bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silyloxy Amino Alcohol Organocatalyst for Enantioselective 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Nitrones to α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes
Authors: Otsuki Teppei , Kumagai Jun , Kohari Yoshihito , Okuyama Yuko , Kwon Eunsang , Seki Chigusa , Uwai Koji , Mawatari Yasuteru , Kobayashi Nagao , Iwasa Tatsuo , Tokiwa Michio , Takeshita Mitsuhiro , Maeda Atushi , Hashimoto Akihiko , Turuga Kana , Nakano Hiroto
Published: October 2015

The catalytic activity of a simple amino alcohol that contains a bulky super silyl group [i.e., tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl (TTMSS)] bonded to the oxygen atom at the γ‐position along with a primary amine moiety was examined in the enantioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones to α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes. The organocatalyst successfully provided optically active isoxazolidines in good chemical yields (up to 86 %) with excellent diastereoselectivities (endo/exo, up to 96:4) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee). Furthermore, the obtained isoxazolidines were easily converted into γ‐amino diols that contain three contiguous stereogenic centers.
Analysis of antibiotics by CE and their use as chiral selectors: An update
Authors: Domínguez‐Vega Elena , Montealegre Cristina , Marina Maria Luisa
Published: October 2015

The widespread use of antibiotics in medicine and as growth‐promoting agents has increased the demand for suitable analytical techniques for their analysis. Analytical methods based on CE or miniaturized CE systems have proved over the years their ability for the analysis of antibiotics. Since our last review (Electrophoresis 2014, 35, 28–49) several new CE methodologies have been reported for antibiotic analysis. This review presents an update of the literature published from June 2013 to June 2015 for the analysis of antibiotics by CE. UV continues being the most used detection system for antibiotics analysis by CE. Strategies to improve sensitivity as the use of sensitive detection systems and the application of preconcentration techniques appear to be the major developments. Furthermore, the use of portable and miniaturized devices for antibiotic analysis is presented in detail. Applications of the developed methodologies to the determination of residues of antibiotics in biological, food, and environmental samples are carefully described. Finally, new developments and applications of antibiotics as chiral selectors in CE are also included.
Morphological signatures of normal faulting in low‐gradient alluvial rivers in south‐eastern Louisiana, USA
Authors: Gasparini Nicole M. , Fischer Glenn C. , Adams Jordan M. , Dawers Nancye H. , Janoff Arye M.
Published: October 2015

We explore the fluvial response to faulting in three low‐gradient, sand‐bed rivers in south‐eastern Louisiana, USA, that flow across active normal faults from footwall (upstream) to hangingwall (downstream). We calculate sinuosity, migration rate and migration direction in order to identify anomalies spatially associated with fault scarps. In two of the rivers we model one‐dimensional steady water flow to identify anomalies in surface water slope, width‐to‐depth ratio, and shear stress. In each of these rivers there is one location where flow modeling suggests potential channel incision through the footwall, as indicated by relatively high surface water slopes and shear stress values. In one of these footwall locations, the river straightens and width‐to‐depth ratios decrease, likely contributing to higher surface water slopes and shear stress. This is in contrast to previous studies that have proposed increased sinuosity across fault footwalls and decreased sinuosity across hangingwalls. However, in two hangingwall locations we also observe relatively less sinuous channels. Other planform changes on the hangingwall include topographic steering of channels along and towards the fault and one example of an avulsion. The most notable anomaly in migration rate occurs on the hangingwall of a fault where a river has cut off a meander loop. Although fluvial response to faulting varies here, comparatively large and small channels exhibit similar responses. Further, Pleistocene fault slip rates are orders of magnitude lower than the channel migration rates, suggesting that faulting should not be a major influence on the fluvial evolution. Nonetheless, notable channel anomalies exist near faults, suggesting that recent fault slip rates are higher than Pleistocene rates, and/or that low‐gradient alluvial channels are more sensitive to faulting than previous studies have suggested. Rivers appear to be influenced by faulting in this setting, however background rates of meander loop cutoff may be just as influential as faulting. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peripheral insulin resistance predicts liver damage in nondiabetic subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Rosso Chiara , Mezzabotta Lavinia , Gaggini Melania , Salomone Federico , Gambino Roberto , Marengo Andrea , Saba Francesca , Vanni Ester , Younes Ramy , Saponaro Chiara , Buzzigoli Emma , Caviglia Gian Paolo , Abate Maria Lorena , Smedile Antonina , Rizzetto Mario , Cassader Maurizio , Gastaldelli Amalia , Bugianesi Elisabetta
Published: October 2015

