bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of intimate partner violence before and during pregnancy among Japanese women
Authors: Kataoka Yaeko , Imazeki Mikiko , Shinohara Eriko
Published: July 2015

Aim

Intimate partner violence (IPV) causes serious health problems, which could be life‐threatening to pregnant women and their babies. Despite several IPV studies in Japan, the screening timeframe for IPV during pregnancy remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of IPV among Japanese women before and during pregnancy.

Methods

A survey was conducted at a hospital's outpatient clinic in Nagano, Japan, during October through December 2011 and March through July 2012. The Violence Against Women Screen (VAWS) questionnaire was distributed to 93 eligible women and 84 (89.5%) agreed to be assessed for the occurrence of IPV before and during pregnancy.

Results

The mean VAWS total score before pregnancy was 1.43 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.64; range, 0–7), and during pregnancy it was 0.83 (SD = 1.03; range, 0–6), and was significantly different (t = 4.98, P < 0.001). In addition, more women experienced IPV prior to pregnancy (34.9%) than during pregnancy (20.7%). All women who screened positive during pregnancy were also positive before pregnancy. Prevalence of intimate partner physical violence was 4.9% prior to pregnancy and declined to 3.7% during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Even though the prevalence of IPV during pregnancy had decreased compared with before pregnancy, all women experiencing IPV before pregnancy continued to be victimized during pregnancy. Therefore, IPV screening questions should include IPV that had occurred a year prior.
Ovarian pregnancy associated with a fresh blastocyst transfer following in vitro fertilization
Authors: Ishikawa Hiroshi , Sanada Michio , Shozu Makio
Published: July 2015

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare subtype of ectopic pregnancy, and its mechanisms have not been clarified. We report a case of ovarian pregnancy that supports a blastocyst migration mechanism. An infertile woman became pregnant after a single blastocyst transfer following in vitro fertilization during a fresh non‐donor cycle. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed a gestational sac‐like structure containing an active fetus that was located adjacent to the corpus luteum of the right ovary. Laparoscopy identified a red, swollen implantation site in the ovary, which was completely removed by wedge resection without damaging the remaining parenchyma. This case demonstrated that a fresh blastocyst transferred into the endometrial cavity migrated through the fallopian tube, implanted on an ovarian surface, and formed an ovarian pregnancy.
Long‐term effects of plant diversity and composition on plant stoichiometry
Authors: Guiz Jordan , Hillebrand Helmut , Borer Elizabeth T. , Abbas Maike , Ebeling Anne , Weigelt Alexandra , Oelmann Yvonne , Fornara Dario , Wilcke Wolfgang , Temperton Vicky M. , Weisser Wolfgang W.
Published: July 2015

Plant elemental composition can indicate resource limitation, and changes in key elemental ratios (e.g. plant C:N ratios) can influence rates including herbivory, nutrient recycling, and pathogen infection. Although plant stoichiometry can influence ecosystem‐level processes, very few studies have addressed whether and how plant C:N stoichiometry changes with plant diversity and composition. Here, using two long‐term experimental manipulations of plant diversity (Jena and Cedar Creek), we test whether plant richness (species and functional groups) or composition (functional group proportions) affects temporal trends and variability of community‐wide C:N stoichiometry.

Site fertility determined the initial community‐scale C:N ratio. Communities growing on N‐poor soil (Cedar Creek) began with higher C:N ratios than communities growing on N‐rich soil (Jena). However, site‐level plant C:N ratios converged through time, most rapidly in high diversity plots. In Jena, plant community C:N ratios increased. This temporal trend was stronger with increasing richness. However, temporal variability of C:N decreased as plant richness increased. In contrast, C:N decreased over time at Cedar Creek, most strongly at high species and functional richness, whereas the temporal variability of C:N increased with both measures of diversity at this site.

Thus, temporal trends in the mean and variability of C:N were underlain by concordant changes among sites in functional group proportions. In particular, the convergence of community‐scale C:N over time at these very different sites was mainly due to increasing proportions of forbs at both sites, replacing high mean C:N (C4 grasses, Cedar Creek) or low C:N (legumes, Jena) species. Diversity amplified this convergence; although temporal trends differed in sign between the sites, these trends increased in magnitude with increasing species richness. Our results suggest a predictive mechanistic link between trends in plant diversity and functional group composition and trends in the many ecosystem rates that depend on aboveground community C:N.

Synthesis

We compared the effect of plant diversity on the temporal dynamics of community stoichiometry in two long‐term grassland diversity experiments: the Cedar Creek and Jena Experiments. Changes in community C:N ratios were accelerated by increasing diversity at both sites, but in opposite directions depending on soil fertility. Stoichiometry changes were driven by shifts of functional group composition differing in their elemental compositions, the identity of the functional groups depending on the site. Thus, we highlighted that community turnover constrained the effect of diversity on plant stoichiometry at both sites
From Theorizing Radicalization to Surveillance Practices: Muslims in the Cross Hairs of Scrutiny
Authors: Blackwood Leda , Hopkins Nick , Reicher Stephen
Published: July 2015

