bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association study of subcortical brain volume in PTSD cases and trauma-exposed controls
Authors: Morey Rajendra A. , Davis Sarah L. , Garrett Melanie E. , Haswell Courtney C. ,   Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Workgroup, Marx Christine E. , Beckham Jean C. , McCarthy Gregory , Hauser Michael A. , Ashley-Koch Allison E.
Published: November 2017

Depending on the traumatic event, a significant fraction of trauma survivors subsequently develop PTSD. The additional variability in PTSD risk is expected to arise from genetic susceptibility. Unfortunately, several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have failed to identify a consistent genetic marker for PTSD. The heritability of intermediate phenotypes such as regional brain volumes is often 80% or higher. We conducted a GWAS of subcortical brain volumes in a sample of recent military veteran trauma survivors (n = 157), grouped into PTSD (n = 66) and non-PTSD controls (n = 91). Covariates included PTSD diagnosis, sex, intracranial volume, ancestry, childhood trauma, SNP×PTSD diagnosis, and SNP×childhood trauma. We identified several genetic markers in high linkage disequilibrium (LD) with rs9373240 (p = 2.0 × 10−7, FDR q = 0.0375) that were associated with caudate volume. We also observed a significant interaction between rs9373240 and childhood trauma (p-values = 0.0007–0.002), whereby increased trauma exposure produced a stronger association between SNPs and increased caudate volume. We identified several SNPs in high LD with rs34043524, which is downstream of the TRAM1L1 gene that were associated with right lateral ventricular volume (p = 1.73 × 10−7; FDR q = 0.032) and were also associated with lifetime alcohol abuse or dependence (p = 2.49 × 10−7; FDR q = 0.0375). Finally, we identified several SNPs in high LD with rs13140180 (p = 2.58 × 10−7; FDR q = .0016), an intergenic region on chromosome 4, and several SNPs in the TMPRSS15 associated with right nucleus accumbens volume (p = 2.58 × 10−7; FDR q = 0.017). Both TRAM1L1 and TMPRSS15 have been previously implicated in neuronal function. Key results survived genome-wide multiple-testing correction in our sample. Leveraging neuroimaging phenotypes may offer a shortcut, relative to clinical phenotypes, in mapping the genetic architecture and neurobiological pathways of PTSD.
3D genome of multiple myeloma reveals spatial genome disorganization associated with copy number variations
Authors: Wu Pengze , Li Tingting , Li Ruifeng , Jia Lumeng , Zhu Ping , Liu Yifang , Chen Qing , Tang Daiwei , Yu Yuezhou , Li Cheng
Published: November 2017

The Hi-C method is widely used to study the functional roles of the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of genomes. Here, we integrate Hi-C, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA-seq to study the 3D genome architecture of multiple myeloma (MM) and how it associates with genomic variation and gene expression. Our results show that Hi-C interaction matrices are biased by copy number variations (CNVs) and can be used to detect CNVs. Also, combining Hi-C and WGS data can improve the detection of translocations. We find that CNV breakpoints significantly overlap with topologically associating domain (TAD) boundaries. Compared to normal B cells, the numbers of TADs increases by 25% in MM, the average size of TADs is smaller, and about 20% of genomic regions switch their chromatin A/B compartment types. In summary, we report a 3D genome interaction map of aneuploid MM cells and reveal the relationship among CNVs, translocations, 3D genome reorganization, and gene expression regulation.
Altered expression of metabolites and proteins in wild and caged fish exposed to wastewater effluents in situ
Authors: Simmons D. B. D. , Miller J. , Clarence S. , McCallum E. S. , Balshine S. , Chandramouli B. , Cosgrove J. , Sherry J. P.
Published: November 2017

Population growth has led to increased global discharges of wastewater. Contaminants that are not fully removed during wastewater treatment, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), may negatively affect aquatic ecosystems. PPCPs can bioaccumulate causing adverse health effects and behavioural changes in exposed fish. To assess the impact of PPCPs on wild fish, and to assess whether caged fish could be used as a surrogate for resident wild fish in future monitoring, we caged goldfish in a marsh affected by discharges of wastewater effluents (Cootes Paradise, Lake Ontario, Canada). We collected plasma from resident wild goldfish, and from goldfish that we caged in the marsh for three weeks. We analyzed the plasma proteome and metabolome of both wild and caged fish. We also compared proteomic and metabolic responses in caged and wild fish from the marsh to fish caged at a reference site (Jordan Harbour Conservation Area). We identified significant changes in expression of over 250 molecules that were related to liver necrosis, accumulation and synthesis of lipids, synthesis of cyclic AMP, and the quantity of intracellular calcium in fish from the wastewater affected marsh. Our results suggest that PPCPs could be affecting the health of wild fish populations.
Elucidating the in vivo interactome of HIV-1 RNA by hybridization capture and mass spectrometry
Authors: Knoener Rachel A. , Becker Jordan T. , Scalf Mark , Sherer Nathan M. , Smith Lloyd M.
Published: November 2017