Surrogate indexes of insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity are widely used in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), although they have never been validated in this population. We aimed to validate the available indexes in NAFLD subjects and to test their ability to predict liver damage also in comparison with the NAFLD fibrosis score. Surrogate indexes were validated by the tracer technique (6,6‐D2‐glucose and U‐13C‐glucose) in the basal state and during an oral glucose tolerance test. The best‐performing indexes were used in an independent cohort of 145 nondiabetic NAFLD subjects to identify liver damage (fibrosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis). In the validation NAFLD cohort, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, insulin to glucose ratio, and insulin sensitivity index Stumvoll had the best association with hepatic insulin resistance, while peripheral insulin sensitivity was most significantly related to oral glucose insulin sensitivity index (OGIS), insulin sensitivity index Stumvoll, and metabolic clearance rate estimation without demographic parameters. In the independent cohort, only oral glucose tolerance test‐derived indexes were associated with liver damage and OGIS was the best predictor of significant (≥F2) fibrosis (odds ratio = 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.61‐0.96, P = 0.0233) and of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (odds ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.63‐0.90, P = 0.0021). Both OGIS and NAFLD fibrosis score identified advanced (F3/F4) fibrosis, but OGIS predicted it better than NAFLD fibrosis score (odds ratio = 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45‐0.72, P < 0.001) and was also able to discriminate F2 from F3/F4 (P < 0.003). Conclusion: OGIS is associated with peripheral insulin sensitivity in NAFLD and inversely associated with an increased risk of significant/advanced liver damage in nondiabetic subjects with NAFLD. (Hepatology 2016;63:107–116)
Simultaneous enhancement of phenolic compound degradations by Acinetobacter strain V2 via a step‐wise continuous acclimation process
Authors: Lin Johnson , Sharma Vikas , Milase Ridwaan , Mbhense Ntuthuko
Published: October 2015

Phenol degradation enhancement of Acinetobacter strain V2 by a step‐wise continuous acclimation process was investigated. At the end of 8 months, three stable adapted strains, designated as R, G, and Y, were developed with the sub‐lethal concentration of phenol at 800, 1100, and 1400 mg/L, respectively, from 400 mg/L of V2 parent strain. All strains degraded phenol at their sub‐lethal level within 24 h, their growth rate increased as the acclimation process continued and retained their degradation properties even after storing at −80 °C for more than 3 years. All adapted strains appeared coccoid with an ungranulated surface under electron microscope compared to typical rod‐shaped parental strain V2. The adapted Y strain also possessed superior degradation ability against aniline, benzoate, and toluene. This study demonstrated the use of long term acclimation process to develop efficient and better pollutant degrading bacterial strains with potentials in industrial and environmental bioremediation.
On the existence of solutions for quasilinear elliptic problems with radial potentials on exterior ball
Authors: Zhao Leiga , Su Jiabao , Wang Caiyun
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we are concerned with a class of quasilinear elliptic problems with radial potentials and a mixed nonlinear boundary condition on exterior ball domain. Based on a compact embedding from a weighted Sobolev space to a weighted Ls space, the existence of nontrivial solutions is obtained via variational methods.
Live‐cell imaging of rice cytological changes reveals the importance of host vacuole maintenance for biotrophic invasion by blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Mochizuki Susumu , Minami Eiichi , Nishizawa Yoko
Published: October 2015

The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae grows inside living host cells. Cytological analyses by live‐cell imaging have revealed characteristics of the biotrophic invasion, particularly the extrainvasive hyphal membrane (EIHM) originating from the host plasma membrane and a host membrane‐rich structure, biotrophic interfacial complex (BIC). Here, we observed rice subcellular changes associated with invasive hyphal growth using various transformants expressing specifically localized fluorescent proteins. The invasive hyphae did not penetrate across but were surrounded by the host vacuolar membrane together with EIHM even after branching. High‐resolution imaging of BICs revealed that the host cytosol was accumulated at BIC with aggregated EIHM and a symplastic effector, Pwl2, in a punctate form. The vacuolar membrane did not aggregate in but closely surrounded the BIC. A good correlation was observed between the early collapse of vacuoles and damage of invasive hyphae in the first‐invaded cell. Furthermore, a newly developed, long‐term imaging method has revealed that the central vacuole gradually shrank until collapse, which was caused by the hyphal invasion occurring earlier in the neighboring cells than in the first‐invaded cells. These data suggest that M. oryzae may suppress host vacuole collapse during early infection stages for successful infection.
Impact of urinary incontinence on medical rehabilitation inpatients
Authors: Mallinson Trudy , Fitzgerald Colleen M. , Neville Cynthia E. , Almagor Orit , Manheim Larry , Deutsch Anne , Heinemann Allen
Published: October 2015

Aims

To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and its association with rehabilitation outcomes in patients receiving inpatient medical rehabilitation in the United States.

Methods

A retrospective, cohort study of 425,547 Medicare patients discharged from inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) in 2005. We examined prevalence of UI at admission and discharge for 5 impairment groups. We examined the impact of demographics, health, and functional status on the primary outcome, change in continence status, and secondary outcomes of discharge location and 6‐month mortality.

Results

Approximately one‐quarter (26.6%) of men were incontinent at admission compared to 22.2% of women. In all diagnostic groups, continence status remains largely unchanged from admission to discharge. Patients who are older, have cognitive difficulties, less functional improvement, and longer lengths of stay (LOS), are more likely to remain incontinent, compared to those who improved, after controlling for patient factors and clinical variables. UI was significantly associated with discharge to another post‐acute setting (PAC). For orthopedic patients, UI was associated with a 71% increase in the likelihood of discharge to an institutional setting after controlling for patient factors and clinical variables. UI was not associated with death at 6 months post‐discharge.

