bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aggregate‐induced emission in light‐emitting liquid crystal display technology
Authors: Zhao Dongyu , Fan Fan , Chigrinov Vladimir G. , Kwok Hoi Sing , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: October 2015

Nowadays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with light‐emission are considered as energy‐efficient devices and are promising alternatives to conventional LCDs. To realize such possibility, strong fluorescent materials with a dichroic properties are required. Aggregate‐induced emission (AIE) is an unusual photophysical phenomenon shown by some luminogenic materials that will be highly emissive in their aggregate state. In this work, we studied the AIE effect of a luminescent liquid crystalline molecule TPE‐PPE in our LC system as a luminophore dopant. The result showed the excellent AIE effect that higher concentration of luminogen in the nematic LC host induced stronger luminescent intensity. Through exposure of a photoisomeriable alignment material sulfonic‐dye‐1, the photopatterning of a light‐emitting LC device was achieved with the use of the TPE‐PPE/nematic LC mixture.
Political Geography
Authors: Muir Richard
Published: October 2015

An entirely new text for students of political geography following in the footsteps of the author's highly successful Modern Political Geography. Unlike other texts in this field it takes a broad and inclusive view of its subject matter, a pluralist and humanistic approach, and combines coverage of theory and empirical developments drawn from a wide range of countries throughout.
Microbial conversion of pyrolytic products to biofuels: a novel and sustainable approach toward second-generation biofuels
Authors: Islam Zia Ul , Zhisheng Yu , Hassan El Barbary , Dongdong Chang , Hongxun Zhang
Published: October 2015

This review highlights the potential of the pyrolysis-based biofuels production, bio-ethanol in particular, and lipid in general as an alternative and sustainable solution for the rising environmental concerns and rapidly depleting natural fuel resources. Levoglucosan (1,6-anhydrous-β-d-glucopyranose) is the major anhydrosugar compound resulting from the degradation of cellulose during the fast pyrolysis process of biomass and thus the most attractive fermentation substrate in the bio-oil. The challenges for pyrolysis-based biorefineries are the inefficient detoxification strategies, and the lack of naturally available efficient and suitable fermentation organisms that could ferment the levoglucosan directly into bio-ethanol. In case of indirect fermentation, acid hydrolysis is used to convert levoglucosan into glucose and subsequently to ethanol and lipids via fermentation biocatalysts, however the presence of fermentation inhibitors poses a big hurdle to successful fermentation relative to pure glucose. Among the detoxification strategies studied so far, over-liming, extraction with solvents like (n-butanol, ethyl acetate), and activated carbon seem very promising, but still further research is required for the optimization of existing detoxification strategies as well as developing new ones. In order to make the pyrolysis-based biofuel production a more efficient as well as cost-effective process, direct fermentation of pyrolysis oil-associated fermentable sugars, especially levoglucosan is highlly desirable. This can be achieved either by expanding the search to identify naturally available direct levoglusoan utilizers or modify the existing fermentation biocatalysts (yeasts and bacteria) with direct levoglucosan pathway coupled with tolerance engineering could significantly improve the overall performance of these microorganisms.
Adolescent vulnerability and the distress of rejection: Associations of adjustment problems and gender with control, emotions, and coping
Authors: Zimmer‐Gembeck Melanie J. , Skinner Ellen A.
Published: October 2015

We examined adjustment problems as risks for patterns of emotions, appraisals, and coping with rejection, and explored whether these processes could account for sex (boy/girl) differences in coping. Young adolescents (N = 669, grades 6–8) completed questionnaires, which assessed responses to peer rejection threat with two short scenarios. Using structural equation modeling to test a multivariate process model, adolescents with heightened social anxiety had the most maladaptive responses to rejection threat, including elevated emotional reactions, more self‐blame, and coping using more social isolation, rumination and opposition. Adolescents reporting more depressive symptoms felt less control and anticipated using less adaptive coping (less support seeking, distraction, and negotiation), whereas aggressive adolescents responded with more anger and coped via opposition. Moreover, as anticipated, sex differences in coping, symptoms, emotions, and appraisals were found. However, coping differences between boys and girls were mostly nonsignificant after accounting for symptoms, aggression, emotional reactions, and appraisals.
Establishing diversity in the dopaminergic system
Authors: Bodea Gabriela O. , Blaess Sandra
Published: October 2015

