bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transgenic mouse model for imaging of interleukin-1β-related inflammation in vivo
Authors: Iwawaki Takao , Akai Ryoko , Oikawa Daisuke , Toyoshima Takae , Yoshino Mayuko , Suzuki Mitsumi , Takeda Naoki , Ishikawa Tomo-o , Kataoka Yosky , Yamamura Ken-ichi
Published: November 2015

Inflammation is a biological response associated with symptoms of various diseases and its study is important in gaining an understanding of the pathological conditions of such diseases and in making strategic plans for promoting healing. It is therefore essential to develop technologies for the detection of inflammatory conditions. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a proinflammatory cytokine produced and secreted mainly by monocytes and macrophages in response to inflammatory stimulation. The activation of IL-1β is regulated through transcriptional induction by the promoter and post-translational processing by the inflammasome. Here we have developed a reporter gene to monitor the activation status of IL-1β by using a dual regulation system and, by using the reporter gene, we have established a mouse model that permits low-invasive visualization of the inflammatory status. Previous reporter systems dependent on the transcription or processing of IL-1β show problems in terms of background noise or signal specificity. Our reporter system overcomes these weaknesses by combining advantages from regulation by a promoter and processing of IL-1β. Our mouse model detected specific physiological inflammation in the liver and pancreas caused by hepatitis or pancreatitis models, respectively. Our reporter gene and mouse model are therefore expected to become useful bioresources for future medical science.
An accessory wall teichoic acid glycosyltransferase protects Staphylococcus aureus from the lytic activity of Podoviridae
Authors: Li Xuehua , Gerlach David , Du Xin , Larsen Jesper , Stegger Marc , Kühner Petra , Peschel Andreas , Xia Guoqing , Winstel Volker
Published: November 2015

Many Staphylococcus aureus have lost a major genetic barrier against phage infection, termed clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR/cas). Hence, S. aureus strains frequently exchange genetic material via phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer events, but, in turn, are vulnerable in particular to lytic phages. Here, a novel strategy of S. aureus is described, which protects S. aureus against the lytic activity of Podoviridae, a unique family of staphylococcal lytic phages with short, non-contractile tails. Unlike most staphylococcal phages, Podoviridae require a precise wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycosylation pattern for infection. Notably, TarM-mediated WTA α-O-GlcNAcylation prevents infection of Podoviridae while TarS-mediated WTA β-O-GlcNAcylation is required for S. aureus susceptibility to podoviruses. Tracking the evolution of TarM revealed an ancient origin in other staphylococci and vertical inheritance during S. aureus evolution. However, certain phylogenetic branches have lost tarM during evolution, which rendered them podovirus-susceptible. Accordingly, lack of tarM correlates with podovirus susceptibility and can be converted into a podovirus-resistant phenotype upon ectopic expression of tarM indicating that a “glyco-switch” of WTA O-GlcNAcylation can prevent the infection by certain staphylococcal phages. Since lytic staphylococcal phages are considered as anti-S. aureus agents, these data may help to establish valuable strategies for treatment of infections.
A simple colorimetric kit for determination of ketamine hydrochloride in water samples
Authors: Maddah Bozorgmehr , alimardani Vahid , moradifard Hamid
Published: November 2015

A sensitive, selective, on-site and rapid colorimetric kit has been developed for the determination of ketamine hydrochloride.
Optical signaling in biofluids: a nondenaturing photostable molecular probe for serum albumins
Authors: Dey Gourab , Gaur Pankaj , Giri Rajanish , Ghosh Subrata
Published: November 2015

Conceptually new molecular designs as nondenaturing emissive materials for the detection and quantification of serum albumins in biofluids.
An efficient approach for the construction of trifluoromethylated all-carbon quaternary stereocenters: enantioselective Ni(ii)-catalyzed Michael addition of 2-acetyl azaarene to β,β-disubstituted nitroalkenes
Authors: Hou Xuhe , Ma Hongli , Zhang Zhenhua , Xie Lei , Qin Zhaohai , Fu Bin
Published: November 2015

Michael addition of 2-acetyl azaarenes with β,β-disubstituted nitroalkenes afforded chiral compounds in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.
A foolproof method for phase transfer of metal nanoparticles via centrifugation
Authors: Park Jin Ock , Cho So-Hye , Lee Jae-Seung , Lee Wonjoo , Lee Seung Yong
Published: November 2015

Our approach using centrifugal force provides a simple and foolproof method for the phase transfer.
A computational study of lithium interaction with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and tetracyaniquinodimethane (TCNQ) molecules
Authors: Chen Yingqian , Manzhos Sergei
Published: November 2015

The formation of a cyclic structure from TCNE stabilized by lithium attachment.
Retracted Article: Novel Rh-substituted hexaaluminate catalysts for N2O decomposition
Authors: Amrousse R. , Tsutsumi A.
Published: November 2015

Novel Rh-substituted hexaaluminate catalysts were prepared for the first time for N2O decomposition as a green propellant.
Stability, scalability, and reusability of a volume efficient biocatalytic system constructed on magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Premaratne Gayan , Nerimetla Rajasekhara , Matlock Ryan , Sunday Loren , Hikkaduwa Koralege Rangika S. , Ramsey Joshua D. , Krishnan Sadagopan
Published: November 2015

