
Published: February 2015

A sensitive on-site visual method for determination of trace arsenic in groundwater based on molybdenum blue colorimetry combined with a membrane filtration technique was developed.
Transformers: the changing phases of low-dimensional vanadium oxide bronzes
Authors: Marley Peter M. , Horrocks Gregory A. , Pelcher Kate E. , Banerjee Sarbajit
Published: February 2015

In this feature article, we explore the electronic and structural phase transformations of ternary vanadium oxides with the composition MxV2O5where M is an intercalated cation.
A Cp*CoI2-dimer as a precursor for cationic Co(iii)-catalysis: application to C–H phosphoramidation of indoles
Authors: Sun Bo , Yoshino Tatsuhiko , Matsunaga Shigeki , Kanai Motomu
Published: February 2015

C2-selective indole C–H phosphoramidation through Cp*Co(iii) catalysis was achieved.
Luminescent lanthanide MOFs based on conjugated 1,1′-ethynebenzene-3,3′,5,5′-tetracarboxylate ligand: syntheses, structures and photoluminescent properties
Authors: Zhai Lu , Zhang Wen-Wei , Ren Xiao-Ming , Zuo Jing-Lin
Published: February 2015

Nine isostructural lanthanide MOFs based on 1,1′-ethynebenzene-3,3′,5,5′-tetracarboxylate ligand capable of emitting from the visible to near-infrared wavelengths have been synthesized and characterized in detail.
Template free construction of a hollow Fe3O4 architecture embedded in an N-doped graphene matrix for lithium storage
Authors: Qin Guohui , Fang Zewei , Wang Chengyang
Published: February 2015

The rational design and fabrication of electrode materials is a significant, yet highly challenging task.
Triazolate-based 3D frameworks and a 2D layer with centrosymmetric CuII7, CuII5, CuII4 clusters and tunable interlayer/interchain compactness: hydrothermal syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties
Authors: Zhang Yuan-Yuan , Zhao Hong , Yang En-Cui , Liu Zhong-Yi , Shang Qiu , Zhao Xiao-Jun
Published: February 2015

A 2D layer and three 3D frameworks with different interchain/interlayer compactness and spin ground-states were reported.
Multifunctional mononuclear bisthienylethene-cobalt(ii) complexes: structures, slow magnetic relaxation and photochromic behavior
Authors: Cao Deng-Ke , Wei Ruo-Hong , Li Xiao-Xiong , Gu Yan-Wei
Published: February 2015

Based on bisthienylethene ligands BrLH and PLH, multifunctional mononuclear complexes Co(BrL)2·3CH3OH (1) and Co(PL)2·2CH3OH (2) were synthesized, and they exhibited field-induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior and photochromic properties in CH2Cl2–CH3CN solution.
First steps towards a generic sample preparation scheme for inorganic engineered nanoparticles in a complex matrix for detection, characterization, and quantification by asymmetric flow-field flow fractionation coupled to multi-angle light scattering and ICP-MS
Authors: Wagner S. , Legros S. , Loeschner K. , Liu J. , Navratilova J. , Grombe R. , Linsinger T. P. J. , Larsen E. H. , von der Kammer F. , Hofmann T.
Published: February 2015

Engineering nanoparticles in complex matrices.
Comparative binding mechanism of lupeol compounds with plasma proteins and its pharmacological importance
Authors: Kallubai Monika , Rachamallu Aparna , Yeggoni Daniel Pushparaju , Subramanyam Rajagopal
Published: February 2015

Binding of lupeol compounds with plasma proteins.
Uranium extraction using a magnetic CoFe2O4–graphene nanocomposite: kinetics and thermodynamics studies
Authors: Tan Lichao , Liu Qi , Song Dalei , Jing Xiaoyan , Liu Jingyuan , Li Rumin , Hu Songxia , Liu Lianhe , Wang Jun
Published: February 2015

CoFe2O4–rGO was prepared and exhibits fast and efficient sorption for uranium(vi).
The expanding roles of c-di-GMP in the biosynthesis of exopolysaccharides and secondary metabolites
Authors: Liang Zhao-Xun
Published: February 2015

This review summarizes our current understanding of the regulation of the production of bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS) by the cellular messenger c-di-GMP. The emerging role of c-di-GMP in the biosynthesis of small-molecule secondary metabolites is also discussed.
Tuning the dielectric properties of metallic-nanoparticle/elastomer composites by strain
Authors: Gaiser Patrick , Binz Jonas , Gompf Bruno , Berrier Audrey , Dressel Martin
Published: February 2015

The dielectric properties of a Ag-nanoparticle/elastomer composite are tuned by strain over a very large range. It is shown, that the percolation threshold can be crossed from the metallic into the insulating region.
The enhanced magnetorheological performance of carbonyl iron suspensions using magnetic Fe3O4/ZHS hybrid composite sheets
Authors: Machovský Michal , Mrlík Miroslav , Plachý Tomáš , Kuřitka Ivo , Pavlínek Vladimír , Kožáková Zuzana , Kitano Takeshi
Published: February 2015