HIV-1 replication requires myriad interactions between cellular proteins and the viral unspliced RNA. These interactions are important in archetypal RNA processes such as transcription and translation as well as for more specialized functions including alternative splicing and packaging of unspliced genomic RNA into virions. We present here a hybridization capture strategy for purification of unspliced full-length HIV RNA-protein complexes preserved in vivo by formaldehyde crosslinking, and coupled with mass spectrometry to identify HIV RNA-protein interactors in HIV-1 infected cells. One hundred eighty-nine proteins were identified to interact with unspliced HIV RNA including Rev and Gag/Gag-Pol, 24 host proteins previously shown to bind segments of HIV RNA, and over 90 proteins previously shown to impact HIV replication. Further analysis using siRNA knockdown techniques against several of these proteins revealed significant changes to HIV expression. These results demonstrate the utility of the approach for the discovery of host proteins involved in HIV replication. Additionally, because this strategy only requires availability of 30 nucleotides of the HIV-RNA for hybridization with a capture oligonucleotide, it is readily applicable to any HIV system of interest regardless of cell type, HIV-1 virus strain, or experimental perturbation.
Connectivity motifs of inhibitory neurons in the mouse Auditory Cortex
Authors: Oviedo Hysell V.
Published: November 2017

Connectivity determines the function of neural circuits and it is the gateway to behavioral output. The emergent properties of the Auditory Cortex (ACx) have been difficult to unravel partly due to our assumption that it is organized similarly to other sensory areas. But detailed investigations of its functional connectivity have begun to reveal significant differences from other cortical areas that perform different functions. Using Laser Scanning Photostimulation we previously discovered unique circuit features in the ACx. Specifically, we found that the functional asymmetry of the ACx (tonotopy and isofrequency axes) is reflected in the local circuitry of excitatory inputs to Layer 3 pyramidal neurons. In the present study we extend the functional wiring diagram of the ACx with an investigation of the connectivity patterns of inhibitory subclasses. We compared excitatory input to parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SOM)-expressing interneurons and found distinct circuit-motifs between and within these subpopulations. Moreover, these connectivity motifs emerged as intrinsic differences between the left and right ACx. Our results support a functional circuit based approach to understand the role of inhibitory neurons in auditory processing.
“Carboranyl-cysteine”—Synthesis, Structure and Self-Assembly Behavior of a Novel α-Amino Acid
Authors: He Tianyu , Misuraca Jennifer C. , Musah Rabi A.
Published: November 2017

Substitution of the thiol proton in cysteine withm-carborane furnished 2-amino-3-(1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecacarboranyl-1-thio)propanoic acid (3), a boron cluster amino acid that exhibits self-assembly to form micron-sized constructs. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that ethanol solutions of3form floret-shaped constructs, while fibrillar architectures are formed in water. Furthermore, slow evaporation of methanol solutions of3produced crystals whose structure was revealed by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure shows that the hydrogen bonding interactions between pairs of3result in the formation of bilayers of 174 Å in length. The orientation of the clusters is not random in the crystal structure, such that the side-by-side aligned polyhedra are offset by 158 degrees. The material was characterized by FT-IR, NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry and dynamic light scattering. Circular dichroism studies indicated that self-assembly occurs at concentrations as low as 0.01 μM. This represents the first demonstration of self-assembly of a carborane-based molecule in the absence of metals. The amino acid motif provides opportunities for the controlled synthesis of extended multimeric units with tunable properties and the potential for applications in biology, medicine and materials chemistry.
Mouse papillomavirus infection persists in mucosal tissues of an immunocompetent mouse strain and progresses to cancer
Authors: Cladel Nancy M. , Budgeon Lynn R. , Balogh Karla K. , Cooper Timothy K. , Brendle Sarah A. , Christensen Neil D. , Schell Todd D. , Hu Jiafen
Published: November 2017

Mouse papillomavirus has shown broad tissue tropism in nude mice. Previous studies have tested cutaneous infections in different immunocompromised and immunocompetent mouse strains. In the current study, we examined mucosal infection in several immunocompetent and immunocompromised mouse strains. Viral DNA was monitored periodically by Q-PCR of lavage samples. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to determine viral capsid protein and viral DNA respectively. All athymic nude mouse strains showed active infections at both cutaneous and mucosal sites. Interestingly, NOD/SCID mice, which have a deficiency in T, B, and NK cells, showed minimal disease at cutaneous sites but developed persistent infection at the mucosal sites including those of the anogenital region and the oral cavity. Three strains of immunocompetent mice supported mucosal infections. Infections of the lower genital tract in heterozygous (immunocompetent) mice of the NU/J strain progressed to high grade dysplasia and to carcinoma in situ. Anti-MmuPV1 neutralizing antibodies were detected in the sera of all immunocompetent animals. Our findings demonstrate that the mucosae may be the preferred sites for this virus in mice. The mouse model is expected to be a valuable model for the study of mucosal papillomavirus disease, progression, and host immune control.
Long-term drug modification to the surface of mesenchymal stem cells by the avidin-biotin complex method
Authors: Takayama Yukiya , Kusamori Kosuke , Hayashi Mika , Tanabe Noriko , Matsuura Satoru , Tsujimura Mari , Katsumi Hidemasa , Sakane Toshiyasu , Nishikawa Makiya , Yamamoto Akira
Published: November 2017

