bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legislating for Otherness: Proscription powers and parliamentary discourse
Authors: Jarvis Lee , Legrand Tim
Published: December 2015

This article offers a discursive analysis of UK Parliamentary debate on the proscription of terrorist organisations between 2002 and 2014. It argues that these debates play an important constitutive role in the (re)production of national Self and terrorist Other that remains largely overlooked in existing work on this counter-terrorism mechanism. The article begins with an overview of this literature, arguing it is overwhelmingly oriented around questions of efficacy and ethics. While important, this focus has concentrated academic attention on the causal question of what proscriptiondoes, rather than the constitutive question of what ismade possibleby proscription. The article’s second section situates our analysis within discursive work in International Relations, upon which we investigate three pervasive themes in Parliamentary debate: (i) Constructions of terrorism and its threat; (ii) Constructions of specific groups being proscribed; and, (iii) Constructions of the UK Self. We argue that these debates (re)produce an antagonistic relationship between a liberal, open, and responsible UK mindful of cultural and religious difference, on the one hand. And, on the other, its illiberal, irrational terrorist Others conducting immoral violences on behalf of particularistic identity claims. This analysis, we conclude, has significance for contemporary debate on security politics, as well as for studies of counter-terrorism and international politics more generally.
English is (still) a West Germanic language
Authors: Bech Kristin , Walkden George
Published: December 2015

In their recent book,English: The Language of the Vikings, Joseph Embley Emonds and Jan Terje Faarlund attempt to make the case that from its Middle period onwards, English is a North Germanic language, descended from the Norse varieties spoken in Medieval England, rather than a West Germanic language, as traditionally assumed. In this review article we critique Emonds & Faarlund's proposal, focusing particularly on the syntactic evidence that forms the basis of their argumentation. A closer look at a number of constructions for which the authors suggest a Norse origin reveals that the situation is not as they present it: in many cases, the syntactic properties of Old and Middle English are not given careful enough consideration, and/or the chronology of the developments is not compatible with a Norse origin. Moreover, the authors do not engage with the large body of sound changes that constitute the strongest evidence for a West Germanic origin. We conclude that Emonds & Faarlund fail to make a convincing case either for a North Germanic origin or against a West Germanic origin.
Genetic diversity of theMycobacterium tuberculosisBeijing family based on multiple genotyping profiles
Authors: LIU Y. , WANG S. , LU H. , CHEN W. , WANG W.
Published: December 2015

Among the most prevalentMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) strains worldwide is the Beijing genotype, which has caused large outbreaks of tuberculosis (TB). Characteristics facilitating the dissemination of Beijing family strains remain unknown, but they are presumed to have been acquired through evolution of the lineage. To explore the genetic diversity of the Beijing family Mtb and explore the discriminatory ability of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) loci in several regions of East Asia, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 163 Beijing strains collected from registered TB patients between 1 June 2009 and 31 November 2010 in Funing County, China. The isolated strains were analysed by 15-MIRU-VNTR loci typing and compared with published MIRU-VNTR profiles of Beijing strains. Synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms at 10 chromosomal positions were also analysed. The combination of SNP and MIRU-VNTR typing may be used to assess Mtb genotypes in areas dominated by Beijing strains. The modern subfamily in Shanghai overlapped with strains from other countries, whereas the ancient subfamily was genetically differentiated across several countries. Modern subfamilies, especially ST10, were prevalent. Qub11b and four other loci (MIRU 26, Mtub21, Qub26, Mtub04) could be used to discriminate Beijing strains.
GLOBALIZATION AND THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Authors: Ferreira Pedro Cavalcanti , Pessôa Samuel , dos Santos Marcelo Rodrigues
Published: December 2015

This paper argues that trade specialization played an indispensable role in supporting the Industrial Revolution. We calibrate a two-good and two-sector overlapping generations model for England's historical development and investigate how much different England's development path would have been if it had not globalized in 1840. The open-economy model is able to match the data closely, but the closed-economy model cannot explain the fall in the value of land relative to wages observed in the nineteenth century. Without globalization, the transition period in the British economy would have been considerably longer than that observed in the data and key variables, such as the share of labor force in agriculture, would have converged to figures very distant from the actual ones.
Deliberative Agenda Setting: Piloting Reform of Direct Democracy in California
Authors: Fishkin James , Kousser Thad , Luskin Robert C. , Siu Alice
Published: December 2015

Can the people deliberate to set the agenda for direct democracy in large scale states? How might such an institution work? The 2011 California Deliberative Poll piloted a solution to this problem helping to produce proposals that went to the ballot and also to the legislature. The paper reports on how this pilot worked and what it suggests about a possible institution to solve the deliberative agenda setting problem. The legislative proposal passed the legislature but the ballot proposition (Prop 31) failed. However, we show that the proposals actually deliberated on by the people might well have passed if not encumbered by additional elements not deliberated on by the public that drew opposition. The paper ends with an outline of how the process of deliberative agenda setting for the initiative might work, vetting proposals once every two years that could get on the ballot for a greatly reduced cost in signature collections. Adding deliberation to the agenda setting process would allow for a thoughtful and informed public will formation to determine the agenda for direct democracy.
Discovery of a highly potent glucocorticoid for asthma treatment
Authors: He Yuanzheng , Shi Jingjing , Yi Wei , Ren Xin , Gao Xiang , Li Jianshuang , Wu Nanyan , Weaver Kevin , Xie Qian , Khoo Sok Kean , Yang Tao , Huang Xiaozhu , Melcher Karsten , Xu H Eric
Published: December 2015

