bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of isorhamnetin glycosides extracted from Opuntia ficus-indica in a mouse model of diet induced obesity
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez César , Torres Nimbe , Gutiérrez-Uribe Janet A. , Noriega Lilia G. , Torre-Villalvazo Iván , Leal-Díaz Ana M. , Antunes-Ricardo Marilena , Márquez-Mota Claudia , Ordaz Guillermo , Chavez-Santoscoy Rocío A. , Serna-Saldivar Sergio O. , Tovar Armando R.
Published: December 2014

An OFI extract rich in isorhamnetin glycosides prevents metabolic abnormalities associated with DIO.
Carboxylation of terminal alkynes with CO2 catalyzed by bis(amidate) rare-earth metal amides
Authors: Cheng Hao , Zhao Bei , Yao Yingming , Lu Chengrong
Published: December 2014

Three novel bis(amidate) rare-earth metal amides were prepared and characterized. Treatment of CO2 with terminal alkynes obtained propiolic acids in high to excellent yields using the highest reactive Nd-based catalyst at ambient pressure.
A cell–ECM screening method to predict breast cancer metastasis
Authors: Barney L. E. , Dandley E. C. , Jansen L. E. , Reich N. G. , Mercurio A. M. , Peyton S. R.
Published: December 2014

We developed an ECM-based biomaterial platform to predict breast cancer metastasis in vivo with rapid, simple in vitro measurements.
Calibration of single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS)
Authors: Lee Wan-Waan , Chan Wing-Tat
Published: December 2014

Incomplete vaporization and non-linear detector response in pulse counting mode cause non-linearity in single-particle ICP-MS.
A closer look into the ubiquitin corona on gold nanoparticles by computational studies
Authors: Tavanti Francesco , Pedone Alfonso , Menziani Maria Cristina
Published: December 2014

Course-grained simulations studies showed environmental-dependency of the mechanism of ubiquitin corona formation on gold nanoparticles and ubiquitin binding modalities, and a nanoparticle size-dependency of ubiquitin conformational changes and aggregation propensity.
Marine natural products that interfere with multiple cytoskeletal protein interactions
Authors: Kita Masaki , Kigoshi Hideo
Published: December 2014

This highlight focuses on the marine natural products that target cytoskeletal proteins and modulate protein–protein interactions in unique fashions.
Conducting additive-free amorphous GeO2/C composite as a high capacity and long-term stability anode for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Ngo Duc Tung , Kalubarme Ramchandra S. , Le Hang T. T. , Park Choong-Nyeon , Park Chan-Jin
Published: December 2014

A novel citric gel method has been proposed for synthesizing an amorphous GeO2/C composite. The as prepared amorphous GeO2/C composite without carbon black as an electrode for the Li-ion battery exhibited a superior electrochemical performance.
Long-circulating PEGylated manganese ferrite nanoparticles for MRI-based molecular imaging
Authors: Pernia Leal Manuel , Rivera-Fernández Sara , Franco Jaime M. , Pozo David , de la Fuente Jesús M. , García-Martín María Luisa
Published: December 2014

DualT1andT2MRI contrast agents based on PEGylated manganese ferrite nanoparticles with long circulation times.
Effect of the amino acid composition of cyclic peptides on their self-assembly in lipid bilayers
Authors: Danial Maarten , Perrier Sébastien , Jolliffe Katrina A.
Published: December 2014

The effect of amino acid composition on the formation of transmembrane channels in lipid bilayers upon self-assembly of alt-(l,d)-α-cyclic octapeptides has been investigated.
Phosphate modulates receptor sulfotyrosine recognition by the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2)
Authors: Ludeman Justin P. , Nazari-Robati Mahdieh , Wilkinson Brendan L. , Huang Cheng , Payne Richard J. , Stone Martin J.
Published: December 2014

Fluorescence anisotropy shows that the physiological buffer phosphate competes with a chemokine receptor sulfopeptide for binding to a cognate chemokine.
Synthesis of 1- and 4-substituted piperazin-2-ones via Jocic-type reactions with N-substituted diamines
Authors: Perryman Michael S. , Earl Matthew W. M. , Greatorex Sam , Clarkson Guy J. , Fox David J.
Published: December 2014

Enantiomerically-enriched trichloromethyl-containing alcohols are transformed regioselectively into enantiomerically-enriched 1-substituted piperazinones by modified Jocic reactions.
Synthesis, binding affinity and structure–activity relationships of novel, selective and dual targeting CCR2 and CCR5 receptor antagonists
Authors: Junker Anna , Kokornaczyk Artur K. , Zweemer Annelien J. M. , Frehland Bastian , Schepmann Dirk , Yamaguchi Junichiro , Itami Kenichiro , Faust Andreas , Hermann Sven , Wagner Stefan , Schäfers Michael , Koch Michael , Weiss Christina , Heitman Laura H. , Kopka Klaus , Wünsch Bernhard
Published: December 2014

Late-stage diversification led to selective chemokine CCR2 receptor antagonists and dual-targeting CCR2/CCR5 receptor antagonists.
A reactive molecular dynamics study on the anisotropic sensitivity in single crystal α-cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine
Authors: Zhou Ting-Ting , Zhang Yan-Geng , Lou Jian-Feng , Song Hua-Jie , Huang Feng-Lei
Published: December 2014

