bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The improved thermal oxidative stability of silicone rubber by incorporating reduced graphene oxide: Impact factors and action mechanism
Authors: Qiu Xingna , Cai Hai , Fang Xin , Zheng Junping
Published: April 2016

To investigate the impact factors and action mechanism for the improved thermal oxidative stability of silicone rubber (SR) by incorporating reduced graphene oxide (rGO), graphene oxide (GO), and rGO were prepared, and subsequently graphite, GO and different amounts of rGO were introduced into SR. Transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction were performed to characterize morphology and surface chemical composition of particles (graphite, GO, and rGO). Scanning electron microscope and X‐ray diffraction were employed to investigate the dispersion of particles in the SR matrix. Moreover, the effect of morphology and surface chemical composition of particles on the thermal oxidative degradation of SR and the action mechanism were studied via measuring the mechanical properties and the average molecular weight between crosslinking points of the SR before and after aging, as well as utilizing thermogravimetric/infrared spectrometry. The results showed that rGO exhibited the largest exfoliation extent, few oxygen‐containing functional groups and better dispersion among these particles, causing the best thermal oxidative stability of rGO/SR nanocomposites, especially when its amount is 1 phr; incorporating rGO could increase the initial formation temperatures of pyrolysis products and decrease the concentrations of products from the oxidation and fracture of side groups of SR. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1105–1115, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Reactive Materials for Evaporating Samarium
Authors: Abraham Ani , MacDonald Natalia A. , Dreizin Edward L.
Published: April 2016

Different reactive materials were prepared and evaluated as potential heaters to evaporate refractory and readily ionized samarium metal. Fully dense, nanocomposite powders of thermites and boride‐forming compounds were prepared using arrested reactive milling. In some samples, samarium powder was blended with the nanocomposite powders; in other samples samarium was added using an additional short milling step. Powders were pressed in pellets and ignited at a low pressure. Flame propagation was monitored optically; combustion products were collected and analyzed. It was observed that nanocomposite 2B‐Ti powder, in which samarium was added via an additional milling step was most suitable for evaporating samarium, while preventing its reaction with other material components. Up to 30 wt‐% of samarium could be added and most of it evaporated in the presented experiments.
Managing boldness of wildlife: an ethological approach to reducing crop damage
Authors: Honda Takeshi , Iijima Hayato
Published: April 2016

Wildlife can cause serious crop damages, and factorial analyses focusing ecological aspects have been conducted to resolve this problem. However, ethological perspectives should also be considered. Individuals often show consistent biases in behaviour—so‐called personality; e.g., boldness may cause to intrude into a farmland. Here, we hypothesized that boldness–shyness traits in wildlife could be managed through selective harvesting on the base of personality traits. We considered several scenarios involving the selective harvesting and fencing as means to prevent crop damage, and assessed their effects on the average boldness and population size using simulation models, assuming that bold individuals tend to enter farmlands, while shy ones prefer to stay in forests. The results showed that fencing and selective harvesting in farmlands reduced both the average boldness and crop damages, while harvesting in forests caused the increase of the both. Those results came from the selective harvesting and fencing on the base of personality traits, and indicate that not only population ecology but also an ethological approach is needed for wildlife management.
Canada’s Strategy of Dispossession: Aboriginal Land and Rights Cessions in Comprehensive Land Claims
Authors: Samson Colin
Published: April 2016

This paper offers a sociological interpretation of the Canadian Comprehensive Land Claims (CLC) process, arguing that CLC is a strategy used by the state to dispossess Aboriginal peoples. CLC does this through leveraging the cession of Aboriginal rights and the relinquishing of indigenous lands. Drawing upon the ongoing Innu Nation Tshash Petapen (‘New Dawn’) agreement, I examine four related aspects of the process and the agreement which operate to dispossess the Innu: (1) the undemocratic social and political contexts in which agreement is elicited, (2) the depletion of Aboriginal rights of the indigenous party, (3) the depletion of indigenous lands, and (4) the creation of wealth and debt. Finally, I will interpret these processes as building on social changes inflicted on the Innu. These are characterized by imposed law and the state of exception.
A SUFFICIENT CONDITION FOR A PAIR OF SEQUENCES TO BE BIPARTITE GRAPHIC
Authors: CAIRNS GRANT , MENDAN STACEY , NIKOLAYEVSKY YURI
Published: April 2016

We present a sufficient condition for a pair of finite integer sequences to be degree sequences of a bipartite graph, based only on the lengths of the sequences and their largest and smallest elements.
Associations between eating frequency and energy intake, energy density, diet quality and body weight status in adults from the USA
Authors: Zhu Yong , Hollis James H.
Published: April 2016