Midbrain dopaminergic neurons (MbDNs) modulate cognitive processes, regulate voluntary movement, and encode reward prediction errors and aversive stimuli. While the degeneration of MbDNs underlies the motor defects in Parkinson's disease, imbalances in dopamine levels are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and substance abuse. In recent years, progress has been made in understanding how MbDNs, which constitute a relatively small neuronal population in the brain, can contribute to such diverse functions and dysfunctions. In particular, important insights have been gained regarding the distinct molecular, neurochemical and network properties of MbDNs. How this diversity of MbDNs is established during brain development is only starting to be unraveled. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the diversity in MbDN progenitors and differentiated MbDNs in the developing rodent brain. We discuss the signaling pathways, transcription factors and transmembrane receptors that contribute to setting up these diverse MbDN subpopulations. A better insight into the processes that establish diversity in MbDNs will ultimately improve the understanding of the architecture and function of the dopaminergic system in the adult brain.
Evaluation of parturient perception and aversion before and after primary cesarean delivery in a low‐resource country
Authors: Adeniran Abiodun S. , Aboyeji Abiodun P. , Fawole Adegboyega A. , Balogun Olayinka R. , Adesina Kikelomo T. , Isiaka‐Lawal Salamat
Published: October 2015

Objective

To determine the perception of and aversion to cesarean delivery (CD) and their determinants before and after primary CD.

Methods

A prospective cross‐sectional survey of pregnant women undergoing primary CD (elective or emergency) was conducted in six health facilities in Ilorin, Nigeria. All participants completed an interviewer‐administered questionnaire before the operation and 3–4 days thereafter. The statistical analysis included the calculation of odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and a logistic regression.

Results

Of the 254 participants, 182 (71.7%) and 53 (20.9%) had an aversion to CD before and after the procedure, respectively. A woman's personal decision was the overriding factor influencing acceptance of the operation. Preoperative predictors of aversion were prenatal admission (OR 2.86 [95% CI,1.07–7.66]; P = 0.030) and a history of previous surgery (OR 0.42 [95% CI, 0.24–0.75]; P = 0.003), whereas postoperatively a low number of prenatal clinic visits (less than four; OR 3.05 [95% CI,1.63–5.69]; P = 0.001) and a history of previous surgery (OR 0.51 [95% CI, 0.27–0.96]; P = 0.034) were significant. Postprocedure, 164 (64.6%) women said they would accept a repeat CD.

Conclusion

Patient education, prenatal care, and previous surgical experiences were important in determining women's perception of and aversion to CD.
Linkage analyses in Caribbean Hispanic families identify novel loci associated with familial late‐onset Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Barral Sandra , Cheng Rong , Reitz Christiane , Vardarajan Badri , Lee Joseph , Kunkle Brian , Beecham Gary , Cantwell Laura S. , Pericak‐Vance Margaret A. , Farrer Lindsay A. , Haines Jonathan L. , Goate Alison M. , Foroud Tatiana , Boerwinkle Eric , Schellenberg Gerard D. , Mayeux Richard
Published: October 2015

Introduction

We performed linkage analyses in Caribbean Hispanic families with multiple late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) cases to identify regions that may contain disease causative variants.

Methods

We selected 67 LOAD families to perform genome‐wide linkage scan. Analysis of the linked regions was repeated using the entire sample of 282 families. Validated chromosomal regions were analyzed using joint linkage and association.

Results

We identified 26 regions linked to LOAD (HLOD ≥3.6). We validated 13 of the regions (HLOD ≥2.5) using the entire family sample. The strongest signal was at 11q12.3 (rs2232932: HLODmax = 4.7, Pjoint = 6.6 × 10−6), a locus located ∼2 Mb upstream of the membrane‐spanning 4A gene cluster. We additionally identified a locus at 7p14.3 (rs10255835: HLODmax = 4.9, Pjoint = 1.2 × 10−5), a region harboring genes associated with the nervous system (GARS, GHRHR, and NEUROD6).

Discussion

Future sequencing efforts should focus on these regions because they may harbor familial LOAD causative mutations.
Measuring policy analytical capacity for the environment: A case for engaging new actors
Authors: Angel Hsu
Published: October 2015

This paper discusses how varied policy analytical capacity can be evaluated at the systemic level through observed gaps in environmental data monitoring and reporting among countries. Such analytical capacity at the knowledge system level facilitates transparency and credibility needed for nation-states to cooperate on issues requiring global coordination, including “super-wicked” environmental issues like climate change. So far there has been relatively sparse attention paid to whether countries will have the ability — or policy analytical capacity — to report the necessary data and indicators required for the next round of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) being proposed. In this paper, I argue that the varied policy analytical capacity within the global environmental knowledge system necessitates the participation of new institutions and actors. Identifying gaps in data availability at a global, systemic scale, this paper presents a proxy measure of policy analytical capacity based on publicly-reported national statistics of air and water quality performance. Such discrepancies evaluated at a systemic level make a case for channels by which citizen scientists, independent watchdogs, private sector companies and third-party organizations can participate to enhance the policy analytical capacity of governments.
Sisson Receives 2015 N. L. Bowen Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: October 2015

Thomas Sisson will receive the 2015 N. L. Bowen Award at the 2015 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 14–18 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes "outstanding contributions to volcanology, geochemistry, or petrology."
New Insights into the Composition of Inner Earth
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: October 2015

Isotopic signatures in volcanic basalts show that Earth's interior is even less uniform than scientists previously thought.
Mysterious Boulders Suggest Ancient 800-Foot-Tall Tsunami
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: October 2015

