bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VERSUS SEXUAL EXPRESSION: A GUIDE
Authors: Alvaré Helen M.
Published: September 2015

Claimed rights to sexual expression unlinked to the creation of children are among the strongest challenges facing the free exercise of religion in the United States today. Such rights gained importance by means of a series of Supreme Court opinions associating consensual sexual expression unlinked to children with human dignity and even personal identity. These were accompanied by legal and cultural movements, led by more privileged Americans, diminishing children's rights in favor of adults', in the context of sex, marriage, and parenting. Laws and regulations protecting and promoting sexual expression detached from children are powerfully affecting religious institutions that operate health care, educational, and social services available to all Americans; the Catholic Church is a particularly prominent supplier of all of these services. Respecting the Catholic Church, it is possible but quite difficult to maintain respect for its free exercise of religion in the current environment, potentially by highlighting its measurable contributions to the common good. It might also be useful to show the close link between Catholic teachings on sex and marriage and the entire Catholic cosmology, such that coercing Catholics to behave otherwise is tantamount to coercing them to practice a different faith.
Factors associated with nutritional decline in hospitalised medical and surgical patients admitted for 7 d or more: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Allard Johane P. , Keller Heather , Teterina Anastasia , Jeejeebhoy Khursheed N. , Laporte Manon , Duerksen Donald R. , Gramlich Leah , Payette Helene , Bernier Paule , Davidson Bridget , Lou Wendy
Published: September 2015

This prospective cohort study was conducted in eighteen Canadian hospitals with the aim of examining factors associated with nutritional decline in medical and surgical patients. Nutritional decline was defined based on subjective global assessment (SGA) performed at admission and discharge. Data were collected on demographics, medical information, food intake and patients’ satisfaction with nutrition care and meals during hospitalisation; 424 long-stay (≥7 d) patients were included; 38 % of them had surgery; 51 % were malnourished at admission (SGA B or C); 37 % had in-hospital changes in SGA; 19·6 % deteriorated (14·6 % from SGA A to B/C and 5 % from SGA B to C); 17·4 % improved (10·6 % from SGA B to A, 6·8 % from SGA C to B/A); and 63·0 % patients were stable (34·4 % were SGA A, 21·3 % SGA B, 7·3 % SGA C). One SGA C patient had weight loss ≥5 %, likely due to fluid loss and was designated as stable. A subset of 364 patients with admission SGA A and B was included in the multiple logistic regression models to determine factors associated with nutritional decline. After controlling for SGA at admission and the presence of a surgical procedure, lower admission BMI, cancer, two or more diagnostic categories, new in-hospital infection, reduced food intake, dissatisfaction with food quality and illness affecting food intake were factors significantly associated with nutritional decline in medical patients. For surgical patients, only male sex was associated with nutritional decline. Factors associated with nutritional decline are different in medical and surgical patients. Identifying these factors may assist nutritional care.
Urinary isoflavonoids and risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective investigation in US women
Authors: Ding Ming , Franke Adrian A. , Rosner Bernard A. , Giovannucci Edward , van Dam Rob M. , Tworoger Shelley S. , Hu Frank B. , Sun Qi
Published: September 2015

To examine the association between urinary excretion of isoflavonoids and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), we conducted a nested case–control study among 1111 T2D pairs identified during 1995–2008 in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and NHSII, who were free of diabetes, CVD and cancer at urine sample collection. Urinary excretion of daidzein and genistein, as well as their metabolites O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA), dihydrogenistein (DHGE) and dihydrodaidzein (DHDE) was assayed using liquid chromatography MS. Self-reported T2D incident cases were confirmed using a validated questionnaire. Higher urinary excretion of daidzein and genistein was associated with a lower risk of T2D in the combined cohorts. Comparing extreme tertiles of the urinary markers, the OR of T2D were 0·71 (95 % CI 0·55, 0·93) for daidzein and 0·74 (95 % CI 0·56, 0·97) for genistein, although the test for linear trend was not significant for genistein (Ptrend=0·03 and 0·15, respectively). DMA, DHDE and DHGE were non-significantly associated with a lower T2D risk. The inverse association of daidzein with T2D risk was stronger among post-menopausal women who did not use hormone replacement therapy (Pinteraction=0·001): the OR was 0·58 (95 % CI 0·34, 0·97) comparing extreme tertiles among these women. In conclusion, urinary excretion of isoflavones was associated with a lower T2D risk in US women, especially among post-menopausal women who did not use hormone. Further research is warranted to replicate these observations among western populations with similarly low overall isoflavone intake.
NGO Influence in International Organizations: Information, Access and Exchange
Authors: Tallberg Jonas , Dellmuth Lisa M. , Agné Hans , Duit Andreas
Published: September 2015

While there is broad consensus that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) sometimes succeed in influencing policy making within international organizations (IOs), there is much less agreement on the factors that make NGO lobbying effective. This article makes two contributions to this debate. First, the determinants of influence among NGOs active in different IOs, issue areas and policy phases are examined. The analysis builds on original survey data of more than 400 NGOs involved in five different IOs, complemented by elite interviews with IO and state officials. Secondly, the article advances a specific argument about how the strategic exchange of information and access between NGOs and IOs increases NGO influence in IOs. This argument, derived from theories of lobbying in American and European politics, is contrasted with three alternative explanations of NGO influence, privileging material resources, transnational networks and public opinion mobilization, and the broader implications of these results for research on NGOs in global governance are explored.
The Dynamics of Race and Ethnicity in the US Coal Industry
Authors: William Trotter Joe
Published: September 2015

