bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutritional research in World War 2: The Oxford Nutrition Survey and its research potential 50 years later
Authors: Huxley Rachel R. , Lloyd B. B. , Goldacre M. , Neil H. A. W.
Published: August 2015

To investigate the nutritional status of the population of the UK during the Second World War, nutritional surveys were commissioned in 1941. These included surveys of two groups of pregnant women: the first comprised 120 working-class women who were studied in the spring of 1942, and a second group of 253 women in 1944. Both groups were followed up until after delivery. Detailed biochemical assessments were performed on each subject. Our statistical analysis of the haematological data showed that nearly 25 % of women from the 1942 group were deficient in protein, over 60 % were deficient in Fe and vitamin A, and over 70 % had severe vitamin C deficiency. The findings were reported to the Ministries of Health and Food who instigated a food supplementation policy at the end of 1942 that entitled pregnant women in the UK to extra rations of fruit, dairy produce and to a supply of cod-liver-oil tablets. A second group of 253 pregnant women were studied 15 months later which enabled the effects of this programme to be investigated. Supplementation reduced the proportion of women with vitamin A concentrations below the normal range from 63 % to 38 %, and vitamin C from 78 % to 20 %, but protein and Fe concentrations were not increased but actually declined. These findings continued to exert an influence over government food policy for pregnant women until the abolition of rationing in 1954.
Groundwater salinisation in the Wadden Sea area of the Netherlands: quantifying the effects of climate change, sea-level rise and anthropogenic interferences
Authors: Pauw P. , de Louw P.G.B. , Essink G.H.P. Oude
Published: August 2015

Hydrogeological research in coastal areas has gained considerable attention over the last decades due to increasing stresses on fresh groundwater resources. Fundamental groundwater flow and solute transport analyses remain essential for a concise understanding of the governing processes that lead to salinisation of fresh groundwater resources. However, the challenge of modern research is the application and quantification of these processes in real world cases. In this context, deltaic areas are amongst the most difficult study areas as they often have a complex groundwater salinity distribution. The Wadden Sea area in the northern part of the Netherlands is an example of such an area.

We quantified salt water intrusion and salinisation of groundwater flow systems in two representative case studies in the Wadden Sea area, using the density dependent groundwater flow and transport code M0CDENS3D. The results indicate that sea-level rise and autonomous processes will cause severe salinisation in the future, especially in the low polder areas close to the sea. In addition, we show that enhanced land subsidence due to salt exploitation accelerates this process. Salinisation can be mitigated to some extent by raising surface water levels in polders and by creating saline groundwater collection areas that maintain a low controlled water level.
Changing the Nexus: The Evolution and Renegotiation of Venture Capital Contracts
Authors: Bengtsson Ola , Sensoy Berk A.
Published: August 2015

We study the evolution and renegotiation of the cash-flow rights that venture capitalists (VCs) obtain in their portfolio companies. When company performance between financing rounds is poor, subsequent contracts contain stronger VC cash-flow rights, and existing VCs tend to either give new VCs senior claims or forfeit their existing rights altogether. These results are consistent with the importance of financing problems between different VCs and with theory predicting that financing frictions worsen with poor performance. A consequence is that VC cash-flow rights are frequently significantly diluted before exit, implying that VC investments are riskier than previously estimated.
Iphigenia at Aulis: Characterization and Psychology in Euripides
Authors: Lawrence S. E.
Published: August 2015

Perhaps the most intriguing feature of Euripides'Iphigenia at Aulisis the tendency of the characters to alter their attitudes towards the human sacrifice. Menelaus and Iphigenia (and even Achilles, it would appear) each undergo a single but remarkable change of mind, while Agamemnon displays so much confusion and uncertainty in adjusting his attitudes that it is not perfectly clear just how many times he actually changes his mind. These about-faces are not merely responses to changing circumstances or fresh information; rather they dramatize in an unusually arresting fashion a characteristically Euripidean psychology that emphasizes those forces or tendencies, both inside and outside the mind, that work to disrupt or even preclude the moral, intellectual or psychological integration of the character.

Now although this psychology typifies Euripidean drama in general in varying degrees, it would appear to take a more extreme form in theI.A.than in much earlier plays such asMedeaorHippolytus. We shall find it of some interest then, after examining closely the characterization and psychology of this late play, to hazard a number of necessarily brief comparisons with some earlier plays and also with Sophoclean drama.
Understanding beginners' mistakes with Haskell
Authors: TIRRONEN VILLE , UUSI-MÄKELÄ SAMUEL , ISOMÖTTÖNEN VILLE
Published: August 2015

This article presents an overview of student difficulties in an introductory functional programming (FP) course taught in Haskell. The motivation for this study stems from our belief that many student difficulties can be alleviated by understanding the underlying causes of errors and by modifying the educational approach and, possibly, the teaching language accordingly. We analyze students' exercise submissions and categorize student errors according to compiler error messages and then manually according to the observed underlying cause. Our study complements earlier studies on the topic by applying computer and manual analysis while focusing on providing descriptive statistics of difficulties specific to FP languages. We conclude that the majority of student errors, regardless of cause, are reported by three different compiler error messages that are not well understood by students. In addition, syntactic features, such as precedence, the syntax of function application, and deeply nested statements, cause difficulties throughout the course.
Post-Tsunami Medical Care: Health Problems Encountered in the International Committee of the Red Cross Hospital in Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Authors: Redwood-Campbell Lynda J. , Riddez Louis
Published: August 2015

