bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cinnamomum camphora Seed Kernel Oil Improves Lipid Metabolism and Enhances β3‐Adrenergic Receptor Expression in Diet‐Induced Obese Rats
Authors: Fu Jing , Zeng Cheng , Zeng Zheling , Wang Baogui , Wen Xuefang , Yu Ping , Gong Deming
Published: April 2016

The effects of dietary Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel oil (CCSKO) containing medium‐chain triacylglycerols on lipid metabolism and mRNA and protein expression of β‐3 adrenergic receptor in adipose tissue were studied in diet‐induced obese rats. High fat food‐induced obese rats were randomly divided into CCSKO group, Lard group, Soybean oil (SOY) group and naturally restoring group (n = 10). Rats fed with low fat food were used as a normal control group. Significant decreases in body mass and abdominal fat mass/body mass after 12 weeks were found in CCSKO group as compared with Lard and SOY groups (p < 0.05). Levels of blood total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, free fatty acid, fasting insulin and insulin resistance in the CCSKO group were decreased significantly, and noradrenaline level and insulin sensitivity index in the CCSKO group were significantly higher than other groups. Meanwhile liver TC and triglyceride levels in the CCSKO group were also decreased markedly. Expression levels of β3‐adrenergic receptor mRNA and protein were higher in CCSKO group than in Lard and SOY groups. These results suggest that CCSKO may contribute to reduction of the body fat mass, promote lipid metabolism and up‐regulate β3‐adrenergic receptor expression in high fat diet‐induced obese rats.
Trajectories of adolescent substance use development and the influence of healthy leisure: A growth mixture modeling approach
Authors: Weybright Elizabeth H. , Caldwell Linda L. , Ram Nilam , Smith Edward A. , Wegner Lisa
Published: April 2016

Considerable heterogeneity exists in adolescent substance use development. To most effectively prevent use, distinct trajectories of use must be identified as well as differential associations with predictors of use, such as leisure experience. The current study used a person‐centered approach to identify distinct substance use trajectories and how leisure is associated with trajectory classes. Data came from a larger efficacy trial of 2.249 South African high school students who reported substance use at any time across 8 waves. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify developmental trajectories of substance use and the influence of healthy leisure. Results identified three increasing and one stable substance use trajectory and subjective healthy leisure served to protect against use. This study is the first of its kind to focus on a sample of South African adolescents and serves to develop a richer understanding of substance use development and the role of healthy leisure.
Characteristics and consequences of the co-occurrence between social anxiety and pain-related fear in chronic pain patients receiving multimodal pain rehabilitation treatment
Authors: Wurm Matilda , Edlund Sara , Tillfors Maria , Boersma Katja
Published: April 2016

Background and aims

Chronic pain problems are related to specific pain related fears and maladaptive pain-coping but also commonly co-occur with other anxiety problems. Shared emotional vulnerability factors may explain this comorbidity and may influence treatment outcome. Indeed, pain patients going through multimodal pain treatment are a heterogeneous group and treatment results vary. One understudied anxiety disorder co-occurring with pain is social anxiety. This may be relevant as many pain-related challenges are situated in social contexts. The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence of subgroups with differential patterns of social anxiety and pain related fear in a sample of chronic pain patients who receive multimodal pain treatment. The aim is also to study the characteristics of these potential subgroups and the consequences of different patterns of social anxiety and pain related fear.

Methods

180 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain answered questionnaires before and after a multimodal pain treatment in a hospital rehabilitation setting in middle Sweden. A cluster analysis using pre-treatment scores on the Social Phobia Screening Questionnaire and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia was performed. Subgroups were thereafter validated and compared on impairment due to social anxiety, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, subgroups were described and compared on vulnerability factors (anxiety sensitivity, negative affect) and outcome factors (pain intensity, pain interference, and return to work self-efficacy).

Results

Four distinct clusters emerged: (1) low scores, (2) pain-related fear only, (3) social concern only, and (4) high social anxiety and pain-related fear. Patients high on social anxiety and pain-related fear had significantly higher levels of anxiety sensitivity, negative affect, and higher general emotional symptomatology. They also had remaining problems posttreatment.

Conclusions

A subgroup of patients with clinical levels of social anxiety has suboptimal rehabilitation results, with residual emotional problems and high levels of emotional vulnerability.

Implications

These patients may be in need of additional treatment efforts that are not being met today. To prevent insufficient treatment results and prolonged work disability, these patients need to be detected during screening and may benefit from pain treatment that takes their emotional problems into account.
On the classification of convex quadrilaterals
Authors: Josefsson Martin
Published: April 2016

We live in a golden age regarding the opportunities to explore Euclidean geometry. The access to dynamic geometry computer programs for everyone has made it very easy to study complex configurations in a way that has never been possible before. This is especially apparent in the study of triangle geometry, where the flow of new problems, properties, and papers is probably the highest it has ever been in the history of mathematics. Even though it has increased a bit in recent years, the interest in quadrilateral geometry is significantly lower. Why are triangles so much more popular than quadrilaterals? In fact, we think it would be more logical if the situation were reversed, since there are so many classes of quadrilaterals to explore. This is the primary reason we think that quadrilaterals are a lot more interesting to study than triangles.
The Spatial and Career Mobility of China's Urban and Rural Labor Force
Authors: Hao Lingxin , Liang Yucheng
Published: April 2016

