bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patientensicht einer ambulanten Verhaltenstherapie bei Anorexia nervosa am Beispiel der ANTOP-Studie
Authors: Groß Gaby , Giel Katrin E. , Wild Beate , Teufel Martin , Friederich Hans-Christoph , de Zwaan Martina , Herzog Wolfgang , Zipfel Stephan , ANTOP-Study group
Published: December 2013

Hintergrund: Bis heute gibt es nur wenige größere randomisiert-kontrollierte Therapiestudien zu Anorexia nervosa (AN), und es fehlt weiterhin eine evidenzbasierte Behandlung der Wahl für diese Störung. Die Beleuchtung der Sicht von Patienten kann daher einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur vorhandenen Evidenz und zur Weiterentwicklung wirksamer Therapieansätze leisten. Die ANTOP-Studie (Anorexia Nervosa Treatment of OutPatients) ist die bisher größte multizentrische randomisiert-kontrollierte Untersuchung weltweit zur ambulanten Psychotherapie bei erwachsenen Patientinnen mit AN. Ziel der Studie war, die Wirksamkeit zweier spezifischer Psychotherapieverfahren, kognitive Verhaltenstherapie (CBT-E) und fokale psychodynamische Psychotherapie (FPT), im Vergleich zur bisher üblichen Standardbehandlung i. S. eines optimierten «Treatment as usual» (TAU-O) zu untersuchen. Rückmeldungen von Patientinnen, die CBT-E erhalten hatten, wurden ausgewertet mit dem Ziel, Informationen zur Akzeptanz und subjektiv erlebten Qualität des verwendeten Therapiemanuals zu erhalten. Methodik: Achtzig Patientinnen wurden mit CBT-E behandelt. Einundsechzig der 72 CBT-E-Patientinnen, die mindestens 50 % der insgesamt 40 Sitzungen erhalten hatten (84,7 %), füllten den Feedbackbogen am Ende der Therapie aus. Der Fragebogen wurde speziell für die ANTOP-Studie entworfen und enthielt 11 offene Fragen. Zum Zeitpunkt der 1-Jahreskatamnese wurde der Feedbackbogen erneut ausgegeben und von 57 Patientinnen (79.2 %) im CBT-E-Arm ausgefüllt. Ergebnisse: Zum Ende der Therapie beurteilte die überwiegende Mehrheit der Patientinnen die Behandlung als subjektiv erfolgreich. Neben essstörungsspezifischen Aspekten schätzten Patientinnen vor allem die Thematisierung von Beziehungen als besonders relevant ein. Zu beiden Messzeitpunkten wurde die manualisierte CBT-E-Behandlung von den Patientinnen als hilfreich erlebt und die Behandlungsdauer als adäquat bewertet. Schlussfolgerung: Neben der Erfassung von Outcome-Parametern, die die Pathologie bei AN widerspiegeln, ist es von zentraler Bedeutung, die subjektive Patientensicht bzgl. der erhaltenen Behandlung zu untersuchen. Dieses Feedback kann zu einem besseren Verständnis der Wechselwirkungen zwischen Patient, Therapeut und Therapie beitragen und dabei mithelfen, vorhandene Behandlungsoptionen zu optimieren.
Rückfallprophylaxe auf Internetbasis bei Anorexia nervosa – Längerfristiger Verlauf in einer «Intent-To-Treat»-Stichprobe
Authors: Fichter Manfred M. , Quadflieg Norbert , Lindner Susanne
Published: December 2013

Anorexia nervosa ist noch immer eine Erkrankung, die insbesondere bei Frauen zu hoher Mortalität in jungen Jahren führt. Mittlerweile ist die Wirkung von Psychotherapie bei Anorexia nervosa gut belegt. Wenig ist bekannt zur Rückfallprophylaxe nach Psychotherapie. Die vorliegende Arbeit berichtet über den Verlauf in einer randomisierten kontrollierten Studie zur internet-basierten Rückfallprophylaxe über neun Monate nach stationärer Therapie wegen Anorexia nervosa und die Katamnese nach weiteren neun Monaten. Es wurden 258 Frauen in die beiden Studienarme «Rückfallprophylaxe» und «Kontrollbedingung» randomisiert und die Daten über drei Messzeitpunkte (Beginn und Ende der Intervention, sowie Katamnese) in intent-to-treat-Analysen ausgewertet. Primäre Ergebnisvariable war das Körpergewicht. Patientinnen, die alle neun Kapitel des Interventionsprogramms bearbeiteten, zeigten eine signifikant höhere Gewichtszunahme während der Intervention und in den neun Monate nach der Beendigung der Intervention. Patientinnen, die weniger Kapitel des Programms bearbeiteten, zeigten im Gewichtsverlauf keine signifikanten Unterschiede zu den Kontrollen. Diese zeigten während der Intervention eine geringe Gewichtsabnahme, nahmen dann aber in den neun Monaten nach Beendigung der Intervention an Gewicht zu. Die meisten Patientinnen empfanden das Programm als empfehlenswert und hilfreich. Die Ergebnisse sind ermutigend und sprechen für die Durchführbarkeit internetbasierter Rückfallprophylaxe bei Anorexia nervosa.
Instrumente zur standardisierten Diagnostik von nicht-suizidalem selbstverletzendem Verhalten (NSSV) im deutschen Sprachraum
Authors: Groschwitz* Rebecca C. , Bonenberger* Martina , Plener Paul L. , Böge Isabel , Petermann Franz
Published: December 2013

