bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moral Obligation, Self-Interest and the Transitivity Problem
Authors: ARCHER ALFRED
Published: April 2016

Is the relation ‘is a morally permissible alternative to’ transitive? The answer seems to be a straightforward yes. If Act B is a morally permissible alternative to Act A and Act C is a morally permissible alternative to B then how could C fail to be a morally permissible alternative to A? However, there are cases where this transitivity appears problematic. My aim in this article is to provide a solution to this problem. I will then investigate two ways in which we might justify rejecting the transitivity of the ‘is a permissible alternative to’ relation. Next, I will look at Dorsey's solution, which involves a reinterpretation of the intuitions used to generate the problem. I will argue that none of these solutions are fully satisfying, before going on to provide a novel solution to the problem and to argue that it avoids the problems facing the alternative solutions.
Peter Ball and Misconduct in a Public Office
Authors: Cranmer Frank , Pocklington David
Published: April 2016

On 27 March 2014 the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it had reviewed the evidence gathered by Sussex Police during its investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by Peter Ball, former Bishop of Lewes (1977–1992) and Bishop of Gloucester (1992–1993), and that he would be prosecuted on the following charges
‘A Delicate Exercise’: Balancing Freedom for and Freedom from Religion in Canada: Loyola High School v Quebec (Attorney General)
Authors: Ogilvie M H
Published: April 2016

In Loyola High School v Quebec (Attorney General) the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) found that a Roman Catholic high school run by the Jesuits in Montreal, could be exempted from the provincial Ethics and Religious Culture Program (ERCP), legislatively mandated for all schools in Quebec, whether public or private, provided it offered an ‘equivalent program’, if from a Roman Catholic perspective. In the earlier companion case, SL v Commission scolaire des Chênes, the Court held that religious parents could not claim an exemption for their children enrolled in the public schools from the same course. This discrepancy between the legal treatment of children in fee-paying religious schools and children in the public school system is one of several interesting aspects of the Loyola decision which this comment will address. Notwithstanding this discrepancy, the Court also restated its earlier observations about the nature and meaning of section 2(a), ‘freedom of conscience and religion’, of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter), thereby reassuring some Canadian observers that it is committed to a more robust protection of freedom of religion than may have been surmised from its earlier freedom of religion jurisprudence. Equally interesting is that, in coming to its decision, the majority of the Court moved away from the Court's earlier approach to freedom of religion issues of applying first section 2(a) and then section 1 of the Charter, which operates as a brake on full freedom of religion, to a proportional analysis more in tune with proportionality tests for religious freedom found in English and European cases. Whether this is the start of a long-term trajectory in Canadian freedom of religion cases or a single instance remains to be seen.
How do staff influence the quality of long-term dementia care and the lives of residents? A systematic review of the evidence
Authors: Anderson Katrina , Bird Mike , MacPherson Sarah , Blair Annaliese
Published: April 2016

Background:

Research suggests and common sense indicates that there are relationships between staff variables in residential dementia care and the quality of life (QOL) of residents, with poor care due to staff factors increasing resident suffering. Despite these indications, we do not have a coherent picture of these relationships, which variables are important, and where to intervene in order to minimize suffering for people with dementia.

Methods:

This systematic review examined associations between staff variables, quality of care (QOC), and QOL for residents, using published peer-reviewed literature from the last 20 years. A comprehensive search was conducted using an exhaustive list of search terms, leading to the identification of 33,204 unique papers, which was reduced to 35 on-topic papers.

Results:

In the main, we were able to provide collective evidence to suggest there are relationships between potentially adjustable staff variables and QOC on to QOL. When staff treat and interact empathetically and humanely in care, there is a relationship with better mood for residents, delayed functional dependence and better food intake. Where staff are more skilled and educated, there is less psychotropic medication use. Unlimited empathy about the risk of residents falling or being in pain is not enough; staff need to know about the dangers of restraint.

Conclusions:

Confidence in these indicative links is weakened by a lack of high-quality prospective longitudinal studies focusing on potentially adjustable staff variables, with a bias towards cross-sectional studies including only variables that are fixed or unlikely to change. (Review registration no. PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014015224).
Early child second language acquisition: French gender in German children
Authors: MEISEL JÜRGEN M.
Published: April 2016

This study investigates the acquisition of grammatical gender in French by German L1 children (age of onset of acquisition (AO) 2;8-4,0). The analysis of spontaneous production data of 24 children gathered longitudinally and a gender assignment test administered to 8 of these children at ages 6;7-8;3 and to 9 children (AO 2,11-3;8) at ages 3;2-5;1 revealed that some of them resembled L1 learners whereas others behaved like adult L2 learners. The turning point is at around AO 3;6. AO is thus a crucial factor determining successive language acquisition.
Dosimetric evaluation of tandem-based cervical high-dose-rate brachytherapy treatment planning using American Brachytherapy Society 2011 recommendations
Authors: Goyal Manish K. , Kehwar T. S. , Manjhi Jayanand , Barker Jerry L. , Heintz Bret H. , Shide Kathleen L. , Rai D. V.
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This study evaluated dosimetric parameters for cervical high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment using varying dose prescription methods.

Methods

This study includes 125 tandem-based cervical HDR brachytherapy treatment plans of 25 patients who received HDR brachytherapy. Delineation of high-risk clinical target volumes (HR-CTVs) and organ at risk were done on original computed tomographic images. The dose prescription point was defined as per International Commission in Radiation Units and Measurements Report Number 38 (ICRU-38), also redefined using American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) 2011 criteria. The coverage index (V100) for each HR-CTV was calculated using dose volume histogram parameters. A plot between HR-CTV and V100was plotted using the best-fit linear regression line (least-square fit analysis).