This report investigates for the first time stability, scalability, and reusability characteristics of a protein nano-bioreactor useful for green synthesis of fine chemicals in aqueous medium extracting maximum enzyme efficiency.
Silicon carbide-supported iron nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Li Jiayuan , Wang Jing , Gao Dunfeng , Li Xingyun , Miao Shu , Wang Guoxiong , Bao Xinhe
Published: November 2015

Iron nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon (Fe@N–C) supported on a SiC core with a derived nitrogen-doped carbon shell (SiC@N–C) show much higher activity for oxygen reduction reaction than SiC, SiC@N–C and SiC-supported Fe3Si in alkaline medium.
Mesoporous CuO–ZnO p–n heterojunction based nanocomposites with high specific surface area for enhanced photocatalysis and electrochemical sensing
Authors: Chabri Sumit , Dhara Arnab , Show Bibhutibhushan , Adak Deepanjana , Sinha Arijit , Mukherjee Nillohit
Published: November 2015

Mesoporous and core–shell like (p)CuO–(n)ZnO nanocomposites were prepared using microstructural refinement and solid state reactions, which showed enhanced photochemical and electrochemical performances.
Photosensitized H2 generation from “one-pot” and “two-pot” assemblies of a zinc-porphyrin/platinum nanoparticle/protein scaffold
Authors: Clark Emily R. , Kurtz Donald M.
Published: November 2015

Photosensitized H2 generation can be sustained for several hours in aqueous solution using a protein scaffold that nucleates formation of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) and contains “built-in” zinc-porphyrin photosensitizers.
Synthesis and characterization of metastable β-Ag2WO4: an experimental and theoretical approach
Authors: Lemos Pablo S. , Altomare A. , Gouveia A. F. , Nogueira I. C. , Gracia L. , Llusar R. , Andrés J. , Longo E. , Cavalcante Laécio S.
Published: November 2015

The geometry, cluster coordination and electronic structure of metastable β-Ag2WO4microcrystals were elucidated using experimental techniques and first-principles calculations.
Influence of a polymer sunscreen additive on the transport and retention of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in water-saturated porous media
Authors: Englehart Jessica , Lyon Bonnie A. , Becker Matthew D. , Wang Yonggang , Abriola Linda M. , Pennell Kurt D.
Published: November 2015

This study coupled experimental work with mathematical modeling to investigate the influence of a polymeric sunscreen additive on the transport and deposition behavior of TiO2 nanoparticles in porous media.
Synthesis of characteristic Mycobacterium peptidoglycan (PGN) fragments utilizing with chemoenzymatic preparation of meso-diaminopimelic acid (DAP), and their modulation of innate immune responses
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Matsuo Yusuke , Pradipta Ambara R. , Inohara Naohiro , Fujimoto Yukari , Fukase Koichi
Published: November 2015

CharacteristicMycobacteriumpeptidoglycan fragments were comprehensively synthesized and their weaker immunostimulationviaNod1 and Nod2 was shown.
Synthesis of functionalized 5-substituted thiazolidine-2-thiones via adscititious xanthate-promoted radical cyclization of allyl(alkyl/aryl)dithiocarbamates
Authors: Gao Simiao , Zhang Yu , Dong Jun , Chen Ning , Xu Jiaxi
Published: November 2015

An adscititious radical precursor-promoted cyclization is designed and realized in efficient synthesis of functionalized 5-substituted thiazolidine-2-thiones from alkyl allyl(alkyl/aryl)dithiocarbamates.
Synthesis of 1,4-amino alcohols by Grignard reagent addition to THF and N-tosyliminobenzyliodinane
Authors: Tejo Ciputra , See Yang Feng Anders , Mathiew Mitch , Chan Philip Wai Hong
Published: November 2015

The synthesis of 1,4-amino alcohols from THF, PhINTs and a Grignard reagent, and one example of the 1,5-homologue from THP.
Semisynthetic UbH2A reveals different activities of deubiquitinases and inhibitory effects of H2A K119 ubiquitination on H3K36 methylation in mononucleosomes
Authors: Bi Xiaobao , Yang Renliang , Feng Xiaoyu , Rhodes Daniela , Liu Chuan-Fa
Published: November 2015

UbH2A was prepared from recombinant H2A containing azidonorleucine 119 and incorporated into nucleosomes to study DUBs and H3K36 MTases.
Enantioselective palladium-catalyzed arylation of N-tosylarylimines with arylboronic acids using a chiral 2,2′-bipyridine ligand
Authors: Gao Xiang , Wu Bo , Yan Zhong , Zhou Yong-Gui
Published: November 2015

An enantioselective palladium-catalyzed arylation of N-tosylarylimines with arylboronic acids was developed by using an axially chiral 2,2′-bipyridine ligand C3-ACBP, affording chiral diarylmethamines with up to 94% ee under exogenous-base-free conditions.
A well-defined nitro-functionalized aromatic framework (NO2-PAF-1) with high CO2 adsorption: synthesis via the copper-mediated Ullmann homo-coupling polymerization of a nitro-containing monomer
Authors: Hei Ze-Huan , Huang Mu-Hua , Luo Yunjun , Wang Yingxiong
Published: November 2015

A nitro group functionalized porous aromatic framework (NO2-PAF-1) was synthesized via a copper-mediated Ullmann reaction. Its CO2 uptake was higher that of PAF-1 due to the strong interaction of the nitro group with CO2.
Competition between electron doping and short-range scattering in hydrogenated bilayer graphene on hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Hong S. J. , Kang H. , Park M. , Lee M. , Soler-Delgado D. , Jeong D. H. , Park Y. W. , Kim B. H.
Published: November 2015

