bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language and Technology: Partners in Helping Students with Disabilities Develop Numeracy
Authors: Bottge Brian A.
Published: February 2016

Improving the mathematics skills of students with disabilities has long challenged both teachers and researchers. Not surprisingly, the research in this area has focused primarily on identifying and teaching students strategies for unlocking the meaning of text-based problems because most instructional materials and assessments define problem solving this way. However, text-based problems rarely generate the academic, attitudinal, and emotional responses in low-achieving students that problems in everyday life do. This paper describes howEnhanced Anchored Instruction (EAI)uses video-based math problems to promote the development of math skills in low-achieving adolescents.
National Reporting and Students with a Disability in the United States and Australia
Authors: Dempsey Ian
Published: February 2016

In many Western countries in the past two decades, there has been considerable general education reform, typically with increased educational accountability through national reporting. The major features of this accountability process, as it has occurred in the United States, are described, with an emphasis on what this has meant for students with a disability. Key features of the process include the provision of significant federal funding contingent on the achievement of specified outcomes; the introduction of a widespread testing regime using standards-based assessment and the reporting of these outcomes at the state, district and school level; and providing access to the regular curriculum to students with a disability unless there is a good reason not to do so. The education reform process in Australia is also described and contrasted with the US movement. A conclusion of the discussion is that the Australian states and territories have been reluctant participants in the reporting process for students with a disability, and that leadership by the Commonwealth is the only likely avenue by which improvements in reporting for these students may come about.
‘How Shall We Sign That?’: Interactions Between a Profoundly Deaf Tutor and Tutee Involved in a Cross-Age Paired Reading Program
Authors: King Julie , Taffe Richard
Published: February 2016

This paper reports on the use of a cross‐age tutoring program designed to improve the literacy skills of a profoundly deaf girl. In a novel approach to such programs, both tutor and tutee participants were profoundly deaf and used Auslan as their common mode of communication. The results of the program indicate that cross‐age peer tutoring has potential as an effective strategy for improving the literacy achievements of deaf children like the tutee participant. Analysis of the videotaped interactions between tutor and tutee over the course of the program provided unique insights into the nature of English literacy learning by profoundly deaf students. These insights point to a role for strategies like cross‐age tutoring where the particular experience of. deafness can be used to promote more effective interpretation and understanding of English for profoundly deaf literacy learners.
Is Education Ready for All Handicapped Children?
Authors: Richardson Sylvia O.
Published: February 2016

On November 29, 1975, President Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of Public Law 94 - 142. This is the most comprehensive and complex piece of legislation for the handicapped to become federal law. Unlike other federal education laws, it is not permissive. States may or may not qualify for federal aid in carrying out the law, but regardless of the availability of funds, all states are required to provide free appropriate education to all handicapped children between the ages of 3 and 18 by September 1978, and between the ages of 3 and 21 by September 1980. Also, unlike other federal education laws, this law has no expiration date but is regarded as permanent. The law reflects not only interest but a specific commitment to all handicapped children.
A Comparison of Learning by Mentally Retarded Adolescents under Direct and Vicarious Conditions
Authors: Halpin Stan A.
Published: February 2016

Specialised methods that are geared toward individualized programs may prove ineffectual with the moderately retarded child when instruction is provided in a small group setting. The demands of attending behaviour and observing behaviour may conflict. The effects of vicarious learning may depend upon active verbalization by observers (Cullinan, 1976) the provision of verbal rules, task complexity and the gender of the observer and model (Litrownik, Franzini and Turner, 1976), the combination of modelling and verbal cues Yoder and Forehand, 1974) and the utilization of self-reinforcement and self-instruction techniques (Guralnick, 1976). Others have studied the effects of reinforcement given to one subject while a second observes (Bandura and Walters, 1963; Barnwell and Sechrest, 1965). Studies have examined the effects of vicarious reinforcement upon behavioural problems in educational settings (Becker, Engelmann and Thomas, 1971; Broden, Bruce, Mitchell, Canter and Hall, 1970; Meacham and Weisen, 1969) and upon work performance in a sheltered workshop setting (Kazdin, 1973).
Phylogeography and genealogy of the tsetse fly Glossina pallidipes (Diptera: Glossinidae)
Authors: Krafsur E.S. , Marquez J.G. , Ouma J.O.
Published: February 2016

Glossina pallidipes, a widely but discontinuously distributed African savanna species, is one of the economically important tsetse flies because it is a vector of trypanosomiasis, a lethal disease of cattle and other domestic animals. DNA sequences of ribosomal (r16S2, 249 bp) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI, 421 bp) concatenated mitochondrial genes were analysed in 23 geographically diverse samples ofG. pallidipesfrom Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Among 873 flies, we detected 181 composite haplotypes and found that their spatial diversities and frequency distributions were heterogeneous. Haplotype and nucleotide diversities were greatest in Ethiopia and least in southern Africa. We observed little haplotype and nucleotide diversity among regions, and detected severely limited maternal gene flow among the sampled populations (ΦST= 0.42). Tests for demographic stability and analysis of mismatch distributions revealed regionally contrasting demographic histories. The Ethiopian populations were phylogenetically the oldest and genetically the most diverse, and exhibited successive waves of contraction and expansion. The southern African populations were phylogenetically the youngest and genetically the least diverse, and showed only a single, recent expansion. Likely ecological correlates of historical tsetse fly demography include population suppression trials in East Africa and recurring rinderpest epizootics in southern Africa, beginning in the late nineteenth century that reduced host mammalian populations.
Polymorphism of HSD17B1 Ser312Gly with Cancer Risk: Evidence from 66,147 Subjects
Authors: Shi Lijun , Yang Xue , Dong Xin , Zhang Botao
Published: February 2016