The facile two-step microwave-assisted synthesis of Fe3O4/ZHS hybrid composite sheets with 2D morphology considerably improves the MR performance and suspension redispersibility.
Carbon nanotube based 3-dimensional hierarchical field emitter structure
Authors: Mittal Gaurav , Khaneja Mamta , Saini Krishna , Lahiri Indranil
Published: February 2015

3-dimensional hierarchical structure of carbon nanotubes on CuO nanotubes offering high field emission current density.
The group 13 metal complexes of sterically-hindered substituted iminophenol: synthesis and structure
Authors: Egorova Elena N. , Druzhkov Nikolay O. , Shavyrin Andrey S. , Cherkasov Anton V. , Abakumov Gleb A. , Fedorov Alexey Yu
Published: February 2015

The synthesis of complexes I–IV.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of novel 2,3-disubstituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via one-pot three component reactions
Authors: Karamthulla Shaik , Khan Md. Nasim , Choudhury Lokman H.
Published: February 2015

An expeditious one-pot, metal-free, three-component reaction of arylglyoxals, cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyls and 2-aminopyridines in the presence of molecular iodine under microwave irradiation is reported.
Water soluble polythiophenes: preparation and applications
Authors: Das Sandip , Chatterjee Dhruba P. , Ghosh Radhakanta , Nandi Arun K.
Published: February 2015

Different synthetic procedures for water soluble polythiophenes and their applications in sensing, detection of biomolecules and optoelectronic devices are discussed.
Self-supporting hybrid silica membranes with 3D large-scale ordered interconnected pore architectures
Authors: Han Chang , Li Meng-Ya , Li Ying-Ning , Liu Han-Lan , Wang Ping , Collinson Maryanne M. , Lu Zhe-Xue
Published: February 2015

Transferrable, self-supporting membranes with unique hierarchical, interconnected pore architectures over a large length scale, have been developed.
A “worm”-containing viscoelastic fluid based on single amine oxide surfactant with an unsaturated C22-tail
Authors: Zhang Yongmin , An Pengyun , Liu Xuefeng
Published: February 2015

A “worm”-containing viscoelastic fluid based on single unsaturated C22-tailed amine oxide surfactant shows pH-controlled thermo-thickening behaviour.
Atomic layer-by-layer construction of Pd on nanoporous gold via underpotential deposition and displacement reaction
Authors: Yan Xuejiao , Xiong Haiyan , Bai Qingguo , Frenzel Jan , Si Conghui , Chen Xiaoting , Eggeler Gunther , Zhang Zhonghua
Published: February 2015

Ultrathin Pd films with one to five atomic layers were decorated on nanoporous gold by underpotential deposition and galvanic displacement.
Microwave role in the thermally induced SRN1 reaction for α-arylation of ketones
Authors: Caminos Daniel A. , Garro Alexis D. , Soria-Castro Silvia M. , Peñéñory Alicia B.
Published: February 2015

Microwave irradiation promotes nucleophilic substitution by thermally induced electron transfer mechanism.
Ultrasonic fabrication of TiO2/chitosan hybrid nanoporous microspheres with antimicrobial properties
Authors: Zhou Meifang , Babgi Bandar , Gupta Shweta , Cavalieri Francesca , Alghamdi Yousef , Aksu Mecit , Ashokkumar Muthupandian
Published: February 2015

We report a sonochemical method for the fabrication of stable TiO2–chitosan hybrid microspheres possessing nanoporous structure and antimicrobial properties.
Colloidal particles in blue phase liquid crystals
Authors: Pawsey Anne C. , Clegg Paul S.
Published: February 2015

Colloids dispersed in highly chiral liquid crystals are observed to promote faceted inclusions within the cholesteric blue phase.
T1 process and dynamics in glass-forming hard-sphere liquids
Authors: Zhou Yuxing , Milner Scott T.
Published: February 2015

To study the relationship between dynamics and structure in a glass-forming liquid, we introduce a purely geometric criterion for locally mobile particles in a dense hard-sphere fluid: namely, “T1-active” particles, which can gain or lose at least one Voronoi neighbor by moving within their free volume with other particles fixed.
A betaine adduct of N-heterocyclic carbene and carbodiimide, an efficient ligand to produce ultra-small ruthenium nanoparticles
Authors: Martínez-Prieto L. M. , Urbaneja C. , Palma P. , Cámpora J. , Philippot K. , Chaudret B.
Published: February 2015

A betaine adduct (ICy·(p-tol)NCN) as an efficient ligand to prepare ultra-small (1–1.3 nm) ruthenium nanoparticles (RuNPs).
Iron-catalyzed oxidative biaryl cross-couplings via mixed diaryl titanates: significant influence of the order of combining aryl Grignard reagents with titanate
Authors: Liu Kun Ming , Wei Juan , Duan Xin Fang
Published: February 2015

Two highly structurally similar aryl Grignard reagents were oxidatively cross-coupled via diaryl titanates in the catalysis of iron using oxygen.