bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) short/long genotype modulates resting frontal electroencephalography asymmetries in children
Authors: Christou Antonios I. , Endo Satoshi , Wallis Yvonne , Bair Hayley , Zeegers Maurice P. , McCleery Joseph P.
Published: May 2015

Previous studies have documented the serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) as a genetic susceptibility variant that contributes to variability in outcomes related to affective psychopathology, with the short allele associated with negative affectivity and the long allele associated with positive affectivity. In a separate but related line of research, extensive evidence suggests that frontal electroencephalography (EEG) hemispheric asymmetry in the alpha band is also associated with risk for affective psychopathologies, with leftward asymmetry associated with approach-related behavior patterns and rightward frontal EEG asymmetry associated with withdrawn behavioral tendencies. We examined frontal EEG hemispheric asymmetries in relation to5-HTTLPRgenotyping in 70 children between 4 and 6 years of age. Analyses revealed that frontal EEG lateralization interacted with genotype such that children homozygous for the short allele exhibited rightward frontal EEG asymmetries, children who were homozygous for the long allele consistently exhibited a positive pattern of leftward asymmetry, and heterozygotes exhibited equivalent left and right frontal activity. These findings suggest that the5-HTTLPRshort allele may provide a degree of susceptibility for later affective psychopathology in adolescence and adulthood, through mediation of frontal brain activity that is associated with cognitive–behavioral withdrawal tendencies and negative affectivity.
Indexed containers
Authors: ALTENKIRCH THORSTEN , GHANI NEIL , HANCOCK PETER , MCBRIDE CONOR , MORRIS PETER
Published: May 2015

We show that the syntactically rich notion of strictly positive families can be reduced to a core type theory with a fixed number of type constructors exploiting the novel notion of indexed containers. As a result, we show indexed containers provide normal forms for strictly positive families in much the same way that containers provide normal forms for strictly positive types. Interestingly, this step from containers to indexed containers is achieved without having to extend the core type theory. Most of the construction presented here has been formalized using the Agda system.
Capitalizing patriotism: the Liberty loans of World War I
Authors: Kang Sung Won , Rockoff Hugh
Published: May 2015

Although taxes were raised substantially in the United States during World War I, recourse was had to five bond issues, the famous Liberty loans, to finance the bulk of war expenditures. The Secretary of the Treasury, William Gibbs McAdoo, hoped to create a broad market for the Liberty bonds and to limit their yields by following an aggressive policy of ‘capitalizing patriotism’. He called on everyone from Wall Street bankers to the Boy Scouts to volunteer for campaigns to sell the bonds. The campaigns have become legendary. Some of the nation's best-known artists were recruited to draw posters depicting the contribution to the war effort to be made by buying bonds, and giant bond rallies featuring Hollywood stars were organized. These efforts, however, enjoyed limited success. The yields on the Liberty bonds were kept low mainly by making the bonds tax exempt and by making sure that a large proportion of them were purchased directly or indirectly by the Federal Reserve, turning the Federal Reserve into an engine of inflation. Patriotism proved to be a weak, although not powerless, offset to normal market forces.
The relationship between language control and cognitive control in bilingual aphasia
Authors: GRAY TERESA , KIRAN SWATHI
Published: May 2015

This study examines language control deficits in bilingual aphasia in terms of domain specific cognitive control and domain general cognitive control. Thirty Spanish–English controls and ten Spanish–English adults with aphasia completed the flanker task and a word-pair relatedness judgment task. All participants exhibited congruency effects on the flanker task. On the linguistic task, controls did not show the congruency effect on the first level analysis. However, conflict ratios revealed that the control group exhibited significant effects of language control. Additionally, individual patient analysis revealed overall positive and negative effects of language control impairment and a benefit from semantically related word-pairs. Patient data suggest a dissociation between the mechanisms of language control and cognitive control, thus providing evidence for domain specific cognitive control. The influence of language proficiency on speed of translation was also examined. Generally, controls were faster when translating into their dominant language, whereas the patients did not show the same trends.
Adherence to complementary feeding recommendations for infants and implications for public health
Authors: Fegan Suzanne , Bassett Emma , Peng Yingwei , Steel O’Connor Kathleen
Published: May 2015

Objective

The current study investigates (i) the extent to which breast-feeding and non-breast-feeding mothers follow the Canadian Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants (NHTI) recommendations; (ii) the first complementary foods given and the differences by breast-feeding status; (iii) whether any breast-feeding is associated with earlier introduction to complementary foods relative to non-breast-feeding, after controlling for potentially confounding factors; and (iv) the need for improvements in timing and resources of interventions by examining breast-feeding rates over time and information sources used by mothers.

Design

Longitudinal data from the Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Infant Feeding Survey were used. Mothers completed a survey at the end of their hospital stay and were interviewed by telephone at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months thereafter.

Setting

The study took place in the KFL&A region of Ontario, Canada.

Subjects

The sample consisted of 325 mothers who gave birth to a live infant of at least 36 weeks’ gestation and a birth weight of at least 1500 g at Kingston General Hospital between January and July of 2008.

Results

Four in five mothers introduced complementary foods prior to 6 months. Mothers not breast-feeding at 6 months introduced water, juice, infant cereals, fruit and vegetables, and foods not recommended by Canada’s Food Guide sooner than breast-feeding mothers. Breast-feeding mothers were more likely to introduce milks appropriately, but had low adherence to giving their infants vitamin D supplements.