Introduction:

When the Tsunami struck Asia on 26 December 2004, Aceh, Indonesia suffered more damage than did any other region. After the Tsunami, many humanitarian organizations provided aid in Aceh. For example, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), along with the Indonesian and Norwegian Red Cross opened a field hospital in Banda Aceh on 16 January 2005. This study describes the illnesses seen in the out-patient department/casualty department (OPD/CD) of the ICRC hospital nine weeks after the Tsunami. It describes the percentage of people seen for problems directly related to the Tsunami, and includes a basic screening for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods:

A prospective, five-day study was performed from 01–05 March 2005. Patients registering in the ICRC field hospital in Banda Aceh were considered for the study. Data collected included: (1) age; (2) gender; (3) diagnosis in the OPD/CD; and (4) whether or not the problem was related directly to the Tsunami. Seven basic questions were asked to screen for depression and PTSD symptoms.

Results:

Twelve percent of the problems seen in the OPD/CD nine weeks after the Tsunami still were related directly to the Tsunami. Sixty-three percent of patients in the study were male. The medical problems included: (1) urological (19%); (2) digestive (16%); (3) respiratory (12%); and (4) musculoskeletal (12%). Although <2% of patients were diagnosed with a mental health problem, 24% had at least four or more of the seven depression/PTSD symptoms addressed in the study.

Conclusions:

Post-earthquake and post-tsunami health problems and medical needs differ from those found in conflict zones. After the Tsunami, both surgical and primary healthcare teams were needed. Many problems were chronic medical problems, which may be indicative of the lack of healthcare infrastructure before the Tsunami. The findings suggest that mental health issues must be taken into consideration for future planning. The ethical issues of performing research in complex emergencies also need further development at the international level.
Ethanol Plant Location Determinants and County Comparative Advantage
Authors: Lambert D.M. , Wilcox M. , English A. , Stewart L.
Published: August 2015

The location of ethanol plants is determined by infrastructure, product and input markets, fiscal attributes of local communities, and state and federal incentives. This empirical analysis uses probit regression along with spatial clustering methods to analyze investment activity of ethanol plants at the county level for the lower U.S. 48 states from 2000 to 2007. The availability of feedstock dominates the site selection decision. Other factors, such as access to navigable rivers or railroads, product markets, producer credit and excise tax exemptions, and methyl tertiary-butyl ether bans provided some counties with a comparative advantage in attracting ethanol plants.
An Improved Workflow for Reproducible Processing and Analysis of Polycrystalline Electron Diffraction Patterns
Authors: Minter J.R.
Published: August 2015

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.
Refashioning vagrancy: a tale of Law's narrative of its imagination
Authors: Ranasinghe Prashan
Published: August 2015

This paper explicates the relation between vagrancy and public disorder, a relation constituted by a dialecticism that is at once (dis)continuous and (dis)connected. This relationship is important not only to appreciate the place of public disorder vis-à-vis contemporary urban public space and social life, but historical vagrancy as well. The paper examines the refashioning of vagrancy, paying attention to the semantic legal reformatting of its constitution and how this process permits the regulation of essentially the same historical problems and concerns by translating them into legally sound language, visible in the shift from vagrancy to public disorder. This shift was necessary not simply to preserve the vestiges of vagrancy, now conspicuous in public disorder, but for the preservation of the images of, and imaginations about, Law, including its claims to justice. Loosely taking its cue from the visual culture movement which pays homage to the place of images in the ordering of the social world, the paper invokes (and, then, conflates) the concepts of image and imagination and explicates the manner in which the images of, and imaginations about, Law spearheaded the transmutation of the legal category of vagrancy by re-imagining the vagrant, a re-imagining which itself was the product not just of the Law's imagination, but, imaginations about the Law as well. The paper concludes by locating the place of the image and imagination to propounding a narrative of, and about, Law.
From training to practice: a survey study of clinical challenges in implementing cognitive behavioural therapy in Norway
Authors: Kjøge Annette , Turtumøygard Tone , Berge Torkil , Ogden Terje
Published: August 2015

This study examines potential barriers to the implementation of CBT as perceived by therapists participating in the training programmes of the Norwegian Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (NACBT). Based on a questionnaire to members of the NACBT, a factor analysis identified five underlying dimensions of implementation barriers. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted to examine differences in how barriers were perceived by therapists working in medicine, mental health and social services. A multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the barriers and the therapists’ global satisfaction with CBT. The five factor-based barriers identified were related to Therapeutic skills, Aspects of the workplace, Supervision, Training, and Clients. Problems related to Supervision and Therapeutic skills were reported to be the most important obstacles. Nurses and others working at psychiatric wards reported the largest number, and psychologists and others working with outpatients, reported the lowest number of barriers. The study highlights the importance of implementation quality in the process of linking training and practice of CBT in Norway. Even if aspects of the training programmes were perceived to be among the smallest threats to implementation, training was not sufficient in order for candidates to implement CBT in clinical practice.
Working Together versus Working Autonomously: a New Power-Dependence Perspective on the Individual-Level of Analysis
Authors: de Jong Simon B.
Published: August 2015

