bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty-based Optimization Algorithms in Designing Fractionated Spacecraft
Authors: Ning Xin , Yuan Jianping , Yue Xiaokui 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA fractionated spacecraft is an innovative application of a distributive space system. To fully understand the impact of various uncertainties on its development, launch and in-orbit operation, we use the stochastic missioncycle cost to comprehensively evaluate the survivability, flexibility, reliability and economy of the ways of dividing the various modules of the different configurations of fractionated spacecraft. We systematically describe its concept and then analyze its evaluation and optimal design method that exists during recent years and propose the stochastic missioncycle cost for comprehensive evaluation. We also establish the models of the costs such as module development, launch and deployment and the impacts of their uncertainties respectively. Finally, we carry out the Monte Carlo simulation of the complete missioncycle costs of various configurations of the fractionated spacecraft under various uncertainties and give and compare the probability density distribution and statistical characteristics of its stochastic missioncycle cost, using the two strategies of timing module replacement and non-timing module replacement. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the comprehensive evaluation method and show that our evaluation method can comprehensively evaluate the adaptability of the fractionated spacecraft under different technical and mission conditions.
Candida albicans repetitive elements display epigenetic diversity and plasticity
Authors: Freire-Benéitez Verónica , Price R. Jordan , Tarrant Daniel , Berman Judith , Buscaino Alessia 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTranscriptionally silent heterochromatin is associated with repetitive DNA. It is poorly understood whether and how heterochromatin differs between different organisms and whether its structure can be remodelled in response to environmental signals. Here, we address this question by analysing the chromatin state associated with DNA repeats in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Our analyses indicate that, contrary to model systems, each type of repetitive element is assembled into a distinct chromatin state. Classical Sir2-dependent hypoacetylated and hypomethylated chromatin is associated with the rDNA locus while telomeric regions are assembled into a weak heterochromatin that is only mildly hypoacetylated and hypomethylated. Major Repeat Sequences, a class of tandem repeats, are assembled into an intermediate chromatin state bearing features of both euchromatin and heterochromatin. Marker gene silencing assays and genome-wide RNA sequencing reveals that C. albicans heterochromatin represses expression of repeat-associated coding and non-coding RNAs. We find that telomeric heterochromatin is dynamic and remodelled upon an environmental change. Weak heterochromatin is associated with telomeres at 30 °C, while robust heterochromatin is assembled over these regions at 39 °C, a temperature mimicking moderate fever in the host. Thus in C. albicans, differential chromatin states controls gene expression and epigenetic plasticity is linked to adaptation.
Elevated on-treatment levels of serum IFN-gamma is associated with treatment failure of peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Lu Ming-Ying , Huang Ching-I , Dai Chia-Yen , Wang Shu-Chi , Hsieh Ming-Yen , Hsieh Meng-Hsuan , Liang Po-Cheng , Lin Yi-Hung , Hou Nai-Jen , Yeh Ming-Lun , Huang Chung-Feng , Lin Zu-Yau , Chen Shinn-Cherng , Huang Jee-Fu , Chuang Wan-Long , Yu Ming-Lung 
Published: March 2016

AbstractChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection had been associated with cytokine imbalance. Cytokine dynamics in response to peginterferon/ribavirin therapy have an impact on the treatment efficacy for HCV patients. Ninety-two treatment-naive chronic hepatitis C patients were treated with 24 or 48 weeks of peginterferon/ribavirin therapy according to their viral genotypes. Sustained virologic response (SVR) is defined as undetectable HCV RNA throughout a 24-week post-treatment follow-up period. Dynamic serum levels of the following cytokines: (1) Th1-mediated cytokines: IFN-γ, interleukin-2, and TNF-alpha; (2)Th2-mediated cytokines: interleukin-4, interleukin-5, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 and (3)immuno-modulatory cytokines: interleukin-1β, interleukin-8, and interleukin-12 were determined by Fluorescent Bead immunoassay. Serial dynamic cytokine expression demonstrated that not only elevated IFN-γ concentrations at specific time points but also the total IFN-γ amount was strongly linked to non-response in peginterferon/ribavirin therapy. IFN-γ levels could serve as an independent predictor for SVR analyzed by multivariate logistic regression test. The accuracy of discriminating responders from non-responders was acceptable when IFN-γ cut-off levels were set at 180, 120, and 40 pg/ml at the 4th week, 12th week, and end-of-treatment of therapy, respectively. Elevated on-treatment IFN-γ concentration was significantly associated with treatment failure among interleukin-28B rs8099917TT carriers and those patients failed to achieve rapid virologic response.