Conclusions

To support adherence to NHTI recommendations, interventions should be conducted during early infancy and deliver consistent, evidence-based recommendations.
Lunch frequency among adolescents: associations with sociodemographic factors and school characteristics
Authors: Pedersen Trine Pagh , Holstein Bjørn E , Krølner Rikke , Ersbøll Annette Kjær , Jørgensen Thea Suldrup , Aarestrup Anne Kristine , Utter Jennifer , McNaughton Sarah A , Neumark-Stzainer Dianne , Rasmussen Mette
Published: May 2015

Objective

To investigate: (i) how lunch frequency of adolescents varies between schools and between classes within schools; (ii) the associations between frequency of lunch and individual sociodemographic factors and school characteristics; and (iii) if any observed associations between lunch frequency and school characteristics vary by gender and age groups.

Design

Cross-sectional study in which students and school headmasters completed self-administered questionnaires. Associations were estimated by multilevel multivariate logistic regression.

Setting

The Danish arm of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study 2010.

Subjects

Students (n 4922) aged 11, 13 and 15 years attending a random sample of seventy-three schools.

Results

The school-level and class-level variations in low lunch frequency were small (intraclass correlation coefficient <2·1 %). At the individual level, low lunch frequency was most common among students who were boys, 13- and 15-year-olds, from medium and low family social class, descendants of immigrants, living in a single-parent family and in a reconstructed family. School-level analyses suggested that having access to a canteen at school was associated with low lunch frequency (OR=1·47; 95% CI 1·14, 1·89). Likewise not having an adult present during lunch breaks was associated with low lunch frequency (OR=1·44; 95% CI 1·18, 1·75). Cross-level interactions suggested that these associations differed by age group.

Conclusions

Lunch frequency among Danish students appears to be largely influenced by sociodemographic factors. Additionally, the presence of an adult during lunch breaks promotes frequent lunch consumption while availability of a canteen may discourage frequent lunch consumption. These findings vary between older and younger students.
Dietary intakes among South Asian adults differ by length of residence in the USA
Authors: Talegawkar Sameera A , Kandula Namratha R , Gadgil Meghana D , Desai Dipika , Kanaya Alka M
Published: May 2015

Objective

To examine whether nutrient and food intakes among South Asian adult immigrants differ by length of residence in the USA.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis to examine differences in nutrient and food intakes by length of residence in the USA. Dietary data were collected using an interviewer-administered, culturally appropriate FFQ, while self-reported length of residence was assessed using a questionnaire and modelled as tertiles.

Setting

The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study.

Subjects

Eight hundred and seventy-four South Asians (mean age=55 (sd 9) years; 47 % women; range of length of residence in the USA=2–58 years), part of the baseline examination of the MASALA study.

Results

Intakes of fat, including saturated and trans fats, dietary cholesterol and n-6 fatty acids, were directly associated with length of residence, while intakes of energy, carbohydrate, glycaemic index and load, protein, dietary fibre, folate and K were inversely associated with length of residence (P trend <0·05). A longer length of residence in the USA was also associated with higher intakes of alcoholic beverages, mixed dishes including pizza and pasta, fats and oils, and lower intakes of beans and lentils, breads, grains and flour products, milk and dairy products, rice, starchy vegetables and sugar, candy and jam (P for differences across groups <0·05).

Conclusions

Length of residence in the USA influences diet and nutrient intakes among South Asian adult immigrants and should be considered when investigating and planning dietary interventions to mitigate chronic disease risk.
Speed of eating and 3-year BMI change: a nationwide prospective study of mid-age women
Authors: Leong Sook Ling , Gray Andrew , Horwath Caroline C
Published: May 2015

Objective

To conduct the first nationwide population survey to examine the associations between changes in speed of eating and weight gain over 3 years. The study also explored whether faster eating at baseline was related to healthy-weight women becoming overweight after 3 years.

Design

Longitudinal. At baseline, participants were randomly selected from a nationally representative sampling frame to participate in a prospective study. Women completed self-administered baseline questionnaires on demographic and health measures. Self-reported speed of eating, smoking status, physical activity, menopause status, and height and weight were collected at baseline and again 3 years later.

Setting

Nationwide study, New Zealand.

Subjects

Women (n 1601) aged 40–50 years were recruited at baseline from New Zealand electoral rolls.

Results

There was no evidence of associations between 3-year BMI adjusting for baseline BMI and either baseline speed of eating (slower and faster; P=0·524) or change in speed of eating (consistently faster eating, consistently slower eating, slower eating at baseline but not at 3 years, faster eating at baseline but not at 3 years; P=0·845). Of the 488 women with healthy BMI (18·5 to <25·0 kg/m2) at baseline, seventy-seven (15·8 %) became overweight (BMI≥25·0 kg/m2) after 3 years. Compared with those who were slower eaters at baseline, faster eating at baseline did not increase the risk of becoming overweight 3 years later (P=0·958) nor did change in speed of eating (P=0·236).

Conclusions

Results suggest that once women have reached mid-life, faster eating does not predict further weight gain.
No moment wasted: the primary-care visit for adults with diabetes and low socio-economic status
Authors: Bolen Shari D. , Sage Paulette , Perzynski Adam T. , Stange Kurt C.
Published: May 2015

Aim

To better understand the type and range of health issues initiated by patients and providers in ‘high-quality’ primary-care for adults with diabetes and low socio-economic status (SES).

Background

Although quality of care guidelines are straightforward, diabetes visits in primary care are often more complex than adhering to guidelines, especially in adults with low SES who experience many financial and environmental barriers to good care.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study using direct observation of primary-care diabetes visits at an exemplar safety net practice in 2009–2010.

