bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Restoration of miR‐1305 relieves the inhibitory effect of nicotine on periodontal ligament‐derived stem cell proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Liu Hui‐Li
Published: September 2016

Background

Nicotine hinders the regenerative potentials of human periodontal ligament‐derived stem cells (PDLSCs) and delays the healing process of periodontal diseases, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. miR‐1305 upregulation and its potential target RUNX2 downregulation exist in the PDLSCs exposed to nicotine. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether nicotine inhibits PDLSC proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation by increasing miR‐1305 level and decreasing RUNX2 level.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) and Western blot assays were performed to detect the expression levels of miR‐1305 and RUNX2 in the PDLSCs exposed to nicotine, respectively. PDLSCs with miR‐1305 overexpression, low expression, or RUNX2 overexpression were constructed by lipofectin transfection. MTT, migration, and Western blot assays were applied to assess the effect of miR‐1305 on PDLSC proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation, respectively. Target prediction and luciferase reporter assays were performed to investigate the targets of miR‐1305.

Results

Nicotine promoted miR‐1305 expression and inhibited RUNX2 expression in PDLSCs. Cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation detection showed that nicotine suppressed proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, and restoration of miR‐1305 relieved the inhibitory effect of nicotine on PDLSCs. Moreover, we identified and validated that RUNX2 was a direct target of miR‐1305, and upregulation of RUNX2 had similar effects with the downregulation of miR‐1305 on relieving the inhibitory effect of nicotine on PDLSCs.

Conclusion

Nicotine suppresses proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, and restoration of miR‐1305 relieves the inhibitory effect of nicotine on PDLSCs depending on its target RUNX2.
p53 and ki67 as biomarkers in determining response to chemoprevention for oral leukoplakia
Authors: Nagao Toru , Warnakulasuriya Saman , Sakuma Hidenori , Miyabe Satoru , Hasegawa Shogo , Machida Junichiro , Suzuki Koji , Fukano Hideo , Shimozato Kazuo , Hashimoto Shuji
Published: September 2016

Background

We performed a randomized controlled chemoprevention trial of oral leukoplakia by administrating a low dose of beta‐carotene and vitamin C supplements. 17% of subjects in the experimental arm (4/23) demonstrated clinical remission (complete or partial response) at completion of the trial. The objective of this study was to determine whether baseline expression of p53 and ki67 demonstrated any differences between those responding or not responding to our intervention. A secondary objective was to elucidate any relationship between dietary factors and clinical responses.

Methods

For this biomarker study, we included all subjects in the experimental group (n = 23) who were non‐smokers. Among 16 who completed the trial for 1 year of supplementation, there were four responders and 12 non‐responders at 1‐year follow‐up. Following immuno‐staining for p53 and ki67, the percentage of positive cell nuclei were analyzed as labeling index (LI).

Results

Expression of p53 was greater in basal layers than in para‐basal layers. Mean para‐basal LI of p53 was higher in non‐responding (26.0) than in responding subjects (11.2) (P = 0.028). ki67 LIs were not significantly different in the two groups.

Conclusions

Expression of p53 was inversely related to clinical response to the supplements. Other biomarkers that may recognize subject's responsiveness to chemoprevention require further study.
The Psychological Study of Positive Behavior Across Group Boundaries: An Overview
Authors: Siem Birte , Stürmer Stefan , Pittinsky Todd L.
Published: September 2016

Negative intergroup processes such as prejudice and conflict have been a traditional focus of social psychological research, while work that explicitly focuses on the determinants of positive intergroup processes is still in its infancy. Reflecting these relatively recent developments in the social and behavioral sciences, this volume's contributions represent current directions in psychological theorizing and research on positive and proactive behavior across group boundaries. One intriguing feature of positive cross‐group behaviors is that they can be conceived, at one and the same time, as individual, interpersonal, and collective phenomena. Accordingly, this volume is organized into three sections that represent these different levels of analysis. This multilevel approach represents a distinctive perspective that extends contemporary work on positive intergroup behavior. At a more general level, then, one important future outcome of this work could be a more nuanced picture of human social behavior in the context of groups.
A Model for Understanding Positive Intergroup Relations Using the In‐Group‐Favoring Norm
Authors: Montoya R. Matthew , Pinter Brad
Published: September 2016

We present a model of intergroup relations focused on the role of the in‐group‐favoring norm as capable of facilitating positive intergroup relations. We begin by defining the in‐group‐favoring norm and describing how it affects self‐evaluations and evaluations of out‐group members. We then outline how positive intergroup relations may result via the implementation of specific techniques fundamental to the in‐group‐favoring norm, including emphasizing the value of interactions with the out‐group, establishing cooperative intergroup norms, and establishing superordinate goals. In so doing, we discuss how classic moderators of intergroup relations, including leadership, guilt, and in‐group norms are facilitators of positive intergroup relations once in‐group interests are considered.
Consumers’ Response to an Advertisement Using Brand Popularity in a Foreign Market
Authors: Kim Ji‐Hern , Min Dongwon
Published: September 2016