Nicht-suizidales selbstverletzendes Verhalten (NSSV) tritt im Jugendalter mit Prävalenzraten von weltweit ca. 19 % relativ häufig auf. NSSV kann dabei ohne weitere psychopathologische Auffälligkeiten, aber auch sehr häufig komorbid zu verschiedenen psychischen Störungen auftreten. NSSV stellt einen zudem einen Risikofaktor für suizidales Verhalten dar, was eine spezifische Diagnostik unerlässlich macht. Die vorliegende Arbeit soll einen Überblick über Instrumente im deutschen Sprachraum und eine praktische Handreichung geben. Standardisierte Instrumente zur Erfassung selbstverletzenden Verhaltens wurden primär für die wissenschaftliche Forschung konstruiert. Sie eignen sich jedoch auch im klinischen Alltag zur differenzierten Diagnostik, Verlaufskontrolle und Therapieevaluation. Dazu liegen im deutschen Sprachraum verschiedene evaluierte Fragebögen und ein Interview vor.
Natural cytotoxicity receptors and their ligands
Authors: Kruse Philip H , Matta Jessica , Ugolini Sophie , Vivier Eric
Published: December 2013

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) that participate to the clearance of pathogen‐infected cells and tumour cells. NK cells and subsets of ILCs express the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) NKp46, NKp44 and NKp30 at their surface. NCRs have been shown to recognize a broad spectrum of ligands ranging from viral‐, parasite‐ and bacterial‐derived ligands to cellular ligands; however, the full identification of NCR ligands remains to be performed and will undoubtedly contribute to a better understanding of NK cell and ILC biology.
A dual site catalyst for mild, selective nitrile reduction
Authors: Lu Zhiyao , Williams Travis J.
Published: December 2013

A novel ruthenium bis(pyrazolyl)borate catalyst exhibits useful reactivity in ammonia borane dehydrogenation and water oxidation. It also enables unprecedented cooperative reduction reactivity in which boron and ruthenium centers work in concert to effect surprisingly selective nitrile reduction.
Ag2S–AgInS2: p–n junction heteronanostructures with quasi type-II band alignment
Authors: Bose Riya , Manna Goutam , Jana Santanu , Pradhan Narayan
Published: December 2013

A single nanostructure p–n junction diode has been fabricated colloidally by synthesizing a heterostructure comprising of p-type Ag2S and n-type AgInS2, where the quasi type-II band alignment of the constituents further improve charge separation.
Stabilizing amorphous calcium phosphate phase by citrate adsorption
Authors: Chen Yan , Gu Wenjia , Pan Haihua , Jiang Shuqin , Tang Ruikang
Published: December 2013

Citrate controls nucleation by association with a precursor amorphous phase, which inhibits the surface reaction for nucleation.
Towards a double field theory on para-Hermitian manifolds
Authors: Vaisman Izu
Published: December 2013

In a previous paper, we have shown that the geometry of double field theory has a natural interpretation on flat para-Kähler manifolds. In this paper, we show that the same geometric constructions can be made on any para-Hermitian manifold. The field is interpreted as a compatible (pseudo-)Riemannian metric. The tangent bundle of the manifold has a natural, metric-compatible bracket that extends the C-bracket of double field theory. In the para-Kähler case, this bracket is equal to the sum of the Courant brackets of the two Lagrangian foliations of the manifold. Then, we define a canonical connection and an action of the field that correspond to similar objects of double field theory. Another section is devoted to the Marsden-Weinstein reduction in double field theory on para-Hermitian manifolds. Finally, we give examples of fields on some well-known para-Hermitian manifolds.
Phonon interference effects in molecular junctions
Authors: Markussen Troels
Published: December 2013

We study coherent phonon transport through organic, π-conjugated molecules. Using first principles calculations and Green's function methods, we find that the phonon transmission function in cross-conjugated molecules, like meta-connected benzene, exhibits destructive quantum interference features very analogous to those observed theoretically and experimentally for electron transport in similar molecules. The destructive interference features observed in four different cross-conjugated molecules significantly reduce the thermal conductance with respect to linear conjugated analogues. Such control of the thermal conductance by chemical modifications could be important for thermoelectric applications of molecular junctions.
A study on prevention of an electric discharge at an extraction electrode of an electron cyclotron resonance ion source for cancer therapy
Authors: Kishii Y. , Kawasaki S. , Kitagawa A. , Muramatsu M. , Uchida T.
Published: December 2013

A compact ECR ion source has utilized for carbon radiotherapy. In order to increase beam intensity with higher electric field at the extraction electrode and be better ion supply stability for long periods, electric geometry and surface conditions of an extraction electrode have been studied. Focusing attention on black deposited substances on the extraction electrode, which were observed around the extraction electrode after long-term use, the relation between black deposited substances and the electrical insulation property is investigated. The black deposited substances were inspected for the thickness of deposit, surface roughness, structural arrangement examined using Raman spectroscopy, and characteristics of electric discharge in a test bench, which was set up to simulate the ECR ion source.
Effect of Sb incorporation on structure and magnetic properties of quaternary ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga, Mn)(As, Sb) thin films
Authors: Deng J. J. , Che J. T. , Chen J. , Wang W. J. , Hu B. , Wang H. L. , Zhao J. H.
Published: December 2013