Findings

In a mainly African American (93%) low-income population with fair cardiovascular control (mean A1c 7.5%, BP 134/81 mmHg, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 100 mg/dL), visits addressed a variety of bio-psychosocial health issues [median: 25 problems/visit (range 13–32)]. Physicians most frequently initiated discussions about chronic diseases, prevention, and health behavior. Patients most frequently initiated discussions about social environment and acute symptoms followed by prevention and health behavior.

Conclusions

Primary-care visits by diabetes patients with low SES address a surprising number and diversity of problems. Emerging new models of primary-care delivery and quality measurement should allow adequate time and resources to address the range of tasks necessary for integrating biomedical and psychosocial concerns to improve the health of socio-economically disadvantaged patients.
Views of practice managers and general practitioners on implementing NHS Health Checks
Authors: Krska Janet , du Plessis Ruth , Chellaswamy Hannah
Published: May 2015

As part of an evaluation of a contract with general practices to deliver the national NHS Health Checks programme in Sefton, North West England, we surveyed general practitioners (GPs) and practice managers (PMs) in all 55 practices.

The contract required practices to identify individuals from their practice registers with potentially high cardiovascular disease risk, and provide annual reviews. Responses were obtained from 43/178 GPs and 40/55 PMs representing 56 and 73% of practices, respectively. There was variation in many aspects of implementation. Time and software were viewed as barriers to implementation, the increased nurse workload impacted on other services and payments were insufficient to cover costs. The main enabler for successful implementation was IT support. Fewer than half the respondents viewed the programme as beneficial to their practice.

Findings have been used to address many issues raised. Practices need more support from commissioners to help implement NHS Health Checks.
Simulating super earth atmospheres in the laboratory
Authors: Claudi R. , Erculiani M. S. , Galletta G. , Billi D. , Pace E. , Schierano D. , Giro E. , D'Alessandro M.
Published: May 2015

Several space missions, such as JWST, TESS and the very recently proposed ARIEL, or ground-based experiments, as SPHERE and GPI, have been proposed to measure the atmospheric transmission, reflection and emission spectra of extrasolar planets. The planet atmosphere characteristics and possible biosignatures will be inferred by studying planetary spectra in order to identify the emission/absorption lines/bands from atmospheric molecules such as water (H2O), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), ammonia (NH3), etc. In particular, it is important to know in detail the optical characteristics of gases in the typical physical conditions of the planetary atmospheres and how these characteristics could be affected by radiation driven photochemical and biochemical reaction. The main aim of the project ‘Atmosphere in a Test Tube’ is to provide insights on exoplanet atmosphere modification due to biological intervention. This can be achieved simulating planetary atmosphere at different pressure and temperature conditions under the effects of radiation sources, used as proxies of different bands of the stellar emission. We are tackling the characterization of extrasolar planet atmospheres by mean of innovative laboratory experiments described in this paper. The experiments are intended to reproduce the conditions on warm earths and super earths hosted by low-mass M dwarfs primaries with the aim to understand if a cyanobacteria population hosted on a Earth-like planet orbiting an M0 star is able to maintain its photosynthetic activity and produce traceable signatures.
Remote sensing of life: polarimetric signatures of photosynthetic pigments as sensitive biomarkers
Authors: Berdyugina Svetlana V. , Kuhn Jeff R. , Harrington David M. , Šantl-Temkiv Tina , Messersmith E. John
Published: May 2015

We develop a polarimetry-based remote-sensing method for detecting and identifying life forms in distant worlds and distinguishing them from non-biological species. To achieve this we have designed and built a bio-polarimetric laboratory experiment BioPol for measuring optical polarized spectra of various biological and non-biological samples. Here we focus on biological pigments, which are common in plants and bacteria that employ them either for photosynthesis or for protection against reactive oxygen species. Photosynthesis, which provides organisms with the ability to use light as a source of energy, emerged early in the evolution of life on Earth. The ability to harvest such a significant energy resource could likely also develop on habited exoplanets. Thus, we investigate the detectability of biomolecules that can capture photons of particular wavelengths and contribute to storing their energy in chemical bonds. We have carried out laboratory spectropolarimetric measurements of a representative sample of plants containing various amounts of pigments such as chlorophyll, carotenoids and others. We have also measured a variety of non-biological samples (sands, rocks). Using our lab measurements, we have modelled intensity and polarized spectra of Earth-like planets having different surface coverage by photosynthetic organisms, deserted land and ocean, as well as clouds. Our results demonstrate that linearly polarized spectra provide very sensitive and rather unambiguous detection of photosynthetic pigments of various kinds. Our work paves the path towards analogous measurements of microorganisms and remote sensing of microbial ecology on the Earth and of extraterrestrial life on other planets and moons.
THE ENDURING CHALLENGE OF RACIAL INTEGRATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Stanley Sharon
Published: May 2015

This paper formulates a new model of racial integration for African Americans in the United States, based upon a careful consideration of the weaknesses in previous models. Instead of spatial mixing, this model of integration calls for transformed habits of interaction between citizens in public spaces, as well as a redistribution of power, understood as access to resources and opportunities. Integration along these lines would produce mutual transformation rather than compulsory assimilation. However, this model does not necessarily answer the concerns of integration critics who question the capacity of the United States to achieve true racial equality. Hence, the conclusion considers three significant obstacles to the achievement of integration, and acknowledges that unprecedented, radical transformations would be necessary to lay the groundwork for integration. In the end, both integration pessimism and a renewed commitment to integration are reasonable and defensible responses to our still-segregated present.
First record of Anachis aliceae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Columbellidae) in the Algarve, south coast of Portugal
Authors: Afonso Carlos M.L. , Monsecour Kevin
Published: May 2015

