bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Counsellor and client perceptions of client problems
Authors: Jupp J. J. , Hudson M.
Published: July 2016

This study examined the mutual awareness of counsellors and clients about clients' problems and considered the extent to which counsellors and clients agreed about problems. To investigate these issues data were obtained by the administration of questionnaires to 10 school counsellors and their next 10 adolescent clients. Results suggested that counsellors were aware of client problems in 42% of cases. Clients were aware about how counsellors viewed their problems in 17% of cases. There was agreement between counsellor and client about client's problems in 22% of cases. Effects of a number of variables on perceptions about problems were also investigated. Type of referral (self, other) and approach taken by counsellor did not influence perceptions. Having background information about clients appeared to impede counsellors' awareness about problems and degree of agreement between counsellors and clients about the nature of problems. Number of previous interviews with clients and the length of experience of counsellors also affected counsellor/client perceptions.
“It turned him right around”: Social competency
Authors: Penn Carol , Stephens Peter
Published: July 2016

This is a report on the use of a modified version of Ollendick's Social Competency program. The goal of the study was to determine how effective the program is in teaching social skills. Two groups of ten children were studied. The evaluation was carried out over a two-year period. The program children displayed improved social skills by demonstration. This was also reported in positive comments from parents, teachers and children. The social popularity score of the targeted children moved positively toward the peer group mean. The program proved to be a more effective use of professional time than individual casework.
Enchancing adolescents' self-esteem with Rational-Emotive Therapy
Authors: Fry Michael J.
Published: July 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET) in enhancing the self-esteem of adolescent males. Six subjects were observed over a twenty-week period. At weekly intervals three measures of self-esteem were made: a self-report measure (using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory - CSEI) and two unobtrusive measures (Parent and Teacher Reports). Between the tenth and eleventh observations each subject participated in ten individual sessions of RET. Data from these observations were analysed by Interrupted Time-Series Analyses. The results indicated that the RET was effective in enhancing self-esteem. However, the treatment's effectiveness on the CSEI sub-scales was marginally differential. The main conclusion from the study was that RET is an effective therapy for enhancing the self-esteem of adolescents. The implication for education was that RET is an appropriate therapy for school counsellors dealing with adolescents who have self-esteem problems.
Cross-cultural counselling
Authors: Knox Liz
Published: July 2016

This article defines and gives a brief history of the development of crosscultural counselling as it exists in Australia and examines the qualities of an effective cross-cultural counsellor. It outlines some of the societal pressures which operate as a hindrance to effective counselling and finally lists some implications for the guidance officer working in Queensland schools.
Using cognitive behaviour training activities and group processes to enhance spelling performance
Authors: Gillies Robyn
Published: July 2016

This study was conducted to determine whether cognitive behaviour modification training procedures, implemented in small group settings of learning disabled children and low progress children, was effective in improving their spelling through writing. The study demonstrated two main outcomes. Firstly, it showed that learning disabled children can be taught specific cognitive training strategies to help them regulate their self-instructional behaviours in spelling and these skills can generalise to spelling situations outside the original training program. Secondly, it showed that reciprocal gains occur when learning disabled children work cooperatively with other low progress spellers.
The social integration of mainstreamed handicapped high school children
Authors: Parker J. L. , Burrows Jenny
Published: July 2016

The social integration (sociometric status) of 22 mainstreamed handicapped high school children was compared with that of their non-handicapped peers.

Results indicated that in friendship and work oriented situations the handicapped were less socially accepted than their nonhandicapped peers, more frequently identified as stars, and female handicapped students were more popular and accepted than the male handicapped.

A limitation of the study was its small sample size.
New aspects of socio-economic and professional integration of young unemployed: The generation at a disadvantage
Authors: Murray Chris
Published: July 2016

This paper investigates the effects of factors which socially disadvantage the young unemployed. Studies on school and work experiences of disadvantaged youth make it clear there is no single problem of a cycle of disadvantage. Factors such as chances at birth, house and neighbourhood, family circumstances, ill-health and physical development, and school experience and parental interest, crucially influence the process of growing up. The author questions what happens to the needs of the individual when unemployment causes a sudden change in the individual's habitual social structure.
The practicality of theory: An educational solution
Authors: Ashman Adrian F.
Published: July 2016

While most counselling approaches have an established foundation in psychological theory, few can claim to provide a window through which one can observe and comprehend contemporary society. This essay considers the relevance of one theory, Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology, in terms of its ability to address the challenges and issues being confronted by people today. Herein, we look at concepts that are infrequently considered by counsellors, but nevertheless, influence the development of our thoughts and behaviour.
Subjective memory complaints in elderly: relationship with health status, multimorbidity, medications, and use of services in a population-based study
Authors: Pedro Montejo C. , Mercedes Montenegro-Peña , Ramón López-Higes , Borja Montejo R.
Published: July 2016

Background:

This study examines the associations between subjective memory complaints (SMC) and health variables: multimorbidity, presence of certain diseases, health perceived state, difficulties seeing and hearing, pain, and use of medications and health services. Furthermore, we aim to identify risk groups based on multimorbidity and calculate the effect size for each of these relationships.