Glucocorticoids are the most effective treatment for asthma. However, their clinical applications are limited by low efficacy in severe asthma and by undesired side effects associated with high dose or prolonged use. The most successful approach to overcome these limitations has been the development of highly potent glucocorticoids that can be delivered to the lungs by inhalation to achieve local efficacy with minimal systemic effects. On the basis of our previous structural studies, we designed and developed a highly potent glucocorticoid, VSGC12, which showed an improved anti-inflammation activity in both cell-based reporter assays and cytokine inhibition experiments, as well as in a gene expression profiling of mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. In a mouse asthma model, VSGC12 delivered a higher efficacy than fluticasone furoate, a leading clinical compound, in many categories including histology and the number of differentiated immune cells. VSGC12 also showed a higher potency than fluticasone furoate in repressing most asthma symptoms. Finally, VSGC12 showed a better side effect profile than fluticasone furoate at their respective effective doses, including better insulin response and less bone loss in an animal model. The excellent therapeutic and side effect properties of VSGC12 provide a promising perspective for developing this potent glucocorticoid as a new effective drug for asthma.
Sepsis induces long-term metabolic and mitochondrial muscle stem cell dysfunction amenable by mesenchymal stem cell therapy
Authors: Rocheteau P. , Chatre L. , Briand D. , Mebarki M. , Jouvion G. , Bardon J. , Crochemore C. , Serrani P. , Lecci P. P. , Latil M. , Matot B. , Carlier P. G. , Latronico N. , Huchet C. , Lafoux A. , Sharshar T. , Ricchetti M. , Chrétien F.
Published: December 2015

Sepsis, or systemic inflammatory response syndrome, is the major cause of critical illness resulting in admission to intensive care units. Sepsis is caused by severe infection and is associated with mortality in 60% of cases. Morbidity due to sepsis is complicated by neuromyopathy, and patients face long-term disability due to muscle weakness, energetic dysfunction, proteolysis and muscle wasting. These processes are triggered by pro-inflammatory cytokines and metabolic imbalances and are aggravated by malnutrition and drugs. Skeletal muscle regeneration depends on stem (satellite) cells. Herein we show that mitochondrial and metabolic alterations underlie the sepsis-induced long-term impairment of satellite cells and lead to inefficient muscle regeneration. Engrafting mesenchymal stem cells improves the septic status by decreasing cytokine levels, restoring mitochondrial and metabolic function in satellite cells, and improving muscle strength. These findings indicate that sepsis affects quiescent muscle stem cells and that mesenchymal stem cells might act as a preventive therapeutic approach for sepsis-related morbidity.
Natural cytotoxicity receptor splice variants orchestrate the distinct functions of human natural killer cell subtypes
Authors: Siewiera Johan , Gouilly Jordi , Hocine Hocine-Rachid , Cartron Géraldine , Levy Claude , Al-Daccak Reem , Jabrane-Ferrat Nabila
Published: December 2015

The natural cytotoxicity receptors NKp46/NCR1, NKp44/NCR2 and NKp30/NCR3 are critical for natural killer (NK) cell functions. Their genes are transcribed into several splice variants whose physiological relevance is not yet fully understood. Here we report that decidua basalis NK (dNK) cells of the pregnant uterine mucosa and peripheral blood NK (pNK) cells, two functionally distinct subsets of the physiological NK cell pool, display differential expression of NKp30/NCR3 and NKp44/NCR2 splice variants. The presence of cytokines that are enriched within the decidual microenvironment is sufficient to convert the splice variant profile of pNK cells into one similar to that of dNK cells. This switch is associated with decreased cytotoxic function and major adaptations to the secretome, hallmarks of the decidual phenotype. Thus, NKp30/NCR3 and NKp44/NCR2 splice variants delineate functionally distinct NK cell subsets. To our knowledge, this is the first conclusive evidence underlining the physiological importance of NCR splice variants.
Breaking of the site-bond percolation universality in networks
Authors: Radicchi Filippo , Castellano Claudio
Published: December 2015

The stochastic addition of either vertices or connections in a network leads to the observation of the percolation transition, a structural change with the appearance of a connected component encompassing a finite fraction of the system. Percolation has always been regarded as a substrate-dependent but model-independent process, in the sense that the critical exponents of the transition are determined by the geometry of the system, but they are identical for the bond and site percolation models. Here, we report a violation of such assumption. We provide analytical and numerical evidence of a difference in the values of the critical exponents between the bond and site percolation models in networks with null percolation thresholds, such as scale-free graphs with diverging second moment of the degree distribution. We discuss possible implications of our results in real networks, and provide additional insights on the anomalous nature of the percolation transition with null threshold.
Erratum: The genomics of ecological vicariance in threespine stickleback fish
Authors: Roesti Marius , Kueng Benjamin , Moser Dario , Berner Daniel
Published: December 2015