Recent studies have indicated that it is important to investigate the interaction between task interdependence and task autonomy because this interaction can affect team effectiveness. However, only a limited number of studies have been conducted and those studies focused solely on the team level of analysis. Moreover, there has also been a dearth of theoretical development. Therefore, this study develops and tests an alternative theoretical perspective in an attempt to understand if, and if so why, this interaction is important at the individual level of analysis. Based on interdependence theory and power-dependence theory, we expected that highly task-interdependent individuals who reported high task autonomy would be more powerful and better performers. In contrast, we expected that similarly high task-interdependent individuals who reported less task autonomy would be less powerful and would be weaker performers. These expectations were supported by multi-level and bootstrapping analyses performed on a multi-source dataset (self-, peer-, manager-ratings) comprised of 182 employees drawn from 37 teams. More specifically, the interaction between task interdependence and task autonomy was γ =.128, p <.05 for power and γ =.166, p <.05 for individual performance. The 95% bootstrap interval ranged from .0038 to .0686.
Psychophysiological Assessment of Stress Under Ecological Settings
Authors: Rodrigues Susana , Kaiseler Mariana , Queirós Cristina
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Stress can negatively impact one’s health and well-being, however, despite the recent evolution in stress assessment research methodologies, there is still little agreement about stress conceptualization and assessment. In an attempt to summarize and reflect on this evolution, this paper aims to systematically review research evidence of ecological approaches on psychophysiological stress assessment. Thus, a literature search of electronic databases was conducted spanning 22 years (1990–2012) and 55 studies were reviewed. Studies were considered for inclusion if they contemplated both psychological and physiological measures of stress under ecological settings. This review focuses on five themes: methodology terminology, research population, study design, measurement, and technology. Findings support the need to use a common methodology terminology in order to increase scientific rigor. Additionally, there seems to be an increasing tendency for the use of these methods by multidisciplinary teams among both clinical and nonclinical populations aiming to understand the relationship between stress and disease. Most of the studies reviewed contemplated a time-based protocol and different conceptualizations of stress were found, resulting in the use of different subjective measures. Findings reinforce the importance of combining subjective and objective measures while also controlling for possible time- or situation-dependent confounders’. Advances in technology were evident and different assessment techniques were found. The benefits and challenges of ecological protocols to assess stress are discussed and recommendations for future research are provided, aiming to overcome previous limitations and advance scientific knowledge in the area.
p53- and p73-independent activation of TIGAR expression in vivo
Authors: Lee P , Hock A K , Vousden K H , Cheung E C
Published: August 2015

TIGAR (TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator) functions as a fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase and its expression results in a dampening of the glycolytic pathway, while increasing antioxidant capacity by increasing NADPH and GSH levels. In addition to being a p53 target, p53-independent expression of TIGAR is also seen in many human cancer cell lines that lack wild-type p53. Although human TIGAR expression can be induced by p53, TAp63 and TAp73, mouse TIGAR is less responsive to the p53 family members and basal levels of TIGAR expression does not depend on p53 or TAp73 expression in most mouse tissues in vivo. Although mouse TIGAR expression is clearly induced in the intestines of mice following DNA-damaging stress such as ionising radiation, this is also not dependent on p53 or TAp73.
NSC-87877 inhibits DUSP26 function in neuroblastoma resulting in p53-mediated apoptosis
Authors: Shi Y , Ma I T , Patel R H , Shang X , Chen Z , Zhao Y , Cheng J , Fan Y , Rojas Y , Barbieri E , Chen Z , Yu Y , Jin J , Kim E S , Shohet J M , Vasudevan S A , Yang J
Published: August 2015

Dual specificity protein phosphatase 26 (DUSP26) is overexpressed in high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) and contributes to chemoresistance by inhibiting p53 function. In vitro, DUSP26 has also been shown to effectively inhibit p38 MAP kinase. We hypothesize that inhibiting DUSP26 will result in decreased NB cell growth in a p53 and/or p38-mediated manner. NSC-87877 (8-hydroxy-7-[(6-sulfo-2-naphthyl)azo]-5-quinolinesulfonic acid), a novel DUSP26 small molecule inhibitor, shows effective growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in NB cell lines. NB cell lines treated with small hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting DUSP26 also exhibit a proliferation defect both in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of NB cell lines with NSC-87877 results in increased p53 phosphorylation (Ser37 and Ser46) and activation, increased activation of downstream p38 effector proteins (heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2)) and poly ADP ribose polymerase/caspase-3 cleavage. The cytotoxicity resulting from DUSP26 inhibition is partially reversed by knocking down p53 expression with shRNA and also by inhibiting p38 activity with SB203580 (4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl]pyridine). In an intrarenal mouse model of NB, NSC-87877 treatment results in decreased tumor growth and increased p53 and p38 activity. Together, these results suggest that DUSP26 inhibition with NSC-87877 is an effective strategy to induce NB cell cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo through activation of the p53 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) tumor-suppressor pathways.
ARHI (DIRAS3)-mediated autophagy-associated cell death enhances chemosensitivity to cisplatin in ovarian cancer cell lines and xenografts
Authors: Washington M N , Suh G , Orozco A F , Sutton M N , Yang H , Wang Y , Mao W , Millward S , Ornelas A , Atkinson N , Liao W , Bast R C , Lu Z
Published: August 2015