By the turn of the twenty-first century, scholars had transformed our understanding of class, race, and ethnicity in the rise and demise of the US coal industry. Under the twin impact of the modern Black Freedom Movement and the rise of the New Labor History, studies of American labor and race relations fragmented during the late twentieth century. Following the lead of pioneering labor historian Herbert Gutman, one influential body of scholarship resuscitated the early history of the United Mine Workers of America and accented the emergence of remarkable forms of labor solidarity across the color line during the industrial era. Before this scholarship could gain a firm footing in the historiography of labor and working-class history, however, social activist and labor scholar Herbert Hill forcefully argued that emerging emphases on interracial working-class cooperation downplayed the persistence of racial divisions even during the most promising episodes of labor unity. In significant ways, the Hill−Gutman debate fueled the florescence of whiteness studies and the myriad ways that both capital and labor benefitted from a racially stratified workforce. Based upon this rapidly expanding historiography of coalminers in America, this essay explores how the overlapping experiences of black and white miners established the foundation for modes of cooperation as well as conflict, but the persistence of white supremacist ideology and social practices repeatedly undermined sometimes heroic movements to bridge the chasm between black and white workers.
Retinotopic organization of extrastriate cortex in the owl monkey—dorsal and lateral areas
Authors: SERENO MARTIN I. , MCDONALD COLIN T. , ALLMAN JOHN M.
Published: September 2015

Dense retinotopy data sets were obtained by microelectrode visual receptive field mapping in dorsal and lateral visual cortex of anesthetized owl monkeys. The cortex was then physically flatmounted and stained for myelin or cytochrome oxidase. Retinotopic mapping data were digitized, interpolated to a uniform grid, analyzed using the visual field sign technique—which locally distinguishes mirror image from nonmirror image visual field representations—and correlated with the myelin or cytochrome oxidase patterns. The region between V2 (nonmirror) and MT (nonmirror) contains three areas—DLp (mirror), DLi (nonmirror), and DLa/MTc (mirror). DM (mirror) was thin anteroposteriorly, and its reduced upper field bent somewhat anteriorly away from V2. DI (nonmirror) directly adjoined V2 (nonmirror) and contained only an upper field representation that also adjoined upper field DM (mirror). Retinotopy was used to define area VPP (nonmirror), which adjoins DM anteriorly, area FSTd (mirror), which adjoins MT ventrolaterally, and TP (mirror), which adjoins MT and DLa/MTc dorsoanteriorly. There was additional retinotopic and architectonic evidence for five more subdivisions of dorsal and lateral extrastriate cortex—TA (nonmirror), MSTd (mirror), MSTv (nonmirror), FSTv (nonmirror), and PP (mirror). Our data appear quite similar to data from marmosets, though our field sign-based areal subdivisions are slightly different. The region immediately anterior to the superiorly located central lower visual field V2 varied substantially between individuals, but always contained upper fields immediately touching lower visual field V2. This region appears to vary even more between species. Though we provide a summary diagram, given within- and between-species variation, it should be regarded as a guide to parsing complex retinotopy rather than a literal representation of any individual, or as the only way to agglomerate the complex mosaic of partial upper and lower field, mirror- and nonmirror-image patches into areas.
Adaptation of the HIV Stigma Scale in Spaniards with HIV
Authors: Fuster-RuizdeApodaca Maria José , Molero Fernando , Holgado Francisco Pablo , Ubillos Silvia
Published: September 2015

The primary goal of this study was to adapt Berger, Ferrans, & Lahley (2001) HIV Stigma Scale in Spain, using Bunn, Solomon, Miller, & Forehand (2007) version. A second goal assessed whether the four-factor structure of the adapted scale could be explained by two higher-order dimensions, perceived external stigma and internalized stigma. A first qualitative study (N = 40 people with HIV, aged 28–59) was used to adapt the items and test content validity. A second quantitative study analyzed construct and criterion validity. In this study participants were 557 people with HIV, aged 18–76. The adapted HIV Stigma Scale for use in Spain (HSSS) showed a good internal consistency (α = .88) and good construct validity. Confirmatory Factor Analyses yielded a first-order, four-factor structure and a higher-order, bidimensional structure with the two expected factors (RMSEA = .051, 90% CI [.046, .056]; RMR = .073; GFI = .96; AGFI = .96; CFI = .98). Negative relations were found between stigma and quality of life (r = –.39; p < .01), self-efficacy to cope with stigma (r = –.50; p < .01) and the degree of HIV status disclosure (r = –.35; p < .01). Moreover, the people who had suffered AIDS-related opportunistic infections had a higher score in the Perceived External Stigma dimension than those who had not suffered them, t (493) = 3.02, p = .003, d = 0.26.
Brain Activity in Self- and Value-Related Regions in Response to	Online Antismoking Messages Predicts Behavior Change
Authors: Cooper Nicole , Tompson Steve , Brook O’Donnell Matthew , Emily B. Falk
Published: September 2015