Nature Communications 6: Article Number: 8767 (2015); Published 10 November 2015; Updated 15 December 2015 The recombination rate around the chromosomal inversion in Fig. 6f of this Article was inadvertently omitted during the production process. The correct version of Fig. 6f appears below. Figure 6
Novel Compound Heterozygous CBS Mutations Cause Homocystinuria in a Han Chinese Family
Authors: Gong Bo , Liu Liping , Li Zhiwei , Ye Zimeng , Xiao Ying , Zeng Guangqun , Shi Yi , Wang Yumeng , Feng Xiaoyun , Li Xiulan , Hao Fang , Liu Xiaoqi , Qu Chao , Li Yuanfeng , Mu Guoying , Yang Zhenglin
Published: December 2015

The cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) gene has been shown to be related to homocystinuria. This study was aimed to detect the mutations in CBS in a Han Chinese family with homocystinuria. A four-generation family from Shandong Province of China was recruited in this study. All available members of the family underwent comprehensive medical examinations. Genomic DNA was collected from peripheral blood of all the participants. The coding sequence of CBS was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by direct DNA sequencing. Among all the family members, three affected individuals showed typical clinical features of homocystinuria. Two novel compound heterozygous mutations in the CBS gene, c.407T > C (p. L136P) and c.473C > T (p.A158V), were identified by sequencing analysis in this family. Both of the two missense mutations were detected in the three patients. Other available normal individuals, including the patients’ parents, grand parents, her younger sister and brother in this family either carried one of the two mutations, or none. In addition, the two mutations were not found in 600 ethnically matched normal controls. This study provides a mutation spectrum of CBS resulting in homocystinuriain a Chinese population, which may shed light on the molecular pathogenesis and clinical diagnosis of CBS-associated homocystinuria.
Coherent controlization using superconducting qubits
Authors: Friis Nicolai , Melnikov Alexey A. , Kirchmair Gerhard , Briegel Hans J.
Published: December 2015

Coherent controlization, i.e., coherent conditioning of arbitrary single- or multi-qubit operations on the state of one or more control qubits, is an important ingredient for the flexible implementation of many algorithms in quantum computation. This is of particular significance when certain subroutines are changing over time or when they are frequently modified, such as in decision-making algorithms for learning agents. We propose a scheme to realize coherent controlization for any number of superconducting qubits coupled to a microwave resonator. For two and three qubits, we present an explicit construction that is of high relevance for quantum learning agents. We demonstrate the feasibility of our proposal, taking into account loss, dephasing and the cavity self-Kerr effect.
A combined system of microbial fuel cell and intermittently aerated biological filter for energy self-sufficient wastewater treatment
Authors: Dong Yue , Feng Yujie , Qu Youpeng , Du Yue , Zhou Xiangtong , Liu Jia
Published: December 2015

Energy self-sufficiency is a highly desirable goal of sustainable wastewater treatment. Herein, a combined system of a microbial fuel cell and an intermittently aerated biological filter (MFC-IABF) was designed and operated in an energy self-sufficient manner. The system was fed with synthetic wastewater (COD = 1000 mg L−1) in continuous mode for more than 3 months at room temperature (~25 °C). Voltage output was increased to 5 ± 0.4 V using a capacitor-based circuit. The MFC produced electricity to power the pumping and aeration systems in IABF, concomitantly removing COD. The IABF operating under an intermittent aeration mode (aeration rate 1000 ± 80 mL h−1) removed the residual nutrients and improved the water quality at HRT = 7.2 h. This two-stage combined system obtained 93.9% SCOD removal and 91.7% TCOD removal (effluent SCOD = 61 mg L−1, TCOD = 82.8 mg L−1). Energy analysis indicated that the MFC unit produced sufficient energy (0.27 kWh m−3) to support the pumping system (0.014 kWh m−3) and aeration system (0.22 kWh m−3). These results demonstrated that the combined MFC-IABF system could be operated in an energy self-sufficient manner, resulting to high-quality effluent.
Mean platelet volume in young children with urinary tract infection
Authors: Lee I Re , Shin Jae Il , Park Se Jin , Oh Ji Young , Kim Ji Hong
Published: December 2015

Mean platelet volume (MPV) has not yet been well-established in urinary tract infection (UTI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of MPV as an acute phase reactant in children with UTI. Data from 118 young children (<2 years) with UTI between 2012 and 2013 were grouped as acute pyelonephritis (APN) and lower UTI according to the dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan abnormalities. MPV, platelet distribution width (PDW) platelet count and other infection markers (white blood cell [WBC] count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and C-reactive protein [CRP]) were measured. WBC (P = 0.001), ESR (P = 0.005), CRP (P < 0.001) and MPV levels (P = 0.011) were significantly higher in the APN group than those in the lower UTI group. MPV positively correlated with PDW, CRP and negatively with platelet count. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that CRP and MPV were independent predictive factors for APN patients. However, the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for MPV was lower than CRP. Our results suggest that MPV can be an inflammatory marker in UTI, but the predictive value of MPV was not superior to CRP in the diagnosis of APN.
Degassing during quiescence as a trigger of magma ascent and volcanic eruptions
Authors: Girona Társilo , Costa Fidel , Schubert Gerald
Published: December 2015