Autophagy can sustain or kill tumor cells depending upon the context. The mechanism of autophagy-associated cell death has not been well elucidated and autophagy has enhanced or inhibited sensitivity of cancer cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy in different models. ARHI (DIRAS3), an imprinted tumor suppressor gene, is downregulated in 60% of ovarian cancers. In cell culture, re-expression of ARHI induces autophagy and ovarian cancer cell death within 72 h. In xenografts, re-expression of ARHI arrests cell growth and induces autophagy, but does not kill engrafted cancer cells. When ARHI levels are reduced after 6 weeks, dormancy is broken and xenografts grow promptly. In this study, ARHI-induced ovarian cancer cell death in culture has been found to depend upon autophagy and has been linked to G1 cell-cycle arrest, enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity, RIP1/RIP3 activation and necrosis. Re-expression of ARHI enhanced the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin in cell culture, increasing caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage by inhibiting ERK and HER2 activity and downregulating XIAP and Bcl-2. In xenografts, treatment with cisplatin significantly slowed the outgrowth of dormant autophagic cells after reduction of ARHI, but the addition of chloroquine did not further inhibit xenograft outgrowth. Taken together, we have found that autophagy-associated cancer cell death and autophagy-enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin depend upon different mechanisms and that dormant, autophagic cancer cells are still vulnerable to cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Hexokinase 2 controls cellular stress response through localization of an RNA-binding protein
Authors: Courteau L , Crasto J , Hassanzadeh G , Baird S D , Hodgins J , Liwak-Muir U , Fung G , Luo H , Stojdl D F , Screaton R A , Holcik M
Published: August 2015

Subcellular localization of RNA-binding proteins is a key determinant of their ability to control RNA metabolism and cellular stress response. Using an RNAi-based kinome-wide screen, we identified hexokinase 2 (HK2) as a regulator of the cytoplasmic accumulation of hnRNP A1 in response to hypertonic stress and human rhinovirus infection (HRV). We show that inhibition of HK2 expression or pharmacological inhibition of HK2 activity blocks the cytoplasmic accumulation of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1), restores expression of B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL), and protects cells against hypertonic stress-induced apoptosis. Reduction of HK2 protein levels by knockdown results in decreased HRV replication, a delay in HRV-induced cell death, and a reduced number of infected cells, all of which can be rescued by forced expression of a cytoplasm-restricted hnRNP A1. Our data elucidate a novel role for HK2 in cellular stress response and viral infection that could be exploited for therapeutic intervention.
MiR-26a functions oppositely in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and ADSCs depending on distinct activation and roles of Wnt and BMP signaling pathway
Authors: Su X , Liao L , Shuai Y , Jing H , Liu S , Zhou H , Liu Y , Jin Y
Published: August 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) emerge as important regulators of stem cell lineage commitment and bone development. MiRNA-26a (miR-26a) is one of the important miRNAs regulating osteogenic differentiation of both bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs). However, miR-26a functions oppositely in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and ADSCs, suggesting distinct post-transcriptional regulation of tissue-specific MSC differentiation. However, the molecular basis is largely unknown. Here, we report that the function of miR-26a is largely depended on the intrinsic signaling regulation network of MSCs. Using bioinformatics and functional assay, we confirmed that miR-26a potentially targeted on GSK3β and Smad1 to regulate Wnt and BMP signaling pathway. Overall comparative analysis revealed that Wnt signaling was enhanced more potently and played a more important role than BMP signaling in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, whereas BMP pathway was more essential for promoting osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs. The distinct activation pattern and role of signaling pathways determined that miR-26a majorly targeted on GSK3β to activate Wnt signaling for promoting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, whereas it inhibited Smad1 to suppress BMP signaling for interfering with the osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs. Taken together, our study demonstrated that BMSCs and ADSCs applied different signaling pathway to facilitate their osteogenic differentiation, which determined the inverse function of miR-26a. The distinct transcriptional regulation and post-transcriptional regulation network suggested the intrinsic molecular differences between tissue-specific MSCs and the complexity in MSC research and MSC-based cell therapy.
Mode-selective vibrational modulation of charge transport in organic electronic devices
Authors: Bakulin Artem A. , Lovrincic Robert , Yu Xi , Selig Oleg , Bakker Huib J. , Rezus Yves L. A. , Nayak Pabitra K. , Fonari Alexandr , Coropceanu Veaceslav , Brédas Jean-Luc , Cahen David
Published: August 2015

The soft character of organic materials leads to strong coupling between molecular, nuclear and electronic dynamics. This coupling opens the way to influence charge transport in organic electronic devices by exciting molecular vibrational motions. However, despite encouraging theoretical predictions, experimental realization of such approach has remained elusive. Here we demonstrate experimentally that photoconductivity in a model organic optoelectronic device can be modulated by the selective excitation of molecular vibrations. Using an ultrafast infrared laser source to create a coherent superposition of vibrational motions in a pentacene/C60 photoresistor, we observe that excitation of certain modes in the 1,500–1,700 cm−1 region leads to photocurrent enhancement. Excited vibrations affect predominantly trapped carriers. The effect depends on the nature of the vibration and its mode-specific character can be well described by the vibrational modulation of intermolecular electronic couplings. This presents a new tool for studying electron–phonon coupling and charge dynamics in (bio)molecular materials.
The mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase MARCH5 resolves MAVS aggregates during antiviral signalling
Authors: Yoo Young-Suk , Park Yong-Yea , Kim Jae-Hoon , Cho Hyeseon , Kim Song-Hee , Lee Ho-Soo , Kim Tae-Hwan , Sun Kim You , Lee Youngsoo , Kim Chul-Joong , Jung Jae U , Lee Jong-Soo , Cho Hyeseong
Published: August 2015

