bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GESTURE, MIMESIS AND IMAGE: ADORNO, BENJAMIN AND THE GUITAR MUSIC OF BRIAN FERNEYHOUGH
Authors: Castro-Magas Diego
Published: September 2016

One important stimulus in attempting to apply Adorno's constellation of concepts on performance to Brian Ferneyhough's guitar music is that both display the influence of Walter Benjamin's thought. Benjamin's concept of mimesis influenced Adorno's theory of musical reproduction, however much Adorno may have reformulated it, and various Benjaminian topics are traceable in Ferneyhough's guitar music, especiallyKurze Schatten II(1983–89) for solo guitar. Adorno claims that true reproduction is the X-ray image of the work of music, a rendition of all the aspects that lie hidden beneath the surface. By exploring the conceptual traces of Benjamin's thought inKurze Schatten II, this article examines how performer's interpretative choices are likely to render the X-ray image of this music in performance, as seen through a gesture-based approach.
UPON THE OCCASION OF THE MILTON BABBITT (1916–2011) CENTENARY: AN INTERVIEW WITH BENJAMIN BORETZ
Authors: Mailman Joshua Banks
Published: September 2016

This edited transcript of a public pre-concert discussion with composer, theorist and critic Benjamin Boretz not only touches on early personal encounters with Babbitt but also ranges over issues of reception of his music, listening experiences, transformations of music's temporality, connections to Schoenberg, Webern, Cage, and postmodernism, stylistic changes over Babbitt's career and composerly poetics, as well as motivations and consequences for precompositional structures and systems. The discussion took place on 22 November 2015, at the first of three recitals during the 2015–16 concert season at Spectrum, in New York City, in which Augustus Arnone for the second time performed all of Milton Babbitt's solo piano works, this time in honour of the composer's centenary.
AMERICAN LOCAL AMERICAN GLOBAL
Authors: Richards Sam
Published: September 2016

Of the conversations I had with Bob Gilmore when he was a Dartington College lecturer and lived in Totnes, five minutes from where I live, there was one in particular that we returned to a few times. And it concerned the way the burgeoning American folk movement from the 1920s through to the 50s interacted with experimentalism in music, perhaps surprisingly, yet in some significant ways.
THE QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN
Authors: Denyer Frank
Published: September 2016

Today I know what I want to say, but on the other hand I am a little uncertain about how to approach it because some of the material is, shall we say, ‘delicate’. So excuse me for using Bob Gilmore as a way in, a role I think he would have relished.
‘Remembering the Future’: Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, CBSO Centre, Birmingham
Authors: Reynolds Peter
Published: September 2016

‘How do you deal with endings?’, Stephen Newbould, BCMG's Artistic Director, asked a group of four composers in an interview prior to the ensemble's final concert of the season, given on 12 June. Perhaps Newbould was thinking out loud: ‘Remembering the Future’ marked his and Executive Producer Jackie Newbould's last event with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, after a tenure of nearly 30 years. The CBSO Centre was packed to the rafters for this concert that featured new commissions by Luke Bedford, Richard Baker, John Woolrich and Zoë Martlew: four composers with strong connections to the group. At the suggestion of John Woolrich, in his role as Artist-in-Association with BCMG, the works were scored not for BCMG's usual larger forces but for Schoenberg's ‘Pierrot’ ensemble, with various additions and subtractions.
Crystal structure of norgestimate, C23H31NO3
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Gindhart Amy M. , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: September 2016

The crystal structure of norgestimate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Norgestimate crystallizes in space group P212121 (#19) with a = 11.523 67(9), b = 16.130 72(20), c = 22.247 93(20) Å, V = 4135.56(7) Å3, and Z = 8. There are two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, with opposite conformations of the acetate groups. Molecule 2 is 7.3 kcal mole−1 lower in energy than molecule 1, and is in the minimum energy conformation. The hydroxyimine groups form O–H⋯O hydrogen bonds to the acetate carbonyl groups, resulting in two separate C(15) chains along the b-axis. The powder pattern is included in the Powder Diffraction File™ as entry 00-064-1503.
Pelvic inflammatory disease and salpingitis: incidence of primary and repeat episodes in England
Authors: PRICE M. J. , ADES A. E. , WELTON N. J. , SIMMS I. , HORNER P. J.
Published: September 2016

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and more specifically salpingitis (visually confirmed inflammation) is the primary cause of tubal factor infertility and is an important risk factor for ectopic pregnancy. The risk of these outcomes increases following repeated episodes of PID. We developed a homogenous discrete-time Markov model for the distribution of PID history in the UK. We used a Bayesian framework to fully propagate parameter uncertainty into the model outputs. We estimated the model parameters from routine data, prospective studies, and other sources. We estimated that for women aged 35–44 years, 33·6% and 16·1% have experienced at least one episode of PID and salpingitis, respectively (diagnosed or not) and 10·7% have experienced one salpingitis and no further PID episodes, 3·7% one salpingitis and one further PID episode, and 1·7% one salpingitis and ⩾2 further PID episodes. Results are consistent with numerous external data sources, but not all. Studies of the proportion of PID that is diagnosed, and the proportion of PIDs that are salpingitis together with the severity distribution in different diagnostic settings and of overlap between routine data sources of PID would be valuable.
ON SELMER RANK PARITY OF TWISTS
Authors: HADIAN MAJID , WEIDNER MATTHEW
Published: September 2016