Abstract: This research examined how domestic consumers respond to an advertisement using brand popularity in a foreign market. By using structural equation modeling, it shows that the consumers’ response can change as a function of three characteristics of brand popularity in a foreign market: (a) expertise of foreign consumers, (b) similarity between domestic consumers and foreign consumers, and (c) animosity to a foreign country. Meanwhile, the similarity effect is found to be stronger for high‐preference heterogeneity than low‐preference heterogeneity. This research documents the importance of understanding the underlying mechanism to determine the effects of brand popularity in a foreign market on brand attitude and purchase intention.
The intravenous and oral pharmacokinetics of afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime when used as a combination chewable parasiticide for dogs
Authors: Letendre L. , Harriman J. , Drag M. , Mullins A. , Malinski T. , Rehbein S.
Published: September 2016

The pharmacokinetics of afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime (A3 and A4 forms) in dogs were evaluated following the oral administration ofNexGard Spectra®(Merial), a fixed combination chewable formulation of these two active pharmaceutical ingredients. Absorption of actives was rapid at levels that provide the minimum effective doses of 2.5 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg of afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime, respectively. The time to maximum afoxolaner plasma concentrations (tmax) was 2–4 h. The milbemycintmaxwas 1–2 h. The terminal plasma half‐life (t1/2) and the oral bioavailability were 14 ± 3 days and 88.3% for afoxolaner, 1.6 ± 0.4 days and 80.5% for milbemycin oxime A3 and 3.3 ± 1.4 days and 65.1% for milbemycin oxime A4. The volume of distribution (Vd) and systemic clearance (Cls) were determined following anIVdose of afoxolaner or milbemycin oxime. The Vdwas 2.6 ± 0.6, 2.7 ± 0.4 and 2.6 ± 0.6 L/kg for afoxolaner, milbemycin oxime A3 and milbemycin oxime A4, respectively. The Cls was 5.0 ± 1.2, 75 ± 22 and 41 ± 12 mL/h/kg for afoxolaner, milbemycin oxime A3 and milbemycin oxime A4, respectively. The pharmacokinetic profile for the combination of afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime supports the rapid onset and a sustained efficacy for afoxolaner against ectoparasites and the known endoparasitic activity of milbemycin oxime.
The present and future of withdrawal period calculations for milk in the European Union: focus on heterogeneous, nonmonotonic data
Authors: Chevance A. , Jacques A.‐M. , Laurentie M. , Sanders P. , Henri J.
Published: September 2016

Harmonization of the method for calculating the withdrawal period for milk dates from the 1990s. European harmonization has led to guidance with three accepted methods for determining the withdrawal period for milk that are currently applicable. These three methods can be used by marketing authorization holders, but, in some cases, their diversity can lead to very different withdrawal periods. This is particularly the case when concentrations in milk are nonmonotonic and heterogeneous, meaning that concentrations strictly increase and then strictly decrease with significant interindividual variability in the time to reach the maximal concentration. Here, we first describe the concepts associated with the different methods used in the harmonized approach currently applicable for the determination of milk withdrawal periods, and then, we propose the application of a modern pharmacometric tool. Finally, with a nonmonotonic heterogeneous dataset, we illustrate the usefulness of this tool in comparison with the three currently applicable methods and discuss the limitations and advantages of each method.
Traces of An Early Learned Second Language in Discontinued Bilingualism
Authors: Sadat Jasmin , Pureza Rita , Alario F.‐Xavier
Published: September 2016

Can an early learned second language influence speech production after living many years in an exclusively monolingual environment? To address this issue, we investigated the consequences of discontinued early bilingualism in heritage speakers who moved abroad and switched language dominance from the second to the primary learned language. We used two fluency tasks to compare European Portuguese monolinguals with early European Portuguese‐French bilinguals who no longer use French. The occurrence of cognate words in retrieval performance was used as an index for the influence of the early learned second language (French). Results showed that bilinguals used more cognates than noncognates relative to monolinguals. Also, monolinguals and bilinguals produced the same number of responses in the fluency tasks, and the produced words were of similar frequency. Our findings highlight that early learning of a second language, even when discontinued, plays a lasting role for word selection.
National survey: Evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors in Thai patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease after the development of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Changsirikulchai Siribha , Sangthawan Pornpen , Janma Jirayut , Sripaiboonkij Nintita , Rattanamongkolgul Suthee , Thinkhamrop Bandit
Published: September 2016

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the achievement in controlling the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Thai patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

The DMHT dataset from 2011 to 2012, which was the cross‐sectional study of the national survey in Thai patients with T2DM was analyzed.

Results

There were 1254 of 15 149 diabetic patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 that had developed CVD for more than 12 months. The prevalence of CVD was 8.3%. The mean age in years was 68.2 with a standard deviation (SD) of 8.7. Males and females were 38.7 and 61.3%, respectively. The mean duration of diabetes was 8.5 (SD 0.2) years. The mean body mass index was 25.5 (SD 4.4) kg/m2. The percentage of patients with the target level of blood pressure control at ≤130/80 mm Hg was 47.1%. The percentage of patients who received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) was 58.9%. The percentage of patients with the target level of LDL control at <70 mg/dL was 17.2%. The percentage of patients with the target level of HbA1C at 7% was 39.2%. There were 63 (5.0%) patients having recurrent CVD.