Hydroxysteroid (17-beta)dehydrogenase 1(HSD17B1) plays a central role in sex steroid hormone metabolism. HSD17B1 polymorphic variants may contribute to cancer susceptibility. Numerous investigations have been conducted to assess the association between HSD17B1 Ser312Gly polymorphism and cancer risk in multiple ethnicities, yet these have produced inconsistent results. We therefore performed this comprehensive meta-analysis to attempt to provide a quality assessment of the association of interest. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of associations. After a systematic literature search of several major public databases, 20 studies involving 29,460 cases and 36,687 controls were included in this meta-analysis. No significant association was found between HSD17B1 Ser312Gly polymorphism and cancer risk. However, Ser312Gly polymorphism showed a significantly decreased risk for Caucasians (there were 44,284 Caucasians for analysis, comprising 19,889 cases and 24,395 controls) in the subgroup analysis by ethnicity (dominant: OR = 0.958, 95% CI = 0.919–0.998; and allele comparing: OR = 0.973, 95% CI = 0.947–0.999). And there was the same trend towards risk in the population-based (PB) controls (homozygous: OR = 0.951, 95% CI = 0.908–0.997 and allele comparing: OR = 0.976, 95% CI = 0.954–0.999), but not among Asians or hospital-based (HB) controls. In addition, no association was observed in the stratified analysis for breast cancer studies by source of control, ethnicity and quality score. These findings suggested that the HSD17B1 Ser312Gly polymorphism might confer genetic cancer susceptibility in an ethnic-dependent manner, especially among Caucasians. Well-designed, large-scale studies are warranted to validate these findings.
Pediatric Sleep Disorders in an Outpatient Sleep Clinic: Clinical Presentation and Needs of Children With Neurodevelopmental Conditions
Authors: Williamson Ariel A. , Patrick Kristina E. , Rubens Sonia L. , Moore Melisa , Mindell Jodi A.
Published: February 2016

Although sleep problems in youth with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) tend to be more prevalent and severe than those of typically developing (TD) youth, their clinical presentations and needs are rarely compared in real-world settings. This study compared sleep patterns, diagnostic impressions, and treatment recommendations between a diverse outpatient sample of TD youth and those with NDC. Data were collected from electronic medical records for 327 consecutive patients (58.4% male; 52.6% White, age range = 0–20 years) presenting for an initial consultation at an outpatient sleep clinic in an urban children’s hospital. Of the sample, 45.3% had a preexisting NDC, with 7% diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 9.9% with Trisomy 21 or other genetic disorder, 26.8% with another developmental delay, and 16.5% with ADHD. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was the most frequent diagnosis overall (64.5%). However, patients with Trisomy 21 or other genetic disorders were especially more likely than TD youth to receive an OSA diagnosis and to receive medical treatment recommendations or referrals, but less likely to receive behavioral recommendations. Although patients with ADHD presented with higher rates of OSA symptoms, patients with ADHD and/or ASD did not differ in any other ways from TD patients in their sleep patterns, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Findings underscore the range of sleep problems in TD youth and those with NDC. The breadth of services provided at pediatric sleep centers highlights the importance of referral to such centers when sleep problems are present, especially in children with NDC.
Epigenetics and innate immunity: the ‘unTolld’ story
Authors: Hennessy Conor , McKernan Declan P
Published: February 2016

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are a family of 13 receptors known as pattern‐recognition receptors (PRRs) and have a key role in the innate immune response. The TLRs are activated by pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are structurally conserved molecules present on the surfaces of bacteria and viruses. The activation of these TLRs by pathogens results in the downstream activation of genes involved in the production of proinflammatory factors. There is a lack of understanding on the mechanisms by which TLR gene expression is regulated. Epigenetics could be one such mechanism, which is concerned with changes in gene expression/products that arise without a change in the nucleotide sequence. These changes are brought about by two main mechanisms, DNA methylation and histone modifications. This review seeks to examine the current knowledge regarding the epigenetic regulation of this family of receptors and their signalling pathways.
Artificial antigen‐presenting cells expressing HLA class II molecules as an effective tool for amplifying human specific memory CD4+ T cells
Authors: Garnier Anthony , Hamieh Mohamad , Drouet Aurélie , Leprince Jérôme , Vivien Denis , Frébourg Thierry , Le Mauff Brigitte , Latouche Jean‐Baptiste , Toutirais Olivier
Published: February 2016