Results

Mean prescribed dose to ICRU-38 Point A was 590·47±28·65 cGy, and to ABS Point A was 593·35±30·42 cGy. There was no statistically significant difference between planned ICRU-38 and calculated ABS Point A doses (p=0·23). The plot between HR-CTV and V100is well defined by the best-fit linear regression line with a correlation coefficient of 0·9519.

Conclusion

For cervical HDR brachytherapy, dose prescription to an arbitrarily defined point (e.g., Point A) does not provide consistent coverage of HR-CTV. The difference in coverage between two dose prescription approaches increases with increasing CTV. Our ongoing work evaluates the dosimetric consequences of volumetric dose prescription approaches for these patients.
TRANSNATIONAL REFORM AND DEMOCRACY: ELECTION REFORMS IN NEW YORK CITY AND BERLIN AROUND 1900
Authors: Richter Hedwig
Published: April 2016

“Disenchantment with democracy” is Sven Beckert's diagnosis for the United States around 1900. According to Beckert, the era's elites paid little regard to the ideals of democracy and worked to exclude the lower classes from the electoral process. But was acceptance of democracy really that low? Previously overlooked elite discourses and efforts—particularly discussions that dealt with the practice of elections—show that this explanation does not tell the whole story. By drawing on endeavors concerning election reform in New York City, I argue that at the turn of the century a new understanding of democracy became a kind of modern consensus. This was the case not only in New York, a city in a republic, but also in Berlin, in the Prussian constitutional monarchy. These findings support the interpretation that around 1900 the understanding and acceptance of democracy underwent a seminal change in the transatlantic world. The consensus held that state legitimacy required mass participation and, even more, that mass participation was connected to “everybody” and to a meaning of “universal”— though this ideal of “universal” was constructed and exclusive in important ways.
Faith and Science Working Together on Climate Change
Authors: Bingham Sally
Published: April 2016

When science can show that the poorest among us are suffering first and worst from human-induced climate change, religions can motivate people of faith to care and to act.
Into the Belly of a Glacier
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: April 2016

Ice caving started as a weekend hobby but has now blossomed into a portion of graduate student Kiya Riverman's Ph.D. research.
Prostacyclin-producing human mesenchymal cells target H19 lncRNA to augment endogenous progenitor function in hindlimb ischaemia
Authors: Deng Yuxiao , Yang Zhongwei , Terry Toya , Pan Su , Woodside Darren G. , Wang Jingxiong , Ruan Kehe , Willerson James T. , Dixon Richard A. F. , Liu Qi
Published: April 2016

Promoting the paracrine effects of human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) therapy may contribute to improvements in patient outcomes. Here we develop an innovative strategy to enhance the paracrine effects of hMSCs. In a mouse hindlimb ischaemia model, we examine the effects of hMSCs in which a novel triple-catalytic enzyme is introduced to stably produce prostacyclin (PGI2-hMSCs). We show that PGI2-hMSCs facilitate perfusion recovery and enhance running capability as compared with control hMSCs or iloprost (a stable PGI2analogue). Transplanted PGI2-hMSCs do not incorporate long term into host tissue, but rather they mediate host regeneration and muscle mass gain in a paracrine manner. Mechanistically, this involves long noncoding RNA H19 in promoting PGI2-hMSC-associated survival and proliferation of host progenitor cells under hypoxic conditions. Together, our data reveal the novel ability of PGI2-hMSCs to stimulate host regenerative processes and improve physical function by regulating long noncoding RNA in resident progenitor cells.
Unearthing microbial diversity of Taxus rhizosphere via MiSeq high-throughput amplicon sequencing and isolate characterization
Authors: Hao Da Cheng , Song Si Meng , Mu Jun , Hu Wen Li , Xiao Pei Gen
Published: April 2016

The species variability and potential environmental functions of Taxus rhizosphere microbial community were studied by comparative analyses of 15 16S rRNA and 15 ITS MiSeq sequencing libraries from Taxus rhizospheres in subtropical and temperate regions of China, as well as by isolating laccase-producing strains and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading strains. Total reads could be assigned to 2,141 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) belonging to 31 bacteria phyla and 2,904 OTUs of at least seven fungi phyla. The abundance of Planctomycetes, Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi was higher in T. cuspidata var. nana and T. × media rhizospheres than in T. mairei rhizosphere (NF), while Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Nitrospirae and unclassified bacteria were more abundant in the latter. Ascomycota and Zygomycota were predominant in NF, while two temperate Taxus rhizospheres had more unclassified fungi, Basidiomycota and Chytridiomycota. The bacterial/fungal community richness and diversity were lower in NF than in other two. Three dye decolorizing fungal isolates were shown to be highly efficient in removing three classes of reactive dye, while two PAH-degrading fungi were able to degrade recalcitrant benzo[a]pyrene. The present studies extend the knowledge pedigree of the microbial diversity populating rhizospheres and exemplify the method shift in research and development of resource plant rhizosphere.
Erratum: Host Stress Drives Salmonella Recrudescence
Authors: Verbrugghe Elin , Dhaenens Maarten , Leyman Bregje , Boyen Filip , Shearer Neil , Van Parys Alexander , Haesendonck Roel , Bert Wim , Favoreel Herman , Deforce Dieter , Thompson Arthur , Haesebrouck Freddy , Pasmans Frank
Published: April 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 20849; published online: 09 February 2016; updated: 15 April 2016. In the Supplementary Information file originally published with this Article, Figures S1-4, Tables S1, S2, S4 and S5 were omitted. This error has been corrected in the Supplementary Information that now accompanies the Article.
Avian influenza viruses that cause highly virulent infections in humans exhibit distinct replicative properties in contrast to human H1N1 viruses
Authors: Simon Philippe F. , de La Vega Marc-Antoine , Paradis Éric , Mendoza Emelissa , Coombs Kevin M. , Kobasa Darwyn , Beauchemin Catherine A. A.
Published: April 2016