The suspected sudden collapse of a nearby volcano's flank may have triggered an enormous wave that carried large boulders high onto Santiago Island in Cape Verde, a new study finds.
Surface hopping, transition state theory, and decoherence. II. Thermal rate constants and detailed balance
Authors: Jain Amber , Subotnik Joseph E.
Published: October 2015

We investigate a simple approach to compute a non-adiabatic thermal rate constant using the fewest switches surface hopping (FSSH) dynamics. We study the effects of both decoherence (using our augmented-FSSH (A-FSSH) algorithm) and forbidden hops over a large range of parameters, including high and low friction regimes, and weak and strong electronic coupling regimes. Furthermore, when possible, we benchmark our results against exact hierarchy equations of motion results, where we usually find a maximum error of roughly a factor of two (at reasonably large temperatures). In agreement with Hammes-Schiffer and Tully, we find that a merger of transition state theory and surface hopping can be both accurate and efficient when performed correctly. We further show that detailed balance is followed approximately by A-FSSH dynamics.
The gastrointestinal tract of the Australian water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) – its morphological adaptations to a carnivorous diet
Authors: Speight K. N. , Kokkinn M. J. , Breed W. G.
Published: October 2015

The Australian water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster), unlike most murine rodents, has a carnivorous diet. In the present study the morphology of its gastrointestinal tract is described and compared with that of other muroid rodents with more typical diets. It was found that the stomach of the water rat is relatively small and has a greater proportion of glandular epithelium than that of other species so far investigated. Comparisons of relative intestinal lengths showed that in the Australian water rat there is a comparatively long small intestine that constitutes ~90% of the total intestinal length, a short large intestine, and a small caecum. This divergent morphology of the gastrointestinal tract of the Australian water rat probably relates to the animal’s protein-rich diet, with the differences from those of other hydromyine rodents indicating considerable plasticity in the evolution of the gastrointestinal tract in this group of mammals. It suggests that, whilst the morphological adaptations of the water rat’s gastrointestinal tract probably evolved before the colonisation of Australia, its highly derived morphology has enabled this species to exploit the Australian environment as an aquatic carnivore.
Molecular stripping in the NFκB/IκB/DNA genetic regulatory network
Authors: Potoyan Davit , Zheng Weihua , Komives Elizabeth , Wolynes Peter
Published: October 2015

Genetic switches based on the NFκB/IκB/DNA system are master regulators of an array of cellular responses. Recent kinetic experiments have shown that IκB can actively remove NFκB bound to its genetic sites via a process called "molecular stripping". This allows the NFκB/IκB/DNA switch to function under kinetic control rather than the thermodynamic control contemplated in the traditional models of gene switches. Using molecular dynamics simulations of coarse grained predictive energy landscape models for the constituent proteins by themselves and interacting with the DNA we explore the functional motions of the transcription factor NFκB and its various binary and ternary complexes with DNA and the inhibitor IκB. These studies show that the function of the NFκB/IκB/DNA genetic switch is realized via an allosteric mechanism. Molecular stripping occurs through the activation of a domain twist mode by the binding of IkB which occurs through conformational selection. Free energy calculations for DNA binding show that the binding of IκB not only results in a significant decrease of the affinity of the transcription factor for the DNA but also kinetically speeds DNA release. Projections of the free energy onto various reaction coordinates reveal the structural details of the stripping pathways.
Beyond Animals and Plants: Dynamic Maternal Effects in the FungusNeurospora crassa
Authors: Zimmerman Kolea C. K. , Levitis Daniel A. , Pringle Anne
Published: October 2015

Maternal effects are widely documented in animals and plants, but not in fungi or other eukaryotes. A principal cause of maternal effects is asymmetrical parental investment in a zygote, creating greater maternal versus paternal influence on offspring phenotypes. Asymmetrical investments are not limited to animals and plants, but are also prevalent in fungi and groups including apicocomplexans, dinoflagellates, and red algae. Evidence suggesting maternal effects among fungi is sparse and anecdotal. In an experiment designed to test for maternal effects across sexual reproduction in the model fungusNeurospora crassa, we measured offspring phenotypes from crosses of all possible pairs of 22 individuals. Crosses encompassed reciprocals of 11 mating-type “A” and 11 mating-type “a” wild strains. After controlling for the genetic and geographic distances between strains in any individual cross, we found strong evidence for maternal control of sporocarp production, as well as maternal effects on spore numbers and spore germination. However, both parents exert equal influence on the percentage of spores that are pigmented, and size of pigmented spores. We propose a model linking the stage-specific presence or absence of maternal effects to cellular developmental processes: effects appear to be mediated primarily through the maternal cytoplasm, and, after spore cell walls form, maternal influence on spore development is limited. Maternal effects in fungi, thus far largely ignored, are likely to shape species’ evolution and ecology. The association of anisogamy and maternal effects in a fungus suggests maternal effects may also influence the biology of other anisogamous eukaryotes.
in silicoWhole Genome Sequencer & Analyzer (iWGS): a computational pipeline to guide the design and analysis ofde novogenome sequencing studies
Authors: Zhou Xiaofan , Peris David , Kominek Jacek , Kurtzman Cletus P , Hittinger Chris Todd , Rokas Antonis
Published: October 2015