There are several psychological analyses of the processes of radicalization resulting in terrorism. However, we know little about how those in authority (e.g., the police) conceptualize the psychological dynamics to radicalization. Accordingly, we present a detailed account of an official U.K. counterterrorism intervention, the Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent, designed to enlist frontline professionals in identifying and referring those at risk of radicalization. Specifically, we report data gathered during an observation of this intervention delivered by the police in Scotland. This provides insight into the psychological model of radicalization being disseminated in the United Kingdom, and we evaluate the merits of this model in the light of current psychological theory. First, we consider how this model may overlook certain social dynamics relevant to understanding radicalization. Second, we discuss how this neglect limits consideration of how the surveillance warranted by the official model may lead Muslims to disengage from majority group members. Our analysis points to how political psychology's analysis of social identities and citizenship can inform public policy and practice.
Teasing apart the anticipatory and consummatory processing of monetary incentives: An event‐related potential study of reward dynamics
Authors: Novak Keisha D. , Foti Dan
Published: July 2015

The monetary incentive delay (MID) task has been widely used in fMRI studies to investigate the neural networks involved in anticipatory and consummatory reward processing. Previous efforts to adapt the MID task for use with ERPs, however, have had limited success. Here, we sought to further decompose reward dynamics using a comprehensive set of anticipatory (cue‐N2, cue‐P3, contingent negative variation [CNV]) and consummatory ERPs (feedback negativity [FN], feedback P3 [fb‐P3]). ERP data was recorded during adapted versions of the MID task across two experiments. Unlike previous studies, monetary incentive cues modulated the cue‐N2, cue‐P3, and CNV; however, cue‐related ERPs and the CNV were uncorrelated with one another, indicating distinct anticipatory subprocesses. With regard to consummatory processing, FN amplitude primarily tracked outcome valence (reward vs. nonreward), whereas fb‐P3 amplitude primarily tracked outcome salience (uncertain vs. certain). Independent modulation of the cue‐P3 and fb‐P3 was observed, indicating that these two P3 responses may uniquely capture the allocation of attention during anticipatory and consummatory reward processing, respectively. Overall, across two samples, consistent evidence of both anticipatory and consummatory ERP activity was observed on an adapted version of the MID paradigm, demonstrating for the first time how these ERP components may be integrated with one another to more fully characterize the time course of reward processing. This ERP‐MID paradigm is well suited to parsing reward dynamics, and can be applied to both healthy and clinical populations.
Establishment of biochemistry reference values for healthy Tanzanian infants, children and adolescents in Kilimanjaro Region
Authors: Buchanan Ann M. , Fiorillo Suzanne P. , Omondi Michael W. , Cunningham Coleen K. , Crump John A.
Published: July 2015

Objective

To establish common biochemistry reference intervals for Tanzanian infants, children and adolescents living in the Kilimanjaro Region.

Methods

We recruited healthy,HIV‐uninfected Tanzanian infants, children and youth between the ages of 1 month and 17 years from local schools and clinics to participate in this study. Only afebrile children without signs of physical or chronic illness were enrolled. Nonparametric methods were used to determine 95% reference limits and their 90% confidence intervals, with outliers removed by the Tukey method.

Results

A total of 619 healthy infants, children and adolescents were enrolled into the study. Twenty‐three biochemistry parameters were measured. Compared toUSreference intervals, several of the biochemistry parameters showed notable differences, namely alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, amylase and lipase. Comparing our data to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Division ofAIDS(DAIDS) grading criteria for classification of adverse events, we found that for selected parameters, up to 15% of infants or children in certain age groups would have been categorised as having an adverse event as defined byDAIDS.

Conclusions

Our study further confirms the need to use locally established reference intervals to define reference laboratory parameters among children in Africa, rather than relying on those derived fromUSor European populations. To our knowledge, this study provides the first set of locally validated biochemistry reference ranges for a paediatric population in Tanzania.
Evaluation of compliance with electronic pretransfusion check for blood administration at the bedside: a 10·5‐year experience at a university hospital
Authors: Ohsaka A. , Ohsawa T. , Nakamura Y. , Tokida M. , Ichikawa K. , Furuta Y.
Published: July 2015

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate compliance with the electronic pretransfusion check for blood administration at the bedside over a 10·5‐year period.

Study Design and Methods

A bar code‐based electronic identification system (EIS) has been fully implemented in the hospital. Between July 2002 and December 2012, we evaluated compliance with the electronic pretransfusion check at the bedside. Compliance with our transfusion policy was defined based on the time lag between performing the electronic pretransfusion check and initiating blood administration.