Avian influenza viruses present an emerging epidemiological concern as some strains of H5N1 avian influenza can cause severe infections in humans with lethality rates of up to 60%. These have been in circulation since 1997 and recently a novel H7N9-subtyped virus has been causing epizootics in China with lethality rates around 20%. To better understand the replication kinetics of these viruses, we combined several extensive viral kinetics experiments with mathematical modelling ofin vitroinfections in human A549 cells. We extracted fundamental replication parameters revealing that, while both the H5N1 and H7N9 viruses replicate faster and to higher titers than two low-pathogenicity H1N1 strains, they accomplish this via different mechanisms. While the H7N9 virions exhibit a faster rate of infection, the H5N1 virions are produced at a higher rate. Of the two H1N1 strains studied, the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain exhibits the longest eclipse phase, possibly indicative of a less effective neuraminidase activity, but causes infection more rapidly than the seasonal strain. This explains, in part, the pandemic strain’s generally slower growth kinetics and permissiveness to accept mutations causing neuraminidase inhibitor resistance without significant loss in fitness. Our results highlight differential growth properties of H1N1, H5N1 and H7N9 influenza viruses.
Mycobacteria-responsive sonic hedgehog signaling mediates programmed death-ligand 1- and prostaglandin E2-induced regulatory T cell expansion
Authors: Holla Sahana , Stephen-Victor Emmanuel , Prakhar Praveen , Sharma Meenu , Saha Chaitrali , Udupa Vibha , Kaveri Srinivas V. , Bayry Jagadeesh , Balaji Kithiganahalli Narayanaswamy
Published: April 2016

CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are exploited by mycobacteria to subvert the protective host immune responses. The Treg expansion in the periphery requires signaling by professional antigen presenting cells and in particularly dendritic cells (DC). However, precise molecular mechanisms by which mycobacteria instruct Treg expansion via DCs are not established. Here we demonstrate that mycobacteria-responsive sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling in human DCs leads to programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-catalyzed prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) that orchestrate mycobacterial infection-induced expansion of Tregs. While SHH-responsive transcription factor GLI1 directly arbitrated COX-2 transcription, specific microRNAs, miR-324-5p and miR-338-5p, which target PD-L1 were downregulated by SHH signaling. Further, counter-regulatory roles of SHH and NOTCH1 signaling during mycobacterial-infection of human DCs was also evident. Together, our results establish that Mycobacterium directs a fine-balance of host signaling pathways and molecular regulators in human DCs to expand Tregs that favour immune evasion of the pathogen.
Application of 3-D Urbanization Index to Assess Impact of Urbanization on Air Temperature
Authors: Wu Chih-Da , Lung Shih-Chun Candice
Published: April 2016

The lack of appropriate methodologies and indicators to quantify three-dimensional (3-D) building constructions poses challenges to authorities and urban planners when formulating polices to reduce health risks due to heat stress. This study evaluated the applicability of an innovative three-dimensional Urbanization Index (3DUI), based on remote sensing database, with a 5 m spatial resolution of 3-D man-made constructions to representing intra-urban variability of air temperature by assessing correlation of 3DUI with air temperature from a 3-D perspective. The results showed robust high correlation coefficients, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85, obtained within the 1,000 m circular buffer around weather stations regardless of season, year, or spatial location. Our findings demonstrated not only the strength of 3DUI in representing intra-urban air-temperature variability, but also its great potential for heat stress assessment within cities. In view of the maximum correlation between building volumes within the 1,000 m circular buffer and ambient air temperature, urban planning should consider setting ceilings for man-made construction volume in each 2 × 2 km2 residential community for thermal environment regulation, especially in Asian metropolis with high population density in city centers.
Pulse-modulated multilevel data storage in an organic ferroelectric resistive memory diode
Authors: Lee Jiyoul , van Breemen Albert J. J. M. , Khikhlovskyi Vsevolod , Kemerink Martijn , Janssen Rene A. J. , Gelinck Gerwin H.
Published: April 2016

We demonstrate multilevel data storage in organic ferroelectric resistive memory diodes consisting of a phase-separated blend of P(VDF-TrFE) and a semiconducting polymer. The dynamic behaviour of the organic ferroelectric memory diode can be described in terms of the inhomogeneous field mechanism (IFM) model where the ferroelectric components are regarded as an assembly of randomly distributed regions with independent polarisation kinetics governed by a time-dependent local field. This allows us to write and non-destructively read stable multilevel polarisation states in the organic memory diode using controlled programming pulses. The resulting 2-bit data storage per memory element doubles the storage density of the organic ferroelectric resistive memory diode without increasing its technological complexity, thus reducing the cost per bit.
Low-Dimensional Network Formation in Molten Sodium Carbonate
Authors: Wilding Martin C. , Wilson Mark , Alderman Oliver L. G. , Benmore Chris , Weber J. K. R. , Parise John B. , Tamalonis Anthony , Skinner Lawrie
Published: April 2016

