bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental Involvement and Multi-Agency Support Services for High-Need Families in France
Authors: Join-Lambert Hélène
Published: February 2016

This article examines developments in parenting and family support services in France. Drawing on qualitative empirical studies, the article considers two types of initiatives ‒ the Programmes for Educational Success (PRE) and parenting interventions delivered alongside child protection services. Both of these services are examples of new types of parenting and family support interventions in the French context targeted at ‘children at risk’, seeking to address and prevent problems of educational underachievement, youth offending, poor health in children and young people and child neglect and maltreatment. The article critically reviews tensions between principles of more responsive, partnership-based family support and more prescriptive parenting education and family interventions. Drawing on empirical findings, the article examines frontline practice and professional‒family relationships, highlighting the significance of ‘parental involvement’ practice and conflicting professional and parental perspectives about children's needs, family support and professional–client relationships.
Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Syrians affected by armed conflict
Authors: Hassan G. , Ventevogel P. , Jefee-Bahloul H. , Barkil-Oteo A. , Kirmayer L. J.
Published: February 2016

Aims.

This paper is based on a report commissioned by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which aims to provide information on cultural aspects of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing relevant to care and support for Syrians affected by the crisis. This paper aims to inform mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) staff of the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing issues facing Syrians who are internally displaced and Syrian refugees.

Methods.

We conducted a systematic literature search designed to capture clinical, social science and general literature examining the mental health of the Syrian population. The main medical, psychological and social sciences databases (e.g. Medline, PubMed, PsycInfo) were searched (until July 2015) in Arabic, English and French language sources. This search was supplemented with web-based searches in Arabic, English and French media, and in assessment reports and evaluations, by nongovernmental organisations, intergovernmental organisations and agencies of the United Nations. This search strategy should not be taken as a comprehensive review of all issues related to MHPSS of Syrians as some unpublished reports and evaluations were not reviewed.

Results.

Conflict affected Syrians may experience a wide range of mental health problems including (1) exacerbations of pre-existing mental disorders; (2) new problems caused by conflict related violence, displacement and multiple losses; as well as (3) issues related to adaptation to the post-emergency context, for example living conditions in the countries of refuge. Some populations are particularly vulnerable such as men and women survivors of sexual or gender based violence, children who have experienced violence and exploitation and Syrians who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex. Several factors influence access to MHPSS services including language barriers, stigma associated with seeking mental health care and the power dynamics of the helping relationship. Trust and collaboration can be maximised by ensuring a culturally safe environment, respectful of diversity and based on mutual respect, in which the perspectives of clients and their families can be carefully explored.

Conclusions.

Sociocultural knowledge and cultural competency can improve the design and delivery of interventions to promote mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Syrians affected by armed conflict and displacement, both within Syria and in countries hosting refugees from Syria.
Mitochondrial oligomers boost glycolysis in cancer stem cells to facilitate blebbishield-mediated transformation after apoptosis
Authors: Jinesh GG , Molina JR , Huang L , Laing NM , Mills GB , Bar-Eli M , Kamat AM
Published: February 2016

Apoptosis culminates in secondary necrosis due to lack of ATP. Cancer stem cells form spheres after apoptosis by evoking the blebbishield emergency program. Hence, determining how blebbishields avoid secondary necrosis is crucial. Here we demonstrate that N-Myc and VEGFR2 control transformation from blebbishields, during which oligomers of K-Ras, p27, BAD, Bax, and Bak boost glycolysis to avoid secondary necrosis. Non-apoptotic cancer cells also utilize oligomers to boost glycolysis, which differentiates the glycolytic function of oligomers from their apoptotic action. Smac mimetic in combination with TNF-α or TRAIL but not in combination with FasL abrogates transformation from blebbishields by inducing secondary necrosis. Thus blebbishield-mediated transformation is dependent on glycolysis, and Smac mimetics represent potential candidates to abrogate the blebbishield emergency program.
The puzzling Venusian polar atmospheric structure reproduced by a general circulation model
Authors: Ando Hiroki , Sugimoto Norihiko , Takagi Masahiro , Kashimura Hiroki , Imamura Takeshi , Matsuda Yoshihisa
Published: February 2016

Unlike the polar vortices observed in the Earth, Mars and Titan atmospheres, the observed Venus polar vortex is warmer than the midlatitudes at cloud-top levels (∼65 km). This warm polar vortex is zonally surrounded by a cold latitude band located at ∼60° latitude, which is a unique feature called ‘cold collar’ in the Venus atmosphere. Although these structures have been observed in numerous previous observations, the formation mechanism is still unknown. Here we perform numerical simulations of the Venus atmospheric circulation using a general circulation model, and succeed in reproducing these puzzling features in close agreement with the observations. The cold collar and warm polar region are attributed to the residual mean meridional circulation enhanced by the thermal tide. The present results strongly suggest that the thermal tide is crucial for the structure of the Venus upper polar atmosphere at and above cloud levels.
Observing mesoscale eddy effects on mode-water subduction and transport in the North Pacific
Authors: Xu Lixiao , Li Peiliang , Xie Shang-Ping , Liu Qinyu , Liu Cong , Gao Wendian
Published: February 2016