Conclusions

Most Thai patients with T2DM and CKD with eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 could not achieve the therapeutic goals after the development of CVD. The national health policy should be planned to improve the quality of care to increase the number of patients who achieve the recommended goals.
A fast generation cycling system for oat and triticale breeding
Authors: Liu Hui , Zwer Pamela , Wang Haibo , Liu Chunji , Lu Zhanyuan , Wang Yanxia , Yan Guijun
Published: September 2016

A fast generation cycling system (FGCS) was developed in oat and triticale, allowing the production of pure line populations of the crops within 1‐year timeframe. Twelve oat and 12 triticale cultivars were tested using the FGCS, and most of them completed a generation cycle within 48–61 days under the system achieving up to seven generations a year. This system involves growing plants under stressed conditions to promote reproduction and in vitro culture of immature embryos bypassing full seed maturation. The developed system could be widely adopted in breeding and genetic studies of crops for producing desired segregating pure line populations, which could significantly shorten the breeding cycles.
Oligogenic control of resistance to soil‐borne viruses SBCMV and WSSMV in rye (Secale cereale L.)
Authors: Erath Wiltrud , Bauer Eva , Kastirr Ute , Schmidt Malthe , Korzun Viktor , Schmiedchen Brigitta , Wilde Peer , Schön Chris‐Carolin
Published: September 2016

Rye production in European growing areas is constrained by the soilborne cereal mosaic virus (SBCMV) and the wheat spindle streak mosaic virus (WSSMV). To date, no European rye cultivars are known to exhibit resistance against these viruses. In this study, we pursued a quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping strategy to identify genomic regions for resistance to SBCMV and WSSMV in rye. Three populations, each comprising 100 lines segregating for resistance to SBCMV and/or WSSMV, were evaluated for disease response at two years in three locations in Germany where soils are naturally infested with SBCMV and WSSMV. In the combined analysis across environments, one QTL for SBCMV resistance on chromosome 5R explained 31.9% of the phenotypic variation in one of the populations. For WSSMV resistance, one QTL explaining up to 64.0% of the phenotypic variation was detected on chromosome 7R in each of the three populations. On the Triticeae homoeologous group 5, we found evidence for synteny of the major QTL for SBCMV resistance between the wheat and rye genomes.
Drosophila ezoana uses an hour‐glass or highly damped circadian clock for measuring night length and inducing diapause
Authors: Vaze Koustubh M. , Helfrich‐Förster Charlotte
Published: September 2016

Insects inhabiting the temperate zones measure seasonal changes in day or night length to enter the overwintering diapause. Diapause induction occurs after the duration of the night exceeds a critical night length (CNL). Our understanding of the time measurement mechanisms is continuously evolving subsequent to Bünning's proposal that circadian systems play the clock role in photoperiodic time measurement (Bünning, 1936). Initially, the photoperiodic clocks were considered to be either based on circadian oscillators or on simple hour‐glasses, depending on ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ responses in Nanda–Hamner and Bünsow experiments (Nanda & Hammer, 1958; Bünsow, 1960). However, there are also species whose responses can be regarded as neither ‘positive’, nor as ‘negative’, such as the Northern Drosophila species Drosophila ezoana, which is investigated in the present study. In addition, modelling efforts show that the ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ Nanda–Hamner responses can also be provoked by circadian oscillators that are damped to different degrees: animals with highly sustained circadian clocks will respond ‘positive’ and those with heavily damped circadian clocks will respond ‘negative’. In the present study, an experimental assay is proposed that characterizes the photoperiodic oscillators by determining the effects of non‐24‐h light/dark cycles (T‐cycles) on critical night length. It is predicted that there is (i) a change in the critical night length as a function of T‐cycle period in sustained‐oscillator‐based clocks and (ii) a fixed night‐length measurement (i.e. no change in critical night length) in damped‐oscillator‐based clocks. Drosophila ezoana flies show a critical night length of approximately 7 h irrespective of T‐cycle period, suggesting a damped‐oscillator‐based photoperiodic clock. The conclusion is strengthened by activity recordings revealing that the activity rhythm of D. ezoana flies also dampens in constant darkness.
RNAseq analysis reveals the role of secondary metabolism in the response of URS 21, a race‐nonspecific resistant cultivar, to crown rust
Authors: Figueiró A. de A. , Gonzalez‐Hernandez J. L. , Pacheco M. T. , Reese R. N. , de Morais G. L. , Guzman F. , Swaminathan P. , Delatorre C. A.
Published: September 2016