The availability of genomes across the tree of life is highly biased toward vertebrates, pathogens, human disease models, and organisms with relatively small and simple genomes. Recent progress in genomics has enabled thede novodecoding of the genome of virtually any organism, greatly expanding its potential for understanding the biology and evolution of the full spectrum of biodiversity. The increasing diversity of sequencing technologies, assays, andde novoassembly algorithms have augmented the complexity ofde novogenome sequencing projects in non-model organisms. To reduce the costs and challenges inde novogenome sequencing projects and streamline their experimental design and analysis, we developed iWGS (in silicoWholeGenomeSequencer and Analyzer), an automated pipeline for guiding the choice of appropriate sequencing strategy and assembly protocols. iWGS seamlessly integrates the four key steps of ade novogenome sequencing project: data generation (through simulation), data quality control,de novoassembly, and assembly evaluation and validation. The last three steps can also be applied to the analysis of real data. iWGS is designed to enable the user to have great flexibility in testing the range of experimental designs available for genome sequencing projects, and supports all major sequencing technologies and popular assembly tools. Three case studies illustrate how iWGS can guide the design ofde novogenome sequencing projects and evaluate the performance of a wide variety of user-specified sequencing strategies and assembly protocols on genomes of differing architectures. iWGS, along with a detailed documentation, is freely available athttps://github.com/zhouxiaofan1983/iWGS.
Comparing cancer cell lines and tumor samples by genomic profiles
Authors: Sinha Rileen , Schultz Nikolaus , Sander Chris
Published: October 2015

Cancer cell lines are often used in laboratory experiments as models of tumors, although they can have substantially different genetic and epigenetic profiles compared to tumors. We have developed a general computational method – TumorComparer - to systematically quantify similarities and differences between tumor material when detailed genetic and molecular profiles are available. The comparisons can be flexibly tailored to a particular biological question by placing a higher weight on functional alterations of interest (‘weighted similarity’). In a first pan-cancer application, we have compared 260 cell lines from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopaedia (CCLE) and 1914 tumors of six different cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), using weights to emphasize genomic alterations that frequently recur in tumors. We report the potential suitability of particular cell lines as tumor models and identify apparently unsuitable outlier cell lines, some of which are in wide use, for each of the six cancer types. In future, this weighted similarity method may be generalized for use in a clinical setting to compare patient profiles consisting of genomic patterns combined with clinical attributes, such as diagnosis, treatment and response to therapy.
Deep learning for population genetic inference
Authors: Sheehan Sara , Song Yun S.
Published: October 2015

Given genomic variation data from multiple individuals, computing the likelihood of complex population genetic models is often infeasible. To circumvent this problem, we introduce here a novel likelihood-free inference framework by applying deep learning, a powerful modern technique in machine learning. In contrast to Approximate Bayesian Computation, another likelihood-free approach widely used in population genetics and other fields, deep learning does not require a distance function on summary statistics or a rejection step, and it is robust to the addition of uninformative statistics. To demonstrate that deep learning can be effectively employed to estimate population genetic parameters and learn informative features of data, we focus on the challenging problem of jointly inferring natural selection and demography (in the form of a population size change history). Our method is able to separate the global nature of demography from the local nature of selection, without sequential steps for these two factors. Studying demography and selection jointly is motivated byDrosophila,where pervasive selection confounds demographic analysis. We apply our method to 197 AfricanDrosophila melanogastergenomes from Zambia to infer both their overall demography, and regions of their genome under selection. We find many regions of the genome that have experienced hard sweeps, and fewer under selection on standing variation (soft sweep) or balancing selection. Interestingly, we find that soft sweeps and balancing selection occur more frequently closer to the centromere of each chromosome. In addition, our demographic inference suggests that previously estimated bottlenecks for AfricanDrosophila melanogasterare too extreme, likely due in part to the unaccounted impact of selection.
New aspects of the clinicopathological features and treatment of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome
Authors: Furue Masutaka , Kadono Takafumi
Published: October 2015

Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome are T‐helper (Th)2‐skewed cutaneous lymphomas. The clinical course of mycosis fungoides is classically indolent, manifesting as patches, plaques and tumors. Along with their progression, Th2 dominance tends to be accelerated. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, clinicopathogenetic features and therapeutic approaches in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.
Tackling extremes: challenges for ecological and evolutionary research on extreme climatic events
Authors: Bailey Liam D. , van de Pol Martijn
Published: October 2015

Extreme climatic events (ECEs) are predicted to become more frequent as the climate changes. A rapidly increasing number of studies – though few on animals – suggest that the biological consequences of ECEs can be severe.