In this article, we provide a comprehensive examination of the spatial and career mobility of China's labor population. We integrate theories on stratification and social change and exploit the innovative design and measurement of the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey to minimize the undercoverage problem of the rural-urban migratory experience. Our analysis provides several fresh findings: (1) at-birth rural household registration (hukou) status leads to a greater probability of spatial mobility and career advancement than at-birth urban hukou status does; (2) education and gender differentiates rural-origin people, increasing the heterogeneity of urban labor and decreasing the heterogeneity of rural labor; (3) hukou policy relaxation favors later cohorts over earlier cohorts; and (4) among demographically comparable people, having experienced spatial mobility is correlated with having career advancement experience. Work organizations are found to be the arena where the two dimensions of mobility can happen jointly. Our findings provide a rich context for understanding the management and organization of Chinese labor.
TILLAGE AND ESTABLISHMENT METHOD IMPACTS ON LAND AND IRRIGATION WATER PRODUCTIVITY OF WHEAT–RICE SYSTEM IN NORTH-WEST INDIA
Authors: BHATT RAJAN , KUKAL S. S.
Published: April 2016

The resource conservation technologies (RCTs), being advocated for countering the threat to the sustainability of wheat–rice cropping system (RWCS) in the north–west (NW) Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India, have been evaluated mostly for the individual crops, without depicting the impact of these technologies on the succeeding or preceding crop. A study was thus conducted during 2012–2014 in NW India to assess the land and irrigation water productivity (WPI) of RWCS under different establishment and conservation tillage techniques in a sandy-loam soil (coarse loamy, calcareous, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Ustochrept). The treatments included zero (ZTW) and conventional (CTW) tillage in wheat as main plot, establishment methods (direct seeded (DSR) and mechanically transplanted rice (MTR)) as sub-plot and tillage in rice viz. puddle (PR), dry (CTR) and zero (ZTR) tillage as sub–sub plot treatments, replicated thrice in split–split plot design. The land productivity of RWCS was significantly lower in ZTW plots than in CTW plots. The residual effect of tillage in wheat on rice productivity was distinct during the second year of study, when the CTW plots recorded significantly higher (17.5%) rice yield than the ZTW plots. The productivity of the cropping system with DSR was statistically similar to that with MTR. The WPI of RWCS increased in the order ZTW–DSR–ZTR25 < CTW–DSR–ZTR < ZTW–MTR–CTR < ZTW–DSR–PR < CTW–DSR–PR < ZTW–MTR–PR26 < CTW–MTR–PR.
TAMING TRANSGRESSION AND VIOLENCE IN THE CARNIVALS OF EARLY MODERN NAPLES
Authors: GUARINO GABRIEL
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this article is to explore the political importance of Neapolitan Carnival and the government's involvement in steering and controlling the celebrations at various historical junctions during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It is particularly important to note in this context the ritual pillages ofcuccagnestaged by the rulers. The sponsorship of such Carnivalesque entertainments quelled the rulers' fears from popular rebellion and disorder as much as they fed popular needs for bread and circuses; and it is in this context of maintaining intact the city's fragile social balances that we should interpret the ubiquity of these violent spectacles in early modern Naples.
Detection ofBartonellaspp. in wild carnivores, hyraxes, hedgehog and rodents from Israel
Authors: MARCIANO ODELYA , GUTIÉRREZ RICARDO , MORICK DANNY , KING RONI , NACHUM-BIALA YAARIT , BANETH GAD , HARRUS SHIMON
Published: April 2016

Bartonellainfection was explored in wild animals from Israel. Golden jackals (Canis aureus), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis), southern white-breasted hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor), social voles (Microtus socialis), Tristram's jirds (Meriones tristrami), Cairo spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus), house mice (Mus musculus) and Indian crested porcupines (Hystrix indica) were sampled and screened by molecular and isolation methods.Bartonella-DNA was detected in 46 animals: 9/70 (13%) golden jackals, 2/11 (18%) red foxes, 3/35 (9%) rock hyraxes, 1/3 (33%) southern white-breasted hedgehogs, 5/57 (9%) Cairo spiny mice, 25/43 (58%) Tristram's jirds and 1/6 (16%) house mice.Bartonella rochalimaeandB. rochalimae-like were widespread among jackals, foxes, hyraxes and jirds. This report represents the first detection of this zoonoticBartonellasp. in rock hyraxes and golden jackals. Moreover, DNA ofBartonella vinsoniisubsp.berkhoffii, Bartonella acomydis, CandidatusBartonella merieuxii and other uncharacterized genotypes were identified. Three differentBartonellastrains were isolated from Tristram's jirds, and several genotypes were molecularly detected from these animals. Furthermore, this study reports the first detection ofBartonellainfection in a southern hedgehog. Our study indicates that infection with zoonotic and otherBartonellaspecies is widespread among wild animals and stresses their potential threat to public health.
The impact of health and education on future labour force participation among individuals aged 55–74 in the United States of America: the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on an Aging Society
Authors: REHKOPF DAVID H. , ADLER NANCY E. , ROWE JOHN W.
Published: April 2016

Chronic disease, mobility limitations and low physical functioning are determinants of an earlier age of retirement. Therefore, long-term population trends in these factors may have an impact on the proportion of individuals near traditional retirement age who continue to work. Our objective is to develop a projection model that accounts for trends in these factors in order to estimate the proportion of the population aged 55–74 with the capacity to participate in the labour force. We used logistic regression models to quantify how chronic disease, mobility and functional status predict labour force participation among individuals aged 55–59. Next, we obtained estimates of the population prevalence of each of these predictors for the years 2010–2050. We then used estimated coefficients from the logistic regression models to predict the age-specific probability of capacity for work up to the age of 74. We find that population capacity for work depends on trends in disability and on level of education. Future population capacity for work depends on trends in functional limitations primarily in the population with lower levels of education. Changes in functional limitations, changes in the environment, technology and social policy targeted towards individuals with lower levels of education could result in mitigation of future decreasing capacity for work in the population near retirement age.
Jacob the Knight in Ezekiel's Chariot: Imagined Identity in a Micrography Decoration of an Ashkenazic Bible
Authors: Offenberg Sara
Published: April 2016

