bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A molecular dynamics simulation study of sucking a single polymer chain into nanopores: blockage and memory effects
Authors: Li Ziqi , Guo Hongxia
Published: April 2015

The transport of single polymer chains through nanopores is a fundamental biological process and has many potential applications in biotechnologies. The flow‐induced translocation of a single polymer chain cross a nanopore in a fluidic channel is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations with dissipative particle dynamics thermostat. The results show that the scaling exponent for a polymer chain length‐dependent average translocation time changes from 1.19 to 1.37 when the flux increases. By evaluating the blockage behavior in the entrance of the narrow part of the fluidic channel it is further found that the relatively long‐range backward correlated motions are markedly restrained and the average size of memory effect clusters changes from 6–8 beads to 4 beads when the flux is enhanced. This change indicates that the relatively long‐range memory effect is progressively replaced by a more local memory effect and the extra factors for the control of flow‐driven translocation dynamics such as the entropy barrier, viscous drag force and imbalance of chain tension would act in conjunction with each other to varying degrees depending on the magnitude of the flux strength. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Crowdsourcing Public Opinion Using Urban Pervasive Technologies: Lessons From Real‐Life Experiments in Oulu
Authors: Hosio Simo , Goncalves Jorge , Kostakos Vassilis , Riekki Jukka
Published: April 2015

The civic potential of pervasive computing technologies has been increasingly explored within academic and urban planning communities. One vision is of communities and cities enriched with pervasive computing, where citizens can leverage the new technology and interfaces for their own purposes, and at the same time be empowered to be heard through the use of such technology. This article reports lessons learned from a project that created public human interfaces for interacting with city officials in Oulu, Finland. We focus on civic engagement and reflect on a deployment of public interactive crowdsourcing technologies that are openly available to everyone, right in the heart of the city. The series of field trials reported here involve public displays, mobile phones, and Internet technologies. We find differences in the performance of different kinds of input mechanisms, and present lessons learned from cooperating with officials in a joint civic engagement effort.
Jay Forrester's operational approach to economics
Authors: Saeed Khalid
Published: April 2015

Jay Forrester's models evoke an operational approach to understanding economic behavior and managing economic systems. They build on managerial roles, not rational agency embedded in mainstream models of economic theory. Forrester's models can therefore be easily tied to policies that relate to everyday decisions. His writings provide deep insights that can be effectively applied to managing firms, regions, nations and the global economic system. This paper discusses Forrester's approach to addressing economic problems, and how it calls for rethinking the practice of economics. Copyright © 2015 System Dynamics Society
Computationally simple analysis of matched, outcome‐based studies of ordinal disease states
Authors: Betensky Rebecca A. , Szymonifka Jackie , Lee Eudocia Q. , Nutt Catherine L. , Batchelor Tracy T.
Published: April 2015

Outcome‐based sampling is an efficient study design for rare conditions, such as glioblastoma. It is often used in conjunction with matching, for increased efficiency and to potentially avoid bias due to confounding. A study was conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital that involved retrospective sampling of glioblastoma patients with respect to multiple‐ordered disease states, as defined by three categories of overall survival time. To analyze such studies, we posit an adjacent categories logit model and exploit its allowance for prospective analysis of a retrospectively sampled study and its advantageous removal of set and level specific nuisance parameters through conditioning on sufficient statistics. This framework allows for any sampling design and is not limited to one level of disease within each set, such as in previous publications. We describe how this ordinal conditional model can be fit using standard conditional logistic regression procedures. We consider an alternative pseudo‐likelihood approach that potentially offers robustness under partial model misspecification at the expense of slight loss of efficiency under correct model specification for small sample sizes. We apply our methods to the Massachusetts General Hospital glioblastoma study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genomic microarray in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency and normal karyotype: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Grande M. , Jansen F. A. R. , Blumenfeld Y. J. , Fisher A. , Odibo A. O. , Haak M. C. , Borrell A.
Published: April 2015

Objective

To estimate the incremental yield of detecting copy number variants (CNVs) by genomic microarray over karyotyping in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) diagnosed by first‐trimester ultrasound.

Methods

This was a systematic review conducted in accordance with PRISMA criteria. We searched PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE and Web of Science for studies published between January 2009 and January 2015 that described CNVs in fetuses with increased NT, usually defined as ≥  3.5 mm, and normal karyotype. Search terms included: fetal or prenatal, nuchal translucency or cystic hygroma or ultrasound anomaly, array comparative genomic hybridization or copy number variants, with related search terms. Risk differences were pooled to estimate the overall and stratified microarray incremental yield using RevMan. Quality assessment of included studies was performed using the Quality Assessment tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS‐2) checklist.

Results

Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Meta‐analysis indicated an incremental yield of 5.0% (95% CI, 2.0–8.0%) for the detection of CNVs using microarray when pooling results. Stratified analysis of microarray results demonstrated a 4.0% (95% CI, 2.0–7.0%) incremental yield in cases of isolated NT and 7.0% (95% CI, 2.0–12.0%) when other malformations were present. The most common pathogenic CNVs reported were 22q11.2 deletion, 22q11.2 duplication, 10q26.12q26.3 deletion and 12q21q22 deletion. The pooled prevalence for variants of uncertain significance was 1%.