Molten carbonates are highly inviscid liquids characterized by low melting points and high solubility of rare earth elements and volatile molecules. An understanding of the structure and related properties of these intriguing liquids has been limited to date. We report the results of a study of molten sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) which combines high energy X-ray diffraction, containerless techniques and computer simulation to provide insight into the liquid structure. Total structure factors (Fx(Q)) are collected on the laser-heated carbonate spheres suspended in flowing gases of varying composition in an aerodynamic levitation furnace. The respective partial structure factor contributions to Fx(Q) are obtained by performing molecular dynamics simulations treating the carbonate anions as flexible entities. The carbonate liquid structure is found to be heavily temperature-dependent. At low temperatures a low-dimensional carbonate chain network forms, at T = 1100 K for example ~55% of the C atoms form part of a chain. The mean chain lengths decrease as temperature is increased and as the chains become shorter the rotation of the carbonate anions becomes more rapid enhancing the diffusion of Na+ ions.
The first see-through frog created by breeding: description, inheritance patterns and dermal chromatophore structure
Authors: Sumida Masayuki , Islam Mohammed Mafizul , Igawa Takeshi , Kurabayashi Atsushi , Furukawa Yukari , Sano Naomi , Fujii Tamotsu , Yoshizaki Norio
Published: April 2016

We have succeeded in creating see-through frogs from natural color mutants of the Japanese brown frog Rana japonica, which usually possesses an ochre or brown back; this coloration enables the organs, blood vessels and eggs to be observed through the skin without performing dissection. We crossed two kinds of recessive color mutant (black-eyed and gray-eyed) frogs through artificial insemination and F2 offspring produced frogs whose skin is translucent throughout the life cycle. Three kinds of dermal chromatophores—xanthophores, iridophores and melanophores—are observed in a layered arrangement in the skin of wild-type frogs, but few chromatophores were present in the skin of the see-through frogs. The translucent skin enables observation of organ growth and cancer formation and progression in the animal, which can be monitored over its entire life without the need for dissection. See-through frogs thus provide a useful animal model for environmental, medical and biological research.
Structural basis of DNA sequence recognition by the response regulator PhoP in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: He Xiaoyuan , Wang Liqin , Wang Shuishu
Published: April 2016

The transcriptional regulator PhoP is an essential virulence factor in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and it presents a target for the development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs and attenuated tuberculosis vaccine strains. PhoP binds to DNA as a highly cooperative dimer by recognizing direct repeats of 7-bp motifs with a 4-bp spacer. To elucidate the PhoP-DNA binding mechanism, we determined the crystal structure of the PhoP-DNA complex. The structure revealed a tandem PhoP dimer that bound to the direct repeat. The surprising tandem arrangement of the receiver domains allowed the four domains of the PhoP dimer to form a compact structure, accounting for the strict requirement of a 4-bp spacer and the highly cooperative binding of the dimer. The PhoP-DNA interactions exclusively involved the effector domain. The sequence-recognition helix made contact with the bases of the 7-bp motif in the major groove, and the wing interacted with the adjacent minor groove. The structure provides a starting point for the elucidation of the mechanism by which PhoP regulates the virulence of M. tuberculosis and guides the design of screening platforms for PhoP inhibitors.
Spontaneous bidirectional ordering of CH3NH3+ in lead iodide perovskites at room temperature: The origins of the tetragonal phase
Authors: Deretzis Ioannis , Di Mauro Bruno N. , Alberti Alessandra , Pellegrino Giovanna , Smecca Emanuele , La Magna Antonino
Published: April 2016

CH3NH3PbI3 is a hybrid organic-inorganic material with a perovskite structure and a temperature-dependent polymorphism whose origins are still unclear. Here we perform ab initio molecular dynamics simulations in order to investigate the structural properties and atom dynamics of CH3NH3PbI3 at room temperature. Starting from different initial configurations, we find that a single-crystalline system undergoes a spontaneous ordering process which brings the "Equation missing" ions to alternately point towards the center of two out of the six faces of the cubic "Equation missing" framework, i.e. towards the 〈100〉 and 〈010〉 directions. This bidirectional ordering gives rise to a preferential distortion of the inorganic lattice on the a-b plane, shaping the observed tetragonal symmetry of the system. The process requires tens of picoseconds for CH3NH3PbI3 supercells with just eight "Equation missing" ions.
Stratification of Digestive Cancers with Different Pathological Features and Survival Outcomes by MicroRNA Expression
Authors: Tang Senwei , Wu William K. K. , Li Xiangchun , Wong Sunny H. , Wong Nathalie , Chan Matthew T. V. , Sung Joseph J. Y. , Yu Jun
Published: April 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are aberrantly expressed in virtually all cancer types, including digestive cancers. Herein, we aggregated and systematically analyzed miRNA expression profiles of 1765 tumor samples, including esophageal, gastric, liver, pancreatic, colon and rectal cancers, obtained through small RNA sequencing by The Cancer Genome Atlas. We found that digestive cancers of different tissue origins could be differentiated according to their miRNA expression profiles. In particular, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma exhibited distinct miRNA expression patterns. Thirteen (e.g. miR-135b, miR-182) and sixteen (e.g. miR-139, miR-133a-1, miR-490) miRNAs were commonly upregulated and downregulated in more than four cancer types, respectively. Pertinent to pathological features, low miR-181d expression was associated with microsatellite instability in colon and gastric cancers whereas low miR-106a expression was associated with hepatitis B virus infection in hepatocellular carcinoma. Progression in colon cancer could also be predicted by low let-7f-2 and high miR-106a expression. Molecular subtypes with distinct prognostic outcomes independent of tumor-node-metastasis staging were identified in hepatocellular carcinoma and colon cancer. In total, 4 novel and 6 reported associations between specific miRNAs and patients’ survival were identified. Collectively, novel miRNA markers were identified to stratify digestive cancers with different pathological features and survival outcomes.
The Parkinson Disease gene SNCA: Evolutionary and structural insights with pathological implication
Authors: Siddiqui Irum Javaid , Pervaiz Nashaiman , Abbasi Amir Ali
Published: April 2016