We studied the electron doping of bilayer graphene (BLG) on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) by dissociative H2 adsorption.
Determination of sub-ng g−1 Au in geological samples by ion molecule reaction ICP-MS and CH4 plasma modifier
Authors: Guo Wei , Xie Wenke , Jin Lanlan , Guo Qinghai , Hu Shenghong
Published: November 2015

Direct determination of Au in geological samples using a combination of ion molecule reaction ICP-MS and CH4 plasma modifier technique.
Colorimetric determination of copper(ii) ions using gold nanoparticles as a probe
Authors: Ye Yingjie , Lv Mingxiu , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhang Yongxing
Published: November 2015

A colorimetric method for the fast, sensitive and selective detection of Cu2+ using gold nanoparticles was developed.
Oxidative cross coupling reaction mediated by I2/H2O2: a novel approach for the construction of fused thiazole containing coumarin derivatives
Authors: Belal Md. , Khan Abu T.
Published: November 2015

Various 2-phenyl-4H-chromeno(3,4-d)thiazol-4-one derivatives have been synthesized through C–H bond activation using sodium sulfide as a source of sulfur atoms and by employing I2 as a catalyst and H2O2 as the terminal oxidant.
Au nanoparticle homogeneously decorated C@TiO2 for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity
Authors: Zheng Yan-Zhen , Xu Yan-Yan , Fang Hua-Bin , Wang Yuan , Tao Xia
Published: November 2015

A Au–C@TiO2 photocatalyst shows excellent visible-light response characteristics and promotes charge carrier separation and transport efficiency.
A novel trinuclear Cd(ii) cluster-based metal–organic framework: synthesis, structure and luminescence properties
Authors: Wang Jia , Yao Shuo , Li Guanghua , Huo Qisheng , Zhang Lirong , Liu Yunling
Published: November 2015

A novel luminescent Cd-MOF based on trinuclear Cd cluster and H2PZC ligand has been constructed, it may be used as a potential luminescent probe for the detection of acetone, Na+ and Fe2+.
Higher-order structural interrogation of antibodies using middle-down hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry
Authors: Pan Jingxi , Zhang Suping , Chou Albert , Borchers Christoph H.
Published: November 2015

Specific restricted proteolysis combined with subzero temperature HPLC and online ETD facilitates structural characterization of antibodies at high resolution.
Crystalline poly(triazine imide) based g-CN as an efficient electrocatalyst for counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells using a triiodide/iodide redox electrolyte
Authors: Lee Woo-ram , Jun Young-Si , Park Jihee , Stucky Galen D.
Published: November 2015

DSSCs using g-CN as an electrocatalyst exhibit photovoltaic efficiency comparable to that of conventional Pt catalyst.
Macro-/mesoporous titania thin films: analysing the effect of pore architecture on photocatalytic activity using high-throughput screening
Authors: Nursam Natalita M. , Wang Xingdong , Caruso Rachel A.
Published: November 2015

The photocatalytic behaviour of titania thin films was studied using a high-throughput method to correlate the effect of pore and thickness modification.
High-density lipoproteins for therapeutic delivery systems
Authors: Kannan Mutharasan R. , Foit Linda , Shad Thaxton C.
Published: November 2015

High-density lipoproteins are a class of natural nanostructures with multiple desirable properties to model in a drug delivery vehicle. Here we review the structure and function of high-density lipoproteins, and their use as therapeutic delivery systems.
Low contact resistance in solid electrolyte-gated ZnO field-effect transistors with ferromagnetic contacts
Authors: Hu Xiaotao , Sun Jia , Qian Chuan , Liu Fangmei , Yang Junliang , Guo Guang-hua , Gao Yongli
Published: November 2015

We report on solid-electrolyte-gated FETs with ferromagnetic contacts that result in a decrease in contact resistance and assess their potential for spintronics.
π-Expanded 1,3-diketones – synthesis, optical properties and application in two-photon polymerization
Authors: Nazir Rashid , Thorsted Bjarne , Balčiūnas Evaldas , Mazur Leszek , Deperasińska Irena , Samoć Marek , Brewer Jonathan , Farsari Maria , Gryko Daniel T.
Published: November 2015

Non-planar, two-photon absorbing α,β-unsaturated 1,3-diketones possessing anthracene moiety are efficient photoinitiators in direct laser writing.
Photophysical properties of push–pull 8-aryl-deoxyguanosine probes within duplex and G-quadruplex structures
Authors: Blanchard Darian J. M. , Fadock Kaila L. , Sproviero Michael , Deore Prashant S. , Cservenyi Thomas Z. , Manderville Richard A. , Sharma Purshotam , Wetmore Stacey D.
Published: November 2015

Acceptor aryl groups at the 8-position of 2′-deoxyguanosine (dG) generate visibly emissive 8aryldG probes, which provide viscosity-sensing applications within oligonucleotides.
N-Annulated perylene as a donor in cyclopentadithiophene based sensitizers: the effect of the linking mode
Authors: Luo Jie , Wang Xingzhu , Fan Li , Li Gongqiang , Qi Qingbiao , Huang Kuo-Wei , Dexter Tam Teck Lip , Zhang Jie , Wang Qing , Wu Jishan
Published: November 2015