GaAs-based quaternary ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga, Mn)(As, Sb) has been successfully prepared by molecular-beam epitaxy. High-resolution x-ray diffraction measurements indicate that the lattice constant has a notable alteration with changing Sb content. Magnetic measurements demonstrate the same evolution of the Curie temperature TC and the effective Mn content xeff with increasing Sb content. The incorporation of low Sb content is of benefit to increasing xeff, thus, increasing TC. However, higher Sb content degrades the crystal quality, resulting in a decrease of xeff. Experimental results show that TC is proportional to the product of xeff and p1/3, which is consistent with the Zener Model. The exchange energy N0β is calculated to be −1.09 eV, which is similar to that of (Ga, Mn)As.
Features of plasma glow in low pressure terahertz gas discharge
Authors: Bratman V. L. , Golubev S. V. , Izotov I. V. , Kalynov Yu. K. , Koldanov V. A. , Litvak A. G. , Razin S. V. , Sidorov A. V. , Skalyga V. A. , Zorin V. G.
Published: December 2013

Investigations of the low pressure (1–100 Torr) gas discharge in the powerful (1 kW) quasi-optical terahertz (0.55 THz) wave beams were made. An intense afterglow was observed after the end of gyrotron terahertz radiation pulse. Afterglow duration significantly exceeded radiation pulse length (8 μs). This phenomenon could be explained by the strong dependence of the collisional-radiative recombination rate (that is supposed to be the most likely mechanism of electron losses from the low pressure terahertz gas discharge) on electron temperature.
Engineering the quantum anomalous Hall effect in graphene with uniaxial strains
Authors: Diniz G. S. , Guassi M. R. , Qu F.
Published: December 2013

We theoretically investigate the manipulation of the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) in graphene by means of the uniaxial strain. The values of Chern number and Hall conductance demonstrate that the strained graphene in presence of Rashba spin-orbit coupling and exchange field, for vanishing intrinsic spin-orbit coupling, possesses non-trivial topological phase, which is robust against the direction and modulus of the strain. Besides, we also find that the interplay between Rashba and intrinsic spin-orbit couplings results in a topological phase transition in the strained graphene. Remarkably, as the strain strength is increased beyond approximately 7%, the critical parameters of the exchange field for triggering the quantum anomalous Hall phase transition show distinct behaviors—decrease (increase) for strains along zigzag (armchair) direction. Our findings open up a new platform for manipulation of the QAHE by an experimentally accessible strain deformation of the graphene structure, with promising application on novel quantum electronic devices with high efficiency.
Towards engineered branch placement: Unreal™ match between vapour-liquid-solid glancing angle deposition nanowire growth and simulation
Authors: Taschuk M. T. , Tucker R. T. , LaForge J. M. , Beaudry A. L. , Kupsta M. R. , Brett M. J.
Published: December 2013

The vapour-liquid-solid glancing angle deposition (VLS-GLAD) process is capable of producing complex nanotree structures with control over azimuthal branch orientation and height. We have developed a thin film growth simulation including ballistic deposition, simplified surface diffusion, and droplet-mediated cubic crystal growth for the VLS-GLAD process using the UnrealTM Development Kit. The use of a commercial game engine has provided an interactive environment while allowing a custom physics implementation. Our simulation's output is verified against experimental data, including a volumetric film reconstruction produced using focused ion beam and scanning-electron microscopy (SEM), crystallographic texture, and morphological characteristics such as branch orientation. We achieve excellent morphological and texture agreement with experimental data, as well as qualitative agreement with SEM imagery. The simplified physics in our model reproduces the experimental films, indicating that the dominant role flux geometry plays in the VLS-GLAD competitive growth process responsible for azimuthally oriented branches and biaxial crystal texture evolution. The simulation's successful reproduction of experimental data indicates that it should have predictive power in designing novel VLS-GLAD structures.
Synthesis of graphene-based Co-B catalyst via simultaneous chemical reduction for hydrolysis of sodium borohydride
Authors: Kaan Ozdemir Oguz , Hasimoglu Aydın , Sems Ahsen Ali
Published: December 2013

Co-B nanoparticles are deposited on graphene sheets by simultaneous chemical reduction of Co+2 and graphite oxides using NaBH4 as the reducing agent. The reduced Co−B/graphene nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results show that after reduction, not only considerable amount of functional groups has been removed but also exhibited formation of Co-B alloy on the graphene sheets. The catalytic activity of nanocomposites was investigated by the hydrolysis of NaBH4 in aqueous solution. Graphene support material greatly enhances the hydrolysis of NaBH4 with respect to graphite and active carbon supports, and chemical reduced graphene sheets can readily form stable aqueous colloids through electrostatic stabilization. The present method is promising for the synthesis of effective supported catalysts for hydrolysis of NaBH4.
A control algorithm for the deepwind floating vertical-axis wind turbine
Authors: Merz K. O. , Svendsen H. G.
Published: December 2013