In this paper we study the variation of the $p$-Selmer rank parities of $p$-twists of a principally polarized Abelian variety over an arbitrary number field $K$ and show, under certain assumptions, that this parity is periodic with an explicit period. Our result applies in particular to principally polarized Abelian varieties with full $K$-rational $p$-torsion subgroup, arbitrary elliptic curves, and Jacobians of hyperelliptic curves. Assuming the Shafarevich–Tate conjecture, our result allows one to classify the rank parities of all quadratic twists of an elliptic or hyperelliptic curve after a finite calculation.
An X-band Schottky diode mixer in SiGe technology with tunable Marchand balun
Authors: Michaelsen Rasmus S. , Johansen Tom K. , Tamborg Kjeld M. , Zhurbenko Vitaliy , Yan Lei
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we propose a double balanced mixer with a tunable Marchand balun. The circuit is designed in a SiGe BiCMOS process using Schottky diodes. The tunability of the Marchand balun is used to enhance critical parameters for double balanced mixers. The local oscillator-IF isolation can be changed from –51 to –60.5 dB by tuning. Similarly, the IIP2can be improved from 41.3 to 48.7 dBm at 11 GHz, while the input referred 1-dB compression point is kept constant at 8 dBm. The tuning have no influence on conversion loss, which remains at 8.8 dB at a LO power level of 11 dBm at the center frequency of 11 GHz. The mixer has a 3 dB bandwidth from 8 to 13 GHz, covering the entire X-band. The full mixer has a size of 2050 μm × 1000 μm.
Isotopes from the Tap Reveal Urban Water System Dynamics
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: September 2016

Tracking isotope patterns in tap water also reveals metropolitan water management choices, population ranges, episodes of environmental stress, and even information on household income.
Prostate cancer risk related to foods, food groups, macronutrients and micronutrients derived from the UK Dietary Cohort Consortium food diaries
Authors: Lane J A , Oliver S E , Appleby P N , Lentjes M A H , Emmett P , Kuh D , Stephen A , Brunner E J , Shipley M J , Hamdy F C , Neal D E , Donovan J L , Khaw K-T , Key T J
Published: September 2016

Background/Objectives:

The influence of dietary factors remains controversial for screen-detected prostate cancer and inconclusive for clinically detected disease. We aimed to examine these associations using prospectively collected food diaries.

Subjects/Methods:

A total of 1,717 prostate cancer cases in middle-aged and older UK men were pooled from four prospective cohorts with clinically detected disease (n=663), with routine data follow-up (means 6.6–13.3 years) and a case-control study with screen-detected disease (n=1054), nested in a randomised trial of prostate cancer treatments (ISCTRN 20141297). Multiple-day food diaries (records) completed by men prior to diagnosis were used to estimate intakes of 37 selected nutrients, food groups and items, including carbohydrate, fat, protein, dairy products, fish, meat, fruit and vegetables, energy, fibre, alcohol, lycopene and selenium. Cases were matched on age and diary date to at least one control within study (n=3528). Prostate cancer risk was calculated, using conditional logistic regression (adjusted for baseline covariates) and expressed as odds ratios in each quintile of intake (±95% confidence intervals). Prostate cancer risk was also investigated by localised or advanced stage and by cancer detection method.

Results:

There were no strong associations between prostate cancer risk and 37 dietary factors.

Conclusions:

Prostate cancer risk, including by disease stage, was not strongly associated with dietary factors measured by food diaries in middle-aged and older UK men.
Structural and functional characterization of a calcium-activated cation channel from Tsukamurella paurometabola
Authors: Dhakshnamoorthy Balasundaresan , Rohaim Ahmed , Rui Huan , Blachowicz Lydia , Roux Benoît
Published: September 2016

The selectivity filter is an essential functional element of K+ channels that is highly conserved both in terms of its primary sequence and its three-dimensional structure. Here, we investigate the properties of an ion channel from the Gram-positive bacterium Tsukamurella paurometabola with a selectivity filter formed by an uncommon proline-rich sequence. Electrophysiological recordings show that it is a non-selective cation channel and that its activity depends on Ca2+ concentration. In the crystal structure, the selectivity filter adopts a novel conformation with Ca2+ ions bound within the filter near the pore helix where they are coordinated by backbone oxygen atoms, a recurrent motif found in multiple proteins. The binding of Ca2+ ion in the selectivity filter controls the widening of the pore as shown in crystal structures and in molecular dynamics simulations. The structural, functional and computational data provide a characterization of this calcium-gated cationic channel.
Systematic functional analysis of kinases in the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Lee Kyung-Tae , So Yee-Seul , Yang Dong-Hoon , Jung Kwang-Woo , Choi Jaeyoung , Lee Dong-Gi , Kwon Hyojeong , Jang Juyeong , Wang Li Li , Cha Soohyun , Meyers Gena Lee , Jeong Eunji , Jin Jae-Hyung , Lee Yeonseon , Hong Joohyeon , Bang Soohyun , Ji Je-Hyun , Park Goun , Byun Hyo-Jeong , Park Sung Woo , Park Young-Min , Adedoyin Gloria , Kim Taeyup , Averette Anna F. , Choi Jong-Soon , Heitman Joseph , Cheong Eunji , Lee Yong-Hwan , Bahn Yong-Sun
Published: September 2016

