bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the interplay between academic achievement and educational identity: A longitudinal study
Authors: Pop Eleonora Ioana , Negru‐Subtirica Oana , Crocetti Elisabetta , Opre Adrian , Meeus Wim 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTThe present three‐wave longitudinal study provides empirical evidence for the mechanisms of the bright and dark sides of identity development in the academic context. First, we investigated the patterns of stability and change in educational identity and academic achievement among adolescents. Second, we examined the reciprocal associations between identity processes (i.e., commitment, in‐depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment) and academic achievement. The main results of the study highlighted that academic achievement predicts the manner in which adolescents deal with their identity issues in the academic context. Thus, high academic achievement leads to high levels of commitment (identity synthesis), while low academic achievement leads to high levels of reconsideration of commitment (identity confusion). This unidirectional pattern of effects applied equally to adolescent boys and girls, early‐to‐middle and middle‐to‐late adolescents, and to adolescents attending theoretical and vocational schools. Practical implications are discussed.
Variant rs2237892 of KCNQ1 is Potentially Associated with Hypertension and Macrovascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Zhang Wanlin , Wang Hailing , Guan Xiaomin , Niu Qing , Li Wei 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
KCNQ1 has been identified as a susceptibility gene of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Asian populations through genome-wide association studies. However, studies on the association between gene polymorphism of KCNQ1 and T2DM complications remain unclear. To further analyze the association between different alleles at the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2237892 within KCNQ1 and TD2M and its complications, we conducted a case-control study in a Chinese Han population. The C allele of rs2237892 variant contributed to susceptibility to T2DM (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–1.75). Genotypes CT (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.24–3.15) and CC (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.57–3.95) were associated with an increased risk of T2DM. Multivariate regression analysis was performed with adjustment of age, gender, and body mass index. We found that systolic blood pressure (P  = 0.015), prevalence of hypertension (P  = 0.037), and risk of macrovascular disease (OR, 2.10; CI, 1.00–4.45) were significantly higher in subjects with the CC genotype than in the combined population with genotype either CT or TT. Therefore, our data support that KCNQ1 is associated with an increased risk for T2DM and might contribute to the higher incidence of hypertension and macrovascular complications in patients with T2DM carrying the risk allele C though it needs further to be confirmed in a larger population.
Prenatal undernutrition results in greater lipopolysaccharide‐induced changes in hypothalamic TNF‐α expression, but does not affect the equivalent changes in the serum levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone, in adult male rats
Authors: Iwasa Takeshi , Matsuzaki Toshiya , Tungalagsuvd Altankhuu , Munkhzaya Munkhsaikhan , Yiliyasi Mayila , Kato Takeshi , Kuwahara Akira , Irahara Minoru 
Published: December 2015

AbstractImmune stress can cause reproductive dysfunction. Some hypothalamic factors such as pro‐inflammatory cytokines play pivotal roles in reproductive disorders under immune stress conditions. Recently, it has been reported that prenatal undernutrition affects not only metabolic functions, but also the responses of physiological functions to immune stress in adulthood. In this study, the long‐term effects of prenatal undernutrition on the responses of hypothalamic pro‐inflammatory cytokine (interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and IL‐6) expression; reproductive endocrine factors; i.e., the serum levels of gonadotropins and testosterone; and hypothalamic kisspeptin expression to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined in male rats. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups; i.e., the normally nourished group and the undernourished (50% food restricted) group. The offspring of the normally nourished mothers (control) and undernourished mothers (the intrauterine growth restriction [IUGR] group) were sub‐divided into saline‐injected and LPS (500 μg, i.p.)‐injected groups at 10 weeks of age. The rats' hypothalamic pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels and serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels were measured and compared between the control and IUGR groups. The hypothalamic pro‐inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels of the LPS‐injected rats were significantly higher than those of the saline‐injected rats in both the control and IUGR groups. The changes in the hypothalamic expression level of TNF‐α, but not those of the other cytokines, induced in response to LPS were more marked in the IUGR group than in the control group. On the other hand, although the serum LH and testosterone levels of the LPS‐injected rats were significantly lower than those of the saline‐injected rats in both the control and IUGR groups, their levels did not differ between the control and IUGR groups under the LPS‐injected conditions. These results suggest that prenatal undernutrition results in more marked LPS‐induced changes in hypothalamic TNF‐α expression, but does not alter the effects of LPS on the serum levels of LH or testosterone, in adult male rats.
Accountability for quality of care: Monitoring all aspects of quality across a framework adapted for action
Authors: Hulton Louise , Matthews Zoë , Bandali Sarah , Izge Abubakar , Daroda Ramatu , Stones William 
Published: December 2015