Results

A total of 114 855 blood components were transfused without a single mistransfusion, of which the number with a standard two‐person visual and verbal double check but without using the EIS was 2122, resulting in an overall compliance rate with the electronic pretransfusion check of 98·2%. The time lag on inpatient wards and in operating rooms was significantly longer than that in outpatient units. The rate of a time lag with more than ‘plus or minus 2 min’ (poor compliance) was reduced by the education and retraining regarding the EIS of healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

The EIS should be used while monitoring compliance with transfusion practice.
The Problems of Investment in Innovations, Range of Products and Technological Re-equipment of the Construction Corporation
Authors: Kasaev Boris Sultanovich , Razakov Azat Ashatovich
Published: July 2015

The article considers the current state of the investment process in innovations applied to the construction companies in Russia. The subject of research: problems of investing in innovations, expansion and technological re-equipment of the construction corporation. The article covers the following topics: the study of statistical data regarding the present state of the construction sector. Object: to identify the main problems and the tendencies of development of the investment processes to provide innovations in the conditions of the transformed economy. The work carried out processing statistical information, which allowed the state to give the quantitative characteristics of the construction sector and its role in the economic development of Russia, as well as in the formation of federal budget revenues. The study used methods of system analysis, synthesis, complex approach, comparison, modeling and other methods of cognition. It is concluded that the presence of a wide range of indicators of the state of the economy in the sectoral and territorial aspects. A substantial increase in the state's share of investing activities in crisis and post-crisis period. It is concluded that the gradual transition of the Russian construction industry, the path to the updated development involves restructuring algorithms to achieve growth. A key source providing this transition should be a systematic approach to innovation. In this regard, the structure of long-term socio-economic development of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2020 shall be implemented in two successive stages.
Nitrergic signalling via interstitial cells of Cajal regulates motor activity in murine colon
Authors: Lies Barbara , Beck Katharina , Keppler Jonas , Saur Dieter , Groneberg Dieter , Friebe Andreas
Published: July 2015

Key points

Dysregulation of nitric oxide (NO) signalling is associated with GI motility dysfunctions like chronic constipation, achalasia or Hirschsprung's disease. The inhibitory effect of NO is mainly exerted via NO‐sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO‐GC) which is found in different gastrointestinal (GI) cell types including smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC).

Here, we focus on the investigation of NO‐GC function in murine colon. Using cell‐specific knock‐out mice, we demonstrate that NO‐GC is expressed in myenteric ICC of murine colon and participates in regulation of colonic spontaneous contractions in longitudinal smooth muscle.

We report a novel finding that basal enteric NO release acts via myenteric ICC to influence the generation of spontaneous contractions whereas the effects of elevated endogenous NO are mediated by SMCS in the murine proximal colon.

These results help in understanding possible pathological mechanisms involved in slowed colonic action and colonic inertia.

In the enteric nervous systems, NO is released from nitrergic neurons as a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. NO acts via NO‐sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO‐GC), which is found in different gastrointestinal (GI) cell types including smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). The precise mechanism of nitrergic signalling through these two cell types to regulate colonic spontaneous contractions is not fully understood yet. In the present study we investigated the impact of endogenous and exogenous NO on colonic contractile motor activity using mice lacking nitric oxide‐sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO‐GC) globally and specifically in SMCs and ICC. Longitudinal smooth muscle of proximal colon from wild‐type (WT) and knockout (KO) mouse strains exhibited spontaneous contractile activity ex vivo. WT and smooth muscle‐specific guanylyl cyclase knockout (SMC‐GCKO) colon showed an arrhythmic contractile activity with varying amplitudes and frequencies. In contrast, colon from global and ICC‐specific guanylyl cyclase knockout (ICC‐GCKO) animals showed a regular contractile rhythm with constant duration and amplitude of the rhythmic contractions. Nerve blockade (tetrodotoxin) or specific blockade of NO signalling (l‐NAME, ODQ) did not significantly affect contractions of GCKO and ICC‐GCKO colon whereas the arrhythmic contractile patterns of WT and SMC‐GCKO colon were transformed into uniform motor patterns. In contrast, the response to electric field‐stimulated neuronal NO release was similar in SMC‐GCKO and global GCKO. In conclusion, our results indicate that basal enteric NO release acts via myenteric ICC to influence the generation of spontaneous contractions whereas the effects of elevated endogenous NO are mediated by SMCs in the murine proximal colon.
Physiological increases in lactate inhibit intracellular calcium transients, acidify myocytes and decrease force in term pregnant rat myometrium
Authors: Hanley Jacqui‐Ann , Weeks Andrew , Wray Susan
Published: July 2015

Key points

Lactate is increased in myometrial capillary blood from women in slow or non‐progressive labour (dystocia), suggesting that it is detrimental to uterine contractions.

There are no studies of the effect of lactate on the myometrium. In the present study, we have investigated its effects and mechanism of action on myometrial strips from term pregnant rats.

We show that lactate significantly decreased spontaneous contractility. Lactatedecreased pHi and inhibited Ca2+ transients. Nulling the decrease in pHi abolished the effects of lactate effects. If Ca2+ entry was enhanced, the effects of lactate were abolished.

The present study suggests that the accumulation of extracellular lactate could contribute to labour dystocia.