Cryptococcus neoformans is the leading cause of death by fungal meningoencephalitis; however, treatment options remain limited. Here we report the construction of 264 signature-tagged gene-deletion strains for 129 putative kinases, and examine their phenotypic traits under 30 distinct in vitro growth conditions and in two different hosts (insect larvae and mice). Clustering analysis of in vitro phenotypic traits indicates that several of these kinases have roles in known signalling pathways, and identifies hitherto uncharacterized signalling cascades. Virulence assays in the insect and mouse models provide evidence of pathogenicity-related roles for 63 kinases involved in the following biological categories: growth and cell cycle, nutrient metabolism, stress response and adaptation, cell signalling, cell polarity and morphology, vacuole trafficking, transfer RNA (tRNA) modification and other functions. Our study provides insights into the pathobiological signalling circuitry of C. neoformans and identifies potential anticryptococcal or antifungal drug targets.
A novel perovskite oxide chemically designed to show multiferroic phase boundary with room-temperature magnetoelectricity
Authors: Fernández-Posada Carmen M. , Castro Alicia , Kiat Jean-Michel , Porcher Florence , Peña Octavio , Algueró Miguel , Amorín Harvey
Published: September 2016

There is a growing activity in the search of novel single-phase multiferroics that could finally provide distinctive magnetoelectric responses at room temperature, for they would enable a range of potentially disruptive technologies, making use of the ability of controlling polarization with a magnetic field or magnetism with an electric one (for example, voltage-tunable spintronic devices, uncooled magnetic sensors and the long-searched magnetoelectric memory). A very promising novel material concept could be to make use of phase-change phenomena at structural instabilities of a multiferroic state. Indeed, large phase-change magnetoelectric response has been anticipated by a first-principles investigation of the perovskite BiFeO3–BiCoO3 solid solution, specifically at its morphotropic phase boundary between multiferroic polymorphs of rhombohedral and tetragonal symmetries. Here, we report a novel perovskite oxide that belongs to the BiFeO3–BiMnO3–PbTiO3 ternary system, chemically designed to present such multiferroic phase boundary with enhanced ferroelectricity and canted ferromagnetism, which shows distinctive room-temperature magnetoelectric responses.
Optical manipulation of single flux quanta
Authors: Veshchunov I. S. , Magrini W. , Mironov S. V. , Godin A. G. , Trebbia J.-B. , Buzdin A. I. , Tamarat Ph. , Lounis B.
Published: September 2016

Magnetic field can penetrate into type II superconductors in the form of Abrikosov vortices, which are magnetic flux tubes surrounded by circulating supercurrents often trapped at defects referred to as pinning sites. Although the average properties of the vortex matter in superconductors can be tuned with magnetic fields, temperature or electric currents, handling of individual Abrikosov vortices remains challenging and has been demonstrated only with sophisticated scanning local probe microscopies. Here we introduce a far-field optical method based on local heating of the superconductor with a focused laser beam to realize a fast and precise manipulation of individual vortices, in the same way as with optical tweezers. This simple approach provides the perfect basis for sculpting the magnetic flux profile in superconducting devices like a vortex lens or a vortex cleaner, without resorting to static pinning or ratchet effects.
Return of naturally sourced Pb to Atlantic surface waters
Authors: Bridgestock Luke , van de Flierdt Tina , Rehkämper Mark , Paul Maxence , Middag Rob , Milne Angela , Lohan Maeve C. , Baker Alex R. , Chance Rosie , Khondoker Roulin , Strekopytov Stanislav , Humphreys-Williams Emma , Achterberg Eric P. , Rijkenberg Micha J. A. , Gerringa Loes J. A. , de Baar Hein J. W.
Published: September 2016

Anthropogenic emissions completely overwhelmed natural marine lead (Pb) sources during the past century, predominantly due to leaded petrol usage. Here, based on Pb isotope measurements, we reassess the importance of natural and anthropogenic Pb sources to the tropical North Atlantic following the nearly complete global cessation of leaded petrol use. Significant proportions of up to 30–50% of natural Pb, derived from mineral dust, are observed in Atlantic surface waters, reflecting the success of the global effort to reduce anthropogenic Pb emissions. The observation of mineral dust derived Pb in surface waters is governed by the elevated atmospheric mineral dust concentration of the North African dust plume and the dominance of dry deposition for the atmospheric aerosol flux to surface waters. Given these specific regional conditions, emissions from anthropogenic activities will remain the dominant global marine Pb source, even in the absence of leaded petrol combustion.
Correction: Corrigendum: Hydrogel microphones for stealthy underwater listening
Authors: Gao Yang , Song Jingfeng , Li Shumin , Elowsky Christian , Zhou You , Ducharme Stephen , Chen Yong Mei , Zhou Qin , Tan Li
Published: September 2016

Nature Communications 7 Article number: 12316 (2016); Published 24 August 2016; Updated 28 September 2016. The financial support for this Article was not fully acknowledged. The Acknowledgements should have included the following: Y.M.C. gratefully acknowledges the financial support from International Science and Technology Cooperation Program supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.
Thresholds in marsh resilience to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Authors: Silliman Brian R. , Dixon Philip M. , Wobus Cameron , He Qiang , Daleo Pedro , Hughes Brent B. , Rissing Matthew , Willis Jonathan M. , Hester Mark W.
Published: September 2016