After Alzheimer, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Alpha synuclein (SNCA) is deemed as a major component of Lewy bodies, a neuropathological feature of PD. Five point mutations in SNCA have been reported so far, responsible for autosomal dominant PD. This study aims to decipher evolutionary and structural insights of SNCA by revealing its sequence and structural evolutionary patterns among sarcopterygians and its paralogous counterparts (SNCB and SNCG). Rate analysis detected strong purifying selection on entire synuclein family. Structural dynamics divulges that during the course of sarcopterygian evolutionary history, the region encompassed 32 to 58 of N-terminal domain of SNCA has acquired its critical functional significance through the epistatic influence of the lineage specific substitutions. In sum, these findings provide an evidence that the region from 32 to 58 of N-terminal lipid binding alpha helix domain of SNCA is the most critical region, not only from the evolutionary perspective but also for the stability and the proper conformation of the protein as well as crucial for the disease pathogenesis, harboring critical interaction sites.
Tongue Coating and the Salivary Microbial Communities Vary in Children with Halitosis
Authors: Ren Wen , Xun Zhe , Wang Zicheng , Zhang Qun , Liu Xuenan , Zheng Hui , Zhang Qian , Zhang Yifei , Zhang Linshuang , Wu Chunyan , Zheng Shuguo , Qin Nan , Ehrlich S. Dusko , Li Yihong , He Xuesong , Xu Tao , Chen Ting , Chen Feng
Published: April 2016

Halitosis is a common symptom mainly caused by microbial activities in the oral cavity. Here, we used 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and metagenomic sequencing to examine oral microbial compositions and their functional variations in children with halitosis. We found that the tongue coating of subjects with halitosis had greater bacterial richness than those of healthy subjects. The relative abundance and prevalence of Leptotrichia wadei and Peptostreptococcus stomatis were higher in tongue coating samples from children with halitosis than those from children without halitosis; Prevotella shahii had higher relative abundance and prevalence in saliva samples from children with halitosis. We present the first comprehensive evaluation of the co-occurrence networks of saliva and tongue coating communities under healthy and halitosis conditions and investigated patterns of significant differences between these communities. Moreover, we observed that bacterial genes associated with responses to infectious diseases and terpenoid and polyketide metabolism were enriched in subjects with halitosis, but not in healthy subjects. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S)-related metabolic pathways suggested that there was higher microbial production and less usage of H2S in subjects with halitosis. Thus, the mechanism of halitosis was implied for the first time via metagenomic sequencing.
INaP selective inhibition reverts precocious inter- and motorneurons hyperexcitability in the Sod1-G93R zebrafish ALS model
Authors: Benedetti Lorena , Ghilardi Anna , Rottoli Elsa , De Maglie Marcella , Prosperi Laura , Perego Carla , Baruscotti Mirko , Bucchi Annalisa , Del Giacco Luca , Francolini Maura
Published: April 2016

The pathogenic role ofSOD1mutations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was investigated using a zebrafish disease model stably expressing the ALS-linked G93R mutation. In addition to the main pathological features of ALS shown by adult fish, we found remarkably precocious alterations in the development of motor nerve circuitry and embryo behavior, and suggest that these alterations are prompted by interneuron and motor neuron hyperexcitability triggered by anomalies in the persistent pacemaker sodium current INaP. The riluzole-induced modulation of INaPreduced spinal neuron excitability, reverted the behavioral phenotypes and improved the deficits in motor nerve circuitry development, thus shedding new light on the use of riluzole in the management of ALS. Our findings provide a valid phenotype-based tool for unbiasedin vivodrug screening that can be used to develop new therapies.
Optically controlled spin-polarization memory effect on Mn delta-doped heterostructures
Authors: Balanta M. A. G. , Brasil M. J. S. P. , Iikawa F. , Mendes Udson C. , Brum J. A. , Danilov Yu. A. , Dorokhin M. V. , Vikhrova O. V. , Zvonkov B. N.
Published: April 2016

We investigated the dynamics of the interaction between spin-polarized photo-created carriers and Mn ions on InGaAs/GaAs: Mn structures. The carriers are confined in an InGaAs quantum well and the Mn ions come from a Mn delta-layer grown at the GaAs barrier close to the well. Even though the carriers and the Mn ions are spatially separated, the interaction between them is demonstrated by time-resolved spin-polarized photoluminescence measurements. Using a pre-pulse laser excitation with an opposite circular-polarization clearly reduces the polarization degree of the quantum-well emission for samples where a strong magnetic interaction is observed. The results demonstrate that the Mn ions act as a spin-memory that can be optically controlled by the polarization of the photocreated carriers. On the other hand, the spin-polarized Mn ions also affect the spin-polarization of the subsequently created carriers as observed by their spin relaxation time. These effects fade away with increasing time delays between the pulses as well as with increasing temperatures.
Suppression of B function strongly supports the modified ABCE model in Tricyrtis sp. (Liliaceae)
Authors: Otani Masahiro , Sharifi Ahmad , Kubota Shosei , Oizumi Kanako , Uetake Fumi , Hirai Masayo , Hoshino Yoichiro , Kanno Akira , Nakano Masaru
Published: April 2016