Lactate is increased in myometrial capillary blood from women in slow or non‐progressive labour (dystocia), suggesting that it is detrimental to uterine contractions. There are, however, no studies of the effect of lactate on the myometrium. We therefore investigated its effects and mechanism of action on myometrial strips from term pregnant rats. The effects on spontaneous and oxytocin‐induced contractility in response to sodium lactate and other weak acids (1–20 mM) were studied. In some experiments, simultaneous force and intracellular Ca2+ or pH (pHi) were measured with Indo‐1 or Carboxy‐SNARF, respectively. Statistical differences were tested using non‐parametric tests. Lactate significantly decreased spontaneous contractility with an EC50 of 3.9 mM. Propionate, butyrate and pyruvate also reduced contractions with similar potency. The effects of lactate were reduced in the presence of oxytocin but remained significant. Lactate decreased pHi and nulling the decrease in pHi abolished its effects. We also show that lactate inhibited Ca2+ transients, with these changes mirroring those produced on force. If Ca2+ entry was enhanced by depolarization (high KCl) or applying the Ca2+ channel agonist, Bay K 4644, the effects of lactate were abolished. Taken together, these data show that lactate in the physiological range potently decreases myometrial contractility as a result of its inhibition of Ca2+ transients, which can be attributed to the induced acidification. The present study suggests that the accumulation of extracellular lactate will reduce myometrial contractions and could therefore contribute to labour dystocia.
Ultrafast initiation of a neural race by impending errors
Authors: Noorani Imran , Carpenter R. H. S.
Published: July 2015

Key points

The brain makes decisions by means of races between neural units representing alternative choices.

In the present study, we record the eyemovements made in the Wheeless task, when a visual stimulus is followed after a short delay by another stimulus demanding a different response.

The behaviour can be very precisely described as a race between three independent decision processes: one Go process for each of the responses, and a Stop process that tries to cancel the first, now erroneous, response.

To explain the high success rate for cancellation that we observe, the onset time for the Stop process must be some 10–20 ms shorter than for Go.

As well as extending our understanding of the dynamics of complex decision‐making, this task provides a rapid, non‐invasive method for quantifying disorders of higher neural function.

The brain makes decisions by means of races between neural units representing alternative choices, and such models can predict behaviour in decision tasks in a precisely quantitative way. But what is less clear is how soon after the stimulus the race actually starts. In the present study, we re‐visit a complex decision experiment: the Wheeless task, in which a saccadic stimulus is followed after a short delay by a second stimulus, with the subject sometimes making a saccade to the first, now inappropriate, stimulus, and sometimes going straight to the correct one. We demonstrate that a simple model with three accumulator units, two ‘Go’ and one ‘Stop’, can then account in detail for the individual responses made, as well as their timing. This complex decision‐making behaviour is predicted directly for each individual subject by their performance in a simple step saccadic task, which identifies the two free parameters that are specific for each subject. By contrast to previous assumptions, we find that it is necessary for the onset time of the Stop unit to be shorter than for Go by 10–20 ms. This suggests a specifically fast mechanism for altering responses in situations where urgent action is needed to prevent an impending error.
Rapamycin does not prevent increases in myofibrillar or mitochondrial protein synthesis following endurance exercise
Authors: Philp Andrew , Schenk Simon , Perez‐Schindler Joaquin , Hamilton D. Lee , Breen Leigh , Laverone Erin , Jeromson Stewart , Phillips Stuart M. , Baar Keith
Published: July 2015

Key points

Previous studies have shown that endurance exercise increases myofibrillar (MyoPS) and mitochondrial (MitoPS) protein synthesis in skeletal muscle.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is considered to be a key intracellular nutrient‐sensing protein complex, which activates MyoPS in response to anabolic stimuli.

Little is known regarding the regulation of MyoPS and MitoPS in response to endurance exercise.

In the present study, we show that MyoPS and MitoPS increase in skeletal muscle following endurance exercise, despite suppression of mTORC1 during the post‐exercise recovery period.

Our data suggests that mTORC1 independent processes regulate both MyoPS and MitoPS following acute endurance exercise.

The present study aimed to investigate the role of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in the regulation of myofibrillar (MyoPS) and mitochondrial (MitoPS) protein synthesis following endurance exercise. Forty‐two female C57BL/6 mice performed 1 h of treadmill running (18 m min−1; 5° grade), 1 h after i.p. administration of rapamycin (1.5 mg · kg−1) or vehicle. To quantify skeletal muscle protein fractional synthesis rates, a flooding dose (50 mg · kg−1) of l‐[ring‐13C6]phenylalanine was administered via i.p. injection. Blood and gastrocnemius muscle were collected in non‐exercised control mice, as well as at 0.5, 3 and 6 h after completing exercise (n = 4 per time point). Skeletal muscle MyoPS and MitoPS were determined by measuring isotope incorporation in their respective protein pools. Activation of the mTORC1‐signalling cascade was measured via direct kinase activity assay and immunoblotting, whereas genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis were measured via a quantitative RT‐PCR. MyoPS increased rapidly in the vehicle group post‐exercise and remained elevated for 6 h, whereas this response was transiently blunted (30 min post‐exercise) by rapamycin. By contrast, MitoPS was unaffected by rapamycin, and was increased over the entire post‐exercise recovery period in both groups (P < 0.05). Despite rapid increases in both MyoPS and MitoPS, mTORC1 activation was suppressed in both groups post‐exercise for the entire 6 h recovery period. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1α, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 and mitochondrial transcription factor A mRNA increased post‐exercise (P < 0.05) and this response was augmented by rapamycin (P < 0.05). Collectively, these data suggest that endurance exercise stimulates MyoPS and MitoPS in skeletal muscle independently of mTORC1 activation.
Control of signaling-mediated clearance of apoptotic cells by the tumor suppressor p53
Authors: Yoon Kyoung Wan , Byun Sanguine , Kwon Eunjeong , Hwang So-Young , Chu Kiki , Hiraki Masatsugu , Jo Seung-Hee , Weins Astrid , Hakroush Samy , Cebulla Angelika , Sykes David B. , Greka Anna , Mundel Peter , Fisher David E. , Mandinova Anna , Lee Sam W.
Published: July 2015