Abstract. In this study, we combined approaches from media psychology and neuroscience to ask whether brain activity in response to online antismoking messages can predict smoking behavior change. In particular, we examined activity in subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex linked to self- and value-related processing, to test whether these neurocognitive processes play a role in message-consistent behavior change. We observed significant relationships between activity in both brain regions of interest and behavior change (such that higher activity predicted a larger reduction in smoking). Furthermore, activity in these brain regions predicted variance independent of traditional, theory-driven self-report metrics such as intention, self-efficacy, and risk perceptions. We propose that valuation is an additional cognitive process that should be investigated further as we search for a mechanistic explanation of the relationship between brain activity and media effects relevant to health behavior change.
Junctional and allele-specific residues are critical for MERS-CoV neutralization by an exceptionally potent germline-like antibody
Authors: Ying Tianlei , Prabakaran Ponraj , Du Lanying , Shi Wei , Feng Yang , Wang Yanping , Wang Lingshu , Li Wei , Jiang Shibo , Dimitrov Dimiter S. , Zhou Tongqing
Published: September 2015

The MERS-CoV is an emerging virus, which already infected more than 1,300 humans with high (∼36%) mortality. Here, we show that m336, an exceptionally potent human anti-MERS-CoV antibody, is almost germline with only one somatic mutation in the heavy chain. The structure of Fab m336 in complex with the MERS-CoV receptor-binding domain reveals that its IGHV1-69-derived heavy chain provides more than 85% binding surface and that its epitope almost completely overlaps with the receptor-binding site. Analysis of antibodies from 69 healthy humans suggests an important role of the V(D)J recombination-generated junctional and allele-specific residues for achieving high affinity of binding at such low levels of somatic hypermutation. Our results also have important implications for development of vaccine immunogens based on the newly identified m336 epitope as well as for elucidation of mechanisms of neutralization by m336-like antibodies and their elicitation in vivo.
Unambiguous detection of nitrated explosive vapours by fluorescence quenching of dendrimer films
Authors: Geng Yan , Ali Mohammad A. , Clulow Andrew J. , Fan Shengqiang , Burn Paul L. , Gentle Ian R. , Meredith Paul , Shaw Paul E.
Published: September 2015

Unambiguous and selective standoff (non-contact) infield detection of nitro-containing explosives and taggants is an important goal but difficult to achieve with standard analytical techniques. Oxidative fluorescence quenching is emerging as a high sensitivity method for detecting such materials but is prone to false positives—everyday items such as perfumes elicit similar responses. Here we report thin films of light-emitting dendrimers that detect vapours of explosives and taggants selectively—fluorescence quenching is not observed for a range of common interferents. Using a combination of neutron reflectometry, quartz crystal microbalance and photophysical measurements we show that the origin of the selectivity is primarily electronic and not the diffusion kinetics of the analyte or its distribution in the film. The results are a major advance in the development of sensing materials for the standoff detection of nitro-based explosive vapours, and deliver significant insights into the physical processes that govern the sensing efficacy.
Solar forcing synchronizes decadal North Atlantic climate variability
Authors: Thiéblemont Rémi , Matthes Katja , Omrani Nour-Eddine , Kodera Kunihiko , Hansen Felicitas
Published: September 2015

Quasi-decadal variability in solar irradiance has been suggested to exert a substantial effect on Earth’s regional climate. In the North Atlantic sector, the 11-year solar signal has been proposed to project onto a pattern resembling the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), with a lag of a few years due to ocean-atmosphere interactions. The solar/NAO relationship is, however, highly misrepresented in climate model simulations with realistic observed forcings. In addition, its detection is particularly complicated since NAO quasi-decadal fluctuations can be intrinsically generated by the coupled ocean-atmosphere system. Here we compare two multi-decadal ocean-atmosphere chemistry-climate simulations with and without solar forcing variability. While the experiment including solar variability simulates a 1–2-year lagged solar/NAO relationship, comparison of both experiments suggests that the 11-year solar cycle synchronizes quasi-decadal NAO variability intrinsic to the model. The synchronization is consistent with the downward propagation of the solar signal from the stratosphere to the surface.
Efficient direct solar-to-hydrogen conversion by in situ interface transformation of a tandem structure
Authors: May Matthias M. , Lewerenz Hans-Joachim , Lackner David , Dimroth Frank , Hannappel Thomas
Published: September 2015

Photosynthesis is nature’s route to convert intermittent solar irradiation into storable energy, while its use for an industrial energy supply is impaired by low efficiency. Artificial photosynthesis provides a promising alternative for efficient robust carbon-neutral renewable energy generation. The approach of direct hydrogen generation by photoelectrochemical water splitting utilizes customized tandem absorber structures to mimic the Z-scheme of natural photosynthesis. Here a combined chemical surface transformation of a tandem structure and catalyst deposition at ambient temperature yields photocurrents approaching the theoretical limit of the absorber and results in a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 14%. The potentiostatically assisted photoelectrode efficiency is 17%. Present benchmarks for integrated systems are clearly exceeded. Details of the in situ interface transformation, the electronic improvement and chemical passivation are presented. The surface functionalization procedure is widely applicable and can be precisely controlled, allowing further developments of high-efficiency robust hydrogen generators.
Covalency of hydrogen bonds in liquid water can be probed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance experiments
Authors: Elgabarty Hossam , Khaliullin Rustam Z. , Kühne Thomas D.
Published: September 2015

