bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary inflammatory index and endometrial cancer risk in an Italian case–control study
Authors: Shivappa Nitin , Hébert James R. , Zucchetto Antonella , Montella Maurizio , Serraino Diego , La Vecchia Carlo , Rossi Marta
Published: October 2015

The relation between inflammation deriving from diet and endometrial cancer risk has not yet been investigated. In this study, we explored the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and endometrial cancer risk in an Italian case–control study. Cases comprised 454 patients with incident, histologically confirmed carcinoma of the endometrium, and controls comprised 908 subjects admitted to the same network of hospitals as cases for a wide spectrum of acute, non-neoplastic conditions. DII scores were computed on the basis of dietary intake assessed using a reproducible and valid seventy-eight-item FFQ. OR were calculated through logistic regression models conditioned on age and study centre and adjusted for recognised confounding factors, including total energy intake. Women with the most pro-inflammatory diet had a higher risk for endometrial cancer compared with women with the most anti-inflammatory diet (ORQuartile 4v.11·46; 95 % CI 1·02, 2·11;Ptrend=0·04). A pro-inflammatory diet may increase the risk for endometrial cancer.
Effect of sardine proteins on hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity, in high-fat diet-induced type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Benaicheta Nora , Labbaci Fatima Z. , Bouchenak Malika , Boukortt Farida O.
Published: October 2015

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major risk factor of CVD. The effects of purified sardine proteins (SP) were examined on glycaemia, insulin sensitivity and reverse cholesterol transport in T2D rats. Rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 5 weeks, and injected with a low dose of streptozotocin, were used. The diabetic rats were divided into four groups, and they were fed casein (CAS) or SP combined with 30 or 5 % lipids, for 4 weeks. HFD-induced hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia in rats fed HFD, regardless of the consumed protein. In contrast, these parameters lowered in rats fed SP combined with 5 or 30 % lipids, and serum insulin values reduced in SPv.CAS. HFD significantly increased total cholesterol and TAG concentrations in the liver and serum, whereas these parameters decreased with SP, regardless of lipid intake. Faecal cholesterol excretion was higher with SPv. CAS, combined with 30 or 5 % lipids. Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity and HDL3-phospholipids (PL) were higher in CAS-HF than in CAS, whereas HDL2-cholesteryl esters (CE) were lower. Otherwise, LCAT activity and HDL2-CE were higher in the SP group than in the CAS group, whereas HDL3-PL and HDL3-unesterified cholesterol were lower. Moreover, LCAT activity lowered in the SP-HF group than in the CAS-HF group, when HDL2-CE was higher. In conclusion, these results indicate the potential effects of SP to improve glycaemia, insulin sensitivity and reverse cholesterol transport, in T2D rats.
An integrative taxonomic study reveals a new species ofTylodelphysDiesing, 1950 (Digenea: Diplostomidae) in central and northern Mexico
Authors: García-Varela M. , Sereno-Uribe A.L. , Pinacho-Pinacho C.D. , Hernández-Cruz E. , Pérez-Ponce de León G.
Published: October 2015

Tylodelphys aztecaen. sp. (Digenea: Diplostomidae) is described from adult specimens obtained from the intestine of the pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) and the metacercariae found in the body cavity of freshwater fishes of the families Goodeidae and Cyprinidae in eight localities across central and northern Mexico. The new species is mainly distinguished from the other four described species ofTylodelphysfrom the Americas (T. adulta, T. americana, T. elongataandT. brevis) by having a forebody slightly concave, a larger ventral sucker, two larger pseudosuckers and by having between 2 and 7 eggs in the uterus. Partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochromecoxidase subunit I (cox1), and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1+5.8S+ ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA, were generated for both developmental stages and compared with available sequences in GenBank of other congeners. The genetic divergence estimated amongTylodelphys aztecaen. sp. and other congeneric species varied from 12 to 15% forcox1, and from 3 to 11% for ITS. In contrast, the genetic divergence among metacercariae and adults of the new species was very low, ranging between 0 and 1% forcox1and between 0 and 0.3% for ITS. Phylogenetic analyses inferred with both molecular markers using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference placed the adults and their metacercariae in a single clade, confirming that both stages are conspecific. The morphological evidence and the genetic divergence, in combination with the reciprocal monophyly in both phylogenetic trees, support the hypothesis that the diplostomids found in the intestines of the pied-billed grebe bird and the body cavity from goodeid and cyprinid fishes in central and northern Mexico represent a new species.
The Response of Futures Prices to New Market Information: The Case of Live Hogs
Authors: Miller Steve
Published: October 2015

Writing about empirical tests of stock market efficiency, Fama et al. [2, p. 1] noted that

“… the usual procedure has been to infer market efficiency from the observed independence of successive price changes. There has been very little actual testing of the speed of adjustment of prices to specific kinds of new information.”
Is Cultural Pluralism Relevant to Moral Knowledge?
Authors: Gewirth Alan
Published: October 2015

Cultural pluralism is both a fact and a norm. It is a fact that our world, and indeed our society, are marked by a large diversity of cultures delineated in terms of race, class, gender, ethnicity, religion, ideology, and other partly interpenetrating variables. This fact raises the normative question of whether, or to what extent, such diversities should be recognized or even encouraged in policies concerning government, law, education, employment, the family, immigration, and other important areas of social concern.
Guidelines for treating mental illness: love them, hate them. Can the SIEP-DIRECT's Project serve in the search for a happy medium?
Authors: Ruggeri Mirella
Published: October 2015