N-Annulated perylene (NP) functionalized cyclopentadithiophene dyes with different linking modes were synthesized and the peri-NP linked dye CPD-1 gave power conversion efficiency of 7.82% in Co(II)/(III) based dye-sensitized solar cells.
Analysis, design and experiment investigation of a novel wave energy converter
Authors: Binh Phan Cong , Tri Nguyen Minh , Dung Dang Tri , Ahn Kyoung Kwan , Kim Sung‐Jae , Koo Weoncheol
Published: November 2015

This study presents an innovative design for a wave energy converter (WEC). The system is based on a novel mechanical power take‐off (PTO) device that can absorb wave energy by converting the bidirectional motion of an ocean wave into the one‐way rotation of an electric generator. First, the PTO mechanism and configuration are described in detail. A coupled mechanical and hydrodynamic time‐domain simulation of a hemispherical floating buoy connected to a bidirectional gearbox and torque generation device under regular waves were modelled in MATLAB®/Simulink®. The hydrodynamic forces acting on the semi‐submerged floating buoy are calculated by employing linear potential wave theory. The friction behaviour in the PTO system is modelled by using Brian Armstrong's method. Next, an average wave energy and absorbed energy calculation was applied to investigate the conversion efficiency of the WEC. Finally, the experimental setup is carried out in a water tank under various conditions to evaluate the performance of WEC and validate the modelling. The results indicate that high‐energy conversion efficiency of generating electricity from waves is approachable, thanks to the high efficiency of the proposed device.
Evaluation of maximum power point tracking in hydrokinetic energy conversion systems
Authors: Khan Jahangir , Iqbal Tariq , Quaicoe John
Published: November 2015

Maximum power point tracking is a mature control issue for wind, solar and other systems. On the other hand, being a relatively new technology, detailed discussion on power tracking of hydrokinetic energy conversion systems are generally not available. Prior to developing sophisticated control schemes for use in hydrokinetic systems, existing know‐how in wind or solar technologies can be explored. In this study, a comparative evaluation of three generic classes of maximum power point scheme is carried out. These schemes are (a) tip speed ratio control, (b) power signal feedback control, and (c) hill climbing search control. In addition, a novel concept for maximum power point tracking: namely, extremum seeking control is introduced. Detailed and validated system models are used in a simulation environment. Potential advantages and drawbacks of each of these schemes are summarised.
Correlation of Vocal Intensity with Velopharyngeal Closing Mechanism in Individuals with and without Complaint of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction
Authors: Girelli Karina , Costa Sady , Collares Marcus , Dornelles Silvia
Published: November 2015

Introduction Velopharyngeal sphincter is a portion of the muscle of the palatopharyngeal arch that is capable of separating the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. It has not been determined yet whether voice intensity has an influence on this capacity. Velopharyngeal sphincter closure is accomplished by elevating and retracting the soft palate at the same time as the nasopharyngeal walls are constricted.

Objective This study aims to correlate voice intensity with velopharyngeal sphincter closure in individuals without velopharyngeal dysfunction and patients with cleft lip and palate.

Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, comparative, and contemporary study. The sample consisted of 16 individuals in the control group and 16 individuals in the study group. Patients underwent instrumental assessment, which we subsequently analyzed using a computer program, and a brief medical history review. The mean age of the control group was 27.6 years, whereas the mean age of the case group was 15.6 years.

Results Cases showed higher voice intensity in regular and weak fricative sentences when compared with controls. There was no agreement on the analysis of the instrumental assessment between the assessors and the computer program. Regardless of voice intensity, the computer program demonstrated a similar closure pattern.

Conclusion The computer program showed similar closure pattern for the three levels of intensity. There was no agreement between the three assessors and the closure pattern determined by the computer program. There was no statistically significant correlation between voice intensity and degree of velopharyngeal sphincter closure.
Are business users social? A design experiment exploring information sharing in enterprise social systems
Authors: Mettler Tobias , Winter Robert
Published: November 2015

In recent years, social technology has changed the ways people collaborate and communicate. With the blurring boundaries between work and personal life, business software vendors have begun to deliberate on the possibilities for enhancing the rather rigid and impersonal structures in enterprise systems (ES) by integrating social features. In doing so, they frequently assume that business users share the same interaction patterns as private users. In this paper, we challenge this belief and explore the factors that stimulate business users to share information in ES environments. By means of a design experiment, we show different use scenarios and explore business users' attitudes toward open and unconditional information sharing in ES. Our results demonstrate that business users are less ‘social’ and that applying social features in ES is highly context dependent. Based on these findings, we offer recommendations for software vendors and researchers who are interested in the social enhancements of ES.
Potential sources of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) recruits estimated with Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis of otolith chemical signatures
Authors: Barnett Beverly K. , Patterson William F. , Kellison Todd , Garner Steven B. , Shiller Alan M.
Published: November 2015