In an Ashkenazic Bible produced in the thirteenth century, we find a unique micrography decoration portraying Ezekiel's vision. On the bottom margin the Masorah micrography shows the full bodies of the four creatures: the lion facing the ox, and the man, in full armor and holding an object in each hand, facing the eagle. I suggest that the choice to portray the human figure in this micrography as an armored knight can be explained by reference to the tradition describing seeing Jacob's image engraved on the throne in Ezekiel's vision, as also reflected in the writings of Hasidei Ashkenaz. The decoration identifies the human figure as Jacob, which may illustrate the verse'Avir Ya‘akov, meaning “mighty one of Jacob” or Jacob the Knight.
The Views of Informal Carers' Evaluation of Services (VOICES): Toward an adaptation for the New Zealand bicultural context
Authors: Frey Rosemary , Williams Lisa , Trussardi Gabriella , Black Stella , Robinson Jackie , Moeke-Maxwell Tess , Gott Merryn
Published: April 2016

Objective:

The Views of Informal Carers Experiences of Services (VOICES) instrument is a postal questionnaire that has been utilized internationally to capture the experiences of end-of-life care during the last months of life. Aotearoa/New Zealand, traditionally a bicultural society, reflects both the European worldview and that of the indigenous Māori. The Māori collectivist worldview considers whānau (extended family) support as key at the end of life and privileges “kanohi ki te kanohi” (face-to-face) meetings. In such a context, how will VOICES be received? Our pilot study was designed to test the effectiveness of an adaptation of the VOICES questionnaire in the New Zealand social setting for both Māori and non-Māori.

Method:

Cognitive interviews were conducted with 20 bereaved whānau and family members whose relative died between January 1 and April 4, 2014, in one urban New Zealand hospital. Thematic analysis was conducted on the resulting transcripts.

Results:

We found that, although the questionnaire provides valuable information, administration of the current questionnaire within a bicultural context is problematic. These problems are related to its scope, cultural acceptability, structure, and content. Distribution of the VOICES questionnaire, either through the post or online, without prior consultation, also risks engaging Māori in a culturally inappropriate manner.

Significance of results:

These findings will prompt revisions to both the content and research approach to implementing VOICES in a bicultural context. Recommendations include prior consultation with local indigenous communities as well as utilization of a mixed-methods approach to utilizing VOICES in a bicultural context. The cognitive interview procedures employed (adjusted for a collectivist worldview) in this study may also prove useful to indigenous groups seeking to develop or adapt questionnaires within a bicultural or multicultural context.
Appendix: Final Update of the IAU Division A Commission 4 Working Group on Standardizing Access to Ephemerides and File Format Specification
Authors: Hilton James L. , Acton Charles , Arlot Jean-Eudes , Bell Steven A. , Capitaine Nicole , Fienga Agnès , Folkner William M. , Gastineau Mickaël , Pavlov Dmitry , Pitjeva Elena V. , Skripnichenko Vladimir I. , Wallace Patrick
Published: April 2016

The IAU Commission 4 Working Group on Standardizing Access to Ephemerides recommends the use of the Spacecraft and Planet Kernel (SPK) format to provide a uniform format for the position ephemerides of planets and other natural solar system bodies, and the use of the Planetary Constants Kernel (PCK) for the orientation of these bodies. These formats are used by the SPICE system, developed by the Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The working group's final report is currently undergoing final preparations for publication. A long version of this report will be available at the IAU Commission 4: Ephemerides (or its successor) web site. This long version will contain a full description of that portion of the SPK and PCK formats required to duplicate these file types for this application.
DIVISION G COMMISSION 26: DOUBLE & MULTIPLE STARS
Authors: Mason Brian D. , Balega Yuri , Docobo Jose , Arenou Frédéric , Scardia Marco , Tamazian Vakhtang , ten Brummelaar Theo , Lampens Patricia , Reipurth Bo , Tokovinin Andrei
Published: April 2016

This report covers the workings of Commission 26 over the triennial period 2012-2015 and is the last report of the Commission. Included are reports from Working Groups and the Commission 26 Circular; all of which will be continuing in Commission G1 (Binary and Multiple Stars). Also included is a report of the Splinter Meeting of Commissions 26, 42 & G1, submitted observatory reports and a history of Commission 26.
Forschungsverbund Kunsttherapie
Authors: Schulze Constanze , Elbing Ulrich , Gruber Harald
Published: April 2016