AbstractQuality of care is essential to maternal and newborn survival. The multidimensional nature of quality of care means that frameworks are useful for capturing it. The present paper proposes an adaptation to a widely used quality of care framework for maternity services. The framework subdivides quality into two inter‐related dimensions—provision and experience of care—but suggests adaptations to reflect changes in the concept of quality over the past 15 years. The application of the updated framework is presented in a case study, which uses it to measure and inform quality improvements in northern Nigeria across the reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health continuum of care. Data from 231 sampled basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC and CEmONC) facilities in six northern Nigerian states showed that only 35%–47% of facilities met minimum quality standards in infrastructure. Standards for human resources performed better with 49%–73% reaching minimum standards. A framework like this could form the basis for a certification scheme. Certification offers a practical and concrete opportunity to drive quality standards up and reward good performance. It also offers a mechanism to strengthen accountability.
New discoveries in the Piraeus
Authors: Papadopoulou Chryssanthi 
Published: December 2015

Numerous archaeological finds have come to light in the Piraeus in the last 15 years. These finds enrich our knowledge of the deme's city planning, domestic architecture, water system, quarries, ports and walls in the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods.Since Klaus-Valtin von Eickstedt's (1991) seminal study on the Hippodamian development of the Piraeus, which was based on excavation data for houses and roads, more evidence has become available. Numerous new domestic complexes have been excavated on the Akte (ID1718, ID4907, ID4908, ID4909, ID4935, ID4981, ID4982, ID4983, ID4984, ID4985; ADelt 56-59 [2001-2004] B1: 441-42) and on the rest of the peninsula (ID4877, ID4910, ID4914, ID4915, ID4932). New roads and sections of roads already included in Höpfner and Schwandner 1994 (fig. 14) have been revealed in several areas (ID1718, ID2438, ID4907, ID4908, ID4909, ID4921, ID4935, ID4937; ADelt 56-59 [2001-2004] B1: 442). Amongst these is the road that ran between the Long Stoa and the walls of the Piraeus (ID4937). Additionally, a horos stone, marking the limits of the Emporion and its adjacent road, was found in Akte Miaouli. The inscription had been built into the wall of a small rubble structure; the date of the structure has not been identified, but it is thought to postdate the Classical period (ID4935).
AZD8797 is an allosteric non-competitive modulator of the human CX3CR1 receptor
Authors: Cederblad Linda , Rosengren Birgitta , Ryberg Erik , Hermansson Nils-Olov 
Published: December 2015

The chemokine receptor CX3CR1 has been implicated as an attractive therapeutic target in several diseases, including atherosclerosis and diabetes. However, there has been a lack of non-peptide CX3CR1 inhibitors to substantiate these findings. A selective small-molecule inhibitor of CX3CR1, AZD8797, was recently reported and we present here an in-depth in vitro characterization of that molecule. In a flow adhesion assay, AZD8797 antagonized the natural ligand, fractalkine (CX3CL1), in both human whole blood (hWB) and in a B-lymphocyte cell line with IC50 values of 300 and 6 nM respectively. AZD8797 also prevented G-protein activation in a [35S]GTPγS (guanosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate) accumulation assay. In contrast, dynamic mass redistribution (DMR) experiments revealed a weak Gαi-dependent AZD8797 agonism. Additionally, AZD8797 positively modulated the CX3CL1 response at sub-micromolar concentrations in a β-arrestin recruitment assay. In equilibrium saturation binding experiments, AZD8797 reduced the maximal binding of 125I-CX3CL1 without affecting Kd. Kinetic experiments, determining the kon and koff of AZD8797, demonstrated that this was not an artefact of irreversible or insurmountable binding, thus a true non-competitive mechanism. Finally we show that both AZD8797 and GTPγS increase the rate with which CX3CL1 dissociates from CX3CR1 in a similar manner, indicating a connection between AZD8797 and the CX3CR1-bound G-protein. Collectively, these data show that AZD8797 is a non-competitive allosteric modulator of CX3CL1, binding CX3CR1 and effecting G-protein signalling and β-arrestin recruitment in a biased way.
The mechanistic study of Leishmania major dihydro-orotate dehydrogenase based on steady- and pre-steady-state kinetic analysis
Authors: Reis Renata A.G. , Ferreira Patricia , Medina Milagros , Nonato M. Cristina 
Published: December 2015