Understanding the mechanisms that control the start-up of volcanic unrest is crucial to improve the forecasting of eruptions at active volcanoes. Among the most active volcanoes in the world are the so-called persistently degassing ones (e.g., Etna, Italy; Merapi, Indonesia), which emit massive amounts of gas during quiescence (several kilotonnes per day) and erupt every few months or years. The hyperactivity of these volcanoes results from frequent pressurizations of the shallow magma plumbing system, which in most cases are thought to occur by the ascent of magma from deep to shallow reservoirs. However, the driving force that causes magma ascent from depth remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that magma ascent can be triggered by the passive release of gas during quiescence, which induces the opening of pathways connecting deep and shallow magma reservoirs. This top-down mechanism for volcanic eruptions contrasts with the more common bottom-up mechanisms in which magma ascent is only driven by processes occurring at depth. A cause-effect relationship between passive degassing and magma ascent can explain the fact that repose times are typically much longer than unrest times preceding eruptions and may account for the so frequent unrest episodes of persistently degassing volcanoes.
Comparative study of diversity based on heat tolerant-related morpho-physiological traits and molecular markers in tall fescue accessions
Authors: Sun Xiaoyan , Xie Yan , Bi Yufang , Liu Jianping , Amombo Erick , Hu Tao , Fu Jinmin
Published: December 2015

Heat stress is a critical challenge to tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceaSchreb.) in many areas of the globe and variations in genetic structure and functional traits is for the efficient breeding programs on developing heat tolerant cultivars. Tolerant-related morpho-physiological traits and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were employed to survey genetic diversity in greenhouse and growth chamber trials. 100 tall fescue accessions, including 8 commercial cultivars and 92 natural genotypes, showed a high variation in phenotypic performance under heat stress. Based on standardized heat tolerant-related morpho-physiological data, all tall fescue accessions were clustered into five groups. The accessions with similar heat tolerance were likely to be clustered in the same group. The highest genetic diversity was obtained for accessions from Africa judged by Nei’s gene diversity (0.2640) and PIC (0.2112). All grass accessions could be divided into three major groups based on SSR markers, which was partially congruous to the geographical regions and history of introduction. A low correlation was found between morpho-physiological traits and SSR markers by Mantel test. The patterns in morpho-physiological trait variations and genetic diversity associated with heat tolerance were useful to design breeding programs for developing heat stress resistance in tall fescue.
Graphene flakes under controlled biaxial deformation
Authors: Androulidakis Charalampos , Koukaras Emmanuel N. , Parthenios John , Kalosakas George , Papagelis Konstantinos , Galiotis Costas
Published: December 2015

Thin membranes, such as monolayer graphene of monoatomic thickness, are bound to exhibit lateral buckling under uniaxial tensile loading that impairs its mechanical behaviour. In this work, we have developed an experimental device to subject 2D materials to controlled equibiaxial strain on supported beams that can be flexed up or down to subject the material to either compression or tension, respectively. Using strain gauges in tandem with Raman spectroscopy measurements, we monitor the G and 2D phonon properties of graphene under biaxial strain and thus extract important information about the uptake of stress under these conditions. The experimental shift over strain for the G and 2D Raman peaks were found to be in the range of 62.3 ± 5 cm–1/% and 148.2 ± 6 cm–1/%, respectively, for monolayer but also bilayer graphenes. The corresponding Grüneisen parameters for the G and 2D peaks were found to be between 1.97 ± 0.15 and 2.86 ± 0.12, respectively. These values agree reasonably well with those obtained from small-strain bubble-type experiments. The results presented are also backed up by classical and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and excellent agreement of Γ-E2g shifts with strains and the Grüneisen parameter was observed.
Physical activity in adulthood: genes and mortality
Authors: Karvinen Sira , Waller Katja , Silvennoinen Mika , Koch Lauren G. , Britton Steven L. , Kaprio Jaakko , Kainulainen Heikki , Kujala Urho M.
Published: December 2015

Observational studies report a strong inverse relationship between leisure-time physical activity and all-cause mortality. Despite suggestive evidence from population-based associations, scientists have not been able to show a beneficial effect of physical activity on the risk of death in controlled intervention studies among individuals who have been healthy at baseline. On the other hand, high cardiorespiratory fitness is known to be a strong predictor of reduced mortality, even more robust than physical activity level itself. Here, in both animals and/or human twins, we show that the same genetic factors influence physical activity levels, cardiorespiratory fitness and risk of death. Previous observational follow-up studies in humans suggest that increasing fitness through physical activity levels could prolong life; however, our controlled interventional study with laboratory rats bred for low and high intrinsic fitness contrast with these findings. Also, we find no evidence for the suggested association using pairwise analysis among monozygotic twin pairs who are discordant in their physical activity levels. Based on both our animal and human findings, we propose that genetic pleiotropy might partly explain the frequently observed associations between high baseline physical activity and later reduced mortality in humans.
DeFiNe: an optimisation-based method for robust disentangling of filamentous networks
Authors: Breuer David , Nikoloski Zoran
Published: December 2015