While modelling studies suggest that mesoscale eddies strengthen the subduction of mode waters, this eddy effect has never been observed in the field. Here we report results from a field campaign from March 2014 that captured the eddy effects on mode-water subduction south of the Kuroshio Extension east of Japan. The experiment deployed 17 Argo floats in an anticyclonic eddy (AC) with enhanced daily sampling. Analysis of over 3,000 hydrographic profiles following the AC reveals that potential vorticity and apparent oxygen utilization distributions are asymmetric outside the AC core, with enhanced subduction near the southeastern rim of the AC. There, the southward eddy flow advects newly ventilated mode water from the north into the main thermocline. Our results show that subduction by eddy lateral advection is comparable in magnitude to that by the mean flow—an effect that needs to be better represented in climate models.
Ultra-high gain diffusion-driven organic transistor
Authors: Torricelli Fabrizio , Colalongo Luigi , Raiteri Daniele , Kovács-Vajna Zsolt Miklós , Cantatore Eugenio
Published: February 2016

Emerging large-area technologies based on organic transistors are enabling the fabrication of low-cost flexible circuits, smart sensors and biomedical devices. High-gain transistors are essential for the development of large-scale circuit integration, high-sensitivity sensors and signal amplification in sensing systems. Unfortunately, organic field-effect transistors show limited gain, usually of the order of tens, because of the large contact resistance and channel-length modulation. Here we show a new organic field-effect transistor architecture with a gain larger than 700. This is the highest gain ever reported for organic field-effect transistors. In the proposed organic field-effect transistor, the charge injection and extraction at the metal–semiconductor contacts are driven by the charge diffusion. The ideal conditions of ohmic contacts with negligible contact resistance and flat current saturation are demonstrated. The approach is general and can be extended to any thin-film technology opening unprecedented opportunities for the development of high-performance flexible electronics.
Three-dimensional porous carbon composites containing high sulfur nanoparticle content for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Li Guoxing , Sun Jinhua , Hou Wenpeng , Jiang Shidong , Huang Yong , Geng Jianxin
Published: February 2016

Sulfur is a promising cathode material for lithium–sulfur batteries because of its high theoretical capacity (1,675 mA h g−1); however, its low electrical conductivity and the instability of sulfur-based electrodes limit its practical application. Here we report a facile in situ method for preparing three-dimensional porous graphitic carbon composites containing sulfur nanoparticles (3D S@PGC). With this strategy, the sulfur content of the composites can be tuned to a high level (up to 90 wt%). Because of the high sulfur content, the nanoscale distribution of the sulfur particles, and the covalent bonding between the sulfur and the PGC, the developed 3D S@PGC cathodes exhibit excellent performance, with a high sulfur utilization, high specific capacity (1,382, 1,242 and 1,115 mA h g−1 at 0.5, 1 and 2 C, respectively), long cycling life (small capacity decay of 0.039% per cycle over 1,000 cycles at 2 C) and excellent rate capability at a high charge/discharge current.
A silicon-based surface code quantum computer
Authors: O’Gorman Joe , Nickerson Naomi H , Ross Philipp , Morton John JL , Benjamin Simon C
Published: February 2016

Individual impurity atoms in silicon can make superb individual qubits, but it remains an immense challenge to build a multi-qubit processor: there is a basic conflict between nanometre separation desired for qubit–qubit interactions and the much larger scales that would enable control and addressing in a manufacturable and fault-tolerant architecture. Here we resolve this conflict by establishing the feasibility of surface code quantum computing using solid-state spins, or ‘data qubits’, that are widely separated from one another. We use a second set of ‘probe’ spins that are mechanically separate from the data qubits and move in and out of their proximity. The spin dipole–dipole interactions give rise to phase shifts; measuring a probe’s total phase reveals the collective parity of the data qubits along the probe’s path. Using a protocol that balances the systematic errors due to imperfect device fabrication, our detailed simulations show that substantial misalignments can be handled within fault-tolerant operations. We conclude that this simple ‘orbital probe’ architecture overcomes many of the difficulties facing solid-state quantum computing, while minimising the complexity and offering qubit densities that are several orders of magnitude greater than other systems.
Weak value amplification: a view from quantum estimation theory that highlights what it is and what isn’t
Authors: Torres Juan P. , Salazar-Serrano Luis José
Published: February 2016

Weak value amplification (WVA) is a concept that has been extensively used in a myriad of applications with the aim of rendering measurable tiny changes of a variable of interest. In spite of this, there is still an on-going debate about its true nature and whether is really needed for achieving high sensitivity. Here we aim at helping to clarify the puzzle, using a specific example and some basic concepts from quantum estimation theory, highlighting what the use of the WVA concept can offer and what it can not. While WVA cannot be used to go beyond some fundamental sensitivity limits that arise from considering the full nature of the quantum states, WVA can notwithstanding enhance the sensitivity of real and specific detection schemes that are limited by many other things apart from the quantum nature of the states involved, i.e. technical noise. Importantly, it can do that in a straightforward and easily accessible manner.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Cardiac Function by Preventing Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Obese-Insulin Resistant Rats
Authors: Samniang Bencharunan , Shinlapawittayatorn Krekwit , Chunchai Titikorn , Pongkan Wanpitak , Kumfu Sirinart , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , KenKnight Bruce H. , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: February 2016