This paper discusses some key aspects of the debate on the difficulties of incorporating scientific evidence into the daily work of clinicians in mental health services (MHS). It highlights the topics of: the utility of guidelines in this field, the ethical principles that should guide their utilisation, their limitations, obstacles impeding the diffusion of guidelines in psychiatry, and strategies that can be useful for overcoming the barriers to guideline implementation. The SIEP-DIRECT's ((DIscrepancy between Routine practice and Evidence in psychiatric Community Treatments on Schizophrenia) Project's potential role in fostering this advancement is discussed in detail. This Project developed a set of 103 indicators that operationalised the NICE clinical guidelines for schizophrenia recommendations and tested them in 19 MHS in Italy. A multi-step design was used to assess recommendation and indicator acceptability in the Italian context; provide an assessment of any current discrepancies between routine practice and guideline recommendations in the treatment of schizophrenia; and understand the reasons for any discrepancies that might emerge. This process, moreover, was instrumental in keeping the debate arising during conduction of this Project far from the excesses of hostility - and excesses of “bright-eyed enthusiasm” - that frequently influence discussion on topic. This Project therefore showed potential to serve in the search for a happy medium, that can facilitate the pursuit of a fundamental advancement in guideline implementation in mental health services.

Declaration of Interest: None.
Insights from bimodal bilingualism: Reply to commentaries
Authors: EMMOREY KAREN , GIEZEN MARCEL R. , GOLLAN TAMAR H.
Published: October 2015

The commentaries on our Keynote article “Psycholinguistic, cognitive, and neural implications of bimodal bilingualism” were enthusiastic about what can be learned by studying bilinguals who acquire two languages that are understood via distinct perceptual systems (vision vs. audition) and that are produced with distinct linguistic articulators (the hands vs. the vocal tract). The authors also brought out several new ideas, extensions, and issues related to bimodal bilingualism, which we discuss in this reply.
The phonological preparation unit in spoken word production in a second language
Authors: LI CHUCHU , WANG MIN , DAVIS JOSHUA A.
Published: October 2015

This study investigated the phonological preparation unit when planning spoken words with native Chinese speakers who speak English as a Second Language (ESLs). In Experiment 1, native Chinese speakers named pictures in Chinese, and the names shared the same onset, same rhyme, or had nothing systematically in common. No onset effect was shown, suggesting that native Chinese speakers did not use onset as their preparation unit. There was a rhyme interference effect, probably due to lexical competition. In Experiment 2, the same task was conducted in English among Chinese ESLs and native English speakers. Native speakers showed onset facilitation whereas ESLs did not show such an effect until Block 3. ESLs’ phonological preparation unit is likely to be influenced by their native language but with repetition they are able to attend to sub-syllabic units. Both groups showed rhyme interference, possibly as a result of joint lexical and phonological competition.
COMPLETE LATTICE HOMOMORPHISM OF STRONGLY REGULAR CONGRUENCES ON -INVERSIVE SEMIGROUPS
Authors: FAN XINGKUI , CHEN QIANHUA , KONG XIANGJUN
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we investigate strongly regular congruences on$E$-inversive semigroups$S$. We describe the complete lattice homomorphism of strongly regular congruences, which is a generalization of an open problem of Pastijn and Petrich for regular semigroups. An abstract characterization of left and right traces for strongly regular congruences is given. The strongly regular (sr) congruences on$E$-inversive semigroups$S$are described by means of certain strongly regular congruence triples$({\it\gamma},K,{\it\delta})$consisting of certain sr-normal equivalences${\it\gamma}$and${\it\delta}$on$E(S)$and a certain sr-normal subset$K$of$S$. Further, we prove that each strongly regular congruence on$E$-inversive semigroups$S$is uniquely determined by its associated strongly regular congruence triple.
Dual Defection Incentives in One System: Party Switching under Taiwan's Single non-transferable Vote
Authors: CHANG ALEX , TANG YEN-CHEN
Published: October 2015

Political scientists generally consider that the incentive for legislators to switch parties lies in their desire to be re-elected. While some scholars attribute defection to the legislators’ popularity and strong connections with their constituents which enable them to be re-elected without relying on party labels, others assert that legislators switch if they perceive that staying put might threaten their chances of re-election. In this paper, we find that the two assumptions, to some extent, contradict each other. More surprisingly, the two contradictory hypotheses cohabit under the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) system. From an analysis of the switching in the Taiwanese Legislative Yuan, the empirical evidence shows that because of fierce intraparty competition in the multimember districts, not only barely elected but also top-ranked legislators switched party affiliation in order to avoid the loss in votes or even seats to their copartisans and to maximize their chances of re-election.
Becoming a Wealth Management Centre and International Relations Implications: The Singapore Policy Approach and Global and Regional Responses
Authors: AUSTIN IAN PATRICK
Published: October 2015

Singapore's strategic play to secure international wealth management market share has been very successful. Serious questions, however, were raised in relation to this ascendency as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC, beginning in 2007) drove the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (US) to become proactive in clamping down on tax evasion and other areas deemed by them to be undesirable within the international financial system. This paper will examine the Singapore government's decade-long growth policy of its wealth management sector, and how it has been impacted upon by international regulatory responses. Further, it examines how in stark contrast to the EU and the US, Indonesia has been far less successful in its diplomatic efforts to have Singapore address financial diplomacy issues (tax evasion and ill-gotten gains from corruption) in relation to Indonesian citizens residing in Singapore. This article will argue, however, that Singapore's less than robust response to Indonesia's constant requests for action maybe to the long-term detriment of Singapore itself.