Mitochondria serve as platforms for innate immunity. The mitochondrial antiviral signalling (MAVS) protein forms aggregates that elicit robust type-I interferon induction on viral infection, but persistent MAVS signalling leads to host immunopathology; it remains unknown how these signalling aggregates are resolved. Here we identify the mitochondria-resident E3 ligase, MARCH5, as a negative regulator of MAVS aggregates. March5+/− mice and MARCH5-deficient immune cells exhibit low viral replication and elevated type-I interferon responses to RNA viruses. MARCH5 binds MAVS only during viral stimulation when MAVS forms aggregates, and these interactions require the RING domain of MARCH5 and the CARD domain of MAVS. MARCH5, but not its RING mutant (MARCH5H43W), reduces the level of MAVS aggregates. MARCH5 transfers ubiquitin to Lys7 and Lys500 of MAVS and promotes its proteasome-mediated degradation. Our results indicate that MARCH5 modulates MAVS-mediated antiviral signalling, preventing excessive immune reactions.
A C–H bond activation-based catalytic approach to tetrasubstituted chiral allenes
Authors: Wu Shangze , Huang Xin , Wu Wangteng , Li Pengbin , Fu Chunling , Ma Shengming
Published: August 2015

Enantioselective synthesis of fully substituted allenes has been a challenge due to the non-rigid nature of the axial chirality, which spreads over three carbon atoms. Here we show the commercially available simple Rh complex may catalyse the CMD (concerted metalation/deprotonation)-based reaction of the readily available arenes with sterically congested tertiary propargylic carbonates at ambient temperature affording fully substituted allenes. It is confirmed that the excellent designed regioselectivity for the C–C triple bond insertion is induced by the coordination of the carbonyl group in the directing carbonate group as well as the steric effect of the tertiary O-linked carbon atom. When an optically active carbonate was used, surprisingly high efficiency of chirality transfer was realized, affording fully substituted allenes in excellent enantiomeric excess (ee).
Phylodynamics of H1N1/2009 influenza reveals the transition from host adaptation to immune-driven selection
Authors: Su Yvonne C. F. , Bahl Justin , Joseph Udayan , Butt Ka Man , Peck Heidi A. , Koay Evelyn S. C. , Oon Lynette L. E. , Barr Ian G. , Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran , Smith Gavin J. D.
Published: August 2015

Influenza A H1N1/2009 virus that emerged from swine rapidly replaced the previous seasonal H1N1 virus. Although the early emergence and diversification of H1N1/2009 is well characterized, the ongoing evolutionary and global transmission dynamics of the virus remain poorly investigated. To address this we analyse >3,000 H1N1/2009 genomes, including 214 full genomes generated from our surveillance in Singapore, in conjunction with antigenic data. Here we show that natural selection acting on H1N1/2009 directly after introduction into humans was driven by adaptation to the new host. Since then, selection has been driven by immunological escape, with these changes corresponding to restricted antigenic diversity in the virus population. We also show that H1N1/2009 viruses have been subject to regular seasonal bottlenecks and a global reduction in antigenic and genetic diversity in 2014.
Heat-related mortality projections for cardiovascular and respiratory disease under the changing climate in Beijing, China
Authors: Li Tiantian , Ban Jie , Horton Radley M. , Bader Daniel A. , Huang Ganlin , Sun Qinghua , Kinney Patrick L.
Published: August 2015

Because heat-related health effects tend to become more serious at higher temperatures, there is an urgent need to determine the mortality projection of specific heat-sensitive diseases to provide more detailed information regarding the variation of the sensitivity of such diseases. In this study, the specific mortality of cardiovascular and respiratory disease in Beijing was initially projected under five different global-scale General Circulation Models (GCMs) and two Representative Concentration Pathways scenarios (RCPs) in the 2020s, 2050s and 2080s compared to the 1980s. Multi-model ensembles indicated cardiovascular mortality could increase by an average percentage of 18.4%, 47.8% and 69.0% in the 2020s, 2050s and 2080s under RCP 4.5, respectively and by 16.6%,73.8% and 134% in different decades respectively, under RCP 8.5 compared to the baseline range. The same increasing pattern was also observed in respiratory mortality. The heat-related deaths under the RCP8.5 scenario were found to reach a higher number and to increase more rapidly during the 21st century compared to the RCP4.5 scenario, especially in the 2050s and the 2080s. The projection results show potential trends in cause-specific mortality in the context of climate change and provide support for public health interventions tailored to specific climate-related future health risks.
Positron kinetics in an idealized PET environment
Authors: Robson R. E. , Brunger M. J. , Buckman S. J. , Garcia G. , Petrović Z. Lj. , White R. D.
Published: August 2015