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have various functions, making a significant contribution to tissue repair. On the other hand, the viability and function of MSCs are not lasting after an in vivo transplant, and the therapeutic effects of MSCs are limited. Although various chemical modification methods have been applied to MSCs to improve their viability and function, most of conventional drug modification methods are short-term and unstable and cause cytotoxicity. In this study, we developed a method for long-term drug modification to C3H10T1/2 cells, murine mesenchymal stem cells, without any damage, using the avidin-biotin complex method (ABC method). The modification of NanoLuc luciferase (Nluc), a reporter protein, to C3H10T1/2 cells by the ABC method lasted for at least 14 days in vitro without major effects on the cellular characteristics (cell viability, cell proliferation, migration ability, and differentiation ability). Moreover, in vivo, the surface Nluc modification to C3H10T1/2 cells by the ABC method lasted for at least 7 days. Therefore, these results indicate that the ABC method may be useful for long-term surface modification of drugs and for effective MSC-based therapy.
Correlations between gut microbiota community structures of Tibetans and geography
Authors: Lan Daoliang , Ji Wenhui , Lin Baoshan , Chen Yabing , Huang Cai , Xiong Xianrong , Fu Mei , Mipam Tserang Donko , Ai Yi , Zeng Bo , Li Ying , Cai Zhixin , Zhu Jiangjiang , Zhang Dawei , Li Jian
Published: November 2017

Microbial communities of human gut directly influence health and bear adaptive potential to different geography environment and lifestyles. However, knowledge about the influences of altitude and geography on the gut microbiota of Tibetans is currently limited. In this study, fecal microbiota from 208 Tibetans across six different locations were analyzed by MiSeq sequencing; these locations included Gannan, Gangcha, Tianzhu, Hongyuan, Lhasa and Nagqu, with altitudes above sea level ranging from 2800 m to 4500 m across the Tibetan plateau. Significant differences were observed in microbial diversity and richness in different locations. At the phylum level, gut populations of Tibetans comprised Bacteroidetes (60.00%), Firmicutes (29.04%), Proteobacteria (5.40%), and Actinobacteria (3.85%) and were marked by a low ratio (0.48) of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. Analysis based on operational taxonomic unit level revealed that core microbiotas included Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, and Blautia, whereas Prevotella predominated all locations, except Gangcha. Four community state types were detected in all samples, and they mainly belong to Prevotella, Bacteroides, and Ruminococcaceae. Principal component analysis and related correspondence analysis results revealed that bacterial profiles in Tibetan guts varied significantly with increasing altitude, BMI, and age, and facultative anaerobes were rich in Tibetan guts. Gut microbiota may play important roles in regulating high-altitude and geographical adaptations.
A nonlinear approach to identify pathological change of thyroid nodules based on statistical analysis of ultrasound RF signals
Authors: Xu Huan , Liu Chunrui , Yang Ping , Tu Juan , Yang Bin , Zhang Dong
Published: November 2017

In order to reassure the majority of patients with benign nodules from unnecessary needle biopsy, there is an increasing clinical requirement to identify benign and malignant thyroid nodules during ultrasound diagnosis. A nonlinear approach based on statistical analysis of ultrasound radio-frequency (RF) signals was developed for differential diagnosing the thyroid nodules to improve the diagnostic accuracy. Data from 44 patients with solitary thyroid nodules were collected, following with the ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) as the ground truth. The relative P-value (rP-value) was estimated to quantify the pathophysiologic changes by comparing the region of interest (ROI) with the no pathological change part in the thyroid gland using only one frame of raw RF data. The malignant nodules were distinguished from benign ones with high accuracy and high credibility (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 80%). Suspicious nodules (rP-value < 0.5) could be picked out for FNA with no additional instruments. This method shows promising in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules, subsequently avoiding unnecessary biopsies.
Salmonella small RNA fragment Sal-1 facilitates bacterial survival in infected cells via suppressing iNOS induction in a microRNA manner
Authors: Zhao Chihao , Zhou Zhen , Zhang Tianfu , Liu Fenyong , Zhang Chen-Yu , Zen Ke , Gu Hongwei
Published: November 2017

Salmonella can hijack host atypical miRNA processing machinery to cleave its small non-coding RNA into a ~22-nt RNA fragment, Sal-1, which facilitates Salmonella survival in the infected host. The mechanism through which Sal-1 promotes Salmonella survival, however, remains unknown. In the present study, we reported that Sal-1 targets cellular inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a miRNA manner, leading to attenuation of host cell iNOS/NO-mediated anti-microbial capacity. First, depletion of Sal-1 in Salmonella-infected epithelial cells significantly increased the iNOS level but not the levels of various inflammatory cytokines. Bioinformatics analysis and mutagenesis strategies were consistent with the identification of mRNA of iNOS as a target of Sal-1 in both human and mice. Second, western blot and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that Sal-1 suppressed iNOS expression in vitro and in vivo, thus reducing the production of NO. Finally, Sal-1 facilitating Salmonella survival through suppressing iNOS induction was confirmed in mouse model by expressing mutated iNOS that is not targeted by Sal-1 in mice colon. In conclusion, our study provides new insight into the pathogenic mechanism of intracellular bacteria to modulate host innate immune response.
Suitability of two distinct approaches for the high-throughput study of the post-embryonic effects of embryo-lethal mutations in Arabidopsis
Authors: Muñoz-Nortes Tamara , Candela Héctor , Micol José Luis
Published: November 2017