Novel function of LHFPL2 in female and male distal reproductive tract development
Authors: Zhao Fei , Zhou Jun , Li Rong , Dudley Elizabeth A. , Ye Xiaoqin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCongenital reproductive tract anomalies could impair fertility. Female and male reproductive tracts are developed from Müllerian ducts and Wolffian ducts, respectively, involving initiation, elongation and differentiation. Genetic basis solely for distal reproductive tract development is largely unknown. Lhfpl2 (lipoma HMGIC fusion partner-like 2) encodes a tetra-transmembrane protein with unknown functions. It is expressed in follicle cells of ovary and epithelial cells of reproductive tracts. A spontaneous point mutation of Lhfpl2 (LHFPL2G102E) leads to infertility in 100% female mice, which have normal ovarian development, ovulation, uterine development, and uterine response to exogenous estrogen stimulation, but abnormal upper longitudinal vaginal septum and lower vaginal agenesis. Infertility is also observed in ~70% mutant males, which have normal mating behavior and sperm counts, but abnormal distal vas deferens convolution resulting in complete and incomplete blockage of reproductive tract in infertile and fertile males, respectively. On embryonic day 15.5, mutant Müllerian ducts and Wolffian ducts have elongated but their duct tips are enlarged and fail to merge with the urogenital sinus. These findings provide a novel function of LHFPL2 and a novel genetic basis for distal reproductive tract development; they also emphasize the importance of an additional merging phase for proper reproductive tract development.
High Efficiency CVD Graphene-lead (Pb) Cooper Pair Splitter
Authors: Borzenets I. V. , Shimazaki Y. , Jones G. F. , Craciun M. F. , Russo S. , Yamamoto M. , Tarucha S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractGeneration and manipulation of quantum entangled electrons is an important concept in quantum mechanics and necessary for advances in quantum information processing; but not yet established in solid state systems. A promising device is a superconductor-two quantum dots Cooper pair splitter. Early nanowire based devices, while efficient, are limited in scalability and further electron manipulation. We demonstrate an optimized, high efficiency, CVD grown graphene-based Cooper pair splitter. Our device is designed to induce superconductivity in graphene via the proximity effect, resulting in both a large superconducting gap Δ = 0.5 meV and coherence length ξ = 200 nm. The flat nature of the device lowers parasitic capacitance, increasing charging energy EC. Our design also eases geometric restrictions and minimizes output channel separation. As a result we measure a visibility of up to 86% and a splitting efficiency of up to 62%. This will pave the way towards near unity efficiencies, long distance splitting and post-splitting electron manipulation.
Unique glycosignature for intervertebral disc and articular cartilage cells and tissues in immaturity and maturity
Authors: Collin E. C. , Kilcoyne M. , White S. J. , Grad S. , Alini M. , Joshi L. , Pandit A. S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn this study, on/off markers for intervertebral disc (IVD) and articular cartilage (AC) cells (chondrocytes) and distinct glycoprofiles of cell and tissue-types were identified from immaturity to maturity. Three and eleven month-old ovine IVD and AC tissues were histochemically profiled with a panel of lectins and antibodies. Relationships between tissue and cell types were analysed by hierarchical clustering. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) composition of annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP) and AC tissues was determined by HPLC analysis. Clear on/off cell type markers were identified, which enabled the discrimination of chondrocytes, AF and NP cells. AF and NP cells were distinguishable using MAA, SNA-I, SBA and WFA lectins, which bound to both NP cells and chondrocytes but not AF cells. Chondrocytes were distinguished from NP and AF cells with a specific binding of LTA and PNA lectins to chondrocytes. Each tissue showed a unique CS composition with a distinct switch in sulfation pattern in AF and NP tissues upon disc maturity while cartilage maintained the same sulfation pattern over time. In conclusion, distinct glycoprofiles for cell and tissue-types across age groups were identified in addition to altered CS composition and sulfation patterns for tissue types upon maturity.