The concept of covalency is widely used to describe the nature of intermolecular bonds, to explain their spectroscopic features and to rationalize their chemical behaviour. Unfortunately, the degree of covalency of an intermolecular bond cannot be directly measured in an experiment. Here we established a simple quantitative relationship between the calculated covalency of hydrogen bonds in liquid water and the anisotropy of the proton magnetic shielding tensor that can be measured experimentally. This relationship enabled us to quantify the degree of covalency of hydrogen bonds in liquid water using the experimentally measured anisotropy. We estimated that the amount of electron density transferred between molecules is on the order of 10 m"Equation missing"while the stabilization energy due to this charge transfer is ∼15 kJ mol−1. The physical insight into the fundamental nature of hydrogen bonding provided in this work will facilitate new studies of intermolecular bonding in a variety of molecular systems.
Functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy of glutamate in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder: anterior cingulate activity during a color-word Stroop task
Authors: Taylor Reggie , Neufeld Richard W J , Schaefer Betsy , Densmore Maria , Rajakumar Nagalingam , Osuch Elizabeth A , Williamson Peter C , Théberge Jean
Published: September 2015

Background:

Glutamate abnormalities have been suggested to be associated with symptoms of schizophrenia. Using functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-fMRS), it is possible to monitor glutamate dynamically in the activated brain areas, which has yet to be reported in schizophrenia. It was hypothesized that subjects with schizophrenia would have weaker glutamatergic responses in the anterior cingulate to a color-word Stroop Task.

AIMS:

The aim of this study was to gain insight into the health of GLU neurotransmission and the GLU-GLN cycle in SZ using a 1H-fMRS protocol.

Methods:

Spectra were acquired from the anterior cingulate of 16 participants with schizophrenia, 16 healthy controls and 16 participants with major depressive disorder (MDD) while performing the Stroop task in a 7T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. 1H-fMRS spectra were acquired for 20 min in which there were three 4-min blocks of cross fixation interleaved with two 4-min blocks of the Stroop paradigm.

Results:

A repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a main effect of time for glutamate concentrations of all groups (P<0.001). The healthy control group increased glutamate concentrations in the first run of the Stroop task (P=0.006) followed by a decrease in the recovery period (P=0.007). Neither the schizophrenia (P=0.107) nor MDD (P=0.081) groups had significant glutamate changes in the first run of the task, while the schizophrenia group had a significant increase in glutamine (P=0.005). The MDD group decreased glutamate concentrations in the second run of the task (P=0.003), as did all the groups combined (P=0.003).

Conclusions:

1H-fMRS data were successfully acquired from psychiatric subjects with schizophrenia and mood disorder using a cognitive paradigm for the first time. Future study designs should further elucidate the glutamatergic response to functional activation in schizophrenia.
High yield exogenous protein HPL production in the Bombyx mori silk gland provides novel insight into recombinant expression systems
Authors: Wang Huan , Wang Lu , Wang Yulong , Tao Hui , Yin Weimin , SiMa Yanghu , Wang Yujun , Xu Shiqing
Published: September 2015

The silk gland of Bombyx mori (BmSG) has gained significant attention by dint of superior synthesis and secretion of proteins. However, the application of BmSG bioreactor is still a controversial issue because of low yields of recombinant proteins. Here, a 3057 bp full-length coding sequence of Hpl was designed and transformed into the silkworm genome and then the mutant (Hpl/Hpl) with specific expression of Hpl in posterior BmSG (BmPSG) was obtained. In the mutants, the transcription level of Fib-L and P25 and corresponding encoding proteins, did not decrease. However, the mRNA level of Fib-H was reduced by 71.1% and Fib-H protein in the secreted fibroin was decreased from 91.86% to 71.01%. The mRNA level of Hpl was 0.73% and 0.74% of Fib-H and Fib-L, respectively, while HPL protein accounted for 18.85% of fibroin and 15.46% of the total amount of secreted silk protein. The exogenous protein was therefore very efficiently translated and secreted. Further analysis of differentially expressed gene (DEG) was carried out in the BmPSG cells and 891 DEGs were detected, of which 208 genes were related to protein metabolism. Reduced expression of endogenous silk proteins in the BmPSG could effectively improve the production efficiency of recombinant exogenous proteins.
Evaluation of spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal for use in mid-infrared lasers
Authors: Xia Houping , Feng Jianghe , Wang Yan , Li Jianfu , Jia Zhitai , Tu Chaoyang
Published: September 2015

Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal was firstly grown by Czochralski method. Detailed spectroscopic analyses of Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 were carried out. Besides better absorption characteristic, the spectra of Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 show weaker up-conversion and near-infrared emissions as well as superior mid-infrared emission in comparison to Er3+: SrGdGa3O7 and Er3+/Yb3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystals. Furthermore, the self-termination effect for Er3+ 2.7 μm laser is suppressed successfully because the fluorescence lifetime of the 4I13/2 lower level of Er3+ decreases markedly while that of the upper 4I11/2 level changes slightly in Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal. The sensitization effect of Yb3+ and deactivation effect of Pr3+ ions as well as the energy transfer mechanism in Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal were also studied in this work. The introduction of Yb3+ and Pr3+ is favorable for achieving an enhanced 2.7 μm emission in Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal which can act as a promising candidate for mid-infrared lasers.
Transcriptomic variation of hepatopancreas reveals the energy metabolism and biological processes associated with molting in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis
Authors: Huang Shu , Wang Jun , Yue Wucheng , Chen Jiao , Gaughan Sarah , Lu Weiqun , Lu Guoqing , Wang Chenghui
Published: September 2015