A generator torque control system was developed for the Deepwind floating vertical-axis wind turbine. Deepwind is a spar platform of a unique design. The generator is mounted underwater at the base of the spar, which functions as the main driveshaft. Despite the novel configuration, it is shown that a simple proportional-integral (PI) control system is able to successfully regulate the generator torque, over the full operating range of the turbine. Moreover, a simple linearized model, including only yaw degrees-of-freedom of the rotor/spar and stator, captures the most important dynamics for purposes of designing and tuning the control system. Two torque-speed operating schedules are compared, one with a conservative constant rotational-speed cutoff, and the other with a higher maximum speed. The latter increases energy capture, in exchange for more severe fluctuations in generator torque and mooring system yaw. The control system has little influence over the platform tilt angle.
Switchable diode effect in polycrystalline Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12 thin films for resistive memories
Authors: Song H. J. , Wang J. B. , Zhong X. L. , Cheng J. J. , Jia L. H. , Wang F. , Li B.
Published: December 2013

The switchable diode effect is found in the Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12 (BNT) polycrystalline thin films with a residual polarization (2Pr) of 55 μC/cm2 fabricated on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by chemical solution deposition. The consistencies of P-V and I-V curves demonstrate that the switchable diode effect is mainly triggered by polarization modulated Schottky-like barriers. The ON/OFF ratio of resistive switching based on these switchable diodes is more than 3 orders during the retention capacity measurement, which indicates that the polycrystalline BNT thin films are promising for the resistive memories applications.
Monte Carlo study for optimal conditions in single-shot imaging with femtosecond x-ray laser pulses
Authors: Park Jaehyun , Joti Yasumasa , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Song Changyong
Published: December 2013

Intense x-ray pulses from x-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) enable the unveiling of atomic structure in material and biological specimens via ultrafast single-shot exposures. As the radiation is intense enough to destroy the sample, a new sample must be provided for each x-ray pulse. These single-particle delivery schemes require careful optimization, though systematic study to find such optimal conditions is still lacking. We have investigated two major single-particle delivery methods: particle injection as flying objects and membrane-mount as fixed targets. The optimal experimental parameters were searched for via Monte Carlo simulations to discover that the maximum single-particle hit rate achievable is close to 40%.
Extremely efficient exciton fission and fusion and its dominant contribution to the photoluminescence yield in rubrene single crystals
Authors: Biaggio Ivan , Irkhin Pavel
Published: December 2013

Measurements of photoluminescence yield over a wide range of excitation power in rubrene single crystals reveal a transition between a low-yield region and a region with a yield more than an order of magnitude larger. This transition occurs at an excitation density of 3 × 1020 cm−3 absorbed photons per second. This power dependence is predicted in case of an extremely efficient conversion between singlet and triplet excitons through fission and fusion. Triplet fusion starts contributing to rubrene's photoluminescence already at intensities of a few mW/cm2 at room temperature, corresponding to triplet densities of ∼1016 cm−3.
High-TC ferromagnetic order in CaRuO3/La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 superlattices
Authors: Chen P. F. , Chen B. B. , Tan X. L. , Xu H. R. , Xuan X. F. , Guo Z. , Jin F. , Wu W. B.
Published: December 2013

Ferromagnetic-metallic ground state with high Curie temperature (TC) of 200–258 K has been observed in CaRuO3/La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 (CRO/LCMO) superlattices with the ultrathin LCMO layer of 0.8–3.2 nm thick. This contradicts the antiferromagnetic or low-TC insulating ground state observed in single-layer LCMO thin-films. TC and the saturated magnetization of the superlattices are determined dominantly by the LCMO layer thicknesses, indicating no direct magnetic contribution from the CRO layers or the interfaces. Also, they are less sensitive to the growth oxygen pressure as compared to the pure LCMO films. We ascribe the stabilized, bulklike ferromagnetism in the ultrathin LCMO layer to charge transfer from CRO at the interfaces, which could enhance the double-exchange and meanwhile suppress the phase separation, contrary to the case for LCMO thin-films. This interface engineering that can greatly depress the notorious “dead layer” in manganites might be significant in designing the correlated spintronic devices.
Giant g-factors of natural impurities in synthetic quartz
Authors: Goryachev Maxim , Farr Warrick G. , Tobar Michael E.
Published: December 2013

We report the observation of g-factors of natural paramagnetic impurities in a pure synthetic quartz crystal at milli-Kelvin temperatures. Measurements are made by performing spectroscopy using multiple high-Q whispering gallery modes sustained in the crystal. Extreme sensitivity of the method at low temperatures allows the determination of natural residual impurities introduced during the crystal growth. We observe g-factors that significantly differ from integer multiples of the electron g-factor in vacuum, and with values of up to 7.6, which reveals much stronger coupling between impurities and the crystal lattice than in previous studies. Both substitutional and interstitial ions are proposed as candidates for the observed interactions.
Distinct kinetics of synaptic structural plasticity, memory formation, and memory decay in massed and spaced learning
Authors: Aziz Wajeeha , Wang Wen , Kesaf Sebnem , Mohamed Alsayed Abdelhamid , Fukazawa Yugo , Shigemoto Ryuichi
Published: December 2013

Significance

Learning with resting intervals induces longer-lasting memories. However, how structural alterations in neuronal synapses correlate with temporal regulation in learning with or without intervals remain unclear. We used a cerebellar motor learning paradigm in mice using massed or spaced training. Just after the training, we found similar acquisition and AMPA-type glutamate receptor reduction in parallel fiber–Purkinje cell synapses by both protocols. However, spacing induced quicker structural modifications with halving of the synapses and spines within 4 h, thus resulting in persistent long-term memory. We demonstrate the quick development of the synaptic plasticity as a structural basis for spacing effect.
Integrating the invisible fabric of nature into fisheries management
Authors: Travis Joseph , Coleman Felicia C. , Auster Peter J. , Cury Philippe M. , Estes James A. , Orensanz Jose , Peterson Charles H. , Power Mary E. , Steneck Robert S. , Wootton J. Timothy
Published: December 2013