Conclusions

UI is highly prevalent in IRF patients and is associated with increased likelihood of discharge to institutional care, particularly for orthopedic patients. Greater attention to identifying and treating UI in IRF patients may reduce medical expenditures and improve other outcomes. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:176–183, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mobility Enhancement of P3HT‐Based OTFTs upon Blending with Au Nanorods
Authors: Zhou Li , Han Su‐Ting , Zhuang Jiaqing , Yan Yan , Zhou Ye , Sun Qi‐Jun , Xu Zong‐Xiang , Roy V. A. L.
Published: October 2015

The mobility enhancement of organic thin‐film transistors based on poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) by incorporating gold nanorods (Au NRs) is reported. Through varying the doping concentration and surface modifier of the Au NRs in P3HT matrix, the P3HT/Au composite with 0.5 mg mL−1 pyridine‐capped Au NRs exhibits a hole mobility of 0.059 cm2 V−1 s−1, this value is seven times higher than that of pristine P3HT. This remarkable improvement of mobility originates from the enhanced crystallinity and optimized orientation of P3HT after doping with Au NRs. In addition, the appropriate surface modification can produce more‐efficient hole conduction of Au NRs.
New encouraging developments in contact prediction: Assessment of the CASP11 results
Authors: Monastyrskyy Bohdan , D'Andrea Daniel , Fidelis Krzysztof , Tramontano Anna , Kryshtafovych Andriy
Published: October 2015

This article provides a report on the state‐of‐the‐art in the prediction of intra‐molecular residue‐residue contacts in proteins based on the assessment of the predictions submitted to the CASP11 experiment. The assessment emphasis is placed on the accuracy in predicting long‐range contacts. Twenty‐nine groups participated in contact prediction in CASP11. At least eight of them used the recently developed evolutionary coupling techniques, with the top group (CONSIP2) reaching precision of 27% on target proteins that could not be modeled by homology. This result indicates a breakthrough in the development of methods based on the correlated mutation approach. Successful prediction of contacts was shown to be practically helpful in modeling three‐dimensional structures; in particular target T0806 was modeled exceedingly well with accuracy not yet seen for ab initio targets of this size (>250 residues). Proteins 2016; 84(Suppl 1):131–144. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Template‐free modeling by LEE and LEER in CASP11
Authors: Joung InSuk , Lee Sun Young , Cheng Qianyi , Kim Jong Yun , Joo Keehyoung , Lee Sung Jong , Lee Jooyoung
Published: October 2015

For the template‐free modeling of human targets of CASP11, we utilized two of our modeling protocols, LEE and LEER. The LEE protocol took CASP11‐released server models as the input and used some of them as templates for 3D (three‐dimensional) modeling. The template selection procedure was based on the clustering of the server models aided by a community detection method of a server‐model network. Restraining energy terms generated from the selected templates together with physical and statistical energy terms were used to build 3D models. Side‐chains of the 3D models were rebuilt using target‐specific consensus side‐chain library along with the SCWRL4 rotamer library, which completed the LEE protocol. The first success factor of the LEE protocol was due to efficient server model screening. The average backbone accuracy of selected server models was similar to that of top 30% server models. The second factor was that a proper energy function along with our optimization method guided us, so that we successfully generated better quality models than the input template models. In 10 out of 24 cases, better backbone structures than the best of input template structures were generated. LEE models were further refined by performing restrained molecular dynamics simulations to generate LEER models. CASP11 results indicate that LEE models were better than the average template models in terms of both backbone structures and side‐chain orientations. LEER models were of improved physical realism and stereo‐chemistry compared to LEE models, and they were comparable to LEE models in the backbone accuracy. Proteins 2016; 84(Suppl 1):118–130. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is It Who You Are or Where You Live? Community Effects on Net Fertility at the Onset of Fertility Decline: A Multilevel Analysis Using Swedish Micro‐Census Data
Authors: Dribe Martin , Juárez Sol Pía , Scalone Francesco
Published: October 2015

This paper studies contextual effects on fertility at the onset of fertility decline in Sweden. We argue that the community exerts an influence on fertility when individuals belonging to a certain community are more similar to one another (within‐area) in their reproductive behaviour than individuals living in another community (between‐area). Our hypotheses are that community had a strong influence in the past but that it decreased over time as more individualistic values grew in importance. We expect that the community exerted a greater impact in the low socioeconomic groups as the elite were less constrained by proximity and, therefore, more exposed to new ideas crossing community borders. Using micro‐census data from 1880, 1890, and 1900, we use multilevel analysis to estimate measures of intra‐class correlation within areas. We measure net fertility by the number of own children under five living in the household to currently married women with their spouses present. Parish is used as proxy for community. Our results indicate that despite average differences in fertility across parishes, the correlation between individuals belonging to the same community is less than 2.5%, that is, only a negligible share of the number of children observed is attributable to true community effects. Contrary to our expectation, we do not find any substantial change over time. However, as expected, community has a greater impact in the low socioeconomic groups. Our findings suggest that it is who you are rather than where you live which explains fertility behaviour during the initial stages of the transition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A CFD-informed quasi-steady model of flapping-wing aerodynamics
Authors: Nakata Toshiyuki , Liu Hao , Bomphrey Richard J.
Published: October 2015