Thread-like structures are pervasive across scales, from polymeric proteins to root systems to galaxy filaments and their characteristics can be readily investigated in the network formalism. Yet, network links usually represent only parts of filaments, which, when neglected, may lead to erroneous conclusions from network-based analyses. The existing alternatives to detect filaments in network representations require tuning of parameters over a large range of values and treat all filaments equally, thus, precluding automated analysis of diverse filamentous systems. Here, we propose a fully automated and robust optimisation-based approach to detect filaments of consistent intensities and angles in a given network. We test and demonstrate the accuracy of our solution with contrived, biological and cosmic filamentous structures. In particular, we show that the proposed approach provides powerful automated means to study properties of individual actin filaments in their network context. Our solution is made publicly available as an open-source tool, “DeFiNe”, facilitating decomposition of any given network into individual filaments.
Discrimination of two-qubit unitaries via local operations and classical communication
Authors: Bae Joonwoo
Published: December 2015

Distinguishability is a fundamental and operational measure generally connected to information applications. In quantum information theory, from the postulates of quantum mechanics it often has an intrinsic limitation, which then dictates and also characterises capabilities of related information tasks. In this work, we consider discrimination between bipartite two-qubit unitary transformations by local operations and classical communication (LOCC) and its relations to entangling capabilities of given unitaries. We show that a pair of entangling unitaries which do not contain local parts, if they are perfectly distinguishable by global operations, can also be perfectly distinguishable by LOCC. There also exist non-entangling unitaries, e.g. local unitaries, that are perfectly discriminated by global operations but not by LOCC. The results show that capabilities of LOCC are strictly restricted than global operations in distinguishing bipartite unitaries for a finite number of repetitions, contrast to discrimination of a pair of bipartite states and also to asymptotic discrimination of unitaries.
Rapid loss of antipredatory behaviour in captive-bred birds is linked to current avian invasions
Authors: Carrete Martina , Tella José L.
Published: December 2015

Despite the importance of behaviour in conservation biology, there have been few studies that address behaviour in areas such as invasion ecology. There is an urgent need to identify specific traits that facilitate the establishment and spread of alien species to prevent biological invasions and their impact on biodiversity. Changes in antipredatory behaviour in captivity have been proposed to explain the higher invasiveness of wild-caught exotic species. We experimentally tested this hypothesis by assessing the response of wild-caught and captive-bred cage birds facing an approaching predator and their ability to escape from human capture, using species available in the Spanish pet market. Results showed the loss of antipredatory responses and escape abilities in captive-bred birds compared with wild-caught ones. An intraspecific comparison between wild-caught and the first generation of captive-bred birds pointed to a rapid behavioural loss in captivity (individual lifetime) rather than to differences among species (evolutionary exposure). In the context of current avian invasions, the proportion of individuals showing antipredatory responses within a species was positively related to the likelihood of the species being found escaped and breeding in the wild. These results offer a link between behaviour, fitness and the invasion syndrome in birds.
A YAP/TAZ-miR-130/301 molecular circuit exerts systems-level control of fibrosis in a network of human diseases and physiologic conditions
Authors: Bertero Thomas , Cottrill Katherine A. , Annis Sofia , Bhat Balkrishen , Gochuico Bernadette R. , Osorio Juan C. , Rosas Ivan , Haley Kathleen J. , Corey Kathleen E. , Chung Raymond T. , Nelson Chau B. , Chan Stephen Y.
Published: December 2015

The molecular origins of fibrosis affecting multiple tissue beds remain incompletely defined. Previously, we delineated the critical role of the control of extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening by the mechanosensitive microRNA-130/301 family, as activated by the YAP/TAZ co-transcription factors, in promoting pulmonary hypertension (PH). We hypothesized that similar mechanisms may dictate fibrosis in other tissue beds beyond the pulmonary vasculature. Employing an in silico combination of microRNA target prediction, transcriptomic analysis of 137 human diseases and physiologic states and advanced gene network modeling, we predicted the microRNA-130/301 family as a master regulator of fibrotic pathways across a cohort of seemingly disparate diseases and conditions. In two such diseases (pulmonary fibrosis and liver fibrosis), inhibition of microRNA-130/301 prevented the induction of ECM modification, YAP/TAZ and downstream tissue fibrosis. Thus, mechanical forces act through a central feedback circuit between microRNA-130/301 and YAP/TAZ to sustain a common fibrotic phenotype across a network of human physiologic and pathophysiologic states. Such re-conceptualization of interconnections based on shared systems of disease and non-disease gene networks may have broad implications for future convergent diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
NGS-based Molecular diagnosis of 105 eyeGENE® probands with Retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: Ge Zhongqi , Bowles Kristen , Goetz Kerry , Scholl Hendrik P. N. , Wang Feng , Wang Xinjing , Xu Shan , Wang Keqing , Wang Hui , Chen Rui
Published: December 2015

The National Ophthalmic Disease Genotyping and Phenotyping Network (eyeGENE®) was established in an effort to facilitate basic and clinical research of human inherited eye disease. In order to provide high quality genetic testing to eyeGENE®’s enrolled patients which potentially aids clinical diagnosis and disease treatment, we carried out a pilot study and performed Next-generation sequencing (NGS) based molecular diagnosis for 105 Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) patients randomly selected from the network. A custom capture panel was designed, which incorporated 195 known retinal disease genes, including 61 known RP genes. As a result, disease-causing mutations were identified in 52 out of 105 probands (solving rate of 49.5%). A total of 82 mutations were identified and 48 of them were novel. Interestingly, for three probands the molecular diagnosis was inconsistent with the initial clinical diagnosis, while for five probands the molecular information suggested a different inheritance model other than that assigned by the physician. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that NGS target sequencing is efficient and sufficiently precise for molecular diagnosis of a highly heterogeneous patient cohort from eyeGENE®.
DUF1220 copy number is associated with schizophrenia risk and severity: implications for understanding autism and schizophrenia as related diseases
Authors: Searles Quick V B , Davis J M , Olincy A , Sikela J M
Published: December 2015