Overfishing and environmental change have triggered many severe and unexpected consequences. As existing communities have collapsed, new ones have become established, fundamentally transforming ecosystems to those that are often less productive for fisheries, more prone to cycles of booms and busts, and thus less manageable. We contend that the failure of fisheries science and management to anticipate these transformations results from a lack of appreciation for the nature, strength, complexity, and outcome of species interactions. Ecologists have come to understand that networks of interacting species exhibit nonlinear dynamics and feedback loops that can produce sudden and unexpected shifts. We argue that fisheries science and management must follow this lead by developing a sharper focus on species interactions and how disrupting these interactions can push ecosystems in which fisheries are embedded past their tipping points.
High-resolution photoacoustic tomography of resting-state functional connectivity in the mouse brain
Authors: Nasiriavanaki Mohammadreza , Xia Jun , Wan Hanlin , Bauer Adam Quentin , Culver Joseph P. , Wang Lihong V.
Published: December 2013

Significance

Clinical studies have demonstrated that resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) is altered in many brain disorders. However, current RSFC imaging techniques cannot be easily applied to mice, the most widely used model species for human brain disease studies. Utilizing optical excitation and acoustic detection, we have developed a functional connectivity photoacoustic tomography (fcPAT) system, which allows noninvasive imaging of RSFC in the mouse brain, with a large field of view and high spatial resolution. In this article, we describe the unique strengths of fcPAT, as demonstrated by our experimental results. Considering the tremendous amount of brain research in mouse models, this work will elicit broad interest in many related fields.
Theory of epithelial sheet morphology in three dimensions
Authors: Hannezo Edouard , Prost Jacques , Joanny Jean-Francois
Published: December 2013

Significance

Epithelia are the tissue layers that line organs throughout the body. Their complex movements and extensive reorganization have been widely studied as a model system of embryo development. Epithelial cells have been theoretically described using physical models close to those used for soap bubbles and foams. Nevertheless, although morphogenesis is intrinsically three-dimensional, previous works have mostly considered a two-dimensional planar geometry. In this paper, we provide a theoretical three-dimensional description of epithelial sheets, which describes within a single framework many developmental transitions, such as the formation of cavities or cellular tubes of a given size. We provide simple scaling laws that could be verified experimentally, for each of these transitions.
Policing of reproduction by hidden threats in a cooperative mammal
Authors: Cant Michael A. , Nichols Hazel J. , Johnstone Rufus A. , Hodge Sarah J.
Published: December 2013

Significance

In social insects, selfish reproduction by workers is suppressed by “policing” behavior, whereby queens and workers identify and destroy worker-laid eggs. An alternative method of policing is to use deterrent threats to prevent offspring production in the first place. Our 7-y field experiment on wild banded mongooses,Mungos mungo, shows that selection to evade the threat of infanticide by older, socially dominant females can explain the evolution of remarkable birth synchrony in this species. The results suggest that reproduction in animal societies can be shaped by threats of punishment that remain hidden until they are triggered experimentally. It follows that coercion may be more widespread than we currently realize.
Is the simplest chemical reaction really so simple?
Authors: Jankunas Justin , Sneha Mahima , Zare Richard N. , Bouakline Foudhil , Althorpe Stuart C. , Herráez-Aguilar Diego , Aoiz F. Javier
Published: December 2013

Modern computational methods have become so powerful for predicting the outcome for the H + H
2
→ H
2
+ H bimolecular exchange reaction that it might seem further experiments are not needed. Nevertheless, experiments have led the way to cause theorists to look more deeply into this simplest of all chemical reactions. The findings are less simple.
AFF1 is a ubiquitous P-TEFb partner to enable Tat extraction of P-TEFb from 7SK snRNP and formation of SECs for HIV transactivation
Authors: Lu Huasong , Li Zichong , Xue Yuhua , Schulze-Gahmen Ursula , Johnson Jeffrey R. , Krogan Nevan J. , Alber Tom , Zhou Qiang
Published: December 2013

Significance

Transcriptional elongation by RNA polymerase II produces full-length RNA transcripts and plays a general and prominent role in regulating gene expression. The positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) is one of the most important transcription factors controlling this process. The core P-TEFb, consisting of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 and cyclin T (CycT), exists in a network of complexes that include the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (7SK snRNP), the super elongation complexes (SECs), and the bromodomain protein 4 (Brd4)–P-TEFb complex. This study identifies AF4/FMR2 family member 1 (AFF1) as a ubiquitous binding partner of core P-TEFb throughout the entire P-TEFb network. By increasing the affinity of the HIV-encoded transactivating (Tat) protein for CycT1, AFF1 is required for Tat’s extraction of P-TEFb from 7SK snRNP and the formation of SECs for maximal HIV transcriptional activation.
PIWI proteins and PIWI-interacting RNAs function in
Hydra
somatic stem cells
Authors: Juliano Celina E. , Reich Adrian , Liu Na , Götzfried Jessica , Zhong Mei , Uman Selen , Reenan Robert A. , Wessel Gary M. , Steele Robert E. , Lin Haifan
Published: December 2013