However, ecological research on the impacts of ECEs has been limited by a lack of cohesiveness and structure. ECEs are often poorly defined and have often been confusingly equated with climatic variability, making comparison between studies difficult. In addition, a focus on short‐term studies has provided us with little information on the long‐term implications of ECEs, and the descriptive and anecdotal nature of many studies has meant it is still unclear what the key research questions are.

Synthesizing the current state of work is essential to identify ways to make progress. We conduct a synthesis of the literature and discuss conceptual and practical challenges faced by research on ECEs.

We consider three steps to advance research. First, we discuss the importance of choosing an ECE definition and identify the pros and cons of ‘climatological’ and ‘biological’ definitions of ECEs. Secondly, we advocate research beyond short‐term descriptive studies to address questions concerning the long‐term implications of ECEs, focussing on selective pressures and phenotypically plastic responses and how they might differ from responses to a changing climatic mean. Finally, we encourage a greater focus on multi‐event studies that help us understand the implications of changing patterns of ECEs, through the combined use of modelling, experimental and observational field studies.

This study aims to open a discussion on the definitions, questions and methods currently used to study ECEs, which will lead to a more cohesive approach to future ECE research.
Within‐ and trans‐generational effects of herbivores and detritivores on plant performance and reproduction
Authors: González‐Megías Adela
Published: October 2015

Mutualistic and antagonistic above‐ground and below‐ground species have the potential to be involved in strong interactions that can either weaken or strengthen their individual impacts on plants. Their impacts can also have delayed effects on a plant's progeny by altering offspring traits and survival. Few studies have explored the effect of herbivore and detritivore interactions with parent plants on offspring vital life‐cycle processes, such as seedling emergence rate, seedling establishment and offspring survival.

In the field, I experimentally studied the combined effects of floral herbivores (FH), root herbivores (RH) and detritivores on plant growth and reproduction ofMoricandia moricandioides(Brassicaceae). In particular, I analysed the trans‐generational effects of herbivores and detritivores on seed and juvenile production as well as on vital life‐cycle processes (i.e. seedling emergence rates, survival).

Floral herbivores strongly reduced the number of flowers, fruits, seeds and juveniles. Detritivores had an impact on plant success by increasing seed quality (% N and N : C ratio), although the effect was altered by the presence of floral and RH.

I found maternal effects (trans‐generational effects) of FH, RH and detritivores. Floral herbivores reduced seedling emergence and establishment. Floral and RH in combination reduced seedling emergence timing, but the effect was counteracted by detritivores. Detritivores also reduced the negative effect of FH on offspring mortality rate.

This study shows that the impact of above‐ground and below‐ground organisms onM. moricandioidesplants go beyond seed production and were evident in the probability of establishment and survival of the following generation. Trans‐generational effects were induced by all three groups of interacting organisms and the net consequences for plant offspring depended on the organisms interacting with the plant.
The advantage of the extremes: tree seedlings at intermediate abundance in a tropical forest have the highest richness of above‐ground enemies and suffer the most damage
Authors: Bachelot Benedicte , Uríarte María , Thompson Jill , Zimmerman Jess K.
Published: October 2015

Tropical forest tree diversity has been hypothesized to be maintained via the attraction of density responsive and species‐specific enemies. Tests of this hypothesis usually assume a linear relationship between enemy pressure (amount of damage and enemy richness) and seedling or tree density. However, enemy pressure is likely to change nonlinearly with local seedling abundance and community scale tree abundance if enemies are characterized by nonlinear functional responses.

We examined the abiotic and biotic factors associated with richness of above‐ground enemies and foliar damage found in tree seedlings in a tropical forest in Puerto Rico. Rather than identify specific enemies targeting these seedlings, we used damage morphotypes, a paleo‐ecological method, to derive a proxy for enemy species richness.

We found that the relationships between local and (conspecific seedling density) community scale (conspecific basal area of adult trees) abundance and both richness of above‐ground enemies and foliar damage were hump‐shaped. Seedlings of tree species existing at intermediate levels of abundance, at both local and community scales, suffered more damage and experienced pressure from a greater diversity of enemies than those existing at high or low densities.