Zusammenfassung. Die aktuellen Entwicklungen im Gesundheits- und Sozialwesen sowie der Anspruch nach wissenschaftlicher (empirischer) Fundierung von Therapieangeboten führen zu hohen Forschungsanforderungen auch an die Kunsttherapie. Daraus erwächst die Notwendigkeit zur Intensivierung und besseren Koordination von Forschung ebenso wie die gezielte Förderung des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses. Der „Forschungsverbund Kunsttherapie“ zielt seit seiner Gründung 2009 auf die Etablierung einer leistungsfähigen Kooperationsstruktur zwischen den beteiligten Hochschulen. Ebenso ist die Entwicklung angemessener Forschungsstrategien im Rahmen der Künstlerischen Therapien ein übergreifendes Ziel, um u. a. multizentrische Studien bestmöglich durchführen zu können. Damit verbunden ist auch die bessere Verzahnung von akademischer Lehre und Forschungspraxis in den Hochschulen. In den Forschungsverbund integriert ist ein Promotionskolloquium, in dem Promovendinnen ihre Forschungsvorhaben regelmäßig zur Diskussion stellen. Mit der Gründung des Forschungsverbundes haben sich effektive Arbeitsformen entwickelt, aus dem bereits sieben erfolgreiche Absolventen hervor gegangen sind. Zudem konnten mit der Universität Witten/ Herdecke und der Universität Ulm arbeitsfähige Partnerschaften des Verbundes geschaffen werden, die sich u. a. in einer entsprechenden Publikationstätigkeit niederschlagen. Insgesamt bestätigen die Ergebnisse des Forschungsverbunds, dass der systematische Aufbau hochschulübergreifender Zusammenarbeit für die erfolgreiche Bewältigung anstehender Forschungsaufgaben unabdingbar ist. Perspektivisch sind die Arbeitsstrukturen im Sinne von kooperativen Promotionen mit weiteren Universitäten auszubauen. Die Gründungsphase des Verbundes wurde von 2009 bis 2013 von der Software AG Stiftung gefördert.
In situ regeneration of bioactive coatings enabled by an evolved Staphylococcus aureus sortase A
Authors: Ham Hyun Ok , Qu Zheng , Haller Carolyn A. , Dorr Brent M. , Dai Erbin , Kim Wookhyun , Liu David R. , Chaikof Elliot L.
Published: April 2016

Surface immobilization of bioactive molecules is a central paradigm in the design of implantable devices and biosensors with improved clinical performance capabilities. However, in vivo degradation or denaturation of surface constituents often limits the long-term performance of bioactive films. Here we demonstrate the capacity to repeatedly regenerate a covalently immobilized monomolecular thin film of bioactive molecules through a two-step stripping and recharging cycle. Reversible transpeptidation by a laboratory evolved Staphylococcus aureus sortase A (eSrtA) enabled the rapid immobilization of an anti-thrombogenic film in the presence of whole blood and permitted multiple cycles of film regeneration in vitro that preserved its biological activity. Moreover, eSrtA transpeptidation facilitated surface re-engineering of medical devices in situ after in vivo implantation through removal and restoration film constituents. These studies establish a rapid, orthogonal and reversible biochemical scheme to regenerate selective molecular constituents with the potential to extend the lifetime of bioactive films.
Hot super-Earths stripped by their host stars
Authors: Lundkvist M. S. , Kjeldsen H. , Albrecht S. , Davies G. R. , Basu S. , Huber D. , Justesen A. B. , Karoff C. , Silva Aguirre V. , Van Eylen V. , Vang C. , Arentoft T. , Barclay T. , Bedding T. R. , Campante T. L. , Chaplin W. J. , Christensen-Dalsgaard J. , Elsworth Y. P. , Gilliland R. L. , Handberg R. , Hekker S. , Kawaler S. D. , Lund M. N. , Metcalfe T. S. , Miglio A. , Rowe J. F. , Stello D. , Tingley B. , White T. R.
Published: April 2016

Simulations predict that hot super-Earth sized exoplanets can have their envelopes stripped by photoevaporation, which would present itself as a lack of these exoplanets. However, this absence in the exoplanet population has escaped a firm detection. Here we demonstrate, using asteroseismology on a sample of exoplanets and exoplanet candidates observed during the Kepler mission that, while there is an abundance of super-Earth sized exoplanets with low incident fluxes, none are found with high incident fluxes. We do not find any exoplanets with radii between 2.2 and 3.8 Earth radii with incident flux above 650 times the incident flux on Earth. This gap in the population of exoplanets is explained by evaporation of volatile elements and thus supports the predictions. The confirmation of a hot-super-Earth desert caused by evaporation will add an important constraint on simulations of planetary systems, since they must be able to reproduce the dearth of close-in super-Earths.
High-dimensional genomic data bias correction and data integration using MANCIE
Authors: Zang Chongzhi , Wang Tao , Deng Ke , Li Bo , Hu Sheng’en , Qin Qian , Xiao Tengfei , Zhang Shihua , Meyer Clifford A. , He Housheng Hansen , Brown Myles , Liu Jun S. , Xie Yang , Liu X. Shirley
Published: April 2016

High-dimensional genomic data analysis is challenging due to noises and biases in high-throughput experiments. We present a computational method matrix analysis and normalization by concordant information enhancement (MANCIE) for bias correction and data integration of distinct genomic profiles on the same samples. MANCIE uses a Bayesian-supported principal component analysis-based approach to adjust the data so as to achieve better consistency between sample-wise distances in the different profiles. MANCIE can improve tissue-specific clustering in ENCODE data, prognostic prediction in Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium and The Cancer Genome Atlas data, copy number and expression agreement in Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia data, and has broad applications in cross-platform, high-dimensional data integration.
Reference genotype and exome data from an Australian Aboriginal population for health-based research
Authors: Tang Dave , Anderson Denise , Francis Richard W. , Syn Genevieve , Jamieson Sarra E. , Lassmann Timo , Blackwell Jenefer M.
Published: April 2016