Long-term high-fat diet (HFD) consumption leads to not only obese-insulin resistance, but also impaired left ventricular (LV) function. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been shown to exert cardioprotection. However, its effects on the heart and metabolic parameters under obese-insulin resistant condition is not known. We determined the effects of VNS on metabolic parameters, heart rate variability (HRV) and LV function in obese-insulin resistant rats. Male Wistar rats were fed with HFD for 12 weeks and were randomly divided into sham and VNS groups. VNS was applied for the next 12 weeks. Echocardiography, blood pressure and HRV were examined. Blood samples were collected for metabolic parameters. At the end, the heart was removed for determination of apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress and cardiac mitochondrial function. VNS for 12 weeks significantly decreased plasma insulin, HOMA index, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and visceral fat. Serum adiponectin was significantly increased in the VNS group. VNS also significantly decreased blood pressure, improved HRV and LV function, decreased cardiac MDA, TNF-α and Bax levels and improved cardiac mitochondrial function. VNS improves metabolic and hemodynamic parameters and the LV function via its ability against apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress and preserved cardiac mitochondrial function in obese-insulin resistant rats.
Cell wall as a target for bacteria inactivation by pulsed electric fields
Authors: Pillet Flavien , Formosa-Dague Cécile , Baaziz Houda , Dague Etienne , Rols Marie-Pierre
Published: February 2016

The integrity and morphology of bacteria is sustained by the cell wall, the target of the main microbial inactivation processes. One promising approach to inactivation is based on the use of pulsed electric fields (PEF). The current dogma is that irreversible cell membrane electro-permeabilisation causes the death of the bacteria. However, the actual effect on the cell-wall architecture has been poorly explored. Here we combine atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy to study the cell-wall organization of living Bacillus pumilus bacteria at the nanoscale. For vegetative bacteria, exposure to PEF led to structural disorganization correlated with morphological and mechanical alterations of the cell wall. For spores, PEF exposure led to the partial destruction of coat protein nanostructures, associated with internal alterations of cortex and core. Our findings reveal for the first time that the cell wall and coat architecture are directly involved in the electro-eradication of bacteria.
Impact of external medium conductivity on cell membrane electropermeabilization by microsecond and nanosecond electric pulses
Authors: Silve Aude , Leray Isabelle , Poignard Clair , Mir Lluis M.
Published: February 2016

The impact of external medium conductivity on the efficiency of the reversible permeabilisation caused by pulsed electric fields was investigated. Pulses of 12 ns, 102 ns or 100 μs were investigated. Whenever permeabilisation could be detected after the delivery of one single pulse, media of lower conductivity induced more efficient reversible permeabilisation and thus independently of the medium composition. Effect of medium conductivity can however be hidden by some saturation effects, for example when pulses are cumulated (use of trains of 8 pulses) or when the detection method is not sensitive enough. This explains the contradicting results that can be found in the literature. The new data are complementary to those of one of our previous study in which an opposite effect of the conductivity was highlighted. It stresses that the conductivity of the medium influences the reversible permeabilization by several ways. Moreover, these results clearly indicate that electropermeabilisation does not linearly depend on the energy delivered to the cells.
Structural and functional attributes of malaria parasite diadenosine tetraphosphate hydrolase
Authors: Sharma Arvind , Yogavel Manickam , Sharma Amit
Published: February 2016

Malaria symptoms are driven by periodic multiplication cycles of Plasmodium parasites in human red blood corpuscles (RBCs). Malaria infection still accounts for ~600,000 annual deaths and hence discovery of both new drug targets and drugs remains vital. In the present study, we have investigated the malaria parasite enzyme diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) hydrolase that regulates levels of signalling molecules like Ap4A by hydrolyzing them to ATP and AMP. We have tracked the spatial distribution of parasitic Ap4A hydrolase in infected RBCs and reveal its unusual localization on the infected RBC membrane in subpopulation of infected cells. Interestingly, enzyme activity assays reveal an interaction between Ap4A hydrolase and the parasite growth inhibitor suramin. We also present a high resolution crystal structure of Ap4A hydrolase in apo- and sulphate- bound state, where the sulphate resides in the enzyme active site by mimicking the phosphate of substrates like Ap4A. The unexpected infected erythrocyte localization of the parasitic Ap4A hydrolase hints at a possible role of this enzyme in purinerigic signaling. In addition, atomic structure of Ap4A hydrolase provides insights for selective drug targeting.
Nonlinear photomechanics of nematic networks: upscaling microscopic behaviour to macroscopic deformation
Authors: Chung Hayoung , Choi Joonmyung , Yun Jung-Hoon , Cho Maenghyo
Published: February 2016