Economics is now a large part of foreign policy. (George Yeo, May 2005, then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore)

Singapore Inc's new growth strategy in a whole range of services from real estate as a new asset class to lifestyle, taps millionaires and billionaires who value privacy, political stability, and sensitivity to money laundering implications. (Low, 2010: 171)
Ukraine – Passenger Cars, DS468
Authors: Carlson Geoffrey
Published: October 2015

This dispute concerned the definitive safeguard measure imposed by Ukraine on imports of certain passenger cars to Ukraine and the investigation that led to the imposition of this measure.
Peru – Agricultural Products, DS457
Authors: Izadnia Rodd
Published: October 2015

This dispute concerned the price range system (PRS) maintained by Peru that may result in the imposition of additional duties or rebates on certain types of imported rice, sugar, maize, and milk.
The Privatization of Public Services in American Cities
Authors: Trounstine Jessica
Published: October 2015

In the United States, significant variation regarding the quality of public goods exists across local governments. In this article, I seek to explain these patterns. I argue that economically and racially homogenous communities are collectively willing to invest more resources in public goods relative to diverse communities. I provide evidence in support of this claim by analyzing the relationship between race and income diversity and the share of community security and education that is provided by private entities. I find that as racial diversity and income inequality increase, the share of private security guards and white children enrolled in private school is higher.
Epigenome-Wide Association Study of Aggressive Behavior
Authors: van Dongen Jenny , Nivard Michel G. , Baselmans Bart M. L. , Zilhão Nuno R. , Ligthart Lannie ,   BIOS Consortium, Heijmans Bastiaan T. , Bartels Meike , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: October 2015

Aggressive behavior is highly heritable, while environmental influences, particularly early in life, are also important. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, regulate gene expression throughout development and adulthood, and may mediate genetic and environmental effects on complex traits. We performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) to identify regions in the genome where DNA methylation level is associated with aggressive behavior. Subjects took part in longitudinal survey studies from the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) and participated in the NTR biobank project between 2004 and 2011 (N = 2,029, mean age at blood sampling = 36.4 years, SD = 12.4, females = 69.2%). Aggressive behavior was rated with the ASEBA Adult Self-Report (ASR). DNA methylation was measured in whole blood by the Illumina HM450k array. The association between aggressive behavior and DNA methylation level at 411,169 autosomal sites was tested. Association analyses in the entire cohort showed top sites at cg01792876 (chr8; 116,684,801, nearest gene = TRPS1, p = 7.6 × 10−7, False discovery rate (FDR) = 0.18) and cg06092953 (chr18; 77,905,699, nearest gene = PARD6G-AS1, p = 9.0 ×10−7, FDR = 0.18). Next, we compared methylation levels in 20 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins highly discordant for aggression. Here the top sites were cg21557159 (chr 11; 107,795,699, nearest gene = RAB39, p = 5.7 × 10−6, FDR = 0.99), cg08648367 (chr 19; 51,925,472, nearest gene = SIGLEC10, p = 7.6 × 10−6, FDR = 0.99), and cg14212412 (chr 6; 105,918,992, nearest gene = PREP, p = 8.0 × 10−6, FDR = 0.99). The two top hits based on the entire cohort showed the same direction of effect in discordant MZ pairs (cg01792876, Pdiscordant twins = 0.09 and cg06092953, Pdiscordant twins = 0.24). The other way around, two of the three most significant sites in discordant MZ pairs showed the same direction of effect in the entire cohort (cg08648367, Pentire EWAS = 0.59 and cg14212412, Pentire EWAS = 3.1 × 10−3). Gene ontology analysis highlighted significant enrichment of various central nervous system categories among higher-ranking methylation sites. Higher-ranking methylation sites also showed enrichment for DNase I hypersensitive sites and promoter regions, showing that DNA methylation in peripheral tissues is likely to be associated with aggressive behavior.
An Information-Processing Model for Audiences’ Selections of	Movies
Authors: Xu Xuexin , Hao Xiaoming , Younbo Jung
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Building on psychocognitive theories of information processing, the purpose of this study was to examine the relative impacts of qualitative bandwagon (e.g., using qualitative information such as comments and reviews) and quantitative bandwagon (e.g., using quantitative information such as view and download counts as bandwagon cues) on content selection decisions by media users. An experiment (N = 77) was conducted to investigate the contributions of the two types of bandwagon behaviors to the selections of Hollywood movies online and to identify factors moderating such bandwagon effects. The results showed that cognitive load was negatively associated with the strength of qualitative bandwagon effects, while positively associated with the strength of quantitative bandwagon effects. Although it was marginally significant, the results also showed that the impact of the quantitative bandwagon effect became stronger when individuals were less familiar with Hollywood movies. Implications with respect to tendency for choice imitation, as well as the conceptual understanding of and methodological approach to the bandwagon behaviors in movie selection, are discussed.
Advancing Scenario Planning for Climate Decision Making
Authors: Garfin Gregg , Black Mary , Rowland Erika
Published: October 2015