The kinetic theory of non-relativistic positrons in an idealized positron emission tomography PET environment is developed by solving the Boltzmann equation, allowing for coherent and incoherent elastic, inelastic, ionizing and annihilating collisions through positronium formation. An analytic expression is obtained for the positronium formation rate, as a function of distance from a spherical source, in terms of the solutions of the general kinetic eigenvalue problem. Numerical estimates of the positron range - a fundamental limitation on the accuracy of PET, are given for positrons in a model of liquid water, a surrogate for human tissue. Comparisons are made with the ‘gas-phase’ assumption used in current models in which coherent scattering is suppressed. Our results show that this assumption leads to an error of the order of a factor of approximately 2, emphasizing the need to accurately account for the structure of the medium in PET simulations.
Current-induced giant polarization rotation using a ZnO single crystal doped with nitrogen ions
Authors: Tate Naoya , Kawazoe Tadashi , Nomura Wataru , Ohtsu Motoichi
Published: August 2015

Giant polarization rotation in a ZnO single crystal was experimentally demonstrated based on a novel phenomenon occurring at the nanometric scale. The ZnO crystal was doped with N+ and N2+ ions serving as p-type dopants. By applying an in-plane current using a unique arrangement of electrodes on the device, current-induced polarization rotation of the incident light was observed. From the results of experimental demonstrations and discussions, it was verified that this novel behavior originates from a specific distribution of dopants and the corresponding light–matter interactions in a nanometric space, which are allowed by the existence of such a dopant distribution.
Comparative Study of Outcomes among Patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease on Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Yang Ju-Yeh , Chen Likwang , Chao Chia-Ter , Peng Yu-Sen , Chiang Chih-Kang , Kao Tze-Wah , Chien Kuo-Liong , Wu Hon-Yen , Huang Jenq-Wen , Hung Kuan-Yu
Published: August 2015

Polycystic kidney disease (PCKD) is the most common hereditary cause of end-stage renal disease, the complications of which may prevent the choice of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study was to explore the effects of dialysis modality on outcomes in patients with PCKD. We extracted a cohort of 1417 adult patients with PCKD initiating long-term dialysis therapy in 1999–2010 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, among which 125 patients chose PD. The patients on HD were older and had a higher comorbidity index compared to those on PD. We compared the risks for death, hospitalization and medical expenditures between the patients on PD and propensity-score matched patients on hemodialysis (HD). The overall survival did not differ between the patients on PD and HD. The patients on PD tended to have higher hazard ratios (HR) for the first episode of hospitalization (adjusted HR 1.34 [95% CI, 1.04−1.79]). The annual medical expenses were 10% lower for the patients on PD. PD is an equivalent choice of renal replacement therapy to HD for patients with PCKD in terms of survival. Although the patients on PD had a higher risk for hospitalization, the medical expenditure for PD was 10% lower.
Projecting excess emergency department visits and associated costs in Brisbane, Australia, under population growth and climate change scenarios
Authors: Toloo Ghasem , Hu Wenbiao , FitzGerald Gerry , Aitken Peter , Tong Shilu
Published: August 2015

The direct and indirect health effects of increasingly warmer temperatures are likely to further burden the already overcrowded hospital emergency departments (EDs). Using current trends and estimates in conjunction with future population growth and climate change scenarios, we show that the increased number of hot days in the future can have a considerable impact on EDs, adding to their workload and costs. The excess number of visits in 2030 is projected to range between 98–336 and 42–127 for younger and older groups, respectively. The excess costs in 2012–13 prices are estimated to range between AU$51,000–184,000 (0–64) and AU$27,000–84,000 (65+). By 2060, these estimates will increase to 229–2300 and 145–1188 at a cost of between AU$120,000–1,200,000 and AU$96,000–786,000 for the respective age groups. Improvements in climate change mitigation and adaptation measures are likely to generate synergistic health co-benefits and reduce the impact on frontline health services.
Dairy Streptococcus thermophilus improves cell viability of Lactobacillus brevis NPS-QW-145 and its γ-aminobutyric acid biosynthesis ability in milk
Authors: Wu Qinglong , Law Yee-Song , Shah Nagendra P.
Published: August 2015

Most high γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) producers are Lactobacillus brevis of plant origin, which may be not able to ferment milk well due to its poor proteolytic nature as evidenced by the absence of genes encoding extracellular proteinases in its genome. In the present study, two glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) genes, gadA and gadB, were found in high GABA-producing L. brevis NPS-QW-145. Co-culturing of this organism with conventional dairy starters was carried out to manufacture GABA-rich fermented milk. It was observed that all the selected strains of Streptococcus thermophilus, but not Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, improved the viability of L. brevis NPS-QW-145 in milk. Only certain strains of S. thermophilus improved the gadA mRNA level in L. brevis NPS-QW-145, thus enhanced GABA biosynthesis by the latter. These results suggest that certain S. thermophilus strains are highly recommended to co-culture with high GABA producer for manufacturing GABA-rich fermented milk.
Facile Synthesis of Carbon Nanosphere/NiCo2O4 Core-shell Sub-microspheres for High Performance Supercapacitor
Authors: Li Delong , Gong Youning , Zhang Yupeng , Luo Chengzhi , Li Weiping , Fu Qiang , Pan Chunxu
Published: August 2015