A liquid crystal network whose chromophores are functionalized by photochromic dye exhibits light-induced mechanical behaviour. As a result, the micro-scaled thermotropic traits of the network and the macroscopic phase behaviour are both influenced as light alternates the shape of the dyes. In this paper, we present an analysis of this photomechanical behaviour based on the proposed multiscale framework, which incorporates the molecular details of microstate evolution into a continuum-based understanding. The effects of trans-to-cis photoisomerization driven by actinic light irradiation are first examined using molecular dynamics simulations and are compared against the predictions of the classical dilution model; this reveals certain characteristics of mesogenic interaction upon isomerization, followed by changes in the polymeric structure. We then upscale the thermotropic phase-related information with the aid of a nonlinear finite element analysis; macroscopic deflection with respect to the wide ranges of temperature and actinic light intensity are thereby examined, which reveals that the classical model underestimates the true deformation. This work therefore provides measures for analysing photomechanics in general by bridging the gap between the micro- and macro-scales.
Pseudo-Hydrogen Passivation: A Novel Way to Calculate Absolute Surface Energy of Zinc Blende (111)/(͞1 ͞1 ͞1) Surface
Authors: Zhang Yiou , Zhang Jingzhao , Tse Kinfai , Wong Lun , Chan Chunkai , Deng Bei , Zhu Junyi
Published: February 2016

Determining accurate absolute surface energies for polar surfaces of semiconductors has been a great challenge in decades. Here, we propose pseudo-hydrogen passivation to calculate them, using density functional theory approaches. By calculating the energy contribution from pseudo-hydrogen using either a pseudo molecule method or a tetrahedral cluster method, we obtained (111)/"Equation missing" surfaces energies of Si, GaP, GaAs and ZnS with high self-consistency. This method quantitatively confirms that surface energy is determined by the number and the energy of dangling bonds of surface atoms. Our findings may greatly enhance the basic understandings of different surfaces and lead to novel strategies in the crystal growth.
Persistent current in a correlated quantum ring with electron-phonon interaction in the presence of Rashba interaction and Aharonov-Bohm flux
Authors: Monisha P. J. , Sankar I. V. , Sil Shreekantha , Chatterjee Ashok
Published: February 2016

Persistent current in a correlated quantum ring threaded by an Aharonov-Bohm flux is studied in the presence of electron-phonon interactions and Rashba spin-orbit coupling. The quantum ring is modeled by the Holstein-Hubbard-Rashba Hamiltonian and the energy is calculated by performing the conventional Lang-Firsov transformation followed by the diagonalization of the effective Hamiltonian within a mean-field approximation. The effects of Aharonov-Bohm flux, temperature, spin-orbit and electron-phonon interactions on the persistent current are investigated. It is shown that the electron-phonon interactions reduce the persistent current, while the Rashba coupling enhances it. It is also shown that temperature smoothens the persistent current curve. The effect of chemical potential on the persistent current is also studied.
ZnCr2O4 Nanoparticles: Facile Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Mousavi Zahra , Soofivand Faezeh , Esmaeili-Zare Mahdiyeh , Salavati-Niasari Masoud , Bagheri Samira
Published: February 2016

In this work, zinc chromite (ZnCr2O4) nanostructures have been synthesized through co-precipitation method. The effect of various parameters such as alkaline agent, pH value and capping agent type was investigated on purity, particle size and morphology of samples. It was found that particle size and morphology of the products could be greatly influenced via these parameters. The synthesized products were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The superhydrophilicity of the calcined oxides was investigated by wetting experiments and a sessile drop technique which carried out at room temperature in air to determine the surface and interfacial interactions. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of ZnCr2O4 nanoparticles was confirmed by degradation of anionic dyes such as Eosin-Y and phenol red under UV light irradiation. The obtained ZnCr2O4 nanoparticles exhibit a paramagnetic behavior although bulk ZnCr2O4 is antiferromagnetic, this change in magnetic property can be ascribed to finite size effects.
Genome-Wide Meta-Analysis of Cotinine Levels in Cigarette Smokers Identifies Locus at 4q13.2
Authors: Ware Jennifer J. , Chen Xiangning , Vink Jacqueline , Loukola Anu , Minica Camelia , Pool Rene , Milaneschi Yuri , Mangino Massimo , Menni Cristina , Chen Jingchun , Peterson Roseann E. , Auro Kirsi , Lyytikäinen Leo-Pekka , Wedenoja Juho , Stiby Alexander I. , Hemani Gibran , Willemsen Gonneke , Hottenga Jouke Jan , Korhonen Tellervo , Heliövaara Markku , Perola Markus , Rose Richard J. , Paternoster Lavinia , Timpson Nic , Wassenaar Catherine A. , Zhu Andy Z. X. , Davey Smith George , T. Raitakari Olli , Lehtimäki Terho , Kähönen Mika , Koskinen Seppo , Spector Timothy , Penninx Brenda W. J. H. , Salomaa Veikko , Boomsma Dorret I. , Tyndale Rachel F. , Kaprio Jaakko , Munafò Marcus R.
Published: February 2016

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of complex behavioural phenotypes such as cigarette smoking typically employ self-report phenotypes. However, precise biomarker phenotypes may afford greater statistical power and identify novel variants. Here we report the results of a GWAS meta-analysis of levels of cotinine, the primary metabolite of nicotine, in 4,548 daily smokers of European ancestry. We identified a locus close to UGT2B10 at 4q13.2 (minimum p = 5.89 × 10−10 for rs114612145), which was consequently replicated. This variant is in high linkage disequilibrium with a known functional variant in the UGT2B10 gene which is associated with reduced nicotine and cotinine glucuronidation activity, but intriguingly is not associated with nicotine intake. Additionally, we observed association between multiple variants within the 15q25.1 region and cotinine levels, all located within the CHRNA5-A3-B4 gene cluster or adjacent genes, consistent with previous much larger GWAS using self-report measures of smoking quantity. These results clearly illustrate the increase in power afforded by using precise biomarker measures in GWAS. Perhaps more importantly however, they also highlight that biomarkers do not always mark the phenotype of interest. The use of metabolite data as a proxy for environmental exposures should be carefully considered in the context of individual differences in metabolic pathways.
Loop replacements with gut-binding peptides in Cry1Ab domain II enhanced toxicity against the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)
Authors: Shao Ensi , Lin Li , Chen Chen , Chen Hanze , Zhuang Haohan , Wu Songqing , Sha Li , Guan Xiong , Huang Zhipeng
Published: February 2016