Several hundred genes are required for embryonic and gametophytic development in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, as inferred from the lethality of their mutations. Despite many of these genes are expressed throughout the plant life cycle, the corresponding mutants arrest at early stages, preventing the study of their post-embryonic functions by conventional methods. Clonal analysis represents an effective solution to this problem by uncovering the effects of embryo-lethal mutations in sectors of mutant cells within an otherwise normal adult plant. In this pilot study, we have evaluated the suitability of two sector induction methods for the large-scale study of the post-embryonic effects of embryo-lethal (emb) mutations in Arabidopsis. In line with the interests of our laboratory, we selected 24 emb mutations that damage genes that are expressed in wild-type vegetative leaves but whose effects on leaf development remain unknown. For the induction of mutant sectors in adult plants, we followed one approach based on the X-ray irradiation of ‘cell autonomy’ (CAUT) lines, and another based on the site-specific excision of transgenes mediated by Cre recombinase. We conclude that both methods are time-consuming and difficult to scale up, being better suited for the study of emb mutations on a case-by-case basis.
Learning the value of information and reward over time when solving exploration-exploitation problems
Authors: Cogliati Dezza Irene , Yu Angela J. , Cleeremans Axel , Alexander William
Published: November 2017

To flexibly adapt to the demands of their environment, animals are constantly exposed to the conflict resulting from having to choose between predictably rewarding familiar options (exploitation) and risky novel options, the value of which essentially consists of obtaining new information about the space of possible rewards (exploration). Despite extensive research, the mechanisms that subtend the manner in which animals solve this exploitation-exploration dilemma are still poorly understood. Here, we investigate human decision-making in a gambling task in which the informational value of each trial and the reward potential were separately manipulated. To better characterize the mechanisms that underlined the observed behavioural choices, we introduce a computational model that augments the standard reward-based reinforcement learning formulation by associating a value to information. We find that both reward and information gained during learning influence the balance between exploitation and exploration, and that this influence was dependent on the reward context. Our results shed light on the mechanisms that underpin decision-making under uncertainty, and suggest new approaches for investigating the exploration-exploitation dilemma throughout the animal kingdom.
Associations between childhood body size and seventeen adverse outcomes: analysis of 65,057 European women
Authors: Li Jingmei , Eriksson Mikael , He Wei , Hall Per , Czene Kamila
Published: November 2017

Large childhood body size has been consistently shown to be associated with decreased breast cancer risk. However, it is important to consider the effects of a large childhood body size on other adult diseases. It is not clear if the associations between childhood body size and adult diseases will persist if they later attain healthy weight. The associations between body size at age 7 and 17 adverse outcomes in adulthood were examined using Cox models in a Swedish study of 65,057 women. Large body size at age 7, when compared to small body size, was associated with decreased risk for breast cancer (HR [95% CI]: 0.81 [0.70–0.93]) and increased risks for anorexia (2.13 [1.63–2.77]) and bulimia (1.91 [1.35–2.70]). Neither adjusting for adult BMI nor restricting the dataset to lean adults (BMI < 25 kg/m2) attenuated the associations. While large body size at age 7 by itself was positively associated with increased risks of diabetes (1.34 [1.16–1.55]), PCOS (1.69 [1.13–2.51]) and hypertension (before age 60), the associations were no longer significant after controlling for adult BMI. No clear associations were found with the remaining adverse outcomes (cervical, uterine, melanoma, colon cancer, depression, ovarian cyst, stroke, hyperlipidemia, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris).
The positivity of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor may not be associated with metastasis and recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Chen Shouzhen , Dai Xujing , Gao Yifei , Shen Fang , Ding Jingxin , Chen Qi
Published: November 2017

The estrogen (ER) or progesterone receptors (PR) is positively associated with better clinical outcomes in ovarian cancer. Whether metastasis or recurrence of ovarian cancer is correlated with this association has not been investigated. Data on 894 women with epithelial ovarian cancer were collected and the association between ER or PR positivity and peritoneal or lymph node metastases or recurrence was analysed. ER or PR positivity was higher in high-grade, low-grade serous and endometrioid carcinoma, but lower in mucinous and clear-cell carcinoma. Significantly higher ER or PR positivity was seen in endometrioid carcinoma or high-grade serous carcinoma with peritoneal metastases, respectively, but not other subtypes. In addition, there was no significant difference in ER or PR positivity between cases with and without lymph node metastasis in these five subtypes. In recurrent high-grade serous carcinoma with peritoneal metastases (n = 103), the positivity of ER or PR was 86% and 55% respectively. Our data demonstrate that the association between ER or PR positivity and peritoneal metastases was only seen in endometrioid or high grade serous carcinoma, respectively. There was no association of ER or PR positivity and lymph node metastases. The majority of recurrent high-grade serous carcinoma with peritoneal metastases (86%) were ER positive.
A selective inhibition of c-Fos/activator protein-1 as a potential therapeutic target for intervertebral disc degeneration and associated pain
Authors: Makino Hiroto , Seki Shoji , Yahara Yasuhito , Shiozawa Shunichi , Aikawa Yukihiko , Motomura Hiraku , Nogami Makiko , Watanabe Kenta , Sainoh Takeshi , Ito Hisakatsu , Tsumaki Noriyuki , Kawaguchi Yoshiharu , Yamazaki Mitsuaki , Kimura Tomoatsu
Published: November 2017