Anisotropic sensitivity is related to the different intermolecular steric arrangements across the slip plane induced by shock compression along various orientations.
One pot synthesis of mesoporous boron nitride using polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer
Authors: Maleki Mahdi , Beitollahi Ali , Lee Jinwoo , Shokouhimehr Mohammadreza , Javadpour Jafar , Park Eun Ju , Chun Jinyoung , Hwang Jongkook
Published: December 2014

We report a successful synthesis of Mesoporous Boron Nitride (MBN) powder through a facile one-pot synthesis strategy.
Improved hydrothermal stability of silica materials prepared from ethyl silicate 40
Authors: Wang Shengnan , Wang David K. , Jack Kevin S. , Smart Simon , Diniz da Costa João C.
Published: December 2014

Hydrothermally stable ES40-derived silica matrices with less than 30% pore volume loss are closely associated with a more open silica microstructure formed from thermal consolidation of larger silica particles.
A dual targeting cyclodextrin/gold nanoparticle conjugate as a scaffold for solubilization and delivery of paclitaxel
Authors: Chen Yong , Li Nan , Yang Yang , Liu Yu
Published: December 2014

A cyclodextrin/gold nanoparticle conjugate was constructed as a dual targeting scaffold for solubilization and delivery of anticancer drug paclitaxel.
Cubic Ag2O nanoparticle incorporated mesoporous silica with large bottle-neck like mesopores for the aerobic oxidative synthesis of disulfide
Authors: Das Paramita , Ray Suman , Bhaumik Asim , Banerjee Biplab , Mukhopadhyay Chhanda
Published: December 2014

Ag2O nanoparticle supported on silica with large bottle-neck like mesopores for the aerobic oxidative synthesis of disulphides in water.
A faux hawk fullerene with PCBM-like properties
Authors: San Long K. , Bukovsky Eric V. , Larson Bryon W. , Whitaker James B. , Deng S. H. M. , Kopidakis Nikos , Rumbles Garry , Popov Alexey A. , Chen Yu-Sheng , Wang Xue-Bin , Boltalina Olga V. , Strauss Steven H.
Published: December 2014

A fluorinated faux hawk fullerene with comparable OPV-relevant TRMC performance and far greater thermal stability than PCBM is reported.
The cyclic nature of porosity in anodic TiO2 nanotube arrays
Authors: Quitério P. , Apolinário A. , Sousa C. T. , Costa J. D. , Ventura J. , Araújo J. P.
Published: December 2014

A complex cyclic TiO2-NTs porosity trend throughout anodization was found, due to the microscopic mechanisms behind the nanotubes' formation and growth.
Magnetically separable CdFe2O4/graphene catalyst and its enhanced photocatalytic properties
Authors: Zhang Danfeng , Wang Qiong , Wang Lingling , Zhang Lei
Published: December 2014

Magnetically separable CdFe2O4/graphene was synthesized as a visible light photocatalyst for the effective degradation of dyes and pollutants.
Fe, Co, N-functionalized carbon nanotubes in situ grown on 3D porous N-doped carbon foams as a noble metal-free catalyst for oxygen reduction
Authors: Zhang Ruizhong , He Shuijian , Lu Yizhong , Chen Wei
Published: December 2014

3D Fe, Co, N-functionalized carbon nanotubes grown on carbon foam were fabricated and the hybrid exhibited high ORR electrocatalytic performance.
Synthesis of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 thin films using an aqueous spray-pyrolysis approach, and their solar cell efficiency of 10.5%
Authors: Hossain Md. Anower , Tianliang Zhang , Keat Lee Kian , Xianglin Li , Prabhakar Rajiv R. , Batabyal Sudip K. , Mhaisalkar Subodh G. , Wong Lydia H.
Published: December 2014

An aqueous spray-pyrolysis approach for synthesizing Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 thin film, which leads to 10.54% power conversion efficiency in solar cell, and shows ease of fabrication of films in large-scale at a much cheaper cost.
Quantitative investigation on the effect of hydrogenation on the performance of MnO2/H-TiO2 composite electrodes for supercapacitors
Authors: Cao X. Y. , Xing X. , Zhang N. , Gao H. , Zhang M. Y. , Shang Y. C. , Zhang X. T.
Published: December 2014

Based on the Mott–Schottky theory, the electron concentration of the as-synthesized nanostructures can be calculated by M–S plot.
TiO2 nanotube arrays loaded with reduced graphene oxide films: facile hybridization and promising photocatalytic application
Authors: Ge Ming-Zheng , Li Shu-Hui , Huang Jian-Ying , Zhang Ke-Qin , Al-Deyab Salem S. , Lai Yue-Kun
Published: December 2014

A facile combination of electrodeposition and carbonation techniques was adopted to deposit reduced graphene oxide nanaosheets on TiO2 nanotube arrays. The RGO-TiO2 NTAs demonstrated significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to pristine TiO2 NTAs and annealed TiO2 NTAs.
Multiple linker half-squarylium dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells; are two linkers better than one?
Authors: Connell Arthur , Holliman Peter J. , Jones Eurig W. , Furnell Leo , Kershaw Christopher , Davies Matthew L. , Gwenin Christopher D. , Pitak Mateusz B. , Coles Simon J. , Cooke Graeme
Published: December 2014