To investigate associations between eating frequency and energy intake, energy density, diet quality and body weight status in adults from the USA, combined data from the 2009–2010 and 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used in this study. The first 24-h dietary recall data from eligible participants (4017 men and 3774 women) were used to calculate eating frequency, as well as energy intake, energy density and the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010), as a measure of diet quality. BMI and waist circumference were obtained from the NHANES body measures data. Adjusting for confounding socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors, a higher eating frequency was significantly associated with higher energy intake in both men and women (bothP<0·001). A higher eating frequency was also significantly associated with lower energy density in both men and women, regardless of whether beverage or water intake was included in the calculation of energy density (allP<0·01). Moreover, there was a significant positive association between eating frequency and the HEI-2010 total score in both men and women (bothP<0·001). Eating frequency was inversely associated with BMI in women (P=0·003), as well as waist circumference in both men (P=0·032) and women (P=0·010). Results from the present study suggested that adults with a higher eating frequency in the USA had a healthier diet with lower energy density and better diet quality, and eating frequency was inversely associated with body weight status.
POSIDIPPUS ON THE INFAMY OF DORICHA: EP. XVII G.-P. = 122 A.-B.
Authors: Dale Alexander
Published: April 2016

Δωρίχα, ὀστέα μὲν σὰ πάλαι †κοιμήσατο δεσμῶνχαίτης† ἥ τε μύρων ἔκπνοος ἀμπεχόνη,ᾗ ποτε τὸν χαρίεντα περιστέλλουσα Χάραξονσύγχρους ὀρθρινῶν ἥψαο κισσυβίων·Σαπφῷαι δὲ μένουσι φίλης ἔτι καὶ μενέουσιν 5ᾠδῆς αἱ λευκαὶ φθεγγόμεναι σελίδες.οὔνομα σὸν μακαριστόν, ὃ Ναύκρατις ὧδε φυλάξειἔστ’ ἂν ἴῃ Νείλου ναῦς ἐφ’ ἁλὸς πελάγη.
SCHOL. SOPH. OT 1025 AND ITS POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO SOPHOCLES' TEXT
Authors: Condello Federico
Published: April 2016

At line 1025 of Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus,
σὺ δ᾽ ἐμπολήσας ἢ τεκών μ᾽ αὐτῷ δίδως;,
our hero seems victim of some serious ‘obtuseness of understanding’, because the Corinthian to whom Oedipus is speaking has already clearly denied being the father of the foundling (line 1020 ἀλλ᾽ οὔ σ᾽ ἐγείνατ᾽ οὔτ᾽ ἐκεῖνος [sc. Polybus] οὔτ᾽ ἐγώ, ‘well, neither he nor I begot you’). Is Oedipus in such a state of mental confusion? Perhaps his supposed ‘obtuseness of understanding’ depends on his permanent hallucination? Maybe the same hallucination that keeps him from understanding the explicit prophecies of Teiresias (lines 408–25, 447–62) or drawing obvious conclusions from the revelation of Jocasta (lines 707–25). If so, the text requires no correction, and Sophocles' strategy is to show, through this and similar clues, the basic weakness of the protagonist, who proves to be nothing but a puppet in the hands of the gods.
Effects of beach morphodynamic features on production and P/B ratio of the crab Emerita brasiliensis Schmitt, 1935 (Decapoda: Hippidae) in sandy beaches of South America
Authors: Petracco Marcelo , Cardoso Ricardo Silva , Martinelli Filho José Eduardo , Turra Alexander
Published: April 2016

The mole crab Emerita brasiliensis inhabits exposed sandy beaches, both reflective and dissipative, along the Atlantic coast of South America, where it usually attains high biomass and production. We assessed the effects of physical characteristics of beaches (mean grain size, beach width and slope) on production and turnover rate (P/B ratio) of E. brasiliensis. Six production and P/B ratio datasets, estimated with cohort-based and size-based methods, were gathered from studies carried out on subtropical (~25°S) and temperate beaches (~32°S). Based on the estimates available, general trends were identified. Production was positively related to the intermediate/dissipative conditions of wider beaches with finer sand grains and gentler slopes. P/B ratio was negatively related to grain size (mm) and positively related to beach width. These results suggest that P/B ratios also increase towards intermediate/dissipative features due to higher growth rate, as indicated by higher values of the curvature parameter of the von Bertalanffy growth function (K) in more benign conditions (wider beaches with finer grains). In addition, the recurrent pattern of size structure on intermediate/dissipative beaches, with high frequency of recruits, leads to higher P/B ratio estimates on these beaches than on reflective beaches. The relationship of production and P/B ratio with physical features, such as mean grain size, beach width and slope indicates that a ‘short-cut’ approach to estimate Emerita brasiliensis production is a promising prospect and, therefore, more data on the production of this species should be provided.
Carnivore occurrence: do interview-based surveys produce unreliable results?
Authors: Caruso N. , Luengos Vidal E. , Guerisoli M. , Lucherini M.
Published: April 2016

Interviews with local people have been widely used by biologists as a cost-effective approach to studying certain topics in wildlife ecology and conservation. However, doubts still exist about the validity and quality of the information gathered, especially in studies targeting cryptic or elusive species, such as carnivores. We assessed the reliability of interviews (n = 155) in detecting the presence of three species of carnivores with different characteristics, by comparing interview results with data obtained through camera trapping surveys at 52 sites in central Argentina. The degree of concordance between methods was low for Geoffroy's cat Leopardus geoffroyi and especially for the puma Puma concolor. However, Geoffroy's cats were detected more frequently by camera traps than interviews, whereas the opposite was true for pumas. For the pampas fox Pseudalopex gymnocercus, a less elusive species, we observed a high degree of concordance and a similar probability of occurrence between methods. Our results indicate that data obtained by interviewing local inhabitants should be used with caution because the information about species presence provided by local people may be inaccurate and biased.
Are conservation assessments of threatened species reliable? Updated distribution of the Endangered Sardinian newt Euproctus platycephalus and implications for Red List assessments of Italian amphibians
Authors: Vignoli Leonardo , Macale Daniele , Luiselli Luca , Lecis Roberta , Casula Paolo
Published: April 2016