The copy number of DUF1220, a protein domain implicated in human brain evolution, has been linearly associated with autism severity. Given the possibility that autism and schizophrenia are related disorders, the present study examined DUF1220 copy number variation in schizophrenia severity. There are notable similarities between autism symptoms and schizophrenia negative symptoms, and divergence between autism symptoms and schizophrenia positive symptoms. We therefore also examined DUF1220 copy number in schizophrenia subgroups defined by negative and positive symptom features, versus autistic individuals and controls. In the schizophrenic population (N=609), decreased DUF1220 copy number was linearly associated with increasing positive symptom severity (CON1 P=0.013, HLS1 P=0.0227), an association greatest in adult-onset schizophrenia (CON1 P=0.00155, HLS1 P=0.00361). In schizophrenic males, DUF1220 CON1 subtype copy number increase was associated with increased negative symptom severity (P=0.0327), a finding similar to that seen in autistic populations. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that schizophrenic individuals with predominantly positive symptoms exhibited reduced CON1 copy number compared with both controls (P=0.0237) and schizophrenic individuals with predominantly negative symptoms (P=0.0068). These findings support the view that (1) autism and schizophrenia exhibit both opposing and partially overlapping phenotypes and may represent a disease continuum, (2) variation in DUF1220 copy number contributes to schizophrenia disease risk and to the severity of both disorders, and (3) schizophrenia and autism may be, in part, a harmful by-product of the rapid and extreme evolutionary increase in DUF1220 copy number in the human species.
Factors influencing polyelectrolyte-aptamer multilayered films with target-controlled permeability for sensing applications
Authors: Malile Brian , Chen Jennifer I. L.
Published: December 2015

We present target-controlled permeability change in polyelectrolyte-aptamer multilayered film as a universal basis for sensing. The enhanced diffusion of ions across the film upon target binding was employed to derive colorimetric or electrochemical response.
FTIR microspectroscopy coupled with variable selection methods for the identification of flunitrazepam in necrophagous flies
Authors: Baia Tainá C. , Gama Renata A. , Silva de Lima Leomir Aires , Lima Kássio M. G.
Published: December 2015

The detection and identification of a drug in a corpse through the analysis of fly larvae feeding on the body by spectroscopic techniques promises to be of great value, because of their sensitivity, promptness, low cost and simplicity.
A microsensor for hydroquinone and catechol based on a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) modified carbon fiber electrode
Authors: Song Yanhui , Yang Ting , Zhou Xinfei , Zheng Haitao , Suye Shin-ichiro
Published: December 2015

A microsensor for hydroquinone and catechol was constructed based on a carbon fiber electrode modified by poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) by several simple steps. This microsensor exhibited excellent electrochemical activity toward the oxidation of the two diphenol isomers, and satisfying results were obtained.
Dual-responsive nanoparticles release cargo upon exposure to matrix metalloproteinase and reactive oxygen species
Authors: Daniel Kevin B. , Callmann Cassandra E. , Gianneschi Nathan C. , Cohen Seth M.
Published: December 2015

Micellar nanoparticles were designed to be responsive to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), each of which is upregulated in the pathology of inflammatory diseases.
Intramolecular interactions in the polar headgroup of sphingosine: serinol
Authors: Loru Donatella , Peña Isabel , Alonso José L. , Eugenia Sanz M.
Published: December 2015

Intramolecular interactions in sphingosine have been elucidated through the investigation of its polar headgroup serinol.
Modulating the rate of charge transport in a metal–organic framework thin film using host:guest chemistry
Authors: Hod Idan , Farha Omar K. , Hupp Joseph T.
Published: December 2015

Host:guest chemistry is used to control and manipulate charge transport properties of metal–organic framework (MOF) thin film.
The CO oxidation mechanism on the W(111) surface and the W helical nanowire investigated by the density functional theory calculation
Authors: Lin Ken-Huang , Ju Shin-Pon , Li Jia-Yun , Chen Hsin-Tsung
Published: December 2015

Two CO oxidation reactions (CO + O2→ CO2+ O and CO + O → CO2) were considered in the Eley–Rideal (ER) reaction mechanism.
Improved charge carrier separation in barium tantalate composites investigated by laser flash photolysis
Authors: Schneider Jenny , Nikitin Konstantin , Wark Michael , Bahnemann Detlef W. , Marschall Roland
Published: December 2015

Charge carrier dynamics in pure Ba5Ta4O15 and in a Ba5Ta4O15–Ba3Ta5O15 composite have been studied by means of diffuse reflectance laser flash photolysis spectroscopy in the presence and absence of methanol.
In-built Tb4+/Tb3+ redox centers in terbium-doped bismuth molybdate nanograss for enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Li Hongda , Li Wenjun , Gu Shaonan , Wang Fangzhi , Zhou Hualei
Published: December 2015