Molting is a critical developmental process for crustaceans, yet the underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. In this study, we used RNA-Seq to investigate transcriptomic profiles of the hepatopancreas and identified differentially expressed genes at four molting stages of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). A total of 97,398 transcripts were assembled, with 31,900 transcripts annotated. Transcriptomic comparison revealed 1,189 genes differentially expressed amongst different molting stages. We observed a pattern associated with energy metabolism and physiological responses during a molting cycle. In specific, differentially expressed genes enriched in postmolt were linked to energy consumption whereas genes enriched in intermolt were related to carbohydrates, lipids metabolic and biosynthetic processes. In premolt, a preparation stage for upcoming molting and energy consumption, highly expressed genes were enriched in response to steroid hormone stimulus and immune system development. The expression profiles of twelve functional genes detected via RNA-Seq were corroborated through real-time RT-PCR assay. Together, our results, including assembled transcriptomes, annotated functional elements and enriched differentially expressed genes amongst different molting stages, provide novel insights into the functions of the hepatopancreas in energy metabolism and biological processes pertaining to molting in crustaceans.
Target dependent femtosecond laser plasma implantation dynamics in enabling silica for high density erbium doping
Authors: Chandrappan Jayakrishnan , Murray Matthew , Kakkar Tarun , Petrik Peter , Agocs Emil , Zolnai Zsolt , Steenson D.P. , Jha Animesh , Jose Gin
Published: September 2015

Chemical dissimilarity of tellurium oxide with silica glass increases phase separation and crystallization tendency when mixed and melted for making a glass. We report a novel technique for incorporating an Er3+-doped tellurite glass composition into silica substrates through a femtosecond (fs) laser generated plasma assisted process. The engineered material consequently exhibits the spectroscopic properties of Er3+-ions, which are unachievable in pure silica and implies this as an ideal material for integrated photonics platforms. Formation of a well-defined metastable and homogeneous glass structure with Er3+-ions in a silica network, modified with tellurite has been characterized using high-resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The chemical and structural analyses using HRTEM, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and laser excitation techniques, confirm that such fs-laser plasma implanted glasses may be engineered for significantly higher concentration of Er3+-ions without clustering, validated by the record high lifetime-density product 0.96 × 1019 s.cm−3. Characterization of planar optical layers and photoluminescence emission spectra were undertaken to determine their thickness, refractive indices and photoluminescence properties, as a function of Er3+ concentration via different target glasses. The increased Er3+ content in the target glass enhance the refractive index and photoluminescence intensity of the modified silica layer whilst the lifetime and thickness decrease.
Self-sorting heterodimeric coiled coil peptides with defined and tuneable self-assembly properties
Authors: Aronsson Christopher , Dånmark Staffan , Zhou Feng , Öberg Per , Enander Karin , Su Haibin , Aili Daniel
Published: September 2015

Coiled coils with defined assembly properties and dissociation constants are highly attractive components in synthetic biology and for fabrication of peptide-based hybrid nanomaterials and nanostructures. Complex assemblies based on multiple different peptides typically require orthogonal peptides obtained by negative design. Negative design does not necessarily exclude formation of undesired species and may eventually compromise the stability of the desired coiled coils. This work describe a set of four promiscuous 28-residue de novo designed peptides that heterodimerize and fold into parallel coiled coils. The peptides are non-orthogonal and can form four different heterodimers albeit with large differences in affinities. The peptides display dissociation constants for dimerization spanning from the micromolar to the picomolar range. The significant differences in affinities for dimerization make the peptides prone to thermodynamic social self-sorting as shown by thermal unfolding and fluorescence experiments and confirmed by simulations. The peptides self-sort with high fidelity to form the two coiled coils with the highest and lowest affinities for heterodimerization. The possibility to exploit self-sorting of mutually complementary peptides could hence be a viable approach to guide the assembly of higher order architectures and a powerful strategy for fabrication of dynamic and tuneable nanostructured materials.
Mutation of histone H3 serine 86 disrupts GATA factor Ams2 expression and precise chromosome segregation in fission yeast
Authors: Lim Kim Kiat , Ong Terenze Yao Rui , Tan Yue Rong , Yang Eugene Guorong , Ren Bingbing , Seah Kwi Shan , Yang Zhe , Tan Tsu Soo , Dymock Brian W. , Chen Ee Sin
Published: September 2015