Owing to their multiple immune functions, CD4+ T cells are of major interest for immunotherapy in chronic viral infections and cancer, as well as for severe autoimmune diseases and transplantation. Therefore, standardized methods allowing rapid generation of a large number of CD4+ T cells for adoptive immunotherapy are still awaited. We constructed stable artificial antigen‐presenting cells (AAPCs) derived from mouse fibroblasts. They were genetically modified to express human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR molecules and the human accessory molecules B7.1, Intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and lymphocyte function‐associated antigen‐3 (LFA‐3). AAPCs expressing HLA‐DR1, HLA‐DR15 or HLA‐DR51 molecules and loaded with peptides derived from influenza hemagglutinin (HA), myelin basic protein (MBP) or factor VIII, respectively, activated specific CD4+ T‐cell clones more effectively than Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐transformed B cells. We also showed that AAPCs were able to take up and process whole Ag proteins, and present epitopes to specific T cells. In primary cultures, AAPCs loaded with HA peptide allowed generation of specific Th1 lymphocytes from healthy donors as demonstrated by tetramer and intracellular cytokine staining. Although AAPCs were less effective than autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to stimulate CD4+ T cells in primary culture, AAPCs were more potent to reactivate and expand memory Th1 cells in a strictly Ag‐dependent manner. As the availability of autologous APCs is limited, the AAPC system represents a stable and reliable tool to achieve clinically relevant numbers of CD4+ T cells for adoptive immunotherapy. For fundamental research in immunology, AAPCs are also useful to decipher mechanisms involved in the development of human CD4 T‐cell responses.
Functional imaging of neuron–astrocyte interactions in a compartmentalized microfluidic device
Authors: Gao Yandong , Broussard Joey , Haque Amranul , Revzin Alexander , Lin Tian
Published: February 2016

Traditional approaches in cultivating neural cells in a dish without orienting their interactions have had only limited success in revealing neural network properties. To enhance the experimental capabilities of studying neural circuitry in vitro, we designed an experimental system combining concepts of micropatterned surfaces, microfluidic devices and genetically encoded biosensors. Micropatterning was used to position neurons and astrocytes in defined locations and guide interactions between the two cell types. Microfluidic chambers were placed atop micropatterned surfaces to allow delivery of different pharmacological agents or viral vectors to the desired cell types. In this device, astrocytes and neurons communicated through grooves molded into the floor of the microfluidic device. By combining microfluidics with genetically encoded calcium indicators as functional readouts, we further demonstrated the utility of this device for analyzing neuron–neuron and neuron–astrocyte interactions in vitro under both healthy and pathophysiological conditions. We found that both spontaneous and evoked calcium dynamics in astrocytes can be modulated by interactions with neurons. In the future, we foresee employing the microdevices described here for studying mechanisms of neurological disorders.
A fully electronic microfabricated gas chromatograph with complementary capacitive detectors for indoor pollutants
Authors: Qin Yutao , Gianchandani Yogesh B
Published: February 2016

This paper reports a complete micro gas chromatography (μGC) system in which all the components are lithographically microfabricated and electronically interfaced. The components include a bi-directional Knudsen pump, a preconcentrator, separation columns and a pair of capacitive gas detectors; together, these form the iGC3.c2 system. All the fluidic components of the system are fabricated by a common three-mask lithographic process. The Knudsen pump is a thermomolecular pump that provides air flow to the μGC without any moving parts. The film heaters embedded in the separation columns permit temperature programming. The capacitive detectors provide complementary response patterns, enhancing vapor recognition and resolving co-eluting peaks. With the components assembled on printed circuit boards, the system has a footprint of 8×10 cm2 . Using room air as the carrier gas, the system is used to experimentally demonstrate the analysis of 19 chemicals with concentration levels on the order of parts per million (p.p.m.) and parts per billion (p.p.b.). The tested chemicals include alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, halogenated hydrocarbons and terpenes. This set of chemicals represents a variety of common indoor air pollutants, among which benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) are of particular interest.
Dysregulation of Bmi1 promotes malignant transformation of hepatic progenitor cells
Authors: Zhang R , Wu W R , Shi X D , Xu L B , Zhu M S , Zeng H , Liu C
Published: February 2016

Adult hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are involved in a wide range of human liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Bmi1 has been reported to have vital roles in stem cell self-renewal and carcinogenesis. We have previously demonstrated that Bmi1 is upregulated in HCC with bile duct tumor thrombi, a subtype of HCC characterized by profuse expression of hepatic stem cell markers. However, the function of Bmi1 in HPCs has not yet been well elucidated. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of Bmi1 on the biological properties of rat HPCs. To accomplish this, Bmi1 was silenced or enhanced in two HPC cell lines (WB-F344 and OC3) by, respectively, using either small interfering RNA against Bmi1 or a forced Bmi1 expression retroviral vector. The biological functions of Bmi1 in HPCs were investigated through cell proliferation assays, colony-formation assays, cell cycle analysis and invasion assays, as well as through xenograft-formation assays. In this study, genetic depletion of Bmi1 repressed cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion in both assessed HPC cell lines relative to controls. Conversely, forced expression of Bmi1 in two HPCs cell lines promoted cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion in vitro. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) assay revealed a significant increase in the number of ALDH-positive cells following the forced expression of Bmi1 in HPCs. Most importantly, transplantation of forced Bmi1 expression HPCs into nude mice resulted in the formation of tumors with histological features of poorly differentiated HCC. Taken together, our findings indicate that forced expression of Bmi1 promotes the malignant transformation of HPCs, suggesting Bmi1 might be a potential molecular target for the treatment of HCC.
Mediating effect of anxiety and depression on the relationship between Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and smoking/drinking
Authors: Tong Lian , Shi Hui-Jing , Zhang Zhe , Yuan Yuan , Xia Zhi-Juan , Jiang Xiao-Xiao , Xiong Xu
Published: February 2016