Significance

The P-element–induced wimpy testis (PIWI) proteins and their bound small RNAs (PIWI-interacting RNAs, piRNAs) are known to repress transposon expression in the germline, yet they likely have broader regulatory functions. We show that the PIWI–piRNA pathway functions in the stem cells of an early diverging animal. We demonstrate that
Hydra
has two PIWI proteins that are localized in the cytoplasm of all adult stem/progenitor cell types. We identified putative targets of the pathway, both transposon and nontransposon, by sequencing piRNAs and mapping them to a newly assembled
Hydra
transcriptome. Finally we demonstrate that
Hydra
PIWI is essential in the somatic lineages. This study supports the existence of a common regulatory pathway ancestral to both stem and germ cells.
Early hypercytokinemia is associated with interferon-induced transmembrane protein-3 dysfunction and predictive of fatal H7N9 infection
Authors: Wang Zhongfang , Zhang Anli , Wan Yanmin , Liu Xinian , Qiu Chao , Xi Xiuhong , Ren Yanqin , Wang Jing , Dong Yuan , Bao Meijuan , Li Liangzhu , Zhou Mingzhe , Yuan Songhua , Sun Jun , Zhu Zhaoqin , Chen Liang , Li Qingsheng , Zhang Zhiyong , Zhang Xiaoyan , Lu Shuihua , Doherty Peter C. , Kedzierska Katherine , Xu Jianqing
Published: December 2013

Significance

A unique avian-origin H7N9 influenza virus caused 134 human infections with 44 deaths. The host factors contributing to moderate vs. severe disease are not clear. Here, we show that H7N9 severity was associated with a higher level of cytokines/chemokines. We demonstrate that the cytokines in the infected lung were 100- to 1,000-fold higher than those in the plasma. Furthermore, we found that the IFN-induced transmembrane protein-3 (IFITM3) C/C genotype was associated with severe clinical outcome, as reflected by reduced time in seeking medical aid; more rapid progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome; and higher viral load, cytokine/chemokine levels, and mortality rate. Overall, our data suggest that the IFITM3 genotype is a primary driver of the observed differences in clinical outcome after H7N9 infection.
JAK tyrosine kinases promote hierarchical activation of Rho and Rap modules of integrin activation
Authors: Montresor Alessio , Bolomini-Vittori Matteo , Toffali Lara , Rossi Barbara , Constantin Gabriela , Laudanna Carlo
Published: December 2013

Lymphocyte recruitment is regulated by signaling modules based on the activity of Rho and Rap small guanosine triphosphatases that control integrin activation by chemokines. We show that Janus kinase (JAK) protein tyrosine kinases control chemokine-induced LFA-1– and VLA-4–mediated adhesion as well as human T lymphocyte homing to secondary lymphoid organs. JAK2 and JAK3 isoforms, but not JAK1, mediate CXCL12-induced LFA-1 triggering to a high affinity state. Signal transduction analysis showed that chemokine-induced activation of the Rho module of LFA-1 affinity triggering is dependent on JAK activity, with VAV1 mediating Rho activation by JAKs in a Gαi-independent manner. Furthermore, activation of Rap1A by chemokines is also dependent on JAK2 and JAK3 activity. Importantly, activation of Rap1A by JAKs is mediated by RhoA and PLD1, thus establishing Rap1A as a downstream effector of the Rho module. Thus, JAK tyrosine kinases control integrin activation and dependent lymphocyte trafficking by bridging chemokine receptors to the concurrent and hierarchical activation of the Rho and Rap modules of integrin activation.
Filamentous morphology of bacteria delays the timing of phagosome morphogenesis in macrophages
Authors: Prashar Akriti , Bhatia Sonam , Gigliozzi Darren , Martin Tonya , Duncan Carla , Guyard Cyril , Terebiznik Mauricio R.
Published: December 2013

Although filamentous morphology in bacteria has been associated with resistance to phagocytosis, our understanding of the cellular mechanisms behind this process is limited. To investigate this, we followed the phagocytosis of both viable and dead Legionella pneumophila filaments. The engulfment of these targets occurred gradually and along the longitudinal axis of the filament, therefore defining a long-lasting phagocytic cup stage that determined the outcome of phagocytosis. We found that these phagocytic cups fused with endosomes and lysosomes, events linked to the maturation of phagosomes according to the canonical pathway, and not with the remodeling of phagocytic cups. Nevertheless, despite acquiring phagolysosomal features these phagocytic cups failed to develop hydrolytic capacity before their sealing. This phenomenon hampered the microbicidal activity of the macrophage and enhanced the capacity of viable filamentous L. pneumophila to escape phagosomal killing in a length-dependent manner. Our results demonstrate that key aspects in phagocytic cup remodeling and phagosomal maturation could be influenced by target morphology.
Theta phase precession of grid and place cell firing in open environments
Authors: Jeewajee A. , Barry C. , Douchamps V. , Manson D. , Lever C. , Burgess N.
Published: December 2013