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry toxins have been used widely in pest managements. However, Cry toxins are not effective against sap-sucking insects (Hemiptera), which limits the application of Bt for pest management. In order to extend the insecticidal spectrum of Bt toxins to the rice brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, we modified Cry1Ab putative receptor binding domains with selected BPH gut-binding peptides (GBPs). Three surface exposed loops in the domain II of Cry1Ab were replaced with two GBPs (P2S and P1Z) respectively. Bioassay results showed that toxicity of modified toxin L2-P2S increased significantly (~9 folds) against BPH nymphs. In addition, damage of midgut cells was observed from the nymphs fed with L2-P2S. Our results indicate that modifying Cry toxins based on the toxin-gut interactions can broaden the insecticidal spectrum of Bt toxin. This method provides another approach for the development of transgenic crops with novel insecticidal activity against hemipteran insects and insect populations resistant to current Bt transgenic crops.
Altered rainfall patterns increase forb abundance and richness in native tallgrass prairie
Authors: Jones Sydney K. , Collins Scott L. , Blair John M. , Smith Melinda D. , Knapp Alan K.
Published: February 2016

Models predict that precipitation variability will increase with climate change. We used a 15-year precipitation manipulation experiment to determine if altering the timing and amount of growing season rainfall will impact plant community structure in annually burned, native tallgrass prairie. The altered precipitation treatment maintained the same total growing season precipitation as the ambient precipitation treatment, but received a rainfall regime of fewer, larger rain events and longer intervals between events each growing season. Although this change in precipitation regime significantly lowered mean soil water content, overall this plant community was remarkably resistant to altered precipitation with species composition relatively stable over time. However, we found significantly higher forb cover and richness and slightly lower grass cover on average with altered precipitation, but the forb responses were manifest only after a ten-year lag period. Thus, although community structure in this grassland is relatively resistant to this type of altered precipitation regime, forb abundance in native tallgrass prairie may increase in a future characterized by increased growing season precipitation variability.
SncRNA (microRNA & snoRNA) opposite expression pattern found in multiple sclerosis relapse and remission is sex dependent
Authors: Muñoz-Culla Maider , Irizar Haritz , Sáenz-Cuesta Matías , Castillo-Triviño Tamara , Osorio-Querejeta Iñaki , Sepúlveda Lucía , López de Munain Adolfo , Olascoaga Javier , Otaegui David
Published: February 2016

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common inflammatory and degenerative disease that causes neurological disability. It affects young adults and its prevalence is higher in women. The most common form is manifested as a series of acute episodes of neurological disability (relapses) followed by a recovery phase (remission). Recently, non-coding RNAs have emerged as new players in transcriptome regulation and in turn, they could have a significant role in MS pathogenesis. In this context, our aim was to investigate the involvement of microRNAs and snoRNAs in the relapse-remission dynamics of MS in peripheral blood leucocytes, to shed light on the molecular and regulatory mechanisms that underlie this complex process. With this approach, we found that a subset of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNA) is altered in relapse and remission, revealing unexpected opposite changes that are sex dependent. Furthermore, we found that a relapse-related miRNA signature regulated general metabolism processes in leucocytes and miRNA altered in remission are involved in the regulation of innate immunity. We observed that sncRNA dysregulation is different in relapse and remission leading to differences in transcriptome regulation and that this process is sex dependent. In conclusion, relapse and remission have a different molecular background in men and women.
Association between two CHRNA3 variants and susceptibility of lung cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Qu Xiao , Wang Kai , Dong Wei , Shen Hongchang , Wang Ying , Liu Qi , Du Jiajun
Published: February 2016

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified two CHRNA3 polymorphisms (rs578776 and rs938682) associated with lung cancer risk. Furthermore, these polymorphisms were investigated and genotyped by PCR analysis. All eligible case-control studies published up to Mar 1st 2015 were identified by searching Pubmed and Embase database. Negative association between rs578776-T allele and risk of lung cancer was obtained without obvious heterogeneity (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.79–0.86; p = 0.898 for Q test). Rs938682-C allele carriers had a 12% to 28% decreased risk. Genotype model analysis showed results of dominant model for rs578776 (OR with 95% CI: 0.839(0.718–0.981)), dominant model for rs938682 (OR with 95% CI: 0.778(0.663–0.912)) and homozygous model for rs938682 (OR with 95% CI: 0.767(0.708–0.831)) were statistically significant. Subgroup analysis indicated rs578776-T variant had protective effect in Smokers, Caucasians, two histology subgroups and two match subgroups. Meanwhile, rs938682-C allele was associated with decreased risk in Smokers, Caucasians, Lung cancer and two match subgroups. Meta-regression suggested ethnicity might be the major source of heterogeneity in allele model and homozygous model for rs938682. Moreover, smoking status might contribute to part of heterogeneity under allele model. In summary, this meta-analysis suggested both rs578776 and rs938682 were significantly associated with the susceptibility of lung cancer.
How potentially predictable are midlatitude ocean currents?
Authors: Nonaka Masami , Sasai Yoshikazu , Sasaki Hideharu , Taguchi Bunmei , Nakamura Hisashi
Published: February 2016