Otolith chemical signatures were used to estimate the number of likely nursery sources that contributed recruits to a suite of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) year-classes sampled in 2012 in US Atlantic Ocean waters from southern Florida (28°N) to North Carolina (34°N). Otoliths from subadult and adult fish (n=139; ages 2–5 years) were cored and their chemical constituents analysed for δ13C, δ18O, as well as the elemental ratios of Ba:Ca, Mg:Ca, Mn:Ca and Sr:Ca. Results from multiple linear regression analyses indicated that there was significant latitudinal variation for δ13C, Ba:Ca, Mg:Ca and Mn:Ca. Therefore, these variables were used to parameterise Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) models computed to estimate the most likely number of nursery sources to each age class. Results from MCMC models indicated that between two and seven nursery sources were equally plausible among the four age classes examined, but the likely number of nursery sources declined for fish aged 4 and 5 years because of apparent mixing between more northern and more southern signatures. Overall, there is evidence to reject the null hypothesis that a single nursery source contributed recruits among the age classes examined, but increased sample size from a broader geographic range may be required to refine estimates of the likely number of nursery sources.
Corrigendum to: Heterosexual experience and recent heterosexual encounters among Australian adults: The Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships
Authors: Rissel Chris , Badcock Paul B. , Smith Anthony M. A. , Richters Juliet , de Visser Richard O. , Grulich Andrew E. , Simpson Judy M.
Published: November 2015

Background
Current information about numbers of other-sex partners, experiences of different heterosexual behaviours and the recent heterosexual experiences among a representative sample of Australian adults is needed. It is not known whether these practices have changed between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 9963 men and 10 131 women aged 16–69 years from all states and territories. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Results: Men reported more sexual partners than women, although the lifetime number of heterosexual partners reported by women increased significantly between 2001–02 and 2012–13. In 2012–13, 14.7% of men and 8.6% of women reported two or more sexual partners in the last year. Reporting multiple partners was significantly associated with being younger, being bisexual, living in major cities, having a lower income, having a blue-collar occupation and not being married. The proportion of respondents reporting ever having had oral sex or anal intercourse increased significantly since the last survey. At the last heterosexual encounter, 91.9% of men and 66.2% of women had an orgasm, oral sex was reported in only approximately one in four encounters and anal intercourse was uncommon. Conclusion: There were increases between 2001–02 and 2012–13 in partner numbers among women and in the lifetime experience of oral and anal sex. The patterns of heterosexual experience in Australia are similar to those found in studies of representative samples in other countries.
Topical anaesthetics for premature ejaculation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Martyn-St James Marrissa , Cooper Katy , Ren Kate , Kaltenthaler Eva , Dickinson Kath , Cantrell Anna , Wylie Kevan , Frodsham Leila , Hood Catherine
Published: November 2015

Eutectic Mixture of Local Anaesthetics (EMLA) is recommended for use off-label as a treatment for premature ejaculation (PE). Other topical anaesthetics are available, some of which have been evaluated against oral treatments. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for topical anaesthetics in the management of PE. Bibliographic databases including MEDLINE were searched to August 2014. The primary outcome was intra-vaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT). Methodological quality of RCTs was assessed. IELT and other outcomes were pooled across RCTs in a meta-analysis. Between-trial heterogeneity was assessed. Nine RCTs were included. Seven were of unclear methodological quality. Pooled evidence (two RCTs, 43 participants) suggests that EMLA is significantly more effective than placebo at increasing IELT (P < 0.00001). Individual RCT evidence also suggests that Topical Eutectic-like Mixture for Premature Ejaculation (TEMPE) spray and lidocaine gel are both significantly more effective than placebo (P = 0.003; P < 0.00001); and lidocaine gel is significantly more effective than sildenafil or paroxetine (P = 0.01; P = 0.0001). TEMPE spray is associated with significantly more adverse events than placebo (P = 0.003). More systemic adverse events are reported with tramadol, sildenafil and paroxetine than with lidocaine gel. Diverse methods of assessing sexual satisfaction and ejaculatory control with topical anaesthetics are reported and evidence is conflicting. Topical anaesthetics appear more effective than placebo, paroxetine and sildenafil at increasing IELT in men with PE. However, the methodological quality of the existing RCT evidence base is uncertain.
Quantifying the effects of topographic aspect on water content and temperature in fine surface fuel
Authors: Nyman Petter , Metzen Daniel , Noske Philip J. , Lane Patrick N. J. , Sheridan Gary J.
Published: November 2015

This study quantifies the effects of topographic aspect on surface fine fuel moisture content (FFMC) in order to better represent landscape-scale variability in fire risk. Surface FFMC in a eucalypt forest was measured from December to May (180 days) on different aspects using a novel method for in situ monitoring of moisture content (GWClit) and temperature (Tlit) in litter. Daily mean GWClit varied systematically with aspect. North (0.07 ≤ GWClit ≤ 1.30 kg kg–1) and south (0.11 ≤ GWClit ≤ 1.83 kg kg–1) aspects were driest and wettest respectively, whereas east and west were somewhere in between. On the warmest day (38.9°C), the maximum Tlit on north (43.7°C) and south (29.8°C) aspects differed by 13.9°C. Aspect-driven variation in Tlit and GWClit is exacerbated by vegetation, which increases markedly in density with decreasing solar exposure. GWClit was below fibre saturation point (<0.35 kg kg–1) on 49 and 128 days on south and north aspects, respectively, demonstrating that fuels beds are often in different stages of drying and therefore subject to different hydrological processes depending on landscape position. This terrain-related variability in moisture dynamics strongly affects the spatial connectivity of fuels, and may be more important for predicting landscape-scale burn outcomes than sub-daily fluctuations at a point.
An antimicrobial peptide essential for bacterial survival in the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis
Authors: Kim Minsoo , Chen Yuhui , Xi Jiejun , Waters Christopher , Chen Rujin , Wang Dong
Published: November 2015