Leishmania major dihydro-orotate dehydrogenase (DHODHLm) has been considered as a potential therapeutic target against leishmaniasis. DHODHLm, a member of class 1A DHODH, oxidizes dihydro-orotate (DHO) to orotate (ORO) during pyrimidine biosynthesis using fumarate (FUM) as the oxidizing substrate. In the present study, the chemistry of reduction and reoxidation of the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) cofactor in DHODHLm was examined by steady- and pre-steady state kinetics under both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Our results provide for the first time the experimental evidence of co-operative behaviour in class 1A DHODH regulated by DHO binding and reveal that the initial reductive flavin half-reaction follows a mechanism with two steps. The first step is consistent with FMN reduction and shows a hyperbolic dependence on the DHO concentration with a limiting rate (kred) of 110±6 s−1 and a KDHOd of 180±27 μM. Dissociation of the reduced flavin–ORO complex corresponds to the second step, with a limiting rate of 6 s−1. In the oxidative half-reaction, the oxygen-sensitive reoxidation of the reduced FMN cofactor of DHODHLm by FUM exhibited a hyperbolic saturation profile dependent on FUM concentration allowing estimation of KFUMd and the limiting rate (kreox) of 258±53 μM and 35±2 s−1, respectively. Comparison between steady- and pre-steady-state parameters together with studies of interaction for DHODHLm with both ORO and succinate (SUC), suggests that ORO release is the rate-limiting step in overall catalysis. Our results provide evidence of mechanistic differences between class 1A and class 2 individual half-reactions to be exploited for the development of selective inhibitors.
Structural basis for specificity and promiscuity in a carrier protein/enzyme system from the sulfur cycle
Authors: Grabarczyk Daniel B. , Chappell Paul E. , Johnson Steven , Stelzl Lukas S. , Lea Susan M. , Berks Ben C. 
Published: December 2015

Significance
Certain metabolic pathways use a carrier protein to shuttle covalently attached intermediates between the active sites of enzymes. However, the details of the carrier protein–partner interactions have only been elucidated in a few cases. We have used biophysical methods and crystallography to obtain a molecular-level description of the interactions between a carrier protein and an enzyme involved in bacterial sulfur oxidation. Characterization of the contact sites between the two proteins suggests a basis for the promiscuous, but specific, binding interactions of the carrier protein. We also infer that the enzyme discriminates between the substrate- and product-bound forms of the carrier protein based on different interaction kinetics and link this behavior to a structural change at the enzyme active site.
Detection of secondary binding sites in proteins using fragment screening
Authors: Ludlow R. Frederick , Verdonk Marcel L. , Saini Harpreet K. , Tickle Ian J. , Jhoti Harren 
Published: December 2015

Significance
The regulation of proteins in biological systems is essential to their function and nature has evolved a diverse array of mechanisms by which to achieve such regulation. Indeed, the primary function of a protein may be regulated by interaction with endogenous ligands or other protein partners binding at secondary sites. In this study, we report that fragment screening using X-ray crystallography can identify such secondary sites that may have a biological function, which in turn implies that the opportunities for modulating protein function with small molecules via such sites are far more widespread than previously assumed. Many of the secondary sites we discovered were previously unknown and therefore offer potential for novel approaches to modulate these protein targets.
Football experts versus sports economists: Whose forecasts are better?
Authors: Frick Bernd , Wicker Pamela 
Published: December 2015