Eukaryotic genomes are packed into discrete units, referred to as nucleosomes, by organizing around scaffolding histone proteins. The interplay between these histones and the DNA can dynamically regulate the function of the chromosomal domain. Here, we interrogated the function of a pair of juxtaposing serine residues (S86 and S87) that reside within the histone fold of histone H3. We show that fission yeast cells expressing a mutant histone H3 disrupted at S86 and S87 (hht2-S86AS87A) exhibited unequal chromosome segregation, disrupted transcriptional silencing of centromeric chromatin and reduced expression of Ams2, a GATA-factor that regulates localization of the centromere-specific histone H3 variant CENP-A. We found that overexpression of ams2+ could suppress the chromosome missegregation phenotype that arose in the hht2-S86AS87A mutant. We further demonstrate that centromeric localization of SpCENP-Acnp1-1 was significantly compromised in hht2-S86AS87A, suggesting synergism between histone H3 and the centromere-targeting domain of SpCENP-A. Taken together, our work presents evidence for an uncharacterized serine residue in fission yeast histone H3 that affects centromeric integrity via regulating the expression of the SpCENP-A-localizing Ams2 protein. [173/200 words]
miRNAs regulated overexpression of ryanodine receptor is involved in chlorantraniliprole resistance in Plutella xylostella (L.)
Authors: Li Xiuxia , Guo Lei , Zhou Xuguo , Gao Xiwu , Liang Pei
Published: September 2015

The amino acid mutations in ryanodine receptor (RyR) and elevated activity of detoxification enzymes have been associated with the diamide insecticide resistance in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). The up-regulation of P. xylostella RyR mRNA (PxRyR) expression has also been reported in field populations of different graphical origin. However, whether the up-regulation of PxRyR is involved in diamide resistance remains unknown. In this paper, 2.28- to 4.14-fold higher expression of PxRyR was detected in five field collected resistant populations, compared to that in a susceptible population. The expression of PxRyR was up-regulated 5.0- and 7.2-fold, respectively, after P. xylostella was treated with LC50 and LC75 of chlorantraniliprole for 12 h. Suppression of PxRyR using RNA interference restored the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole against the fourth instar larvae from the resistant population. More importantly, the expression of PxRyR is regulated by two miRNAs, miR-7a and miR-8519. These findings provide an empirical evidence of the involvement of miRNAs in the regulation of insecticide resistance and shed light on the novel targets for the sustainable management of this devastating insect pest.
Magnetic properties of ball-milled SrFe12O19 particles consolidated by Spark-Plasma Sintering
Authors: Stingaciu Marian , Topole Martin , McGuiness Paul , Christensen Mogens
Published: September 2015

The room-temperature magnetic properties of ball-milled strontium hexaferrite particles consolidated by spark-plasma sintering are strongly influenced by the milling time. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the ball-milled SrFe12O19 particles to have sizes varying over several hundred nanometers. X-Ray powder-diffraction studies performed on the ball-milled particles before sintering clearly demonstrate the occurrence of a pronounced amorphization process. During sintering at 950 oC, re-crystallization takes place, even for short sintering times of only 2 minutes and transformation of the amorphous phase into a secondary phase is unavoidable. The concentration of this secondary phase increases with increasing ball-milling time. The remanence and maximum magnetization values at 1T are weakly influenced, while the coercivity drops dramatically from 2340 Oe to 1100 Oe for the consolidated sample containing the largest amount of secondary phase.
Early post-mortem formation of carbonate concretions around tusk-shells over week-month timescales
Authors: Yoshida Hidekazu , Ujihara Atsushi , Minami Masayo , Asahara Yoshihiro , Katsuta Nagayoshi , Yamamoto Koshi , Sirono Sin-iti , Maruyama Ippei , Nishimoto Shoji , Metcalfe Richard
Published: September 2015

Carbonate concretions occur in sedimentary rocks of widely varying geological ages throughout the world. Many of these concretions are isolated spheres, centered on fossils. The formation of such concretions has been variously explained by diffusion of inorganic carbon and organic matter in buried marine sediments. However, details of the syn-depositional chemical processes by which the isolated spherical shape developed and the associated carbon sources are little known. Here we present evidence that spherical carbonate concretions (diameters φ : 14 ~ 37 mm) around tusk-shells (Fissidentalium spp.) were formed within weeks or months following death of the organism by the seepage of fatty acid from decaying soft body tissues. Characteristic concentrations of carbonate around the mouth of a tusk-shell reveal very rapid formation during the decay of organic matter from the tusk-shell. Available observations and geochemical evidence have enabled us to construct a ‘Diffusion-growth rate cross-plot’ that can be used to estimate the growth rate of all kinds of isolated spherical carbonate concretions identified in marine formations. Results shown here suggest that isolated spherical concretions that are not associated with fossils might also be formed from carbon sourced in the decaying soft body tissues of non-skeletal organisms with otherwise low preservation potential.
Only watching others making their experiences is insufficient to enhance adult neurogenesis and water maze performance in mice
Authors: Iggena Deetje , Klein Charlotte , Garthe Alexander , Winter York , Kempermann Gerd , Steiner Barbara
Published: September 2015

In the context of television consumption and its opportunity costs the question arises how far experiencing mere representations of the outer world would have the same neural and cognitive consequences than actively interacting with that environment. Here we demonstrate that physical interaction and direct exposition are essential for the beneficial effects of environmental enrichment. In our experiment, the mice living in a simple standard cage placed in the centre of a large enriched environment only indirectly experiencing the stimulus-rich surroundings (IND) did not display increased adult hippocampal neurogenesis. In contrast, the mice living in and directly experiencing the surrounding enriched environment (DIR) and mice living in a similar enriched cage containing an uninhabited inner cage (ENR) showed enhanced neurogenesis compared to mice in control conditions (CTR). Similarly, the beneficial effects of environmental enrichment on learning performance in the Morris Water maze depended on the direct interaction of the individual with the enrichment. In contrast, indirectly experiencing a stimulus-rich environment failed to improve memory functions indicating that direct interaction and activity within the stimulus-rich environment are necessary to induce structural and functional changes in the hippocampus.
Dietary flavonoids, lignans and colorectal cancer prognosis
Authors: Zamora-Ros Raul , Guinó Elisabeth , Henar Alonso M. , Vidal Carmen , Barenys Mercè , Soriano Antonio , Moreno Victor
Published: September 2015