Conclusion

The use of genomic microarray provides a 5.0% incremental yield of detecting CNVs in fetuses with increased NT and normal karyotype. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
High‐lateral resolution X‐ray fluorescence microspectroscopy and dynamic mathematical modelling as tools for the study of electrodeposited electrocatalysts
Authors: Gianoncelli Alessandra , Sgura Ivonne , Bocchetta Patrizia , Lacitignola Deborah , Bozzini Benedetto
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we report on the use of high‐space resolution soft X‐ray fluorescence microspectroscopy for the study of electrodeposited composites containing catalytic ternary metal nanostructures. X‐ray fluorescence maps are interpreted in terms of a dynamic mathematical model of the electrode morphology and metal space distribution, allowing to reproduce the observed space patterns and electrochemical transients by assigning an appropriate set of electrokinetic parameters. The discussed materials‐science case is the electrochemical growth of a Mn‐Mg‐Cu‐polypyrrole nanocomposite electrocatalyst material – free of expensive Pt and environmentally unfriendly Co – with promising performance for fuel‐cell oxygen electrodes. The synergy of high‐resolution compositional mapping with electrokinetic modelling not only provides the general rationale for quantitative use of potentially large compositional distribution datasets but also yields unprecedented insight into the specific catalyst synthesis process. The expounded application is just a prototypical case study of a more general approach, which can be employed for the understanding of electrochemical material science processes, both in situ and ex situ, as well as for the characterisation of the corresponding products, with no other limitations in principle than X‐ray transmission and beam damage. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of non-conventional yeast improves the wine aroma profile of Ribolla Gialla
Authors: Dashko Sofia , Zhou Nerve , Tinta Tinkara , Sivilotti Paolo , Lemut Melita Sternad , Trost Kajetan , Gamero Amparo , Boekhout Teun , Butinar Lorena , Vrhovsek Urska , Piskur Jure
Published: April 2015

Consumer wine preferences are changing rapidly towards exotic flavours and tastes. In this work, we tested five non-conventional yeast strains for their potential to improve Ribolla Gialla wine quality. These strains were previously selected from numerous yeasts interesting as food production candidates. Sequential fermentation of Ribolla Gialla grape juice with the addition of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae T73 Lalvin industrial strain was performed. Zygosaccharomyces kombuchaensis CBS8849 and Kazachstania gamospora CBS10400 demonstrated positive organoleptic properties and suitable fermentation dynamics, rapid sugar consumption and industrial strain compatibility. At the same time, Torulaspora microellipsoides CBS6641, Dekkera bruxellensis CBS2796 and Dekkera anomala CBS77 were unsuitable for wine production because of poor fermentation dynamics, inefficient sugar consumption and ethanol production levels and major organoleptic defects. Thus, we selected strains of K. gamospora and Z. kombuchaensis that significantly improved the usually plain taste of Ribolla wine by providing additional aromatic complexity in a controlled and reproducible manner.
Secondary NAD+ deficiency in the inherited defect of glutamine synthetase
Authors: Hu Liyan , Ibrahim Khalid , Stucki Martin , Frapolli Michele , Shahbeck Noora , Chaudhry Farrukh A. , Görg Boris , Häussinger Dieter , Penberthy W. Todd , Ben‐Omran Tawfeg , Häberle Johannes
Published: April 2015

Glutamine synthetase (GS) deficiency is an ultra‐rare inborn error of amino acid metabolism that has been described in only three patients so far. The disease is characterized by neonatal onset of severe encephalopathy, low levels of glutamine in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, chronic moderate hyperammonemia, and an overall poor prognosis in the absence of an effective treatment. Recently, enteral glutamine supplementation was shown to be a safe and effective therapy for this disease but there are no data available on the long‐term effects of this intervention. The amino acid glutamine, severely lacking in this disorder, is central to many metabolic pathways in the human organism and is involved in the synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) starting from tryptophan or niacin as nicotinate, but not nicotinamide. Using fibroblasts, leukocytes, and immortalized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) from a patient carrying a GLUL gene point mutation associated with impaired GS activity, we tested whether glutamine deficiency in this patient results in NAD+ depletion and whether it can be rescued by supplementation with glutamine, nicotinamide or nicotinate. The present study shows that congenital GS deficiency is associated with NAD+ depletion in fibroblasts, leukocytes and PBSC, which may contribute to the severe clinical phenotype of the disease. Furthermore, it shows that NAD+ depletion can be rescued by nicotinamide supplementation in fibroblasts and leukocytes, which may open up potential therapeutic options for the treatment of this disorder.
Noninvasive reconstruction of cardiac electrical activity: update on current methods, applications and challenges
Authors: Cluitmans M.J.M. , Peeters R.L.M. , Westra R.L. , Volders P.G.A.
Published: April 2015

Electrical activity at the level of the heart muscle can be noninvasively reconstructed from body-surface electrocardiograms (ECGs) and patient-specific torso-heart geometry. This modality, coined electrocardiographic imaging, could fill the gap between the noninvasive (low-resolution) 12-lead ECG and invasive (high-resolution) electrophysiology studies. Much progress has been made to establish electrocardiographic imaging, and clinical studies appear with increasing frequency. However, many assumptions and model choices are involved in its execution, and only limited validation has been performed. In this article, we will discuss the technical details, clinical applications and current limitations of commonly used methods in electrocardiographic imaging. It is important for clinicians to realise the influence of certain assumptions and model choices for correct and careful interpretation of the results. This, in combination with more extensive validation, will allow for exploitation of the full potential of noninvasive electrocardiographic imaging as a powerful clinical tool to expedite diagnosis, guide therapy and improve risk stratification.
Preventing Cryptococcosis—Shifting the Paradigm in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Meya David , Rajasingham Radha , Nalintya Elizabeth , Tenforde Mark , Jarvis Joseph N
Published: April 2015