This paper studies the effects of different numbers of linkers on half-squaraine dyes in DSC devices.
Unravelling the pivotal role of Alix in MVB sorting and silencing of the activated EGFR
Authors: Sun Sheng , Zhou Xi , Zhang Wei , Gallick Gary E. , Kuang Jian
Published: December 2014

Endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-III-mediated membrane invagination and scission are a critical step in multivesicular body (MVB) sorting of ubiquitinated membrane receptors, and generally thought to be required for degradation of these receptors in lysosomes. The adaptor protein Alix is critically involved in multiple ESCRT-III-mediated, membrane-remodelling processes in mammalian cells. However, Alix knockdown does not inhibit degradation of the activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in mammalian cell lines, leading to a widely held notion that Alix is not critically involved in MVB sorting of ubiquitinated membrane receptors in mammalian cells. In the present study, we demonstrate that, despite its non-essential role in degradation of the activated EGFR, Alix plays a critical role in its MVB sorting and silencing Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation of mammalian cell lines induces Alix's interaction with the ubiquitinated EGFR via the Alix V domain, and increases Alix's association with membrane-bound charged multivesicular body protein 4 (CHMP4) via the Alix Bro1 domain. Under both continuous and pulse-chase EGF stimulation conditions, inhibition of Alix's interaction with membrane-bound CHMP4, inhibition of Alix dimerization through the V domain or Alix knockdown dramatically inhibits MVB sorting of the activated EGFR and promotes sustained activation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. Under the continuous EGF stimulation conditions, these cell treatments also retard degradation of the activated EGFR. These findings indicate that Alix is critically involved in MVB sorting of ubiquitinated membrane receptors in mammalian cells.
Carbon nanowall scaffold to control culturing of cervical cancer cells
Authors: Watanabe Hitoshi , Kondo Hiroki , Okamoto Yukihiro , Hiramatsu Mineo , Sekine Makoto , Baba Yoshinobu , Hori Masaru
Published: December 2014

The effect of carbon nanowalls (CNWs) on the culturing rate and morphological control of cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells) was investigated. CNWs with different densities were grown using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and subjected to post-growth plasma treatment for modification of the surface terminations. Although the surface wettability of the CNWs was not significantly dependent on the CNW densities, the cell culturing rates were significantly dependent. Morphological changes of the cells were not significantly dependent on the density of CNWs. These results indicate that plasma-induced surface morphology and chemical terminations enable nanobio applications using carbon nanomaterials.
Josephson magnetic rotary valve
Authors: Soloviev I. I. , Klenov N. V. , Bakurskiy S. V. , Bol'ginov V. V. , Ryazanov V. V. , Kupriyanov M. Yu. , Golubov A. A.
Published: December 2014

We propose a control element for a Josephson spin valve. It is a complex Josephson device containing ferromagnetic (F) layer in the weak-link area consisting of two regions, representing 0 and π Josephson junctions, respectively. The valve's state is defined by mutual orientations of the F-layer magnetization vector and boundary line between 0 and π sections of the device. We consider possible implementation of the control element by introduction of a thin normal metal layer in a part of the device area. By means of theoretical simulations, we study properties of the valve's structure as well as its operation, revealing such advantages as simplicity of control, high characteristic frequency, and good legibility of the basic states.
Scattering in graphene associated with charged out-of-plane impurities
Authors: Liu Yue , Goswami Aditi , Liu Feilong , Smith Darryl L. , Ruden P. Paul
Published: December 2014

A charged impurity outside the plane of a graphene layer contributes to scattering of electrons (and holes) in the graphene. The interaction occurs through two distinct mechanisms associated with the charge: (1) the (screened) Coulomb potential, and (2) the electric field perpendicular to the graphene plane that causes a spatially varying Rashba spin-orbit interaction. Both types of scattering are examined, with the screened potential self-consistently calculated in nonlinear Thomas-Fermi approximation. Different selection rules for the two mechanisms lead to qualitative differences in the differential scattering cross-sections. Using accepted parameters for the Rashba interaction, the latter is found to make only a very small contribution to the scattering associated with a remote charge.
Electrically tunable near-field radiative heat transfer via ferroelectric materials
Authors: Huang Yi , Boriskina Svetlana V. , Chen Gang
Published: December 2014

We explore ways to actively control near-field radiative heat transfer between two surfaces that relies on electrical tuning of phonon modes of ferroelectric materials. Ferroelectrics are widely used for tunable electrical devices, such as capacitors and memory devices; however, their tunable properties have not yet been examined for heat transfer applications. We show via simulations that radiative heat transfer between two ferroelectric materials can be enhanced by over two orders of magnitude over the blackbody limit in the near field, and can be tuned as much as 16.5% by modulating the coupling between surface phonon polariton modes at the two surfaces via varying external electric fields. We then discuss how to maximize the modulation contrast for tunable thermal devices using the studied mechanism.
Influence of in-plane and bridging oxygen vacancies of SnO2 nanostructures on CH4 sensing at low operating temperatures
Authors: Bonu Venkataramana , Das A. , Prasad Arun K. , Krishna Nanda Gopala , Dhara Sandip , Tyagi A. K.
Published: December 2014