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a major cause of low back pain. The transcription factor c-Fos/Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) controls the expression of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that contribute to the pathogenesis IVD degeneration. We investigated the effects of inhibition of c-Fos/AP-1 on IVD degeneration and associated pain. A selective inhibitor, T-5224, significantly suppressed the interleukin-1β-induced up-regulation ofMmp-3, Mmp-13andAdamts-5transcription in human nucleus pulposus cells and in a mouse explant culture model of IVD degeneration. We used a tail disc percutaneous needle puncture method to further assess the effects of oral administration of T-5224 on IVD degeneration. Analysis of disc height, T2-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and histology revealed that IVD degeneration was significantly mitigated by T-5224. Further, oral administration of T-5224 ameliorated pain as indicated by the extended tail-flick latency in response to heat stimulation of rats with needle-puncture-induced IVD degeneration. These findings suggest that the inhibition of c-Fos/AP-1 prevents disc degeneration and its associated pain and that T-5224 may serve as a drug for the prevention of IVD degeneration.
Study of THz-Plasmon hybridization of a loop Yagi-Uda absorber
Authors: Pattanayak Arnab , Roy Sandipta , Rana Goutam , Duttagupta Siddhartha P. , Achanta Venu Gopal , Prabhu S. S.
Published: November 2017

In this article we present a three-dimensional loop Yagi-Uda array for efficient, polarization independent and directional absorption of THz radiation over a narrow frequency range (f0 = 0.657 THz & Q factor = 7.5). Unit cell of the array consists of three vertically stacked gold micro rings separated from each other by 30 µm thick SU-8 layers. The proposed array also exhibits a filtering response in its transmittance spectrum. The characteristics are explained by plasmon hybridization method. The transmission, reflection and absorption spectra of the structure are measured and they show a good agreement with corresponding simulated results.
In vitroassessment of sex steroids and related compounds in water and sediments – a critical review
Authors: Wangmo Chimi , Jarque Sergio , Hilscherová Klára , Bláha Luděk , Bittner Michal
Published: November 2017

Detection of endocrine disrupting compounds in water and sediment samples has gained much importance since the evidence of their effects was reported in aquatic ecosystems in the 1990s.
Musa paradisiaca inflorescence induces human colon cancer cell death by modulating cascades of transcriptional events
Authors: K. B. Arun , Madhavan Aravind , T. R. Reshmitha , Thomas Sithara , Nisha P.
Published: November 2017

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death, and diet plays an important role in the etiology of CRC.
Pyrazole synthesis via a cascade Sonogashira coupling/cyclization of N-propargyl sulfonylhydrazones
Authors: Yang Ying , Hu Zi-Lin , Li Ren-Hao , Chen Yi-Hui , Zhan Zhuang-Ping
Published: November 2017

An efficient approach for the preparation of pyrazoles via a Pd(ii)/Cu(i)-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling/cyclization of N-propargyl sulfonylhydrazones has been established.
Thiocarbamoyl in synthesis of the absorbent bis-mono and dimethine cyanine dyes incorporating porphyrin, thiazoles, thiazolones, thiadiazoles, pyrazoles and pyrazolones
Authors: El-Mekawy Rasha E. , Fadda A. A.
Published: November 2017

The work deals with the synthesis of pyridinium salt1which used as starting material to synthesize the corresponding thiocarbamoyl derivative3.
Comparison of phytolith-occluded carbon in 51 main cultivated rice (Oryzasativa) cultivars of China
Authors: Sun Xing , Liu Qin , Zhao Gengmao , Chen Xiang , Tang Tongtong , Xiang Yuyong
Published: November 2017

In this study, the carbon (i.e., C) bio-sequestration within phytoliths (PhytOC) in 51 rice cultivars was evaluated to breed cultivars with a high efficiency of carbon sequestration in phytoliths and high productivity.
A wireless smart UV accumulation patch based on conductive polymer and CNT composites
Authors: Wen Dandan , Liu Yumeng , Yue Chuang , Li Jing , Cai Weihua , Liu Huiliang , Li Xiaoqian , Bai Feiming , Zhang Huaiwu , Lin Liwei
Published: November 2017

A wearable, highly sensitive, and wireless UV patch was successfully fabricated to record the accumulative UV radiation in terms of resistance.
Controllable synthesis of 3D hierarchical Co3O4 nanocatalysts with various morphologies for the catalytic oxidation of toluene
Authors: Ren Quanming , Mo Shengpeng , Peng Ruosi , Feng Zhentao , Zhang Mingyuan , Chen Limin , Fu Mingli , Wu Junliang , Ye Daiqi
Published: November 2017

Morphology plays an important role in the physicochemical properties and catalytic activity of Co3O4 catalysts.
Use of chitosan to reinforce transparent conductive cellulose nanopaper
Authors: Zhang Huaiyu , Shi Liyi , Feng Xin
Published: November 2017

Transparent conductive cellulose nanopaper with improved mechanical properties and chemical corrosion stability was assembled using nanocrystalline cellulose crosslinked with chitosan.
Which Preschool Children With Specific Language Impairment Receive Language Intervention?
Authors: Wittke Kacie , Spaulding Tammie J.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Potential biases in service provision for preschool children with specific language impairment (SLI) were explored.

Method

In Study 1, children with SLI receiving treatment (SLI-T) and those with SLI not receiving treatment (SLI-NT) were compared on demographic characteristics and developmental abilities. Study 2 recruited children with articulation disorders receiving treatment (ARTIC-T) to determine if knowing service provision status influenced the results of Study 1.

Results

In Study 1, the SLI-T group was rated by teachers as having poorer executive functioning than children in the SLIT-NT group, and the SLI-T group also came from families whose mothers had more education. These 2 variables alone predicted SLI-T and SLI-NT group membership with 84% accuracy. In Study 2, the ARTIC-T group were perceived as having comparable executive functioning to the SLI-NT group and better than the SLI-T group, indicating that teachers' knowledge of service provision did not influence their ratings of children's executive functioning.