We hypothesized that greater damage at intermediate abundance level could arise from a rich mixture of generalist and specialist enemies targeting seedlings of intermediate abundance tree species. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that generalist enemies were more diverse on species at rare or intermediate abundance relative to common tree species. However, specialist enemies showed no significant trend across tree species abundance at either the local or community scales.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that interspecific variation in tree species abundance leads to differences in the magnitude and type of damage tropical tree seedlings suffer. This variation leads to a nonlinear, hump‐shaped relationship between species abundance and enemy damage, highlighting fruitful directions for further development of species coexistence theory.
Aboriginal Fringe Finance Use and Financial Capabilities: Survey Evidence from a Canadian City
Authors: Lamb Laura
Published: October 2015

This exploratory research examines survey data collected in the Canadian city of Kamloops, British Columbia on banking habits and attitudes, socio‐economic characteristics, and financial capability levels of Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal fringe finance users. The theoretical framework supporting the analysis is grounded in institutional theories of financial exclusion contending that culture and history are relevant. The results suggest that Aboriginal fringe finance users have different characteristics, financial experiences and levels of financial capability than their non‐Aboriginal counterparts. Aboriginal fringe finance users have lower levels of financial capability as assessed with an objective quiz. The results are expected to be relevant for policy makers attempting to reduce financial exclusion and increase well‐being for Canada's Aboriginal population as well as for other countries with Aboriginal populations, such as Australia and New Zealand.
Differentiating the bipolar disorders from borderline personality disorder
Authors: Bayes A. J. , McClure G. , Fletcher K. , Román Ruiz del Moral Y. E. , Hadzi‐Pavlovic D. , Stevenson J. L. , Manicavasagar V. L. , Parker G. B.
Published: October 2015

Objective

To identify features differentiating bipolar disorder (BP) from borderline personality disorder (BPD) and with each condition variably defined.

Method

Participants were assigned a BP or BPD diagnosis on the basis of DSM criteria and, separately, by clinical judgment, and undertook a diagnostic interview and completed self‐report measures.

Results

Predictors of BPD status varied according to diagnostic decisions, but with the most consistent items being childhood sexual abuse, childhood depersonalization, personality variables relating to relationship difficulties and sensitivity to criticism, and the absence of any BP family history. Across diagnostic groups, personality measure items alone predicted diagnostic allocation with an accuracy of 81–84%, the refined study variables other than hypo/manic features improved the classification rates to 88%, and when the presence or absence of hypo/manic features was added, classification rates increased to 92–95%.

Conclusion

Study findings indicate that BPD can be differentiated from BP with a high degree of accuracy.
Australia's Individualised Disability Funding Packages: When Do They Provide Greater Choice and Opportunity?
Authors: Laragy Carmel , Fisher Karen R. , Purcal Christiane , Jenkinson Samantha
Published: October 2015

Australia's new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) uses individualised funding packages instead of traditional block‐funded disability services to support people with disability. The NDIS works with the person and their family to assess the person's needs and develop a plan that determines their funding allocation. Funding can be used to purchase support from a disability service or from the open market. People can purchase support that suits their cultural and personal preferences. This paper examined whether individual funding packages met their aims in Western Australia, where they had been the primary mechanism of disability support for over 25 years. An exploratory case study was conducted consisting of face‐to‐face, in‐depth interviews with 11 key participants: people with disability, senior government administrators, service provider managers, and a support worker. Complex systems theory was used to review the data and findings showed that individualised funding packages did not automatically result in more choice and greater opportunities. People needed information to make informed decisions; supportive and creative support from social workers and other professionals; and welcoming communities. The findings can inform policies and assist social workers facilitate maximum choice and opportunities for people with disability and their families.
Biochemical and Histological Effects of Thiamine Pyrophosphate against Acetaminophen‐Induced Hepatotoxicity
Authors: Uysal Hilal Bektas , Dağlı Bekir , Yılmaz Mustafa , Kahyaoğlu Fadime , Gökçimen Alparslan , Ömürlü İmran Kurt , Demirci Buket
Published: October 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate whether thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) has biochemical and histological preventive effects on oxidative liver damage induced by paracetamol (APAP). Rats were divided into the following groups: healthy control (HG), APAP (AG, 1500 mg/kg, orally), thiamine pyrophosphate (TPPG, 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), APAP+NAC (ANAC, 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), APAP+TPP (ATPG) and APAP+NAC+TPP (ANTG). Oxidant, antioxidant parameters, liver function tests and histological assessment were performed between groups. Malondialdehyde levels in the AG, HG, TPPG, ANAC, ATPG and ANTG groups were 0.470 ± 0.210, 0.213 ± 0.004, 0.194 ± 0.001, 0.197 ± 0.06, 0.199 ± 0.008 and 0.173 ± 0.010 μmol/g protein, respectively. Total glutathione levels were 7.787 ± 0.395, 14.925 ± 0.932, 13.200 ± 0.984, 13.162 ± 0.486, 13.287 ± 0.787 and 13.500 ± 0.891 μm/g protein, respectively. In the AG group, marked liver damage occurred with the elevation of liver function tests and oxidative stress markers, such as malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide (p < 0.05). Biochemical results were congruent with the histological changes of oxidative damage. Compared to the AG group (p < 0.05), TPP significantly reduced oxidant parameter levels in the ATPG group and simultaneously increased the antioxidant parameter levels of catalase and glutathione. The histological changes were improved to almost normal hepatic structure. Moreover, TPP had nearly the same hepatoprotective effect as NAC, and there was statistically no additional benefit with NAC co‐treatment. There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) among the ANAC, ANTG and ATPG groups in terms of oxidant/antioxidant levels. TPP proved to be as efficacious as standard therapy and may be beneficial in APAP‐induced hepatotoxicity.
Large-Scale Signal Detection: A Unified Perspective
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Subhadeep
Published: October 2015