Scenario Planning for Climate Adaptation Decision Making; Tucson, Arizona, 31 March to 1 April 2015
GREAT ICE Monitors Glaciers in the Tropical Andes
Authors: Sicart Jean , Villacis Marcos , Condom Thomas , Rabatel Antoine
Published: October 2015

An international program strengthens glaciological studies in the tropical Andes, promotes collaborative projects, and develops educational programs with local universities.
Guidelines for diagnostic next-generation sequencing
Authors: Matthijs Gert , Souche Erika , Alders Mariëlle , Corveleyn Anniek , Eck Sebastian , Feenstra Ilse , Race Valérie , Sistermans Erik , Sturm Marc , Weiss Marjan , Yntema Helger , Bakker Egbert , Scheffer Hans , Bauer Peter
Published: October 2015

We present, on behalf of EuroGentest and the European Society of Human Genetics, guidelines for the evaluation and validation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications for the diagnosis of genetic disorders. The work was performed by a group of laboratory geneticists and bioinformaticians, and discussed with clinical geneticists, industry and patients’ representatives, and other stakeholders in the field of human genetics. The statements that were written during the elaboration of the guidelines are presented here. The background document and full guidelines are available as supplementary material. They include many examples to assist the laboratories in the implementation of NGS and accreditation of this service. The work and ideas presented by others in guidelines that have emerged elsewhere in the course of the past few years were also considered and are acknowledged in the full text. Interestingly, a few new insights that have not been cited before have emerged during the preparation of the guidelines. The most important new feature is the presentation of a ‘rating system’ for NGS-based diagnostic tests. The guidelines and statements have been applauded by the genetic diagnostic community, and thus seem to be valuable for the harmonization and quality assurance of NGS diagnostics in Europe.
Integrin-beta3 clusters recruit clathrin-mediated endocytic machinery in the absence of traction force
Authors: Yu Cheng-han , Rafiq Nisha Bte Mohd , Cao Fakun , Zhou Yuhuan , Krishnasamy Anitha , Biswas Kabir Hassan , Ravasio Andrea , Chen Zhongwen , Wang Yu-Hsiu , Kawauchi Keiko , Jones Gareth E. , Sheetz Michael P.
Published: October 2015

The turnover of integrin receptors is critical for cell migration and adhesion dynamics. Here we find that force development at integrins regulates adaptor protein recruitment and endocytosis. Using mobile RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) ligands on supported lipid membranes (RGD membranes) and rigid RGD ligands on glass (RGD-glass), we find that matrix force-dependent integrin signals block endocytosis. Dab2, an adaptor protein of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, is not recruited to activated integrin-beta3 clusters on RGD-glass; however, it is recruited to integrin-mediated adhesions on RGD membranes. Further, when force generation is inhibited on RGD-glass, Dab2 binds to integrin-beta3 clusters. Dab2 binding to integrin-beta3 excludes other adhesion-related adaptor proteins, such as talin. The clathrin-mediated endocytic machinery combines with Dab2 to facilitate the endocytosis of RGD-integrin-beta3 clusters. From these observations, we propose that loss of traction force on ligand-bound integrin-beta3 causes recruitment of Dab2/clathrin, resulting in endocytosis of integrins.
Auditory feedback blocks memory benefits of cueing during sleep
Authors: Schreiner Thomas , Lehmann Mick , Rasch Björn
Published: October 2015

It is now widely accepted that re-exposure to memory cues during sleep reactivates memories and can improve later recall. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. As reactivation during wakefulness renders memories sensitive to updating, it remains an intriguing question whether reactivated memories during sleep also become susceptible to incorporating further information after the cue. Here we show that the memory benefits of cueing Dutch vocabulary during sleep are in fact completely blocked when memory cues are directly followed by either correct or conflicting auditory feedback, or a pure tone. In addition, immediate (but not delayed) auditory stimulation abolishes the characteristic increases in oscillatory theta and spindle activity typically associated with successful reactivation during sleep as revealed by high-density electroencephalography. We conclude that plastic processes associated with theta and spindle oscillations occurring during a sensitive period immediately after the cue are necessary for stabilizing reactivated memory traces during sleep.
Formation of bimetallic clusters in superfluid helium nanodroplets analysed by atomic resolution electron tomography
Authors: Haberfehlner Georg , Thaler Philipp , Knez Daniel , Volk Alexander , Hofer Ferdinand , Ernst Wolfgang E. , Kothleitner Gerald
Published: October 2015

Structure, shape and composition are the basic parameters responsible for properties of nanoscale materials, distinguishing them from their bulk counterparts. To reveal these in three dimensions at the nanoscale, electron tomography is a powerful tool. Advancing electron tomography to atomic resolution in an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope remains challenging and has been demonstrated only a few times using strong constraints or extensive filtering. Here we demonstrate atomic resolution electron tomography on silver/gold core/shell nanoclusters grown in superfluid helium nanodroplets. We reveal morphology and composition of a cluster identifying gold- and silver-rich regions in three dimensions and we estimate atomic positions without using any prior information and with minimal filtering. The ability to get full three-dimensional information down to the atomic scale allows understanding the growth and deposition process of the nanoclusters and demonstrates an approach that may be generally applicable to all types of nanoscale materials.
Ultrafast spin exchange-coupling torque via photo-excited charge-transfer processes
Authors: Ma X. , Fang F. , Li Q. , Zhu J. , Yang Y. , Wu Y. Z. , Zhao H. B. , Lüpke G.
Published: October 2015