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been often found to be comorbid with other disorders, including anxiety, depression and unhealthy behaviors such as drinking alcohol and smoking. These factors were often discussed separately and the mediating effects of mental health on substance use are unknown. To study the mediating effects of anxiety and depression on the relationship between ADHD and drinking/smoking behaviors, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 1870 college students from Shanghai, China. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) and Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) were used to identify the current and past ADHD. Structural Equation Modeling was carried out to clarify the mediating effect of anxiety and depression on the relationship between core ADHD symptoms and smoking/drinking behaviors. We found that inattention as one of the core symptoms of ADHD was associated with an increased risk of depression as a direct effect, as well as slightly increased risk of smoking/drinking behaviors by an indirect effect of depression. Hyperactivity-impulsivity, as another core symptom of ADHD had a robust impact on smoking and drinking behaviors, while being mediated by anxiety and depression. In conclusion, anxiety and depression was associated with further increased risk behaviors of smoking/drinking alcohol among those students with ADHD.
MASTL(Greatwall) regulates DNA damage responses by coordinating mitotic entry after checkpoint recovery and APC/C activation
Authors: Wong Po Yee , Ma Hoi Tang , Lee Hyun-jung , Poon Randy Y. C.
Published: February 2016

The G2 DNA damage checkpoint is one of the most important mechanisms controlling G2–mitosis transition. The kinase Greatwall (MASTL in human) promotes normal G2–mitosis transition by inhibiting PP2A via ARPP19 and ENSA. In this study, we demonstrate that MASTL is critical for maintaining genome integrity after DNA damage. Although MASTL did not affect the activation of DNA damage responses and subsequent repair, it determined the timing of entry into mitosis and the subsequent fate of the recovering cells. Constitutively active MASTL promoted dephosphorylation of CDK1Tyr15 and accelerated mitotic entry after DNA damage. Conversely, downregulation of MASTL or ARPP19/ENSA delayed mitotic entry. Remarkably, APC/C was activated precociously, resulting in the damaged cells progressing from G2 directly to G1 and skipping mitosis all together. Collectively, these results established that precise control of MASTL is essential to couple DNA damage to mitosis through the rate of mitotic entry and APC/C activation.
Lost region in amyloid precursor protein (APP) through TALEN-mediated genome editing alters mitochondrial morphology
Authors: Wang Yajie , Wu Fengyi , Pan Haining , Zheng Wenzhong , Feng Chi , Wang Yunfu , Deng Zixin , Wang Lianrong , Luo Jie , Chen Shi
Published: February 2016

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the brain. Aβ plaques are produced through sequential β/γ cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP), of which there are three main APP isoforms: APP695, APP751 and APP770. KPI-APPs (APP751 and APP770) are known to be elevated in AD, but the reason remains unclear. Transcription activator-like (TAL) effector nucleases (TALENs) induce mutations with high efficiency at specific genomic loci and it is thus possible to knock out specific regions using TALENs. In this study, we designed and expressed TALENs specific for the C-terminus of APP in HeLa cells, in which KPI-APPs are predominantly expressed. The KPI-APP mutants lack a 12-aa region that encompasses a 5-aa trans-membrane (TM) region and 7-aa juxta-membrane (JM) region. The mutated KPI-APPs exhibited decreased mitochondrial localization. In addition, mitochondrial morphology was altered, resulting in an increase in spherical mitochondria in the mutant cells through the disruption of the balance between fission and fusion. Mitochondrial dysfunction, including decreased ATP levels, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, increased ROS generation and impaired mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity, was also found. These results suggest that specific regions of KPI-APPs are important for mitochondrial localization and function.
The μSCAPE System: 3-Dimensional Profiling of Microfluidic Architectural Features Using a Flatbed Scanner
Authors: Xu Kerui , Liu Qian , Jackson Kimberly R. , Landers James P.
Published: February 2016

We developed a microfluidic scanner-based profile exploration system, μSCAPE, capable of generating high resolution 3D profiles of microstructure architecture in a variety of transparent substrates. The profile is obtained by scanning the dye-filled microstructure followed by absorbance calculation and the reconstruction of the optical length at each point. The power of the method was demonstrated in (1) the inspection of the variation of the cross-section of laser-ablated PDMS channel; (2) the volume of PeT chamber; and (3) the population distribution of the volumes of the micro wells in HF-etched glass and laser-ablated PDMS. The reported methods features low equipment-cost, convenient operation and large field of view (FOV) and has revealed unreported quality parameters of the tested microstructures.
Myeloid tissue factor does not modulate lung inflammation or permeability during experimental acute lung injury
Authors: Shaver Ciara M. , Grove Brandon S. , Clune Jennifer K. , Mackman Nigel , Ware Lorraine B. , Bastarache Julie A.
Published: February 2016