There is an overwhelmingly large literature and algorithms already available on “large-scale inference problems” based on different modeling techniques and cultures. Our primary goal in this article is not to add one more new methodology to the existing toolbox but instead (i) to clarify the mystery how these different simultaneous inference methods are connected, (ii) to provide an alternative more intuitive derivation of the formulas that leads to simpler expressions in order (iii) to develop a unified algorithm for practitioners. A detailed discussion on representation, estimation, inference, and model selection is given. Applications to a variety of real and simulated datasets show promise. We end with several future research directions.
Transforming somatic mutations of mammalian target of rapamycin kinase in human cancer
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Kawazu Masahito , Yasuda Takahiko , Soda Manabu , Ueno Toshihide , Kojima Shinya , Yashiro Masakazu , Yoshino Ichiro , Ishikawa Yuichi , Sai Eirin , Mano Hiroyuki
Published: October 2015

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine–threonine kinase that acts downstream of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase signaling pathway and regulates a wide range of cellular functions including transcription, translation, proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Whereas genetic alterations that result in mTOR activation are frequently present in human cancers, whether the mTOR gene itself becomes an oncogene through somatic mutation has remained unclear. We have now identified a somatic non‐synonymous mutation of mTOR that results in a leucine‐to‐valine substitution at amino acid position 2209 in a specimen of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. The mTOR(L2209V) mutant manifested marked transforming potential in a focus formation assay with mouse 3T3 fibroblasts, and it induced the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase, S6 ribosomal protein, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E–binding protein 1 in these cells. Examination of additional tumor specimens as well as public and in‐house databases of cancer genome mutations identified another 28 independent non‐synonymous mutations of mTOR in various cancer types, with 12 of these mutations also showing transforming ability. Most of these oncogenic mutations cluster at the interface between the kinase domain and the FAT (FRAP, ATM, TRRAP) domain in the 3‐D structure of mTOR. Transforming mTOR mutants were also found to promote 3T3 cell survival, and their oncogenic activity was sensitive to rapamycin. Our data thus show that mTOR acquires transforming activity through genetic changes in cancer, and they suggest that such tumors may be candidates for molecularly targeted therapy with mTOR inhibitors.
Mortality reduction from gastric cancer by endoscopic and radiographic screening
Authors: Hamashima Chisato , Shabana Michiko , Okada Katsuo , Okamoto Mikizo , Osaki Yoneatsu
Published: October 2015

To evaluate mortality reduction from gastric cancer by endoscopic screening, we undertook a population‐based cohort study in which both radiographic and endoscopic screenings for gastric cancer have been carried out. The subjects were selected from the participants of gastric cancer screening in two cities in Japan, Tottori and Yonago, from 2007 to 2008. The subjects were defined as participants aged 40–79 years who had no gastric cancer screening in the previous year. Follow‐up of mortality was continued from the date of the first screening to the date of death or up to December 31, 2013. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the relative risk (RR) of gastric cancer incidence, gastric cancer death, all cancer deaths except gastric cancer death, and all‐causes death except gastric cancer death. The number of subjects selected for endoscopic screening was 9950 and that for radiographic screening was 4324. The subjects screened by endoscopy showed a 67% reduction of gastric cancer compared with the subjects screened by radiography (adjusted RR by sex, age group, and resident city = 0.327; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.118–0.908). The adjusted RR of endoscopic screening was 0.968 (95%CI, 0.675–1.387) for all cancer deaths except gastric cancer death, and 0.929 (95%CI, 0.740–1.168) for all‐causes death except gastric cancer death. This study indicates that endoscopic screening can reduce gastric cancer mortality by 67% compared with radiographic screening. This is consistent with previous studies showing that endoscopic screening reduces gastric cancer mortality.
Hemisynthesis, Antitumoral Effect, and Molecular Docking Studies of Ferutinin and Its Analogues
Authors: Safi Rémi , Rodriguez Fréderic , Hilal Georges , Diab‐Assaf Mona , Diab Youssef , El‐Sabban Marwan , Najjar Fadia , Delfourne Evelyne
Published: October 2015