Optical control of spin is of central importance in the research of ultrafast spintronic devices utilizing spin dynamics at short time scales. Recently developed optical approaches such as ultrafast demagnetization, spin-transfer and spin-orbit torques open new pathways to manipulate spin through its interaction with photon, orbit, charge or phonon. However, these processes are limited by either the long thermal recovery time or the low-temperature requirement. Here we experimentally demonstrate ultrafast coherent spin precession via optical charge-transfer processes in the exchange-coupled Fe/CoO system at room temperature. The efficiency of spin precession excitation is significantly higher and the recovery time of the exchange-coupling torque is much shorter than for the demagnetization procedure, which is desirable for fast switching. The exchange coupling is a key issue in spin valves and tunnelling junctions, and hence our findings will help promote the development of exchange-coupled device concepts for ultrafast coherent spin manipulation.
The commensal infant gut meta-mobilome as a potential reservoir for persistent multidrug resistance integrons
Authors: Ravi Anuradha , Avershina Ekaterina , Foley Steven L. , Ludvigsen Jane , Storrø Ola , Øien Torbjørn , Johnsen Roar , McCartney Anne L. , L’Abée-Lund Trine M. , Rudi Knut
Published: October 2015

Despite the accumulating knowledge on the development and establishment of the gut microbiota, its role as a reservoir for multidrug resistance is not well understood. This study investigated the prevalence and persistence patterns of an integrase gene (int1), used as a proxy for integrons (which often carry multiple antimicrobial resistance genes), in the fecal microbiota of 147 mothers and their children sampled longitudinally from birth to 2 years. The study showed the int1 gene was detected in 15% of the study population and apparently more persistent than the microbial community structure itself. We found int1 to be persistent throughout the first two years of life, as well as between mothers and their 2-year-old children. Metagenome sequencing revealed integrons in the gut meta-mobilome that were associated with plasmids and multidrug resistance. In conclusion, the persistent nature of integrons in the infant gut microbiota makes it a potential reservoir of mobile multidrug resistance.
In-vitro Optimization of Nanoparticle-Cell Labeling Protocols for In-vivo Cell Tracking Applications
Authors: Betzer Oshra , Meir Rinat , Dreifuss Tamar , Shamalov Katerina , Motiei Menachem , Shwartz Amit , Baranes Koby , Cohen Cyrille J. , Shraga-Heled Niva , Ofir Racheli , Yadid Gal , Popovtzer Rachela
Published: October 2015

Recent advances in theranostic nanomedicine can promote stem cell and immune cell-based therapy. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been shown to be promising agents for in-vivo cell-tracking in cell-based therapy applications. Yet a crucial challenge is to develop a reliable protocol for cell upload with, on the one hand, sufficient nanoparticles to achieve maximum visibility of cells, while on the other hand, assuring minimal effect of particles on cell function and viability. Previous studies have demonstrated that the physicochemical parameters of GNPs have a critical impact on their efficient uptake by cells. In the current study we have examined possible variations in GNP uptake, resulting from different incubation period and concentrations in different cell-lines. We have found that GNPs effectively labeled three different cell-lines - stem, immune and cancer cells, with minimal impairment to cell viability and functionality. We further found that uptake efficiency of GNPs into cells stabilized after a short period of time, while GNP concentration had a significant impact on cellular uptake, revealing cell-dependent differences. Our results suggest that while heeding the slight variations within cell lines, modifying the loading time and concentration of GNPs, can promote cell visibility in various nanoparticle-dependent in-vivo cell tracking and imaging applications.
Correction: Corrigendum: Collective Motion of Swarming Agents Evolving on a Sphere Manifold: A Fundamental Framework and Characterization
Authors: Li Wei
Published: October 2015

Collective motion of self-propelled agents has attracted much attention in vast disciplines. However, almost all investigations focus on such agents evolving in the Euclidean space, with rare concern of swarms on non-Euclidean manifolds. Here we present a novel and fundamental framework for agents evolving on a sphere manifold, with which a variety of concrete cooperative-rules of agents can be designed separately and integrated easily into the framework, which may perhaps pave a way for considering general spherical collective motion (SCM) of a swarm. As an example, one concrete cooperative-rule, i.e., the spherical direction-alignment (SDA), is provided, which corresponds to the usual and popular direction-alignment rule in the Euclidean space. The SCM of the agents with the SDA has many unique statistical properties and phase-transitions that are unexpected in the counterpart models evolving in the Euclidean space, which unveils that the topology of the sphere has an important impact on swarming emergence.
Fluorescence-Guided Probes of Aptamer-Targeted Gold Nanoparticles with Computed Tomography Imaging Accesses for in Vivo Tumor Resection
Authors: Li Cheng-Hung , Kuo Tsung-Rong , Su Hsin-Jan , Lai Wei-Yun , Yang Pan-Chyr , Chen Jinn-Shiun , Wang Di-Yan , Wu Yi-Chun , Chen Chia-Chun
Published: October 2015