Cryptococcosis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where it causes up to 20 % of AIDS-related deaths in HIV programs. A new, highly sensitive, and affordable point of care diagnostic test for cryptococcal infection, the lateral flow assay, can detect early sub-clinical cryptococcosis especially in areas with limited laboratory infrastructure. With a prevalence of detectable sub-clinical cryptococcal infection averaging 7.2 % (95 % CI 6.8–7.6 %) among 36 cohorts with CD4 <100 cells/μL in Africa, together with data showing that preemptive fluconazole prevents overt cryptococcal disease in this population, implementing a screen and treat strategy as part of HIV care practice among patients with CD4 <100 cells/μL could prevent the incidence of often fatal cryptococcal meningitis in the setting of the HIV pandemic.
Colon perforation after esophagogastroduodenoscopy in an asymptomatic diverticulitis patient
Authors: Huang Li‐Wen , Lin Chun‐Che , Chen Tan‐Hsia , Lee Hsiang‐Lin , Tsia Chung‐Hung
Published: April 2015

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is regarded as a relatively safe procedure; however, it carries a very low incidence of severe adverse events. Perforation is a rare complication of EGD, and it may further lead to pneumoperitoneum or pneumoretroperitoneum. The occurrence of large bowel perforation after EGD is extremely rare, and it has never been reported in the international literature. Herein, we present a case of concurrence of pneumoperitoneum and pneumoretroperitoneum as a result of sigmoid perforation after EGD. In our case, the probable mechanism of the perforation may have stemmed from the excessive inflation of air that passed through the gastrointestinal tract to the sigmoid colon, causing the increased intraluminal pressure, and then prompting a healed asymptomatic diverticulitis leak again.
Gallbladder sarcomatoid carcinoma: A case report and review of current literature
Authors: Wong Ming‐Wun , Chen Ming‐Jen , Chen Chih‐Jen , Hung Chien‐Yuan , Wang Horng‐Yuan , Chang Ching‐Wei
Published: April 2015

Gallbladder sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare neoplasm characterized by the simultaneous presence of malignant epithelial and mesenchymal components. There is little information about the clinical behavior and optimal treatment for these tumors. The current study examines the case of a 52‐year‐old female patient who presented with postprandial epigastric pain that had persisted for 1 year. A diagnosis of gallbladder sarcomatoid carcinoma was confirmed by pathology after radical resection. Peritoneal metastasis occurred 3 months later, and the patient died 6 months after diagnosis. This study found that the prognosis of gallbladder sarcomatoid carcinoma is poor even after curative resection and there is as yet no known effective adjuvant therapy.
Hypoxia signalling manipulation for bone regeneration
Authors: Drager Justin , Harvey Edward J. , Barralet Jake
Published: April 2015

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signalling is intricately involved in coupling angiogenesis and osteogenesis during bone development and repair. Activation of HIFs in response to a hypoxic bone micro-environment stimulates the transcription of multiple genes with effects on angiogenesis, precursor cell recruitment and differentiation. Substantial progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which oxygen content regulates the levels and activity of HIFs. In particular, the discovery of the role of oxygen-dependent hydroxylase enzymes in modulating the activity of HIF-1α has sparked interest in potentially promising therapeutic strategies in multiple clinical fields and most recently bone healing. Several small molecules, termed hypoxia mimics, have been identified as activators of the HIF pathway and have demonstrated augmentation of both bone vascularity and bone regeneration in vivo. In this review we discuss key elements of the hypoxic signalling pathway and its role in bone regeneration. Current strategies for the manipulation of this pathway for enhancing bone repair are presented with an emphasis on recent pre-clinical in vivo investigations. These findings suggest promising approaches for the development of therapies to improve bone repair and tissue engineering strategies.
Heat transfer mechanisms of a vapour bubble growing at a wall in saturated upward flow
Authors: Baltis C. H. M. , van der Geld C. W. M.
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study is to provide a better insight into the heat transfer mechanisms involved in single bubble growth in forced convection. In a set-up with vertical upflow of demineralized water under saturation conditions special bubble generators (BGs) were embedded at various positions in the plane wall. Power to a BG, local mean wall temperature and high-speed camera recordings from two viewing angles were measured synchronously. An accurate contour analysis is applied to reconstruct the instantaneous three-dimensional bubble volume. Interface topology changes of a vapour bubble growing at a plane wall have been found to be dictated by the rapid growth and by fluctuations in pressure, velocity and temperature in the approaching fluid flow. The camera images have shown a clear dry spot under the bubbles on the heater surface. A micro-layer under the bubble is experimentally shown to exist when the bubble pins to the wall surface and is therefore dependent on roughness and homogeneity of the wall. The ratio of heat extracted from the wall to the total heat required for evaporation was found to be around 30 % at most and to be independent of the bulk liquid flow rate and heat provided by the wall. When the bulk liquid is locally superheated this ratio was found to decrease to 20 %. Heat transfer to the bubble is also initially controlled by diffusion and is unaffected by the convection of the bulk liquid.
Biodiversity dynamics and environmental occupancy of fossil azooxanthellate and zooxanthellate scleractinian corals
Authors: Kiessling Wolfgang , Kocsis Ádám T.
Published: April 2015