Assessing and updating the extinction risk and conservation status of species and populations is paramount to guide management strategies. Maintaining up-to-date and realistic geographical distribution maps of individual species is one aspect of this. We report an updated distribution for an Italian island endemic amphibian, the Sardinian newt Euproctus platycephalus, categorized as Endangered on the IUCN global and national Red Lists. The distribution of E. platycephalus was reassessed by means of visual surveys, questionnaires, interviews and scientific literature. The species was found over a geographical range comparable to that used for the IUCN assessment but we recorded a significantly larger number of populations (57 vs 14). There was no appreciable difference in the species’ Extent of Occurrence between 1972–1974 and 2010–2015. Area of Occupancy increased between past (1972–1974 and 1999–2000) and present (2010–2015) distribution records. Based on this updated distribution and considering that several new populations have been found, the distribution of the species may still be underestimated. Given the novel distribution data provided here and the need for new long-term demographic data, we recommend that the conservation status of E. platycephalus be reassessed. In the Italian national Red List a potential overstatement of extinction risk is evident for other amphibian species, possibly because the information used in their assessment is deficient. Considering that monitoring rare and elusive species is costly and time consuming we recommend more extensive use of multiple sources of information for Red List assessments.
Common mental disorders in young adults born late-preterm
Authors: Heinonen K. , Kajantie E. , Pesonen A.-K. , Lahti M. , Pirkola S. , Wolke D. , Lano A. , Sammallahti S. , Lahti J. , Andersson S. , Eriksson J. G. , Raikkonen K.
Published: April 2016

Background

Results of adulthood mental health of those born late-preterm (34 + 0–36 + 6 weeks + days of gestation) are mixed and based on national registers. We examined if late-preterm birth was associated with a higher risk for common mental disorders in young adulthood when using a diagnostic interview, and if this risk decreased as gestational age increased.

Method

A total of 800 young adults (mean = 25.3, s.d. = 0.62 years), born 1985–1986, participated in a follow-up of the Arvo Ylppö Longitudinal Study. Common mental disorders (mood, anxiety and substance use disorders) during the past 12 months were defined using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Munich version). Gestational age was extracted from hospital birth records and categorized into early-preterm (<34 + 0, n = 37), late-preterm (34 + 0–36 + 6, n = 106), term (37 + 0–41 + 6, n = 617) and post-term (⩾42 + 0, n = 40).

Results

Those born late-preterm and at term were at a similar risk for any common mental disorder [odds ratio (OR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–1.84], for mood (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.54–2.25), anxiety (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.40–2.50) and substance use (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.74–2.32) disorders, and co-morbidity of these disorders (p = 0.38). While the mental disorder risk decreased significantly as gestational age increased, the trend was driven by a higher risk in those born early-preterm.

Conclusions

Using a cohort born during the advanced neonatal and early childhood care, we found that not all individuals born preterm are at risk for common mental disorders in young adulthood – those born late-preterm are not, while those born early-preterm are at a higher risk. Available resources for prevention and intervention should be targeted towards the preterm group born the earliest.
Mean value theorem connected with Fourier coefficients of Hecke-Maass forms for SL(m, ℤ)
Authors: JIANG YUJIAO , LÜ GUANGSHI , YAN XIAOFEI
Published: April 2016

Let F(z) be a Hecke–Maass form for SL(m, ℤ) with m ⩽ 3, or be the symmetric power lift of a Hecke–Maass form for SL(2, ℤ) if m = 4, 5 and let AF(n, 1, . . ., 1) be the coefficients of L-function attached to F. We establish

$$\sum_{q\leq Q}\max_{(a,q)=1}\max_{y\leq x}\left|\sum_{n\leq y \atop n\equiv a\bmod q}A_F(n,1, \dots, 1)\Lambda(n)\right| \ll x\log^{-A}x,$$
where Q = xϑ−ϵ with some ϑ > 0, the implied constant depends on F, A, ϵ.
Anomalous germination of dormant dehulled red rice seeds provides a new perspective to study the transition from dormancy to germination and to unravel the role of the caryopsis coat in seed dormancy
Authors: Gianinetti Alberto
Published: April 2016

Seed dormancy is the temporary inability of an imbibed seed to germinate under otherwise favourable conditions. It is an important trait for seed persistence in many higher plants. Dormant dehulled red rice caryopses can have a strong dormancy: the studied population shows an almost complete dormancy; that is, these caryopses do not germinate (usually germination is <1–2%) when incubated in water for the time usually adopted for germination tests (i.e. 2 weeks). However, after several months of incubation in water, dormant red rice caryopses start germinating in an anomalous manner. Most notably, the piercing of the caryopsis coat is very slow, sometimes arrested, until the coat completely breaks down and embryo growth is resumed. There is, therefore, a time lag between the initial rupture of the caryopsis coat and the start of seedling growth. It is argued that embryo growth can be triggered by the failure of the caryopsis coat even if seed dormancy has not been previously relieved, and thus germination is started and dormancy is forcefully interrupted. Accordingly, the time course of the anomalous germination shows a Gompertz distribution of times to failure. It is concluded that: (1) if the seed rests with the coat ruptured without further growth, it is still dormant; if so, therefore, (2) the breaking of the coat is not necessarily a marker of germination in this context.
Language switching constraints: more than syntax? Data from Media Lengua
Authors: LIPSKI JOHN M.
Published: April 2016