Tissue factor (TF) is a critical mediator of direct acute lung injury (ALI) with global TF deficiency resulting in increased airspace inflammation, alveolar-capillary permeability and alveolar hemorrhage after intra-tracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the lung, TF is expressed diffusely on the lung epithelium and intensely on cells of the myeloid lineage. We recently reported that TF on the lung epithelium, but not on myeloid cells, was the major source of TF during intra-tracheal LPS-induced ALI. Because of a growing body of literature demonstrating important pathophysiologic differences between ALI caused by different etiologies, we hypothesized that TF on myeloid cells may have distinct contributions to airspace inflammation and permeability between direct and indirect causes of ALI. To test this, we compared mice lacking TF on myeloid cells (TF∆mye, LysM.Cre+/−TFflox/flox) to littermate controls during direct (bacterial pneumonia, ventilator-induced ALI, bleomycin-induced ALI) and indirect ALI (systemic LPS, cecal ligation and puncture). ALI was quantified by weight loss, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) inflammatory cell number, cytokine concentration, protein concentration and BAL procoagulant activity. There was no significant contribution of TF on myeloid cells in multiple models of experimental ALI, leading to the conclusion that TF in myeloid cells is not a major contributor to experimental ALI.
High-Field High-Repetition-Rate Sources for the Coherent THz Control of Matter
Authors: Green B. , Kovalev S. , Asgekar V. , Geloni G. , Lehnert U. , Golz T. , Kuntzsch M. , Bauer C. , Hauser J. , Voigtlaender J. , Wustmann B. , Koesterke I. , Schwarz M. , Freitag M. , Arnold A. , Teichert J. , Justus M. , Seidel W. , Ilgner C. , Awari N. , Nicoletti D. , Kaiser S. , Laplace Y. , Rajasekaran S. , Zhang L. , Winnerl S. , Schneider H. , Schay G. , Lorincz I. , Rauscher A. A. , Radu I. , Mährlein S. , Kim T. H. , Lee J. S. , Kampfrath T. , Wall S. , Heberle J. , Malnasi-Csizmadia A. , Steiger A. , Müller A. S. , Helm M. , Schramm U. , Cowan T. , Michel P. , Cavalleri A. , Fisher A. S. , Stojanovic N. , Gensch M.
Published: February 2016

Ultrashort flashes of THz light with low photon energies of a few meV, but strong electric or magnetic field transients have recently been employed to prepare various fascinating nonequilibrium states in matter. Here we present a new class of sources based on superradiant enhancement of radiation from relativistic electron bunches in a compact electron accelerator that we believe will revolutionize experiments in this field. Our prototype source generates high-field THz pulses at unprecedented quasi-continuous-wave repetition rates up to the MHz regime. We demonstrate parameters that exceed state-of-the-art laser-based sources by more than 2 orders of magnitude. The peak fields and the repetition rates are highly scalable and once fully operational this type of sources will routinely provide 1 MV/cm electric fields and 0.3 T magnetic fields at repetition rates of few 100 kHz. We benchmark the unique properties by performing a resonant coherent THz control experiment with few 10 fs resolution.
Perception of the duration of emotional faces in schizophrenic patients
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Zhao Yanli , Liu Yunzhe , Tan Shuping
Published: February 2016

The level of emotional timing deficit is a critical determinant of daily functions and social interactions in people with schizophrenia. This study demonstrated that people with schizophrenia have significant deficits in emotional time perception. Behaviorally, while the healthy controls overestimated the duration of happy and fearful faces, the patients underestimated the duration of emotional and neutral faces. Accordingly, an online ERP index of timing—the contingent negative variation (CNV) displayed larger amplitudes for emotional faces in the controls, whereas the CNV in the patients only showed overall smaller amplitudes when compared with the controls. In addition, the results of the N170 and the CNV suggest that the emotional processing and timing for facial expressions in schizophrenia might have a pattern of two-stage deterioration. Findings from the present work point to the importance of considering the time dimension of emotional processing in schizophrenia, based on which we are likely to discover aspects of emotional deficits that would be unnoticed in other studies. Furthermore, the perception deviation of the duration of emotional faces in schizophrenia suggests us to consider the magnitude of this temporal deviation as a quantitative biomarker for specific emotional/social dysfunctions in schizophrenia.
Low serum calcium is associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction in a Chinese population with coronary artery disease
Authors: Wang Yong , Ma Heng , Hao Xiaochen , Yang Jun , Chen Qiujing , Lu Lin , Zhang Ruiyan
Published: February 2016

Whether serum calcium is associated with heart systolic function in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains to be elucidated. This study is aimed to assess the association between serum calcium and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in a Chinese population of CAD. The cross-sectional study included 5938 CAD patients with and without AMI in China. The factors associated with AMI and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were evaluated. The data showed that AMI patients had lower serum calcium levels (2.11 ± 0.13 vs 2.20 ± 0.10 mmol/l, P < 0.001) than those without AMI. Multiple logistic regression analysis exhibited that serum calcium (OR: 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000–0.001) was one of the independent factors correlated with AMI. CAD patients with and without AMI when LVEF <50% had lower serum calcium levels than those when LVEF ≥50% respectively. Serum calcium was independently associated with LVEF and LVEF <50% in CAD patients with and without AMI respectively using multivariate analysis. The independent association between serum calcium and LVEF still existed among CAD patients when LVEF ≥50%. Serum calcium levels are significantly decreased following AMI. Low serum calcium is independently correlated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction in CAD patients with and without AMI.
Co-electrodeposition of hard Ni-W/diamond nanocomposite coatings
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Qin Jiaqian , Das Malay Kumar , Hao Ruru , Zhong Hua , Thueploy Adisak , Limpanart Sarintorn , Boonyongmaneerat Yuttanant , Ma Mingzhen , Liu Riping
Published: February 2016