Significance

Legumes form a root structure, the nodule, in which nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia) reside. In this symbiotic relationship, the bacteria provide nitrogen to the plant and in return obtain fixed carbon from the host. Once released into the cytoplasm of the host cell, the rhizobia undergo a remarkable transformation, including genome amplification and cell elongation, before reaching the differentiated nitrogen-fixing state. Small plant-derived peptides with antimicrobial activities have been known to play critical roles in the differentiation of rhizobia in legumes that form indeterminate nodules. By studying the
Medicago truncatula dnf4
mutant, we discovered that an antimicrobial peptide, NCR211, plays a critical role in the survival and function of differentiated rhizobia in host cells for successful symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Synthetic biology devices for in vitro and in vivo diagnostics
Authors: Slomovic Shimyn , Pardee Keith , Collins James J.
Published: November 2015

There is a growing need to enhance our capabilities in medical and environmental diagnostics. Synthetic biologists have begun to focus their biomolecular engineering approaches toward this goal, offering promising results that could lead to the development of new classes of inexpensive, rapidly deployable diagnostics. Many conventional diagnostics rely on antibody-based platforms that, although exquisitely sensitive, are slow and costly to generate and cannot readily confront rapidly emerging pathogens or be applied to orphan diseases. Synthetic biology, with its rational and short design-to-production cycles, has the potential to overcome many of these limitations. Synthetic biology devices, such as engineered gene circuits, bring new capabilities to molecular diagnostics, expanding the molecular detection palette, creating dynamic sensors, and untethering reactions from laboratory equipment. The field is also beginning to move toward in vivo diagnostics, which could provide near real-time surveillance of multiple pathological conditions. Here, we describe current efforts in synthetic biology, focusing on the translation of promising technologies into pragmatic diagnostic tools and platforms.
Smart nanosystems: Bio-inspired technologies that interact with the host environment
Authors: Kwon Ester J. , Lo Justin H. , Bhatia Sangeeta N.
Published: November 2015

Nanoparticle technologies intended for human administration must be designed to interact with, and ideally leverage, a living host environment. Here, we describe smart nanosystems classified in two categories: (
i
) those that sense the host environment and respond and (
ii
) those that first prime the host environment to interact with engineered nanoparticles. Smart nanosystems have the potential to produce personalized diagnostic and therapeutic schema by using the local environment to drive material behavior and ultimately improve human health.
New class of turbulence in active fluids
Authors: Bratanov Vasil , Jenko Frank , Frey Erwin
Published: November 2015

Significance

It is widely appreciated that turbulence is one of the main challenges of modern theoretical physics. Whereas up to now, most work in this area has been dedicated to the study of Navier–Stokes flows, numerous examples exist of systems that exhibit similar types of spatiotemporal chaos but are described by more complex nonlinear equations. One such problem of quickly growing scientific interest is turbulence in active fluids. We find that such systems can exhibit power-law energy spectra with nonuniversal exponents as a result of nonlinear self-organization, defining a new class of turbulent flows.
Attention searches nonuniformly in space and in time
Authors: Dugué Laura , McLelland Douglas , Lajous Mathilde , VanRullen Rufin
Published: November 2015

Significance

Visual search is one of the primary tools to study attention in experimental psychology, yet the spatiotemporal behavior of attention during search remains controversial: Does attention focus on one item at a time or several, or even all, items? We used an innovative methodology that relies on simple yet elegant mathematical reasoning and only assumes (like most other attentional studies) that attentional strength is reflected in behavioral performance. We provide evidence against a strict parallel model in space and for an attentional periodicity in time: Attention during a difficult search task was nonuniformly allocated both in space, focusing on one stimulus or subgroup of stimuli at a time, and in time, with this deployment being periodically modulated at ∼7 Hz.
Structure and control of charge density waves in two-dimensional 1T-TaS
2
Authors: Tsen Adam W. , Hovden Robert , Wang Dennis , Kim Young Duck , Okamoto Junichi , Spoth Katherine A. , Liu Yu , Lu Wenjian , Sun Yuping , Hone James C. , Kourkoutis Lena F. , Kim Philip , Pasupathy Abhay N.
Published: November 2015

Significance

The ability to electrically control collective electron states is a central goal of materials research and may allow for the development of novel devices. 1T-TaS
2
is an ideal candidate for such devices due to the existence of various charge ordered states in its phase diagram. Although various techniques have been demonstrated to manipulate charge order in 1T-TaS
2
, a fundamental understanding of the effects is still lacking, and the methods used are incompatible with device fabrication. By using both high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electronic transport to investigate atomically thin 1T-TaS
2
samples, we clarify the microscopic nature of the charge ordered phases in the 2D limit and further control them by all-electrical means.
Formamide reaction network in gas phase and solution via a unified theoretical approach: Toward a reconciliation of different prebiotic scenarios
Authors: Pietrucci Fabio , Saitta Antonino Marco
Published: November 2015