Scleractinian corals have two fundamentally different life strategies, which can be inferred from morphological criteria in fossil material. In the non-photosymbiotic group nutrition comes exclusively from heterotrophic feeding, whereas the photosymbiotic group achieves a good part of its nutrition from algae hosted in the coral’s tissue. These ecologic differences arose early in the evolutionary history of corals but with repeated evolutionary losses and presumably also gains of symbiosis since then. We assessed the biodiversity dynamics and environmental occupancy of both ecologic groups to identify times when the evolutionary losses of symbiosis as inferred from molecular analyses might have occurred and if these can be linked to environmental change. Two episodes are likely: The first was in the mid-Cretaceous when non-symbiotic corals experienced an origination pulse and started to become more common in deeper, non-reef habitats and on siliciclastic substrates initiating a long-term offshore trend in occupancy. The second was around the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary with another origination pulse and increased occupancy of deep-water settings in the non-symbiotic group. Environmental factors such as rapid global warming associated with mid-Cretaceous anoxic events and increased nutrient concentrations in Late Cretaceous–Cenozoic deeper waters are plausible mechanisms for the shift. Turnover rates and durations are not significantly different between the two ecologic groups when compared over the entire history of scleractinians. However, the deep-water shift of non-symbiotic corals was accompanied by reduced extinction rates, supporting the view that environmental occupancy is a prominent driver of evolutionary rates.
Democracy under the Caliphs: Alfarabi's Unusual Understanding of Popular Rule
Authors: Orwin Alexander I.
Published: April 2015

The account of “democracy” presented in the writings of Alfarabi differs considerably from all other treatments of the subject, both ancient and modern. The goal of this article is to elucidate thefalāsifa's view of democracy and account for its unusual character, by showing how appropriate it is to both the meaning of the term in medieval Arabic and the political situation of their own time. Questions such as internal order, war, immigration, philosophy, and their relationship to democracy as understood by thefalāsifaare all duly considered. The article concludes with the suggestion that this peculiar sort of democracy nonetheless resembles modern democracy in one small but crucial respect.
Rise and Fall of an Austrian Identity in the Provincial Historiography of Bukovina
Authors: Varga Bálint
Published: April 2015

During the nineteenth century, most European countries transformed into integrated nation-states, based on the principle of nationalism. Probably the only major European exception to this rule was the Habsburg Empire. Created in 1804 to replace an early modern composite state, the Austrian Empire had to cope with the long historical traditions of its numerous and highly diverse Crownlands. This diversity prevented an effective integration of the Empire, leading, on the one hand, to the introduction of home rule in Hungary and a restricted form in Galicia and in Croatia-Slavonia and, on the other hand, to the maintenance of a large space of action for the other Crownlands.
“What Shall We Do With It?” Finding A Place for Alfons Mucha and His Slav Epic
Authors: Filipová Marta
Published: April 2015

Not very often does a work of art, which provoked very mixed reactions at the time of its completion, continue to stir the political and cultural waters nearly one hundred years later. The Slav Epic, a series of twenty large canvases created by Alfons Mucha (1860–1939) between 1909 and 1926 on the topic of Slavic history and myth, is such a work, and it has provoked critical comments from Czech art historians, politicians, and journalists. The most recent disputes, which have arisen in the last couple of years, concern the city council of Prague, which has expressed a wish to house the work somewhere in Prague in fulfillment of the artist's wishes, and the town of Moravský Krumlov in Mucha's home region, where the Epic was exhibited for forty years and lays claims to it as well. The debate about its physical location has also been joined by a number of public figures, including Mucha's grandson and the secretary to the then Czech president Václav Klaus, who called the Epic “the kitsch of the millennium” and “sheer Pan-Slavic propaganda.” Such negative comments only highlight the fact that the Slav Epic continues to generate controversy and has not yet found its place in the Czech, let alone European, context.
Call for papers: NJL Special Issue on Discourse, Grammar and Intersubjectivity: Nordic Perspectives
Authors: Etelämäki Marja , Herlin Ilona
Published: April 2015

The second issue of Volume 39 (autumn 2016) of the Nordic Journal of Linguistics will be a special issue devoted to discourse, grammar and intersubjectivity. This issue will be edited by Marja Etelämäki, Ilona Herlin, Tapani Möttönen and Laura Visapää.
The perfect prosodic word in Danish
Authors: Ito Junko , Mester Armin
Published: April 2015

The Danishstød, a kind of glottal prosody associated with certain syllables, as inbarʔn‘child’ (cf. stødlessbarnlig‘childish’), has long been the target of intense phonological investigation. In this paper, we show that its analysis requires an understanding of the prosodic constituent structure of Danish, and of the essential role of theperfect prosodic word(coextensive with one foot). After motivating this notion on independent grounds, both in other languages and in the context of acquisition, we show that the Danish stød system, analyzed in Optimality Theory, provides a window on the workings of the perfect prosodic word, regulating the presence and absence of stød in some of the much-discussed cases in the literature. In conclusion, we discuss the status of the perfect prosodic word in the light of recent developments in phonological theory, such as Match Theory.
Similar vegetation structure in protected and non-protected wetlands in Central Brazil: conservation significance
Authors: MOREIRA SUZANA N. , EISENLOHR PEDRO V. , POTT ARNILDO , POTT VALI J. , OLIVEIRA-FILHO ARY T.
Published: April 2015