Magnetically coupled boost converter with enhanced equivalent series resistance filter capacitor for DC microgrid
Authors: Garg Mukul , Singh Rajeev Kumar , Mahanty Ranjit 
Published: March 2016

A magnetically coupled boost (MCB) converter with the enhanced equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the filter capacitor for DC microgrid applications has been presented in this study. The proposed MCB converter with enhanced ESR filter capacitor uses only four state variables and exhibits a fourth‐order minimum phase behaviour because of the complete elimination of right half plane zero. The characteristic of displaying fourth‐order minimum phase behaviour of the proposed MCB converter with the enhanced ESR filter capacitor makes the design and analysis simple. Closed‐loop operation of the proposed MCB converter with the enhanced ESR filter capacitor with photovoltaic input using maximum power point tracking has been carried out to verify its applicability in DC microgrid. Steady state and dynamic modelling of the MCB converter has been carried out to demonstrate its advantages. The proposed algorithm is validated on a 145 W prototype through simulation and experimentation.
Der Macher
Authors: Mühlnikel Ingrid 
Published: March 2016

Eines kann man Konrad Schily als frischgebackenem Parlamentarier ganz bestimmt nicht vorwerfen: mangelnden Praxisbezug. Der 68-jährige Bruder des scheidenden Innenministers Otto Schily weiß worüber er redet, wenn es beispielsweise um Hochschulpolitik und das Gesundheitswesen geht. Der Neurologe zählt zu den Gründern des Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke. Ein Haus in dem veraltete hierarchische Krankenhausstrukturen radikal in Frage gestellt wurden und in dem alternative Heilmethoden Einzug hielten, als sanfte Medizin noch etwas für versponnene Außenseiter war. Untrennbar ist der Name Schily auch mit der Universität Witten-Herdecke verbunden, der ersten deutschen Privatuniversität, die der jüngste – der fünf Schily-Geschwister – gründete und der er bis 1999 als Präsident
vorstand. Das ehemalige SPD-Mitglied wechselte im Mai 2005 die politische Heimat und trat der FDP bei. Bei der Bundestagswahl zog Schily mit Fortune auf Listenplatz 13 über die Landesliste in den 16. Deutschen Bundestag ein.
Medica in Zahlen
Authors: Geisendorf Nicklas 
Published: March 2016

Die Medica geht in ihr 37. Jahr und ist erfolgreicher denn je – zumindest, wenn man nach gebuchter Fläche und erwarteter Ausstellerzahl geht. Rund 4.200 Anbieter aus 60 Ländern werden ihre Produkte auf 120.000 Quadratmetern präsentieren. Das ist verglichen mit dem Vorjahr ein Zuwachs um etwa 180 Aussteller, die gebuchte Fläche hat sich um 4.000 Quadratmeter erweitert – das entspricht einem mittleren Einkaufszentrum. Der Zuwachs kommt wie in den vorigen Jahren vornehmlich aus Asien. Auf der Gegenseite stehen renommierte inländische Hersteller wie B. Braun Melsungen oder Paul Hartmann, die der Medica auch in diesem Jahr den Rücken kehren.
Die Zusammensetzung der Aussteller nach Ländern relativiert das Bild jedoch: Die 1.390 deutschen Aussteller belegen mit 61.400 Quadratmetern rund 5.000 Quadratmeter mehr Fläche als alle 2.743 ausländischen Aussteller zusammen. Deren Rangliste führen die USA mit 332 Ausstellern an (Quadratmeter: 4.508), gefolgt von China mit 305 Ausstellern (Quadratmeter: 4.712). Auf den dritten Platz kommen die Italiener: 274 Aussteller auf 8.554 Quadratmetern. Zu den Exoten der Messe gehören Chile, Island, Kolumbien, Lettland, Marokko und Saudi Arabien mit je einer Firma am Start.
Nach Branchen getrennt sind mit 1.978 Ausstellern die Anbieter von Elektromedizin und Medizintechnik führend. Die Anbieter von Bedarfs- und Verbrauchsartikeln stellen mit 795 Vertretern die zweitgrößte Gruppe, 602 Anbieter haben Diagnostika im Programm. Eher bescheiden vertreten sind Arzneimittel-Hersteller (51) und Facility-Management-Anbieter (58).
Ob die Besucherzahl von 136.152 im Jahr 2004 übertroffen werden kann, wird sich zeigen. Anzunehmen ist es allerdings, zumal wenn der Anteil der ausländischen Besucher ähnlich stark zunimmt wie die Zahl der ausländischen Aussteller.