Crown rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae) can devastate oats (Avena sativa). Plants possessing durable resistance are desirable and they may contain mechanisms that differ from those underlying genes with specific effects. Gathering information about the molecular mechanisms involved, especially those not associated with the hypersensitive reaction, and combining those acting at different infection stages may increase the ability to defeat the pathogen. The cultivar URS 21 has strongly reduced the intensity and growth of crown rust for the last 14 years, demonstrating durable race‐nonspecific resistance expressed at adult and seedling stages. The main objective of this study was to identify, by deep sequencing, oat transcripts induced by P. coronata in the URS 21 cultivar inoculated at seedling stage. Two important reactions to inoculation, secondary metabolism and the oxidative response, were studied further. The expression of specific genes associated with biosynthesis of secondary metabolites was evaluated in adult plants by RT‐PCR, as well as the accumulation of saponins and avenanthramides, found to be important in other pathosystems, and comparisons were made with the susceptible cultivar URS 22. The URS 21 resistance mechanism probably involves several components including the biosynthesis of avenanthramides and steroid saponins; also, several genes related to antioxidative stress were down‐regulated. A large number of oat sequences were generated by RNA‐seq analysis in this study, which will help in the search for genes involved in the race‐nonspecific resistance; they may also be useful in the development of markers to search for QTLs associated with race‐nonspecific resistance.
Dressing Method for the Degasperis–Procesi Equation
Authors: Constantin Adrian , Ivanov Rossen
Published: September 2016

The soliton solutions of the Degasperis–Procesi equations are constructed by the implementation of the dressing method. The form of the one and two soliton solutions coincides with the form obtained by Hirota's method.
Neutrophil Receptor Response to Bacterial N‐formyl Peptides is Similar in Term Newborn Infants and Adults in Contrast to IL‐8
Authors: Stålhammar M. E. , Sindelar R. , Douhan Håkansson L.
Published: September 2016

We have previously observed that neutrophils from neonates exhibit different migratory responses to intermediate and end‐target chemoattractants compared to adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the chemoattractants IL‐8 (intermediate) and formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP; end‐target) on cell surface receptor expression involved in adhesion, migration and granule release of neutrophils from term newborn infants and adults. Heparinized cord blood from 16 healthy term newborn infants delivered by caesarean section and peripheral blood from 17 healthy adults were incubated with 1 μm IL‐8 or 0.1 μm fMLP, previously defined as optimal inducers of neutrophil migration. The leukocytes were labelled with antibodies to cell surface receptors (CD11b, CD15S, CD18, CD35, CD44, CD64, CD65, CD88, CD162, CD181 and CD182). Receptor expression was quantified by flow cytometry analysis. Upregulation of CD11b and downregulation of CD88 and CD182 after stimulation with IL‐8 were more pronounced in adults than in neonates (P < 0.05, P < 0.05 and P ≤ 0.001, respectively), whereas fMLP induced changes in receptor expression that were of the same magnitude in neutrophils from neonates as from adults. We observed similar expression of receptors that mediate adhesion, migration, granule activation and phagocytosis induced by fMLP in neutrophils from neonates and adults. In contrast, differences between neonates and adults, induced by IL‐8, suggest that the neutrophil response to intermediate chemoattractants might lead to a compromised infectious response in newborn infants.
Tryptophan Metabolism Along the Kynurenine Pathway Downstream of Toll‐like Receptor Stimulation in Peripheral Monocytes
Authors: Orhan F. , Bhat M. , Sandberg K. , Ståhl S. , Piehl F. ,   Karolinska Schizophrenia Project (KaSP) consortium, Svensson C. , Erhardt S. , Schwieler L.
Published: September 2016

Tryptophan degradation along the kynurenine pathway is of central importance for the immune function. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), representing the first line of immune defence against pathogens, are expressed in various cell types. The most abundant expression is found on monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether stimulation with different TLR ligands induces the kynurenine pathway in human peripheral monocytes. Cell supernatants were analysed using a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to measure kynurenine, kynurenic acid (KYNA), quinolinic acid (QUIN) and tryptophan. Stimulation of TLR‐2, TLR‐3, TLR‐4, TLR‐7/8 and TLR‐9 was found to induce the production of kynurenine, but only stimulation of TLR‐3 increased levels of further downstream metabolites, such as KYNA and QUIN. Stimulation of TLR‐1, TLR‐5 and TLR‐6 did not induce the kynurenine pathway. Taken together, this study provides novel evidence demonstrating that TLR activation induces a pattern of downstream tryptophan degradation along the kynurenine pathway in monocytes. The results of this study may implicate that TLRs can be used as new drug targets for the regulation of aberrant tryptophan metabolism along this pathway, a potential therapeutic strategy that may be of importance in several disorders.
Alternative splicing provides a proactive mechanism for the diurnal CONSTANS dynamics in Arabidopsis photoperiodic flowering
Authors: Gil Kyung‐Eun , Park Mi‐Jeong , Lee Hyo‐Jun , Park Young‐Joon , Han Shin‐Hee , Kwon Young‐Ju , Seo Pil Joon , Jung Jae‐Hoon , Park Chung‐Mo
Published: September 2016