Appropriate legislation based on in-depth ecological evidence is essential for ecosystem conservation. Wetland areas in the BrazilianCerradohotspot are facing difficulties in terms of status under environmental law: only those wetlands with the palmMauritia flexuosa(veredas) are recognized as protected. Comprehensive fieldwork in central-western Brazil (72 50-m transects) coupled with both exploratory and confirmatory analyses showed that communities with (MP) and without (MA)M. flexuosaare similar in terms of the floristics and ecology. The results demonstrate that the analysed wetlands are part of a continuum, in which a gradual replacement of species and community structure occurs without a pattern related to physiognomy. Considering such floristic and structure patterns when legally defining the ecosystem would promote a more comprehensive and realistic view of the ecosystem's characteristics and functions, and result in laws with a stronger scientific support. Conservationists should further examine the lack of consistent separation of plant community attributes between the MP and MA areas, and reconsider the scientific definition of veredas.
The militarization of anti-poaching: undermining long term goals?
Authors: DUFFY ROSALEEN , ST JOHN FREYA A. V. , BÜSCHER BRAM , BROCKINGTON DAN
Published: April 2015

Conservation is at a critical juncture because of the increase in poaching which threatens key species. Poaching is a major public concern, as indicated by the rises in rhino and elephant poaching, the United for Wildlife Initiative and the London Declaration, signed by 46 countries in February 2014. This is accompanied by an increasing calls for a more forceful response, especially to tackle the involvement of organized crime in wildlife trafficking. However, there is a risk that this will be counter-productive. Further, such calls are based on a series of assumptions which are worthy of greater scrutiny. First, calls for militarization are based on the idea that poverty drives poaching. Yet, poaching and trafficking are changing because of the shifting dynamics of poverty in supply countries, coupled with changing patterns of wealth in consumer markets. Second, the ways increases in poaching are being linked to global security threats, notably from Al Shabaab are poorly evidenced and yet circulate in powerful policy circles. There is a risk that militarization will place more heavily armed rangers in the centre of some of the most complex regional conflicts in the world (such as the Horn of Africa and Central Africa/Sahel region).
Cross language lexical priming extends to formulaic units: Evidence from eye-tracking suggests that this idea ‘has legs’
Authors: CARROL GARETH , CONKLIN KATHY
Published: April 2015

Idiom priming effects (faster processing compared to novel phrases) are generally robust in native speakers but not non-native speakers. This leads to the question of how idioms and other multiword units are represented and accessed in a first (L1) and second language (L2). We address this by investigating the processing of translated Chinese idioms to determine whether known L1 combinations show idiom priming effects in non-native speakers when encountered in the L2. In two eye-tracking experiments we compared reading times for idioms vs. control phrases (Experiment 1) and for figurative vs. literal uses of idioms (Experiment 2). Native speakers of Chinese showed recognition of the L1 form in the L2, but figurative meanings were read more slowly than literal meanings, suggesting that the non-compositional nature of idioms makes them problematic in a non-native language. We discuss the results as they relate to crosslinguistic priming at the multiword level.
Effects of Tributyltin Chloride on Developing Mouse Oocytes and Preimplantation Embryos
Authors: Huang Xian-Ju , Shen Ming , Wang Lizhong , Yu Fengxiang , Wu Wangjun , Liu Hong-lin
Published: April 2015

Tributyltin, an organotin, is ubiquitous in estuaries and freshwater systems. Previous reports suggest that tributyltin is an endocrine disruptor in many wildlife species and it inhibits aromatase in mammalian placental and granulosa-like tumor cell lines. However, no evidence showing the effects of tributyltin on oocytes or preimplantation embryonic developmental competence exists. Therefore, we investigated the role of tributyltin chloride (TBTCl) in the development of female oocytes and preimplantation embryos. Briefly, female ICR mice were gavaged with 0 (vehicle), 4, and 8 mg/kg of TBTCl each day for 18 days. The fluorescence intensity analysis showed that the 5-methylcytosine level decreased after TBTCl treatment, indicating that the general DNA methylation level decreased in the treated oocytes. Our results demonstrate that TBTCl treatment results in decreased mRNA levels of imprinted genes H19, Igf2r, and Peg3 during oocyte growth. The TBTCl-treated oocytes showed a significant increase in reactive oxygen species levels in germinal vesicle oocytes. In TBTCl-treated oocytes, there was no difference in GPx and Sod1 expression, but a decreased mRNA level of Cat occurred when compared with control. Moreover, the blastocysts with TBTCl exposure displayed higher apoptotic signals. These results suggest that TBTCl induces developmental defects in oocytes and preimplantation embryos.
Psychological Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children and Adolescents: a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Rosa-Alcázar Ana I. , Sánchez-Meca Julio , Rosa-Alcázar Ángel , Iniesta-Sepúlveda Marina , Olivares-Rodríguez José , Parada-Navas José L.
Published: April 2015