Aerodynamic performance and agility during flapping flight are determined by the combination of wing shape and kinematics. The degree of morphological and kinematic optimization is unknown and depends upon a large parameter space. Aimed at providing an accurate and computationally inexpensive modelling tool for flapping-wing aerodynamics, we propose a novel CFD (computational fluid dynamics)-informed quasi-steady model (CIQSM), which assumes that the aerodynamic forces on a flapping wing can be decomposed into quasi-steady forces and parameterized based on CFD results. Using least-squares fitting, we determine a set of proportional coefficients for the quasi-steady model relating wing kinematics to instantaneous aerodynamic force and torque; we calculate power as the product of quasi-steady torques and angular velocity. With the quasi-steady model fully and independently parameterized on the basis of high-fidelity CFD modelling, it is capable of predicting flapping-wing aerodynamic forces and power more accurately than the conventional blade element model (BEM) does. The improvement can be attributed to, for instance, taking into account the effects of the induced downwash and the wing tip vortex on the force generation and power consumption. Our model is validated by comparing the aerodynamics of a CFD model and the present quasi-steady model using the example case of a hovering hawkmoth. This demonstrates that the CIQSM outperforms the conventional BEM while remaining computationally cheap, and hence can be an effective tool for revealing the mechanisms of optimization and control of kinematics and morphology in flapping-wing flight for both bio-flyers and unmanned aerial systems.
Digestibility of new dietary fibre materials, resistant glucan and hydrogenated resistant glucan in rats and humans, and the physical effects in rats
Authors: Oku Tsuneyuki , Tanabe Kenichi , Morita Shigeki , Hamaguchi Norihisa , Shimura Fumio , Nakamura Sadako
Published: October 2015

Resistant glucan (RG) and hydrogenated resistant glucan (HRG) are newly developed non-digestible carbohydrate materials that decrease lifestyle-related diseases. The bioavailability of RG and HRG was investigated byin vitroexperiments using human and rat small intestinal enzymes and byin vivoexperiments using rats in the present study. Oligosaccharides, which are minor components of RG and HRG, were hydrolysed slightly by small intestinal enzymes of humans and rats, and the hydrolysing activity was slightly higher in rats than in humans. The amount of glucose released from HRG was greater than that from RG. However, the high-molecular-weight carbohydrates of the main components were hardly hydrolysed. Furthermore, neither RG nor HRG inhibited disaccharidase activity. When rats were raised on a diet containing 5 % of RG, HRG, resistant maltodextrin or fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) for 4 weeks, all rats developed loose stools and did not recover during the experiment, except for the FOS group. Body weight gain was normal in all groups and was not significantly different compared with the control group. Caecal tissue and content weights were significantly increased by feeding RG or HRG, although other organ and tissue weights were not significantly different among the groups. In conclusion, RG and HRG consist of small amounts of glucose and digestible and non-digestible oligosaccharides, and large amounts of glucose polymers, which were hardly hydrolysed byα-amylase and small intestinal enzymes. RG and HRG, which were developed newly as dietary fibre materials, had no harmful effects on the growth and development of rats.
THE RHINE EXODUS OF 1816/1817 WITHIN THE DEVELOPING GERMAN ATLANTIC WORLD
Authors: BOYD JAMES
Published: October 2015

This article examines the exodus down the Rhine in 1816 and 1817 of tens of thousands of German migrants, who attempted to reach the United States after the Napoleonic Wars. It establishes the episode as an important link between the mass-migration periods of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which saw more Germans land in North America than any other European group. The article focuses on the active commercial, logistical, social, and religious networks, produced in the eighteenth century, which made the exodus possible, and how it in turn changed future migration patterns. This integrates the exodus into an evolving German Atlantic movement, where previous historiography has treated it as an isolated episode, produced by extraordinary post-war conditions.
The effects of data-driven learning upon vocabulary acquisition for secondary international school students in Vietnam
Authors: Karras Jacob Nolen
Published: October 2015

Within the field of computer assisted language learning (CALL), scant literature exists regarding the effectiveness and practicality for secondary students to utilize data-driven learning (DDL) for vocabulary acquisition. In this study, there were 100 participants, who had a mean age of thirteen years, and were attending an international school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This particular milieu unsurprisingly comprised ‘third culture kids’ (TCKs) and ‘cross-cultural kids’ (CCKs). They were assigned to a control and experimental group; both had several intensive weeks of online-dictionary learning training, while the experimental group also experienced intensive DDL training. This was done prior to the start of the eight-week longitudinal study. Major findings included a significant longitudinal main effect for both groups, significantly overall higher results for the experimental group than the control, and a significant difference among subjects’ grade level was discovered. Furthermore, the experimental group exhibited a significantly marked increase in vocabulary results in the later weeks of the experiment. In general, these results show that DDL can be successful in the secondary school English as a foreign language (EFL) context and that it promotes significantly better vocabulary acquisition when used in conjunction with online-dictionary vocabulary learning methods, especially for a sustained longitudinal period of time.
Divided we Stand: Cities, Social Unity and Post-War Reconstruction in Soviet Russia, 1945–1953
Authors: DALE ROBERT
Published: October 2015

This article explores the divisions created by the Great Patriotic War, its aftermath and the reconstruction of Russian cities in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It examines the conflicts created by rebuilding housing, infrastructure, restoring communities and allocating resources in cities where war's painful legacy continued to be felt. The war's impact varied enormously between cities on the frontlines and in the rear. Contrary to official propaganda rebuilding was a protracted process, which created divisions rather than unity.
The Possibility of an Unbiased History of Steiner/Waldorf Education?
Authors: DHONDT PIETER , VAN DE VIJVER NELE , VERSTRAETE PIETER
Published: October 2015