Methods:

Cross-sectional epidemiological study using a face-to-face interview with a structured questionnaire. Sample size: 1,342 people aged 65 years and older taken from a random sample of the census tracts. SMC were studied using questions regarding memory complaints.

Results:

Multimorbidity and polypharmacy are associated with SMC, so are impaired vision and hearing. SMC are more frequently present in people who use health services more intensively and exhibit reduced functional activity as a result of diseases. With respect to specific diseases, only cerebrovascular accidents and chronic constipation were associated with SMC. In regression analysis, predictors of SMC were vision and hearing impairment, poor self-perceived health, pain, and general practitioner visits. However, the effect size of these factors is low. The variables that indicate risk groups are number of diseases, reduced functional activity, hearing impairment, and poor self-perceived health.

Conclusions:

Memory complaints are a heterogeneous phenomenon. Our results confirm that multimorbidity, polypharmacy, greater use of health services, pain, and poor self-perceived health are associated with SMC. We identified two risk groups with a high percentage of complaints and a healthy group with a low percentage. Detecting these factors and these risk and healthy groups is useful in achieving proper patients management.
Mountbatten's Response to the Communal Riots in the Punjab, 20 March to 15 August 1947: An Overview
Authors: CHAWLA MUHAMMAD IQBAL
Published: July 2016

Mountbatten once said, “I sincerely hope that His Majesty's Government will support me should this eventuality arise. But I feel that if we can blot out 10,000 fanatics in the first round we may stop four hundred million people from being involved in war”.1Despite his strong commitment and prompt responses to the communal riots, Mountbatten's inability to prevent the massacres, especially brutal and widespread in the Punjab, and in the rest of the country in general, invited criticism of his role as the last leader of British India. It is important, therefore, to analyze the dynamics of the communal violence in the Punjab and Mountbatten's response to it. This paper attempts to understand Mountbatten's reading of Punjab's communal problem and his efforts to deal with it. It also analyzes the measures he took to curb and eradicate violence which resulted from that. Hence, this study fills an important gap in our existing historical literature and helps in revising prevailing views about Mountbatten's real role in dealing with the communal riots in the Punjab.
Increased processing speed in young adult bilinguals: evidence from source memory judgments
Authors: GRANT ANGELA , DENNIS NANCY
Published: July 2016

Although many studies have investigated the consequences of bilingualism on cognitive control, few have examined the impact of bilingualism on other cognitive domains, such as memory. Of these studies, most have focused on item memory and none have examined the role of bilingualism in source memory (i.e., the memory for contextual details from a previous encounter with a stimulus). In our study, young adult bilinguals and monolinguals completed a source memory test, whose different conditions were designed to stress working memory and inhibitory control. Bilinguals performed significantly faster than monolinguals across all conditions without compromising accuracy, and also showed an overall speed advantage on the Flanker task. We interpret these processing speed advantages within the context of current models of bilingual production.
Investigating patient recruitment to radiotherapy clinical trials
Authors: Thompson Emma , Clarkson Melanie
Published: July 2016

Background

Radiotherapy randomised controlled trials provide evidence to support the development of new techniques and dose/fractionation regimens. Some radiotherapy trials have previously had to close early or revise targets due to low recruitment rates. Many authors have recommended research into recruitment strategies for many areas of medicine, however little work has been carried out in the specific field of radiotherapy.

Method

Using a survey of research radiographers followed by radiotherapy patient interviews, this project provides perspectives on motives for patient participation in radiotherapy clinical trials, and how to best support people through this decision-making process.

Findings

The main factors influencing participation identified by the radiographers were altruism, treatment fatigue and concerns about the trial arms, lack of resources and lack of commitment from some medical colleagues. For patients the main factors were mainly emotional; altruism, and fears for efficacy of different trial arms featured, with requests for timely communication of trial information.

Conclusion

We recommend that strategies should be offered proactively to support patients through the decision-making process when considering trial participation. Research radiographers are ideally qualified to offer support and expert knowledge to these patients.
Radiotherapy couches: is kevlar an obstacle? Attenuation study of three different tabletops
Authors: Silva Célia , Mateus Dalila , Vieira Sandra , Rodrigues Milton , Eiras Margarida , Greco Carlo
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Treatment tabletops are usually made of carbon fibre due to its high mechanical strength and rigidity, low specific density, extremely light and regularly considered radiotranslucent. Our clinic acquired a Calypso 4D Localization System where electromagnetic (EM) frequencies to detect implanted transponders in the patient are used. Carbon fibre is an electrical conductive material which interferes with EM frequencies. Therefore, in order to be able to use the Calypso System the carbon fibre tabletop in the treatment room must be replaced. It is our goal to determine the attenuation of the new, non-carbon fibre, tabletop in treatment delivery.