Discussion

Preschool children with SLI, whose mothers have higher education levels and whose teachers perceive them as having poorer executive functioning, are more likely to receive intervention. Recognizing service delivery biases is critical for improving early provision of intervention for this population.
Dual‐layer partially reflective surface antennas based on extended size unit cells for 60 GHz band WLAN/WPAN
Authors: Rabbani Muhammad Saqib , Ghafouri‐Shiraz Hooshang
Published: November 2017

In this study, planar dual‐layer partially reflective surface, also known as frequency selective surface (FSS), antennas have been presented for 60 GHz band (57.24–65.88 GHz) wireless local area network (WLAN) and wireless personal area network (WPAN) applications. The FSS is excited through a microstrip patch antenna array of two elements designed at 63.72 GHz with return loss (S11) bandwidth and gain of 5.55 GHz and 13.2 dBi, respectively. Both the FSS unit cell and the feeding patch elements are set to be the same and they are designed based on the patch antenna size improvement method to convince the fabrication limitations imposed by the conventional printed circuit board etching process. Then three double layers FSS antennas have been designed with 2‐elements, 12‐elements and 24‐elements in each FSS layer and measured gains of 15.6, 19.1 and 19.75 dBi, respectively, are achieved. It has also been found that when more layers and number of FSS elements are employed to improve the antenna gain, the overall S11 and gain bandwidth is reduced. In all the cases the measured results agreed well with the simulated results.
Quasi-periodic changes in the 3D solar anisotropy of Galactic cosmic rays for 1965–2014
Authors: Modzelewska R. , Alania M. V.
Published: November 2017

Aims. We study features of the 3D solar anisotropy of Galactic cosmic rays (GCR) for 1965−2014 (almost five solar cycles, cycles 20−24). We analyze the 27-day variations of the 2D GCR anisotropy in the ecliptic plane and the north-south anisotropy normal to the ecliptic plane. We study the dependence of the 27-day variation of the 3D GCR anisotropy on the solar cycle and solar magnetic cycle. We demonstrate that the 27-day variations of the GCR intensity and anisotropy can be used as an important tool to study solar wind, solar activity, and heliosphere.

Methods. We used the components Ar, Aϕ and At of the 3D GCR anisotropy that were found based on hourly data of neutron monitors (NMs) and muon telescopes (MTs) using the harmonic analyses and spectrographic methods. We corrected the 2D diurnal (~24-h) variation of the GCR intensity for the influence of the Earth magnetic field. We derived the north-south component of the GCR anisotropy based on the GG index, which is calculated as the difference in GCR intensities of the Nagoya multidirectional MTs.

Results. We show that the behavior of the 27-day variation of the 3D anisotropy verifies a stable long-lived active heliolongitude on the Sun. This illustrates the usefulness of the 27-day variation of the GCR anisotropy as a unique proxy to study solar wind, solar activity, and heliosphere. We distinguish a tendency of the 22-yr changes in amplitude of the 27-day variation of the 2D anisotropy that is connected with the solar magnetic cycle. We demonstrate that the amplitudes of the 27-day variation of the north-south component of the anisotropy vary with the 11-yr solar cycle, but a dependence of the solar magnetic polarity can hardly be recognized. We show that the 27-day recurrences of the GG index and the At component are highly positively correlated, and both are highly correlated with the By component of the heliospheric magnetic field.
Karotisgabel: Ort der Blutdruck- und Atmungsregulation
Authors: Corts Magga
Published: November 2017

Die A. carotis interna und die A. carotis externa zweigen auf gleicher Höhe aus der A. carotis communis ab. Deshalb wird diese Gefäßformation auch „Karotisgabel“ genannt. Die Karotisgabel liegt ca. auf Höhe des 4. Halswirbels. Im Bereich der Karotisgabel befinden sich unter anderem zwei Typen von Rezeptoren. Über die einen kann der Blutdruck gesenkt, über die anderen die Frequenz und Tiefe der Atmung erhöht werden.
Für jeden Raum der richtige Duft
Authors: Zimmermann Eliane
Published: November 2017

Raumdüfte können so einiges: Zum Beispiel klären und desinfizieren, erfrischen und aktivieren oder ein Gefühl von Vertrautheit schenken.
Wie statte ich meine Praxis richtig aus?
Authors: Brockmann Beate
Published: November 2017

Bei der Anschaffung diagnostischer Kleingeräte sollten Sie immer Aspekte wie Wartung, Haltbarkeit, Folgekosten und Eignung für Ihre Patienten im Blick behalten. Für die Grundausstattung müssen Sie nicht die teuersten Geräte wählen. Wichtig ist, dass diese für Ihre Therapien zweckmäßig und praktikabel sind. Die Zusatzausstattung sollte einen weiterführenden Nutzen gewährleisten. Das können Geräte sein, die Ihre diagnostischen Möglichkeiten erweitern oder spezielle Zusatzfunktionen bieten.
Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit und Palliativversorgung – Eine empirische Analyse von Krebspatienten mittels Kaplan-Meier-Überlebensfunktionen
Authors: Plaul Cornelius
Published: November 2017

Einleitung Es ist das vorrangige Ziel der Palliativversorgung (PV), die Lebensqualität von unheilbar kranken Patienten zu maximieren. Dies gilt – im Gegensatz zur konventionellen medizinischen Behandlung – auch dann, wenn dafür eine mögliche Verkürzung der Überlebenszeit in Kauf genommen werden muss. Dennoch gibt es schwache Evidenz dafür, dass Palliativpatienten im Vergleich zu standardversorgten Patienten keine schlechteren Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeiten aufweisen. Dieser Fragestellung wird hier anhand eines großen Datensatzes untersucht, um eine bessere Evidenzlage zu erzielen.