Flavonoids and lignans are polyphenol classes with anticarcinogenic activities against colorectal cancer (CRC). However, very limited epidemiological evidence exists on their effects on CRC prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association between flavonoid and lignan intakes with the risk of CRC recurrence and overall survival in CRC patients. The study followed incident histologically confirmed CRC cases in Barcelona (Spain). Validated dietary questionnaires and lifestyle information were collected at recruitment. An ad hoc food composition database on flavonoids and lignans was compiled by using data from the US Department of Agriculture and Phenol-Explorer databases. Adjusted hazards ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable Cox models. After 8.6 years of mean follow-up, 133 of 409 (32.5%) participants died and 77 of 319 (24.1%) had a CRC recurrence. Total flavonoids were associated neither with CRC recurrence (HR comparing extreme tertiles 1.13, 95% CI 0.64–2.02; P-trend 0.67) nor with overall survival (HRT3vsT1 1.06, 95% CI 0.69–1.65; P-trend 0.78) in the multivariable models. No associations were also observed with either total lignans or any flavonoid subclass intake. In conclusion, the results of the current study do not support a role of flavonoid and lignan intake in the CRC prognosis.
Sum uncertainty relations for arbitrary N incompatible observables
Authors: Chen Bin , Fei Shao-Ming
Published: September 2015

We formulate uncertainty relations for arbitrary N observables. Two uncertainty inequalities are presented in terms of the sum of variances and standard deviations, respectively. The lower bounds of the corresponding sum uncertainty relations are explicitly derived. These bounds are shown to be tighter than the ones such as derived from the uncertainty inequality for two observables [Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 260401 (2014)]. Detailed examples are presented to compare among our results with some existing ones.
Abnormal context–reward associations in an immune-mediated neurodevelopmental mouse model with relevance to schizophrenia
Authors: Labouesse M A , Langhans W , Meyer U
Published: September 2015

Impairments in central reward processing constitute an important aspect of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Despite its clinical relevance, the etiology of deficient reward processing in schizophrenia remains largely unknown. Here, we used an epidemiologically informed mouse model of schizophrenia to explore the effects of prenatal immune activation on reward-related functions. The model is based on maternal administration of the viral mimic PolyI:C and has been developed in relation to the epidemiological evidence demonstrating enhanced risk of schizophrenia and related disorders following prenatal maternal infection. We show that prenatal immune activation induces selective deficits in the expression (but not acquisition) of conditioned place preference for a natural reward (sucrose) without changing hedonic or neophobic responses to the reward. On the other hand, prenatal immune activation led to enhanced place preference for the psychostimulant drug cocaine, while it attenuated the locomotor reaction to the drug. The prenatal exposure did not alter negative reinforcement learning as assessed using a contextual fear conditioning paradigm. Our findings suggest that the nature of reward-related abnormalities following prenatal immune challenge depends on the specificity of the reward (natural reward vs drug of abuse) as well as on the valence domain (positive vs negative reinforcement learning). Moreover, our data indicate that reward abnormalities emerging in prenatally immune-challenged offspring may, at least in part, stem from an inability to retrieve previously established context–reward associations and to integrate such information for appropriate goal-directed behavior.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine facilitates fear extinction learning
Authors: Young M B , Andero R , Ressler K J , Howell L L
Published: September 2015

Acutely administered 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) has been proposed to have long-term positive effects on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms when combined with psychotherapy. No preclinical data support a mechanistic basis for these claims. Given the persistent nature of psychotherapeutic gains facilitated by MDMA, we hypothesized that MDMA improves fear extinction learning, a key process in exposure-based therapies for PTSD. In these experiments, mice were first exposed to cued fear conditioning and treated with drug vehicle or MDMA before extinction training 2 days later. MDMA was administered systemically and also directly targeted to brain structures known to contribute to extinction. In addition to behavioral measures of extinction, changes in mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) and Fos were measured after MDMA treatment and extinction. MDMA (7.8 mg kg−1) persistently and robustly enhanced long-term extinction when administered before extinction training. MDMA increased the expression of Fos in the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), whereas increases in Bdnf expression were observed only in the amygdala after extinction training. Extinction enhancements were recapitulated when MDMA (1 μg) was infused directly into the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA), and enhancement was abolished when BDNF signaling was inhibited before extinction. These findings suggest that MDMA enhances fear memory extinction through a BDNF-dependent mechanism, and that MDMA may be a useful adjunct to exposure-based therapies for PTSD and other anxiety disorders characterized by altered fear learning.
Monoclonal antibody-based cross-reactive sandwich ELISA for the detection of Salmonella spp. in milk samples
Authors: Wu Xiaoling , Wang Wenbin , Liu Liqiang , Kuang Hua , Xu Chuanlai
Published: September 2015