Place and grid cells in the rodent hippocampal formation tend to fire spikes at successively earlier phases relative to the local field potential theta rhythm as the animal runs through the cell's firing field on a linear track. However, this ‘phase precession’ effect is less well characterized during foraging in two-dimensional open field environments. Here, we mapped runs through the firing fields onto a unit circle to pool data from multiple runs. We asked which of seven behavioural and physiological variables show the best circular–linear correlation with the theta phase of spikes from place cells in hippocampal area CA1 and from grid cells from superficial layers of medial entorhinal cortex. The best correlate was the distance to the firing field peak projected onto the animal's current running direction. This was significantly stronger than other correlates, such as instantaneous firing rate and time-in-field, but similar in strength to correlates with other measures of distance travelled through the firing field. Phase precession was stronger in place cells than grid cells overall, and robust phase precession was seen in traversals through firing field peripheries (although somewhat less than in traversals through the centre), consistent with phase coding of displacement along the current direction. This type of phase coding, of place field distance ahead of or behind the animal, may be useful for allowing calculation of goal directions during navigation.
Neural systems for landmark-based wayfinding in humans
Authors: Epstein Russell A. , Vass Lindsay K.
Published: December 2013

Humans and animals use landmarks during wayfinding to determine where they are in the world and to guide their way to their destination. To implement this strategy, known as landmark-based piloting, a navigator must be able to: (i) identify individual landmarks, (ii) use these landmarks to determine their current position and heading, (iii) access long-term knowledge about the spatial relationships between locations and (iv) use this knowledge to plan a route to their navigational goal. Here, we review neuroimaging, neuropsychological and neurophysiological data that link the first three of these abilities to specific neural systems in the human brain. This evidence suggests that the parahippocampal place area is critical for landmark recognition, the retrosplenial/medial parietal region is centrally involved in localization and orientation, and both medial temporal lobe and retrosplenial/medial parietal lobe regions support long-term spatial knowledge.
Embodied cognition, embodied regulation, and the Data Rate Theorem
Authors: Wallace Rodrick
Published: December 2013

The Data Rate Theorem carries deep implications for theories of embodied cognition, extensions providing a spectrum of necessary conditions dynamic statistical models useful in empirical studies. A large deviations argument, however, implies that the regulation and stabilization of such systems is itself an interpenetrating phenomenon necessarily convoluted with embodied cognition. For humans, the central regulatory role of culture has long been known. Although a ground-state collapse analogous to generalized anxiety appears ubiquitous to such systems, lack of cultural modulation in real-time automatons or distributed cognition man-machine ‘cockpits’ makes them subject to a pathology under which ‘all possible targets are enemies’.
Analyzing structure factor phases in pure and doped single crystals by synchrotron X-ray Renninger scanning
Authors: Amirkhanyan Zohrab G. , Remédios Claúdio M. R. , Mascarenhas Yvonne P. , Morelhão Sérgio L.
Published: December 2013

X-ray multiple diffraction has been applied to study the substitutional incorporation of Mg2+ions into NSH crystals (nickel sulfate hexahydrate, NiSO4·6H2O). Intensity profiles provide information on invariant phases, while angular positions of the multiple diffractions allow accurate determination of lattice parameters. By increasing the atomic disordering only of O2−sites in model structures of doped NSH, the sense and magnitude of induced phase shifts match those necessary to justify the observed changes in the intensity profiles. Causes of disordering and lattice parameter variation are discussed. Although the amount of extra oxygen disordering is relatively large with respect to the small difference in the ionic radii of the metallic ions, this disordering is beyond the resolution power achievable by analyzing diffracted intensities of isolated reflections, such as in standard crystallographic techniques.
Probing temperature- and solvent-dependent protein dynamics using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy
Authors: Tych Katarzyna M. , Wood Christopher D. , Burnett Andrew D. , Pearson Arwen R. , Davies A. Giles , Linfield Edmund H. , Cunningham John E.
Published: December 2013

The effect of temperature on the terahertz-frequency-range material properties of lyophilized and single-crystal hen egg-white lysozyme has been measured using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, with the results presented and discussed in the context of protein and solvent dynamical and glass transitions. Lyophilized hen egg-white lysozyme was measured over a temperature range from 4 to 290 K, and a change in the dynamical behaviour of the sample at around 100 K was observed through a change in the terahertz absorption spectrum. Additionally, the effect of cryoprotectants on the temperature-dependent absorption coefficient is studied, and it is demonstrated that terahertz time-domain spectroscopy is capable of resolving the true glass transition temperature of single-crystal hen egg-white lysozyme at ∼150 K, which is in agreement with literature values measured using differential scanning calorimetry.
Statistical measures of spottiness in diffraction rings
Authors: Ingham Bridget
Published: December 2013

Spotty diffraction rings arise when the size distribution of crystallites illuminated by the incident beam includes crystallites that are large compared with the size of the beam. In this article, several statistical measures are used in conjunction to quantify spottiness and relate it to a crystallite size distribution: the number of peaks, the normalized root mean square intensity variation and the fractal dimension. These are demonstrated by way of example using synchrotron X-ray diffraction patterns collected duringin situcorrosion of mild steel in carbon dioxide-saturated aqueous brine.
The effect of cationic and anionic blocks on temperature-induced micelle formation
Authors: Behrens Manja A. , Lopez Montse , Kjøniksen Anna-Lena , Zhu Kaizheng , Nyström Bo , Pedersen Jan Skov
Published: December 2013