This study investigates the relationship between intra-sentential codeswitching restrictions after subject pronouns, negative elements, and interrogatives and language-specific syntactic structures. Data are presented from two languages that have non-cognate lexicons but share identical phrase structure and syntactic mechanisms and exactly thesamegrammatical morphemesexcept forpronouns, negators, and interrogative words. The languages are the Quichua of Imbabura province, Ecuador and Ecuadorian Media Lengua (ML), consisting of Quichua morphosyntax with Spanish-derived lexical roots. Bilingual participants carried out un-timed acceptability judgment and language-identification tasks and concurrent memory-loaded repetition on utterances in Quichua, ML, and various mixtures of Quichua and ML. The acceptability and classification data show a main effect for category of single-word switches (significant differences for lexical vs. interrogative, negative, and for acceptability, pronoun) and repetition data show significant differences between lexical vs. interrogatives and negators. Third-person pronouns (which require an explicit antecedent) also differ significantly from lexical items. Logical-semantic factors may contribute to code-switching restrictions.
Palliative radiotherapy for Merkel cell carcinoma: single-centre experience and review of the literature
Authors: Kanagaratnam Bharthi , Shah Aadarsh , Anand Girija
Published: April 2016

Background and purpose

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma with a high risk of loco-regional and distant metastasis. It is predominantly seen in the elderly, on the head and neck or extremities. Although treated primarily with surgery, some patients are too frail. A World Health Organization performance status of two or more with co-existing medical co-morbidities, or the site of the disease adjacent to a critical structure, can prevent surgical management. In this cohort of patients, primary palliative radiotherapy has been found to achieve excellent tumour regression and improve quality of life. A new palliative split-course hypofractionated regime has been used in North Middlesex University Hospital in this cohort of patients. The purpose of this case series was to provide supporting evidence on the efficacy of this dose and fractionation regime and review the literature for the palliative management of Merkel cell carcinoma.

Materials and methods

In total, four patients were treated with the palliative split-course hypofractionated regime. The regime consisted of an initial 20 Gray in 5 fractions over 1 week, a 2-week gap and then a further 20 Gray in 5 fractions over 1 week. Tolerability and response to treatment were evaluated by history and clinical examination.

Results and conclusion

The split-course hypofractionated regime was well tolerated, achieved excellent tumour regression and improved quality of life in all four patients. Since then, a further three patients have been successfully treated with the above regime. This case series demonstrates the efficacy of this dose and fractionation in a select group of patients too frail for radical management and adds to the evidence base for the optimal palliative management of Merkel cell carcinoma.
Working through the issues: how issue diversity and ideological disagreement influence coalition duration
Authors: Greene Zachary
Published: April 2016