Although several meta-analyses have investigated the efficacy of psychological treatments for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), there is not yet a consensus on the most efficacious treatment components. A meta-analysis was carried out to examine the efficacy of the different treatment techniques used in the psychological interventions of pediatric OCD. An exhaustive literature search from 1983 to February 2014 enabled us to locate 46 published articles that applied some kind of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). For each group the effect size was the standardized pretest-posttest mean change, and it was calculated for obsessive-compulsive symptoms and for other outcome measures. The results clearly showed large effect sizes for CBT in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms and, to a lesser extent, other outcome measures (d+= 1.860; 95% CI: 1.639; 2.081). The most promising treatments are those based on multicomponent programs comprising ERP, cognitive strategies, and relapse prevention. The analysis of other potential moderator variables and the implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Update Arterielle Hypertonie 2015
Authors: Rickenbacher Peter
Published: April 2015

Die arterielle Hypertonie, definiert als Praxis-Blutdruck von ≥140 mmHg systolisch und/oder ≥90 mmHg diastolisch, ist häufig und einer der wichtigsten Risikofaktoren für Krankheit und vorzeitigen Tod. Die Diagnostik soll auch eine Risikostratifizierung hinsichtlich anderer kardiovaskulärer Risikofaktoren, kardiovaskulärer Erkrankungen sowie asymptomatischer Organschäden umfassen. Neu wird generell eine Behandlung erst ab einem Blutdruck von 140/90 mmHg mit dem Ziel der Senkung unter diese Werte auch bei Patienten mit hohem Risiko empfohlen. Ausnahmen gelten bei höherem Alter und bei Diabetikern. Zur Behandlung der Hypertonie werden Änderungen des Lebensstils, antihypertensive Medikamente und zukünftig wahrscheinlich auch interventionelle Verfahren eingesetzt. Dieses Mini-Review fasst ausgewählte und für die Praxis relevante Aspekte zu Diagnostik und Therapie aus aktuellen internationalen Richtlinien zusammen.
The TNF-α/Nf-κB Signaling Pathway has a Key Role in Methamphetamine–Induced Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction
Authors: Coelho-Santos Vanessa , Leitão Ricardo A , Cardoso Filipa L , Palmela Inês , Rito Manuel , Barbosa Marcos , Brito Maria A , Fontes-Ribeiro Carlos A , Silva Ana P
Published: April 2015

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that causes neurologic and psychiatric abnormalities. Recent studies have suggested that its neurotoxicity may also result from its ability to compromise the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Herein, we show that METH rapidly increased the vesicular transport across endothelial cells (ECs), followed by an increase of paracellular transport. Moreover, METH triggered the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α), and the blockade of this cytokine or the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF- κB) pathway prevented endothelial dysfunction. Since astrocytes have a crucial role in modulating BBB function, we further showed that conditioned medium obtained from astrocytes previously exposed to METH had a negative impact on barrier properties also via TNF- α/NF- κB pathway. Animal studies corroborated the in vitro results. Overall, we show that METH directly interferes with EC properties or indirectly via astrocytes through the release of TNF- α and subsequent activation of NF- κB pathway culminating in barrier dysfunction.
Blood and CSF biomarkers in brain subcortical ischemic vascular disease: Involved pathways and clinical applicability
Authors: Vilar-Bergua A , Riba-Llena I , Nafría C , Bustamante A , Llombart V , Delgado P , Montaner J
Published: April 2015

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Subcortical ischemic vascular disease refers to a form of vascular cognitive impairment characterized by the presence of diffuse white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and multiple lacunar infarcts. These neuroimaging findings are mainly caused by cerebral small-vessel disease (cSVD) and relate to aging and cognitive impairment, but they can also be silent and highly prevalent in otherwise healthy individuals. We aimed to review studies on blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers related to the presence of WMHs and lacunar infarcts that have been conducted in the past in large population-based studies and in high-risk selected patients (such as those with vascular risk factors, vascular cognitive impairment, or AD). Relevant associations with the presence and progression of cSVD have been described in the blood for markers related to inflammatory processes, endothelial damage and coagulation/fibrinolysis processes, etc. Also, different combinations of CSF markers might help to differentiate between etiologic types of dementia. In the future, to translate these findings into clinical practice and use biomarkers to early diagnosis and monitoring vascular cognitive impairment would require the replication of candidate markers in large-scale, multicenter, and prospectively designed studies.
Tonic endocannabinoid-mediated modulation of GABA release is independent of the CB1 content of axon terminals
Authors: Lenkey Nora , Kirizs Tekla , Holderith Noemi , Máté Zoltán , Szabó Gábor , Vizi E. Sylvester , Hájos Norbert , Nusser Zoltan
Published: April 2015