Methodik Mittels Routinedaten der AOK PLUS (Sachsen und Thüringen) wurden Krebspatienten selektiert (N = 447 191). Palliativpatienten waren dabei solche, die im Beobachtungszeitraum mindestens einmal Spezialisierte ambulante Palliativversorgung (SAPV), ein stationäres Hospiz oder eine Palliativstation in Anspruch genommen haben und die gemäß ihres Inanspruchnahmeverhaltens in vier Gruppen eingeteilt worden sind. Jeder dieser vier Palliativgruppen wurde mittels Matching-Verfahrens eine angepasste Kontrollgruppe zugeordnet, die beide zusammen jeweils eine Stichprobe bilden. Betrachtet wurden alle zwischen dem 1.1.2010 und dem 31.12.2012 verstorbene Individuen (N = 63 163). Anschließend wurden für alle Gruppen Kaplan-Meier-Überlebensfunktionen und Konfidenzintervalle des Median-Sterbemonats berechnet.

Ergebnisse Bei drei von vier Stichproben ist zu fast allen Zeitpunkten ein größerer Anteil der Palliativpatienten noch am Leben als in den jeweiligen Kontrollgruppen. In allen Stichproben sind keine signifikanten Unterschiede des Median-Sterbemonats feststellbar. Bei denjenigen Palliativpatienten, deren erstmalige Inanspruchnahme mit einer Institution der PV früher als im vorletzten vollen Lebensmonat erfolgte („Langzeit-Palliativpatienten“), ist dieser Effekt noch ausgeprägter.

Diskussion Es gibt keine Überlebensnachteile für Palliativpatienten gegenüber ihren Kontrollgruppen. Die vorliegende Evidenz spricht eher für Vorteile der palliativ versorgten Patienten. Somit müssen Patienten also nicht befürchten, dass sie eine palliative Therapie mit einer reduzierten noch verbleibenden Lebenszeit „bezahlen“.
Lebendiges Mitschwingen
Authors: Sylvester Corinna
Published: November 2017

Die Bioresonanztherapie ist eine Regulationstherapie, die mit körpereigenen Schwingungen des Patienten dessen Selbstheilungskräfte stärken kann. Wichtig sind eine ausführliche Anamnese und eine gründliche Diagnose, bevor die Therapie zum Einsatz kommt. Indikationen sind vor allem Allergien, chronische Erkrankungen, Schmerzzustände und vieles mehr. Kontraindikationen sind Schwangerschaft, Herzschrittmacher, Leukämien und andere schwere Erkrankungen, bei denen die Eigenregulation nicht mehr ausreicht.
Im Rhythmus des Lebens
Authors: Borg Helga
Published: November 2017

Als einfaches, verträgliches und nicht-invasives Verfahren eignet sich die Magnetfeldtherapie zur therapeutischen Ergänzung in der Naturheilpraxis. Mittels pulsierender magnetischer Reize werden natürliche Schwingungen und Felder simuliert und damit zelluläre Regulationsimpulse freigesetzt. Besonders bei Heilungsstörungen, Schmerzen, dysfunktionalen und degenerativen Prozessen zeigt die Therapie gute Erfolge.
Molecular distribution and toxicity assessment of yttrium in Elodea canadensis
Authors: Qiu Han , Zhang Miao , Zou Dawei , Song Siyuan , Wan Yun , An Shuqing , Leng Xin
Published: November 2017

Aquatic plants are known to accumulate and bioconcentrate metals. In the present study, Elodea canadensis was subjected to different concentrations of yttrium (Y), ranging from 0 to 200μM, for 7 days and analysed for subcellular distribution and molecular localisation of Y, accumulation of mineral nutrients in leaf tissue, changes in photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress and leaf and organelle ultrastructure. Leaf fractionation by differential centrifugation indicated that 68–76% of Y was accumulated in the cell wall, with higher levels of accumulation in cellulose and pectin than in other biomacromolecules. At all Y concentrations tested, Ca, Mg and Mn levels decreased in E. canadensis, whereas P levels increased; Fe and K levels increased initially and then declined. There was a marked concentration-dependent reduction in photosynthetic pigments following exposure to Y. Responses of components of the antioxidant system to Y treatment varied, whereas there were marked increases in reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde at all Y concentrations tested. In addition, morphological symptoms of aging, such as chlorosis and damage to chloroplasts and mitochondria, were induced even by the lowest Y concentration. The results reveal that exogenous Y is widely available to this aquatic plant, which may have negative effects on aquatic organisms.
‘Lost and confused’: parent representative groups’ perspectives on child and family health services in Australia
Authors: Hesson Amiee , Fowler Cathrine , Rossiter Chris , Schmied Virginia
Published: November 2017