Issue salience and diversity direct a range of outcomes such as voting behavior and public policy. Studies, however, have yet to fully integrate theoretical or empirical expectations for the effect of issue salience on coalition stability. By focusing on the mechanism linking parties’ preferences to policy-making, I propose that parties with more diverse platforms provide coalitions greater room to negotiate, whereas parties focusing on a small number of issues exacerbate ideological tensions. Issue diversity becomes important once parties exhaust opportunities to make the initial, easy policy compromises. Using evidence from 299 coalitions in 24 European countries, I find that issue diversity in parties’ platforms moderates the effect of disagreement. Using a non-proportional hazard analysis, I find that the effect of issue diversity varies over the coalition’s lifecycle. Governments with parties willing to negotiate over a larger range of issues decrease the risk that disagreements will result in coalition termination.
Assessing Collaborative Behavior in Students
Authors: Krkovic Katarina , Wüstenberg Sascha , Greiff Samuel
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Skilful collaborative problem-solving is becoming increasingly important in various life areas. However, researchers are still seeking ways to assess and foster this skill in individuals. In this study, we developed a computer-assisted assessment for collaborative behavior (COLBAS) following the experiment-based assessment of behavior approach (objective personality tests; Cattell, 1958 ). The instrument captures participants’ collaborative behavior in problem-solving tasks using the MicroDYN approach while participants work collaboratively with a computer-agent. COLBAS can thereby assess problem-solving and collaborative behavior expressed through communication acts. To investigate its validity, we administered COLBAS to 483 German seventh graders along with MicroDYN as a measure of individual problem-solving skills and questions regarding the motivation to collaborate. A latent confirmatory factor analysis suggested a five-dimensional construct with two problem-solving dimensions (knowledge acquisition and knowledge application) and three collaboration dimensions (questioning, asserting, and requesting). The results showed that extending MicroDYN to include collaborative aspects did not considerably change the measurement of problem-solving. Finally, students who were more motivated to collaborate interacted more with the computer-agent but also obtained worse problem-solving results.
Measurement Equivalence of the PALS Academic Self-Efficacy	Scale
Authors: Dever Bridget V. , Kim Samuel Y.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. There is consistent evidence of the importance of academic self-efficacy beliefs within educational research, as they are linked to critical academic outcomes. Ethnic and gender differences in academic self-efficacy have been found in nations outside of the United States, suggesting differences in how individual students perceive their academic abilities. However, if researchers are interested in making mean-level comparisons of academic self-efficacy across diverse subpopulations of students, it is imperative to assess the measurement equivalence of the scale used across these subgroups prior to drawing any conclusions based on score inferences. The current study assessed the measurement invariance of the academic self-efficacy scale of the Patterns of Adaptive Learning Scales (PALS; Midgley et al., 2000 ) across gender and race among 4,148 high school students in the Southeastern US. The results indicated partial measurement invariance across African American females, African American males, Caucasian females, and Caucasian males, providing initial support for the same factor structure across groups. However, caution should be taken in considering any mean-level differences, as support for only weak invariance was found.
The Role of Noncognitive Factors in Predicting Academic Trajectories	of High School Students in a Selective Private School
Authors: Mourgues Catalina V. , Hein Sascha , Tan Mei , Diffley III Ray , Grigorenko Elena L.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Compared to the vast literature on the cross-sectional relationships between cognitive and noncognitive factors and academic performance across all stages of schooling, relatively few studies have explored these relationships longitudinally at the high school level, especially in students who exhibit high academic performance. In this study, surveys of self-efficacy, locus of control, and intrinsic motivation were administered to 8,586 applicants to a prestigious private college-preparatory high school during the admissions process; simultaneously, standardized test scores (SSAT) were obtained. Enrolled and nonenrolled students were compared on prior academic performance and noncognitive measures. Further, noncognitive variables and trajectories of GPA (grade point averages) across 4 years (12 time points) were explored among the enrolled students (n = 818). The enrolled students, compared to the nonenrolled, showed advantageous scores on all measures. Also the relationships between noncognitive measures and academic performance were more weak between the enrolled than the nonenrolled students. Finally, a latent class growth analysis showed four trajectories of academic performance among the enrolled students. The only noncognitive measure distinguishing the students in different trajectories was anxiety about their own self-efficacy. The differences in the relationships between noncognitive measures and academic performance in high-achieving students in a high performance environment will be discussed.
Effects of Psychosocial Characteristics of Middle School Students on	High School Grades and On-Time Graduation
Authors: Moore Joann L. , Way Jason D. , Casillas Alex , Burrus Jeremy , Allen Jeff , Hanson Mary Ann
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Research has shown that psychosocial factors (PSFs) have a positive impact on high school outcomes, including grades and persistence. However, few longitudinal studies have examined the nature of these relationships. We report on a longitudinal study of middle school students followed through high school completion. We found that high school GPA mediates the effects of prior academic achievement, demographics, and most PSFs on on-time high school graduation. A measure of self-regulation had a significant direct effect on on-time graduation. The results underscore the importance of PSFs in predicting academic outcomes, even after accounting for prior achievement and demographics. Implications of examining PSFs early in students’ academic progression are discussed.
The Multiple Faces of Risk-Taking
Authors: Schmitz Florian , Manske Karsten , Preckel Franzis , Wilhelm Oliver
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The Balloon-Analogue Risk Task (BART; Lejuez et al., 2002 ) is one of the most popular behavioral tasks suggested to assess risk-taking in the laboratory. Previous research has shown that the conventionally computed score is predictive, but neglects available information in the data. We suggest a number of alternative scores that are motivated by theories of risk-taking and that exploit more of the available data. These scores can be grouped around (1) risk-taking, (2) task performance, (3) impulsive decision making, and (4) reinforcement sequence modulation. Their theoretical rationale is detailed and their validity is tested within the nomological network of risk-taking, deviance, and scholastic achievement. Two multivariate studies were conducted with youths (n = 435) and with adolescents/young adults (n = 316). Additionally, we tested formal models suggested for the BART that decompose observed behavior into a set of meaningful parameters. A simulation study with parameter recovery was conducted, and the data from the two studies were reanalyzed using the models. Most scores were reliable and differentially predictive of criterion variables and may be used in basic research. However, task specificity and the generally moderate validity do not warrant use of the experimental paradigm for diagnostic purposes.
Transcription factor 7-like 1 dysregulates keratinocyte differentiation through upregulating lipocalin 2
Authors: Xu M , Zhang Y , Cheng H , Liu Y , Zou X , Zhan N , Xiao S , Xia Y
Published: April 2016