Recent development of molecular imaging probes for fluorescence-guided surgery has shown great progresses for determining tumor margin to execute the tissue resection. Here we synthesize the fluorescent gold nanoparticles conjugated with diatrizoic acid and nucleolin-targeted AS1411 aptamer. The nanoparticle conjugates exhibit high water-solubility, good biocompatibility, visible fluorescence and strong X-ray attenuation for computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement. The fluorescent nanoparticle conjugates are applied as a molecular contrast agent to reveal the tumor location in CL1-5 tumor-bearing mice by CT imaging. Furthermore, the orange-red fluorescence emitting from the conjugates in the CL1-5 tumor can be easily visualized by the naked eyes. After the resection, the IVIS measurements show that the fluorescence signal of the nanoparticle conjugates in the tumor is greatly enhanced in comparison to that in the controlled experiment. Our work has shown potential application of functionalized nanoparticles as a dual-function imaging agent in clinical fluorescence-guided surgery.
Inhibition of Proteasome Activity by Low-dose Bortezomib Attenuates Angiotensin II-induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Apo E−/− Mice
Authors: Ren Hualiang , Li Fangda , Tian Cui , Nie Hao , Wang Lei , Li Hui-Hua , Zheng Yuehong
Published: October 2015

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a leading cause of sudden death in aged people. Activation of ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays a critical role in the protein quality control and various diseases. However, the functional role of UPS in AAA formation remains unclear. In this study, we found that the proteasome activities and subunit expressions in AAA tissues from human and angiotensin II (Ang II)-infused apolipoprotein E knockout (Apo E−/−) mice were significantly increased. To investigate the effect of proteasome activation on the AAA formation, Apo E−/− mice were cotreated with bortezomib (BTZ) (a proteasome inhibitor, 50 μg/kg, 2 times per week) and Ang II (1000 ng/kg/min) up to 28 days. Ang II infusion significantly increased the incidence and severity of AAA in Apo E−/− mice, whereas BTZ treatment markedly inhibited proteasome activities and prevented AAA formation. Furthermore, BTZ treatment significantly reduced the inflammation, inhibited the metal matrix metalloprotease activity and reversed the phenotypic SMC modulation in AAA tissue. In conclusion, these results provide a new evidence that proteasome activation plays a critical role in AAA formation through multiple mechanisms and suggest that BTZ might be a novel therapeutic target for treatment of AAA formation.
Tunable magnetocaloric effect in transition metal alloys
Authors: Belyea Dustin D. , Lucas M. S. , Michel E. , Horwath J. , Miller Casey W.
Published: October 2015

The unpredictability of geopolitical tensions and resulting supply chain and pricing instabilities make it imperative to explore rare earth free magnetic materials. As such, we have investigated fully transition metal based “high entropy alloys” in the context of the magnetocaloric effect. We find the NiFeCoCrPdx family exhibits a second order magnetic phase transition whose critical temperature is tunable from 100 K to well above room temperature. The system notably displays changes in the functionality of the magnetic entropy change depending on x, which leads to nearly 40% enhancement of the refrigerant capacity. A detailed statistical analysis of the universal scaling behavior provides direct evidence that heat treatment and Pd additions reduce the distribution of exchange energies in the system, leading to a more magnetically homogeneous alloy. The general implications of this work are that the parent NiFeCoCr compound can be tuned dramatically with FCC metal additives. Together with their relatively lower cost, their superior mechanical properties that aid manufacturability and their relative chemical inertness that aids product longevity, NiFeCoCr-based materials could ultimately lead to commercially viable magnetic refrigerants.
Electronic transport properties of Ir-decorated graphene
Authors: Wang Yilin , Xiao Shudong , Cai Xinghan , Bao Wenzhong , Reutt-Robey Janice , Fuhrer Michael S.
Published: October 2015

Graphene decorated with 5d transitional metal atoms is predicted to exhibit many intriguing properties; for example iridium adatoms are proposed to induce a substantial topological gap in graphene. We extensively investigated the conductivity of single-layer graphene decorated with iridium deposited in ultra-high vacuum at low temperature (7 K) as a function of Ir concentration, carrier density, temperature and annealing conditions. Our results are consistent with the formation of Ir clusters of ~100 atoms at low temperature, with each cluster donating a single electronic charge to graphene. Annealing graphene increases the cluster size, reducing the doping and increasing the mobility. We do not observe any sign of an energy gap induced by spin-orbit coupling, possibly due to the clustering of Ir.
Forecasting magma-chamber rupture at Santorini volcano, Greece
Authors: Browning John , Drymoni Kyriaki , Gudmundsson Agust
Published: October 2015

How much magma needs to be added to a shallow magma chamber to cause rupture, dyke injection and a potential eruption? Models that yield reliable answers to this question are needed in order to facilitate eruption forecasting. Development of a long-lived shallow magma chamber requires periodic influx of magmas from a parental body at depth. This redistribution process does not necessarily cause an eruption but produces a net volume change that can be measured geodetically by inversion techniques. Using continuum-mechanics and fracture-mechanics principles, we calculate the amount of magma contained at shallow depth beneath Santorini volcano, Greece. We demonstrate through structural analysis of dykes exposed within the Santorini caldera, previously published data on the volume of recent eruptions and geodetic measurements of the 2011–2012 unrest period, that the measured 0.02% increase in volume of Santorini’s shallow magma chamber was associated with magmatic excess pressure increase of around 1.1 MPa. This excess pressure was high enough to bring the chamber roof close to rupture and dyke injection. For volcanoes with known typical extrusion and intrusion (dyke) volumes, the new methodology presented here makes it possible to forecast the conditions for magma-chamber failure and dyke injection at any geodetically well-monitored volcano.
High-Gain High-Field Fusion Plasma
Authors: Li Ge
Published: October 2015