Role of “O” defects in sensing pollutant with nanostructured SnO2 is not well understood, especially at low temperatures. SnO2 nanoparticles were grown by soft chemistry route followed by subsequent annealing treatment under specific conditions. Nanowires were grown by chemical vapor deposition technique. A systematic photoluminescence (PL) investigation of “O” defects in SnO2 nanostructures revealed a strong correlation between shallow donors created by the in-plane and the bridging “O” vacancies and gas sensing at low temperatures. These SnO2 nanostructures detected methane (CH4), a reducing and green house gas at a low temperature of 50 °C. Response of CH4 was found to be strongly dependent on surface defect in comparison to surface to volume ratio. Control over “O” vacancies during the synthesis of SnO2 nanomaterials, as supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and subsequent elucidation for low temperature sensing are demonstrated.
Polarized micro Raman scattering spectroscopy for curved edges of epitaxial graphene
Authors: Islam Md. Sherajul , Bhuiyan A. G. , Tanaka S. , Makino T. , Hashimoto A.
Published: December 2014

This letter performed polarized microscopic laser Raman scattering spectroscopy on the curved edges of transferred epitaxial graphene on SiO2/Si. The intensity ratio between the parallel and perpendicular polarized D band is evolved, providing a spectroscopy-based technique to probe the atomic-scale edge structures in graphene. A detailed analysis procedure for non-ideal disordered curved edges of graphene is developed combining the atomic-scale zigzag and armchair edge structures along with some point defects. These results could provide valuable information of the realistic edges of graphene at the atomic-scale that can strongly influence the performance of graphene-based nanodevices.
The equilibrium of neural firing: A mathematical theory
Authors: Lan Sizhong
Published: December 2014

Inspired by statistical thermodynamics, we presume that neuron system has equilibrium condition with respect to neural firing. We show that, even with dynamically changeable neural connections, it is inevitable for neural firing to evolve to equilibrium. To study the dynamics between neural firing and neural connections, we propose an extended communication system where noisy channel has the tendency towards fixed point, implying that neural connections are always attracted into fixed points such that equilibrium can be reached. The extended communication system and its mathematics could be useful back in thermodynamics.
Whiteboards and discharge traffic lights: visual management in acute care
Authors: O'Brien Lauri , Bassham Jane , Lewis Melissa
Published: December 2014

Flinders Medical Centre was experiencing issues with timely discharge and knowing the potential discharges and in-patient bed capacity for the next day. This case study describes the application of ‘visual management’ theory to discharge processes. The solutions developed were ‘patient journey boards’ and ‘discharge traffic lights’. The implementation of these visual management systems has enabled the hospital to improve its discharge processes. What is known about the topic? Communication is critical to the delivery of safe patient care. There is little in the literature on the use of visual management principles and techniques in healthcare. What does the paper add? This paper provides a brief overview of visual management principles and gives two case study examples showing the development and implementation of visual management systems in an acute hospital setting to promote safe and efficient patient care. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners can learn visual management principles and how these have been applied to an acute healthcare context.
Effects of capturing and collaring on polar bears: findings from long-term research on the southern Beaufort Sea population
Authors: Rode Karyn D. , Pagano Anthony M. , Bromaghin Jeffrey F. , Atwood Todd C. , Durner George M. , Simac Kristin S. , Amstrup Steven C.
Published: December 2014

Context
The potential for research methods to affect wildlife is an increasing concern among both scientists and the public. This topic has a particular urgency for polar bears because additional research is needed to monitor and understand population responses to rapid loss of sea ice habitat.

Aims
This study used data collected from polar bears sampled in the Alaska portion of the southern Beaufort Sea to investigate the potential for capture to adversely affect behaviour and vital rates. We evaluated the extent to which capture, collaring and handling may influence activity and movement days to weeks post-capture, and body mass, body condition, reproduction and survival over 6 months or more.

Methods
We compared post-capture activity and movement rates, and relationships between prior capture history and body mass, body condition and reproductive success. We also summarised data on capture-related mortality.

Key results
Individual-based estimates of activity and movement rates reached near-normal levels within 2–3 days and fully normal levels within 5 days post-capture. Models of activity and movement rates among all bears had poor fit, but suggested potential for prolonged, lower-level rate reductions. Repeated captures was not related to negative effects on body condition, reproduction or cub growth or survival. Capture-related mortality was substantially reduced after 1986, when immobilisation drugs were changed, with only 3 mortalities in 2517 captures from 1987–2013.

Conclusions
Polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea exhibited the greatest reductions in activity and movement rates 3.5 days post-capture. These shorter-term, post-capture effects do not appear to have translated into any long-term effects on body condition, reproduction, or cub survival. Additionally, collaring had no effect on polar bear recovery rates, body condition, reproduction or cub survival.

Implications
This study provides empirical evidence that current capture-based research methods do not have long-term implications, and are not contributing to observed changes in body condition, reproduction or survival in the southern Beaufort Sea. Continued refinement of capture protocols, such as the use of low-impact dart rifles and reversible drug combinations, might improve polar bear response to capture and abate short-term reductions in activity and movement post-capture.
Carbon-bearing iron phases and the carbon isotope composition of the deep Earth
Authors: Horita Juske , Polyakov Veniamin B.
Published: December 2014