The circadian clock control of CONSTANS (CO) transcription and the light‐mediated stabilization of its encoded protein coordinately adjust photoperiodic flowering by triggering rhythmic expression of the floral integrator flowering locus T (FT). Diurnal accumulation of CO is modulated sequentially by distinct E3 ubiquitin ligases, allowing peak CO to occur in the late afternoon under long days. Here we show that CO abundance is not simply targeted by E3 enzymes but is also actively self‐adjusted through dynamic interactions between two CO isoforms. Alternative splicing of CO produces two protein variants, the full‐size COα and the truncated COβ lacking DNA‐binding affinity. Notably, COβ, which is resistant to E3 enzymes, induces the interaction of COα with CO‐destabilizing E3 enzymes but inhibits the association of COα with CO‐stabilizing E3 ligase. These observations demonstrate that CO plays an active role in sustaining its diurnal accumulation dynamics during Arabidopsis photoperiodic flowering.
In Vitro Evaluation of the Aberdeen Knot for Continuous Suture Patterns with Large Gauge Suture
Authors: Gillen Alex M. , Munsterman Amelia S. , Farag Ramsis , Coleridge Matthew O. D. , Reid Hanson R.
Published: September 2016

Objective

To evaluate the strength, size, and holding capacity of the Aberdeen knot compared to surgeon's and square knots using large gauge suture.

Study Design

In vitro mechanical study.

Study Population

Knotted suture.

Methods

Aberdeen, surgeon's, and square knots were tested using 2 and 3 USP polyglactin 910 and 2 USP polydioxanone under linear tension on a universal testing machine. Mode of failure and knot holding capacity (KHC) were recorded and relative knot security (RKS) was calculated as a percentage of KHC. Knot volume and weight were quantified by a digital micrometer and balance, respectively. Strength between number of throws, suture, suture size, and knot type were compared by ANOVA and post hoc testing. P≤.05 was considered significant.

Results

Aberdeen knots had higher KHC and RKS than surgeon's or square knots for all suture types and number of throws (P<.001). For all suture materials, none of the Aberdeen knots unraveled, but a portion of square and surgeon's knots with <7 throws did unravel (P=.101). Aberdeen knots had a smaller volume and weight than both surgeon's and square knots with equal numbers of throws (P<.001). The knot with the combined highest RKS and smallest size and weight was an Aberdeen knot with 4 throws using 3 USP polyglactin 910.

Conclusion

The Aberdeen knots were stronger, more secure, and smaller than surgeon's and square knots for ending a continuous suture pattern. Clinically, the Aberdeen knot may be a useful alternative for completion of continuous patterns using large gauge suture, without sacrificing knot integrity.
Empatía en el Contexto Romántico: Diseño y Validación de una Medida
Authors: Sanchez Aragon Rozzana , Martinez Perez Magali
Published: September 2016

La empatía en su naturaleza involucra una serie de nociones (Batson, 2009) cuyos énfasis van de menos a más en cuanto a dos elementos psicológicos fundamentales: la cognición y la emoción que se vinculan en uno u otro sentido, es decir, por un lado puede ser un carácter de comprensión intelectual o imaginativa de la condición del otro sin experimentar realmente los sentimientos de esa persona (p. ej., Hogan, 1969) o por otro lado, como una reacción emocional o simpatía, en respuesta a los sentimientos o experiencias de otros (p. ej., Mehrabian & Epstein, 1972). Dado el carácter inherentemente interaccional de la empatía, el contexto de la relación de pareja se vuelve sumamente interesante de explorar en virtud de ella, ya que precisamente éste vínculo, incluye matices de emocionalidad y cognición muy particulares que favorecen el despliegue de dicha variable que implicará la integración de sus miembros en una lectura cognitivo-emocional característica y por tanto, determinará el grado de intimidad e inmediatez alcanzado por ellos. Ante esto, el propósito de este estudio fue diseñar y validar una medida de empatía hacia la pareja en una muestra no probabilística propositiva de 467 adultos de la Ciudad de México que contaban con una relación romántica. Los resultados muestran la obtención de cuatro factores clave en el entendimiento de la variable como lo son: toma de perspectiva, empatía cognoscitiva de las emociones, perturbación propia y compasión empática. Dichos factores mostraron validez de constructo y coeficientes alpha de Cronbach moderados y en su conjunto representa una contribución conceptual, metodológica y cultural al estudio de la variable en el contexto romántico.
Relación entre autoeficacia y autoatribuciones académicas en estudiantes chilenos
Authors: García-Fernández José Manuel , Inglés-Saura Cándido José , Vicent María , Gonzálvez Carolina , Lagos-San Martín Nelly , Pérez-Sánchez Antonio Miguel
Published: September 2016

Se analizó la capacidad predictiva de la autoeficacia académica percibida sobre las altas autoatribuciones académicas en una muestra de 874 estudiantes adolescentes chilenos. Se administraron la Escala de Autoeficacia Percibida Específica de Situaciones Académicas y la Escala de Atribución de Sídney. Los análisis de regresión logística revelaron que la autoeficacia académica fue un predictor estadísticamente significativo de las autoatribuciones a la capacidad y al esfuerzo, independientemente del área de conocimiento. Esta relación de predicción fue positiva en situaciones de éxito y negativa ante situaciones de fracaso. La autoeficacia predijo significativamente las autoatribuciones a causas externas en situaciones de éxito académico, en el área de lenguaje y en la suma de las puntuaciones tanto de lenguaje como de matemáticas.
Relación entre segregación y convivencia escolar en escuelas chilenas con altos puntajes PISA 2009
Authors: Ascorra Costa Paula
Published: September 2016