Ecosystem boundary retreat due to human-induced pressure is a generally observed phenomenon. However, studies that document thresholds beyond which internal resistance mechanisms are overwhelmed are uncommon. Following the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill, field studies from a few sites suggested that oiling of salt marshes could lead to a biogeomorphic feedback where plant death resulted in increased marsh erosion. We tested for spatial generality of and thresholds in this effect across 103 salt marsh sites spanning ~430 kilometers of shoreline in coastal Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, using data collected as part of the natural resource damage assessment (NRDA). Our analyses revealed a threshold for oil impacts on marsh edge erosion, with higher erosion rates occurring for ~1–2 years after the spill at sites with the highest amounts of plant stem oiling (90–100%). These results provide compelling evidence showing large-scale ecosystem loss following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. More broadly, these findings provide rare empirical evidence identifying a geomorphologic threshold in the resistance of an ecosystem to increasing intensity of human-induced disturbance.
Prediction of new drug indications based on clinical data and network modularity
Authors: Yu Liang , Ma Xiaoke , Zhang Long , Zhang Jing , Gao Lin
Published: September 2016

Drug repositioning is commonly done within the drug discovery process in order to adjust or expand the application line of an active molecule. Previous computational methods in this domain mainly focused on shared genes or correlations between genes to construct new drug-disease associations. We propose a method that can not only handle drugs or diseases with or without related genes but consider the network modularity. Our method firstly constructs a drug network and a disease network based on side effects and symptoms respectively. Because similar drugs imply similar diseases, we then cluster the two networks to identify drug and disease modules, and connect all possible drug-disease module pairs. Further, based on known drug-disease associations in CTD and using local connectivity of modules, we predict potential drug-disease associations. Our predictions are validated by testing their overlaps with drug indications reported in published literatures and CTD, and KEGG enrichment analysis are also made on their related genes. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach can complement the current computational approaches and its predictions can provide new clues for the candidate discovery of drug repositioning.
An electrical probe of the phonon mean-free path spectrum
Authors: Ramu Ashok T. , Halaszynski Nicole I. , Peters Jonathan D. , Meinhart Carl D. , Bowers John E.
Published: September 2016

Most studies of the mean-free path accumulation function (MFPAF) rely on optical techniques to probe heat transfer at length scales on the order of the phonon mean-free path. In this paper, we propose and implement a purely electrical probe of the MFPAF that relies on photo-lithographically defined heater-thermometer separation to set the length scale. An important advantage of the proposed technique is its insensitivity to the thermal interfacial impedance and its compatibility with a large array of temperature-controlled chambers that lack optical ports. Detailed analysis of the experimental data based on the enhanced Fourier law (EFL) demonstrates that heat-carrying phonons in gallium arsenide have a much wider mean-free path spectrum than originally thought.
Foldable and High Sulfur Loading 3D Carbon Electrode for High-performance Li-S Battery Application
Authors: He Na , Zhong Lei , Xiao Min , Wang Shuanjin , Han Dongmei , Meng Yuezhong
Published: September 2016

Sulfur is a promising cathode material with a high theoretical capacity of 1672 mAh g−1, however, the practical energy density of Li-S battery is far away from such promising due to its low active material utilization and low sulfur loading. Moreover, the challenges of the low electrical conductivity of sulfur and the high solubility of polysulfide intermediates still hinder its practical application. Here, we report a kind of free-standing and foldable cathodes consisting of 3D activated carbon fiber matrix and sulfur cathode. The 3D activated carbon fiber matrix (ACFC) has continuous conductive framework and sufficient internal space to provide a long-distance and continuous high-speed electron pathway. It also gives a very larger internal space and tortuous cathode region to ACFC accommodate a highly sulfur loading and keeps polysulfide within the cathode. The unique structured 3D foldable sulfur cathode using a foldable ACFC as matrix delivers a reversible capacity of about 979 mAh g−1 at 0.2C, a capacity retention of 98% after 100 cycles, and 0.02% capacity attenuation per cycle. Even at an areal capacity of 6 mAh cm−2, which is 2 times higher than the values of Li-ion battery, it still maintains an excellent rate capability and cycling performance.
Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH 2) Gene Polymorphism, Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) Concentrations, and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Xuan Chao , Xu Long-Qiang , Tian Qing-Wu , Li Hui , Wang Qing , He Guo-Wei , Lun Li-Min
Published: September 2016

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases. Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH 2) promotes the metabolism of ADMA and plays a key role in the regulation of acute inflammatory response. With the present study, we investigated the relationship between DDAH 2 polymorphisms and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its association to plasma ADMA concentrations. We used the haplotype-tagging SNP approach to identify tag SNPs in DDAH 2. The SNPs were genotyped by PCR and sequenced in 385 CAD patients and 353 healthy controls. Plasma concentrations of ADMA were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A promoter polymorphism −449C/G (rs805305) in DDAH 2 was identified. Compared with the ADMA concentrations in CC genotype (0.328 ± 0.077 μmol/l), ADMA concentrations in CG + GG genotype were significantly increased (0.517 ± 0.090 μmol/l, P < 0.001). No significant associations between the −449C/G and risk of CAD were detected in the genetic models. The results of this study suggest that Genetic −499C/G polymorphism in DDAH 2 gene may affect the plasma ADMA concentrations in patients with CAD. However, it does not indicate a novel genetic risk marker for CAD.
Correction: Corrigendum: Terahertz radiation driven by two-color laser pulses at near-relativistic intensities: Competition between photoionization and wakefield effects
Authors: Martínez P. González de Alaiza , Davoine X. , Debayle A. , Gremillet L. , Bergé L.
Published: September 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 26743; published online: 03 June 2016; updated: 28 September 2016 This Article contains a typographical error in Equation 1, should read:
Bioluminescence Microscopy as a Method to Measure Single Cell Androgen Receptor Activity Heterogeneous Responses to Antiandrogens
Authors: Jain Pallavi , Neveu Bertrand , Velot Lauriane , Wu Lily , Fradet Yves , Pouliot Frédéric
Published: September 2016