Significance

Due to its bonding environments, carbon can make up numerous compounds with many other elements. However, the abundance and dynamics of carbon in the deep Earth remains uncertain due to its complex behavior during the primary accretion and differentiation of the Earth in its early history. The naturally occurring stable isotopes of carbon serve as a useful tracer to study the carbon cycle, both on the surface and in the deep Earth. Here, a new model is presented for understanding a first-order carbon cycle within the Earth, including the sources of the building blocks and core formation processes. Low carbon isotope compositions of carbonaceous materials from ancient rocks have to be used with a caution as biosignatures.
Exoplanet orbital eccentricity: Multiplicity relation and the Solar System
Authors: Limbach Mary Anne , Turner Edwin L.
Published: December 2014

Significance

The Solar System planets have near-circular orbits (i.e., unusually low eccentricity) compared with the known population of exoplanets, planets that orbit stars other than the Sun. This fact has been widely interpreted to indicate that the Solar System is an atypical member of the overall population of planetary systems. We find a strong anticorrelation of orbital eccentricity with the number of planets (multiplicity) in a system that extrapolates nicely to the eight-planet, Solar System case despite the fact that no more than two Solar System planets would be detectable in the sample in which the anticorrelation was discovered. Habitability may be more common in systems with a larger number of planets, which have lower typical eccentricities.
Maize
SBP-box
transcription factors
unbranched2
and
unbranched3
affect yield traits by regulating the rate of lateral primordia initiation
Authors: Chuck George S. , Brown Patrick J. , Meeley Robert , Hake Sarah
Published: December 2014

Significance

Crop yields are dependent on the number of lateral primordia made by the inflorescence. In maize
unbranched
mutants, excess lateral primordia are made at the expense of the stem cells located in the center of the meristem. Ultimately, the
unbranched
mutant meristem lacks enough cells to regenerate and thus, terminates prematurely. This study shows that the duplicate transcription factors
unbranched2
and
unbranched3
function together to decrease the rate of lateral primordia initiation, thus giving the stem cells of the meristem enough time to regenerate. Variants of the
unbranched3
gene affect different aspects of lateral primordia initiation that control crop yield.
The N- and C-terminal autolytic fragments of CAPN3/p94/calpain-3 restore proteolytic activity by intermolecular complementation
Authors: Ono Yasuko , Shindo Mayumi , Doi Naoko , Kitamura Fujiko , Gregorio Carol C. , Sorimachi Hiroyuki
Published: December 2014

Significance

CAPN3/p94/calpain-3, a calpain protease family member, has uniquely rapid and exhaustive autolytic activity. Here, we demonstrate that active protease core domain of CAPN3 is reconstituted by de novo intermolecular complementation (iMOC) between its two autolytic fragments. We also show that iMOC between one of the autolytic fragments and an unautolyzed full-length CAPN3 effectively generates autolytic activity. So far, CAPN3 is the only example of calpain that exhibits activity mediated by intermolecular complementation of its autolytic products. Mutations in the human CAPN3 gene cause limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A or calpainopathy). Understanding the genotype–phenotype links in the pathology of LGMD2A will be accelerated by incorporating iMOC-CAPN3 as one of active CAPN3 entities.
Structure of a pantothenate transporter and implications for ECF module sharing and energy coupling of group II ECF transporters
Authors: Zhang Minhua , Bao Zhihao , Zhao Qin , Guo Hui , Xu Ke , Wang Chengcheng , Zhang Peng
Published: December 2014

Significance

By determining the structure of a pantothenate energy-coupling factor (ECF) transporter,
Lb
ECF-PanT, we revealed the structural basis of how one EcfAA'T module can interact with different S subunits among group II ECF transporters. We also identified the residues that mediate the intermolecular conformational transmission and/or affect the transporter complex stability, and thus are essential for transporter activity. In addition, we identified the pantothenate-binding pocket and the residues constituting the pocket. Last but not least, we found that the structure of EcfT is dynamic and undergoes dramatic changes in the three different transporter complexes, which confer scaffold-mediating complex formations of the ECF module with various EcfS proteins. These findings are incorporated into an updated working model of the ECF transporter.
Mice deficient in Rbm38, a target of the p53 family, are susceptible to accelerated aging and spontaneous tumors
Authors: Zhang Jin , Xu Enshun , Ren Cong , Yan Wensheng , Zhang Min , Chen Mingyi , Cardiff Robert D. , Imai Denise M. , Wisner Erik , Chen Xinbin
Published: December 2014

Significance

RNA-binding motif protein 38 (Rbm38) is a target of the p53 family and modulates p53 expression via mRNA translation. However, the biological function of Rbm38 and the role of the p53-Rbm38 loop in tumor suppression have not been studied in vivo. Here, we show that mice deficient in
Rbm38
exhibit hematopoietic defects and are susceptible to spontaneous tumors and accelerated aging. Furthermore, we show that Rbm38 is critical for p53-mediated radiosensitivity and tumor suppression. Together, our results suggest that Rbm38 is necessary for normal hematopoiesis and for suppressing accelerated aging and tumorigenesis. In addition, the p53-Rbm38 axis might be explored for extending longevity and for tumor suppression.
Reinstatement of distributed cortical oscillations occurs with precise spatiotemporal dynamics during successful memory retrieval
Authors: Yaffe Robert B. , Kerr Matthew S. D. , Damera Srikanth , Sarma Sridevi V. , Inati Sara K. , Zaghloul Kareem A.
Published: December 2014