B class MADS-box genes play important roles in petal and stamen development. Some monocotyledonous species, including liliaceous ones, produce flowers with petaloid tepals in whorls 1 and 2. A modified ABCE model has been proposed to explain the molecular mechanism of development of two-layered petaloid tepals. However, direct evidence for this modified ABCE model has not been reported to date. To clarify the molecular mechanism determining the organ identity of two-layered petaloid tepals, we used chimeric repressor gene-silencing technology (CRES-T) to examine the suppression of B function in the liliaceous ornamental Tricyrtis sp. Transgenic plants with suppressed B class genes produced sepaloid tepals in whorls 1 and 2 instead of the petaloid tepals as expected. In addition, the stamens of transgenic plants converted into pistil-like organs with ovule- and stigma-like structures. This report is the first to describe the successful suppression of B function in monocotyledonous species with two-layered petaloid tepals, and the results strongly support the modified ABCE model.
Soil ionomic and enzymatic responses and correlations to fertilizations amended with and without organic fertilizer in long-term experiments
Authors: Feng Xumeng , Ling Ning , Chen Huan , Zhu Chen , Duan Yinghua , Peng Chang , Yu Guanghui , Ran Wei , Shen Qirong , Guo Shiwei
Published: April 2016

To investigate potential interactions between the soil ionome and enzyme activities affected by fertilization with or without organic fertilizer, soil samples were collected from four long-term experiments over China. Irrespective of variable interactions, fertilization type was the major factor impacting soil ionomic behavior and accounted for 15.14% of the overall impact. Sampling site was the major factor affecting soil enzymatic profile and accounted for 34.25% of the overall impact. The availabilities of Pb, La, Ni, Co, Fe and Al were significantly higher in soil with only chemical fertilizer than the soil with organic amendment. Most of the soil enzyme activities, including α-glucosidase activity, were significantly activated by organic amendment. Network analysis between the soil ionome and the soil enzyme activities was more complex in the organic-amended soils than in the chemical fertilized soils, whereas the network analysis among the soil ions was less complex with organic amendment. Moreover, α-glucosidase was revealed to generally harbor more corrections with the soil ionic availabilities in network. We concluded that some of the soil enzymes activated by organic input can make the soil more vigorous and stable and that the α-glucosidase revealed by this analysis might help stabilize the soil ion availability.
Effects of Frequency Drift on the Quantification of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Using MEGA-PRESS
Authors: Tsai Shang-Yueh , Fang Chun-Hao , Wu Thai-Yu , Lin Yi-Ru
Published: April 2016

The MEGA-PRESS method is the most common method used to measure γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain at 3T. It has been shown that the underestimation of the GABA signal due to B0 drift up to 1.22 Hz/min can be reduced by post-frequency alignment. In this study, we show that the underestimation of GABA can still occur even with post frequency alignment when the B0 drift is up to 3.93 Hz/min. The underestimation can be reduced by applying a frequency shift threshold. A total of 23 subjects were scanned twice to assess the short-term reproducibility and 14 of them were scanned again after 2–8 weeks to evaluate the long-term reproducibility. A linear regression analysis of the quantified GABA versus the frequency shift showed a negative correlation (P < 0.01). Underestimation of the GABA signal was found. When a frequency shift threshold of 0.125 ppm (15.5 Hz or 1.79 Hz/min) was applied, the linear regression showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Therefore, a frequency shift threshold at 0.125 ppm (15.5 Hz) can be used to reduce underestimation during GABA quantification. For data with a B0 drift up to 3.93 Hz/min, the coefficients of variance of short-term and long-term reproducibility for the GABA quantification were less than 10% when the frequency threshold was applied.
Soil radon measurements as a potential tracer of tectonic and volcanic activity
Authors: Neri Marco , Ferrera Elisabetta , Giammanco Salvatore , Currenti Gilda , Cirrincione Rosolino , Patanè Giuseppe , Zanon Vittorio
Published: April 2016

In Earth Sciences there is a growing interest in studies concerning soil-radon activity, due to its potential as a tracer of numerous natural phenomena. Our work marks an advance in the comprehension of the interplay between tectonic activity, volcanic eruptions and gas release through faults. Soil-radon measurements, acquired on Mt. Etna volcano in 2009–2011, were analyzed. Our radon probe is sensitive to changes in both volcanic and seismic activity. Radon data were reviewed in light of the meteorological parameters. Soil samples were analyzed to characterize their uranium content. All data have been summarized in a physical model which identifies the radon sources, highlights the mechanism of radon transport and envisages how such a mechanism may change as a consequence of seismicity and volcanic events. In the NE of Etna, radon is released mainly from a depth of <1400 m, with an ascent speed of >50 m/day. Three periods of anomalous gas release were found (February 2010, January and February 2011). The trigger of the first anomaly was tectonic, while the second and third had a volcanic origin. These results mark a significant step towards a better understanding of the endogenous mechanisms that cause changes in soil-radon emission at active volcanoes.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) disrupts particle transport, cilia function and sperm motility in an ex vivo oviduct model
Authors: O’Doherty A. M. , Di Fenza M. , Kölle S.
Published: April 2016