The marine gastropodAnachis aliceae(Pallary, 1900) is reported with certainty for the first time from the Algarve, south coast of Portugal from species-rich rocky priority biotope. Several live specimens of this species belonging to the Columbellidae family were collected and identified from by-catch samples, recovered from octopus traps set at depths between 50 and 70 m off Ponta da Piedade. Taxonomic validation of the newly recorded species is based on the comparison to other related species within the genus.
First record of a porbeagle shark Lamna nasus (Bonnaterre, 1788) stranding at sub-Antarctic Marion Island
Authors: van der Vyver J.S.F. , De Bruyn P.J.N. , Lipinski M.R. , Leslie R.W.
Published: May 2015

A porbeagle sharkLamna nasuswas found stranded at the sub-Antarctic Marion Island on 26 March 2014. The specimen, a sub-adult female, measuring 123 cm pre-caudal length, was photographically recorded and identified on the basis of its meristic traits. This observation is related to current information on the distribution of the species obtained from fisheries in the Southern Ocean and its feeding biology. TheOnykia ingenssquid specimen found in the specimen's stomach content matches the classification of porbeagle sharks as pelagic and demersal predators and adds to the cephalopod prey species list of the recently established Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area.
First record of the megamouth shark, Megachasma pelagios, (Chondrichthyes: Lamniformes: Megachasmidae) from Sri Lanka, northern Indian Ocean
Authors: Fernando Daniel , Perera Nishan , Ebert David A.
Published: May 2015

The megamouth shark,Megachasma pelagios, is a rare and poorly studied shark. In this paper, the first record of the megamouth shark is reported for Sri Lanka. The shark, a juvenile estimated at 180 cm in total length, was caught in a gillnet in close proximity (<92 km) to the Negombo fisheries harbour (7°12′11.67″N 79°49′44.35″E).
The fission yeast MTREC complex targets CUTs and unspliced pre-mRNAs to the nuclear exosome
Authors: Zhou Yang , Zhu Jianguo , Schermann Géza , Ohle Corina , Bendrin Katja , Sugioka-Sugiyama Rie , Sugiyama Tomoyasu , Fischer Tamás
Published: May 2015

Cryptic unstable transcripts (CUTs) are rapidly degraded by the nuclear exosome. However, the mechanism by which they are recognized and targeted to the exosome is not fully understood. Here we report that the MTREC complex, which has recently been shown to promote degradation of meiotic mRNAs and regulatory ncRNAs, is also the major nuclear exosome targeting complex for CUTs and unspliced pre-mRNAs in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The MTREC complex specifically binds to CUTs, meiotic mRNAs and unspliced pre-mRNA transcripts and targets these RNAs for degradation by the nuclear exosome, while the TRAMP complex has only a minor role in this process. The MTREC complex physically interacts with the nuclear exosome and with various RNA-binding and RNA-processing complexes, coupling RNA processing to the RNA degradation machinery. Our study reveals the central role of the evolutionarily conserved MTREC complex in RNA quality control, and in the recognition and elimination of CUTs.
Proteins that bind regulatory regions identified by histone modification chromatin immunoprecipitations and mass spectrometry
Authors: Engelen Erik , Brandsma Johannes H. , Moen Maaike J. , Signorile Luca , Dekkers Dick H. W. , Demmers Jeroen , Kockx Christel E. M. , Ozgür Zehila , van IJcken Wilfred F. J. , van den Berg Debbie L. C. , Poot Raymond A.
Published: May 2015

The locations of transcriptional enhancers and promoters were recently mapped in many mammalian cell types. Proteins that bind those regulatory regions can determine cell identity but have not been systematically identified. Here we purify native enhancers, promoters or heterochromatin from embryonic stem cells by chromatin immunoprecipitations (ChIP) for characteristic histone modifications and identify associated proteins using mass spectrometry (MS). 239 factors are identified and predicted to bind enhancers or promoters with different levels of activity, or heterochromatin. Published genome-wide data indicate a high accuracy of location prediction by ChIP-MS. A quarter of the identified factors are important for pluripotency and includes Oct4, Esrrb, Klf5, Mycn and Dppa2, factors that drive reprogramming to pluripotent stem cells. We determined the genome-wide binding sites of Dppa2 and find that Dppa2 operates outside the classical pluripotency network. Our ChIP-MS method provides a detailed read-out of the transcriptional landscape representative of the investigated cell type.
Predicting disease progression from short biomarker series using expert advice algorithm
Authors: Morino Kai , Hirata Yoshito , Tomioka Ryota , Kashima Hisashi , Yamanishi Kenji , Hayashi Norihiro , Egawa Shin , Aihara Kazuyuki
Published: May 2015

Well-trained clinicians may be able to provide diagnosis and prognosis from very short biomarker series using information and experience gained from previous patients. Although mathematical methods can potentially help clinicians to predict the progression of diseases, there is no method so far that estimates the patient state from very short time-series of a biomarker for making diagnosis and/or prognosis by employing the information of previous patients. Here, we propose a mathematical framework for integrating other patients' datasets to infer and predict the state of the disease in the current patient based on their short history. We extend a machine-learning framework of “prediction with expert advice” to deal with unstable dynamics. We construct this mathematical framework by combining expert advice with a mathematical model of prostate cancer. Our model predicted well the individual biomarker series of patients with prostate cancer that are used as clinical samples.
NEMS With Broken T Symmetry: Graphene Based Unidirectional Acoustic Transmission Lines
Authors: Zanjani Mehdi B. , Davoyan Arthur R. , Engheta Nader , Lukes Jennifer R.
Published: May 2015