Materials and Methods

Measurements were performed using an ionisation chamber inserted in a slab phantom positioned at the isocenter for 6, 10 MV, 6 and 10 flattening filter free (FFF) MV photon beams. These measurements were performed with and without tabletop for 0°, 30° and 60° beam angle for a True Beam STx linac, for 5×5 cm2 and 10×10 cm2 field size beams. The attenuation was calculated for each measurement for each tabletop.

Results

At 0° incidence on the Exact IGRT Couch, the measured attenuation for 10×10 cm2 was 2·8 and 2·1% for 6 and 10 MV beams, respectively. For the same field size was measured 3·3 and 2·6% attenuation for 6 and 10 FFF MV beams, respectively. At the same incidence and regarding the other tabletops, the calculated attenuation is lower. For 10×10 cm2 field, there is 2·0, 1·4, 2·1 and 2·6% attenuation for 6, 10 MV, 6 and 10 FFF MV energy beams on the kVueTM Universal Couch. For the KvueTM Calypso® Couch 10×10 cm2 irradiation field, the measurements were 1·6, 1·3, 1·9 and 1·5%, respectively. This tendency is observed for all gantry angles.

Discussion

The attenuation outputs were definitely higher for the Varian Exact IGRT Couch when compared with the kVue tabletops. The attenuation measurements for the kVue tabletops were closer to each other. Nevertheless kVueTM Calypso® Varian tabletop showed smaller mean attenuation of the beams than kVueTM Universal Tip Insert for all measurements.

Conclusions

There was no loss in treatment quality administration due to beam attenuation in the tabletop when tabletops were exchanged because of Calypso system integration. There is no need to change between kVue tabletops whenever there is a regular treatment or a Calypso System guided treatment.
‘If you have good skin, you are god. If you have bad skin, you are a piece of rubbish’. Mastery of shame and anger in treatment-resistant body dysmorphic disorder: a single case study
Authors: Sündermann Oliver , Wheatley Jonathan , Veale David
Published: July 2016

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by a preoccupation with a perceived flaw in one's appearance, and is often emotionally linked with early adverse experiences. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective but may not resolve shame and anger that can be at the emotional root of BDD. This paper presents a single-case study of a 25-year-old man with a history of treatment-resistant BDD characterized by a preoccupation with facial skin linked to a developmental history of sexual abuse and bullying. He was treated at a national residential specialist unit for 16 weeks during which time he received three individual 1-hour weekly CBT sessions (42 sessions overall), and participated in the residential group programme and therapeutic community. CBT was enhanced using imagery rescripting, compassion-focused therapy and family work to specifically target shame and anger-based past experiences. Severity of BDD was assessed with the BDD-Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (BDD-YBOCS) at pre-, mid-, post-, 3-month and 18-month follow-ups; a weekly self-report measure (Appearance Anxiety Inventory), and a client-drawn self-portrait of his perceived skin flaws at pre- and post-treatment. Treatment outcome was positive. The BDD-YBOCS dropped 94% from the extremely severe range pre-treatment to the sub-clinical range post-treatment. BDD symptoms improved progressively throughout treatment, and when the emotions of anger and shame were resolved (as reported by the client) fell to the non-clinical range. Gains were maintained at 18-month follow-up. We conclude that enhancing CBT for BDD using emotion-focused techniques is to be recommended, particularly when emotional memories continue to affect body shame.
MORITA EQUIVALENCE
Authors: BARRETT THOMAS WILLIAM , HALVORSON HANS
Published: July 2016

Logicians and philosophers of science have proposed various formal criteria for theoretical equivalence. In this paper, we examine two such proposals: definitional equivalence and categorical equivalence. In order to show precisely how these two well-known criteria are related to one another, we investigate an intermediate criterion called Morita equivalence.
Tanzanian Volcanoes May Hoard Helium Ready for the Taking
Authors: Coombs Amy
Published: July 2016

Sweet spots of volcanic heat that are not too close to active eruptions may hold the world's richest reservoirs of the scientifically and medically important gas helium.
Broadband, sensitive and spectrally distinctive SnS2 nanosheet/PbS colloidal quantum dot hybrid photodetector
Authors: Gao Liang , Chen Chao , Zeng Kai , Ge Cong , Yang Dun , Song Haisheng , Tang Jiang
Published: July 2016

Photodetectors convert photons into current or voltage outputs and are thus widely used for spectroscopy, imaging and sensing. Traditional photodetectors generally show a consistent-polarity response to incident photons within their broadband responsive spectrum. Here we introduced a new type of photodetector employing SnS2 nanosheets sensitized with PbS colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) that are not only sensitive (~105 A W−1) and broadband (300–1000 nm) but also spectrally distinctive, that is, show distinctive (positive or negative) photoresponse toward incident photons of different wavelengths. A careful mechanism study revealed illumination-modulated Schottky contacts between SnS2 nanosheets and Au electrodes, altering the photoresponse polarity toward incident photons of different wavelengths. Finally, we applied our SnS2 nanosheet/PbS CQDs hybrid photodetector to differentiate the color temperature of emission from a series of white light-emitting diodes (LEDs), showcasing the unique application of our novel photodetectors.
Regulation of claudin/zonula occludens-1 complexes by hetero-claudin interactions
Authors: Schlingmann Barbara , Overgaard Christian E. , Molina Samuel A. , Lynn K. Sabrina , Mitchell Leslie A. , Dorsainvil White StevenClaude , Mattheyses Alexa L. , Guidot David M. , Capaldo Christopher T. , Koval Michael
Published: July 2016