The oviduct functions in the transportation of gametes to the site of fertilization (the ampulla) and is the site of early embryonic development. Alterations of this early developmental environment, such as the presence of sexually transmitted pathogens, may affect oviduct function leading to reduced fertilization rates and contribute to compromised embryonic development. In this study, sperm interactions, particle transport speed (PTS) and cilia beat frequency (CBF) in the ampulla following exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a constituent of the sexually transmitted pathogens Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia abortus, was investigated. Three complementary experiments were performed to analyse; (1) bound sperm motility and cilia function (2) transport velocity in the oviduct and (3) the expression of genes related to immune function and inflammatory response (CASP3, CD14, MYD88, TLR4 and TRAF6). The motility of bound sperm was significantly lower in ampullae that were exposed to LPS. CBF and PTS significantly increased after treatment with LPS for 2 hours. Finally, gene expression analysis revealed that CASP3 and CD14 were significantly upregulated and TLR4 trended towards increased expression following treatment with LPS. These findings provide an insight on the impact of LPS on the oviduct sperm interaction, and have implications for both male and female fertility.
Eucommia ulmoides extracts prevent the formation of advanced glycation end products
Authors: Sugawa Hikari , Ohno Rei-ichi , Shirakawa Jun-ichi , Nakajima Akari , Kanagawa Amane , Hirata Tetsuya , Ikeda Tsuyoshi , Moroishi Narumi , Nagai Mime , Nagai Ryoji
Published: April 2016

Proteins non-enzymatically react with reducing sugars to form advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), resulting in the induction of protein denaturation.
The role of transporter ectodomains in drug recognition and binding: phlorizin and the sodium–glucose cotransporter
Authors: Raja M. , Puntheeranurak T. , Gruber H. J. , Hinterdorfer P. , Kinne R. K. H.
Published: April 2016

This article reviews the role of segments of SLCs located outside the plasma membrane bilayer (ectodomains) using the inhibition of SGLTs (SLC5 family) by the aromatic glucoside phlorizin as a model system.
Fluorinated thiazolidinols cause cell death in A549 lung cancer cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK/ERK signalling pathways
Authors: Kumbhare Ravindra M. , Dadmal Tulshiram L. , Kumar Dinesh , Ramaiah M. Janaki , Kota Anudeep , Chowdhury Debabrata , Appalanaidu K. , Rao Y. Khageswara , Hyder Sayyad , Devi T. Anjana , Bhadra Manika Pal
Published: April 2016

Fluorinated thiazolidinols cause A549 lung cancer cell death by acting via PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MEK/ERK pathways.
Highly intense fluorescence of novel carbon nanocrystals combined with a DNAzyme-assisted autocatalytic multiple amplification strategy for sensitive detection of thrombin
Authors: Wang Xiaochun , Lu Zhengkun , Tan Lu , Jie Guifen
Published: April 2016

Novel water-soluble CNCs with excellent fluorescence were prepared, and successfully applied to sensitive fluorescence detection of thrombin by using an enzyme-assisted autocatalytic DNA recycling amplification strategy.
Influence of strain on water adsorption and dissociation on rutile TiO2(110) surface
Authors: Yang Long , Shu Da-Jun , Li Shao-Chun , Wang Mu
Published: April 2016

The influence of externally applied strain on water adsorption and dissociation on a defect-free rutile TiO2(110) surface is studied by using first-principles calculations.
Influence of vibration in the reactive scattering of D + MuH: the effect of dynamical bonding
Authors: Sáez-Rábanos V. , Verdasco J. E. , Aoiz F. J. , Herrero V. J.
Published: April 2016

Dynamical bonding in the D + MuH(v = 1) reaction leads to a pronounced maximum in the DMu channel integral cross section.
Over 75% incident-photon-to-current efficiency without solid electrodes
Authors: Plana D. , Bradley K. A. , Tiwari D. , Fermín D. J.
Published: April 2016

The highest IPCE value recorded for nanoparticles electrically decoupled from solid electrodes is presented. The highly versatile concept underpinning this work, based on polarizable interfaces between two immiscible electrolyte solutions, can be extended to a wide range of photoactive colloidal systems.
Insights into the activity, selectivity and stability of heterogeneous catalysts in the continuous flow hydroconversion of furfural
Authors: Garcia-Olmo Antonio J. , Yepez Alfonso , Balu Alina M. , Romero Antonio A. , Li Yingwei , Luque Rafael
Published: April 2016

The continuous flow hydroconversion of furfural to a range of furanic derivatives was carried out using a range of metal-containing heterogeneous catalysts in order to provide insights into the reaction pathways for the hydrogenation of furfural.
Rational design of Nd3+-sensitized multifunctional nanoparticles with highly dominant red emission
Authors: Xu Xia , Lei Pengpeng , Dong Lile , Liu Xiuling , Su Yue , Song Shuyan , Feng Jing , Zhang Hongjie
Published: April 2016

Dominant red emission has been achieved under 808 nm excitation based on a α-NaYbF4:Mn2+/Er3+@NaLuF4:Mn2+/Yb3+@NaNdF4:Yb3+@NaGdF4multifunctional nanostructure.
Correction: Sunlight absorption in water – efficiency and design implications for photoelectrochemical devices
Authors: Döscher H. , Geisz J. F. , Deutsch T. G. , Turner J. A.
Published: April 2016

Correction for ‘Sunlight absorption in water – efficiency and design implications for photoelectrochemical devices’ by H. Döscher et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2014, 7, 2951–2956.
Coupling between a calix[6]arene-based chromatography column and ICP-MS for on-line actinide analysis
Authors: Baghdadi S. , Cote G. , Beyaert C. , Mane B. , Peroux A. , Masclet L. , Rebiere F. , Agarande M. , Bouvier-Capely C.
Published: April 2016