Significance

Our results represent significant contributions to understanding the neural mechanisms and spatiotemporal dynamics governing neural reinstatement in two important ways. First, by using a cued recall memory task, our paradigm offers experimental control over retrieval. We compare reinstatement during correct and incorrect retrieval, and provide evidence that retrieval recovers a gradually changing representation of temporal context. These data provide support for mental time travel hypothesized to underlie episodic memory. Second, leveraging the high temporal precision afforded by intracranial recordings, we investigate the precise timing of reinstatement and demonstrate that retrieval may reactivate cortical representations of a memory on a faster timescale than during encoding. Our data complement previous studies demonstrating faster replay of patterns associated with a prior episode.
Epigenetic targeting of activation-induced cytidine deaminase
Authors: Wang Qiao , Oliveira Thiago , Jankovic Mila , Silva Israel T. , Hakim Ofir , Yao Kaihui , Gazumyan Anna , Mayer Christian T. , Pavri Rushad , Casellas Rafael , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Robbiani Davide F.
Published: December 2014

Significance

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is a DNA modifying enzyme crucial for the generation of efficacious antibodies. AID also promiscuously introduces DNA lesions at cancer genes, leading to their chromosome translocation and lymphoma. However, how AID is recruited to these off targets is not well understood. Here, we compare AID-induced translocations in two different cell types, B cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. By analyzing the sites where AID is active in a cell type-specific manner, we find that, in addition to transcriptional activity, AID recruitment is mediated by specific epigenetic features associated with active enhancers and transcription elongation. Understanding AID’s targeting mechanism is a fundamental question of immunology with implications for the biology of cancer.
Cellular resolution optical access to brain regions in fissures: Imaging medial prefrontal cortex and grid cells in entorhinal cortex
Authors: Low Ryan J. , Gu Yi , Tank David W.
Published: December 2014

Significance

High-resolution optical tools provide unprecedented capabilities for probing brain function in behaving animals, but require the ability to deliver and collect light to and from the brain with high spatial precision. This has proven challenging in regions within deep fissures in the brain, including the medial prefrontal and medial entorhinal cortex (mPFC and MEC), which are of broad scientific and clinical interest. We developed a general method for optical access to brain regions situated within deep fissures, and demonstrate its use in the mPFC and MEC by optically measuring the activity of neurons in behaving mice. In the MEC, we recorded the activity of grid cells—a widely studied group of neurons important for memory and spatial information processing—while mice navigated in a virtual reality environment.
Electrically pumped semiconductor laser with monolithic control of circular polarization
Authors: Rauter Patrick , Lin Jiao , Genevet Patrice , Khanna Suraj P. , Lachab Mohammad , Giles Davies A. , Linfield Edmund H. , Capasso Federico
Published: December 2014

Significance

As powerful semiconductor laser sources open up new possibilities for the realization of compact and versatile spectroscopy and detection systems, monolithic control of the laser output characteristics becomes essential. Whereas engineering of spectral characteristics and beam shape has reached a high level of maturity, manipulation of the polarization state remains challenging. We present a method for monolithic control of the degree of circular polarization by aperture antennas forming a surface-emitting grating on a semiconductor laser cavity and demonstrate its realization for a terahertz quantum cascade laser. Our approach is not limited to the terahertz regime and paves the way to an increased functionality and customizability of monolithic laser sources for a variety of applications (e.g., vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy).
Kant on conic sections
Authors: Laywine Alison
Published: December 2014

This paper tries to make sense of Kant’s scattered remarks about conic sections to see what light they shed on his philosophy of mathematics. It proceeds by confronting his remarks with the source that seems to have informed his thinking about conic sections: the Conica of Apollonius. The paper raises questions about Kant’s attitude towards mathematics and the way he understood the cognitive resources available to us to do mathematics.
Smart Phones and Social Bonds: Communication Technology and Inter-Ethnic Cooperation in Kenya
Authors: Martin-Shields Charles , Stones Elizabeth
Published: December 2014

The expansion of access to mobile phones in the developing world has provided new opportunities for development and peacebuilding institutions to reach communities, and for communities to develop local development and peacebuilding solutions. Kenya has seen a particularly high concentration of programming geared towards using mobile phones for banking, election monitoring and violence prevention, using crowdsourcing methods to collect and share information. While there have been a number of notable crowdsourcing programmes that have been successful at preventing violence, there remains limited theorisation in the peacebuilding community about why these successes occurred. Using Fearon and Laitin's (American Political Science Review 90 [1996]: 715–795) models of inter-ethnic cooperation, intra-group organising and inter-group policing, we explore whether success in crowdsourcing for violence prevention is a function of direct intra-community organising, or is an outcome of previously unavailable information being broadcast on traditional media such as radio.
Vertigo in downhill mountain biking and road cycling
Authors: Lion Alexis , Vibert Dominique , Bosser Gilles , Gauchard Gérome C. , Perrin Philippe P.
Published: December 2014