In many respects, and certainly with regard to his educational ideas, Rudolf Steiner was a child of his time. Trust in the natural goodness of the child that became more and more central, belief in an evolutionist development of both individuals and humanity as a whole, the emphasis on a holistic education realised through a community of teachers, parents and children; all of these were ideas that Steiner shared with other key figures of the progressive education movement, which began in the late nineteenth century. In line with the existing historiography on progressive education (Reformpädagogik) in general, historical research on the figure of Steiner, and particularly on the development of the schools and the educational system named after him, is characterised by paying considerable attention to the years of foundation in the interwar period on the one hand and to current practices on the other, in that way largely neglecting the developments during the second half of the twentieth century.
Cigarettes, dollars and bitcoins – an essay on the ontology of money
Authors: SMIT J. P. , BUEKENS FILIP , DU PLESSIS STAN
Published: October 2015

What does being money consist in? We argue that something is money if, and only if, it is typically acquired in order to realise the reduction in transaction costs that accrues in virtue of agents coordinating on acquiring the same thing when deciding what thing to acquire in order to exchange. What kinds of things can be money? We argue against the common view that a variety of things (notes, coins, gold, cigarettes, etc.) can be money. All monetary systems are best interpreted as implementing the same basic protocol. Money, i.e. the thing that we coordinate on acquiring in order to lower our transaction costs, is, in all cases, a set of positions on an abstract mathematical object, namely a relative ratio scale. The things that we ordinarily call ‘money’ are merely records of positions on such a scale.
Ausprägung und Entwicklung adaptiver Reaktionen auf Fehler in der Sekundarstufe
Authors: Grassinger Robert , Steuer Gabriele , Berner Valérie D. , Zeinz Horst , Scheunpflug Annette , Dresel Markus
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Schülerinnen und Schüler reagieren auf Fehler unterschiedlich adaptiv. Die vorliegende Arbeit betrachtet die Ausprägung und die Entwicklung adaptiver Fehlerreaktionen und prüft hierauf den Einfluss individueller (Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept, Lernzielorientierung) und kontextueller (Klassenlernzielstruktur) Determinanten. Dazu wurden Daten einer Längsschnittstudie über drei Schuljahre im Kohorten-Sequenz-Design analysiert; die Analysestichprobe umfasste 1239 Realschülerinnen und Realschüler der Jahrgangsstufen 5 bis 8 aus 70 Schulklassen. Die Ergebnisse erbrachten, dass ein positives Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept, eine starke Lernzielorientierung und eine starke Klassenlernzielstruktur zum ersten Messzeitpunkt mit der Adaptivität der Reaktionen von Schülerinnen und Schülern auf ihre Fehler positiv assoziiert waren. Die in der Sekundarstufe zu beobachtende durchschnittliche Verschlechterung der Adaptivität von Schülerreaktionen auf Fehler fiel besonders dann deutlich aus, wenn sich auch Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept, Lernzielorientierung und Klassenlernzielstruktur ungünstig veränderten. In der Adaptivität von Reaktionen auf Fehler waren zudem Geschlechtsunterschiede evident, wonach Schülerinnen im Vergleich zu Schülern maladaptivere Reaktionen auf Fehler auf affektiv-motivationaler Ebene, jedoch adaptivere Reaktionen auf Fehler auf handlungsbezogener Ebene zeigten.
The H1047R point mutation in p110 alpha changes the morphology of human colon HCT116 cancer cells
Authors: Wan G , Pehlke C , Pepermans R , Cannon JL , Lidke D , Rajput A
Published: October 2015

The class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) is involved in controlling changes in cell morphology, which is a highly coordinated cellular event. This event is powered by actin filament polymerization and remodeling. The gain-of-function mutations in the catalytic subunit of p110α of class IA PI3K, which occur in up to one-third of human colorectal cancers (CRCs), are capable of causing dysregulation of cell signaling and thus may result in the alteration in cell morphology and motility and in turn cause cancer metastasis. In vivo studies have demonstrated that cell lines bearing the H1047R point mutation, the most frequent cancer-specific mutation in the kinase domain of p110α, are more metastatic than cells carrying wild-type p110α. In the current study, we show that the H1047R in p110α of PI3K decreases F-actin polymerization, increases the formation of filopodia and significantly changes the cell morphology in HCT116 cancer cells. The anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), which is also involved in actin polymerization and cell migration, is downregulated by the H1047R mutation in p110α. Our data suggest that the H1047R mutation in PI3K is responsible for the rearrangement of the cytoskeleton, alteration in cell morphology and enhancing cell motility, and that Bcl-2 may be involved in the H1047R mutation-mediated morphological changes and increased migratory capability.
Spin-current emission governed by nonlinear spin dynamics
Authors: Tashiro Takaharu , Matsuura Saki , Nomura Akiyo , Watanabe Shun , Kang Keehoon , Sirringhaus Henning , Ando Kazuya
Published: October 2015