Cancer cell heterogeneity is well-documented. Therefore, techniques to monitor single cell heterogeneous responses to treatment are needed. We developed a highly translational and quantitative bioluminescence microscopy method to measure single cell androgen receptor (AR) activity modulation by antiandrogens from fluid biopsies. We showed that this assay can detect heterogeneous cellular response to drug treatment and that the sum of single cell AR activity can mirror the response in the whole cell population. This method may thus be used to monitor heterogeneous dynamic treatment responses in cancer cells.
Functional characterization of p53 pathway components in the ancient metazoan Trichoplax adhaerens
Authors: Siau Jia Wei , Coffill Cynthia R. , Zhang Weiyun Villien , Tan Yaw Sing , Hundt Juliane , Lane David , Verma Chandra , Ghadessy Farid
Published: September 2016

The identification of genes encoding a p53 family member and an Mdm2 ortholog in the ancient placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens advocates for the evolutionary conservation of a pivotal stress-response pathway observed in all higher eukaryotes. Here, we recapitulate several key functionalities ascribed to this known interacting protein pair by analysis of the placozoan proteins (Tap53 and TaMdm2) using both in vitro and cellular assays. In addition to interacting with each other, the Tap53 and TaMdm2 proteins are also able to respectively bind human Mdm2 and p53, providing strong evidence for functional conservation. The key p53-degrading function of Mdm2 is also conserved in TaMdm2. Tap53 retained DNA binding associated with p53 transcription activation function. However, it lacked transactivation function in reporter genes assays using a heterologous cell line, suggesting a cofactor incompatibility. Overall, the data supports functional roles for TaMdm2 and Tap53 and further defines the p53 pathway as an evolutionary conserved fulcrum mediating cellular response to stress.
Electrical detection and quantification of single and mixed DNA nucleotides in suspension
Authors: Ahmad Mahmoud Al , Panicker Neena G. , Rizvi Tahir A. , Mustafa Farah
Published: September 2016

High speed sequential identification of the building blocks of DNA, (deoxyribonucleotides or nucleotides for short) without labeling or processing in long reads of DNA is the need of the hour. This can be accomplished through exploiting their unique electrical properties. In this study, the four different types of nucleotides that constitute a DNA molecule were suspended in a buffer followed by performing several types of electrical measurements. These electrical parameters were then used to quantify the suspended DNA nucleotides. Thus, we present a purely electrical counting scheme based on the semiconductor theory that allows one to determine the number of nucleotides in a solution by measuring their capacitance-voltage dependency. The nucleotide count was observed to be similar to the multiplication of the corresponding dopant concentration and debye volume after de-embedding the buffer contribution. The presented approach allows for a fast and label-free quantification of single and mixed nucleotides in a solution.
FAIM2, as a novel diagnostic maker and a potential therapeutic target for small-cell lung cancer and atypical carcinoid
Authors: Kang Hio Chung , Kim Jong In , Chang Hee Kyung , Woodard Gavitt , Choi Young Sik , Ku Ja-Lok , Jablons David M. , Kim Il-Jin
Published: September 2016

Lung neuroendocrine (NE) tumors are a heterogeneous group of tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells that includes typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and large cell NE cancer. The subtyping of NE tumors is based on the number of mitoses per high powered field and the presences of necrosis. However, the best diagnostic criteria to differentiate various subtypes of lung NE tumors remains controversial and few diagnostic markers distinguish typical and atypical carcinoid. In this study, we show that FAIM2, an inhibitory molecule in the Fas-apoptosis pathway, is significantly overexpressed in SCLC compared to non-small cell lung cancer. In addition, FAIM2 expression is significantly higher in atypical carcinoid than typical carcinoid. As atypical carcinoid has been shown to have worse clinical outcomes than typical carcinoid, our data suggests that FAIM2 may be a useful diagnostic marker for atypical carcinoid. Knockdown of FAIM2 expression increases Fas-induced apoptotic cell death in SCLC cells. Etoposide treatment combined with FAIM2 inhibition also shows modest but significant reduction of viable SCLC cells. Taken together, our results suggest that FAIM2 is a potential NE tumor marker with higher expression in atypical carcinoid and SCLC, and could be a new therapeutic target for SCLC.
The Collective Direction of Attention Diffusion
Authors: Wang Cheng-Jun , Wu Lingfei , Zhang Jiang , Janssen Marco A.
Published: September 2016