Genetic analyses, including genome-wide association studies and whole exome sequencing (WES), provide powerful tools for the analysis of complex and rare genetic diseases. To date there are no reference data for Aboriginal Australians to underpin the translation of health-based genomic research. Here we provide a catalogue of variants called after sequencing the exomes of 72 Aboriginal individuals to a depth of 20X coverage in ∼80% of the sequenced nucleotides. We determined 320,976 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and 47,313 insertions/deletions using the Genome Analysis Toolkit. We had previously genotyped a subset of the Aboriginal individuals (70/72) using the Illumina Omni2.5 BeadChip platform and found ~99% concordance at overlapping sites, which suggests high quality genotyping. Finally, we compared our SNVs to six publicly available variant databases, such as dbSNP and the Exome Sequencing Project, and 70,115 of our SNVs did not overlap any of the single nucleotide polymorphic sites in all the databases. Our data set provides a useful reference point for genomic studies on Aboriginal Australians.
PTH-dependence of the effectiveness of cinacalcet in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Akizawa Tadao , Kurita Noriaki , Mizobuchi Masahide , Fukagawa Masafumi , Onishi Yoshihiro , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Ellis Alan R. , Fukuma Shingo , Alan Brookhart M. , Hasegawa Takeshi , Kurokawa Kiyoshi , Fukuhara Shunichi
Published: April 2016

Cinacalcet lowers parathyroid hormone levels. Whether it can prolong survival of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) complicated by secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) remains controversial, in part because a recent randomized trial excluded patients with iPTH <300 pg/ml. We examined cinacalcet’s effects at different iPTH levels. This was a prospective case-cohort and cohort study involving 8229 patients with CKD stage 5D requiring maintenance hemodialysis who had SHPT. We studied relationships between cinacalcet initiation and important clinical outcomes. To avoid confounding by treatment selection, we used marginal structural models, adjusting for time-dependent confounders. Over a mean of 33 months, cinacalcet was more effective in patients with more severe SHPT. In patients with iPTH ≥500 pg/ml, the reduction in the risk of death from any cause was about 50% (Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR] = 0.49; 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: 0.29–0.82). For a composite of cardiovascular hospitalization and mortality, the association was not statistically significant, but the IRR was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.43–1.06). These findings indicate that decisions about using cinacalcet should take into account the severity of SHPT.
A stochastic model for immunotherapy of cancer
Authors: Baar Martina , Coquille Loren , Mayer Hannah , Hölzel Michael , Rogava Meri , Tüting Thomas , Bovier Anton
Published: April 2016

We propose an extension of a standard stochastic individual-based model in population dynamics which broadens the range of biological applications. Our primary motivation is modelling of immunotherapy of malignant tumours. In this context the different actors, T-cells, cytokines or cancer cells, are modelled as single particles (individuals) in the stochastic system. The main expansions of the model are distinguishing cancer cells by phenotype and genotype, including environment-dependent phenotypic plasticity that does not affect the genotype, taking into account the effects of therapy and introducing a competition term which lowers the reproduction rate of an individual in addition to the usual term that increases its death rate. We illustrate the new setup by using it to model various phenomena arising in immunotherapy. Our aim is twofold: on the one hand, we show that the interplay of genetic mutations and phenotypic switches on different timescales as well as the occurrence of metastability phenomena raise new mathematical challenges. On the other hand, we argue why understanding purely stochastic events (which cannot be obtained with deterministic models) may help to understand the resistance of tumours to therapeutic approaches and may have non-trivial consequences on tumour treatment protocols. This is supported through numerical simulations.
Large-deformation and high-strength amorphous porous carbon nanospheres
Authors: Yang Weizhu , Mao Shimin , Yang Jia , Shang Tao , Song Hongguang , Mabon James , Swiech Wacek , Vance John R. , Yue Zhufeng , Dillon Shen J. , Xu Hangxun , Xu Baoxing
Published: April 2016

Carbon is one of the most important materials extensively used in industry and our daily life. Crystalline carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene possess ultrahigh strength and toughness. In contrast, amorphous carbon is known to be very brittle and can sustain little compressive deformation. Inspired by biological shells and honeycomb-like cellular structures in nature, we introduce a class of hybrid structural designs and demonstrate that amorphous porous carbon nanospheres with a thin outer shell can simultaneously achieve high strength and sustain large deformation. The amorphous carbon nanospheres were synthesized via a low-cost, scalable and structure-controllable ultrasonic spray pyrolysis approach using energetic carbon precursors. In situ compression experiments on individual nanospheres show that the amorphous carbon nanospheres with an optimized structure can sustain beyond 50% compressive strain. Both experiments and finite element analyses reveal that the buckling deformation of the outer spherical shell dominates the improvement of strength while the collapse of inner nanoscale pores driven by twisting, rotation, buckling and bending of pore walls contributes to the large deformation.
Hydrolases of the ILR1-like family of Arabidopsis thaliana modulate auxin response by regulating auxin homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Sanchez Carranza Ana Paula , Singh Aparajita , Steinberger Karoline , Panigrahi Kishore , Palme Klaus , Dovzhenko Alexander , Dal Bosco Cristina
Published: April 2016

