bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical activity in young children and their parents–An Early STOPP Sweden–China comparison study
Authors: Johansson Elin , Mei Hong , Xiu Lijuan , Svensson Viktoria , Xiong Yueling , Marcus Claude , Zhang Jianduan , Hagströmer Maria 
Published: July 2016

AbstractUnderstanding about socio-cultural differences in physical activity in children with high and low risk for obesity can help tailor intervention programs in different settings. This study aimed to compare objectively measured physical activity in two-year-olds and their parents, living in Stockholm, Sweden, and Wuhan, China. Data from Early STOPP was used. Children and parents wore an accelerometer in connection with the child’s second birthday. Weekly and hourly patterns were examined. Correlation between child and parental physical activity was assessed. Data on 146 Swedish and 79 Chinese children and their parents was available. Children, mothers and fathers in Stockholm were significantly more active than their counterparts in Wuhan (children; 2989 (SD 702) vs. 1997 (SD 899) counts per minute (CPM), mothers 2625 (SD 752) vs. 2042 (SD 821) CPM; fathers 2233 (SD 749) vs. 1588 (SD 754) CPM). Activity levels were similar over a week for children and parents within both countries. No parental-child correlations, except for a paternal-son correlation in Stockholm, were found. Children, mothers and fathers in Stockholm are more active compared with their counterparts in Wuhan. Interventions to increase physical activity needs to take cultural aspects into account, also when targeting very young children.
Alexandrite-like effect in purple flowers analyzed with newly devised round RGB diagram
Authors: Kasajima Ichiro 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe gemstone alexandrite is known for its feature to change color depending on the spectral quality of the incident light. Thus, the stone looks green when illuminated by white LED light but looks red when illuminated by incandescent light. This effect (alexandrite effect) is caused by a special relationship between the spectral quality of the incident light and the absorbance spectrum of the stone. Here we report an alexandrite-like effect in the petals of torenia and cyclamen flowers. These flowers are purple in sunlight but magenta (reddish) in incandescent light and violet (bluish purple) in white LED light. The m-n, triangle and round diagrams are devised to calculate the colors of visible light spectra, based on the RGB color-matching function. Using these calculations, the alexandrite-like effect in purple flowers was successfully analyzed in terms of the interaction between the incident light spectrum and the absorbance spectrum of their purple anthocyanin. This analysis allows both logical and intuitive understanding of the colors exhibited by any object showing alexandrite–like properties.
Development of a synthetic gene network to modulate gene expression by mechanical forces
Authors: Kis Zoltán , Rodin Tania , Zafar Asma , Lai Zhangxing , Freke Grace , Fleck Oliver , Del Rio Hernandez Armando , Towhidi Leila , Pedrigi Ryan M. , Homma Takayuki , Krams Rob 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe majority of (mammalian) cells in our body are sensitive to mechanical forces, but little work has been done to develop assays to monitor mechanosensor activity. Furthermore, it is currently impossible to use mechanosensor activity to drive gene expression. To address these needs, we developed the first mammalian mechanosensitive synthetic gene network to monitor endothelial cell shear stress levels and directly modulate expression of an atheroprotective transcription factor by shear stress. The technique is highly modular, easily scalable and allows graded control of gene expression by mechanical stimuli in hard-to-transfect mammalian cells. We call this new approach mechanosyngenetics. To insert the gene network into a high proportion of cells, a hybrid transfection procedure was developed that involves electroporation, plasmids replication in mammalian cells, mammalian antibiotic selection, a second electroporation and gene network activation. This procedure takes 1 week and yielded over 60% of cells with a functional gene network. To test gene network functionality, we developed a flow setup that exposes cells to linearly increasing shear stress along the length of the flow channel floor. Activation of the gene network varied logarithmically as a function of shear stress magnitude.
An approach towards a perfect thermal diffuser
Authors: Vemuri Krishna P. , Bandaru Prabhakar R. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractA method for the most efficient removal of heat, through an anisotropic composite, is proposed. It is shown that a rational placement of constituent materials, in the radial and the azimuthal directions, at a given point in the composite yields a uniform temperature distribution in spherical diffusers. Such arrangement is accompanied by a very significant reduction of the source temperature, in principle, to infinitesimally above the ambient temperature and forms the basis for the design of a perfect thermal diffuser with maximal heat dissipation. Orders of magnitude enhanced performance, compared to that obtained through the use of a diffuser constituted from a single material with isotropic thermal conductivity has been observed and the analytical principles underlying the design were validated through extensive computational simulations.
The biofilm inhibitor Carolacton inhibits planktonic growth of virulent pneumococci via a conserved target
Authors: Donner Jannik , Reck Michael , Bergmann Simone , Kirschning Andreas , Müller Rolf , Wagner-Döbler Irene 
Published: July 2016