Electroplated hard chrome coating is widely used as a wear resistant coating to prolong the life of mechanical components. However, the electroplating process generates hexavalent chromium ion which is known carcinogen. Hence, there is a major effort throughout the electroplating industry to replace hard chrome coating. Composite coating has been identified as suitable materials for replacement of hard chrome coating, while deposition coating prepared using traditional co-deposition techniques have relatively low particles content, but the content of particles incorporated into a coating may fundamentally affect its properties. In the present work, Ni-W/diamond composite coatings were prepared by sediment co-electrodeposition from Ni-W plating bath, containing suspended diamond particles. This study indicates that higher diamond contents could be successfully co-deposited and uniformly distributed in the Ni-W alloy matrix. The maximum hardness of Ni-W/diamond composite coatings is found to be 2249 ± 23 Hv due to the highest diamond content of 64 wt.%. The hardness could be further enhanced up to 2647 ± 25 Hv with heat treatment at 873 K for 1 h in Ar gas, which is comparable to hard chrome coatings. Moreover, the addition of diamond particles could significantly enhance the wear resistance of the coatings.
Identification of Meflin as a Potential Marker for Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Maeda Keiko , Enomoto Atsushi , Hara Akitoshi , Asai Naoya , Kobayashi Takeshi , Horinouchi Asuka , Maruyama Shoichi , Ishikawa Yuichi , Nishiyama Takahiro , Kiyoi Hitoshi , Kato Takuya , Ando Kenju , Weng Liang , Mii Shinji , Asai Masato , Mizutani Yasuyuki , Watanabe Osamu , Hirooka Yoshiki , Goto Hidemi , Takahashi Masahide
Published: February 2016

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) in culture are derived from BM stromal cells or skeletal stem cells. Whereas MSCs have been exploited in clinical medicine, the identification of MSC-specific markers has been limited. Here, we report that a cell surface and secreted protein, Meflin, is expressed in cultured MSCs, fibroblasts and pericytes, but not other types of cells including epithelial, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. In vivo, Meflin is expressed by immature osteoblasts and chondroblasts. In addition, Meflin is found on stromal cells distributed throughout the BM and on pericytes and perivascular cells in multiple organs. Meflin maintains the undifferentiated state of cultured MSCs and is downregulated upon their differentiation, consistent with the observation that Meflin-deficient mice exhibit increased number of osteoblasts and accelerated bone development. In the bone and BM, Meflin is more highly expressed in primitive stromal cells that express platelet-derived growth factor receptor α and Sca-1 than the Sca-1-negative adipo-osteogenic progenitors, which create a niche for hematopoiesis. Those results are consistent with a decrease in the number of clonogenic colony-forming unit-fibroblasts within the BM of Meflin-deficient mice. These preliminary data suggest that Meflin is a potential marker for cultured MSCs and their source cells in vivo.
A physiologically based kinetic model for elucidating the in vivo distribution of administered mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Wang Haolu , Liang Xiaowen , Xu Zhi Ping , Crawford Darrell H. G. , Liu Xin , Roberts Michael S.
Published: February 2016

Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) present a promising tool in cell therapy for the treatment of various diseases, the in vivo distribution of administered MSCs has still been poorly understood, which hampers the precise prediction and evaluation of their therapeutic efficacy. Here, we developed the first model to characterize the physiological kinetics of administered MSCs based on direct visualization of cell spatiotemporal disposition by intravital microscopy and assessment of cell quantity using flow cytometry. This physiologically based kinetic model was validated with multiple external datasets, indicating potential inter-route and inter-species predictive capability. Our results suggest that the targeting efficiency of MSCs is determined by the lung retention and interaction between MSCs and target organs, including cell arrest, depletion and release. By adapting specific parameters, this model can be easily applied to abnormal conditions or other types of circulating cells for designing treatment protocols and guiding future experiments.
Manipulation of photoluminescence of two-dimensional MoSe2 by gold nanoantennas
Authors: Chen Haitao , Yang Jiong , Rusak Evgenia , Straubel Jakob , Guo Rui , Myint Ye Win , Pei Jiajie , Decker Manuel , Staude Isabelle , Rockstuhl Carsten , Lu Yuerui , Kivshar Yuri S. , Neshev Dragomir
Published: February 2016