Amide-linked conjugates of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) have been identified in most plant species. They function in storage, inactivation or inhibition of the growth regulator auxin. We investigated how the major known endogenous amide-linked IAA conjugates with auxin-like activity act in auxin signaling and what role ILR1-like proteins play in this process in Arabidopsis. We used a genetically encoded auxin sensor to show that IAA-Leu, IAA-Ala and IAA-Phe act through the TIR1-dependent signaling pathway. Furthermore, by using the sensor as a free IAA reporter, we followed conjugate hydrolysis mediated by ILR1, ILL2 and IAR3 in plant cells and correlated the activity of the hydrolases with a modulation of auxin response. The conjugate preferences that we observed are in agreement with available in vitro data for ILR1. Moreover, we identified IAA-Leu as an additional substrate for IAR3 and showed that ILL2 has a more moderate kinetic performance than observed in vitro. Finally, we proved that IAR3, ILL2 and ILR1 reside in the endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that in this compartment the hydrolases regulate the rates of amido-IAA hydrolysis which results in activation of auxin signaling.
Generation of Hprt-disrupted rat through mouse←rat ES chimeras
Authors: Isotani Ayako , Yamagata Kazuo , Okabe Masaru , Ikawa Masahito
Published: April 2016

We established rat embryonic stem (ES) cell lines from a double transgenic rat line which harboursCAG-GFPfor ubiquitous expression of GFP in somatic cells andAcr3-EGFPfor expression in sperm (green body and green sperm: GBGS rat). By injecting the GBGS rat ES cells into mouse blastocysts and transplanting them into pseudopregnant mice, rat spermatozoa were produced in mouse←rat ES chimeras. Rat spermatozoa from the chimeric testis were able to fertilize eggs by testicular sperm extraction combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (TESE-ICSI). In the present paper, we disrupted rat hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (Hprt) gene in ES cells and produced aHprt-disrupted rat line using the mouse←rat ES chimera system. The mouse←rat ES chimera system demonstrated the dual advantages of space conservation and a clear indication of germ line transmission in knockout rat production.
Wettability of partially suspended graphene
Authors: Ondarçuhu Thierry , Thomas Vincent , Nuñez Marc , Dujardin Erik , Rahman Atikur , Black Charles T. , Checco Antonio
Published: April 2016

The dependence of the wettability of graphene on the nature of the underlying substrate remains only partially understood. Here, we systematically investigate the role of liquid-substrate interactions on the wettability of graphene by varying the area fraction of suspended graphene from 0 to 95% by means of nanotextured substrates. We find that completely suspended graphene exhibits the highest water contact angle (85° ± 5°) compared to partially suspended or supported graphene, regardless of the hydrophobicity (hydrophilicity) of the substrate. Further, 80% of the long-range water-substrate interactions are screened by the graphene monolayer, the wettability of which is primarily determined by short-range graphene-liquid interactions. By its well-defined chemical and geometrical properties, supported graphene therefore provides a model system to elucidate the relative contribution of short and long range interactions to the macroscopic contact angle.
Visualization of neonatal lung injury associated with mechanical ventilation using x-ray dark-field radiography
Authors: Yaroshenko Andre , Pritzke Tina , Koschlig Markus , Kamgari Nona , Willer Konstantin , Gromann Lukas , Auweter Sigrid , Hellbach Katharina , Reiser Maximilian , Eickelberg Oliver , Pfeiffer Franz , Hilgendorff Anne
Published: April 2016

Mechanical ventilation (MV) and supplementation of oxygen-enriched gas, often needed in postnatal resuscitation procedures, are known to be main risk factors for impaired pulmonary development in the preterm and term neonates. Unfortunately, current imaging modalities lack in sensitivity for the detection of early stage lung injury. The present study reports a new imaging approach for diagnosis and staging of early lung injury induced by MV and hyperoxia in neonatal mice. The imaging method is based on the Talbot-Lau x-ray grating interferometry that makes it possible to quantify the x-ray small-angle scattering on the air-tissue interfaces. This so-called dark-field signal revealed increasing loss of x-ray small-angle scattering when comparing images of neonatal mice undergoing hyperoxia and MV-O2 with animals kept at room air. The changes in the dark field correlated well with histologic findings and provided superior differentiation than conventional x-ray imaging and lung function testing. The results suggest that x-ray dark-field radiography is a sensitive tool for assessing structural changes in the developing lung. In the future, with further technical developments x-ray dark-field imaging could be an important tool for earlier diagnosis and sensitive monitoring of lung injury in neonates requiring postnatal oxygen or ventilator therapy.
Histone H4 lysine 20 acetylation is associated with gene repression in human cells
Authors: Kaimori Jun-Ya , Maehara Kazumitsu , Hayashi-Takanaka Yoko , Harada Akihito , Fukuda Masafumi , Yamamoto Satoko , Ichimaru Naotsugu , Umehara Takashi , Yokoyama Shigeyuki , Matsuda Ryo , Ikura Tsuyoshi , Nagao Koji , Obuse Chikashi , Nozaki Naohito , Takahara Shiro , Takao Toshifumi , Ohkawa Yasuyuki , Kimura Hiroshi , Isaka Yoshitaka
Published: April 2016

Histone acetylation is generally associated with gene activation and chromatin decondensation. Recent mass spectrometry analysis has revealed that histone H4 lysine 20, a major methylation site, can also be acetylated. To understand the function of H4 lysine 20 acetylation (H4K20ac), we have developed a specific monoclonal antibody and performed ChIP-seq analysis using HeLa-S3 cells. H4K20ac was enriched around the transcription start sites (TSSs) of minimally expressed genes and in the gene body of expressed genes, in contrast to most histone acetylation being enriched around the TSSs of expressed genes. The distribution of H4K20ac showed little correlation with known histone modifications, including histone H3 methylations. A motif search in H4K20ac-enriched sequences, together with transcription factor binding profiles based on ENCODE ChIP-seq data, revealed that most transcription activators are excluded from H4K20ac-enriched genes and a transcription repressor NRSF/REST co-localized with H4K20ac. These results suggest that H4K20ac is a unique acetylation mark associated with gene repression.
Precise control of configuration, size and density of self-assembled Au nanostructures on 4H-SiC (0001) by systematic variation of deposition amount, annealing temperature and duration
Authors: Li Ming-Yu , Sui Mao , Pandey Puran , Zhang Quan-zhen , Kunwar Sundar , Salamo Gregory. J. , Lee Jihoon
Published: April 2016