Coupling between conduction electrons and localized magnetization is responsible for a variety of phenomena in spintronic devices. This coupling enables to generate spin currents from dynamical magnetization. Due to the nonlinearity of magnetization dynamics, the spin-current emission through the dynamical spin-exchange coupling offers a route for nonlinear generation of spin currents. Here, we demonstrate spin-current emission governed by nonlinear magnetization dynamics in a metal/magnetic insulator bilayer. The spin-current emission from the magnetic insulator is probed by the inverse spin Hall effect, which demonstrates nontrivial temperature and excitation power dependences of the voltage generation. The experimental results reveal that nonlinear magnetization dynamics and enhanced spin-current emission due to magnon scatterings are triggered by decreasing temperature. This result illustrates the crucial role of the nonlinear magnon interactions in the spin-current emission driven by dynamical magnetization, or nonequilibrium magnons, from magnetic insulators.
EGR1 regulates hepatic clock gene amplitude by activating Per1 transcription
Authors: Tao Weiwei , Wu Jing , Zhang Qian , Lai Shan-Shan , Jiang Shan , Jiang Chen , Xu Ying , Xue Bin , Du Jie , Li Chao-Jun
Published: October 2015

The mammalian clock system is composed of a master clock and peripheral clocks. At the molecular level, the rhythm-generating mechanism is controlled by a molecular clock composed of positive and negative feedback loops. However, the underlying mechanisms for molecular clock regulation that affect circadian clock function remain unclear. Here, we show that Egr1 (early growth response 1), an early growth response gene, is expressed in mouse liver in a circadian manner. Consistently, Egr1 is transactivated by the CLOCK/BMAL1 heterodimer through a conserved E-box response element. In hepatocytes, EGR1 regulates the transcription of several core clock genes, including Bmal1, Per1, Per2, Rev-erbα and Rev-erbβ and the rhythm amplitude of their expression is dependent on EGR1’s transcriptional function. Further mechanistic studies indicated that EGR1 binds to the proximal region of the Per1 promoter to activate its transcription directly. When the peripheral clock is altered by light or feeding behavior transposition in Egr1-deficient mice, the expression phase of hepatic clock genes shifts normally, but the amplitude is also altered. Our data reveal a critical role for EGR1 in the regulation of hepatic clock circuitry, which may contribute to the rhythm stability of peripheral clock oscillators.
Alloreactive CD154-expressing T-cell subsets with differential sensitivity to the immunosuppressant, belatacept: potential targets of novel belatacept-based regimens
Authors: Ashokkumar Chethan , Ganguly Bishu , Townsend Robert , White Jaimie , Levy Samantha , Moritz Michael , Mazariegos George , Sun Qing , Sindhi Rakesh
Published: October 2015

Belatacept blocks CD28-mediated T-cell costimulation and prevents renal transplant rejection. Understanding T-cell subset sensitivity to belatacept may identify cellular markers for immunosuppression failure to better guide treatment selection. Here, we evaluate the belatacept sensitivity of allo-antigen-specific CD154-expressing-T-cells, whose T-cytotoxic memory (TcM) subset predicts rejection with high sensitivity after non-renal transplantation. The belatacept concentration associated with half-maximal reduction (EC50) of CD154 expression was calculated for 36 T-cell subsets defined by combinations of T-helper (Th), Tc, T-memory and CD28 receptors, following allostimulation of peripheral blood leukocytes from 20 normal healthy subjects. Subsets were ranked by median EC50 and by whether subset EC50 was correlated with and therefore could be represented by the frequency of other subsets. No single subset frequency emerged as the significant correlate of EC50 for a given subset. Most (n = 25) T-cell subsets were sensitive to belatacept. Less sensitive subsets demonstrated a memory phenotype and absence of CD28 receptor. Potential drug-resistance markers for future validation include the low frequency highly differentiated, Th-memory-CD28-negative T-cells with the highest median EC50 and the least differentiated, high-frequency Tc subset, with the most CD28-negative T-cells, the third highest median EC50 and significant correlations with frequencies of the highest number of CD28-negative and memory subsets.
The feasibility of the ACOSOG Z0011 Criteria to Chinese Breast Cancer Patients: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Liu Miao , Wang Shu , Cui Shude , Duan Xuening , Fan Zhimin , Yu Zhigang
Published: October 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of the Z0011 criteria to Chinese breast cancer patients. An survey about the Z0011 trial was distributed and we collected 658 consecutive patients with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy from five centers’ databases and grouped them as eligible or ineligible for omitting ALND according to the Z0011 criteria. The eligible group was compared with the cohort included in the Z0011 trial and with the ineligible group. Of the 427 respondants, 106 (24.8%) and 130 (30.4%)would not routinely perform ALND in patients meeting Z0011 criteria before and after learning of the trial results, respectively. Among the 658 patients, 151 (22.9%) were eligible and 507 were ineligible for omitting ALND. The clinicopathologic factors were not statistically different between the eligible group and the Z0011 cohort. Compared with the eligible Group, the ineligible group had significantly more T2 and T3 stage tumors, positive lymph nodes(LNs) and positive non-sentinel lymph nodes (NSLNs) (P < 0.01). The findings suggest good exportability of the Z0011 criteria to Chinese patients omitting ALND, but application of Z0011 as national treatment guideline still needs additional time and effort.
Microscopic Haematuria and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Stage 3–5 Nondiabetic Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: You-Hsien Lin Hugo , Yen Chun-Yu , Lim Lee-Moay , Hwang Daw-Yang , Tsai Jer-Chia , Hwang Shang-Jyh , Hung Chi-Chih , Chen Hung-Chun
Published: October 2015