A Faraday wheel (FW)—an electric generator of constant electrical polarity that produces huge currents—could be implemented in an existing tokamak to study high-gain high-field (HGHF) fusion plasma, such as the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). HGHF plasma can be realized in EAST by updating its pulsed-power system to compress plasma in two steps by induction fields; high gains of the Lawson trinity parameter and fusion power are both predicted by formulating the HGHF plasma. Both gain rates are faster than the decrease rate of the plasma volume. The formulation is checked by earlier ATC tests. Good agreement between theory and tests indicates that scaling to over 10 T at EAST may be possible by two-step compressions with a compression ratio of the minor radius of up to 3. These results point to a quick new path of fusion plasma study, i.e., simulating the Sun by EAST.
α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone prevents glutamate excitotoxicity in developing chicken retina via MC4R-mediated down-regulation of microRNA-194
Authors: Zhang Yan , Bo Qiyu , Wu Weihui , Xu Chang , Yu Guangwei , Ma Shan , Yang Qianhui , Cao Yunshan , Han Qian , Ru Yusha , Liu Xun , Hua Wei Rui , Wang Fei E. , Zhang Xiaomin , Li Xiaorong
Published: October 2015

Glutamate excitotoxicity is a common pathology to blinding ischemic retinopathies, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and central retinal vein or artery occlusion. The development of an effective interventional modality to glutamate excitotoxicity is hence important to preventing blindness. Herein we showed that α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) time-dependently protected against glutamate-induced cell death and tissue damage in an improved embryonic chicken retinal explant culture system. α-MSH down-regulated microRNA-194 (miR-194) expression during the glutamate excitotoxicity in the retinal explants. Furthermore, pharmacological antagonists to melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and lentivirus-mediated overexpression of pre-miR-194 abrogated the suppressing effects of α-MSH on glutamate-induced activities of caspase 3 or 7, the ultimate enzymes for glutamate-induced cell death. These results suggest that the protective effects of α-MSH may be due to the MC4R mediated-down-regulation of miR-194 during the glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Finally, α-MSH attenuated cell death and recovered visual functions in glutamate-stimulated post-hatch chick retinas. These results demonstrate the previously undescribed protective effects of α-MSH against glutamate-induced excitotoxic cell death in the cone-dominated retina both in vitro and in vivo and indicate a novel molecular mechanism linking MC4R-mediated signaling to miR-194.
Comparative metabolomic analysis highlights the involvement of sugars and glycerol in melatonin-mediated innate immunity against bacterial pathogen in Arabidopsis
Authors: Qian Yongqiang , Tan Dun-Xian , Reiter Russel J. , Shi Haitao
Published: October 2015

Melatonin is an important secondary messenger in plant innate immunity against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringe pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 in the salicylic acid (SA)- and nitric oxide (NO)-dependent pathway. However, the metabolic homeostasis in melatonin-mediated innate immunity is unknown. In this study, comparative metabolomic analysis found that the endogenous levels of both soluble sugars (fructose, glucose, melibose, sucrose, maltose, galatose, tagatofuranose and turanose) and glycerol were commonly increased after both melatonin treatment and Pst DC3000 infection in Arabidopsis. Further studies showed that exogenous pre-treatment with fructose, glucose, sucrose, or glycerol increased innate immunity against Pst DC3000 infection in wild type (Col-0) Arabidopsis plants, but largely alleviated their effects on the innate immunity in SA-deficient NahG plants and NO-deficient mutants. This indicated that SA and NO are also essential for sugars and glycerol-mediated disease resistance. Moreover, exogenous fructose, glucose, sucrose and glycerol pre-treatments remarkably increased endogenous NO level, but had no significant effect on the endogenous melatonin level. Taken together, this study highlights the involvement of sugars and glycerol in melatonin-mediated innate immunity against bacterial pathogen in SA and NO-dependent pathway in Arabidopsis.
Association of ARNTL and PER1 genes with Parkinson's disease: a case-control study of Han Chinese
Authors: Gu Zhuqin , Wang BinBin , Zhang Yong-Biao , Ding Hui , Zhang Yanli , Yu Jun , Gu Mingliang , Chan Piu , Cai Yanning
Published: October 2015

Circadian disruptions may result in sleep problems, oxidative stress and an altered inflammatory response. These symptoms may contribute to PD pathogenesis, despite a lack of direct experimental evidence supporting this relationship. Clock genes are essential to drive and maintain circadian rhythm. To elucidate the possible role of circadian disruptions in PD, we investigated 132 tag variants in eight clock genes. We genotyped these tags within 1,394 Chinese cases and 1,342 controls using Illumina GoldenGate chips. We discovered that SNPs inARNTL(rs900147,P = 3.33 × 10−5, OR = 0.80) andPER1(rs2253820,P = 5.30 × 10−6, OR = 1.31) genes are significantly associated with PD risk. Moreover, the positive association of theARNTLrs900147 variant was more robust in tremor dominant (TD) (P = 3.44 × 10−4) than postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD) cases (P = 6.06 × 10−2). The association of thePER1rs2253820 variant was more robust in PIGD (P = 5.42 × 10−5) than TD cases (P = 4.2 × 10−2). Haplotype analysis also showed thatARNTLandPER1were associated with PD. Imputation analysis identified more SNPs withinARNTLandPER1associated with PD, some of which may affect gene expression through altering the transcription factor binding site. In summary, our findings suggest that genetic polymorphisms inARNTLandPER1genes, as well as circadian disruptions, may contribute to PD pathogenesis.
Dose-dependent protective effect of nicotine in a murine model of viral myocarditis induced by coxsackievirus B3
Authors: Li-Sha Ge , Jing-Lin Zhao , Guang-Yi Chen , Li Liu , De-Pu Zhou , Yue-Chun Li
Published: October 2015

The alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7 nAChR) was recently described as an anti-inflammatory target in various inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-related effects of nicotine, an alpha7 nAChR agonist, in murine model of viral myocarditis. BALB/C mice were infected by an intraperitoneally injection with coxsackievirus B3. Nicotine was administered at doses of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg three times per day for 7 or 14 consecutive days. The effects of nicotine on survival, myocardial histopathological changes, cardiac function and cytokine levels were studied. The survival rate on day 14 increased in a dose-dependent fashion and was markedly higher in the 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg nicotine groups than in the infected untreated group. Treatment with high-dose nicotine reduced the myocardial inflammation and improved the impaired left ventricular function in infected mice. The mRNA expressions and protein levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17A were significantly downregulated in dose-dependent manners in the nicotine treatment groups compared to the infected untreated group. Nicotine dose-dependently reduced the severity of viral myocarditis through inhibiting the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The findings suggest that alpha7 nAChR agonists may be a promising new strategy for patients with viral myocarditis.
Characterization of human breast cancer tissues by infrared imaging
Authors: Verdonck M. , Denayer A. , Delvaux B. , Garaud S. , De Wind R. , Desmedt C. , Sotiriou C. , Willard-Gallo K. , Goormaghtigh E.
Published: October 2015

FTIR imaging allows automated identification and quantification of breast tumor cells as well as investigating tumor-related stroma alterations.
A membrane-activatable near-infrared fluorescent probe with ultra-photostability for mitochondrial membrane potentials
Authors: Ren Wei , Ji Ao , Karmach Omran , Carter David G. , Martins-Green Manuela M. , Ai Hui-wang
Published: October 2015

Dark for light: A fluorescence quencher was turned into a near-infrared probe for mitochondrial membrane potential in living cells and mice.
Determination of aluminum in moisturizing body lotions using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: Castilho Ivan N. B. , de Quadros Daiane P. C. , Mior Renata , Welz Bernhard , Carasek Eduardo , Borges Daniel L. G.
Published: October 2015

Aluminum has been determined in body lotions after mixing with dilute nitric acid using graphite furnace AAS and Zr as a permanent modifier.
Simple, rapid detection of influenza A (H1N1) viruses using a highly sensitive peptide-based molecular beacon
Authors: Lim Eun-Kyung , Guk Kyeonghye , Kim Hyeran , Chung Bong-Hyun , Jung Juyeon
Published: October 2015

A peptide-based molecular beacon (PEP-MB) was prepared for the simple, rapid, and specific detection of H1N1 viruses using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system.
Tunable porosity of 3D-networks with germanium nodes
Authors: Monnereau Laure , Muller Thierry , Lang Mathias , Bräse Stefan
Published: October 2015

Eight hyper cross-linked polymers based on tetrakis(4-ethynylphenyl)germanium and tetrakis(4-ethynylphenyl)methane are presented.
Rhenium(v)–oxo corrolazines: isolating redox-active ligand reactivity
Authors: Zaragoza Jan Paulo T. , Siegler Maxime A. , Goldberg David P.
Published: October 2015

The first third-row metallocorrolazine, a Re(v)–oxo complex, was structurally characterized and shows ligand-based reactivityvia1e−oxidation to a π-radical-cation that is capable of H-atom transfer.
A nonfullerene acceptor for wide band gap polymer based organic solar cells
Authors: Zhang Jicheng , Zhang Xuejuan , Li Guangwu , Xiao Hongmei , Li Wenhua , Xie Sufei , Li Cuihong , Bo Zhishan
Published: October 2015

A small molecular acceptor was synthesized for wide band gap polymer based nonfullerene OPVs to achieve a PCE of 3.71%, which is the best value for nonfullerene OPVs with a Voc higher than 1 V.
Methyl tunnelling of adsorbed methoxy on alumina catalysts
Authors: Parker Stewart F. , Sakai Victoria García , Lennon David , Jackson Alice , Johnson Mark R. , Jayasooriya Upali A.
Published: October 2015

We show that the methyl group of the adsorbed methoxy intermediate on industrial grade alumina catalysts undergoes rotational tunnelling, potentially allowing the subtle intermolecular interactions between adsorbed species and catalyst to be probed.
Correction: NanoSIMS analysis of an isotopically labelled organometallic ruthenium(ii) drug to probe its distribution and state in vitro
Authors: Lee Ronald F. S. , Escrig Stéphane , Croisier Marie , Clerc-Rosset Stéphanie , Knott Graham W. , Meibom Anders , Davey Curt A. , Johnsson Kai , Dyson Paul J.
Published: October 2015

Correction for ‘NanoSIMS analysis of an isotopically labelled organometallic ruthenium(ii) drug to probe its distribution and state in vitro’ by Ronald F. S. Lee et al., Chem. Commun., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cc06983a.
Direct growth of ZnO nanowire arrays on UV-irradiated graphene
Authors: Lu Ming-Yen , Ruan Yen-Min , Chiu Cheng-Yao , Hsieh Ya-Ping , Lu Ming-Pei
Published: October 2015

The influences of UV light to graphene for ZnO nanowire growth were discussed.