Predictability of atmospheric variability is known to be limited owing to significant uncertainty that arises from intrinsic variability generated independently of external forcing and/or boundary conditions. Observed atmospheric variability is therefore regarded as just a single realization among different dynamical states that could occur. In contrast, subject to wind, thermal and fresh-water forcing at the surface, the ocean circulation has been considered to be rather deterministic under the prescribed atmospheric forcing and it still remains unknown how uncertain the upper-ocean circulation variability is. This study evaluates how much uncertainty the oceanic interannual variability can potentially have, through multiple simulations with an eddy-resolving ocean general circulation model driven by the observed interannually-varying atmospheric forcing under slightly different conditions. These ensemble “hindcast” experiments have revealed substantial uncertainty due to intrinsic variability in the extratropical ocean circulation that limits potential predictability of its interannual variability, especially along the strong western boundary currents (WBCs) in mid-latitudes, including the Kuroshio and its eastward extention. The intrinsic variability also greatly limits potential predictability of meso-scale oceanic eddy activity. These findings suggest that multi-member ensemble simulations are essential for understanding and predicting variability in the WBCs, which are important for weather and climate variability and marine ecosystems.
Confinement Correction to Mercury Intrusion Capillary Pressure of Shale Nanopores
Authors: Wang Sen , Javadpour Farzam , Feng Qihong
Published: February 2016

We optimized potential parameters in a molecular dynamics model to reproduce the experimental contact angle of a macroscopic mercury droplet on graphite. With the tuned potential, we studied the effects of pore size, geometry and temperature on the wetting of mercury droplets confined in organic-rich shale nanopores. The contact angle of mercury in a circular pore increases exponentially as pore size decreases. In conjunction with the curvature-dependent surface tension of liquid droplets predicted from a theoretical model, we proposed a technique to correct the common interpretation procedure of mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP) measurement for nanoporous material such as shale. Considering the variation of contact angle and surface tension with pore size improves the agreement between MICP and adsorption-derived pore size distribution, especially for pores having a radius smaller than 5 nm. The relative error produced in ignoring these effects could be as high as 44%—samples that contain smaller pores deviate more. We also explored the impacts of pore size and temperature on the surface tension and contact angle of water/vapor and oil/gas systems, by which the capillary pressure of water/oil/gas in shale can be obtained from MICP. This information is fundamental to understanding multiphase flow behavior in shale systems.
High Resolution Quantitative Angle-Scanning Widefield Surface Plasmon Microscopy
Authors: Tan Han-Min , Pechprasarn Suejit , Zhang Jing , Pitter Mark C. , Somekh Michael G.
Published: February 2016

We describe the construction of a prismless widefield surface plasmon microscope; this has been applied to imaging of the interactions of protein and antibodies in aqueous media. The illumination angle of spatially incoherent diffuse laser illumination was controlled with an amplitude spatial light modulator placed in a conjugate back focal plane to allow dynamic control of the illumination angle. Quantitative surface plasmon microscopy images with high spatial resolution were acquired by post-processing a series of images obtained as a function of illumination angle. Experimental results are presented showing spatially and temporally resolved binding of a protein to a ligand. We also show theoretical results calculated by vector diffraction theory that accurately predict the response of the microscope on a spatially varying sample thus allowing proper quantification and interpretation of the experimental results.
Reversible cardiac hypertrophy induced by PEG-coated gold nanoparticles in mice
Authors: Yang Chengzhi , Tian Aiju , Li Zijian
Published: February 2016

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are attracting more and more attention for their great potential value in biomedical application. Currently, no study has been reported on the chronic cardiac toxicity of GNPs after repeated administration. Here we carried out a comprehensive evaluation of the chronic cardiac toxicity of GNPs to the heart. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) -coated GNPs at three different sizes (10, 30 and 50 nm) or PBS was administrated to mice via tail vein for 14 consecutive days. Then the mice were euthanized at 2 weeks, 4 weeks or 12 weeks after the first injection. The accumulation of GNPs in the mouse heart and their effects on cardiac function, structure, fibrosis and inflammation were analysized. GNPs with smaller size showed higher accumulation and faster elimination. None of the three sizes of GNPs affected cardiac systolic function. The LVIDd (left ventricular end-diastolicinner-dimension), LVMass (left ventricular mass) and HW/BW (heart weight/body weight) were significantly increased in the mice receiving 10 nm PEG-GNPs for 2 weeks, but not for 4 weeks or 12 weeks. These results indicated that the accumulation of small size GNPs can induce reversible cardiac hypertrophy. Our results provide the basis for the further biomedical applications of GNPs in cardiac diseases.
Neonatal imitation and early social experience predict gaze following abilities in infant monkeys
Authors: Simpson Elizabeth A. , Miller Grace M. , Ferrari Pier F. , Suomi Stephen J. , Paukner Annika
Published: February 2016