The influence of electrostatic interactions on micelle formation has been investigated in two series of charged temperature-sensitive triblock copolymers using small-angle X-ray scattering [Behrens, Lopez, Kjøniksen, Zhu, Nyström & Pedersen (2011).Langmuir,28, 1105–1114; Behrens, Kjøniksen, Zhu, Nyström & Pedersen (2011).Macromolecules,45, 246–255]. The results of these studies are compared to further elucidate the effect of an anionic and a cationic block in the triblock copolymer species. The two series of block copolymers have common water-soluble and temperature-sensitive blocks, methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), respectively, whereas the charged block differs in the two series: one has a cationic block, poly[(3-acrylamidopropyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride], and the other copolymer has an anionic block, poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid sodium). From the small-angle X-ray scattering study, performed in a temperature range between 293 and 343 K, all copolymers can be described as molecularly dispersed copolymers at ambient temperature, displaying inter-chain repulsion in aqueous solution, and these can be screened by addition of 30 mMNaCl. Both copolymer series display a transition temperature at elevated temperature, where the molecularly dispersed copolymers self-assemble into larger structures, which can be described as either spherical or cylindrical micelles. These structures are affected by the polymer composition, both with respect to the length of the temperature-sensitive block and the specific character of the charged block.
Spectral decomposition and de‐noising via time‐frequency and space‐wavenumber reassignment
Authors: Han Li , Sacchi Mauricio D. , Han Liguo
Published: December 2013

The reassignment method remaps the energy of each point in a time‐frequency spectrum to a new coordinate that is closer to the actual time‐frequency location. Two applications of the reassignment method are developed in this paper. We first describe time‐frequency reassignment as a tool for spectral decomposition. The reassignment method helps to generate more clear frequency slices of layers and therefore, it facilitates the interpretation of thin layers. The second application is to seismic data de‐noising. Through thresholding in the reassigned domain rather than in the Gabor domain, random noise is more easily attenuated since seismic events are more compactly represented with a relatively larger energy than the noise. A reconstruction process that permits the recovery of seismic data from a reassigned time‐frequency spectrum is developed. Two approaches of the reassignment method are used in this paper, one of which is referred to as the trace by trace time reassignment that is mainly used for seismic spectral decomposition and another that is the spatial reassignment that is mainly used for seismic de‐noising. Synthetic examples and two field data examples are used to test the proposed method. For comparison, the Gabor transform method, inversion‐based method and common deconvolution method are also used in the examples.
Microbial diversity and the presence of algae in halite endolithic communities are correlated to atmospheric moisture in the hyper‐arid zone of the Atacama Desert
Authors: Robinson Courtney K. , Wierzchos Jacek , Black Celeste , Crits‐Christoph Alexander , Ma Bing , Ravel Jacques , Ascaso Carmen , Artieda Octavio , Valea Sergio , Roldán Mònica , Gómez‐Silva Benito , DiRuggiero Jocelyne
Published: December 2013

The Atacama Desert is one of the oldest and driest deserts in the world, and its hyper‐arid core is described as ‘the most barren region imaginable’. We used a combination of high‐throughput sequencing and microscopy methods to characterize the endolithic microbial assemblages of halite pinnacles (salt rocks) collected in several hyper‐arid areas of the desert. We found communities dominated by archaea that relied on a single phylotype of Halothece cyanobacteria for primary production. A few other phylotypes of salt‐adapted bacteria and archaea, including Salinibacter, Halorhabdus, and Halococcus were major components of the halite communities, indicating specific adaptations to the unique halite environments. Multivariate statistical analyses of diversity metrics clearly separated the halite communities from that of the surrounding soil in the Yungay area. These analyses also revealed distribution patterns of halite communities correlated with atmospheric moisture. Microbial endolithic communities from halites exposed to coastal fogs and high relative humidity were more diverse; their archaeal and bacterial assemblages were accompanied by a novel algae related to oceanic picoplankton of the Mamiellales. In contrast, we did not find any algae in the Yungay pinnacles, suggesting that the environmental conditions in this habitat might be too extreme for eukaryotic photosynthetic life.
Obese children without comorbidities have impaired microvascular endothelial function
Authors: Hedvall Kallerman P , Hagman E , Edstedt Bonamy A‐K , Zemack H , Marcus C , Norman M , Westerståhl M
Published: December 2013

Aim

The aim was to test acetylcholine‐induced endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation in obese children without comorbidities, compared with normal weight controls, and to analyse associations between vasodilatation and other potential risk factors.

Methods

Endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation was induced by transdermal iontophoresis of acetylcholine in 54 obese children (8.3–18.2 years old, 41% girls) and 44 normal weight controls (7.5–20.2 years old, 82% girls), and the subsequent change in perfusion was measured with laser Doppler flowmetry. In a subgroup of the obese children, associations between acetylcholine‐induced vasodilatation and blood lipids, glucose/insulin metabolism, inflammation, 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), cardiovascular fitness and duration of obesity were evaluated.

Results

We found a lower endothelium‐dependent vasodilatory response to acetylcholine in the obese children than the controls (p < 0.001). The peak perfusion response was 33% lower in obese children (p = 0.001). There was a trend towards lower vasodilatation in obese children with higher levels of triglycerides (p = 0.07). Children with the shortest duration of obesity exhibited the lowest vasodilatation (p = 0.03). No associations were found between 24‐h ABP, cardiovascular fitness, inflammation and glucose/insulin metabolism.

Conclusion

Obese children without comorbidities have significantly impaired microvascular endothelial function. The children who had been obese for a longer time seemed less affected.