Claudins are tetraspan transmembrane tight-junction proteins that regulate epithelial barriers. In the distal airspaces of the lung, alveolar epithelial tight junctions are crucial to regulate airspace fluid. Chronic alcohol abuse weakens alveolar tight junctions, priming the lung for acute respiratory distress syndrome, a frequently lethal condition caused by airspace flooding. Here we demonstrate that in response to alcohol, increased claudin-5 paradoxically accompanies an increase in paracellular leak and rearrangement of alveolar tight junctions. Claudin-5 is necessary and sufficient to diminish alveolar epithelial barrier function by impairing the ability of claudin-18 to interact with a scaffold protein, zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), demonstrating that one claudin affects the ability of another claudin to interact with the tight-junction scaffold. Critically, a claudin-5 peptide mimetic reverses the deleterious effects of alcohol on alveolar barrier function. Thus, claudin controlled claudin-scaffold protein interactions are a novel target to regulate tight-junction permeability.
Bat trait, genetic and pathogen data from large-scale investigations of African fruit bats, Eidolon helvum
Authors: Peel Alison J. , Baker Kate S. , Hayman David T. S. , Suu-Ire Richard , Breed Andrew C. , Gembu Guy-Crispin , Lembo Tiziana , Fernández-Loras Andrés , Sargan David R. , Fooks Anthony R. , Cunningham Andrew A. , Wood James L. N.
Published: July 2016

Bats, including African straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum), have been highlighted as reservoirs of many recently emerged zoonotic viruses. This common, widespread and ecologically important species was the focus of longitudinal and continent-wide studies of the epidemiological and ecology of Lagos bat virus, henipaviruses and Achimota viruses. Here we present a spatial, morphological, demographic, genetic and serological dataset encompassing 2827 bats from nine countries over an 8-year period. Genetic data comprises cytochrome b mitochondrial sequences (n=608) and microsatellite genotypes from 18 loci (n=544). Tooth-cementum analyses (n=316) allowed derivation of rare age-specific serologic data for a lyssavirus, a henipavirus and two rubulaviruses. This dataset contributes a substantial volume of data on the ecology of E. helvum and its viruses and will be valuable for a wide range of studies, including viral transmission dynamic modelling in age-structured populations, investigation of seasonal reproductive asynchrony in wide-ranging species, ecological niche modelling, inference of island colonisation history, exploration of relationships between island and body size, and various spatial analyses of demographic, morphometric or serological data.
Forming heterojunction: an effective strategy to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency of a new metal-free organic photocatalyst for water splitting
Authors: Li Hengshuai , Hu Haiquan , Bao Chunjiang , Guo Feng , Zhang Xiaoming , Liu Xiaobiao , Hua Juan , Tan Jie , Wang Aizhu , Zhou Hongcai , Yang Bo , Qu Yuanyuan , Liu Xiangdong
Published: July 2016

Photocatalytic water splitting is a new technology for the conversion and utilization of solar energy and has a potential prospect. One important aspect of enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency is how to improve the electron-hole separation. Up to now, there is still no ideal strategy to improve the electron-hole separation. In this article, for metal-free organic photocatalysts, we propose a good strategy- forming heterojunction, which can effectively improve the electron-hole separation. We provide a metal-free organic photocatalyst g-C12N7H3 for water splitting. The stability of g-C12N7H3 has been investigated, the X-ray diffraction spectra has been simulated. Using first-principles calculations, we have systematically studied the electronic structure, band edge alignment, and optical properties for the g-C12N7H3. The results demonstrated that g-C12N7H3 is a new organocatalyst material for water splitting. In order to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency, we provided four strategies, i.e., multilayer stacking, raising N atoms, forming g-C9N10/g-C12N7H3 heterojunction, and forming graphene/g-C12N7H3 heterojunction. Our research is expected to stimulate experimentalists to further study novel 2D metal-free organic materials as visible light photocatalysts. Our strategies, especially forming heterojunction, will substantially help to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency of metal-free organic photocatalyst.
Unique proteome signature of post-chemotherapy ovarian cancer ascites-derived tumor cells
Authors: Ahmed Nuzhat , Greening David , Samardzija Chantel , Escalona Ruth M. , Chen Maoshan , Findlay Jock K. , Kannourakis George
Published: July 2016