Individuals vary in their social skills and motivation, the causes of which remain largely unknown. Here we investigated whether an individual’s propensity to interact with others measured within days after birth and differences in infants’ early social environment, may predict a later social skill. Specifically, we tested whether neonatal imitation—newborns’ capacity to match modelled actions—and social experience in the first months of life predict gaze following (directing attention to locations where others look), in infant macaques (Macaca mulatta; n = 119). Facial gesture imitation in the first week of life predicted gaze following at 7 months of age. Imitators were better at gaze following than non-imitators, suggesting neonatal imitation may be an early marker predicting socio-cognitive functioning. In addition, infants with rich social environments outperformed infants with less socialization, suggesting early social experiences also support the development of infants’ gaze following competence. The present study offers compelling evidence that an individual difference present from birth predicts a functional social cognitive skill in later infancy. In addition, this foundational skill—gaze following—is plastic and can be improved through social interactions, providing infants with a strong foundation for later social interaction and learning.
Lectin binding of human sperm associates with DEFB126 mutation and serves as a potential biomarker for subfertility
Authors: Xin Aijie , Cheng Li , Diao Hua , Wu Yancheng , Zhou Shumin , Shi Changgen , Sun Yangyang , Wang Peng , Duan Shiwei , Zheng Jufen , Wu Bin , Yuan Yao , Gu Yihua , Chen Guowu , Sun Xiaoxi , Shi Huijuan , Tao Shengce , Zhang Yonglian
Published: February 2016

Coating on the sperm surface, glycocalyx, plays a key role in sperm motility, maturation and fertilization. A comprehensive profile of sperm surface glycans will greatly facilitate both basic researches and clinical studies. Because of the capability of recognizing different glycan moieties, lectins are widely used in glycobiology. However, lacking high-throughput technology, limited lectins have been reported for analyzing the glycan of human sperm. In this study, we employed a lectin microarray for profiling the surface glycans of human sperm, on which 54 out of 91 lectins showed positive binding. Based on this technique, we compared lectin binding profiling of sperm with homozygous DEFB126 mutation (del/del) with that of wild type (wt/wt). DEFB126 was reported to contribute to the sialylation on sperm surface and its homozygous mutation was related to male subfertility. Six lectins (Jacalin/AIA, GHA, ACL, MPL, VVL and ABA) were found to develop lower binding affinity to sperm with del/del. Further validation showed that these lectins, especially ABA and MPL, can be potential biomarkers for clinical diagnosis of subfertility due to the mutation of DEFB126. Our research provides insight into the detection of some unexplained male subfertility and the lectin microarray is generally applicable for infertility/subfertility sperm biomarker discovery.
Precursor and mature NGF live tracking: one versus many at a time in the axons
Authors: De Nadai Teresa , Marchetti Laura , Di Rienzo Carmine , Calvello Mariantonietta , Signore Giovanni , Di Matteo Pierluigi , Gobbo Francesco , Turturro Sabrina , Meucci Sandro , Viegi Alessandro , Beltram Fabio , Luin Stefano , Cattaneo Antonino
Published: February 2016

The classical view of nerve growth factor (NGF) action in the nervous system is linked to its retrograde axonal transport. However, almost nothing is known on the trafficking properties of its unprocessed precursor proNGF, characterized by different and generally opposite biological functions with respect to its mature counterpart. Here we developed a strategy to fluorolabel both purified precursor and mature neurotrophins (NTs) with a controlled stoichiometry and insertion site. Using a single particle tracking approach, we characterized the axonal transport of proNGF versus mature NGF in living dorsal root ganglion neurons grown in compartmentalized microfluidic devices. We demonstrate that proNGF is retrogradely transported as NGF, but with a lower flux and a different distribution of numbers of neurotrophins per vesicle. Moreover, exploiting a dual-color labelling technique, we analysed the transport of both NT forms when simultaneously administered to the axon tips.
Highly Tm3+ doped germanate glass and its single mode fiber for 2.0 μm laser
Authors: Wen Xin , Tang Guowu , Yang Qi , Chen Xiaodong , Qian Qi , Zhang Qinyuan , Yang Zhongmin
Published: February 2016

Highly Tm3+ doped optical fibers are urgently desirable for 2.0 μm compact single-frequency fiber laser and high-repetition-rate mode-locked fiber laser. Here, we systematically investigated the optical parameters, energy transfer processes and thermal properties of Tm3+ doped barium gallo-germanate (BGG) glasses. Highly Tm3+ doped BGG glass single mode (SM) fibers were fabricated by the rod-in-tube technique. The Tm3+ doping concentration reaches 7.6 × 1020 ions/cm3, being the reported highest level in Tm3+ doped BGG SM fibers. Using ultra short (1.6 cm) as-drawn highly Tm3+ doped BGG SM fiber, a single-frequency fiber laser at 1.95 μm has been demonstrated with a maximum output power of 35 mW when in-band pumped by a home-made 1568 nm fiber laser. Additionally, a multilongitudinal-mode fiber laser at 1.95 μm has also been achieved in a 10 cm long as-drawn active fiber, yielding a maximum laser output power of 165 mW and a slope efficiency of 17%. The results confirm that the as-drawn highly Tm3+ doped BGG SM fibers are promising in applications that require high gain and high power from a short piece of active optical fiber.
Metasurface Broadband Solar Absorber
Authors: Azad Abul K. , Kort-Kamp Wilton J. M. , Sykora Milan , Weisse-Bernstein Nina R. , Luk Ting S. , Taylor Antoinette J. , Dalvit Diego A. R. , Chen Hou-Tong
Published: February 2016