This paper introduced a process to prepare the carbon nanosphere (CNS)/NiCo2O4core-shell sub-microspheres. That is: 1) CNSs were firstly prepared via a simple hydrothermal method; 2) a layer of NiCo2O4precursor was coated on the CNS surface; 3) finally the composite was annealed at 350 °C for 2 hours in the air and the CNS/NiCo2O4core-shell sub-microspheres were obtained. This core-shell sub-microsphere was prepared with a simple, economical and environmental-friendly hydrothermal method and was suitable for large-scale production, which expects a promising electrode candidate for high performance energy storage applications. Electrochemical experiments revealed that the composite exhibited remarkable electrochemical performances with high capacitance and desirable cycle life at high rates, such as: 1) the maximum specific capacitance was up to 1420 F/g at 1 A/g; 2) about 98.5% of the capacitance retained after 3000 charge-discharge cycles; 3) the capacitance retention was about 72% as the current density increase from 1 A/g to 10 A/g.
High-throughput sequencing enhanced phage display enables the identification of patient-specific epitope motifs in serum
Authors: Christiansen Anders , Kringelum Jens V. , Hansen Christian S. , Bøgh Katrine L. , Sullivan Eric , Patel Jigar , Rigby Neil M. , Eiwegger Thomas , Szépfalusi Zsolt , Masi Federico de , Nielsen Morten , Lund Ole , Dufva Martin
Published: August 2015

Phage display is a prominent screening technique with a multitude of applications including therapeutic antibody development and mapping of antigen epitopes. In this study, phages were selected based on their interaction with patient serum and exhaustively characterised by high-throughput sequencing. A bioinformatics approach was developed in order to identify peptide motifs of interest based on clustering and contrasting to control samples. Comparison of patient and control samples confirmed a major issue in phage display, namely the selection of unspecific peptides. The potential of the bioinformatic approach was demonstrated by identifying epitopes of a prominent peanut allergen, Ara h 1, in sera from patients with severe peanut allergy. The identified epitopes were confirmed by high-density peptide micro-arrays. The present study demonstrates that high-throughput sequencing can empower phage display by (i) enabling the analysis of complex biological samples, (ii) circumventing the traditional laborious picking and functional testing of individual phage clones and (iii) reducing the number of selection rounds.
Understanding complex biogeographic responses to climate change
Authors: Seabra Rui , Wethey David S. , Santos António M. , Lima Fernando P.
Published: August 2015

Predicting the extent and direction of species’ range shifts is a major priority for scientists and resource managers. Seminal studies have fostered the notion that biological systems responding to climate change-impacted variables (e.g., temperature, precipitation) should exhibit poleward range shifts but shifts contrary to that expectation have been frequently reported. Understanding whether those shifts are indeed contrary to climate change predictions involves understanding the most basic mechanisms determining the distribution of species. We assessed the patterns of ecologically relevant temperature metrics (e.g., daily range, min, max) along the European Atlantic coast. Temperature metrics have contrasting geographical patterns and latitude or the grand mean are poor predictors for many of them. Our data suggest that unless the appropriate metrics are analysed, the impact of climate change in even a single metric of a single stressor may lead to range shifts in directions that would otherwise be classified as “contrary to prediction”.
Divergence from the classical hydroboration reactivity; boron containing materials through a hydroboration cascade of small cyclic dienes
Authors: Andreou Anna , Leskes Michal , Jambrina Pablo G. , Tustin Gary J. , Grey Clare P. , Rosta Edina , Scherman Oren A.
Published: August 2015

Quantitative dihydroboration of cyclic dienes leading to new, tunable boron-containing hydrocarbon polymeric materials.
Label-free detection of Cu(ii) in a human serum sample by using a prion protein-immobilized FET sensor
Authors: Wustoni Shofarul , Hideshima Sho , Kuroiwa Shigeki , Nakanishi Takuya , Mori Yasuro , Osaka Tetsuya
Published: August 2015

We report a simple and label-free detection of Cu2+utilizing prion proteins as the recognition molecules, which can provide highly sensitive and selective performance at the nanomolar level in a human serum sample.
A polyvinyl alcohol-coated silica gel stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction chromatography
Authors: Ji Shunli , Zheng Yang , Zhang Feifang , Liang Xinmiao , Yang Bingcheng
Published: August 2015

A facile and green way is proposed to prepare a polyvinyl alcohol coated silica gel stationary phase for HILIC. It demonstrated high separation efficiency and high chemical stability.
In situ forming interpenetrating hydrogels of hyaluronic acid hybridized with iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Kheirabadi Malihe , Shi Liyang , Bagheri Reza , Kabiri Kourosh , Hilborn Jöns , Ossipov Dmitri A.
Published: August 2015

Four derivatives of hyaluronic acid (HA) bearing thiol (HA-SH), hydrazide (HA-hy), 2-dithiopyridyl (HA-SSPy), and aldehyde groups (HA-al) afford interpenetrating hydrogel in situ.
Controlled delivery of SDF-1α and IGF-1: CXCR4+ cell recruitment and functional skeletal muscle recovery
Authors: Rybalko Viktoriya Y. , Pham Chantal B. , Hsieh Pei-Ling , Hammers David W. , Merscham-Banda Melissa , Suggs Laura J. , Farrar Roger P.
Published: August 2015

Therapeutic delivery of regeneration-promoting biological factors directly to the site of injury has demonstrated its efficacy in various injury models.
A plasmonic nanosensor with inverse sensitivity for circulating cell-free DNA quantification
Authors: Pallares Roger M. , Kong Say Li , Hui Ru Tan , Thanh Nguyên T. K. , Lu Yi , Su Xiaodi
Published: August 2015