We find that the flow of attention on the Web forms a directed, tree-like structure implying the time-sensitive browsing behavior of users. Using the data of a news sharing website, we construct clickstream networks in which nodes are news stories and edges represent the consecutive clicks between two stories. To identify the flow direction of clickstreams, we define the “flow distance” of nodes (Li), which measures the average number of steps a random walker takes to reach the ith node. It is observed that Li is related with the clicks (Ci) to news stories and the age (Ti) of stories. Putting these three variables together help us understand the rise and decay of news stories from a network perspective. We also find that the studied clickstream networks preserve a stable structure over time, leading to the scaling between users and clicks. The universal scaling behavior is confirmed by the 1,000 Web forums. We suggest that the tree-like, stable structure of clickstream networks reveals the time-sensitive preference of users in online browsing. To test our assumption, we discuss three models on individual browsing behavior, and compare the simulation results with empirical data.
Persistence of fan-shaped keratocytes is a matrix-rigidity-dependent mechanism that requires α5β1 integrin engagement
Authors: Riaz Maryam , Versaevel Marie , Mohammed Danahe , Glinel Karine , Gabriele Sylvain
Published: September 2016

Despite the importance of matrix rigidity on cell functions, many aspects of the mechanosensing process in highly migratory cells remain elusive. Here, we studied the migration of highly motile keratocytes on culture substrates with similar biochemical properties and rigidities spanning the range between soft tissues (~kPa) and stiff culture substrates (~GPa). We show that morphology, polarization and persistence of motile keratocytes are regulated by the matrix stiffness over seven orders of magnitude, without changing the cell spreading area. Increasing the matrix rigidity leads to more F-actin in the lamellipodia and to the formation of mature contractile actomyosin fibers that control the cell rear retraction. Keratocytes remain rounded and form nascent adhesions on compliant substrates, whereas large and uniformly distributed focal adhesions are formed on fan-shaped keratocytes migrating on rigid surfaces. By combining poly-L-lysine, fibronectin and vitronectin coatings with selective blocking of αvβ3 or α5β1 integrins, we show that αVβ3 integrins permit the spreading of keratocytes but are not sufficient for polarization and rigidity sensing that require the engagement of α5β1 integrins. Our study demonstrates a matrix rigidity-dependent regulation of the directional persistence in motile keratocytes and refines the role of αvβ3 and α5β1 integrins in the molecular clutch model.
Shape and Displacement Fluctuations in Soft Vesicles Filled by Active Particles
Authors: Paoluzzi Matteo , Di Leonardo Roberto , Marchetti M. Cristina , Angelani Luca
Published: September 2016

We investigate numerically the dynamics of shape and displacement fluctuations of two-dimensional flexible vesicles filled with active particles. At low concentration most of the active particles accumulate at the boundary of the vesicle where positive particle number fluctuations are amplified by trapping, leading to the formation of pinched spots of high density, curvature and pressure. At high concentration the active particles cover the vesicle boundary almost uniformly, resulting in fairly homogeneous pressure and curvature and nearly circular vesicle shape. The change between polarized and spherical shapes is driven by the number of active particles. The center-of-mass of the vesicle performs a persistent random walk with a long time diffusivity that is strongly enhanced for elongated active particles due to orientational correlations in their direction of propulsive motion. In our model shape-shifting induces directional sensing and the cell spontaneously migrate along the polarization direction.
Adiponectin protects the rats liver against chronic intermittent hypoxia induced injury through AMP-activated protein kinase pathway
Authors: Ding Wenxiao , Zhang Qiang , Dong Yanbin , Ding Ning , Huang Hanpeng , Zhu Xianji , Hutchinson Sean , Gao Xingya , Zhang Xilong
Published: September 2016

This study was performed to assess the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on the liver, the associated mechanisms and the potential therapeutic roles of adiponectin (Ad). Sixty rats were randomly assigned to four groups: the normal control (NC), NC and Ad supplement (NC + Ad), CIH and CIH and Ad supplement (CIH + Ad) groups. The rats in the CIH and CIH + Ad groups were exposed to a hypoxic environment for 4 months. Rats in the NC + Ad and CIH + Ad groups were also treated with an intravenous injection of Ad (10 ug), twice a week. The plasma levels of hepatic enzymes, serum triglyceride, liver triglyceride, fasting blood glucose and hepatic cell apoptosis in hepatic tissue, were higher in the CIH group than in the NC and NC + Ad groups. However, the Ad supplementation in the CIH + Ad group rescued the hepatic tissue insult by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. In conclusion, Ad could protect against CIH-induced hepatic injury partly through the AMPK pathway.
Evaluation of the thrombus of abdominal aortic aneurysms using contrast enhanced ultrasound - preliminary results
Authors: Łukasiewicz Adam , Garkowski Adam , Rutka Katarzyna , Janica Jacek , Łebkowska Urszula
Published: September 2016