In this work we discuss the idea of one-way acoustic signal isolation in low dimensional nanoelectromechanical oscillators. We report a theoretical study showing that one-way conversion between in-phase and anti-phase vibrational modes of a double layer graphene nanoribbon is achieved by introducing spatio-temporal modulation of system properties. The required modulation length in order to reach full conversion between the two modes is subsequently calculated. Generalization of the method beyond graphene nanoribbons and realization of a NEMS signal isolator are also discussed.
Transcriptome sequencing of three Ranunculus species (Ranunculaceae) reveals candidate genes in adaptation from terrestrial to aquatic habitats
Authors: Chen Ling-Yun , Zhao Shu-Ying , Wang Qing-Feng , Moody Michael L.
Published: May 2015

Adaptation to aquatic habitats is a formidable challenge for terrestrial angiosperms that has long intrigued scientists. As part of a suite of work to explore the molecular mechanism of adaptation to aquatic habitats, we here sequenced the transcriptome of the submerged aquatic plant Ranunculus bungei and two terrestrial relatives R. cantoniensis and R. brotherusii, followed by comparative evolutionary analyses to determine candidate genes for adaption to aquatic habitats. We obtained 126,037, 140,218 and 114,753 contigs for R. bungei, R. cantoniensis and R. brotherusii respectively. Bidirectional Best Hit method and OrthoMCL method identified 11,362 and 8,174 1:1:1 orthologous genes (one ortholog is represented in each of the three species) respectively. Non-synonymous/synonymous (dN/dS) analyses were performed with a maximum likelihood method and an approximate method for the three species-pairs. In total, 14 genes of R. bungei potentially involved in the adaptive transition from terrestrial to aquatic habitats were identified. Some of the homologs to these genes in model plants are involved in vacuole protein formation, regulating ‘water transport process’ and ‘microtubule cytoskeleton organization’. Our study opens the door to understand the molecular mechanism of plant adaptation from terrestrial to aquatic habitats.
Crustal movements due to Iceland’s shrinking ice caps mimic magma inflow signal at Katla volcano
Authors: Spaans Karsten , Hreinsdóttir Sigrún , Hooper Andrew , Ófeigsson Benedikt Gunnar
Published: May 2015

Many volcanic systems around the world are located beneath, or in close proximity to, ice caps. Mass change of these ice caps causes surface movements, which are typically neglected when interpreting surface deformation measurements around these volcanoes. These movements can however be significant and may closely resemble movements due to magma accumulation. Here we show such an example, from Katla volcano, Iceland. Horizontal movements observed by GPS on the flank of Katla have led to the inference of significant inflow of magma into a chamber beneath the caldera, starting in 2000 and continuing over several years. We use satellite radar interferometry and GPS data to show that between 2001 and 2010, the horizontal movements seen on the flank can be explained by the response to the long term shrinking of ice caps and that erratic movements seen at stations within the caldera are also not likely to signify magma inflow. It is important that interpretations of geodetic measurements at volcanoes in glaciated areas consider the effect of ice mass change and previous studies should be carefully reevaluated.
Cell context-specific expression of primary cilia in the human testis and ciliary coordination of Hedgehog signalling in mouse Leydig cells
Authors: Nygaard Marie Berg , Almstrup Kristian , Lindbæk Louise , Christensen Søren Tvorup , Svingen Terje
Published: May 2015

Primary cilia are sensory organelles that coordinate numerous cellular signalling pathways during development and adulthood. Defects in ciliary assembly or function lead to a series of developmental disorders and diseases commonly referred to as ciliopathies. Still, little is known about the formation and function of primary cilia in the mammalian testis. Here, we characterized primary cilia in adult human testis and report a constitutive expression of cilia in peritubular myoid cells and a dynamic expression of cilia in differentiating Leydig cells. Primary cilia are generally absent from cells of mature seminiferous epithelium, but present in Sertoli cell-only tubules in Klinefelter syndrome testis. Peritubular cells in atrophic testis produce overly long cilia. Furthermore cultures of growth-arrested immature mouse Leydig cells express primary cilia that are enriched in components of Hedgehog signalling, including Smoothened, Patched-1 and GLI2, which are involved in regulating Leydig cell differentiation. Stimulation of Hedgehog signalling increases the localization of Smoothened to the cilium, which is followed by transactivation of the Hedgehog target genes, Gli1 and Ptch1. Our findings provide new information on the spatiotemporal formation of primary cilia in the testis and show that primary cilia in immature Leydig cells mediate Hedgehog signalling.
Cyclin-dependent kinase 11p110 (CDK11p110) is crucial for human breast cancer cell proliferation and growth
Authors: Zhou Yubing , Han Chao , Li Duolu , Yu Zujiang , Li Fengmei , Li Feng , An Qi , Bai Huili , Zhang Xiaojian , Duan Zhenfeng , Kan Quancheng
Published: May 2015