Eighty % of ovarian cancer patients diagnosed at an advanced-stage have complete remission after initial surgery and chemotherapy. However, most patients die within <5 years due to episodes of recurrences resulting from the growth of residual chemoresistant cells. In an effort to identify mechanisms associated with chemoresistance and recurrence, we compared the expression of proteins in ascites-derived tumor cells isolated from advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients obtained at diagnosis (chemonaive, CN) and after chemotherapy treatments (chemoresistant/at recurrence, CR) by using in-depth, high-resolution label-free quantitative proteomic profiling. A total of 2,999 proteins were identified. Using a stringent selection criterion to define only significantly differentially expressed proteins, we report identification of 353 proteins. There were significant differences in proteins encoding for immune surveillance, DNA repair mechanisms, cytoskeleton rearrangement, cell-cell adhesion, cell cycle pathways, cellular transport and proteins involved with glycine/proline/arginine synthesis in tumor cells isolated from CR relative to CN patients. Pathway analyses revealed enrichment of metabolic pathways, DNA repair mechanisms and energy metabolism pathways in CR tumor cells. In conclusion, this is the first proteomics study to comprehensively analyze ascites-derived tumor cells from CN and CR ovarian cancer patients.
Combretastatin A-4 efficiently inhibits angiogenesis and induces neuronal apoptosis in zebrafish
Authors: Shi Yun-Wei , Yuan Wei , Wang Xin , Gong Jie , Zhu Shun-Xing , Chai Lin-Lin , Qi Jia-Ling , Qin Yin-Yin , Gao Yu , Zhou Yu-Ling , Fan Xiao-Le , Ji Chun-Ya , Wu Jia-Yi , Wang Zhi-Wei , Liu Dong
Published: July 2016

Cis-stilbene combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) and a large group of its derivant compounds have been shown significant anti-angiogenesis activity. However the side effects even the toxicities of these chemicals were not evaluated adequately. The zebrafish model has become an important vertebrate model for evaluating drug effects. The testing of CA-4 on zebrafish is so far lacking and assessment of CA-4 on this model will provide with new insights of understanding the function of CA-4 on angiogenesis, the toxicities and side effects of CA-4. We discovered that 7–9 ng/ml CA-4 treatments resulted in developmental retardation and morphological malformation, and led to potent angiogenic defects in zebrafish embryos. Next, we demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg CA-4 obviously inhibited vessel plexus formation in regenerated pectoral fins of adult zebrafish. Interestingly, we proved that CA-4 treatment induced significant cell apoptosis in central nervous system of zebrafish embryos and adults. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the neuronal apoptosis induced by CA-4 treatment was alleviated in p53 mutants. In addition, notch1a was up-regulated in CA-4 treated embryos, and inhibition of Notch signaling by DAPT partially rescued the apoptosis in zebrafish central nervous system caused by CA-4.
Asymmetric distribution of Spalt in Drosophila wing squamous and columnar epithelia ensures correct cell morphogenesis
Authors: Tang Wenqian , Wang Dan , Shen Jie
Published: July 2016

The Drosophila wing imaginal disc is a sac-like structure that is composed of two opposing cell layers: peripodial epithelium (PE, also known as squamous epithelia) and disc proper (DP, also known as pseudostratified columnar epithelia). The molecular mechanism of cell morphogenesis has been well studied in the DP but not in the PE. Although proper Dpp signalling activity is required for proper PE formation, the detailed regulation mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we found that the Dpp target gene sal is only expressed in DP cells, not in PE cells, although pMad is present in the PE. Increasing Dpp signalling activity cannot activate Sal in PE cells. The absence of Sal in the PE is essential for PE formation. The ectopic expression of sal in PE cells is sufficient to increase the PE cell height. Down-regulation of sal in the DP reduced DP cell height. We further demonstrated that the known PE cell height regulator Lines, which can convert PE into a DP cell fate, is mediated by sal mis-activation in PE because sal-RNAi and lines co-expression largely restores PE cell morphology. By revealing the microtubule distribution, we demonstrated that Lines- and Sal-heightened PE cells are morphologically similar to the intermediate cell with cuboidal morphology.
Bimetallic Metal-Organic Frameworks for Controlled Catalytic Graphitization of Nanoporous Carbons
Authors: Tang Jing , Salunkhe Rahul R. , Zhang Huabin , Malgras Victor , Ahamad Tansir , Alshehri Saad M. , Kobayashi Naoya , Tominaka Satoshi , Ide Yusuke , Kim Jung Ho , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: July 2016

Single metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), constructed from the coordination between one-fold metal ions and organic linkers, show limited functionalities when used as precursors for nanoporous carbon materials. Herein, we propose to merge the advantages of zinc and cobalt metals ions into one single MOF crystal (i.e., bimetallic MOFs). The organic linkers that coordinate with cobalt ions tend to yield graphitic carbons after carbonization, unlike those bridging with zinc ions, due to the controlled catalytic graphitization by the cobalt nanoparticles. In this work, we demonstrate a feasible method to achieve nanoporous carbon materials with tailored properties, including specific surface area, pore size distribution, degree of graphitization and content of heteroatoms. The bimetallic-MOF-derived nanoporous carbon are systematically characterized, highlighting the importance of precisely controlling the properties of the carbon materials. This can be done by finely tuning the components in the bimetallic MOF precursors and thus designing optimal carbon materials for specific applications.
A novel alignment-free method for detection of lateral genetic transfer based on TF-IDF
Authors: Cong Yingnan , Chan Yao-ban , Ragan Mark A.
Published: July 2016