Hexagonal Au nano-crystals, round dome-shaped droplets and irregular nano-mounds were fabricated on GaN (0001) based on the combinational effects of thermal dewetting and surface free energy minimization.
Confinement and surface effects of aqueous solutions within charged carbon nanotubes
Authors: Calixte Emvia I. , Samoylova Olga N. , Shuford Kevin L.
Published: April 2016

Size-charge effects of brines in charged nanotubes from a molecular dynamics investigation of ion hydration, water coordination, and hydrogen bonding.
Role of ligand–ligand vs. core–core interactions in gold nanoclusters
Authors: Milowska Karolina Z. , Stolarczyk Jacek K.
Published: April 2016

The controlled assembly of ligand-coated gold nanoclusters (NCs) into larger structures paves the way for new applications ranging from electronics to nanomedicine.
Polyether complexes of groups 13 and 14
Authors: Swidan Ala'aeddeen , Macdonald Charles L. B.
Published: April 2016

Notable aspects of the chemistry of polyether complexes of group 13 and 14 elements are reviewed.
High thermoelectric performance of In-doped Cu2SnSe3 prepared by fast combustion synthesis
Authors: Li Yuyang , Liu Guanghua , Li Jiangtao , Chen Kexin , Li Laifeng , Han Yemao , Zhou Min , Xia Mingjun , Jiang Xingxing , Lin Zheshuai
Published: April 2016

In-doped Cu2SnSe3 with ZT = 1.28 is produced by high-pressure combustion synthesis followed by spark plasma sintering.
Synthesis of a peptide-universal nucleotide antigen: towards next-generation antibodies to detect topoisomerase I-DNA covalent complexes
Authors: Perkins Angela L. , Peterson Kevin L. , Beito Thomas G. , Flatten Karen S. , Kaufmann Scott H. , Harki Daniel A.
Published: April 2016

A peptide-universal nucleotide conjugate that mimics the topoisomerase I-DNA covalent complex was synthesized and then utilized to raise monoclonal antibodies.
Aging of the reaction mixture as a tool to modulate the crystallite size of UiO-66 into the low nanometer range
Authors: Taddei Marco , Dümbgen Kim Corinna , van Bokhoven Jeroen Anton , Ranocchiari Marco
Published: April 2016

Nanosized UiO-66 was synthesized in high yield by exploiting controlled aging of the reaction mixture.
Cooperative Lewis acidity in borane-substituted fluorophosphonium cations
Authors: Möbus Juri , vom Stein Thorsten , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: April 2016

Fluorophosphonium salts C6X4(BR2)Ph2PF[B(C6F5)4] (X = H, F; R = Cy, Mes) exhibit enhanced Lewis acid catalytic reactivity as a results of the proximity of the fluorophosphonium and borane moieties.
α-CC agostic structures and aggregation diversity in cyclopropyllithium derivatives
Authors: Dufrois Quentin , Vendier Laure , Etienne Michel
Published: April 2016

A dinuclear cyclopropyllithium derivative exhibiting an α-CC agostic distortion in the solid state deaggregates to a mononuclear species in thf.
Reversible transformation between ionic liquids and coordination polymers by application of light and heat
Authors: Funasako Yusuke , Mori Shotaro , Mochida Tomoyuki
Published: April 2016

Reversible transformation between ionic liquids and coordination polymers by application of light and heat has been achieved.
Monte-Carlo modelling of nano-material photocatalysis: bridging photocatalytic activity and microscopic charge kinetics
Authors: Liu Baoshun
Published: April 2016

In this research, a full Monte-Carlo random walking model, that comprehensively involves the generation, the transport, the interfacial transfer, and the transport of carriers, to study the photocatalytic kinetics.
New insight into the structure of the C60Sc20 cluster: bonding, vibrational and optical properties
Authors: Tlahuice-Flores A.
Published: April 2016

In this communication a systematic study of bonding, IR, Raman and absorption spectra has been carried out for a new stable C60Sc20 cluster.
The flux dynamics behavior of the two competing high temperature superconducting phases in underdoped LaCuO4.06
Authors: Di Gioacchino D. , Puri A. , Marcelli A. , Poccia N. , Ricci A. , Bianconi A.
Published: April 2016

La2CuO4.06 multi-harmonic susceptibility experiments show a phase separation providing direct evidence of two different superconducting vortex dynamics in different complex geometrical spaces.
Conformational stabilities of iminoallantoin and its base pairs in DNA: implications for mutagenicity
Authors: Jena N. R. , Bansal Manju , Mishra P. C.
Published: April 2016

Under acidic conditions, insertion of G opposite Ia may lead to G to C mutations in DNA.
A Pd–bisphosphine complex and organic functionalities immobilized on the same SiO2 surface: detailed characterization and its use as an efficient catalyst for allylation
Authors: Motokura Ken , Saitoh Koki , Noda Hiroto , Chun Wang-Jae , Miyaji Akimitsu , Yamaguchi Sho , Baba Toshihide
Published: April 2016