Vertigo has been described after the practice of mountain bike. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of vertigo following competitions or training sessions of downhill mountain biking (DMB) or road cycling (RC). One hundred and two DMB riders, 79 road cyclists and 73 control participants filled in a survey intended to evaluate the prevalence of vertigo in daily living activities and following competitions or training sessions. Vertigo causal factors (crashes, head trauma, fatigue, characteristics of the path/road ridden) were recorded. DMB riders and road cyclists did not report more vertigo during daily living activities than controls. But DMB riders older than 30 had more risk to report vertigo than age‐matched road cyclists (OR: 5.06, 95% CI: 1.23–20.62). Road cyclists aged between 20 and 29 were 2.59‐fold (95% CI: 1.06–6.27) more likely to report vertigo than controls. After competitions and training sessions, DMB riders were 2.33‐fold (95% CI: 1.22–4.41) more likely to report vertigo than road cyclists. Vertigo causal factors were crash with head trauma in DMB riders and fatigue in road cyclists. Vertigo during daily living activities may be of concern for cyclists, particularly older DMB riders. The accumulation of impacts (crashes, vibrations) during the career of a DMB rider may generate micro‐traumatisms of the central nervous system and/or peripheral vestibular structures, particularly the otolith organs. In RC, the pathophysiological mechanisms generating vertigo might be effort‐related disturbance of homeostasis. To avoid injuries, DMB riders should be aware that vertigo may occur at the end of training sessions or competitions.
Intrinsic opposition in the debate on New Caledonian independence: a critical discourse analysis
Authors: Lecompte-Van Poucke Margo
Published: December 2014

This paper analyses part of the discourse of the ongoing independence debate between France and New Caledonia by combining Systemic Functional Linguistics and Pragma-Dialectics. It is shown how two politicians, as representatives of a more dominant social group, attempt to influence and change the social representations of the Kanak minority in order to obtain a preferred outcome by persuasively arguing their case through the use of both shared and inferred knowledge. It will become clear that tacit knowledge seems to be taken for granted by the French protagonists and that the negotiation process does not appear to constitute a cooperative dialogue. The paper aims to clarify this process in order to demonstrate how highly incongruent goals and values on both sides can create an intrinsic opposition. A quantitative systemic functional analysis is integrated as linguistic evidence into a qualitative Critical Discourse Analysis to reconstruct and critically evaluate the arguments of three political actors, as representatives of the most significant discourse communities involved in the debate: independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou, former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and nickel magnate Jacques Lafleur. Shared knowledge appears to be wielded as a rhetorical ploy by the latter two to achieve free association with France.
Neutrophils are required for both the sensitization and elicitation phase of contact hypersensitivity
Authors: Weber Felix C. , Németh Tamás , Csepregi Janka Z. , Dudeck Anne , Roers Axel , Ozsvári Béla , Oswald Eva , Puskás László G. , Jakob Thilo , Mócsai Attila , Martin Stefan F.
Published: December 2014

Allergic contact dermatitis and its animal model, contact hypersensitivity (CHS), are T cell–mediated inflammatory skin diseases induced by contact allergens. Though numerous cellular and molecular players are known, the mechanism of chemical-induced sensitization remains poorly understood. Here, we identify neutrophils as crucial players in the sensitization phase of CHS. Genetic deficiency of neutrophils caused by myeloid-specific deletion of Mcl-1 or antibody-mediated depletion of neutrophils before sensitization abrogated the CHS response. Neutrophil deficiency reduced contact allergen-induced cytokine production, gelatinase release, and reactive oxygen species production in naive mice. Mast cell deficiency inhibited neutrophil accumulation at the site of sensitization. In turn, neutrophils were required for contact allergen-induced release of further neutrophil-attracting chemokines, migration of DCs to the draining lymph nodes, and priming of allergen-specific T cells. Lymph node cells from mice sensitized in the absence of neutrophils failed to transfer sensitization to naive recipients. Furthermore, no CHS response could be induced when neutrophils were depleted before elicitation or when normally sensitized lymph node cells were transferred to neutrophil-deficient recipients, indicating an additional role for neutrophils in the elicitation phase. Collectively, our data identify neutrophils to be critically involved in both the sensitization and elicitation phase of CHS.
Modulation of CFTR gating by permeant ions
Authors: Yeh Han-I , Yeh Jiunn-Tyng , Hwang Tzyh-Chang
Published: December 2014

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is unique among ion channels in that after its phosphorylation by protein kinase A (PKA), its ATP-dependent gating violates microscopic reversibility caused by the intimate involvement of ATP hydrolysis in controlling channel closure. Recent studies suggest a gating model featuring an energetic coupling between opening and closing of the gate in CFTR’s transmembrane domains and association and dissociation of its two nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs). We found that permeant ions such as nitrate can increase the open probability (Po) of wild-type (WT) CFTR by increasing the opening rate and decreasing the closing rate. Nearly identical effects were seen with a construct in which activity does not require phosphorylation of the regulatory domain, indicating that nitrate primarily affects ATP-dependent gating steps rather than PKA-dependent phosphorylation. Surprisingly, the effects of nitrate on CFTR gating are remarkably similar to those of VX-770 (N-(2,4-Di-tert-butyl-5-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide), a potent CFTR potentiator used in clinics. These include effects on single-channel kinetics of WT CFTR, deceleration of the nonhydrolytic closing rate, and potentiation of the Po of the disease-associated mutant G551D. In addition, both VX-770 and nitrate increased the activity of a CFTR construct lacking NBD2 (ΔNBD2), indicating that these gating effects are independent of NBD dimerization. Nonetheless, whereas VX-770 is equally effective when applied from either side of the membrane, nitrate potentiates gating mainly from the cytoplasmic side, implicating a common mechanism for gating modulation mediated through two separate sites of action.
Resistant Starch Formation in Tortillas from an Ecological Nixtamalization Process
Authors: Santiago‐Ramos David , Figueroa‐Cárdenas Juan de Dios , Véles‐Medina José Juan , Mariscal‐Moreno Rosa María , Reynoso‐Camacho Rosalía , Ramos‐Gómez Minerva , Gaytán‐Martínez Marcela , Morales‐Sánchez Eduardo
Published: December 2014