It is hypothesized that the degree of vascularization of the thrombus may have a significant impact on the rupture of aortic aneurysms. The presence of neovascularization of the vessel wall and mural thrombus has been confirmed only in histopathological studies. However, no non-invasive imaging technique of qualitative assessment of thrombus and neovascularization has been implemented so far. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been proposed as a feasible and minimally invasive technique for in vivo visualization of neovascularization in the evaluation of tumors and atherosclerotic plaques. The aim of this study was the evaluation of mural thrombus and AAAs wall with CEUS. CEUS was performed in a group of seventeen patients with AAAs. The mural thrombus enhancement was recognized in 12 cases, yet no significant correlation between the degree of contrast enhancement and AAAs diameter, thrombus width and thrombus echogenicity was found. We observed a rise in AAAs thrombus heterogeneity with the increase in the aneurysm diameter (r = 0.62, p = 0.017). In conclusion CEUS can visualize small channels within AAAs thrombus, which could be a result of an ongoing angiogenesis. There is a need for further research to find out whether the degree of vascularization of the thrombus may have a significant impact on the rupture of aneurysms.
Effect of welding fume on heart rate variability among workers with respirators in a shipyard
Authors: Han Bor-Cheng , Liu I-Jung , Chuang Hsiao-Chi , Pan Chih-Hong , Chuang Kai-Jen
Published: September 2016

Welding fume exposure is associated with heart rate variability (HRV) reduction. It is still unknown whether respirator can reduce effect of welding fume on HRV among welding workers in a shipyard. We recruited 68 welding workers with respirator and 52 welding workers without respirator to measure HRV indices, including standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and square root of the mean squared differences of successive intervals (r-MSSD) by ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG). Personal exposure to particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) was measured by a dust monitor. The association between 5-minute mean PM2.5 and log10-transformed HRV indices was analyzed by mixed-effects models. We found 5-minute mean PM2.5 was associated with 8.9% and 10.3% decreases in SDNN and r-MSSD. Effect of PM2.5 on HRV indices was greatest among workers without respirator {SDNN: 12.4% (95% confidence interval = −18.8–−6.9); r-MSSD: 14.7% (95% confidence interval = −20.8–−8.6)}. Workers with respirator showed slight decreases in HRV indices {SDNN: 2.2% (95% confidence interval = −6.3–−1.9); r-MSSD: 4.0% (95% confidence interval = −6.4–−1.6)}. We conclude that respirator use reduces the effect of PM2.5 exposure on HRV among workers performing welding in a shipyard.
Adenylyl cyclase 3 haploinsufficiency confers susceptibility to diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice
Authors: Tong Tao , Shen Ying , Lee Han-Woong , Yu Rina , Park Taesun
Published: September 2016

Adenylyl cyclase 3 (Adcy3), a member of the mammalian adenylyl cyclase family responsible for generating the second messenger cAMP, has long been known to play an essential role in olfactory signal transduction. Here, we demonstrated that Adcy3 heterozygous null mice displayed increased visceral adiposity in the absence of hyperphagia and developed abnormal metabolic features characterized by impaired insulin sensitivity, dyslipidemia and increased plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines on both chow and high-fat diet (HFD). Of note, HFD decreased the Adcy3 expression in white adipose tissue, liver and muscle. We also report for the first time that Adcy3 haploinsufficiency resulted in reduced expression of genes involved in thermogenesis, fatty acid oxidation and insulin signaling, with enhanced expression of genes related to adipogenesis in peripheral tissues of mice. In conclusion, these findings suggest that cAMP signals generated by Adcy3 in peripheral tissues may play a pivotal role in modulating obesity and insulin sensitivity.
Functional organization of the HIV lipid envelope
Authors: Huarte Nerea , Carravilla Pablo , Cruz Antonio , Lorizate Maier , Nieto-Garai Jon A. , Kräusslich Hans-Georg , Pérez-Gil Jesús , Requejo-Isidro Jose , Nieva José L.
Published: September 2016

The chemical composition of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) membrane is critical for fusion and entry into target cells, suggesting that preservation of a functional lipid bilayer organization may be required for efficient infection. HIV-1 acquires its envelope from the host cell plasma membrane at sites enriched in raft-type lipids. Furthermore, infectious particles display aminophospholipids on their surface, indicative of dissipation of the inter-leaflet lipid asymmetry metabolically generated at cellular membranes. By combining two-photon excited Laurdan fluorescence imaging and atomic force microscopy, we have obtained unprecedented insights into the phase state of membranes reconstituted from viral lipids (i.e., extracted from infectious HIV-1 particles), established the role played by the different specimens in the mixtures and characterized the effects of membrane-active virucidal agents on membrane organization. In determining the molecular basis underlying lipid packing and lateral heterogeneity of the HIV-1 membrane, our results may help develop compounds with antiviral activity acting by perturbing the functional organization of the lipid envelope.
The decline in synaptic GluN2B and rise in inhibitory neurotransmission determine the end of a critical period
Authors: Isoo Noriko , Ohno Takae , Isowaki Mutsumi , Fukuda Satoshi , Murabe Naoyuki , Mizukami Hiroaki , Ozawa Keiya , Mishina Masayoshi , Sakurai Masaki
Published: September 2016

Neuronal plasticity is especially active in the young, during short windows of time termed critical periods and loss of a critical period leads to functional limitations in the adults. The mechanism that governs the length of critical periods remains unknown. Here we show that levels of the NMDA receptor GluN2B subunit, which functions as a Ca2+ channel, declines in spinal cord synapses toward the end of the critical period for activity-dependent corticospinal synapse elimination. This period could be prolonged by blocking the decline of GluN2B and after its termination the critical period could be reopened through upregulation of GluN2B. It is known that inhibitory neural activity increases with development in the CNS including the spinal cord. Suppression of the increasing inhibitory activity using low-dose strychnine also prolonged this critical period. During the strychnine-widened time window, Ca2+ influx through GluN2B channels returned to a level comparable to that seen during the critical period, though the level of GluN2B was slightly reduced. These findings indicate that loss of GluN2B subunits and the associated reduction in Ca2+ influx determines the end of the critical period in our in vitro CS system.
The orientation selectivity of face identification
Authors: Goffaux Valerie , Greenwood John A.
Published: September 2016