AbstractNew antibacterial compounds, preferentially exploiting novel cellular targets, are urgently needed to fight the increasing resistance of pathogens against conventional antibiotics. Here we demonstrate that Carolacton, a myxobacterial secondary metabolite previously shown to damage Streptococcus mutans biofilms, inhibits planktonic growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae TIGR4 and multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of serotype 19A at nanomolar concentrations. A Carolacton diastereomer is inactive in both streptococci, indicating a highly specific interaction with a conserved cellular target. S. mutans requires the eukaryotic-like serine/threonine protein kinase PknB and the cysteine metabolism regulator CysR for susceptibility to Carolacton, whereas their homologues are not needed in S. pneumoniae, suggesting a specific function for S. mutans biofilms only. A bactericidal effect of Carolacton was observed for S. pneumoniae TIGR4, with a reduction of cell numbers by 3 log units. The clinical pneumonia isolate Sp49 showed immediate growth arrest and cell lysis, suggesting a bacteriolytic effect of Carolacton. Carolacton treatment caused a reduction in membrane potential, but not membrane integrity, and transcriptome analysis revealed compensatory reactions of the cell. Our data show that Carolacton might have potential for treating pneumococcal infections.
Structural Characterization of H1N1 Nucleoprotein-Nucleozin Binding Sites
Authors: Pang Bo , Cheung Nam Nam , Zhang Weizhe , Dai Jun , Kao Richard Y. , Zhang Hongmin , Hao Quan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractInfluenza viruses are among the most common pathogens that threaten the health of humans and animals worldwide. Various anti-viral therapeutic agents are currently used for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza virus, but the targets of these drugs are easily mutated and result in resistance. Therefore, medications that have broad spectrum coverage are urgently needed to combat with the disease. Since nucleoprotein is regarded as a druggable target due to its conserved sequence and important functions during influenza virus life cycle, numerous studies are focused on this protein in attempts to develop broad-spectrum anti-influenza therapeutics. Recently, a novel small molecule compound, nucleozin, was found to induce large aggregates of nucleoprotein, which in turn caused cessation of virus replication. However, the aggregation-inducing mechanism of nucleozin has not been unveiled. Here we report the crystal structure of nucleoprotein-nucleozin complex at 3 Å resolution, which shows the binding sites of nucleozin at nucleoprotein for the first time. The complex structure reveals how nucleoprotein and nucleozin interact with each other and hence result in nucleoprotein aggregates. The structural information is envisaged to help accelerate the development of anti-influenza therapeutic agents.
Genetic and epigenetic methylation defects and implication of the ERMN gene in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Homs A , Codina-Solà M , Rodríguez-Santiago B , Villanueva C M , Monk D , Cuscó I , Pérez-Jurado L A 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly heritable and genetically complex conditions. Although highly penetrant mutations in multiple genes have been identified, they account for the etiology of <1/3 of cases. There is also strong evidence for environmental contribution to ASD, which can be mediated by still poorly explored epigenetic modifications. We searched for methylation changes on blood DNA of 53 male ASD patients and 757 healthy controls using a methylomic array (450K Illumina), correlated the variants with transcriptional alterations in blood RNAseq data, and performed a case–control association study of the relevant findings in a larger cohort (394 cases and 500 controls). We found 700 differentially methylated CpGs, most of them hypomethylated in the ASD group (83.9%), with cis-acting expression changes at 7.6% of locations. Relevant findings included: (1) hypomethylation caused by rare genetic variants (meSNVs) at six loci (ERMN, USP24, METTL21C, PDE10A, STX16 and DBT) significantly associated with ASD (q-value <0.05); and (2) clustered epimutations associated to transcriptional changes in single-ASD patients (n=4). All meSNVs and clustered epimutations were inherited from unaffected parents. Resequencing of the top candidate genes also revealed a significant load of deleterious mutations affecting ERMN in ASD compared with controls. Our data indicate that inherited methylation alterations detectable in blood DNA, due to either genetic or epigenetic defects, can affect gene expression and contribute to ASD susceptibility most likely in an additive manner, and implicate ERMN as a novel ASD gene.
Stub‐loaded‐based bandpass filters with dynamically‐controlled in‐band notches
Authors: Psychogiou D. , Gómez‐García R. , Peroulis D. 
Published: July 2016