The release of GABA from cholecystokinin-containing interneurons is modulated by type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1). Here we tested the hypothesis that the strength of CB1-mediated modulation of GABA release is related to the CB1 content of axon terminals. Basket cell boutons have on average 78% higher CB1 content than those of dendritic-layer-innervating (DLI) cells, a consequence of larger bouton surface and higher CB1 density. The CB1 antagonist AM251 caused a 54% increase in action potential-evoked [Ca2+] in boutons of basket cells, but not in DLI cells. However, the effect of AM251 did not correlate with CB1 immunoreactivity of individual boutons. Moreover, a CB1 agonist decreased [Ca2+] in a cell type- and CB1-content-independent manner. Replica immunogold labelling demonstrated the colocalization of CB1 with the Cav2.2 Ca2+ channel subunit. Our data suggest that only a subpopulation of CB1s, within nanometre distances from their target Cav2.2 channels, are responsible for endocannabinoid-mediated modulation of GABA release.
Eco-evolutionary feedbacks during experimental range expansions
Authors: Fronhofer Emanuel A. , Altermatt Florian
Published: April 2015

Understanding biological range expansions and invasions is of great ecological and economical interest. Importantly, spatial dynamics can be deeply affected by rapid evolution depending on the ecological context. Using experimental evolution in replicated microcosm landscapes and numerical analyses we show experimentally that the ecological process of range expansions leads to the evolution of increased dispersal. This evolutionary change counter-intuitively feeds back on (macro-)ecological patterns affecting the spatial distribution of population densities. While existing theory suggests that densities decrease from range cores to range margins due to K-selection, we show the reverse to be true when competition is considered explicitly including resource dynamics. We suggest that a dispersal-foraging trade-off, leading to more ‘prudent’ foraging at range margins, is the driving mechanism behind the macroecological pattern reported. In conclusion, rapid multi-trait evolution and eco-evolutionary feedbacks are highly relevant for understanding macroecological patterns and designing appropriate conservation strategies.
Accelerated sintering in phase-separating nanostructured alloys
Authors: Park Mansoo , Schuh Christopher A.
Published: April 2015

Sintering of powders is a common means of producing bulk materials when melt casting is impossible or does not achieve a desired microstructure, and has long been pursued for nanocrystalline materials in particular. Acceleration of sintering is desirable to lower processing temperatures and times, and thus to limit undesirable microstructure evolution. Here we show that markedly enhanced sintering is possible in some nanocrystalline alloys. In a nanostructured W–Cr alloy, sintering sets on at a very low temperature that is commensurate with phase separation to form a Cr-rich phase with a nanoscale arrangement that supports rapid diffusional transport. The method permits bulk full density specimens with nanoscale grains, produced during a sintering cycle involving no applied stress. We further show that such accelerated sintering can be evoked by design in other nanocrystalline alloys, opening the door to a variety of nanostructured bulk materials processed in arbitrary shapes from powder inputs.
Strong influence of behavioral dynamics on the ability of testing and treating HIV to stop transmission
Authors: Henry Christopher J. , Koopman James S.
Published: April 2015

Choosing between strategies to control HIV transmission with antivirals requires understanding both the dynamics affecting those strategies' effectiveness and what causes those dynamics. Alternating episodes of high and low contact rates (episodic risk) interact with increased transmission probabilities during early infection to strongly influence HIV transmission dynamics. To elucidate the mechanics of this interaction and how these alter the effectiveness of universal test and treat (UT8T) strategies, we formulated a model of UT8T effects. Analysis of this model shows how and why changing the dynamics of episodic risk changes the fraction of early transmissions (FET) and the basic reproduction number (R0) and consequently causes UT8T to vary from easily eliminating transmission to having little effect. As the length of risk episodes varies from days to lifetimes, FET first increases, then falls. Endemic prevalence varies similarly.R0, in contrast, increases monotonically and is the major determinant of UT8T effects. At some levels of episodic risk, FET can be high, but eradication is easy becauseR0is low. At others FET is lower, but a highR0makes eradication impossible and control ineffective. Thus changes in individual risk over time must be measured and analyzed to plan effective control strategies with antivirals.
Mechanism of the Antigen-Independent Cytokinergic SPE-7 IgE Activation of Human Mast Cells in Vitro
Authors: Bax Heather J. , Bowen Holly , Dodev Tihomir S. , Sutton Brian J. , Gould Hannah J.
Published: April 2015

Release of pro-inflammatory mediators by mast cells is a key feature of allergic disease. The ‘dogma’ is that IgE molecules merely sensitise mast cells by binding FcεRI prior to cross-linking by multivalent allergen, receptor aggregation and mast cell activation. However, certain monoclonal IgE antibodies have been shown to elicit mast cell activation in an antigen-independent cytokinergic manner and DNP-specific murine SPE-7 IgE is the most highly cytokinergic antibody known. We show that both monovalent hapten and recombinant SPE-7 IgE Fab inhibit its cytokinergic activity as measured by mast cell degranulation and TNF-α release. Using SPE-7 IgE, a non-cytokinergic human IgE and a poorly cytokinergic murine IgE, we reveal that interaction of the Fab region of ‘free’ SPE-7 IgE with the Fab of FcεRI-bound SPE-7 IgE is the basis of its cytokinergic activity. We rule out involvement of IgE Fc, Cε1 and Cλ/κ domains and propose that ‘free’ SPE-7 IgE binds to FcεRI-bound SPE-7 IgE by an Fv-Fv interaction. Initial formation of a tri-molecular complex (one ‘free’ IgE molecule cross-linking two receptor-bound IgE molecules) leads to capture of further ‘free’ and receptor-bound IgEs to form larger clusters that trigger mast cell activation.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated endogenous protein tagging for RESOLFT super-resolution microscopy of living human cells
Authors: Ratz Michael , Testa Ilaria , Hell Stefan W. , Jakobs Stefan
Published: April 2015