Tumor suppressor p53 linked to immune function

We thought we knew all we needed to about the tumor suppressor p53. However, Yoon
et al.
now describe a previously unrecognized function of p53 (see the Perspective by Zitvogel and Kroemer). p53 induces expression of the gene encoding DD1α, a receptor-like transmembrane protein of the immunoglobulin superfamily. In conditions of stress, p53 activation can lead to cell death. p53-induced expression of DD1α also promotes the clearance of dead cells by promoting engulfment by macrophages. Furthermore, expression of DD1α on T cells inhibits T cell function. Thus, p53 offers protection from inflammatory disease caused by the accumulation of apoptotic cells, and its suppression of T cells might help cancer cells to escape immune detection.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.1261669
; see also p.
476
S-Nitrosylation links obesity-associated inflammation to endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction
Authors: Yang Ling , Calay Ediz S. , Fan Jason , Arduini Alessandro , Kunz Ryan C. , Gygi Steven P. , Yalcin Abdullah , Fu Suneng , Hotamisligil Gökhan S.
Published: July 2015

S-nitrosylation links obesity and cell stress

Obesity and other diseases are somehow linked to malfunction of the protein-protecting functions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Yang
et al.
propose a mechanism by which obesity and associated chronic inflammation may be linked to the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER. Such stress would normally trigger the process known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). However, obese mice had increased S-nitrosylation of inositol-requiring protein-1 (IRE1α), a ribonuclease that regulates the UPR. The modified IRE1α had decreased RNAse activity. The authors expressed an IRE1α mutant protein that could not be nitrosylated in the liver of obese mice. This approach improved the UPR and helped restore glucose homeostasis.

Science
, this issue p.
500
Comment on “Phylogenomics resolves the timing and pattern of insect evolution”
Authors: Tong K. Jun , Duchêne Sebastián , Ho Simon Y. W. , Lo Nathan
Published: July 2015

Misof
et al
. (Reports, 7 November 2014, p. 763) used a genome-scale data set to estimate the relationships among insect orders and the time scale of their evolution. Here, we reanalyze their data and show that their method has led to systematic underestimation of the evolutionary time scale. We find that key insect groups evolved up to 100 million years earlier than inferred in their study.
Crystallization by particle attachment in synthetic, biogenic, and geologic environments
Authors: De Yoreo James J. , Gilbert Pupa U. P. A. , Sommerdijk Nico A. J. M. , Penn R. Lee , Whitelam Stephen , Joester Derk , Zhang Hengzhong , Rimer Jeffrey D. , Navrotsky Alexandra , Banfield Jillian F. , Wallace Adam F. , Michel F. Marc , Meldrum Fiona C. , Cölfen Helmut , Dove Patricia M.
Published: July 2015

Growing crystals by attaching particles

Crystals grow in a number a ways, including pathways involving the assembly of other particles and multi-ion complexes. De Yoreo
et al.
review the mounting evidence for these nonclassical pathways from new observational and computational techniques, and the thermodynamic basis for these growth mechanisms. Developing predictive models for these crystal growth and nucleation pathways will improve materials synthesis strategies. These approaches will also improve fundamental understanding of natural processes such as biomineralization and trace element cycling in aquatic ecosystems.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.aaa6760
Properties of the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko interior revealed by CONSERT radar
Authors: Kofman Wlodek , Herique Alain , Barbin Yves , Barriot Jean-Pierre , Ciarletti Valérie , Clifford Stephen , Edenhofer Peter , Elachi Charles , Eyraud Christelle , Goutail Jean-Pierre , Heggy Essam , Jorda Laurent , Lasue Jérémie , Levasseur-Regourd Anny-Chantal , Nielsen Erling , Pasquero Pierre , Preusker Frank , Puget Pascal , Plettemeier Dirk , Rogez Yves , Sierks Holger , Statz Christoph , Svedhem Hakan , Williams Iwan , Zine Sonia , Van Zyl Jakob
Published: July 2015

The Philae lander provides a unique opportunity to investigate the internal structure of a comet nucleus, providing information about its formation and evolution in the early solar system. We present Comet Nucleus Sounding Experiment by Radiowave Transmission (CONSERT) measurements of the interior of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. From the propagation time and form of the signals, the upper part of the “head” of 67P is fairly homogeneous on a spatial scale of tens of meters. CONSERT also reduced the size of the uncertainty of Philae’s final landing site down to approximately 21 by 34 square meters. The average permittivity is about 1.27, suggesting that this region has a volumetric dust/ice ratio of 0.4 to 2.6 and a porosity of 75 to 85%. The dust component may be comparable to that of carbonaceous chondrites.
CHO-bearing organic compounds at the surface of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko revealed by Ptolemy
Authors: Wright I. P. , Sheridan S. , Barber S. J. , Morgan G. H. , Andrews D. J. , Morse A. D.
Published: July 2015