Tb4+/Tb3+ as a photo-induced redox center is a strategy for charge separation and it can obviously improve the photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6.
Impact of mechanical deformation on guest diffusion in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks
Authors: Zheng Bin , Wang Lian Li , Hui Jia Chen , Du Lifei , Du Huiling , Zhu Ming
Published: December 2015

The effect of the elastic strain modes of MOFs on the guest diffusivity was presented and analysed.
Evaluating the performance of low cost chemical sensors for air pollution research
Authors: Lewis Alastair C. , Lee James D. , Edwards Peter M. , Shaw Marvin D. , Evans Mat J. , Moller Sarah J. , Smith Katie R. , Buckley Jack W. , Ellis Matthew , Gillot Stefan R. , White Andrew
Published: December 2015

Low cost pollution sensors have been widely publicized, in principle offering increased information on the distribution of air pollution and a democratization of air quality measurements to amateur users. We report a laboratory study of commonly-used electrochemical sensors and quantify a number of cross-interferences with other atmospheric chemicals, some of which become significant at typical suburban air pollution concentrations. We highlight that artefact signals from co-sampled pollutants such as CO2 can be greater than the electrochemical sensor signal generated by the measurand. We subsequently tested in ambient air, over a period of three weeks, twenty identical commercial sensor packages alongside standard measurements and report on the degree of agreement between references and sensors. We then explore potential experimental approaches to improve sensor performance, enhancing outputs from qualitative to quantitative, focusing on low cost VOC photoionization sensors. Careful signal handling, for example, was seen to improve limits of detection by one order of magnitude. The quantity, magnitude and complexity of analytical interferences that must be characterised to convert a signal into a quantitative observation, with known uncertainties, make standard individual parameter regression inappropriate. We show that one potential solution to this problem is the application of supervised machine learning approaches such as boosted regression trees and Gaussian processes emulation.
Model diagnostics for detecting and identifying method repeatability outliers in precision studies: application to a homogeneity study under a two-stage nested ANOVA
Authors: Walsh Stephen J. , Macsik Zsuzsanna , Wegrzynek Dariusz , Krieger Thomas , Boulyga Sergei
Published: December 2015

In this paper we illustrate the use of statistical model diagnostics as an approach to identifying method repeatability outliers in precision experiments. We describe how this approach addresses the well-known shortcomings of Cochran’s test which is prescribed for this purpose in ISO 5725-2:1994.
A potent trifluoromethyl ketone histone deacetylase inhibitor exhibits class-dependent mechanism of action
Authors: Madsen Andreas S. , Olsen Christian A.
Published: December 2015

Kinetic evaluation of HDAC inhibitors containing different zinc-binding chemotypes demonstrates that trifluoromethyl ketone-containing compounds can inhibit individual HDAC isozymes via differential mechanisms.
Antibiotic Resistance themed issue
Authors: Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie , Wright Gerard D.
Published: December 2015

Welcome to the Antibiotic Resistance themed issue of MedChemComm.
The contribution of zinc to platelet behaviour during haemostasis and thrombosis
Authors: Taylor K. A. , Pugh N.
Published: December 2015

Platelets are known to be activated by exogenous zinc. Herein we discuss the potential routes for zinc entry and the role of zinc–protein interactions in platelet activation.
Multifunctional nitrogen-doped graphene nanoribbon aerogels for superior lithium storage and cell culture
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Xuzhen , Wan Wubo , Li Lingli , Dong Yanfeng , Zhao Zongbin , Qiu Jieshan
Published: December 2015

Nitrogen-doped graphene nanoribbon aerogel (N-GNRA) fabricated through self-assembly of graphene oxide nanoribbons shows potential applications in lithium storage and in the biomedical field.
A simple route to diverse noble metal-decorated iron oxide nanoparticles for catalysis
Authors: Walker Joan M. , Zaleski Jeffrey M.
Published: December 2015

Developing facile synthetic routes to multifunctional nanoparticles combining the magnetic properties of iron oxides with the optical and catalytic utility of noble metal particles remains an important goal in realizing the potential of hybrid nanomaterials.
Novel peapoded Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles for high-rate and ultralong-life rechargeable lithium ion batteries at room and lower temperatures
Authors: Peng Liang , Zhang Huijuan , Fang Ling , Zhang Yan , Wang Yu
Published: December 2015

In this paper, a novel peapod-like Li4Ti5O12–C composite architecture with high conductivity is firstly designed and synthesized to be used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.
One-pot preparation of trifluoromethylated homoallylic N-acylhydrazines or α-methylene-γ-lactams from acylhydrazines, trifluoroacetaldehyde methyl hemiacetal, allyl bromide and tin
Authors: Du Ganggang , Huang Danfeng , Wang Ke-Hu , Chen Xiaowei , Xu Yanli , Ma Junyan , Su Yingpeng , Fu Ying , Hu Yulai
Published: December 2015

Tin promoted one-pot preparation of trifluoromethylated homoallylic N-acylhydrazines or α-methylene-γ-lactams has been developed instead of using toxic stannanes.
Gold-catalyzed three-component spirocyclization: a one-pot approach to functionalized pyrazolidines
Authors: Wagner Bernd , Hiller Wolf , Ohno Hiroaki , Krause Norbert
Published: December 2015