An immunogen consisting ofSalmonellalipopolysaccharide and bovine serum albumin was prepared by periodate oxidation.
Sensitive detection of copper(ii) ions based on the conformational change of peptides by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Hongxia , Jia Shengsong , Zhang Jiangjiang , Jang Minji , Chen Xiuying , Koh Kwangnak , Wang Zhaoxia
Published: September 2015

A novel quantitative copper (ii) ion sensor is developed based on the conformational change of Cu2+ binding peptides using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy.
A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor based on Cu/Cu2O@carbon nanocomposite structures for hydrazine detection
Authors: Zhao Zhenting , Wang Ying , Li Pengwei , Sang Shengbo , Zhang Wendong , Hu Jie , Lian Kun
Published: September 2015

A kind of carbon-coated Cu/Cu2O nanocomposite material (Cu/Cu2O@carbon) was coated on a glassy carbon electrode for electrochemical detection of hydrazine (N2H4).
A new Ru,Ru,Pt supramolecular architecture for photocatalytic H2 production
Authors: White Jessica Knoll , Brewer Karen J.
Published: September 2015

New RuRuPt complexes photocatalytically reduce H2O to H2 with enhanced efficiency and stability compared to Ru2RuPt analogues.
Unique prototropy of meso-alkylidenyl carbaporphyrinoid possessing one meso-exocyclic double bond
Authors: Saha Indrajit , Yoo Jaeduk , Lee Ji Hye , Hwang Hyonseok , Lee Chang-Hee
Published: September 2015

The unique prototropy ofmeso-alkylidenyl-thia(m-benzi)porphyrinoid containing one exocyclic double bond at themeso-position is presented.
A significant impact of host–guest stoichiometry on the extensibility of polyrotaxane gels
Authors: Kato Kazuaki , Okabe Yoshinori , Okazumi Yuya , Ito Kohzo
Published: September 2015

Host–guest stoichiometry in polyrotaxane gels has a significant impact on extensibility through the regulated “pressure” of the confined rings.
Polyoxometalate-based metal–organic coordination networks for heterogeneous catalytic desulfurization
Authors: Ma Yuan-Yuan , Tan Hua-Qiao , Wang Yong-Hui , Hao Xiu-Li , Feng Xiao-Jia , Zang Hong-Ying , Li Yang-Guang
Published: September 2015

Single crystals and nanocrystals of polyoxometalate-based metal-organic coordination networks for heterogeneous catalytic desulfurization.
New luminescent porous coordination polymers with an acylamide-decorated linker for anion recognition and reversible I2 accommodation
Authors: Duan Jingui , Zou Changchang , Li Qianqian , Jin Wanqin
Published: September 2015

A new series of porous coordination polymers with significant 1D channels and open and open acylamide groups demonstrate good potential for selectively probing Cu2+ ions. Meanwhile, they show rapid and reversible I2 accommodation properties.
Theoretical studies on the carrier tunability of oxidized oligothiophenes
Authors: Pramanik Anup , Sarkar Pranab
Published: September 2015

Upon increasing the molecular length hole conducting TDO1 is converted to electron conducting TDO4.
Effects of drying temperature and ethanol concentration on bipolar switching characteristics of natural Aloe vera-based memory devices
Authors: Lim Zhe Xi , Cheong Kuan Yew
Published: September 2015

Natural Aloe vera provides a biodegradable, biocompatible, and renewable avenue for the sustainable development of electronics.
Relationship between the molecular structure of V2O5/TiO2 catalysts and the reactivity of SO2 oxidation
Authors: Ji Peidong , Gao Xiang , Du Xuesen , Zheng Chenghang , Luo Zhongyang , Cen Kefa
Published: September 2015

The VO site was demonstrated to play a critical role in the SO2 oxidation over V2O5/TiO2 catalysts.
Gamma-radiolytic stability of new methylated TODGA derivatives for minor actinide recycling
Authors: Galán Hitos , Zarzana Christopher A. , Wilden Andreas , Núñez Ana , Schmidt Holger , Egberink Richard J. M. , Leoncini Andrea , Cobos Joaquín , Verboom Willem , Modolo Giuseppe , Groenewold Gary S. , Mincher Bruce J.
Published: September 2015

Open the door to the understanding of radiolytic ruptures of extracting ligands under gamma radiation.
Earth-abundant NiS co-catalyst modified metal-free mpg-C3N4/CNT nanocomposites for highly efficient visible-light photocatalytic H2evolution
Authors: Zhong Yongming , Yuan Jielin , Wen Jiuqing , Li Xin , Xu Yuehua , Liu Wei , Zhang Shengsen , Fang Yueping
Published: September 2015

NiS modified mpg-C3N4/CNT photocatalysts exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2-evolution activities under visible light irradiation.
Gold(i) complexes of bisphosphines with bis(azol-1-yl)methane backbone: structure of a rare dinuclear gold(i) complex [(Au2Cl){CH2(1,2-C3H2N2PPh2)2}3Cl]
Authors: Bhat Sajad A. , Mague Joel T. , Balakrishna Maravanji S.
Published: September 2015

This paper describes the synthesis of gold(i) complexes of bisphosphines based on bis(azol-1-yl)methane viz. bis(imidazol-1-yl)methane, bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane and bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methane.