A Pd–bisphosphine complex and several organic functionalities were immobilized on the same SiO2 surface.
Improving the performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cells through CdNiS quantum dots with reduced recombination and enhanced electron lifetime
Authors: Gopi Chandu V. V. M. , Venkata-Haritha Mallineni , Seo Hyunwoong , Singh Saurabh , Kim Soo-Kyoung , Shiratani Masaharu , Kim Hee-Je
Published: April 2016

Ni2+ doped CdS QDs in QDSSCs can suppress charge recombination, prolong the electron lifetime and improve the PCE of the cell.
Addition of alkynes to digermynes: experimental insight into the reaction pathway
Authors: Tashkandi Nada Y. , Pavelka Laura C. , Caputo Christine A. , Boyle Paul D. , Power Philip P. , Baines Kim M.
Published: April 2016

The reaction pathway for the addition of alkynes to digermynes has been investigated using a mechanistic probe approach.
A low-dissipation, pumpless, gravity-induced flow battery
Authors: Chen Xinwei , Hopkins Brandon J. , Helal Ahmed , Fan Frank Y. , Smith Kyle C. , Li Zheng , Slocum Alexander H. , McKinley Gareth H. , Carter W. Craig , Chiang Yet-Ming
Published: April 2016

Redox flow batteries have the potential to provide low-cost energy storage to enable renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar to overcome their inherent intermittency and to improve the efficiency of electric grids.
Wetting and orientation of catalytic Janus colloids at the surface of water
Authors: Wang Xiaolu , In Martin , Blanc Christophe , Malgaretti Paolo , Nobili Maurizio , Stocco Antonio
Published: April 2016

Janus colloidal particles show remarkable properties in terms of surface activity, self-assembly and wetting. Moreover they can perform autonomous motion if they can chemically react with the liquid in which they are immersed. In order to understand the self-propelled motion of catalytic Janus colloids at the air–water interface, wetting and the orientation of the catalytic surface are important properties to be investigated. Wetting plays a central role in active motion since it determines the contact between the fuel and the catalytic surface as well as the efficiency of the transduction of the chemical reaction into motion. Active motion is not expected to occur either when the catalytic face is completely out of the aqueous phase or when the Janus boundaries are parallel to the interfacial plane. The design of a Janus colloid possessing two hydrophilic faces is required to allow the catalytic face to react with the fuel (e.g. H2O2 for platinum) in water and to permit some rotational freedom of the Janus colloid in order to generate propulsion parallel to the interfacial plane. Here, we discuss some theoretical aspects that should be accounted for when studying Janus colloids at the surface of water. The free energy of ideal Janus colloidal particles at the interface is modeled as a function of the immersion depth and the particle orientation. Analytical expressions of the energy profiles are established. Energetic aspects are then discussed in relation to the particle’s ability to rotate at the interface. By introducing contact angle hysteresis we describe how the effects of contact line pinning modifies the scenario described in the ideal case. Experimental observations of the contact angle hysteresis of Janus colloids at the interface reveal the effect of pinning; and orientations of silica particles half covered with a platinum layer at the interface do not comply with the ideal scenarios. Experimental observations suggest that Janus colloids at the fluid interface behave as a kinetically driven system, where the contact line motion over the defects decorating the Janus faces rules the orientation and rotational diffusion of the particle.
Progress towards understanding heterotypic interactions in multi-culture models of breast cancer
Authors: Regier Mary C. , Alarid Elaine T. , Beebe David J.
Published: April 2016

The dynamic and reciprocal interactions between multiple cell types in breast cancer microenvironments are central to disease progression. We have reviewed the role of heterotypic interactions in in vitro models of the disease.
Synthesis of new C-5-triazolyl-functionalized thymidine analogs and their ability to engage in aromatic stacking in DNA : DNA and DNA : RNA duplexes
Authors: Hornum Mick , Djukina Alevtina , Sassnau Ann-Katrin , Nielsen Poul
Published: April 2016

Stacking interactions of substituted triazoles in the major groove were studied, and with a polar uracil, increased duplex stabilities were found.
Structural effects of dibromocarbazoles on direct arylation polycondensation with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene
Authors: Li Wei , Michinobu Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2016

Microwave-assisted direct arylation polycondensation of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene produced a solution processable and electrochromic polymer when 3,6-dibromocarbazole was employed as a comonomer.
A Co3O4@MnO2/Ni nanocomposite as a carbon- and binder-free cathode for rechargeable Li–O2batteries
Authors: Han Xiaopeng , Cheng Fangyi , Chen Chengcheng , Li Fujun , Chen Jun
Published: April 2016

The Co3O4@MnO2/Ni nanocomposite enables the Li–O2battery with 0.5 M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide to operate with a small voltage gap of 0.76 V for 170 cycles of discharge and charge.
DNA induced aggregation of stem bromelain; a mechanistic insight
Authors: Zaman Masihuz , Chaturvedi Sumit Kumar , Zaidi Nida , Qadeer Atiyatul , Chandel Tajalli Ilm , Nusrat Saima , Alam Parvez , Khan Rizwan Hasan
Published: April 2016

Negatively charged species such as nucleic acids have commonly been found to be associated with the proteinaceous deposits in the tissues of patients with amyloid diseases.
Molecularly imprinted star polymer-modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle for trace level sensing and separation of mancozeb
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Karfa Paramita , Patra Santanu , Madhuri Rashmi , Sharma Prashant K.
Published: April 2016

Molecular imprinted star polymer for the sensing and separation of mancozeb (pesticide) from soil and vegetable samples.