The surface and subsurface of comets preserve material from the formation of the solar system. The properties of cometary material thus provide insight into the physical and chemical conditions during their formation. We present mass spectra taken by the Ptolemy instrument 20 minutes after the initial touchdown of the Philae lander on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Regular mass distributions indicate the presence of a sequence of compounds with additional -CH
2
- and -O- groups (mass/charge ratios 14 and 16, respectively). Similarities with the detected coma species of comet Halley suggest the presence of a radiation-induced polymer at the surface. Ptolemy measurements also indicate an apparent absence of aromatic compounds such as benzene, a lack of sulfur-bearing species, and very low concentrations of nitrogenous material.
Organic compounds on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko revealed by COSAC mass spectrometry
Authors: Goesmann Fred , Rosenbauer Helmut , Bredehöft Jan Hendrik , Cabane Michel , Ehrenfreund Pascale , Gautier Thomas , Giri Chaitanya , Krüger Harald , Le Roy Léna , MacDermott Alexandra J. , McKenna-Lawlor Susan , Meierhenrich Uwe J. , Caro Guillermo M. Muñoz , Raulin Francois , Roll Reinhard , Steele Andrew , Steininger Harald , Sternberg Robert , Szopa Cyril , Thiemann Wolfram , Ulamec Stephan
Published: July 2015

Comets harbor the most pristine material in our solar system in the form of ice, dust, silicates, and refractory organic material with some interstellar heritage. The evolved gas analyzer Cometary Sampling and Composition (COSAC) experiment aboard Rosetta’s Philae lander was designed for in situ analysis of organic molecules on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Twenty-five minutes after Philae’s initial comet touchdown, the COSAC mass spectrometer took a spectrum in sniffing mode, which displayed a suite of 16 organic compounds, including many nitrogen-bearing species but no sulfur-bearing species, and four compounds—methyl isocyanate, acetone, propionaldehyde, and acetamide—that had not previously been reported in comets.
Metal-free catalytic C-H bond activation and borylation of heteroarenes
Authors: Légaré Marc-André , Courtemanche Marc-André , Rochette Étienne , Fontaine Frédéric-Georges
Published: July 2015

A metal-free catalyst born of frustration

Boron (a Lewis acid) and nitrogen or phosphorus fragments (both Lewis bases) tend to pair up. Keeping them separated on opposite ends of the same molecule creates a “frustrated” Lewis pair. Such molecules can manifest powerful reactivity, such as scission of the hydrogen-hydrogen bond in H
2
. Légaré
et al.
now extend this reactivity to the cleavage of carbon-hydrogen bonds in heteroaromatic compounds such as furans and pyrroles (see the Perspective by Bose and Marder). Their frustrated Lewis pair complex catalyzed borylation of these compounds. The selectivity pattern of the reaction complemented that seen with the metal catalysts conventionally used.

Science
, this issue p.
513
; see also p.
473
After the genome rush
Postgenomics: Perspectives on Biology After the Genome
Sarah S. Richardson and Hallam Stevens, Eds.
Duke University Press, 2015. 304 pp.
Authors: Hughes P. William
Published: July 2015

How the life sciences changed in the wake of the genomics revolution
Joint associations of smoking and physical activity with disability retirement: a register-linked cohort study
Authors: Lallukka Tea , Rahkonen Ossi , Lahelma Eero , Lahti Jouni
Published: July 2015

Objectives

We examined the risk of disability retirement by smoking and physical activity, and particularly whether the risk due to smoking is affected by the level of physical activity. Additionally, the contribution of baseline health, sociodemographic and work-related factors to the joint associations of smoking and physical activity with disability retirement was considered.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Helsinki, Finland.

Participants

Employees of the City of Helsinki, aged 40–60 years at baseline in 2000–2002, were followed up using complete register data from the Finnish Centre of Pensions until the end of 2010 (n=6390, with a consent to register linkage from 74%).

Primary outcome measure

All-cause disability retirement (ICD-10).

Results

Altogether, 608 employees (9.5%) retired due to disability during the follow-up. Cox regression models were fitted to examine the joint associations of smoking and physical activity with subsequent disability retirement. Never-smokers, ex-smokers and moderate smokers who were inactive or moderately active had an increased risk of disability retirement, but if they were vigorously active, they had no excess risk. Instead, all heavy smokers (15 or more cigarettes per day among women, and 20 or more among men), irrespective of physical activity, had an increased risk of disability retirement. The examined associations attenuated but remained for ex-smokers and heavy smokers after adjustments for gender, age, socioeconomic position, mental and physical workload, problem drinking, body mass index and self-rated health. No gender interactions were found.