From simple to complex: The highly efficient gold-catalyzed three-component coupling of an alkynol, a hydrazine and an aldehyde or ketone affords hitherto unknown spirocyclic pyrazolidines.
Stereoselective synthesis of β-rhamnopyranosides via gold(i)-catalyzed glycosylation with 2-alkynyl-4-nitro-benzoate donors
Authors: Zhu Yugen , Shen Zhengnan , Li Wei , Yu Biao
Published: December 2015

An effective β-rhamnosylation protocol has been developed by using α-rhamnopyranosyl ortho-hexynyl-para-nitro-benzoates as donors and Ph3PAuBArF4 as a catalyst.
A F-ion assisted preparation route to improve the photodegradation performance of a TiO2@rGO system-how to efficiently utilize the photogenerated electrons in the target organic pollutants
Authors: Guo Linjuan , Yang Zheng , Zu Baiyi , Lu Bin , Dou Xincun
Published: December 2015

F-doped TiO2 densely and uniformly decorated on rGO sheets could adsorb more RhB on TiO2 and efficiently utilize the photogenerated electrons of excited RhB to improve the photodegradation efficiency.
Unsymmetrical squaraines with new linkage manner for high-performance solution-processed small-molecule organic photovoltaic cells
Authors: Yang Lin , Yang Daobin , Chen Yao , Luo Qian , Zhang Mangang , Huang Yan , Lu Zhiyun , Sasabe Hisahiro , Kido Junji
Published: December 2015

Two unsymmetrical squaraines were employed as donors for high performance BHJ-OPV devices with Jsc > 13 mA cm−2 and PCE > 5%.
Relationship between negative thermal expansion and lattice dynamics in a tetragonal PbTiO3–Bi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3 perovskite single crystal
Authors: Jiang Kai , Zhang Peng , Zhang Jinzhong , Xu Guisheng , Li Wenwu , Hu Zhigao , Chu Junhao
Published: December 2015

The negative thermal expansion of a tetragonal PbTiO3–Bi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3 perovskite single crystal is correlated to its lattice dynamics and spontaneous polarization.
Pressure induced structural transition of small carbon nano-onions
Authors: Zheng Yanbin , Ma Yanmei , Tao Qiang , Li Yan , Ma Shuailing , Cui Tian , Wang Xin , Dong Shushan , Zhu Pinwen
Published: December 2015

Small carbon nano-onions (S-CNOs) were prepared by annealing nanodiamonds (ND) in an argon atmosphere.
β-Turn mimetic-based stabilizers of protein–protein interactions for the study of the non-canonical roles of leucyl-tRNA synthetase
Authors: Kim Chanwoo , Jung Jinjoo , Tung Truong T , Park Seung Bum
Published: December 2015

For the systematic perturbation of protein–protein interactions, we designed and synthesized tetra-substituted hexahydro-4H-pyrazino[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazine-4,7(6H)-diones as β-turn mimetics.5c{3,9}stabilizes the direct interaction between LRS and RagD and activates mTORC1 in living cells.
High conductivity Ag-based metal organic complexes as dopant-free hole-transport materials for perovskite solar cells with high fill factors
Authors: Hua Yong , Xu Bo , Liu Peng , Chen Hong , Tian Haining , Cheng Ming , Kloo Lars , Sun Licheng
Published: December 2015

Two Ag-based metal organic complexes (HA1andHA2) are employed as a new class of dopant-free HTMs for the application in PSCs. The cell based onHA1achieved high PCE of 11.98% under air conditions, which is comparable to the PCE of the cell employing the doped spiro-MeOTAD (12.27%) under the same conditions.
Effects of the benzoxazole group on green fluorescent protein chromophore crystal structure and solid state photophysics
Authors: Ghodbane Abdelhamid , Brett Fellows W. , Bright John R. , Ghosh Debashree , Saffon Nathalie , Tolbert Laren M. , Fery-Forgues Suzanne , Solntsev Kyril M.
Published: December 2015

Most of the conjugates exhibited aggregation-induced emission enhancement, probably involving a unusual type of excimer.
Cooperative spectrum sharing in two‐way multi‐user multi‐relay networks
Authors: Sharma Pankaj K. , Upadhyay Prabhat K.
Published: December 2015

In this study, the authors consider a cooperative spectrum sharing network with multiple primary users (PUs) and multiple secondary users (SUs). Hereby, one end‐PU communicates bidirectionally with one of the best selected other end‐PUs with the cooperation of the best selected SU using time division broadcast protocol. Based on an overlay approach, the selected SU allocates its partial power to relay the PUs’ signals and utilises the remaining power to transmit its own signal. The authors devise a low‐complexity distributed PU–SU selection strategy to minimise the overall outage probability of the primary system. For Nakagami‐m fading, the authors derive tight expressions of outage probability for both primary and secondary systems of the considered scheme. Further, by deriving their asymptotic behaviour at high signal‐to‐noise ratio, the authors highlight the performance gain accrued by cooperative and multiuser diversity along with that offered by the channels under Nakagami‐m fading. Besides, the authors demonstrate the effective locations for the SUs to access the spectrum. Above all, the authors illustrate that the increase of the number of SUs is more desirable than the number of PUs to explore the spectrum sharing opportunities. Numerical and simulation results substantiate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme and the theoretical analysis.