La educación chilena es altamente segregadora, lo que dificulta la construcción de sociedades cohesionadas y democráticas. La investigación corresponde a un diseño mixto, secuencial y bietápi-co que indagó la relación entre segregación (selección y nivel socioeconómico) y calidad de la con-vivencia escolar, tomando como muestra las 200 escuelas PISA 2009. Los resultados evidencian peores ambientes escolares en las escuelas municipales, de nivel socioeconómico bajo y no selectivas, donde los estudiantes se sienten estigmatizados y discriminados por variables académicas, familiares y políticas. Se discute la necesidad de revisar la Política Educativa que incentiva la competencia entre escuelas por rendimiento académico y formar en Educación Cívica para avanzar hacia escuelas más integradas y con ello a sociedades más justas y democráticas.
Relación entre tipos sociométricos y metas académicas en una muestra de estudiantes españoles de Educación Secundaria
Authors: Inglés Saura Cándido Jose , Aparisi Sierra David , García Fernández José Manuel , Núñez Pérez José Carlos , Martínez Monteagudo María Carmen
Published: September 2016

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación entre tipos sociométricos, categorías conductuales y metas académicas en una muestra de 1349 estudiantes (51.7% chicos) de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria. La identificación sociométrica de los estudiantes se realizó mediante el Programa Socio y las metas académicas fueron evaluadas mediante el AGTQ (Achievement Goals Tendencies Questionnaire). El AGTQ es una medida de autoinforme diseñada para medir tres orientaciones de metas: Aprendizaje, Logro y Refuerzo Social. Los resultados muestran que los estudiantes nominados positivamente por sus compañeros presentaron mayores puntuaciones en metas de Aprendizaje y de Logro que los estudiantes nominados negativamente. Además, los tipos sociométricos fueron predictores significativos de las metas académicas, ya que los estudiantes nominados positivamente por sus compañeros presentaron mayor probabilidad de alcanzar altas metas de Aprendizaje y de Logro que los estudiantes nominados negativamente.
Optimization of Pt–Ni Alloy Catalysts Synthesized by Potentiostatic Electrodeposition for Cathode in PEMFC
Authors: Wang Cheng , Lin Chen Ze , Wen Tao An , Zhang Hua
Published: September 2016

The development of highly active and low-cost catalysts is a challenge for the application and large-scale commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In this study, a series of Pt–Ni alloy catalysts is synthesized by potentiostatic electrodeposition, and the optimum deposition parameters are determined by an orthogonal array experiment. The effect of electrodeposition parameters on the morphology, composition, and electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is investigated. The Pt–Ni alloy catalyst prepared with the optimum deposition parameters of −0.35 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE), 50 °C for 20 min exhibits the higher ORR activity. Rapid potential cycling dealloying is also employed to modify the morphology of Pt–Ni catalysts, which results in the increase of the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) and the improvement of the ORR electrocatalytic activity. The electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) for the dealloying Pt–Ni catalyst (D-OP-sample) with the grain size of 6.2 nm is 87.0 m2 g−1. The current density and the mass activity for the electrode with D-OP-sample catalyst are 281.5 mA·cm−2 at 0.4 V and 587.9 mA· mgPt−1 at 0.6 V, respectively.
Anodic biofilms as the interphase for electroactive bacterial growth on carbon veil
Authors: Artyushkova Kateryna , Roizman Dan , Santoro Carlo , Doyle Lucinda Elizabeth , Fatima Mohidin Abeed , Atanassov Plamen , Marsili Enrico
Published: September 2016

The structure and activity of electrochemically active biofilms (EABs) are usually investigated on flat electrodes. However, real world applications such as wastewater treatment and bioelectrosynthesis require tridimensional electrodes to increase surface area and facilitate EAB attachment. The structure and activity of thick EABs grown on high surface area electrodes are difficult to characterize with electrochemical and microscopy methods. Here, the authors adopt a stacked electrode configuration to simulate the high surface and the tridimensional structure of an electrode for large-scale EAB applications. Each layer of the stacked electrode is independently characterized using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and digital image processing. Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 biofilm on stacked carbon veil electrodes is grown under constant oxidative potentials (0, +200, and +400 mV versus Ag/AgCl) until a stable current output is obtained. The textural, aerial, and volumetric parameters extracted from CLSM images allow tracking of the evolution of morphological properties within the stacked electrodes. The electrode layers facing the bulk liquid show higher biovolumes compared with the inner layer of the stack. The electrochemical performance of S. oneidensis MR-1 is directly linked to the overall biofilm volume as well as connectivity between cell clusters.
XPS and SIMS study of the surface and interface of aged C+ implanted uranium
Authors: Donald Scott B. , Siekhaus Wigbert J. , Nelson Art J.
Published: September 2016