The objective of this work was to study the formation of resistant starch (RS) in tortillas from an ecological nixtamalization process compared with the traditional nixtamalization process. The RS increased through all the steps of tortilla production. It was found that the increase of the RS corresponds mainly to the formation of RS5 (V‐amylose‐lipid complex), but in tortillas two major types of RS coexist: RS5 and RS3 (retrograded starch). In general, tortillas from the ecological nixtamalization process gave higher values of protein, lipids, total dietary fiber, insoluble fiber, soluble fiber, and RS compared with tortillas from the traditional nixtamalization process and commercial flour. The highest glycemic index (GI) occurred in the tortillas from commercial flour, whereas tortillas from 0.4% CaCO3 and 0.6% CaSO4 were classified as medium‐GI (GI 50–70). Tortillas from 0.6% CaCl2 had the lowest value of GI. The ecological nixtamalization processes caused significant differences in quality and nutritional properties of tortillas.
Population Genomics Analysis of Legume Host Preference for Specific Rhizobial Genotypes in theRhizobium leguminosarumbv.viciaeSymbioses
Authors: Jorrin Beatriz , Imperial Juan
Published: December 2014

Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae establishes root nodule symbioses with several legume genera. Although most isolates are equally effective in establishing symbioses with all host genera, previous evidence suggests that hosts select specific rhizobial genotypes among those present in the soil. We have used population genomics to further investigate this observation. Pisum sativum, Lens culinaris, Vicia sativa, and V. faba plants were used to trap rhizobia from a well-characterized soil, and pooled genomic DNA from 100 isolates from each plant were sequenced. Sequence reads were aligned to the R. leguminosarum bv. viciae 3841 reference genome. High overall conservation of sequences was observed in all subpopulations, although several multigenic regions were absent from the soil population. A large fraction (16 to 22%) of sequence reads could not be recruited to the reference genome, suggesting that they represent sequences specific to that particular soil population. Although highly conserved, the 16S to 23S ribosomal RNA gene region presented single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) regarding the reference genome, but no striking differences could be found among plant-selected subpopulations. Plant-specific SNP patterns were, however, clearly observed within the nod gene cluster, supporting the existence of a plant preference for specific rhizobial genotypes. This was also shown after genome-wide analysis of SNP patterns.
Disease Severity Estimates—Effects of Rater Accuracy and Assessment Methods for Comparing Treatments
Authors: Bock C. H. , El Jarroudi M. , Kouadio L. A. , Mackels C. , Chiang K.-S. , Delfosse P.
Published: December 2014

Assessment of disease severity is required for several purposes in plant pathology; most often, the estimates are made visually. It is established that visual estimates can be inaccurate and unreliable. The ramifications of biased or imprecise estimates by raters have not been fully explored using empirical data, partly because of the logistical difficulties involved in different raters assessing the same leaves for which actual disease has been measured in a replicated experiment with multiple treatments. In this study, nearest percent estimates (NPEs) of Septoria leaf blotch (SLB) on leaves of winter wheat from nontreated and fungicide-treated plots were assessed in both 2006 and 2007 by four raters and compared with assumed actual values measured using image analysis. Lin’s concordance correlation (LCC, ρc) was used to assess agreement between the two approaches. NPEs were converted to Horsfall-Barratt (HB) midpoints and were compared with actual values. The estimates of SLB severity from fungicide-treated and nontreated plots were analyzed using generalized linear mixed modeling to ascertain effects of rater using both the NPE and HB values. Rater 1 showed good accuracy (ρc = 0.986 to 0.999), while raters 3 and 4 were less accurate (ρc = 0.205 to 0.936). Conversion to the HB scale had little effect on bias but reduced numerically both precision and accuracy for most raters on most assessment dates (precision, r = −0.001 to −0.132; and accuracy, ρc = −0.003 to −0.468). Interrater reliability was also reduced slightly by conversion of estimates to HB midpoint values. Estimates of mean SLB severity were significantly different between image analysis and raters 2, 3, and 4, and there were frequently significant differences among raters (F = 151 to 1,260, P = 0.001 to P < 0.0001). Only on 26 June 2007 did conversion to the HB scale change the means separation ranking of rater estimates. Nonetheless, image analysis and all raters were able to differentiate control and treated-plot treatments (F = 116 to 1,952, P = 0.002 to P < 0.0001, depending on date and rater). Conversion of NPEs to the HB scale tended to reduce F values slightly (2006: NPEs, F = 116 to 276, P = 0.002 to 0.0005; and, for the HB-converted values, F = 101 to 270, P = 0.002 to 0.0005; 2007: NPEs, F = 164 to 1,952, P = 0.001 to P < 0.0001; and, for HB-converted values, F = 126 to 1,633, P = 0.002 to P < 0.0001). The results reaffirm the need for accurate and reliable disease assessment to minimize over- or underestimates compared with actual disease, and the data we present support the view that, where multiple raters are deployed, they should be assigned in a manner to reduce any potential effect of rater differences on the analysis.