Lateral genetic transfer (LGT) plays an important role in the evolution of microbes. Existing computational methods for detecting genomic regions of putative lateral origin scale poorly to large data. Here, we propose a novel method based on TF-IDF (Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency) statistics to detect not only regions of lateral origin, but also their origin and direction of transfer, in sets of hierarchically structured nucleotide or protein sequences. This approach is based on the frequency distributions of k-mers in the sequences. If a set of contiguous k-mers appears sufficiently more frequently in another phyletic group than in its own, we infer that they have been transferred from the first group to the second. We performed rigorous tests of TF-IDF using simulated and empirical datasets. With the simulated data, we tested our method under different parameter settings for sequence length, substitution rate between and within groups and post-LGT, deletion rate, length of transferred region and k size and found that we can detect LGT events with high precision and recall. Our method performs better than an established method, ALFY, which has high recall but low precision. Our method is efficient, with runtime increasing approximately linearly with sequence length.
Memory window engineering of Ta2O5−x oxide-based resistive switches via incorporation of various insulating frames
Authors: Lee Ah Rahm , Baek Gwang Ho , Kim Tae Yoon , Ko Won Bae , Yang Seung Mo , Kim Jongmin , Im Hyun Sik , Hong Jin Pyo
Published: July 2016

Three-dimensional (3D) stackable memory frames, including nano-scaled crossbar arrays, are one of the most reliable building blocks to meet the demand of high-density non-volatile memory electronics. However, their utilization has the disadvantage of introducing issues related to sneak paths, which can negatively impact device performance. We address the enhancement of complementary resistive switching (CRS) features via the incorporation of insulating frames as a generic approach to extend their use; here, a Pt/Ta2O5−x/Ta/Ta2O5−x/Pt frame is chosen as the basic CRS cell. The incorporation of Ta/Ta2O5−x/Ta or Pt/amorphous TaN/Pt insulting frames into the basic CRS cell ensures the appreciably advanced memory features of CRS cells including higher on/off ratios, improved read margins and increased selectivity without reliability degradation. Experimental observations identified that a suitable insulating frame is crucial for adjusting the abrupt reset events of the switching element, thereby facilitating the enhanced electrical characteristics of CRS cells that are suitable for practical applications.
DIC image reconstruction using an energy minimization framework to visualize optical path length distribution
Authors: Koos Krisztian , Molnár József , Kelemen Lóránd , Tamás Gábor , Horvath Peter
Published: July 2016

Label-free microscopy techniques have numerous advantages such as low phototoxicity, simple setup and no need for fluorophores or other contrast materials. Despite their advantages, most label-free techniques cannot visualize specific cellular compartments or the location of proteins and the image formation limits quantitative evaluation. Differential interference contrast (DIC) is a qualitative microscopy technique that shows the optical path length differences within a specimen. We propose a variational framework for DIC image reconstruction. The proposed method largely outperforms state-of-the-art methods on synthetic, artificial and real tests and turns DIC microscopy into an automated high-content imaging tool. Image sets and the source code of the examined algorithms are made publicly available.
Human Trefoil Factor 3 induces the transcription of its own promoter through STAT3
Authors: Sun Yong , Wang Liangxi , Zhou Yifang , Mao Xuefei , Deng Xiangdong
Published: July 2016

Human trefoil factor 3 (hTFF3) is a small peptide of potential therapeutic value. The mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of hTFF3 remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the core functional elements for the self-induction action of hTFF3 and transcription factors. First, truncated promoters were constructed to identify the functional regions of the hTFF3 promoter. Next, point mutation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, RNA interference and gene overexpression experiments were performed to analyze the transcriptional binding sites responsible for the self-induced transcription of hTFF3. Our results revealed the −1450 bp to −1400 bp fragment of the hTFF3 promoter was the functional region for the self-induction action of hTFF3. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed that a STAT3 binding site is present in the −1417 bp to −1409 bp region. Subsequently, site-directed mutagenesis analysis determined that this STAT3 binding site was critical for the self-induction effect of hTFF3. ChIP experiments confirmed that STAT3 binds to the hTFF3 promoter. STAT3 overexpression and knockdown experiments revealed that STAT3 enhanced the self-induction effect and the expression of hTFF3. This study confirmed that hTFF3 exhibits self-induction action, and that STAT3 is the key transcription factor to maintain the function of self-induction.
A small-angle X-ray scattering study of alpha-synuclein from human red blood cells
Authors: Araki Katsuya , Yagi Naoto , Nakatani Rie , Sekiguchi Hiroshi , So Masatomo , Yagi Hisashi , Ohta Noboru , Nagai Yoshitaka , Goto Yuji , Mochizuki Hideki
Published: July 2016