Analysis of actinides by coupling a calix[6]arene column to a Q-ICP-MS for emergency situations.
Design and synthesis of 5-aminolaevulinic acid/3-hydroxypyridinone conjugates for photodynamic therapy: enhancement of protoporphyrin IX production and photo-toxicity in tumor cells
Authors: Zhou Tao , Shao Le-Le , Battah Sinan , Zhu Chun-Feng , Hider Robert C. , Reeder Brandon J. , Jabeen Asma , MacRobert Alexander J. , Ren Gerui , Liang Xinle
Published: April 2016

A series of ALA-HPO conjugates was prepared. One such conjugate was found to possess high phototoxicity.
The synthesis, structure and electronic properties of a lead-free hybrid inorganic–organic double perovskite (MA)2KBiCl6 (MA = methylammonium)
Authors: Wei Fengxia , Deng Zeyu , Sun Shijing , Xie Fei , Kieslich Gregor , Evans Donald M. , Carpenter Michael A. , Bristowe Paul D. , Cheetham Anthony K.
Published: April 2016

A Bi-based double perovskite provides a suitable approach to search for lead-free alternatives for photovoltaics.
Advances in 1,3,5-triazepines chemistry
Authors: Elattar Khaled M. , Mert Başak Doğru , Abozeid Mohamed A. , El-Mekabaty Ahmed
Published: April 2016

This study reported the chemistry of 1,3,5-triazepines. Heterocyclic 1,3,5-triazepines are mono and fused cycles.
Rapid and high-capacity adsorption of sulfonated anionic dyes onto basic bismuth(iii) nitrate via bidentate bridging and electrostatic attracting interactions
Authors: Xiao Jiayang , Zhang Hui , Xia Yue , Li Zelin , Huang Wei
Published: April 2016

Rapid and high-capacity adsorption of sulfonated anionic dyes onto basic bismuth(iii) nitrateviabidentate bridging and electrostatic attractive interactions.
Cu–BTC@cotton composite: design and removal of ethion insecticide from water
Authors: Abdelhameed Reda M. , Abdel-Gawad Hassan , Elshahat Mahmoud , Emam Hossam E.
Published: April 2016

Pesticide removal from wastewater is of significant general benefit to protect of humans from the effect of pollution.
Plant pathogenic fungus F. solani mediated biosynthesis of nanoceria: antibacterial and antibiofilm activity
Authors: Venkatesh K. S. , Gopinath K. , Palani N. S. , Arumugam A. , Jose Sujin P. , Bahadur S. Asath , Ilangovan R.
Published: April 2016

The present study reports the synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles using Fusarium solani. The biosynthesized CeO2 nanoparticles were subjected to different characterization techniques and also showed potential antibacterial and antibiofilm activities.
Synthesis of highly functionalized 2-thiaspiro[4.5]deca-6,8-dienes via atom efficient tandem Michael addition/Thorpe–Ziegler cyclization
Authors: Rani Mani Anusha , Kumar Sundaravel Vivek , Roja Somi Santharam , Almansour Abdulrahman I. , Kumar Raju Suresh , Athimoolam S. , Kumar Raju Ranjith
Published: April 2016

The reaction of 2,4-bis((Z)-arylidene)dihydrothiophen-3(2H)-ones and 2-(1-arylethylidene)malononitriles proceeded through a tandem sequence of reactions in a single step affording 2-thiaspiro[4.5]deca-6,8-dienes in quantitative yields.
Carboxyl-containing microporous organic nanotube networks as a platform for Pd catalysts
Authors: Xu Yang , Wang Tianqi , He Zidong , Zhong Aiqing , Huang Kun
Published: April 2016

A novel method that enables carboxyl-containing microporous organic nanotube networks as a Pd catalyst support (Pd@MONNs) with high activity and stability for the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction is reported for the first time.
Capacity-increasing robust porous SiO2/Si/graphene/C microspheres as an anode for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Jiande , Chen Xiaohua , Liu Xuelian , Hu Aiping , Tang Qunli , Liu Zheng , Fan Binbin , Chen Huaiyuan , Chen Yuxi
Published: April 2016

We unprecedentedly studied the synergetic effects between SiO2and Si as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, and the prepared composite exerts an increasing capacity.
Influence of anchoring group numbers in an efficient pyridine-anchor co-adsorbent of pyridinecarboxaldimine substituted aminonaphthalene on the performance of N719 sensitized solar cells
Authors: Dong Yuwei , Wei Liguo , Fan Ruiqing , Yang Yulin , Wang Ping
Published: April 2016

The anchoring group numbers in pyridine-anchor co-adsorbent has important effect on the performance of co-sensitized solar cells.
Heparin-stabilised iron oxide for MR applications: a relaxometric study
Authors: Ternent Lucy , Mayoh Daniel Alexander , Lees Martin Richard , Davies Gemma-Louise
Published: April 2016

Heparin stabilisation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles engenders exceptional stability, enhanced relaxation due to interparticle interactions, and prevention of protein-adsorption triggered thrombosis.
A smart nanoreactor with photo-responsive molecular switches for controlling catalytic reactions
Authors: Zhao Rong , Hu Jie , Niu Chengrong , Li Yinfeng , Hu Mengting , Liu Rongjuan , Li Songjun
Published: April 2016

A smart nanoreactor with photo-responsive molecular switches was constructed through introduction of an azobenzene/α-CD supramolecular unit on mesoporous silica.