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in combination with secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiling were used to investigate the surface and interfacial chemistry of C+ ion implanted polycrystalline uranium subsequently oxidized in air for over 10 years at ambient temperature. The original implantation of 33 keV C+ ions into U238 with a dose of 4.3 × 1017 cm−3 produced a physically and chemically modified surface layer that was characterized and shown to initially prevent air oxidation and corrosion of the uranium after 1 year in air at ambient temperature. The aging of the surface and interfacial layers were examined by using the chemical shift of the U 4f, C 1s, and O 1s photoelectron lines. In addition, valence band spectra were used to explore the electronic structure of the aged carbide surface and interface layer. Furthermore, the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiling results for the aged sample confirmed an oxidized uranium carbide layer over the carbide layer/U metal interface.
A pencil beam dose calculation model for CyberKnife system
Authors: Liang Bin , Li Yongbao , Liu Bo , Zhou Fugen , Xu Shouping , Wu Qiuwen
Published: September 2016

Purpose

CyberKnife system is initially equipped with fixed circular cones for stereotactic radiosurgery. Two dose calculation algorithms, Ray‐Tracing and Monte Carlo, are available in the supplied treatment planning system. A multileaf collimator system was recently introduced in the latest generation of system, capable of arbitrarily shaped treatment field. The purpose of this study is to develop a model based dose calculation algorithm to better handle the lateral scatter in an irregularly shaped small field for the CyberKnife system.

Methods

A pencil beam dose calculation algorithm widely used in linac based treatment planning system was modified. The kernel parameters and intensity profile were systematically determined by fitting to the commissioning data. The model was tuned using only a subset of measured data (4 out of 12 cones) and applied to all fixed circular cones for evaluation. The root mean square (RMS) of the difference between the measured and calculated tissue‐phantom‐ratios (TPRs) and off‐center‐ratio (OCR) was compared. Three cone size correction techniques were developed to better fit the OCRs at the penumbra region, which are further evaluated by the output factors (OFs). The pencil beam model was further validated against measurement data on the variable dodecagon‐shaped Iris collimators and a half‐beam blocked field. Comparison with Ray‐Tracing and Monte Carlo methods was also performed on a lung SBRT case.

Results

The RMS between the measured and calculated TPRs is 0.7% averaged for all cones, with the descending region at 0.5%. The RMSs of OCR at infield and outfield regions are both at 0.5%. The distance to agreement (DTA) at the OCR penumbra region is 0.2 mm. All three cone size correction models achieve the same improvement in OCR agreement, with the effective source shift model (SSM) preferred, due to their ability to predict more accurately the OF variations with the source to axis distance (SAD). In noncircular field validation, the pencil beam calculated results agreed well with the film measurement of both Iris collimators and the half‐beam blocked field, fared much better than the Ray‐Tracing calculation.

Conclusions

The authors have developed a pencil beam dose calculation model for the CyberKnife system. The dose calculation accuracy is better than the standard linac based system because the model parameters were specifically tuned to the CyberKnife system and geometry correction factors. The model handles better the lateral scatter and has the potential to be used for the irregularly shaped fields. Comprehensive validations on MLC equipped system are necessary for its clinical implementation. It is reasonably fast enough to be used during plan optimization.
A self-reciprocity calibration method for broadband focused transducers
Authors: Zhang Shuzeng , Kube Christopher M. , Song Yongfeng , Li Xiongbing
Published: September 2016

A procedure is developed for self-calibration of broadband, spherically focused ultrasonic transducers based on reciprocity. The input and received signals are measured in a pulse-echo configuration. These signals are used in conjunction with a multi-Gaussian beam model to obtain the electromechanical transfer function of the transducer. This calibration procedure is advantageous because it reduces the experimental configuration to a single transducer and a reflector. Experimental results indicate that the transfer function is insensitive to on-axis reflector placement. This result supports the feasibility of integrating the calibration procedure into actual testing in some situations.
Accusations fly after big Gates grant
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: September 2016

Panel promises verdict on old dispute between WHO and the University of Oxford.
Iranian sun
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: September 2016

A fusion research program nurtured in isolation could blossom as Iran joins the ITER megaproject.
The reactor that triggered a nuclear crisis
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: September 2016

Standoff over refueling an aging research reactor paved way for key advance in Iran's uranium enrichment know-how.
Digital discrimination: Political bias in Internet service provision across ethnic groups
Authors: Weidmann Nils B. , Benitez-Baleato Suso , Hunziker Philipp , Glatz Eduard , Dimitropoulos Xenofontas
Published: September 2016

The global expansion of the Internet is frequently associated with increased government transparency, political rights, and democracy. However, this assumption depends on marginalized groups getting access in the first place. Here we document a strong and persistent political bias in the allocation of Internet coverage across ethnic groups worldwide. Using estimates of Internet penetration obtained through network measurements, we show that politically excluded groups suffer from significantly lower Internet penetration rates compared with those in power, an effect that cannot be explained by economic or geographic factors. Our findings underline one of the central impediments to “liberation technology,” which is that governments still play a key role in the allocation of the Internet and can, intentionally or not, sabotage its liberating effects.
Spatiotemporal microbial evolution on antibiotic landscapes
Authors: Baym Michael , Lieberman Tami D. , Kelsic Eric D. , Chait Remy , Gross Rotem , Yelin Idan , Kishony Roy
Published: September 2016