Identifying genetic modulators of the connectivity between transcription factors and their transcriptional targets
Authors: Fazlollahi Mina , Muroff Ivor , Lee Eunjee , Causton Helen C. , Bussemaker Harmen J. 
Published: March 2016

SignificanceWe present a transcription-factor–centric computational method that utilizes data on natural variation in mRNA abundance to identify genetic loci that influence the responsiveness of genes to variation in the activities of their regulators. We call these connectivity quantitative trait loci, or cQTLs. When testing our method in yeast, we identified a polymorphism that modulates the mating response and confirmed our prediction experimentally. Our approach provides a sophisticated and nuanced approach to understanding the influence of genetic variation on interactions within regulatory networks. Applying our approach to human data may improve our understanding of the impact of genetic variation in contributing to phenotypic differences among individuals.
A theory-based epistemology of modality
Authors: Fischer Bob 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe have some justified beliefs about modal matters. A modal epistemology should explain what’s involved in our having that justification. Given that we’re realists about modality, how should we expect that explanation to go? In the first part of this essay, I suggest an answer to this question based on an analogy with games. Then, I outline a modal epistemology that fits with that answer. According to a theory-based epistemology of modality, you justifiably believe that p if (a) you justifiably believe a theory that says that p and (b) you believe p on the basis of that theory.
Effects of C-xylopyranoside derivative on epithelial regeneration in an in vitro 3D oral mucosa model
Authors: Uenoyama Atsushi , Kakizaki Ikuko , Shiomi Aki , Saito Naoaki , Hara Yuko , Saito Taro , Ohnuki Hisashi , Kato Hiroko , Takagi Ritsuo , Maeda Takeyasu , Izumi Kenji 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Identifying substandard tissue-engineered oral mucosa grafts with a poor epithelium before clinical use is critical to ensure quality assurance/control in regenerative medicine, leading to success of grafting. This study investigated the effects of one of the C-xylopyranoside derivatives, β-D-xylopyranoside-n-propane-2-one (XPP), on oral epithelial regeneration. Using a three-dimensional oral mucosa model, we analyzed changes of the epithelial structure, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis, the expression levels of basement membrane zone markers, and substrates of Akt/mTOR signaling. Compared with the control, 2 mM XPP treatment increased the mean and minimal epithelial thickness, and reduced the variation of epithelial thickness. It also stimulated expressions of decorin and syndecan-1 with change of GAG amount and/or composition, and enhanced the expressions of integrin α6, CD44, and Akt/mTOR signaling substrates. These findings suggest that XPP supplementation contributes to consistent epithelial regeneration. Moreover, upregulation of those markers may play a role in increasing the quality of the oral mucosal epithelium.
Characterization of an RNA receptor motif that recognizes a GCGA tetraloop
Authors: Furukawa Airi , Maejima Takaya , Matsumura Shigeyoshi , Ikawa Yoshiya 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Tertiary interactions between a new RNA motif and RNA tetraloops were analyzed to determine whether this new motif shows preference for a GCGA tetraloop. In the structural context of a ligase ribozyme, this motif discriminated GCGA loop from 3 other tetraloops. The affinity between the GCGA loop and its receptor is strong enough to carry out the ribozyme activity.