Conclusions

Vigorous physical activity might help prevent disability retirement not only among never-smokers, but even among ex-smokers and moderate smokers. However, among heavy smokers, physical activity is not sufficient to eliminate the adverse effects of smoking on health and work ability.
Density functional theory study of acrolein adsorption on graphyne
Authors: Karami A.R.
Published: July 2015

We have used density functional theory to study the effect of acrolein adsorption on the electronic properties of graphyne. It is found that the acrolein molecule is physisorbed on graphyne sheets with small adsorption energy and large adsorption distance. Mulliken charge analysis indicates that charge is transferred from the acrolein molecule to the graphyne sheets. In the presence of this charge donor molecule, α- and β-graphyne with semimetallic properties and γ-graphyne with semiconducting property become n-type semiconductors. The sensitivity of the electronic properties of graphyne to the presence of acrolein indicates that graphyne sheets are appropriate materials to use as a sensor for acrolein detection.
Construction of neutrino models with non-vanishing θ13 and leptogenesis
Authors: Francis Ng. K.
Published: July 2015

We construct the neutrino mass models with non-vanishing θ13 and estimate the baryon asymmetry of the universe and subsequently derive the constraints on the inflaton mass and the reheating temperature after inflation. The great discovery of this decade, the detection of Higgs boson of mass 126 GeV and nonzero θ13, makes leptogenesis all the more exciting. Besides, the neutrino mass model is compatible with inflaton mass 1010–1013 GeV corresponding to reheating temperature TR ∼ 105–107 GeV to overcome the gravitino constraint in supersymmetry and big bang nucleosynthesis. When Daya Bay data θ13 ≈ 9° is included in the model, τ predominates over e and μ contributions, which are indeed a good sign. It is shown that neutrino mass models for a successful leptogenesis can be accommodated for a variety of inflationary models with a rather wide ranging inflationary scale.
A WP-Bailey lattice and its applications
Authors: Zhang Zhizheng , Huang Junli
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this paper is to establish a WP-Bailey lattice. By the iterating method, a transformation formula is obtained for the WP-Bailey pair. Some applications are given.
The use of concurrent speech to enhance blind people's scanning for relevant information
Authors: Guerreiro João
Published: July 2015

João Guerreiro is a PhD Student at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon (UL). He is also a research assistant at the Visualization and Intelligent Multimodal Interfaces (VIMMI) group from INESC-ID. His main research interests include human-computer interaction and accessibility. In particular, he is currently exploring the use of concurrent speech to enhance blind people's efficiency when scanning for relevant digital content.

Screen readers present the information sequentially, which contrast with the visual presentation on screen. This fact affects blind users' efficiency browsing digital information, particularly when performing fast reading tasks. In this thesis, we will study the use of concurrent speech sources to help blind people finding their information of interest faster. Our first results suggested that blind users are able to identify and understand a relevant speech signal when listening to 2 or 3 concurrent talkers. Our next steps include comparing with current alternatives; assessing the learning effect with practice; and finding ways to interact with those sources.
An examination of belongingness and confidence among female computer science students
Authors: Sankar Pooja , Gilmartin Jessica , Sobel Melissa
Published: July 2015

Feelings of isolation as one of few women in her undergraduate computer science program motivated lead author Pooja Sankar to create Piazza, a free discussion tool for STEM students. Piazza researchers recently completed an exhaustive study on more than 1 million student enrollments over a two-year period and found that feelings of isolation, as exhibited by a measurable gap in willingness to ask and answer course-related questions openly, persist among many female computer science and STEM students today. Female STEM students studied were both less likely to answer course-related questions and more likely to use an anonymity tool than their male peers. Undergraduate female students studying humanities, social sciences and business did not demonstrate the same gap. This paper reviews the findings of the study as well as related research both on the causes of isolation in the classroom as well as potential solutions to address it.
Impact of Thiourea Addition on Morphological and Structural Characteristics of Electrodeposited ZnO Thin Films Using Nitrate Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Gallanti Serena , Chassaing Elisabeth , Lincot Daniel , Naghavi Negar
Published: July 2015

ZnO layers have been deposited on SnO2:F and ZnO:Al substrates via nitrate ions reduction in the presence of thiourea. First, a thermochemical study has been performed to determine the proportions of the free zinc ions and to calculate the Gibbs free energy of reaction. Then, the effect of thiourea concentration between 0 and 1.0 M on the nitrate reduction in presence of zinc ion has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry in order to find the optimal potential for electrodeposition. The electrodeposited films have been characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. These analyses highlight that the deposited films are composed of well-crystallized ZnO presenting wurtzite type structure with no sulfur incorporation. The morphology of the layers depends both on the substrate and the thiourea concentration. Moreover, the apparent Faradaic efficiency calculations show that the thiourea addition results in an increase of values above 1.
Multiscale Modeling of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell: Macroscopic Fuel Cell Model and Experimental Validation
Authors: Castañeda Ramírez Sergio , Pérez Mendoza Alejandro Esteban , Ribadeneira Paz Rafael Esteban
Published: July 2015

In this work is presented a multiscale model for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) composed by a kinetic model for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) studied with Density Functional Theory (DFT), and a macroscopic transport model for the diffusion layers and the membrane. Values of water partial pressure at the boundaries of the electrodes and global electro-osmotic drag coefficients are obtained for different humidity of reactive gases and current densities. These quantities are compared with: i) the model itself but assuming the kinetics described by Faraday Laws and ii) experimental data. It is found good consistency between the calculated values and the experimental data. Also, it was obtained better degree of prediction with respect to the kinetics described by only the Faraday laws, especially for low current densities and similar inlet humidity of reactive gases. Because of the results obtained, the multi-scale strategy applied was considered appropriated and a notorious improvement is obtained for the description of the kinetic and transport phenomenology involved in the operation of PEMFC’s.
Downstream-Conditioned Maximum Entropy Method for Exit Boundary Conditions in the Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Dottori Javier A. , Boroni Gustavo A. , Clausse Alejandro
Published: July 2015