Overexpression is a notorious concern in conventional and especially in super-resolution fluorescence light microscopy studies because it may cause numerous artifacts including ectopic sub-cellular localizations, erroneous formation of protein complexes and others. Nonetheless, current live cell super-resolution microscopy studies generally rely on the overexpression of a host protein fused to a fluorescent protein. Here, we establish CRISPR/Cas9-mediated generation of heterozygous and homozygous human knockin cell lines expressing fluorescently tagged proteins from their respective native genomic loci at close to endogenous levels. We tagged three different proteins, exhibiting various localizations and expression levels, with the reversibly switchable fluorescent protein rsEGFP2. We demonstrate the benefit of endogenous expression levels compared to overexpression and show that typical overexpression-induced artefacts were avoided in genome-edited cells. Fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis revealed a narrow distribution of fusion protein expression levels in genome-edited cells, compared to a pronounced variability in transiently transfected cells. Using low light intensity RESOLFT (reversible saturable optical fluorescence transitions) nanoscopy we show sub-diffraction resolution imaging of living human knockin cells. Our strategy to generate human cell lines expressing fluorescent fusion proteins at endogenous levels for RESOLFT nanoscopy can be extended to other fluorescent tags and super-resolution approaches.
Calcium bioaccessibility and uptake by human intestinal like cells following in vitro digestion of casein phosphopeptide–calcium aggregates
Authors: Perego Silvia , Del Favero Elena , De Luca Paola , Dal Piaz Fabrizio , Fiorilli Amelia , Cantu’ Laura , Ferraretto Anita
Published: April 2015

Digestion optimizes calcium distribution within CPP vectors and improves their bioactivity.
One-pot synthesis of poly(l-lactide)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymers
Authors: Song Junzhe , Xu Jinbao , Pispas Stergios , Zhang Guangzhao
Published: April 2015

The combination of ROP and ATRP in a one-pot process with DBU as ATRP ligand and ROP catalyst results in the synthesis of poly(l-lactide)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymers.
O3–NaxMn1/3Fe2/3O2as a positive electrode material for Na-ion batteries: structural evolutions and redox mechanisms upon Na+(de)intercalation
Authors: Mortemard de Boisse B. , Cheng J.-H. , Carlier D. , Guignard M. , Pan C.-J. , Bordère S. , Filimonov D. , Drathen C. , Suard E. , Hwang B.-J. , Wattiaux A. , Delmas C.
Published: April 2015

O3–Na0.77Mn1/3Fe2/3O2was studied byin situXRPD. The system undergoes several structural transitions from 1.5 V to 4.3 V: O′3 → O3 → P3 → “X”.
“Scorpion”-shaped mono(carboxy)porphyrin-(BODIPY)2, a novel triazine bridged triad: synthesis, characterization and dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications
Authors: Galateia Zervaki E. , Agapi Nikiforou , Vasilis Nikolaou , Sharma Ganesh D. , Athanassios Coutsolelos G.
Published: April 2015

A novel BODIPY-porphyrin triad is prepared with two BODIPY molecules covalently attached via a 1,3,5-triazine molecule to a free-base carboxyphenyl meso-substituted porphyrin.
Mononuclear nonheme iron(iii) complexes that show superoxide dismutase-like activity and antioxidant effects against menadione-mediated oxidative stress
Authors: Hitomi Yutaka , Iwamoto Yuji , Kashida Akihiro , Kodera Masahito
Published: April 2015

Iron(iii) complexes with pentadentate monocarboxylamido ligands display excellent SOD-like antioxidant activity to reduce superoxide radicals in cultured cells.
Synthesis of trapezohedral indium oxide nanoparticles with high-index {211} facets and high gas sensing activity
Authors: Han Xiguang , Han Xiao , Sun Linqiang , Gao Shengguang , Li Liang , Kuang Qin , Xie Zhaoxiong , Wang Chao
Published: April 2015

Trapezohedron-shaped (TS) In2O3particles with exposed high-index {211} facets were successfully synthesized in an oleic acid (OA) and trioctylamine (TOA) system. It exhibited high gas sensing properties.
Metal–organic framework biosensor with high stability and selectivity in a bio-mimic environment
Authors: Wu Xiao-Qin , Ma Jian-Gong , Li Han , Chen Di-Ming , Gu Wen , Yang Guang-Ming , Cheng Peng
Published: April 2015

A Cu(ii) metal–organic framework (MOF) was used directly as an electrochemical biosensor. It exhibited excellent stability and selectivity towards ascorbic acid in a bio-mimic environment containing a mixture of amino acids.
Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes on graphene layers
Authors: Ghosh Ranajit , Maruyama Takahiro , Kondo Hiroki , Kimoto Koji , Nagai Takuro , Iijima Sumio
Published: April 2015

Single-walled carbon nanotubes with a narrow diameter distribution are grown on graphene layers via chemical vapor deposition.
sp2–sp3diboranes: astounding structural variability and mild sources of nucleophilic boron for organic synthesis
Authors: Dewhurst Rian D. , Neeve Emily C. , Braunschweig Holger , Marder Todd B.
Published: April 2015

The synthesis, structures and immense synthetic potential of sp2–sp3diboranes are reviewed and critically discussed.