Significance

The qualitative and quantitative description of chemical reactions is a formidable problem. Determining pathways, energetics, and kinetics requires costly accurate quantum approaches. Typically, this amounts to a simplification of gas-phase reactions into elementary steps, which, in turn, are usually directly translated in solution. The topology-based method hereby presented allows instead an unbiased exploration of both gas-phase and aqueous-phase reactions. Its application to formamide, a centerpiece of prebiotic chemistry, unveils very different reaction networks between gas and solution regimes, indicating, in the liquid phase, new pathways, intermediates, and products. The new scheme allows us also to demonstrate the comparable relative stability of formamide, hydrogen cyanide, and formic acid, thus contributing insight to a heated current debate in the prebiotic chemistry community.
Glucocorticoids enhance muscle endurance and ameliorate Duchenne muscular dystrophy through a defined metabolic program
Authors: Morrison-Nozik Alexander , Anand Priti , Zhu Han , Duan Qiming , Sabeh Mohamad , Prosdocimo Domenick A. , Lemieux Madeleine E. , Nordsborg Nikolai , Russell Aaron P. , MacRae Calum A. , Gerber Anthony N. , Jain Mukesh K. , Haldar Saptarsi M.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Classic physiological studies have documented the endurance-promoting effects of glucocorticoid (GC) hormones on skeletal muscle. Pharmacologic GC therapy also improves muscle function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a genetic muscle-wasting disease. Despite these well-established physiological and clinical observations, the molecular basis underlying the beneficial effects of GCs in skeletal muscle remains obscure. This study shows that physiological effects of GCs on muscle endurance and their therapeutic effect in DMD are mediated, in part, via activation of a potent metabolic gene called Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15). Importantly, KLF15 does not drive GC-mediated muscle wasting. These data shed light on the poorly understood ergogenic properties of GCs, findings that may inform steroid-sparing therapies for DMD and other muscle diseases.
Subsecond dopamine fluctuations in human striatum encode superposed error signals about actual and counterfactual reward
Authors: Kishida Kenneth T. , Saez Ignacio , Lohrenz Terry , Witcher Mark R. , Laxton Adrian W. , Tatter Stephen B. , White Jason P. , Ellis Thomas L. , Phillips Paul E. M. , Montague P. Read
Published: November 2015

Significance

There is an abundance of circumstantial evidence (primarily work in nonhuman animal models) suggesting that dopamine transients serve as experience-dependent learning signals. This report establishes, to our knowledge, the first direct demonstration that subsecond fluctuations in dopamine concentration in the human striatum combine two distinct prediction error signals: (i) an experience-dependent reward prediction error term and (ii) a counterfactual prediction error term. These data are surprising because there is no prior evidence that fluctuations in dopamine should superpose actual and counterfactual information in humans. The observed compositional encoding of “actual” and “possible” is consistent with how one should “feel” and may be one example of how the human brain translates computations over experience to embodied states of subjective feeling.
Structural basis of substrate recognition by a bacterial deubiquitinase important for dynamics of phagosome ubiquitination
Authors: Sheedlo Michael J. , Qiu Jiazhang , Tan Yunhao , Paul Lake N. , Luo Zhao-Qing , Das Chittaranjan
Published: November 2015

Significance

Ubiquitination and deubiquitination have emerged in recent years as novel targets for the design of therapeutic agents. To our knowledge, the structure of the deubiquitinase (DUB) domain of SdeA represents the first prokaryotic DUB determined and will thus potentially serve as a model for other bacterial deubiquitinating enzymes for use in structure-guided drug design.
Legionella pneumophila
ubiquitin E3 ligases play important roles in the biogenesis of the phagosome permissive for bacterial replication. The discovery of effectors with DUB activity highlights the importance of modulation of host processes in a regulated and balanced manner.
Plasmodium
evasion of mosquito immunity and global malaria transmission: The lock-and-key theory
Authors: Molina-Cruz Alvaro , Canepa Gaspar E. , Kamath Nitin , Pavlovic Noelle V. , Mu Jianbing , Ramphul Urvashi N. , Ramirez Jose Luis , Barillas-Mury Carolina
Published: November 2015

Significance

Plasmodium falciparum
malaria originated in Africa but became global as humans migrated around the world. It is now transmitted by many different anopheline mosquito species, but little is known about the adaptation of
Plasmodium
to different vectors. Here, we show that the mosquito immune system is a major barrier for some
P. falciparum
isolates to infect mosquitoes from a different continent.
Pfs47
is a protein that makes parasites “invisible” to the mosquito immune system. We found that parasites expressing a
Pfs47
haplotype compatible with a given vector species can evade mosquito immunity. These findings suggest that
Pfs47-
mediated evasion of the mosquito immunity was critical for malaria globalization and may be a key target to disrupt disease transmission.
Highly efficient Cas9-mediated gene drive for population modification of the malaria vector mosquitoAnopheles stephensi
Authors: Gantz Valentino M. , Jasinskiene Nijole , Tatarenkova Olga , Fazekas Aniko , Macias Vanessa M. , Bier Ethan , James Anthony A.
Published: November 2015

Significance

Malaria continues to impose enormous health and economic burdens on the developing world. Novel technologies proposed to reduce the impact of the disease include the introgression of parasite-resistance genes into mosquito populations, thereby modifying the ability of the vector to transmit the pathogens. Such genes have been developed for the human malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparum. Here we provide evidence for a highly efficient gene-drive system that can spread these antimalarial genes into a target vector population. This system exploits the nuclease activity and target-site specificity of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) system, which, when restricted to the germ line, copies a genetic element from one chromosome to its homolog with ≥98% efficiency while maintaining the transcriptional activity of the genes being introgressed.
Cold-gas outflows in typical low-redshift galaxies are driven by star formation, not AGN
Authors: Sarzi Marc , Kaviraj Sugata , Nedelchev Borislav , Tiffany Joshua , Shabala Stanislav S. , Deller Adam T. , Middelberg Enno
Published: November 2015