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) play important roles in the development of many types of cancers by binding with their paired cyclins. However, the function of CDK11 larger protein isomer, CDK11p110, in the tumorigenesis of human breast cancer remains unclear. In the present study, we explored the effects and molecular mechanisms of CDK11p110 in the proliferation and growth of breast cancer cells by determining the expression of CDK11p110 in breast tumor tissues and examining the phenotypic changes of breast cancer cells after CDK11p110 knockdown. We found that CDK11p110 was highly expressed in breast tumor tissues and cell lines. Tissue microarray analysis showed that elevated CDK11p110 expression in breast cancer tissues significantly correlated with poor differentiation and was also associated with advanced TNM stage and poor clinical prognosis for breast cancer patients. In vitro knockdown of CDK11p110 by siRNA significantly inhibited cell growth and migration and dramatically induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Flow cytometry demonstrated that cells were markedly arrested in G1 phase of the cell cycle after CDK11p110 downregulation. These findings suggest that CDK11p110 is critical for the proliferation and growth of breast cancer cells, which highlights CDK11p110 may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer.
Accuracy and Precision of Silicon Based Impression Media for Quantitative Areal Texture Analysis
Authors: Goodall Robert H. , Darras Laurent P. , Purnell Mark A.
Published: May 2015

Areal surface texture analysis is becoming widespread across a diverse range of applications, from engineering to ecology. In many studies silicon based impression media are used to replicate surfaces and the fidelity of replication defines the quality of data collected. However, while different investigators have used different impression media, the fidelity of surface replication has not been subjected to quantitative analysis based on areal texture data. Here we present the results of an analysis of the accuracy and precision with which different silicon based impression media of varying composition and viscosity replicate rough and smooth surfaces. Both accuracy and precision vary greatly between different media. High viscosity media tested show very low accuracy and precision and most other compounds showed either the same pattern, or low accuracy and high precision, or low precision and high accuracy. Of the media tested, mid viscosity President Jet Regular Body and low viscosity President Jet Light Body (Coltène Whaledent) are the only compounds to show high levels of accuracy and precision on both surface types. Our results show that data acquired from different impression media are not comparable, supporting calls for greater standardisation of methods in areal texture analysis.
Liposomal delivery of horseradish peroxidase for thermally triggered injectable hyaluronic acid–tyramine hydrogel scaffolds
Authors: Ren Cindy D. , Kurisawa Motoichi , Chung Joo Eun , Ying Jackie Y.
Published: May 2015

A thermally triggered injectable scaffold was developed by utilizing thermoresponsive liposomes to segregate the crosslinking agent from a polymer.
Selective detection of elemental mercury vapor using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor
Authors: Kabir K. M. Mohibul , Sabri Ylias M. , Matthews Glenn I. , Jones Lathe A. , Ippolito Samuel J. , Bhargava Suresh K.
Published: May 2015

Theoretical and experimental demonstration that the developed SAW based sensor is highly sensitive and selective toward mercury vapor.
One-step green synthesis of a polypyrrole–Au nanocomposite and its application in myoglobin aptasensor
Authors: Sun Chong , Wang Daoying , Geng Zhiming , Gao Ling , Zhang Muhan , Bian Huan , Liu Fang , Zhu Yongzhi , Wu Haihong , Xu Weimin
Published: May 2015

Novel polypyrrole-Au nanocomposite (PPy-Au NC) was synthesized and used to construct myoglobin (Mb) biosensor, was tested in practical samples and provides a new approach for evaluation of freshness and quality of stored meat.
An arylboronate-based fluorescent probe for peroxynitrite with fast response and high selectivity
Authors: Zhang Jian , Li Yaping , Guo Wei
Published: May 2015

An arylboronate-based fluorescent probe was developed for detecting peroxynitritein vitroandin vivowith fast response and high selectivity.
Synthesis of porous carbon fibers with strong anion exchange functional groups
Authors: Zheng Weihua , Hu Jingtian , Han Zheshen , Wang Zixing , Zheng Zhen , Langer James , Economy James
Published: May 2015

Hybrid porous carbon fibers with strong anion-exchangeable functional groups (HACAX) were synthesized by alkylation of pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile.
One-pot selective synthesis of a fullerene bisadduct for organic solar cell applications
Authors: Zhang Bolong , Subbiah Jegadesan , Lai Yu-Ying , White Jonathan M. , Jones David J. , Wong Wallace W. H.
Published: May 2015

Efficient synthesis of a single isomer of a fullerene bisadduct for organic solar cell applications was obtained using tether-directed functionalization in one pot over two steps.
Pd nanoparticles supported on hierarchically porous carbons derived from assembled nanoparticles of a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) for methanol electrooxidation
Authors: Li Jun , Zhu Qi-Long , Xu Qiang
Published: May 2015

Pd nanoparticles supported on hierarchically porous carbons prepared by carbonization of assembled ZIF-8 nanoparticles at 1000 °C display an extremely high catalytic activity for methanol electrooxidation.
A simple but highly efficient multi-formyl phenol–amine system for fluorescence detection of peroxide explosive vapour
Authors: Xu Wei , Fu Yanyan , Gao Yixun , Yao Junjun , Fan Tianchi , Zhu Defeng , He Qingguo , Cao Huimin , Cheng Jiangong
Published: May 2015

A simple, highly stable, sensitive and selective fluorescent system for peroxide explosives was developedviaan aromatic aldehyde oxidation reaction.
Nickel(ii) and copper(i,ii)-based metal-organic frameworks incorporating an extended tris-pyrazolate linker
Authors: Tăbăcaru Aurel , Galli Simona , Pettinari Claudio , Masciocchi Norberto , McDonald Thomas M. , Long Jeffrey R.
Published: May 2015