Monolayer molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2), a member of the TMDCs family, is an appealing candidate for coupling to gold plasmonic nanostructures as it has smaller bandgap and higher electron mobility in comparison to frequently studied molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). The PL of MoSe2 occurs in the near-infrared spectral range where the emissive properties do not suffer from the enhanced dissipation in the gold due to inter-band transitions. Here, we study the interaction between monolayer MoSe2 and plasmonic dipolar antennas in resonance with the PL emission of MoSe2. By varying the thickness of the spacer between the MoSe2 layer and nanoantenna, we demonstrate manipulation of the PL intensity from nearly fourfold quenching to approximately threefold enhancement. Furthermore, we show that the coupled TMDC-nanoantenna system exhibits strong polarization-dependent PL, thus offering the possibility of polarization-based emission control. Our experimental results are supported by numerical simulations as well. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of Au-MoSe2 plasmonic hybrid structures realizing flexible PL manipulation.
Antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue virus infection inhibits RLR-mediated Type-I IFN-independent signalling through upregulation of cellular autophagy
Authors: Huang Xinwei , Yue Yaofei , Li Duo , Zhao Yujiao , Qiu Lijuan , Chen Junying , Pan Yue , Xi Juemin , Wang Xiaodan , Sun Qiangming , Li Qihan
Published: February 2016

Antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) of dengue virus (DENV) infection is identified as the main risk factor of severe Dengue diseases. Through opsonization by subneutralizing or non-neutralizing antibodies, DENV infection suppresses innate cell immunity to facilitate viral replication. However, it is largely unknown whether suppression of type-I IFN is necessary for a successful ADE infection. Here, we report that both DENV and DENV-ADE infection induce an early ISG (NOS2) expression through RLR-MAVS signalling axis independent of the IFNs signaling. Besides, DENV-ADE suppress this early antiviral response through increased autophagy formation rather than induction of IL-10 secretion. The early induced autophagic proteins ATG5-ATG12 participate in suppression of MAVS mediated ISGs induction. Our findings suggest a mechanism for DENV to evade the early antiviral response before IFN signalling activation. Altogether, these results add knowledge about the complexity of ADE infection and contribute further to research on therapeutic strategies.
Ultrafast adiabatic quantum algorithm for the NP-complete exact cover problem
Authors: Wang Hefeng , Wu Lian-Ao
Published: February 2016

An adiabatic quantum algorithm may lose quantumness such as quantum coherence entirely in its long runtime and consequently the expected quantum speedup of the algorithm does not show up. Here we present a general ultrafast adiabatic quantum algorithm. We show that by applying a sequence of fast random or regular signals during evolution, the runtime can be reduced substantially, whereas advantages of the adiabatic algorithm remain intact. We also propose a randomized Trotter formula and show that the driving Hamiltonian and the proposed sequence of fast signals can be implemented simultaneously. We illustrate the algorithm by solving the NP-complete 3-bit exact cover problem (EC3), where NP stands for nondeterministic polynomial time and put forward an approach to implementing the problem with trapped ions.
CRISPR/cas9, a novel genomic tool to knock down microRNA in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Chang Hong , Yi Bin , Ma Ruixia , Zhang Xiaoguo , Zhao Hongyou , Xi Yaguang
Published: February 2016

MicroRNAs are small and non-coding RNA molecules with the master role in regulation of gene expression at post-transcriptional/translational levels. Many methods have been developed for microRNA loss-of-function study, such as antisense inhibitors and sponges; however, the robustness, specificity, and stability of these traditional strategies are not highly satisfied. CRISPR/cas9 system is emerging as a novel genome editing tool in biology/medicine research, but its indication in microRNA research has not been studied exclusively. In this study, we clone CRISPR/cas9 constructs with single-guide RNAs specifically targeting biogenesis processing sites of selected microRNAs; and we find that CRISPR/cas9 can robustly and specifically reduce the expression of these microRNAs up to 96%. CRISPR/cas9 also shows an exclusive benefit in control of crossing off-target effect on microRNAs in the same family or with highly conserved sequences. More significantly, for the first time, we demonstrate the long term stability of microRNA knockdown phenotype by CRISPR/cas9 in both in vitro and in vivo models.
Quantitative map of multiple auditory cortical regions with a stereotaxic fine-scale atlas of the mouse brain
Authors: Tsukano Hiroaki , Horie Masao , Hishida Ryuichi , Takahashi Kuniyuki , Takebayashi Hirohide , Shibuki Katsuei
Published: February 2016

Optical imaging studies have recently revealed the presence of multiple auditory cortical regions in the mouse brain. We have previously demonstrated, using flavoprotein fluorescence imaging, at least six regions in the mouse auditory cortex, including the anterior auditory field (AAF), primary auditory cortex (AI), the secondary auditory field (AII), dorsoanterior field (DA), dorsomedial field (DM) and dorsoposterior field (DP). While multiple regions in the visual cortex and somatosensory cortex have been annotated and consolidated in recent brain atlases, the multiple auditory cortical regions have not yet been presented from a coronal view. In the current study, we obtained regional coordinates of the six auditory cortical regions of the C57BL/6 mouse brain and illustrated these regions on template coronal brain slices. These results should reinforce the existing mouse brain atlases and support future studies in the auditory cortex.
Ionic Origin of Electro-osmotic Flow Hysteresis
Authors: Lim Chun Yee , Lim An Eng , Lam Yee Cheong
Published: February 2016