α-synuclein (α-syn) is the main component of Lewy bodies, which are neuropathological hallmarks of patients with Parkinson’s disease. As it has been controversial whether human α-syn from erythrocytes exists as a tetramer under physiological conditions, we tried solving this issue by the small-angle X-ray solution scattering method. Under two different conditions (high ionic strength with a Tris buffer and low ionic strength with an ammonium acetate buffer), no evidence was found for the presence of tetramer. When comparing erythrocyte and recombinant α-syn molecules, we found no significant difference of the molecular weight and the secondary structure although the buffer conditions strongly affect the radius of gyration of the protein. The results indicate that, even though a stable tetramer may not be formed, conformation of α-syn depends much on its environment, which may be the reason for its tendency to aggregate in cells.
In-column ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to monitor affinity chromatography purification of monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Boulet-Audet Maxime , Kazarian Sergei G. , Byrne Bernadette
Published: July 2016

In recent years many monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have entered the biotherapeutics market, offering new treatments for chronic and life-threatening diseases. Protein A resin captures monoclonal antibody (mAb) effectively, but the binding capacity decays over repeated purification cycles. On an industrial scale, replacing fouled Protein A affinity chromatography resin accounts for a large proportion of the raw material cost. Cleaning-in-place (CIP) procedures were developed to extend Protein A resin lifespan, but chromatograms cannot reliably quantify any remaining contaminants over repeated cycles. To study resin fouling in situ, we coupled affinity chromatography and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for the first time, by embedding an attenuated total reflection (ATR) sensor inside a micro-scale column while measuring the UV 280 nm and conductivity. Our approach quantified the in-column protein concentration in the resin bed and determined protein conformation. Our results show that Protein A ligand leached during CIP. We also found that host cell proteins bound to the Protein A resin even more strongly than mAbs and that typical CIP conditions do not remove all fouling contaminants. The insights derived from in-column ATR-FTIR spectroscopic monitoring could contribute to mAb purification quality assurance as well as guide the development of more effective CIP conditions to optimise resin lifespan.
The Frequency and Energy of Snoring Sounds Are Associated with Common Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients
Authors: Lee Guo-She , Lee Li-Ang , Wang Chao-Yung , Chen Ning-Hung , Fang Tuan-Jen , Huang Chung-Guei , Cheng Wen-Nuan , Li Hsueh-Yu
Published: July 2016

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a known risk factor for atherosclerosis. We investigated the association of common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) with snoring sounds in OSA patients. A total of 30 newly diagnosed OSA patients with no history of cardiovascular diseases were prospectively enrolled for measuring mean CCA-IMT with B-mode ultrasonography, body mass index, metabolic syndrome, 10-year cardiovascular disease risk score, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and homocysteine. Good-quality signals of full-night snoring sounds in an ordinary sleep condition obtained from 15 participants were further acoustically analyzed (Included group). All variables of interest were not significantly different (all p > 0.05) between the included and non-included groups except for diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.037). In the included group, CCA-IMT was significantly correlated with snoring sound energies of 0–20 Hz (r = 0.608, p = 0.036) and 652–1500 Hz (r = 0.632, p = 0.027) and was not significantly associated with that of 20–652 Hz (r = 0.366, p = 0.242) after adjustment for age and sex. Our findings suggest that underlying snoring sounds may cause carotid wall thickening and support the large-scale evaluation of snoring sound characters as markers of surveillance and for risk stratification at diagnosis.
Molecular characterization of Tps1 and Treh genes in Drosophila and their role in body water homeostasis
Authors: Yoshida Miki , Matsuda Hiroko , Kubo Hitomi , Nishimura Takashi
Published: July 2016

In insects, trehalose serves as the main sugar component of haemolymph. Trehalose is also recognized as a mediator of desiccation survival due to its proposed ability to stabilize membranes and proteins. Although the physiological role of trehalose in insects has been documented for decades, genetic evidence to support the importance of trehalose metabolism remains incomplete. We here show on the basis of genetic and biochemical evidence that the trehalose synthesis enzyme Tps1 is solely responsible for the de novo synthesis of trehalose in Drosophila. Conversely, a lack of the gene for the trehalose hydrolyzing enzyme Treh causes an accumulation of trehalose that is lethal during the pupal period, as is observed with Tps1 mutants. Lack of either Tps1 or Treh results in a significant reduction in circulating glucose, suggesting that the maintenance of glucose levels requires a continuous turnover of trehalose. Furthermore, changes in trehalose levels are positively correlated with the haemolymph water volume. In addition, both Tps1 and Treh mutant larvae exhibit a high lethality after desiccation stress. These results demonstrate that the regulation of trehalose metabolism is essential for normal development, body water homeostasis, and desiccation tolerance in Drosophila.
Snoring Sounds Predict Obstruction Sites and Surgical Response in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome
Authors: Lee Li-Ang , Lo Yu-Lun , Yu Jen-Fang , Lee Gui-She , Ni Yung-Lun , Chen Ning-Hung , Fang Tuan-Jen , Huang Chung-Guei , Cheng Wen-Nuan , Li Hsueh-Yu
Published: July 2016