The synthesis, thermal behavior, crystal structure and adsorption properties of two novel MOFs isolated by coupling Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) to the extended tris(pyrazolate) strut 1,3,5-tris((1H-pyrazol-4-yl)phenyl)benzene are reported.
Molecular diffusion and dc conductivity perfectly correlated with molecular rotational dynamics in a plastic crystalline electrolyte
Authors: Zachariah M. , Romanini M. , Tripathi P. , Tamarit J. Ll. , Macovez R.
Published: May 2015

The Stokes–Einstein and Walden relations typical of liquid electrolytes are found to hold in a solid, plastic-crystalline mixture of succinonitrile (SN) with glutaronitrile (GN).
Ternary B2X2H2(X = O and S) rhombic clusters and their potential use as inorganic ligands in sandwich-type (B2X2H2)2Ni complexes
Authors: Li Da-Zhi , Zhang Li-Juan , Ou Ting , Zhang Hai-Xia , Pei Ling , Zhai Hua-Jin , Li Si-Dian
Published: May 2015

Boron-based ternary B2O2H2and B2S2H2clusters possess a rhombic, heteroatomic ring with 4π electrons in a nonbonding/bonding combination, differing from cyclobutadiene.
Thermal and light induced spin crossover behavior of a dinuclear Fe(ii) compound
Authors: Cheng Xin , Yang Qian , Gao Chen , Wang Bing-Wu , Shiga Takuya , Oshio Hiroki , Wang Zhe-Ming , Gao Song
Published: May 2015

A dinuclear Fe(ii) compound has been prepared through the reaction of 2,5-dichloride-4-phenylimino-1,2,4-triazole (L) with Fe(BF4)2·6H2O, with the formula [Fe2(L)5(SCN)4](H2O) (1).
Hybrid pressure retarded osmosis–membrane distillation (PRO–MD) process for osmotic power and clean water generation
Authors: Han Gang , Zuo Jian , Wan Chunfeng , Chung Tai-Shung
Published: May 2015

A hybrid pressure retarded osmosis–membrane distillation (PRO–MD) process for sustainable production of renewable osmotic power and clean water from various waters.
Analysis of nanomaterials by field-flow fractionation and single particle ICP-MS
Authors: Meermann Björn , Laborda Francisco
Published: May 2015

Björn Meermann and Francisco Laborda introduce this themed issue on field-flow fractionation and single particle ICP-MS for the analysis of engineered and natural nanomaterials.
Mercaptosilane-assisted synthesis of sub-nanosized Pt particles within hierarchically porous ZSM-5/SBA-15 materials and their enhanced hydrogenation properties
Authors: Gao Daowei , Zheng Anmin , Zhang Xin , Sun Hui , Dai Xiaoping , Yang Ying , Wang Hai , Qin Yuchen , Xu Shutao , Duan Aijun
Published: May 2015

We report a novel catalyst that consists of sub-nanosized Pt particles within hierarchically porous ZSBA materials.
A three-component reaction for rapid access to underexplored 1,3-thiazine-2-thiones
Authors: Kröger Denis , Brockmeyer Fabian , Kahrs Christoph
Published: May 2015

A newly developed multicomponent reaction opens access to a variety of (poly)heterocyclic structures containing the underexplored skeleton of 1,3-thiazine-2-thione.
Synthesis of 8-hydroxy-2-iminochromene derivatives as selective and potent inhibitors of human carbonyl reductase 1
Authors: Hu Dawei , Miyagi Namiki , Arai Yuki , Oguri Hiroaki , Miura Takeshi , Nishinaka Toru , Terada Tomoyuki , Gouda Hiroaki , El-Kabbani Ossama , Xia Shuang , Toyooka Naoki , Hara Akira , Matsunaga Toshiyuki , Ikari Akira , Endo Satoshi
Published: May 2015

Human carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1), a member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily, reduces anthracycline anticancer drugs to their less potent anticancer C-13 hydroxy metabolites, which are linked with pathogenesis of cardiotoxicity, a side effect of the drugs.
Synthesis of DNA fragments containing 2′-deoxy-4′-selenonucleoside units using DNA polymerases: comparison of dNTPs with O, S and Se at the 4′-position in replication
Authors: Tarashima N. , Sumitomo T. , Ando H. , Furukawa K. , Ishida T. , Minakawa N.
Published: May 2015

The first synthesis of 4′-selenoDNA was achieved using 4′-selenothymidine triphosphate by taking advantage of its bioequivalence against DNA polymerases.
Synthesis and properties of aromatic polyamide dendrimers with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane cores
Authors: Matsumoto Kazuya , Nishi Kunio , Ando Kimiko , Jikei Mitsutoshi
Published: May 2015

The intensity of specific fluorescence emission of POSS-core dendrimers showed a remarkable dependence on the generation, which is similar to the relationship between the intrinsic viscosity and the generation number.
Dip pen nanolithography-deposited zinc oxide nanorods on a CMOS MEMS platform for ethanol sensing
Authors: Santra S. , De Luca A. , Bhaumik S. , Ali S. Z. , Udrea F. , Gardner J. W. , Ray S. K. , Guha P. K.
Published: May 2015

Zinc oxide nanorods integration with CMOS MEMS substrate using dip pen nanolithography for low cost, low power ethanol sensor development.
Cadmium accumulation and apoplastic and symplastic transport in Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich on cadmium-contaminated soil with the addition of EDTA or NTA
Authors: Yin Yicheng , Wang Yaqin , Liu Yunguo , Zeng Guangming , Hu Xinjiang , Hu Xi , Zhou Lu , Guo Yiming , Li Jiang
Published: May 2015