Electro-osmotic flow, the driving of fluid at nano- or micro- scales with electric field, has found numerous applications, ranging from pumping to chemical and biomedical analyses in micro-devices. Electro-osmotic flow exhibits a puzzling hysteretic behavior when two fluids with different concentrations displace one another. The flow rate is faster when a higher concentration solution displaces a lower concentration one as compared to the flow in the reverse direction. Although electro-osmotic flow is a surface phenomenon, rather counter intuitively we demonstrate that electro-osmotic flow hysteresis originates from the accumulation or depletion of pH-governing minority ions in the bulk of the fluid, due to the imbalance of electric-field-induced ion flux. The pH and flow velocity are changed, depending on the flow direction. The understanding of electro-osmotic flow hysteresis is critical for accurate fluid flow control in microfluidic devices and maintaining of constant pH in chemical and biological systems under an electric field.
miRepress: modelling gene expression regulation by microRNA with non-conventional binding sites
Authors: Ghosal Suman , Saha Shekhar , Das Shaoli , Sen Rituparno , Goswami Swagata , Jana Siddhartha S. , Chakrabarti Jayprokas
Published: February 2016

Some earlier studies have reported an alternative mode of microRNA-target interaction. We detected target regions within mRNA transcripts from AGO PAR-CLIP that did not contain any conventional microRNA seed pairing but only had non-conventional binding sites with microRNA 3′ end. Our study from 7 set of data that measured global protein fold change after microRNA transfection pointed towards the association of target protein fold change with 6-mer and 7-mer target sites involving microRNA 3′ end. We developed a model to predict the degree of microRNA target regulation in terms of protein fold changes from the number of different conventional and non-conventional target sites present in the target, and found significant correlation of its output with protein expression changes. We validated the effect of non-conventional interactions with target by modulating the abundance of microRNA in a human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The validation was done using luciferase assay and immunoblot analysis for our predicted non-conventional microRNA-target pair WNT1 (3′ UTR) and miR-367-5p and immunoblot analysis for another predicted non-conventional microRNA-target pair MYH10 (coding region) and miR-181a-5p. Both experiments showed inhibition of targets by transfection of microRNA mimics that were predicted to have only non-conventional sites.
Microspatial variability in community structure and photophysiology of calcified macroalgal microbiomes revealed by coupling of hyperspectral and high-resolution fluorescence imaging
Authors: Perkins R. G. , Williamson C. J. , Brodie J. , Barillé L. , Launeau P. , Lavaud J. , Yallop M. L. , Jesus B.
Published: February 2016

Calcifying coralline macroalgae provide biogenic habitats colonised by epiphytic microalgae that contribute significantly to community productivity. Georeferenced hyperspectral and high-resolution fluorescence imaging were coupled to microspatially mapped community composition and relative biomass of macroalgal host and epiphyte microalgal groups and their weighted contributions to productivity within host fronds of Corallina officinalis on upper and lower zones of a rocky shore were determined. Lower shore epiphytes were dominated by filamentous diatoms (Bacillariophyta), confined to the apex of the frond structure, which were low light acclimated but retained a high capacity for photoprotective down regulation and contributed up to 51% of total community productivity. Upper shore epiphytes were dominated by green algae (Chlorophyta) and single-celled diatoms (principally Cocconeis spp.), which were high light acclimated but present at far lower relative biomass and contributed negligibly to productivity. The host, C. officinalis was the main primary producer. Variation in light environment resulting from differences in shore height and shading within the host macroalga, likely play a large role in determining patterns in epiphyte community structure, biomass and productivity observed. Additionally, microspatial gradients in photophysiological parameters along the host macroalga likely resulted from age-dependent variation in pigments as well as the gradient in light environment.
Highly divergent dengue virus type 1 genotype sets a new distance record
Authors: Pyke Alyssa T. , Moore Peter R. , Taylor Carmel T. , Hall-Mendelin Sonja , Cameron Jane N. , Hewitson Glen R. , Pukallus Dennis S. , Huang Bixing , Warrilow David , van den Hurk Andrew F.
Published: February 2016

Dengue viruses (DENVs) are the leading cause of mosquito-borne viral disease of humans. They exist in both endemic and sylvatic ecotypes. In 2014, a viremic patient who had recently visited the rainforests of Brunei returned to Australia displaying symptoms consistent with DENV infection. A unique DENV strain was subsequently isolated from the patient, which we propose belongs to a new genotype within DENV serotype 1 (DENV-1). Bayesian evolutionary phylogenetic analysis suggests that the putative sylvatic DENV-1 Brunei 2014 (Brun2014) is the most divergent DENV-1 yet recorded and increases the time to the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) for DENV-1 from ≈120 years to ≈315 years. DENV-1 classification of the Brun2014 strain was further supported by monoclonal antibody serotyping data. Phenotypic characterization demonstrated that Brun2014 replication rates in mosquito cells and infection rates in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were not significantly different from an epidemic DENV-1 strain. Given its ability to cause human illness and infect Ae. aegypti, potential urban spillover and clinical disease from further Brun2014 transmission cannot be discounted.
A novel and improved UHPLC-QTOF/MS method for the rapid analysis of the chemical constituents of Danhong injection
Authors: Tang Jin-fa , Li Wei-xia , Tan Xiao-jie , Li Peng , Xiao Xiao-he , Wang Jia-bo , Zhu Ming-jun , Li Xue-lin , Meng Fei
Published: February 2016

Danhong injection (DHI), one of the best-selling traditional Chinese medicine injections (TCMIs), is used extensively for treating myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and traumatic intracranial hematoma in clinics.