The natural product ferutinin was shown to act as an agonist to estrogen receptor ERα and agonist/antagonist to ERβ featuring a weak antiproliferative activity toward breast cancer cells. To enhance this activity, ferutinin analogues were synthesized by esterification of jaeschkenadiol with different acids. These compounds were assayed for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against estrogen‐dependent (MCF‐7) and estrogen‐independent (MDA‐MB‐231) breast cancer cell lines. Among the compounds, 3c’ exhibited a potent inhibitory selective activity against MCF‐7 with IC50 value of 1 μm. Docking simulation of 3c’ in the ligand binding domain of the ERs indicated a potential antagonism interaction with both ER subtypes. Functional assay showed that 3c’ binds as an antagonist to ERα protein while ferutinin acts as an agonist.
Bioinformatics Prediction and In Vitro Analysis Revealed That miR‐17 Targets Cyclin D1 mRNA in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Karami Fariba , Mohammadi‐Yeganeh Samira , Abedi Nairi , Koochaki Ameneh , Kia Vahid , Paryan Mahdi
Published: October 2015

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies among women worldwide. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer in which estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER‐2) are not expressed. There is no targeted therapy for this type of cancer, and available therapies have poor therapeutic effects. Performing a preliminary research, we selected cyclin D1 (CCND1) gene of Wnt signaling pathway which is a target of miRNAs, a promising set of biomolecules in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. In this study using bioinformatic analyses, miR‐17 was selected as it targets the 3′UTR of CCND1 gene with the highest score. Luciferase assay results also confirmed the bioinformatic prediction. Decreased expression of miR‐17 in MDA‐MB‐231 cell line was observed using qRT‐PCR method. After lentiviral transduction of miR‐17 to the target cells, gene expression analysis showed decreased expression of CCND1 gene. We found miR‐17 as an attractive molecule that after intensive research can probably be used as a biomarker in TNBC.
Phaeochromocytoma and ACTH‐dependent cushing's syndrome: tumour crf secretion can mimic pituitary cushing's disease
Authors: Lois Konstantinos B. , Santhakumar Anjali , Vaikkakara Suresh , Mathew Sajjan , Long Anna , Johnson Sarah J. , Peaston Rovert , Neely R. Dermot G. , Richardson David L. , Graham James , Lennard Thomas W.J. , Bliss Richard , Miller Margaret , Ball Stephen G. , Pearce Simon H.S. , Woods David R. , Quinton Richard
Published: October 2015

Introduction

10% of corticotrophin (ACTH)‐dependent Cushing's syndrome arises from secretion by extrapituitary tumours, with phaeochromocytoma implicated in a few cases. Ectopic secretion by phaeochromocytoma of corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRF), with secondary corticotroph hyperplasia, is even rarer, with only five cases in the literature hitherto. However, such cases may be classified as ‘ectopic ACTH’ due to incomplete verification.

Clinical cases

We describe three patients with phaeochromocytoma and ACTH‐dependent Cushing's syndrome in whom biochemical cure was achieved following unilateral adrenalectomy. Although unable to access a validated CRF assay within the timeframe for sample storage, we nevertheless inferred CRF secretion in 2 of 3 cases by tumour immunostaining (positive for CRF; negative for ACTH), supported in one case by pre‐operative inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) indicative of pituitary ACTH source. Both cases were characterized by rapid postoperative wean off glucocorticoids, presumed to reflect the pituitary stimulatory‐effect of CRF outweighing central negative feedback inhibition by hypercortisolaemia. By contrast, the tumour excised in a third case exhibited positive immunostaining for ACTH – negative for CRF – and postoperative recovery of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis took significantly longer.

Discussion

Ectopic CRF production is biochemically indistinguishable from ectopic ACTH secretion, except that IPSS mimics pituitary Cushing's disease and cortisol dynamics may normalize rapidly postadrenalectomy. CRF secretion can be inferred through tumour immunohistochemistry, even if no CRF assay is available. Unrecognized phaeochromocytoma ACTH secretion may underpin some cases of cardiovascular collapse postadrenalectomy through acute hypocortisolaemia. Despite advances in phaeochromocytoma genetics since previous reports, we were unable to identify somatic DNA defects associated with either ACTH or CRF secretion.
How Distractor Objects Trigger Referential Overspecification: Testing the Effects of Visual Clutter and Distractor Distance
Authors: Koolen Ruud , Krahmer Emiel , Swerts Marc
Published: October 2015

In two experiments, we investigate to what extent various visual saliency cues in realistic visual scenes cause speakers to overspecify their definite object descriptions with a redundant color attribute. The results of the first experiment demonstrate that speakers are more likely to redundantly mention color when visual clutter is present in a scene as compared to when this is not the case. In the second experiment, we found that distractor type and distractor color affect redundant color use: Speakers are most likely to overspecify if there is at least one distractor object present that has the same type, but a different color than the target referent. Reliable effects of distractor distance were not found. Taken together, our results suggest that certain visual saliency cues guide speakers in determining which objects in a visual scene are relevant distractors, and which not. We argue that this is problematic for algorithms that aim to generate human‐like descriptions of objects (such as the Incremental Algorithm), since these generally select properties that help to distinguish a target from all objects that are present in a scene.
Earlier diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disability can only help infants in neonatal intensive care units
Authors: Crowle Cathryn
Published: October 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Einspieler et al. on pages 361–368 of this issue.