Snoring sounds generated by different vibrators of the upper airway may be useful indicators of obstruction sites in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). This study aimed to investigate associations between snoring sounds, obstruction sites, and surgical responses (≥50% reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] and <10 events/hour) in patients with OSAHS. This prospective cohort study recruited 36 OSAHS patients for 6-hour snoring sound recordings during in-lab full-night polysomnography, drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), and relocation pharyngoplasty. All patients received follow-up polysomnography after 6 months. Fifteen (42%) patients with at least two complete obstruction sites defined by DISE were significantly, positively associated with maximal snoring sound intensity (40–300 Hz; odds ratio [OR], 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.49) and body mass index (OR, 1.48, 95% CI 1.02–2.15) after logistic regression analysis. Tonsil obstruction was significantly, inversely correlated with mean snoring sound intensity (301–850 Hz; OR, 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.96). Moreover, baseline tonsil obstruction detected by either DISE or mean snoring sound intensity (301–850 Hz), and AHI could significantly predict the surgical response. Our findings suggest that snoring sound detection may be helpful in determining obstruction sites and predict surgical responses.
Diabetes Stimulates Osteoclastogenesis by Acidosis-Induced Activation of Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channels
Authors: Reni Carlotta , Mangialardi Giuseppe , Meloni Marco , Madeddu Paolo
Published: July 2016

Patients with type 1 diabetes have lower bone mineral density and higher risk of fractures. The role of osteoblasts in diabetes-related osteoporosis is well acknowledged whereas the role of osteoclasts (OCLs) is still unclear. We hypothesize that OCLs participate in pathological bone remodeling. We conducted studies in animals (streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice) and cellular models to investigate canonical and non-canonical mechanisms underlying excessive OCL activation. Diabetic mice show an increased number of active OCLs. In vitro studies demonstrate the involvement of acidosis in OCL activation and the implication of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1). In vivo studies confirm the establishment of local acidosis in the diabetic bone marrow (BM) as well as the ineffectiveness of insulin in correcting the pH variation and osteoclast activation. Conversely, treatment with TRPV1 receptor antagonists re-establishes a physiological OCL availability. These data suggest that diabetes causes local acidosis in the BM that in turn increases osteoclast activation through the modulation of TRPV1. The use of clinically available TRPV1 antagonists may provide a new means to combat bone problems associated with diabetes.
Changes in perception of treatment efficacy are associated to the magnitude of the nocebo effect and to personality traits
Authors: Corsi Nicole , Emadi Andani Mehran , Tinazzi Michele , Fiorio Mirta
Published: July 2016

The nocebo effect in motor performance consists in a reduction of force and increase of fatigue following the application of an inert treatment that the recipient believes to be effective. This effect is variable across individuals and it is usually stronger if conditioning –exposure to the active effect of the treatment– precedes a test session, in which the treatment is inert. In the current explorative study we used a conditioning procedure to investigate whether subjective perception of treatment effectiveness changes between the conditioning and the test session and whether this change is related to dispositional traits and to the nocebo-induced reduction of force. Results showed that 56.1% of participants perceived the treatment as more effective in the test than in the conditioning session, had a more pronounced reduction of force, felt more effort and sense of weakness and were characterized by lower levels of optimism and higher anxiety traits compared to the other 43.9% of participants, who conversely perceived the treatment as less effective in the test session than in the conditioning. These findings highlight for the first time a link between changes in perception of treatment effectiveness, personality traits and the magnitude of the nocebo response in motor performance.
Verification of watershed vegetation restoration policies, arid China
Authors: Zhang Chengqi , Li Yu
Published: July 2016

Verification of restoration policies that have been implemented is of significance to simultaneously reduce global environmental risks while also meeting economic development goals. This paper proposed a novel method according to the idea of multiple time scales to verify ecological restoration policies in the Shiyang River drainage basin, arid China. We integrated modern pollen transport characteristics of the entire basin and pollen records from 8 Holocene sedimentary sections and quantitatively reconstructed the millennial-scale changes of watershed vegetation zones by defining a new pollen-precipitation index. Meanwhile, Empirical Orthogonal Function method was used to quantitatively analyze spatial and temporal variations of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index in summer (June to August) of 2000–2014. By contrasting the vegetation changes that mainly controlled by millennial-scale natural ecological evolution with that under conditions of modern ecological restoration measures, we found that vegetation changes of the entire Shiyang River drainage basin are synchronous in both two time scales and the current ecological restoration policies met the requirements of long-term restoration objectives and showed promising early results on ecological environmental restoration. Our findings present an innovative method to verify river ecological restoration policies and also provide the scientific basis to propose future emphasizes of ecological restoration strategies.