Microscopic haematuria is proposed as a prognostic factor for renal outcomes in patients with glomerulonephritis. However, the role of haematuria in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or heavy proteinuria has not been investigated. We divided 1799 patients with stage 3–5 nondiabetic CKD into 3 groups according to the results from 3 urinalyses: no haematuria (0–2 red blood cells [RBCs]/hpf ≥2 times), mild haematuria (2–5 RBCs/hpf ≥2 times) and moderate haematuria (≥5–10 RBCs/hpf ≥2 times). The estimated glomerular filtration rate was 25.4 mL/min/1.73 m2, with a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) of 881 mg/g. The hazard ratios (HRs) of mild and moderate haematuria for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.56, P = 0.024) and 1.34 (95% CI: 1.03–1.74, P = 0.030), respectively. The HR of moderate haematuria for mortality was 1.56 (95% CI: 1.11–2.20, P = 0.011). According to subgroup analysis, the HR of moderate haematuria for ESRD in patients with a UPCR of <500 mg/g was more prominent than that in patients with a UPCR of ≥500 mg/g. Microscopic haematuria in patients with stage 3–5 nondiabetic CKD is associated with increased risks of ESRD and mortality.
CXCR4-targeted near-infrared imaging allows detection of orthotopic and metastatic human osteosarcoma in a mouse model
Authors: Guan Guofeng , Lu Yao , Zhu Xiaodong , Liu Lijuan , Chen Jie , Ma Qiong , Zhang Yinglong , Wen Yanhua , Yang Lianjia , Liu Tao , Wang Wei , Ran Henry , Qiu Xiuchun , Ke Shi , Zhou Yong
Published: October 2015

CXCR4 is expressed at primary and metastatic sites of osteosarcoma. We developed a novel CXCR4-targeted near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging agent (referred to as CXCR4-IR-783). The binding to representative osteosarcoma cells (F5M2 and F4 for high- and low- CXCR4 expression) was examined. CXCR4-IR-783 fluorescence was also examined in a mouse xenograft model of human osteosarcoma using NIR fluorescence microscopy and a Kodakin-vivomultispectral system. Pulmonary metastases in mice bearing osteosarcoma xenografts were detected by micro CT,18F-PET scan and NIR imaging scan. Briefly, the binding of CXCR4-IR-783 was significantly higher in F5M2 than in F4 cells. Intense NIR fluorescence signals were detected in osteosarcoma xenografts, with signal/background ratio at 4.87 in mice bearing the F5M2 cell. At 4 weeks after F5M2 cell inoculation, metastatic lesions in the lungs were detectable using CXCR4-IR-783 and micro-CT scan, but not with18F-FDG PET scan. In conclusion, CXCR4-IR-783 is a promising tool for detection of high CXCR4-expressing osteosarcoma and particularly for its metastatic lesions.
Quantitative assessment of gene expression network module-validation methods
Authors: Li Bing , Zhang Yingying , Yu Yanan , Wang Pengqian , Wang Yongcheng , Wang Zhong , Wang Yongyan
Published: October 2015

Validation of pluripotent modules in diverse networks holds enormous potential for systems biology and network pharmacology. An arising challenge is how to assess the accuracy of discovering all potential modules from multi-omic networks and validating their architectural characteristics based on innovative computational methods beyond function enrichment and biological validation. To display the framework progress in this domain, we systematically divided the existing Computational Validation Approaches based on Modular Architecture (CVAMA) into topology-based approaches (TBA) and statistics-based approaches (SBA). We compared the available module validation methods based on 11 gene expression datasets and partially consistent results in the form of homogeneous models were obtained with each individual approach, whereas discrepant contradictory results were found between TBA and SBA. The TBA of the Zsummary value had a higher Validation Success Ratio (VSR) (51%) and a higher Fluctuation Ratio (FR) (80.92%), whereas the SBA of the approximately unbiased (AU) p-value had a lower VSR (12.3%) and a lower FR (45.84%). The Gray area simulated study revealed a consistent result for these two models and indicated a lower Variation Ratio (VR) (8.10%) of TBA at 6 simulated levels. Despite facing many novel challenges and evidence limitations, CVAMA may offer novel insights into modular networks.
Gold nanoparticles assembled with dithiocarbamate-anchored molecular wires
Authors: Reeler Nini E. A. , Lerstrup Knud A. , Somerville Walter , Speder Jozsef , Petersen Søren V. , Laursen Bo W. , Arenz Matthias , Qiu Xiaohui , Vosch Tom , Nørgaard Kasper
Published: October 2015