Recent studies strongly suggested that transcription factor 7-like 1 (Tcf7l1, also known as Tcf3) is involved in the differentiation of several types of cells, and demonstrated that Tcf7l1 modulates keratinocytes physiologically through regulating lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a key regulator of cell differentiation. To reveal the potential role of Tcf7l1 in the dysregulation of keratinocyte differentiation, both Tcf7l1 and LCN2 were determined in a variety of skin disorders. The in vitro effect of Tcf7l1 on keratinocyte differentiation was studied by culturing SCC-13 cells, and the human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) that were transfected with vectors for overexpressing human papillomavirus E6/E7 or Tcf7l1 genes. We found that both Tcf7l1 and LCN2 were highly expressed in those diseases characterized by defective keratinocyte differentiation (especially psoriasis vulgaris, condyloma acuminatum, squamous cell carcinoma, etc). Moreover, compared with control HFKs, SCC-13 cells and E6/E7-harboring HFKs expressed more Tcf7l1 and LCN2. Tcf7l1 siRNA transfection decreased LCN2 but increased involucrin and loricrin in HFKs under calcium stimuli. Conversely, Tcf7l1 overexpression in SCC-13 cells or vector-transfected HFKs induced lower involucrin and loricrin expression and less keratinocyte apoptosis, both of which, however, were partially abrogated by LCN2 siRNA or neutralizing anti-LCN2 antibody. Interestingly, the Tcf7l1 expression in HFKs correlated positively with the MMP-2 level, and the inhibition of MMP-2 decreased the LCN2 level and even attenuated the effect of Tcf7l1 on LCN2 expression. Therefore, Tcf7l1 dysregulates keratinocyte differentiation, possibly through upregulating the LCN2 pathway in an MMP-2 mediated manner. Elucidating the interaction between Tcf7l1 and LCN2 may help understand disordered cell differentiation in some skin diseases.
Discovery of functionally selective C5aR2 ligands: novel modulators of C5a signalling
Authors: Croker Daniel E , Monk Peter N , Halai Reena , Kaeslin Geraldine , Schofield Zoe , Wu Mike CL , Clark Richard J , Blaskovich Mark AT , Morikis Dimitrios , Floudas Christodoulos A , Cooper Matthew A , Woodruff Trent M
Published: April 2016

The complement cascade is comprised of a highly sophisticated network of innate immune proteins that are activated in response to invading pathogens or tissue injury. The complement activation peptide, C5a, binds two seven transmembrane receptors, namely the C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) and C5a receptor 2 (C5aR2, or C5L2). C5aR2 is a non‐G‐protein‐signalling receptor whose biological role remains controversial. Some of this controversy arises owing to the lack of selective ligands for C5aR2. In this study, a library of 61 peptides based on the C‐terminus of C5a was assayed for the ability to selectively modulate C5aR2 function. Two ligands (P32 and P59) were identified as functionally selective C5aR2 ligands, exhibiting selective recruitment of β‐arrestin 2 via C5aR2, partial inhibition of C5a‐induced ERK1/2 activation and lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated interleukin‐6 release from human monocyte‐derived macrophages. Importantly, neither ligand could induce ERK1/2 activation or inhibit C5a‐induced ERK1/2 activation via C5aR1 directly. Finally, P32 inhibited C5a‐mediated neutrophil mobilisation in wild‐type, but not C5aR2−/− mice. These functionally selective ligands for C5aR2 are novel tools that can selectively modulate C5a activity in vitro and in vivo, and thus will be valuable tools to interrogate C5aR2 function.
miRNA863-3p sequentially targets negative immune regulator ARLPKs and positive regulator SERRATE upon bacterial infection
Authors: Niu Dongdong , Lii Yifan E. , Chellappan Padmanabhan , Lei Lei , Peralta Karl , Jiang Chunhao , Guo Jianhua , Coaker Gitta , Jin Hailing
Published: April 2016

Plant small RNAs play important roles in gene regulation during pathogen infection. Here we show that miR863-3p is induced by the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae carrying various effectors. Early during infection, miR863-3p silences two negative regulators of plant defence, atypical receptor-like pseudokinase1 (ARLPK1) and ARLPK2, both lacking extracellular domains and kinase activity, through mRNA degradation to promote immunity. ARLPK1 associates with, and may function through another negative immune regulator ARLPK1-interacting receptor-like kinase 1 (AKIK1), an active kinase with an extracellular domain. Later during infection, miR863-3p silences SERRATE, which is essential for miRNA accumulation and positively regulates defence, through translational inhibition. This results in decreased miR863-3p levels, thus forming a negative feedback loop to attenuate immune responses after successful defence. This is an example of a miRNA that sequentially targets both negative and positive regulators of immunity through two modes of action to fine-tune the timing and amplitude of defence responses.
A modular design of molecular qubits to implement universal quantum gates
Authors: Ferrando-Soria Jesús , Moreno Pineda Eufemio , Chiesa Alessandro , Fernandez Antonio , Magee Samantha A. , Carretta Stefano , Santini Paolo , Vitorica-Yrezabal Iñigo J. , Tuna Floriana , Timco Grigore A. , McInnes Eric J.L. , Winpenny Richard E.P.
Published: April 2016

The physical implementation of quantum information processing relies on individual modules—qubits—and operations that modify such modules either individually or in groups—quantum gates. Two examples of gates that entangle pairs of qubits are the controlled NOT-gate (CNOT) gate, which flips the state of one qubit depending on the state of another, and the "Equation missing"gate that brings a two-qubit product state into a superposition involving partially swapping the qubit states. Here we show that through supramolecular chemistry a single simple module, molecular {Cr7Ni} rings, which act as the qubits, can be assembled into structures suitable for either the CNOT or "Equation missing"gate by choice of linker, and we characterize these structures by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. We introduce two schemes for implementing such gates with these supramolecular assemblies and perform detailed simulations, based on the measured parameters including decoherence, to demonstrate how the gates would operate.
Arabidopsis PROTEASOME REGULATOR1 is required for auxin-mediated suppression of proteasome activity and regulates auxin signalling
Authors: Yang Bao-Jun , Han Xin-Xin , Yin Lin-Lin , Xing Mei-Qing , Xu Zhi-Hong , Xue Hong-Wei
Published: April 2016