The RF design of stub‐loaded‐based wide‐band bandpass filters (BPFs) with multiple tunable rejection bands in their transmission range is presented. The proposed concept exploits the replacement of the short‐circuited resonant stubs of the stub‐loaded‐based BPF with multi‐band bandstop (BS) sections. Each multi‐frequency BS section is formed by several in‐parallel‐cascaded 90°‐long stubs that are terminated by frequency‐agile resonators so that each of them results in an independently‐controlled transmission zero. In this manner, a plurality of high‐order reflective‐type rejection bands can be created and arbitrarily controlled. Further operational characteristics include: (i) scalability to any number of rejection bands and degree of selectivity, (ii) independent tuning of each notch without any influence on the remaining ones, and (iii) spectral‐merging of multiple stopbands to increase their bandwidth (BW) and enable controllability of the number of active notches in the passband. The aforementioned principles are experimentally validated through a prototype that exhibits a wide‐band (fractional BW: 68%), low‐loss (<0.7 dB) passband at 1000 MHz and two high‐attenuation (>60 dB) notches that can be independently tuned within the 870–1150 MHz range.
Fluorescent polymeric optical fibre illuminator
Authors: Miluski P. , Dorosz D. , Kochanowicz M. , Żmojda J. 
Published: July 2016

Compact fluorescent optical fibre illuminator is presented. The fabrication and characterisation of polymethyl methacrylate fibre with fluorescent tip are presented. The luminescent properties of Perylene (Per) and Rhodamine 6G (Rh 6G) of co‐doped polymeric fibre were used for 405 nm laser diode radiation conversion inside the polymeric fibre. The spectrum shape and chromaticity coordinates show possibility of application as white light (ca. 3350 K) illuminator. The intensity characteristics of fabricated illuminator are also shown. The small dimensions and high flexibility assure numerous applications of presented construction.
Solid‐state immobilisation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles onto nanoclay
Authors: Ghorbanpour Mohammad , Lotfiman Samaneh 
Published: July 2016

The impregnation of nanoclay with TiO2 was carried out by new and fast method. Nanoclay was submitted only to a single step molten salt process. Scanning electron microscopy showed that TiO2 nanoparticles precipitated over the nanoclay surface after treatment. Structural characterisation of nanocomposite by X‐ray diffraction displayed the change of basal peak after even 1 min process at both temperatures. UV‐visible spectroscopy showed the presence of TiO2. However, the band gap was not affected by process temperature and time. XRF graphs revealed that by increasing temperature and time of the molten salt process, the amount of loaded titanium dioxide on the nanoclays was enhanced. Through this quick process, an inexpensive nanocomposite with properties comparable with those from more elaborate processes is produced.
Methods of Hearing Preservation during Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Khater Ahmed , El-Anwar Mohammad 
Published: July 2016