A protocol for the bottom-up self-assembly of nanogaps is developed through molecular linking of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Two π-conjugated oligo(phenylene ethynylene) molecules (OPE) with dithiocarbamate anchoring groups are used as ligands for the AuNPs. OPE-4S with a dithiocarbamate in each end of the molecule and a reference molecule OPE-2S with only a single dithiocarbamate end group. The linking mechanism of OPE-4S is investigated by using a combination of TEM, UV-Vis absorption and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as well as studying the effect of varying the OPE-4S to AuNP concentration ratio. UV-Vis absorption confirms the formation of AuNP aggregates by the appearance of an extended plasmon band (EPB) for which the red shift and intensity depend on the OPE-4S:AuNP ratio. SERS confirms the presence of OPE-4S and shows a gradual increase of the signal intensity with increasing OPE-4S:AuNP ratios up to a ratio of about 4000, after which the SERS intensity does not increase significantly. For OPE-2S, no linking is observed below full coverage of the AuNPs indicating that the observed aggregate formation at high OPE-2S:AuNP ratios, above full AuNP coverage, is most likely of a physical nature (van der Waals forces or π-π interactions).
Hollow ZIF-8 Nanoworms from Block Copolymer Templates
Authors: Yu Haizhou , Qiu Xiaoyan , Neelakanda Pradeep , Deng Lin , Khashab Niveen M. , Nunes Suzana P. , Peinemann Klaus-Viktor
Published: October 2015

Recently two quite different types of “nano-containers” have been recognized as attractive potential drug carriers; these are wormlike filamenteous micelles (“filomicelles”) on the one hand and metal organic frameworks on the other hand. In this work we combine these two concepts. We report for the first time the manufacturing of metal organic framework nanotubes with a hollow core. These worm-like tubes are about 200 nm thick and several μm long. The preparation is simple: we first produce long and flexible filament-shaped micelles by block copolymer self-assembly. These filomicelles serve as templates to grow a very thin layer of interconnected ZIF-8 crystals on their surface. Finally the block copolymer is removed by solvent extraction and the hollow ZIF-8 nanotubes remain. These ZIF-NTs are surprisingly stable and withstand purification by centrifugation. The synthesis method is straightforward and can easily be applied for other metal organic framework materials. The ZIF-8 NTs exhibit high loading capacity for the model anti cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) with a pH-triggered release. Hence, a prolonged circulation in the blood stream and a targeted drug release behavior can be expected.
A short treatise concerning a musical approach for the interpretation of gene expression data
Authors: Staege Martin S.
Published: October 2015

Recent technical developments allow the genome-wide and near-complete analysis of gene expression in a given sample, e.g. by usage of high-density DNA microarrays or next generation sequencing. The generated data structure is usually multi-dimensional and requires extensive processing not only for analysis but also for presentation of the results. Today, such data are usually presented graphically, e.g. in the form of heat maps. In the present paper, we propose an alternative form of analysis and presentation which is based on the transformation of gene expression data into sounds that are characterized by their frequency (pitch) and tone duration. Using DNA microarray data from a panel of neuroblastoma and Ewing sarcoma cell lines as well as from Hodgkin’s lymphoma cell lines and normal B cells, we demonstrate that this Gene Expression Music Algorithm (GEMusicA) can be used for discrimination between samples with different biology and for the characterization of differentially expressed genes.
Modular Design of the Selectivity Filter Pore Loop in a Novel Family of Prokaryotic ‘Inward Rectifier’ (NirBac) channels
Authors: Zubcevic Lejla , Wang Shizhen , Bavro Vassiliy N. , Lee Sun-Joo , Nichols Colin G. , Tucker Stephen J.
Published: October 2015

Potassium channels exhibit a modular design with distinct structural and functional domains; in particular, a highly conserved pore-loop sequence that determines their ionic selectivity. We now report the functional characterisation of a novel group of functionally non-selective members of the prokaryotic ‘inward rectifier’ subfamily of K+ channels. These channels share all the key structural domains of eukaryotic and prokaryotic Kir/KirBac channels, but instead possess unique pore-loop selectivity filter sequences unrelated to any other known ionic selectivity filter. The strikingly unusual architecture of these ‘NirBac’ channels defines a new family of functionally non-selective ion channels and also provides important insights into the modular design of ion channels, as well as the evolution of ionic selectivity within this superfamily of tetrameric cation channels.
Lectin staining and flow cytometry reveals female-induced sperm acrosome reaction and surface carbohydrate reorganization
Authors: Kekäläinen Jukka , Larma Irma , Linden Matthew , Evans Jonathan P.
Published: October 2015

All cells are covered by glycans, an individually unique layer of oligo- and polysaccharides that are critical moderators of self-recognition and other cellular-level interactions (e.g. fertilization). The functional similarity between these processes suggests that gamete surface glycans may also have an important, but currently overlooked, role in sexual selection. Here we develop a user-friendly methodological approach designed to facilitate future tests of this possibility. Our proposed method is based on flow cytometric quantification of female-induced sperm acrosome reaction and sperm surface glycan modifications in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. In this species, as with many other taxa, eggs release water-soluble factors that attract conspecific sperm (chemoattraction) and promote potentially measurable changes in sperm behavior and physiology. We demonstrate that flow cytometry is able to identify sperm from other seawater particles as well as accurately measure both acrosome reaction and structural modifications in sperm glycans. This methodological approach can increase our understanding of chemically-moderated gamete-level interactions and individual-specific gamete recognition in Mytilus sp. and other taxa with similar, easily identifiable acrosome structure. Our approach is also likely to be applicable to several other species, since carbohydrate-mediated cellular-level interactions between gametes are universal among externally and internally fertilizing species.