The plant hormone auxin is perceived by the nuclear F-box protein TIR1 receptor family and regulates gene expression through degradation of Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors. Several studies have revealed the importance of the proteasome in auxin signalling, but details on how the proteolytic machinery is regulated and how this relates to degradation of Aux/IAA proteins remains unclear. Here we show that an Arabidopsis homologue of the proteasome inhibitor PI31, which we name PROTEASOME REGULATOR1 (PTRE1), is a positive regulator of the 26S proteasome. Loss-of-function ptre1 mutants are insensitive to auxin-mediated suppression of proteasome activity, show diminished auxin-induced degradation of Aux/IAA proteins and display auxin-related phenotypes. We found that auxin alters the subcellular localization of PTRE1, suggesting this may be part of the mechanism by which it reduces proteasome activity. Based on these results, we propose that auxin regulates proteasome activity via PTRE1 to fine-tune the homoeostasis of Aux/IAA repressor proteins thus modifying auxin activity.
Thiol reductive stress induces cellulose-anchored biofilm formation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Trivedi Abhishek , Mavi Parminder Singh , Bhatt Deepak , Kumar Ashwani
Published: April 2016

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) forms biofilms harbouring antibiotic-tolerant bacilli in vitro, but the factors that induce biofilm formation and the nature of the extracellular material that holds the cells together are poorly understood. Here we show that intracellular thiol reductive stress (TRS) induces formation of Mtb biofilms in vitro, which harbour drug-tolerant but metabolically active bacteria with unchanged levels of ATP/ADP, NAD+/NADH and NADP+/NADPH. The development of these biofilms requires DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. Transcriptional analysis suggests that Mtb modulates only ∼7% of its genes for survival in biofilms. In addition to proteins, lipids and DNA, the extracellular material in these biofilms is primarily composed of polysaccharides, with cellulose being a key component. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying Mtb biofilm formation, although the clinical relevance of Mtb biofilms in human tuberculosis remains unclear.
A genetic basis for the variation in the vulnerability of cancer to DNA damage
Authors: Yard Brian D. , Adams Drew J. , Chie Eui Kyu , Tamayo Pablo , Battaglia Jessica S. , Gopal Priyanka , Rogacki Kevin , Pearson Bradley E. , Phillips James , Raymond Daniel P. , Pennell Nathan A. , Almeida Francisco , Cheah Jaime H. , Clemons Paul A. , Shamji Alykhan , Peacock Craig D. , Schreiber Stuart L. , Hammerman Peter S. , Abazeed Mohamed E.
Published: April 2016

Radiotherapy is not currently informed by the genetic composition of an individual patient’s tumour. To identify genetic features regulating survival after DNA damage, here we conduct large-scale profiling of cellular survival after exposure to radiation in a diverse collection of 533 genetically annotated human tumour cell lines. We show that sensitivity to radiation is characterized by significant variation across and within lineages. We combine results from our platform with genomic features to identify parameters that predict radiation sensitivity. We identify somatic copy number alterations, gene mutations and the basal expression of individual genes and gene sets that correlate with the radiation survival, revealing new insights into the genetic basis of tumour cellular response to DNA damage. These results demonstrate the diversity of tumour cellular response to ionizing radiation and establish multiple lines of evidence that new genetic features regulating cellular response after DNA damage can be identified.
Liver-specific overexpression of LPCAT3 reduces postprandial hyperglycemia and improves lipoprotein metabolic profile in mice
Authors: Cash J G , Hui D Y
Published: April 2016

Previous studies have shown that group 1B phospholipase A2-mediated absorption of lysophospholipids inhibits hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation and contributes directly to postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, leading to increased risk of cardiometabolic disease. The current study tested the possibility that increased expression of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase-3 (LPCAT3), an enzyme that converts lysophosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylcholine in the liver, may alleviate the adverse effects of lysophospholipids absorbed after a lipid-glucose mixed meal. The injection of an adenovirus vector harboring the human LPCAT3 gene into C57BL/6 mice increased hepatic LPCAT3 expression fivefold compared with mice injected with a control LacZ adenovirus. Postprandial glucose tolerance tests after feeding these animals with a bolus lipid-glucose mixed meal revealed that LPCAT3 overexpression improved postprandial hyperglycemia and glucose tolerance compared with control mice with LacZ adenovirus injection. Mice with LPCAT3 overexpression also showed reduced very low density lipoprotein production and displayed elevated levels of the metabolic- and cardiovascular-protective large apoE-rich high density lipoproteins in plasma. The mechanism underlying the metabolic benefits of LPCAT3 overexpression was shown to be due to the alleviation of lysophospholipid inhibition of fatty acid β-oxidation in hepatocytes. Taken together, these results suggest that specific LPCAT3 induction in the liver may be a viable strategy for cardiometabolic disease intervention.
Sleep Deprivation and Advice Taking
Authors: Häusser Jan Alexander , Leder Johannes , Ketturat Charlene , Dresler Martin , Faber Nadira Sophie
Published: April 2016