Introduction Recent advances in surgical techniques and electrode design have made residual hearing preservation during cochlear implantation (CI) possible, achievable, and desirable.
Objectives The objective of this study was to review the literature regarding methods used for hearing preservation during CI surgery.
Data Synthesis We performed a search in the LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, PubMed databases, and Cochrane Library, using the keywords CI, hearing preservation, CI electrode design, and CI soft surgery. We fully read about 15 studies that met the criteria described in “study selection”. The studies showed that several factors could contribute to possible cochlear damage during or after CI surgery and must be kept in mind; mechanical damage during electrode insertion, shock waves in the perilymph fluid due to implantation, acoustic trauma due to drilling, loss of perilymph and disruption of inner ear fluid homeostasis, potential bacterial infection, and secondary intracochlear fibrous tissue formation. The desire to preserve residual hearing has led to the development of the soft-surgery protocols with its various components; avoiding entry of blood into the cochlea and the use of hyaluronate seem to be reasonably supported, whereas the use of topical steroids is questionable. The site of entry into the cochlea, electrode design, and the depth of insertion are also important contributing factors.
Conclusion Hearing preservation would be useful for CI patients to benefit from the residual low frequency, as well as for the children who could be candidate for future regenerative hair cell therapy.
Scientific advice in China: the changing role of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Authors: Li Xiaoxuan , Yang Kejia , Xiao Xiaoxi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis article explores the changing role of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in the national scientific advisory system in China from an historical perspective, which has been divided into three periods. Period I (from 1949 to 1976) relates to the era during which, since its establishment, CAS assumed the role of the top-level scientific advisor to the Chinese government, and its dual role of “scientific advisory body” and “science and technology administrative organ” were especially evident during the formulation of “The Twelve-Year National Long-term Outline for Science and Technology Development (1956–1967)”. During period II (from 1977 to 2011) the function of providing scientific advice to the government was restored after the “Cultural Revolution”, and CAS entered a new era of unprecedented prosperity and development. Finally, period III (from 2012 to present) includes Chinese President Xi Jinping taking office, and the central government encouraging the development of science and technology think tanks, using third-party evaluation as an important measure and approach to promote the reform of the government management system. In summary, the new government attaches great importance to CAS, urging it, as a third-party organization, to fully play its role as a scientific advisor and further develop its capability and approaches to consulting, and improve its organizational structure. Given its prominent position in the Chinese scientific advisory system, the changing role of CAS also reflects the characteristics and changes in China’s scientific advice throughout different periods. This article is published as part of a collection on scientific advice to governments.
The global greening of religion
Authors: Chaplin Jonathan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIt is increasingly acknowledged that our escalating global environmental challenges cannot be adequately responded to by governmental bodies without a substantial upsurge of popular support for the far-reaching policy shifts widely seen as necessary. The search is thus on for the societal, cultural and moral energies that might inspire the large-scale consciousness-raising and mobilization required for such an upsurge. More recently, there has also been a growing recognition that, in a world where four-fifths of the population adheres to some form of spiritual tradition, religion may be one of those necessary sources. This article begins by identifying the remarkable upsurge of religiously inspired ecological concern over the last 30 years, noting that it has come to expression with special force in robust declarations on, and attempts to mobilize believers over, the issue of climate change. It then summarizes this phenomenon in terms of seven core commitments and concludes by reflecting briefly on its potential future influence.
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors induce DNA damage through nucleoside depletion
Authors: Juvekar Ashish , Hu Hai , Yadegarynia Sina , Lyssiotis Costas A. , Ullas Soumya , Lien Evan C. , Bellinger Gary , Son Jaekyoung , Hok Rosanna C. , Seth Pankaj , Daly Michele B. , Kim Baek , Scully Ralph , Asara John M. , Cantley Lewis C. , Wulf Gerburg M. 
Published: July 2016

Significance
Mutations in the PI3K pathway are highly prevalent in cancers, and isoform-specific and pan-PI3K inhibitors have entered clinical trials in both solid and hematologic malignancies. The PI3K δ-specific inhibitor idelalisib (in combination with rituximab) was recently approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, identifying tumor types and biological mechanisms that predict for response to PI3K inhibitors as single agents or in combination has been a challenge. Our data indicate that PI3K inhibitors induce DNA damage in tumors that have defects in DNA damage-repair pathways and that they do so by impairing the production of Rib phosphate and amino acids needed for deoxynucleotide synthesis.
Assessing large-scale wildlife responses to human infrastructure development
Authors: Torres Aurora , Jaeger Jochen A. G. , Alonso Juan Carlos 
Published: July 2016