A method for modeling outflow boundary conditions in the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) based on the maximization of the local entropy is presented. The maximization procedure is constrained by macroscopic values and downstream components. The method is applied to fully developed boundary conditions of the Navier-Stokes equations in rectangular channels. Comparisons are made with other alternative methods. In addition, the new downstream-conditioned entropy is studied and it was found that there is a correlation with the velocity gradient during the flow development.
Electroacupuncture versus Moxibustion for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized, Parallel-Controlled Trial
Authors: Shi Yin , Chen Yue-Hua , Yin Xiao-Jun , Wang An-Qi , Chen Xing-Kui , Lu Jin-Hua , Ji Rong , Bao Chun-Hui , Sun Jie , Zhao Ji-Meng , Wu Huan-Gan
Published: July 2015

Objective.To compare the impacts of electroacupuncture (EA) and mild moxibustion (Mox) on patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Method.Eighty-two IBS patients were randomly allocated into EA group (n=41) and Mox group (n=41) and received corresponding interventions for four weeks. Before and after the treatment, the Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (VAS-IBS) was used to evaluate the gastrointestinal symptoms and mental well-being; and the expression of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), 5-HT3receptor (5-HT3R), and 5-HT4receptor (5-HT4R) in sigmoid mucosal tissue were detected.Results. Both EA and Mox can radically improve the total VAS-IBS score (P<0.05), and EA was found to be more effective in ameliorating the symptom of constipation, while Mox was found to be more effective in ameliorating the symptom of diarrhoea. The abnormal expressions of 5-HT, 5-HT3R, and 5-HT4R in both groups were significantly improved after the treatments (allP<0.05), and EA was superior to Mox in regulating the abnormally decreased 5-HT4R expression in IBS patients with constipation (P<0.05).Conclusion. Electroacupuncture and mild moxibustion were both effective in improving IBS symptoms and modulate abnormal expressions of 5-HT, 5-HT3R, and 5-HT4R in the colonic tissue.
miRNA Regulation Network Analysis in Qianliening Capsule Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Liu Liya , Wan Yun , Shen Aling , Zhao Jinyan , Lin Jiumao , Zhong Xiaoyong , Zhang Yuchen , Hong Zhenfeng
Published: July 2015

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the molecular mechanism by which Qianliening capsule (QC) treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods. Benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial cell line BPH-1 was treated with 0, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL QC for 48 h, respectively. Evaluation of cell viability and observation of morphologic changes of BPH-1 cell gene expression and miRNA expression profiles were analyzed. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to confirm changes in miRNA and gene expression. GO and KEGG pathway-based approaches were used to investigate biological functions and signaling pathways affected by differentially expressed mRNAs.Results. QC inhibited BPH-1 cell proliferation. Differential expression of 19 upregulated and 2 downregulated miRNAs was observed in QC-treated BPH-1 cells compared to untreated control cells. 107 upregulated and 71 downregulated genes were identified between the two groups. Significantly enriched signaling pathways based on deregulated mRNAs were mainly involved in regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and so on. Additionally, miRNA-mRNA network analysis integrated these miRNAs and genes by outlining interactions of miRNA and related genes.Conclusion. The study was the first report of differentially expressed miRNA and mRNA in QC-treated BPH-1 cells.
High (≥6.5) Spontaneous and Persistent Urinary pH Is Protective of Renal Function at Baseline and during Disease Course in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Bazzi Claudio , Tagliabue Elena , Raimondi Sara , Rizza Virginia , Casellato Daniela , Nangaku Masaomi
Published: July 2015

Metabolic acidosis correction in advanced renal failure slows renal function decline attributed to tubulointerstitial damage (TID) reduction. No study evaluated if spontaneous baseline high urinary pH (UpH) is renoprotective in patients with normal renal function and without metabolic acidosis. The study tested this hypothesis in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Eighty-five patients (follow-up 81 ± 54 months) measured UpH, serum creatinine, eGFR, protein/creatinine ratio, fractional excretion of albumin, IgG,α1-microglobulin, and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (β-NAG)/creatinine ratio. Twenty-eight patients (33%) had UpH ≥ 6.5 and 57 (67%) pH < 6.5; high versus low UpH patients had significantly lower values of the tubulointerstitial damage (TID) markers FEα1m andβ-NAG and significantly better baseline renal function. These differences persisted over time in a subset of 38 patients with 5 measurements along 53 ± 26 months. In 29 patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) treated with supportive therapy (follow-up: 80 ± 52 months) renal function was stable in 10 high and significantly worse in 19 low UpH patients. Steroids + cyclophosphamide treatment in 35 NS patients masks the renoprotection of high UpH.Conclusions. In IMN high and persistent UpH is associated with reduction of the proteinuric markers of tubulointerstitial damage and baseline better renal function in all patients and in NS patients treated only with supportive therapy during disease course. The factors associated with high pH-dependent renoprotection were lower values of TID markers, eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min, BP < 140/90 mmHg, and age < 55 years.