Energetic feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGN) is an important ingredient for regulating the star formation history of galaxies in models of galaxy formation, which makes it important to study how AGN feedback actually occurs in practice. In order to catch AGNs in the act of quenching star formation, we have used the interstellar Na i λλ5890, 5895(NaD) absorption lines to look for cold-gas outflows in a sample of 456 nearby galaxies for which we could unambiguously ascertain the presence of radio-AGN activity, thanks to radio imaging at milli-arcsecond scales. While compact radio emission indicating a radio AGN was found in 103 galaxies (23 per cent of the sample), and 23 objects (5 per cent) exhibited NaD absorption-line kinematics suggestive of cold-gas outflows, not one object showed evidence of a radio AGN and of a cold-gas outflow simultaneously. Radio-AGN activity was found predominantly in early-type galaxies, while cold-gas outflows were mainly seen in spiral galaxies with central star formation or composite star formation/AGN activity. Optical AGNs also do not seem capable of driving galactic winds in our sample. Our work adds to a picture of the low-redshift Universe, where cold-gas outflows in massive galaxies are generally driven by star formation and where radio-AGN activity occurs most often in systems in which the gas reservoir has already been significantly depleted.
No direct coupling between bending of galaxy disc stellar age and light profiles
Authors: Ruiz-Lara T. , Pérez I. , Florido E. , Sánchez-Blázquez P. , Méndez-Abreu J. , Lyubenova M. , Falcón-Barroso J. , Sánchez-Menguiano L. , Sánchez S. F. , Galbany L. , García-Benito R. , González Delgado R. M. , Husemann B. , Kehrig C. , López-Sánchez Ángel R. , Marino R. A. , Mast D. , Papaderos P. , van de Ven G. , Walcher C. J. , Zibetti S. ,   the CALIFA team
Published: November 2015

We study the stellar properties of 44 face-on spiral galaxies from the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area survey via full spectrum fitting techniques. We compare the age profiles with the surface brightness distribution in order to highlight differences between profile types (type I, exponential profile; and II, down-bending profile). We observe an upturn (‘U-shape’) in the age profiles for 17 out of these 44 galaxies with reliable stellar information up to their outer parts. This ‘U-shape’ is not a unique feature for type II galaxies but can be observed in type I as well. These findings suggest that the mechanisms shaping the surface brightness and stellar population distributions are not directly coupled. This upturn in age is only observable in the light-weighted profiles while it flattens out in the mass-weighted profiles. Given recent results on the outer parts of nearby systems and the results presented in this Letter, one of the most plausible explanations for the age upturn is an early formation of the entire disc (∼10 Gyr ago) followed by an inside-out quenching of the star formation.
Avascular Necrosis in the Contralateral Hip in Patients With Congenital Femoral Deficiency: A Report of 3 Cases
Authors: Brown Timothy S. , Wimberly Robert L. , Birch John G.
Published: November 2015

Background:

Congenital femoral deficiency is an uncommon clinical entity. We report 3 patients who developed avascular necrosis of the hip in the long (normal) leg during longitudinal observation and/or treatment of congenital femoral deficiency.

Methods:

Patients were identified in limb length discrepancy clinic and their charts were retrospectively reviewed for clinical and radiographic data collection.

Results:

We describe the occurrence of idiopathic avascular necrosis in the normal limb in patients being followed for limb length discrepancy.

Conclusions:

Although no conclusion could be drawn about the etiology of the avascular necrosis, we describe a previously undocumented relationship between congenital femoral deficiency and avascular necrosis in the contralateral hip. This occurred in our congenital femoral deficiency population at a rate higher than expected compared with published incidences of avascular necrosis of the hip in children.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—case series.
Vitamin D Insufficiency and Fracture Risk in Urban Children
Authors: Thompson Rachel M. , Dean Daniel M. , Goldberg Sarah , Kwasny Mary J. , Langman Craig B. , Janicki Joseph A.
Published: November 2015

Background:

Investigation into the role of vitamin D in fractures in the pediatric population has been limited despite estimates that as many as 70% of American children have inadequate vitamin D levels (measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D). The purpose of this study was to evaluate vitamin D’s role in pediatric fracture risk by comparing 25(OH)D between fractured and nonfractured cohorts.

Methods:

A 12-month prospective case-control study was completed in children aged 2 to 14 years in an urban, academic hospital. Sixty fractured children requiring conscious sedation or general anesthesia for management were compared with 60 nonfractured controls. All participants and their guardians were surveyed for low bone density risk factors, and total serum 25(OH)D was measured. Statistical analysis was completed using Student t tests, χ2 tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression models.

Results:

After controlling for age and daily sun exposure, lower total serum 25(OH)D was associated with higher fracture risk (odds ratio=0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-0.99; P=0.023). In the fractured cohort, 6 (10%) patients were deficient (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL) and 33 (55%) were insufficient (25(OH)D, 20 to 30 ng/mL). Of the nonfractured population, 8 (13%) were deficient and 19 (32%) were insufficient. There were more insufficient patients in the fractured than in the nonfractured cohort (odds ratio=2.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-7.0; P=0.037).

Conclusions:

Higher fracture incidence is associated with serum 25(OH)D insufficiency. Hypovitaminosis D may place the pediatric population at increased risk for fracture. Consideration should be given to routine assessment of vitamin D in fractured children.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic level III—prospective case-control study.