Judgements and decisions in many political, economic or medical contexts are often made while sleep deprived. Furthermore, in such contexts individuals are required to integrate information provided by – more or less qualified – advisors. We asked if sleep deprivation affects advice taking. We conducted a 2 (sleep deprivation: yes vs. no) ×2 (competency of advisor: medium vs. high) experimental study to examine the effects of sleep deprivation on advice taking in an estimation task. We compared participants with one night of total sleep deprivation to participants with a night of regular sleep. Competency of advisor was manipulated within subjects. We found that sleep deprived participants show increased advice taking. An interaction of condition and competency of advisor and further post-hoc analyses revealed that this effect was more pronounced for the medium competency advisor compared to the high competency advisor. Furthermore, sleep deprived participants benefited more from an advisor of high competency in terms of stronger improvement in judgmental accuracy than well-rested participants.
NOTCH1 inhibition enhances the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents by targeting head neck cancer stem cell
Authors: Zhao Zhi-Li , Zhang Lu , Huang Cong-Fa , Ma Si-Rui , Bu Lin-Lin , Liu Jian-Feng , Yu Guang-Tao , Liu Bing , Gutkind J. Silvio , Kulkarni Ashok B. , Zhang Wen-Feng , Sun Zhi-Jun
Published: April 2016

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered responsible for tumor initiation and chemoresistance. This study was aimed to investigate the possibility of targeting head neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by NOTCH1 pathway inhibition and explore the synergistic effect of combining NOTCH inhibition with conventional chemotherapy. NOTCH1/HES1 elevation was found in human HNSCC, especially in tissue post chemotherapy and lymph node metastasis, which is correlated with CSCs markers. NOTCH1 inhibitor DAPT (GSI-IX) significantly reduces CSCs population and tumor self-renewal ability in vitro and in vivo. Flow cytometry analysis showed that NOTCH1 inhibition reduces CSCs frequency either alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, namely, cisplatin, docetaxel, and 5-fluorouracil. The combined strategy of NOTCH1 blockade and chemotherapy synergistically attenuated chemotherapy-enriched CSC population, promising a potential therapeutic exploitation in future clinical trial.
3D Printed Reversible Shape Changing Components with Stimuli Responsive Materials
Authors: Mao Yiqi , Ding Zhen , Yuan Chao , Ai Shigang , Isakov Michael , Wu Jiangtao , Wang Tiejun , Dunn Martin L. , Qi H. Jerry
Published: April 2016

The creation of reversibly-actuating components that alter their shapes in a controllable manner in response to environmental stimuli is a grand challenge in active materials, structures, and robotics. Here we demonstrate a new reversible shape-changing component design concept enabled by 3D printing two stimuli responsive polymers—shape memory polymers and hydrogels—in prescribed 3D architectures. This approach uses the swelling of a hydrogel as the driving force for the shape change, and the temperature-dependent modulus of a shape memory polymer to regulate the time of such shape change. Controlling the temperature and aqueous environment allows switching between two stable configurations – the structures are relatively stiff and can carry load in each – without any mechanical loading and unloading. Specific shape changing scenarios, e.g., based on bending, or twisting in prescribed directions, are enabled via the controlled interplay between the active materials and the 3D printed architectures. The physical phenomena are complex and nonintuitive, and so to help understand the interplay of geometric, material, and environmental stimuli parameters we develop 3D nonlinear finite element models. Finally, we create several 2D and 3D shape changing components that demonstrate the role of key parameters and illustrate the broad application potential of the proposed approach.
The effects of salinity on nitrification using halophilic nitrifiers in a Sequencing Batch Reactor treating hypersaline wastewater
Authors: Cui You-Wei , Zhang Hong-Yu , Ding Jie-Ran , Peng Yong-Zhen
Published: April 2016

With annual increases in the generation and use of saline wastewater, the need to avoid environmental problems such as eutrophication is critical. A previous study identified ways to start up a halophilic sludge domesticated from estuarine sediments to remove nitrogen from wastewater with a salinity of 30 g/L. This investigation expands that work to explore the impact of salinity on nitrogen removal. This study demonstrated that the mixed halophilic consortia removed nitrogen from wastewater with a salinity of 30–85 g/L. A kinetic analysis showed that halophilic nitrifiers selected based on hypersalinity were characterized by low Ks, μmax and specific ammonium oxidization rates. This explains the decrease in ammonium removal efficiency in the high salinity operational phases. Salinity inhibited ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) activity, as well as the number of dominant AOB, but did not significantly affect the AOB dominant species. Three most dominant AOB lineages in the halophilic sludge were Nitrosomonas marina, Nitrosomonas europaea, and Nitrosococcus mobilis. Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosococcus mobilis were mainly affected by salinity, while nitrite accumulation and ammonia loading played the key role in determining the abundance of Nitrosococcus mobilis and Nitrosococcus europaea. The study contributes insights about shifts in halophilic nitrifying bacterial populations.