Bioavailability, Pharmacokinetics, and Safety of Riociguat Given as an Oral Suspension or Crushed Tablet with and without Food
Authors: Saleh Soundos , Frey Reiner , Becker Corina , Unger Sigrun , Wensing Georg , Mück Wolfgang 
Published: March 2016

Riociguat is approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Some patients have difficulty swallowing tablets; therefore, 2 randomized, nonblinded, crossover studies compared the relative bioavailability of riociguat oral suspensions and immediate‐release (IR) tablet and of crushed‐tablet preparations versus whole IR tablet. In study 1, 30 healthy subjects received 5 single riociguat doses: 0.3 and 2.4 mg (0.15 mg/mL suspensions), 0.15 mg (0.03 mg/mL), and 1.0 mg (whole IR tablet) under fasted conditions and 2.4 mg (0.15 mg/mL) after a high‐fat, high‐calorie American‐style breakfast. In study 2, 25 healthy men received 4 single 2.5‐mg doses: whole IR tablet and crushed IR tablet suspended in applesauce and water, respectively, under fasted conditions, and whole IR tablet after a continental breakfast. In study 1, dose‐normalized pharmacokinetics of riociguat oral suspensions and 1.0‐mg whole IR tablet were similar in fasted conditions; 90% confidence intervals for riociguat area under the curve (AUC) to dose and mean maximum concentration (Cmax) to dose were within bioequivalence criteria. After food, dose‐normalized AUC and Cmax decreased by 15% and 38%, respectively. In study 2, riociguat exposure was similar for all preparations; AUC ratios for crushed‐IR‐tablet preparations to whole IR tablet were within bioequivalence criteria. The Cmax increased by 17% for crushed IR tablet in water versus whole IR tablet. Food intake decreased Cmax of the whole tablet by 16%, with unaltered AUC versus fasted conditions. Riociguat bioavailability was similar between the oral suspensions and the whole IR tablet; exposure was similar between whole IR tablet and crushed‐IR‐tablet preparations. Minor food effects were observed. Results suggest that riociguat formulations are interchangeable.
GSP: a web-based platform for designing genome-specific primers in polyploids
Authors: Wang Yi , Tiwari Vijay K. , Rawat Nidhi , Gill Bikram S. , Huo Naxin , You Frank M. , Coleman-Derr Devin , Gu Yong Q. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Motivation: The sequences among subgenomes in a polyploid species have high similarity, making it difficult to design genome-specific primers for sequence analysis.
Results: We present GSP, a web-based platform to design genome-specific primers that distinguish subgenome sequences in a polyploid genome. GSP uses BLAST to extract homeologous sequences of the subgenomes in existing databases, performs a multiple sequence alignment, and design primers based on sequence variants in the alignment. An interactive primers diagram, a sequence alignment viewer and a virtual electrophoresis are displayed as parts of the primer design result. GSP also designs specific primers from multiple sequences uploaded by users.
Availability and implementation: GSP is a user-friendly and efficient web platform freely accessible at http://probes.pw.usda.gov/GSP. Source code and command-line application are available at https://github.com/bioinfogenome/GSP.
Contacts: yong.gu@ars.usda.gov or devin.coleman-derr@ars.usda.gov
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sign Language Acquisition
Authors: Meier Richard P. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
This essay considers the acquisition of sign languages as first languages. Most deaf children are born to hearing parents, but a minority have deaf parents. Deaf children of deaf parents receive early access to a conventional sign language. The time course of acquisition in these children is compared to the developmental milestones in children learning spoken languages. The two language modalities—the oral-aural modality of speech and the visual-gestural modality of sign—place differing constraints on languages and offer differing resources to languages. Possible modality effects on first-language acquisition are considered. Historically, many deaf infants born to hearing parents have had little access to a conventional language. However, these children sometimes elaborate “home sign” systems. Lastly, the role of early experience in language acquisition is considered. Deaf children of hearing parents are immersed in a first language at varying ages, enabling a test of the critical-period hypothesis.
Post-Nomadic Empires
Authors: Wink André 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
This article is about nomadic conquerors of settled societies and the “post-nomadic empires” they brought into being throughout history. The historical understanding has generally been that the military qualities of nomads made their conquests of settled societies a regular and likely occurrence but that the latter had no lasting impact and were usually followed by the assimilation of the nomads, concomitant with the rapid decline of their empires. By contrast, it is here argued that such an environmentally deterministic understanding reflects ancient and medieval conditions but cannot explain the development of a different type of post-nomadic empire in early modern times. The early modern Ottoman, Mughal, and Ching empires provide evidence of a new capacity for imperial consolidation and a new commitment to dynastic continuity as well as the creation of more effective and durable means of resource mobilization that constitute a departure from the earlier pattern.
Travel in the Roman World
Authors: Cioffi Robert L. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
This article examines Roman travel. It seeks to show how deeply travel was woven into the fabric of the ancient world and how many aspects of the Roman experience relate to it. Rather than pretend to total coverage, this article, which is divided into four sections, offers some ways of thinking about travel and its place in the Roman world, exploring the practice, ideology, and imagination of travel. Moving from a top-down perspective on Roman infrastructure and the role of travel in the practice of Roman power, the article turns to a bottom-up view of the experiences of individuals when traveling, concluding with a survey of the imaginative representation of travel in the literature of the Roman world.