A key aspect of bacterial survival is the ability to evolve while migrating across spatially varying environmental challenges. Laboratory experiments, however, often study evolution in well-mixed systems. Here, we introduce an experimental device, the microbial evolution and growth arena (MEGA)–plate, in which bacteria spread and evolved on a large antibiotic landscape (120 × 60 centimeters) that allowed visual observation of mutation and selection in a migrating bacterial front. While resistance increased consistently, multiple coexisting lineages diversified both phenotypically and genotypically. Analyzing mutants at and behind the propagating front, we found that evolution is not always led by the most resistant mutants; highly resistant mutants may be trapped behind more sensitive lineages. The MEGA-plate provides a versatile platform for studying microbial adaption and directly visualizing evolutionary dynamics.
Ahmed H. Zewail (1946–2016)
Authors: Dervan Peter B.
Published: September 2016

A Nobel laureate, who pioneered femtochemistry, promoted a scientific renaissance in the Middle East
Donald A. Henderson (1928–2016)
Authors: Heymann David L.
Published: September 2016

A pragmatic and tireless epidemiologist led the international eradication of smallpox
Identification of Essential Genes in the Salmonella Phage SPN3US Reveals Novel Insights into Giant Phage Head Structure and Assembly
Authors: Thomas Julie A. , Benítez Quintana Andrea Denisse , Bosch Martine A. , Coll De Peña Adriana , Aguilera Elizabeth , Coulibaly Assitan , Wu Weimin , Osier Michael V. , Hudson André O. , Weintraub Susan T. , Black Lindsay W.
Published: September 2016

Giant tailed bacterial viruses, or phages, such as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
phage ϕKZ, have long genomes packaged into large, atypical virions. Many aspects of ϕKZ and related phage biology are poorly understood, mostly due to the fact that the functions of the majority of their proteins are unknown. We hypothesized that the
Salmonella enterica
phage SPN3US could be a useful model phage to address this gap in knowledge. The 240-kb SPN3US genome shares a core set of 91 genes with ϕKZ and related phages, ∼61 of which are virion genes, consistent with the expectation that virion complexity is an ancient, conserved feature. Nucleotide sequencing of 18 mutants enabled assignment of 13 genes as essential, information which could not have been determined by sequence-based searches for 11 genes. Proteome analyses of two SPN3US virion protein mutants with knockouts in
64
and
241
provided new insight into the composition and assembly of giant phage heads. The
64
mutant analyses revealed all the genetic determinants required for assembly of the SPN3US head and a likely head-tail joining role for gp64, and its homologs in related phages, due to the tailless-particle phenotype produced. Analyses of the mutation in
241
, which encodes an RNA polymerase β subunit, revealed that without this subunit, no other subunits are assembled into the head, and enabled identification of a “missing” β′ subunit domain. These findings support SPN3US as an excellent model for giant phage research, laying the groundwork for future analyses of their highly unusual virions, host interactions, and evolution.

IMPORTANCE
In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in virology with the realization that extremely large viruses infecting prokaryotes (giant phages) can be found in many environments. A group of phages related to the prototype giant phage ϕKZ are of great interest due to their virions being among the most complex of prokaryotic viruses and their potential for biocontrol and phage therapy applications. Our understanding of the biology of these phages is limited, as a large proportion of their proteins have not been characterized and/or have been deemed putative without any experimental verification. In this study, we analyzed
Salmonella
phage SPN3US using a combination of genomics, genetics, and proteomics and in doing so revealed new information regarding giant phage head structure and assembly and virion RNA polymerase composition. Our findings demonstrate the suitability of SPN3US as a model phage for the growing group of phages related to ϕKZ.
Visualising linked health data to explore health events around preventable hospitalisations in NSW Australia
Authors: Falster Michael O , Jorm Louisa R , Leyland Alastair H
Published: September 2016

Objective

To explore patterns of health service use in the lead-up to, and following, admission for a ‘preventable’ hospitalisation.

Setting

266 950 participants in the 45 and Up Study, New South Wales (NSW) Australia

Methods

Linked data on hospital admissions, general practitioner (GP) visits and other health events were used to create visual representations of health service use. For each participant, health events were plotted against time, with different events juxtaposed using different markers and panels of data. Various visualisations were explored by patient characteristics, and compared with a cohort of non-admitted participants matched on sociodemographic and health characteristics. Health events were displayed over calendar year and in the 90 days surrounding first preventable hospitalisation.

Results

The visualisations revealed patterns of clustering of GP consultations in the lead-up to, and following, preventable hospitalisation, with 14% of patients having a consultation on the day of admission and 27% in the prior week. There was a clustering of deaths and other hospitalisations following discharge, particularly for patients with a long length of stay, suggesting patients may have been in a state of health deterioration. Specialist consultations were primarily clustered during the period of hospitalisation. Rates of all health events were higher in patients admitted for a preventable hospitalisation than the matched non-admitted cohort.

Conclusions

We did not find evidence of limited use of primary care services in the lead-up to a preventable hospitalisation, rather people with preventable hospitalisations tended to have high levels of engagement with multiple elements of the healthcare system. As such, preventable hospitalisations might be better used as a tool for identifying sicker patients for managed care programmes. Visualising longitudinal health data was found to be a powerful strategy for uncovering patterns of health service use, and such visualisations have potential to be more widely adopted in health services research.