Recent work demonstrates that human face identification is most efficient when based on horizontal, rather than vertical, image structure. Because it is unclear how this specialization for upright (compared to inverted) face processing emerges in the visual system, the present study aimed to systematically characterize the orientation sensitivity profile for face identification. With upright faces, identification performance in a delayed match-to-sample task was highest for horizontally filtered images and declined sharply with oblique and vertically filtered images. Performance was well described by a Gaussian function with a standard deviation around 25°. Face inversion reshaped this sensitivity profile dramatically, with a downward shift of the entire tuning curve as well as a reduction in the amplitude of the horizontal peak and a doubling in bandwidth. The use of naturalistic outer contours (vs. a common outline mask) was also found to reshape this sensitivity profile by increasing sensitivity to oblique information in the near-horizontal range. Altogether, although face identification is sharply tuned to horizontal angles, both inversion and outline masking can profoundly reshape this orientation sensitivity profile. This combination of image- and observer-driven effects provides an insight into the functional relationship between orientation-selective processes within primary and high-level stages of the human brain.
Quantitative Proteomics Reveals the Defense Response of Wheat against Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici
Authors: Yang Yuheng , Yu Yang , Bi Chaowei , Kang Zhensheng
Published: September 2016

Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is considered one of the most aggressive diseases to wheat production. In this study, we used an iTRAQ-based approach for the quantitative proteomic comparison of the incompatible Pst race CYR23 in infected and non-infected leaves of the wheat cultivar Suwon11. A total of 3,475 unique proteins were identified from three key stages of interaction (12, 24, and 48 h post-inoculation) and control groups. Quantitative analysis showed that 530 proteins were differentially accumulated by Pst infection (fold changes >1.5, p < 0.05). Among these proteins, 10.54% was classified as involved in the immune system process and stimulus response. Intriguingly, bioinformatics analysis revealed that a set of reactive oxygen species metabolism-related proteins, peptidyl–prolyl cis–trans isomerases (PPIases), RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and chaperonins was involved in the response to Pst infection. Our results were the first to show that PPIases, RBPs, and chaperonins participated in the regulation of the immune response in wheat and even in plants. This study aimed to provide novel routes to reveal wheat gene functionality and better understand the early events in wheat–Pst incompatible interactions.
Calcification response of a key phytoplankton family to millennial-scale environmental change
Authors: McClelland H. L. O. , Barbarin N. , Beaufort L. , Hermoso M. , Ferretti P. , Greaves M. , Rickaby R. E. M.
Published: September 2016

Coccolithophores are single-celled photosynthesizing marine algae, responsible for half of the calcification in the surface ocean, and exert a strong influence on the distribution of carbon among global reservoirs, and thus Earth’s climate. Calcification in the surface ocean decreases the buffering capacity of seawater for CO2, whilst photosynthetic carbon fixation has the opposite effect. Experiments in culture have suggested that coccolithophore calcification decreases under high CO2 concentrations ([CO2(aq)]) constituting a negative feedback. However, the extent to which these results are representative of natural populations, and of the response over more than a few hundred generations is unclear. Here we describe and apply a novel rationale for size-normalizing the mass of the calcite plates produced by the most abundant family of coccolithophores, the Noëlaerhabdaceae. On average, ancient populations subjected to coupled gradual increases in [CO2(aq)] and temperature over a few million generations in a natural environment become relatively more highly calcified, implying a positive climatic feedback. We hypothesize that this is the result of selection manifest in natural populations over millennial timescales, so has necessarily eluded laboratory experiments.
Embryonic expression of endothelins and their receptors in lamprey and frog reveals stem vertebrate origins of complex Endothelin signaling
Authors: Square Tyler , Jandzik David , Cattell Maria , Hansen Andrew , Medeiros Daniel Meulemans
Published: September 2016

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are highly patterned embryonic cells that migrate along stereotyped routes to give rise to a diverse array of adult tissues and cell types. Modern NCCs are thought to have evolved from migratory neural precursors with limited developmental potential and patterning. How this occurred is poorly understood. Endothelin signaling regulates several aspects of NCC development, including their migration, differentiation, and patterning. In jawed vertebrates, Endothelin signaling involves multiple functionally distinct ligands (Edns) and receptors (Ednrs) expressed in various NCC subpopulations. To test the potential role of endothelin signaling diversification in the evolution of modern, highly patterned NCC, we analyzed the expression of the complete set of endothelin ligands and receptors in the jawless vertebrate, the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). To better understand ancestral features of gnathostome edn and ednr expression, we also analyzed all known Endothelin signaling components in the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis). We found that the sea lamprey has a gnathsotome-like complement of edn and ednr duplicates, and these genes are expressed in patterns highly reminiscent of their gnathostome counterparts. Our results suggest that the duplication and specialization of vertebrate Endothelin signaling coincided with the appearance of highly patterned and multipotent NCCs in stem vertebrates.