We demonstrate a broadband, polarization independent, wide-angle absorber based on a metallic metasurface architecture, which accomplishes greater than 90% absorptance in the visible and near-infrared range of the solar spectrum and exhibits low absorptivity (emissivity) at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths. The complex unit cell of the metasurface solar absorber consists of eight pairs of gold nano-resonators that are separated from a gold ground plane by a thin silicon dioxide spacer. Our experimental measurements reveal high-performance absorption over a wide range of incidence angles for both s- and p-polarizations. We also investigate numerically the frequency-dependent field and current distributions to elucidate how the absorption occurs within the metasurface structure.
Bt proteins Cry1Ah and Cry2Ab do not affect cotton aphid Aphis gossypii and ladybeetle Propylea japonica
Authors: Zhao Yao , Zhang Shuai , Luo Jun-Yu , Wang Chun-Yi , Lv Li-Min , Wang Xiao-Ping , Cui Jin-Jie , Lei Chao-Liang
Published: February 2016

Plant varieties expressing theBt(Bacillus thuringiensis) insecticidal proteins Cry1Ah and Cry2Ab have potential commercialization prospects in China. However, their potential effects on non-target arthropods (NTAs) remain uncharacterized. The cotton aphidAphis gossypiiis a worldwide pest that damages various important crops. The ladybeetlePropylea japonicais a common and abundant natural enemy in many cropping systems in East Asia. In the present study, the effects of Cry1Ah and Cry2Ab proteins onA. gossypiiandP. japonicawere assessed from three aspects. First, neither of the Cry proteins affected the growth or developmental characteristics of the two test insects. Second, the expression levels of the detoxification-related genes of the two test insects did not change significantly in either Cry protein treatment. Third, neither of the Cry proteins had a favourable effect on the expression of genes associated with the amino acid metabolism ofA. gossypiiand the nutrition utilization ofP. japonica. In conclusion, the Cry1Ah and Cry2Ab proteins do not appear to affect the cotton aphidA. gossypiior the ladybeetleP. japonica.
A simple interfacial pH detection method for cationic amphiphilic self-assemblies utilizing a Schiff-base molecule
Authors: Sarkar Yeasmin , Das Sanju , Ray Ambarish , Jewrajka Suresh K. , Hirota Shun , Parui Partha Pratim
Published: February 2016

A simple pH-sensing method to monitor interfacial pH deviation from the bulk pH for cationic micelle and vesicle is introduced by estimating the change in the Schiff-base molecule (AH) proton dissociation between interface and bulk.
Microfluidic devices with templated regular macroporous structures for HIV viral capture
Authors: Surawathanawises Krissada , Kundrod Kathryn , Cheng Xuanhong
Published: February 2016

Microfluidic devices with embedded macroporous matrices significantly improve the capture yield of HIV viruses through affinity binding.
An electrochemical biosensor for sensitive detection of Hg2+ based on exonuclease III-assisted target recycling and hybridization chain reaction amplification strategies
Authors: Xiong Erhu , Zhang Xiaohua , Liu Yunqing , Zhou Jiawan , Yu Peng , Chen Jinhua
Published: February 2016

An electrochemical biosensor for Hg2+ detection was developed based on Exo III-assisted target recycling and hybridization chain reaction amplification strategies.
UHPLC-MS/SRM method for quantification of neem metabolites from leaf extracts of Meliaceae family plants
Authors: Rangiah Kannan , Varalaxmi B. A. , Gowda Malali
Published: February 2016

The neem metabolite (467.3 m/z) occupies almost 10% in the leaf extract and present in the leaf extracts of twelve Meliaceae family plants.
A disposable expanded graphite paper electrode with self-doped sulfonated polyaniline/antimony for stripping voltammetric determination of trace Cd and Pb
Authors: Liu Ruili , Cao Huijun , Nie Zuobing , Si Shihui , Zhao Xueliang , Zeng Xiaoming
Published: February 2016

A conducting graphite electrode was fabricated by using expanded graphite (EG) paper by a screen-printing technique.
A visible and label-free colorimetric sensor for miRNA-21 detection based on peroxidase-like activity of graphene/gold-nanoparticle hybrids
Authors: Zhao Huimin , Qu Yanping , Yuan Fang , Quan Xie
Published: February 2016

A visible label-free colorimetric sensor for microRNA-21 detection was developed based on the peroxidase-like activity of graphene/gold-nanoparticle hybrids which was flexibly controlled by using single-stranded PNA-21.
State-of-the-art strategies for the colorimetric detection of heavy metals using gold nanorods based on aspect ratio reduction
Authors: Alex Sruthi Ann , Chandrasekaran N. , Mukherjee Amitava
Published: February 2016

Current colorimetric detection techniques for metals using gold nanorods based on variations in the aspect ratio have been summarized.