Consumer involvement in health care is widely accepted in policy and service delivery. Australia offers universal health services for families with children aged 0 to 5 years, provided by child and family health nurses and general practitioners. Services include, but are not limited to, monitoring and promoting child health and development, and supporting parents. This paper reports consumer representatives’ perspectives on Australian parents’ needs and experiences of child and family health services, identifying facilitators and barriers to service utilisation. Twenty-six representatives from consumer organisations explored families’ experiences through focus groups. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. Consumer representatives identified several key implications for families using primary health services: feeling ‘lost and confused’ on the parenting journey; seeking continuity and partnership; feeling judged; and deciding to discontinue services. Participants highlighted accessible, timely, non-judgmental and appropriate interactions with healthcare professionals as vital to positive consumer experiences and optimal health and developmental outcomes. Representatives indicated that families value the fundamentals of well-designed health services: trust, accessibility, continuity, knowledge and approachability. However, both consumers and service providers face barriers to effective ongoing engagement in universally provided services.
Mechanisms for science to shape US living marine resource conservation policy
Authors: Merrick Richard
Published: November 2017

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries are responsible for the stewardship of the US living marine resources and their habitat and for providing productive and sustainable fisheries, safe sources of seafood, the recovery and conservation of protected resources, and healthy ecosystems to the nation. Their approach to conservation requires, by legislative mandates, that management be informed by science. It has evolved into a four-step approach to providing this advice: (i) the national framework for conservation science, (ii) region specific implementation, (iii) development of unbiased, scientific advice as required by the framework, and (iv) scientists acting, as appropriate, as advocates and science communicators. This approach has been a conservation success where, e.g. 92% of known managed fish stocks are no longer being overfished and 84% of known stocks are at healthy levels, with the latter including 43 stocks rebuilt from depleted levels. In a changing marine climate, it is all the more important that marine conservation decisions be driven by science.
Transcendental Arguments
Authors: Gava Gabriele
Published: November 2017

As generally understood, transcendental arguments are deductive arguments that aim to establish a certain claim A by arguing that A is a necessary condition for another claim B. Customarily, they are used to refute various forms of skepticism. Accordingly, B is usually a claim that is noncontroversial and would plausibly be accepted by a skeptic: for example, the claim that we have self-consciousness, or that we have representations of objects. Alternatively, B could also be a claim that a skeptic must assume to coherently formulate her doubt. Transcendental arguments then proceed from this noncontroversial claim to a more substantial claim that states that A is a necessary condition for the possibility of B. The skeptic who doubts that A applies but accepts B is thus refuted because, if B applies, it logically follows that A must apply as well. Debates about transcendental arguments have touched on a multiplicity of issues. One first question concerns the nature of the claims they make. In this respect, there have been different ways to account for the necessity that is attributed to the claims that are identified as conditions of other claims. While it is excluded that this necessity can be physical or causal, it is not clear what kind of necessity it is. Some have claimed that this necessity expresses analytical relationship between concepts, whereas others have understood this necessity to be of a metaphysical nature and to involve some sort of synthetic a priori judgment. Another problem concerns what kind of results transcendental arguments can achieve. Some have claimed that transcendental arguments can achieve ambitious conclusions that tell how the world must be. Others have presented a more modest interpretation of transcendental arguments, claiming that they can establish only how we must believe the world to be. A further issue regards the historical antecedents of contemporary transcendental arguments. While Kant is normally considered to be the originator of transcendental arguments, it has been questioned that central arguments of his Critique of Pure Reason (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998) have a structure fundamentally similar to present-day transcendental arguments. On the other hand, arguments with a form comparable to transcendental arguments have been attributed to other philosophers and traditions.
Brahma Kumaris
Authors: Ramsay Tamasin
Published: November 2017

The Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya (Brahma Kumaris) is categorized three ways by scholars: as a millenarian New Religious Movement, as a new religion, and as a Hindu sect. By contrast, the Brahma Kumaris members (BKs) identify their community as a spiritual movement. They do not see themselves as belonging to a religion, but to a teaching institution (primarily in Asia and the Russian Federation) or a spiritual path (primarily in Europe, North America, and Australia) that has been established to restore human souls to their original purity, thereby restoring the world to its Golden Age origins. The community was formally established in 1936, as a trust comprising young women, but its formation can be traced back to 1932. The founder was a middle-aged successful jeweler, Lekhraj Koobchand Kripalani (b. 1884–d. 1969), residing in Hyderabad (in pre-Partition India). He was of the Bhaiband caste and a devotee in the Vallabhacharya sect. Kripalani was in his fifties when he had a series of visions and internal realizations of himself as the god Vishnu and understood time as a five-thousand-year, ever-repeating cycle that would change the course of his life. During that period, those in his neighborhood—primarily women and children whose husbands were on extensive travel for work—would gather at his home in satsang. These 200–300 early devotees became known as “Om Mandli” because of their habit of chanting “om” after Lekhraj’s readings of the Bhagavad Gita. Many had visionary and transcendental experiences, and the group drew on Hindu mythology and Vedanta philosophy to make sense of their experiences. Brahmacharya (living a celibate and virtuous life to realize God) was the bedrock of the movement. In c. 1950 the small local group of kin that characterized the early gathering left Pakistan and moved to Rajasthan, India. After having been a cloistered community in the 1930s and 1940s, BKs started teaching throughout India in the 1950s, making their first international impression at the World Religious Congress in Japan in 1954. In 1971 the organization established its first overseas center in London. The early 1980s was a period of rapid expansion and legitimization: hundreds of centers were established internationally, and the Brahma Kumaris established itself as a respected nongovernmental organization (NGO) at the United Nations, a position the organization has held since 1980. The Brahma Kumaris is active at the United Nations and has several long-term NGO representatives to the United Nations. The organization now has approximately one million adherents in around 130 countries.