A plasmonic nanosensor (using gold nanorods) with inverse sensitivity is presented for circulating cell-free DNA quantification.
High aspect ratio, processable coordination polymer gel nanotubes based on an AIE-active LMWG with tunable emission
Authors: Suresh Venkata M. , De Anangsha , Maji Tapas Kumar
Published: August 2015

Self-assembly of a rationally designed AIE active LMWG, driven by intermolecular H-bonding, forms 1D nanofibers with strong cyan emission due to AIE properties of the TPE core. On the other hand, addition of metal ions results in the formation of nanotubular structures with strong blue emission in the gel state due to AIE and MCIE.
Chiral template induced homochiral MOFs built from achiral components: SHG enhancement and enantioselective sensing of chiral alkamines by ion-exchange
Authors: Han Yun-Hu , Liu Yue-Cheng , Xing Xiu-Shuang , Tian Chong-Bin , Lin Ping , Du Shao-Wu
Published: August 2015

A homochiral anionic framework built from achiral components was synthesized for enantioselective sensing of chiral alkamines. Ion-exchange with polar or chiral organic cations leads to the enhancement of the SHG efficiency.
Halogen bonding-enhanced electrochemical halide anion sensing by redox-active ferrocene receptors
Authors: Lim Jason Y. C. , Cunningham Matthew J. , Davis Jason J. , Beer Paul D.
Published: August 2015

The first redox-active halogen bonding anion receptors display larger electrochemical voltammetric responses to halide binding compared to their hydrogen bonding analogues.
Characterization of a heterobimetallic nonheme Fe(iii)–O–Cr(iii) species formed by O2 activation
Authors: Zhou Ang , Kleespies Scott T. , Van Heuvelen Katherine M. , Que Lawrence
Published: August 2015

We report the generation and spectroscopic characterization of a heterobimetallic [(TMC)FeIII–O–CrIII(OTf)4] species (1) by bubbling O2 into a mixture of Fe(TMC)(OTf)2 and Cr(OTf)2 in NCCH3.
Non-innocent adsorption of Co-pyrphyrin on rutile(110)
Authors: Gurdal Yeliz , Luber Sandra , Hutter Jürg , Iannuzzi Marcella
Published: August 2015

Co-pyrphyrin adsorbed on rutile(110) as a supported catalyst for water reduction.
Intriguing multichannel photoinduced electron transfer in lanthanide(iii)–diphenylamine systems
Authors: Verma Poonam , Sawant Ramesh M. , Pal Haridas
Published: August 2015

Trivalent lanthanide ions interact with excited diphenylamine through the photoinduced electron transfer mechanism intriguingly engaging their multiple vacant electronic states.
Graphene/nano-porous silicon and graphene/bimetallic silicon nanostructures (Pt–M, M: Pd, Ru, Rh), efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Ensafi Ali A. , Jafari-Asl Mehdi , Rezaei Behzad
Published: August 2015

In this work nano-porous silicon flour (Nano-PSiF) was synthesized first and then there was an investigation into its electrocatalytic activity for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Corrosive synthesis and enhanced electromagnetic absorption properties of hollow porous Ni/SnO2 hybrids
Authors: Zhao Biao , Zhao Wanyu , Shao Gang , Fan Bingbing , Zhang Rui
Published: August 2015

Porous hollow Ni/SnO2 hybrid composites exhibit superior properties with the features of strong absorption, thin thickness, broad bandwidth and light weight.
Bimetallic PdPt nanowire networks with enhanced electrocatalytic activity for ethylene glycol and glycerol oxidation
Authors: Hong Wei , Shang Changshuai , Wang Jin , Wang Erkang
Published: August 2015

A facile avenue to synthesize bimetallic PdPt nanowire networks with tunable composition and enhanced electrocatalytic performance is demonstrated.
Microfluidic vascularized bone tissue model with hydroxyapatite-incorporated extracellular matrix
Authors: Jusoh Norhana , Oh Soojung , Kim Sudong , Kim Jangho , Jeon Noo Li
Published: August 2015

We propose three-dimensional microvascular networks in a hydroxyapatite-incorporated extracellular matrix for designing and manipulating a vascularized bone tissue model in a microfluidic device.
Efficiency optimisation of proteins on a chip
Authors: Wu Wei-jen , Huang Hsuan-yu , Hsu Wei-Yeh , Hsu Ray-Quen , Chen Hueih-Min
Published: August 2015

This study elucidates that the protein reorientation on a chip can be changed by an external electric field (EEF) and optimised for achieving strong effective binding between proteins.
Experimental and computational studies of fatty acid distribution networks
Authors: Liu Yong , Buendía-Rodríguez Germán , Peñuelas-Rívas Claudia Giovanna , Tan Zhiliang , Rívas-Guevara María , Tenorio-Borroto Esvieta , Munteanu Cristian R. , Pazos Alejandro , González-Díaz Humberto
Published: August 2015

A new PT-LFER model is useful for predicting a distribution network in terms of specific fatty acid distribution.
Vividly colorful hybrid perovskite solar cells by doctor-blade coating with perovskite photonic nanostructures
Authors: Deng Yehao , Wang Qi , Yuan Yongbo , Huang Jinsong
Published: August 2015

Efficient colorful perovskite solar cells are fabricated and the formation mechanism of the spontaneous photonic nanostructure is revealed.