A Cd-tolerant plant species named Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich (ramie) was applied to study its Cd accumulation and translocation mechanisms with the addition of ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) or nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA).
Natural thioredoxin reductase inhibitors from Jatropha integerrima
Authors: Zhu Jian-Yong , Lou Lan-Lan , Guo Yan-Qiong , Li Wei , Guo Yan-Hong , Bao Jing-Mei , Tang Gui-Hua , Bu Xian-Zhang , Yin Sheng
Published: May 2015

Nine new diterpenoids were isolated from Jatropha integerrima. The active diterpenoids represent the rare examples of non-aromatic TrxR inhibitors from nature.
Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a new efficient co-catalyst for Pd(ii) in Wacker oxidation of styrene using H2O2 as an oxidant
Authors: Keshipour Sajjad , Nadervand Selda
Published: May 2015

A new highly selective and environment-friendly Wacker oxidation process employing PdCl2/Fe3O4 nanoparticles in H2O at 100 °C using H2O2 as an oxidant has been developed.
Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surface patterning by biocompatible photo-crosslinking block copolymers
Authors: Kuroda Keita , Miyoshi Hiromi , Fujii Shota , Hirai Tomoyasu , Takahara Atsushi , Nakao Aiko , Iwasaki Yasuhiko , Morigaki Kenichi , Ishihara Kazuhiko , Yusa Shin-ichi
Published: May 2015

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surface was patterned by poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC)-containing photo-crosslinking diblock copolymers upon photo-irradiation.
A new quinoxaline-containing peptide induces apoptosis in cancer cells by autophagy modulation
Authors: Zamudio-Vázquez Rubí , Ivanova Saška , Moreno Miguel , Hernandez-Alvarez Maria Isabel , Giralt Ernest , Bidon-Chanal Axel , Zorzano Antonio , Albericio Fernando , Tulla-Puche Judit
Published: May 2015

The most cytotoxic compound from a library of quinoxaline-containing peptides is endocyted into HeLa cells, accumulates in acidic compartments, and blocks autophagy by altering lysosomal function, leading to apoptosis activation.
Mechanisms and energetics of free radical initiated disulfide bond cleavage in model peptides and insulin by mass spectrometry
Authors: Sohn Chang Ho , Gao Jinshan , Thomas Daniel A. , Kim Tae-Young , Goddard III William A. , Beauchamp J. L.
Published: May 2015

Direct radical substitution at sulfur initiates disulfide bond cleavage by hydrogen-deficient radicals in peptides and proteins.
Blue-luminescent organic lead bromide perovskites: highly dispersible and photostable materials
Authors: Gonzalez-Carrero Soranyel , Espallargas Guillermo Mínguez , Galian Raquel E. , Pérez-Prieto Julia
Published: May 2015

Blue-luminescent and dispersible organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites can be produced with a high reaction yield and valuable optical properties, such as luminescence quantum yield over 20% and high photostability under UV light. This material can be assembled–disassembled reversibly.
At the polymer electrolyte interfaces: the role of the polymer host in interphase layer formation in Li-batteries
Authors: Sun Bing , Xu Chao , Mindemark Jonas , Gustafsson Torbjörn , Edström Kristina , Brandell Daniel
Published: May 2015

Compositional studies on interphase layers at polymer electrolyte/electrode interfaces displayed dependence on the host materials and their water content.
An electrochemical sensing strategy based on a three dimensional ordered macroporous polyaniline–platinum platform and a mercury(ii) ion-mediated DNAzyme functionalized nanolabel
Authors: Tian Rong , Chen Xiaojun , Jiang Nan , Hao Ning , Xu Lin , Yao Cheng
Published: May 2015

An Hg2+-switched DNA biosensor using a three dimensional ordered macroporous polyaniline–platinum platform and a G-rich sequence recognition probe was developed, with the detection limit of 8.7 × 10−14 M.
Electron transfer properties of a monolayer of hybrid polyoxometalates on silicon
Authors: Volatron Florence , Noël Jean-Marc , Rinfray Corentin , Decorse Philippe , Combellas Catherine , Kanoufi Frédéric , Proust Anna
Published: May 2015

Electron transport/trapping through a densely-packed polyoxometalate layer on silicon.
Size-controlled preparation of gold nanoparticles with novel pH responsive gemini amphiphiles
Authors: Cheng Li , Li Xuefeng , Dong Jinfeng
Published: May 2015

Novel pH sensitive Di-CnPh gemini amphiphiles can act as both the phase-transfer reagent and stabilizer to make extremely small Au nanoparticles.
Redox hysteresis on carbon electrodes covalently modified with a bistable ruthenium complex
Authors: Jane R. T. , Lomoth R.
Published: May 2015

Diazonium grafting enables covalent attachment of molecular switches to electrode surfaces without constraints to molecular functionality.
Ultrahigh photo-responsivity and detectivity in multilayer InSe nanosheets phototransistors with broadband response
Authors: Feng Wei , Wu Jing-Bin , Li Xiaoli , Zheng Wei , Zhou Xin , Xiao Kai , Cao Wenwu , Yang Bin , Idrobo Juan-Carlos , Basile Leonardo , Tian Weiquan , Tan PingHeng , Hu PingAn
Published: May 2015

Thickness dependent photon adsorption and phototransistors of multilayer InSe nanosheets have been demonstrated. Phototransistors based on InSe show a broad spectral response and ultrahigh photoresponsivity and detectiviy.