SignificanceNature is increasingly threatened by rapid infrastructure expansion. For the first time, to our knowledge, we quantify the high pervasiveness of transportation infrastructure in all European countries. Unfortunately, spatial definition of the areas ecologically affected by infrastructure at large scales is complicated. Thus, we present a method for assessing the spatial extent of the impacts on birds and mammals at regional and national scales. As an illustration, its application to Spain shows that most of the country is affected, predicting moderate and severe declines for birds and mammals, respectively. The lack of areas that could be used as controls implies that scientists may no longer be able to measure the magnitude of road effects on wide-ranging mammals in most of Europe.
Pathological ribonuclease H1 causes R-loop depletion and aberrant DNA segregation in mitochondria
Authors: Akman Gokhan , Desai Radha , Bailey Laura J. , Yasukawa Takehiro , Dalla Rosa Ilaria , Durigon Romina , Holmes J. Bradley , Moss Chloe F. , Mennuni Mara , Houlden Henry , Crouch Robert J. , Hanna Michael G. , Pitceathly Robert D. S. , Spinazzola Antonella , Holt Ian J. 
Published: July 2016

Significance
The DNA in mitochondria is essential for efficient energy production. Critical for mitochondrial DNA replication and expression are sequences concentrated in the so-called control region. We report that many mitochondrial DNAs contain a triple-stranded region whose third strand is RNA and maps to the control region. These R-loops contribute to DNA architecture and replication in the mitochondria, and aberrant R-loop processing causes disease.
Two interferon-independent double-stranded RNA-induced host defense strategies suppress the common cold virus at warm temperature
Authors: Foxman Ellen F. , Storer James A. , Vanaja Kiran , Levchenko Andre , Iwasaki Akiko 
Published: July 2016

Significance
Most strains of rhinovirus (RV), the common cold virus, replicate better at cool temperatures found in the nasal cavity (33–35°C) than at lung temperature (37°C). Recently, we found that although 37°C temperature suppressed RV growth by promoting IFN secretion, some antiviral effects of temperature were IFN-independent. Here, we used H1-HeLa cells and human bronchial epithelial cells to explore additional mechanisms underlying temperature-dependent RV growth. Using mathematical modeling and genetic approaches, we show that together, enhanced host cell death and the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-dependent activity of RNAseL contribute to restriction of RV growth at 37°C. These findings show that even in the absence of interferons, temperature has profound effects on antiviral defense that affect the outcome of common cold infections.
Utility functions predict variance and skewness risk preferences in monkeys
Authors: Genest Wilfried , Stauffer William R. , Schultz Wolfram 
Published: July 2016

Significance
Utility, the key decision variable underlying economic choices, should represent risk, which is inherent to real-life decisions. We studied two prevalent forms of risk that are characterized by the spread (variance-risk) and asymmetry (skewness-risk) of rewards. We show that monkeys preferred higher variance and positively skewed gambles. Importantly, empirically estimated utility functions predicted both of these risk preferences. Thus, the abstract concept of utility seemed to explain primates’ choices under common forms of risk.
Socially selected ornaments influence hormone titers of signalers and receivers
Authors: Tibbetts Elizabeth A. , Crocker Katherine , Huang Zachary Y. 
Published: July 2016

SignificanceDespite the short-term benefits of dishonesty, animals typically communicate honestly. What prevents weak, low-quality individuals from cheating by signaling that they are strong? The general answer is that signals are costly, and only the best individuals can afford to signal strength. However, there are theoretical and empirical challenges associated with identifying the costs that maintain signal accuracy. Here, we provide a new perspective on honest communication by showing that wasps with dishonest signals are aggressively punished, and this punishment has lasting effects on the physiology of the dishonest signaler and those they interact with. We propose that interactions between behavioral and physiological costs of dishonesty could play an important role in maintaining honest communication over evolutionary time.