AbstractGiven the uncertainty of outcome in sport, predicting the outcome of sporting contests is a major topic in sport sciences. This study examines the accuracy of expert predictions in the German Bundesliga and compares their predictions to those of sports economists. Prior to the start of each season, a set of distinguished experts (head coaches and players) express their subjective evaluations of the teams in school grades. While experts may be driven by irrational sentiments and may therefore systematically over‐ or underestimate specific teams, sports economists use observable characteristics to predict season outcomes. The latter typically use team wage bills given the positive pay–performance relationship as well as other factors (average team age, tenure, appearances on national team, and attendance). Using data from 15 consecutive Bundesliga seasons, the predictive accuracy of expert evaluations and sports economists is analysed. The results of separate estimations show that relative grade and relative wage bill significantly affect relative points, while age, tenure, appearances, and attendance are insignificant. In a joint model, relative grade and relative wage bill are still statistically significant, suggesting that the two types of predictions are complements rather than substitutes. Consequently, football experts and sports economists seem to rely on completely different sources of information when making their predictions.
The effect of β‐alanine supplementation on cycling time trials of different length
Authors: Bellinger Phillip M. , Minahan Clare L. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe varying results reported in response to β‐alanine supplementation may be related to the duration and nature of the exercise protocol employed. We investigated the effects of β‐alanine supplementation on a wide range of cycling performance tests in order to produce a clear concise set of criteria for its efficacy. Fourteen trained cyclists (Age = 24.8 ± 6.7 years; VO2max = 65.4 ± 10.2 mL·kg·min−1) participated in this placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study. Prior to supplementation, subjects completed two (familiarization and baseline) supramaximal cycling bouts until exhaustion (120% pre‐supplementation VO2max) and two 1‐, 4‐ and 10‐km cycling time trial (TT). Subjects then supplemented orally for 4 weeks with 6.4 g/d placebo or β‐alanine and repeated the battery of performance tests. Blood lactate was measured pre‐exercise, post‐exercise and 5  min post‐exercise. β‐alanine supplementation elicited significant increases in time to exhaustion (TTE) (17.6 ± 11.5 s; p = 0.013, effect compared with placebo) and was likely to be beneficial to 4‐km TT performance time (−7.8 ± 8.1 s; 94% likelihood), despite not being statistically different (p = 0.060). Performance times in the 1‐ and 10‐km TT were not affected by treatment. For the highly trained cyclists in the current study, β‐alanine supplementation significantly extended supramaximal cycling TTE and may have provided a worthwhile improvement to 4‐km TT performance. However, 1‐ and 10‐km cycling TT performance appears to be unaffected by β‐alanine supplementation.
Prediction of the permeability of neutral drugs inferred from their solvation properties
Authors: Milanetti Edoardo , Raimondo Domenico , Tramontano Anna 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMotivation: Determination of drug absorption is an important component of the drug discovery and development process in that it plays a key role in the decision to promote drug candidates to clinical trials. We have developed a method that, on the basis of an analysis of the dynamic distribution of water molecules around a compound obtained by molecular dynamics simulations, can compute a parameter-free value that correlates very well with the compound permeability measured using the human colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell line assay.Results: The method has been tested on twenty-three neutral drugs for which a consistent set of experimental data is available. We show here that our method reproduces the experimental data better than other existing tools. Furthermore it provides a detailed view of the relationship between the hydration and the permeability properties of molecules.Contact: anna.tramontano@uniroma1.itSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SpotCaliper: fast wavelet-based spot detection with accurate size estimation
Authors: Püspöki Zsuzsanna , Sage Daniel , Ward John Paul , Unser Michael 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Motivation: SpotCaliper is a novel wavelet-based image-analysis software providing a fast automatic detection scheme for circular patterns (spots), combined with the precise estimation of their size. It is implemented as an ImageJ plugin with a friendly user interface. The user is allowed to edit the results by modifying the measurements (in a semi-automated way), extract data for further analysis. The fine tuning of the detections includes the possibility of adjusting or removing the original detections, as well as adding further spots.
Results: The main advantage of the software is its ability to capture the size of spots in a fast and accurate way.
Availability and implementation: http://bigwww.epfl.ch/algorithms/spotcaliper/
Contact: zsuzsanna.puspoki@epfl.ch
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Dramatic effect of elasticity on thermal softening and strain localization during lithospheric shortening
Authors: Jaquet Yoann , Duretz Thibault , Schmalholz Stefan M. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
We present two-dimensional numerical simulations for shortening a viscoelastoplastic lithosphere to quantify the impact of elasticity on strain localization due to thermal softening. The model conserves energy and mechanical work is converted into heat or stored as elastic strain energy. For a shear modulus G = 1010 Pa, a prominent lithospheric shear zone forms and elastic energy release increases the localization intensity (strain rate amplification). For G = 5 × 1010 Pa shear zones still form but deformation is less localized. For G = 1012 Pa, the lithosphere behaves effectively viscoplastic and no shear zones form during homogeneous thickening. Maximal shearing-related increase of surface heat flux is 15–25 mW m−2 and of temperature at lower crustal depth is ∼150 °C, whereby these peak values are transient (0.1–1 My). Elasticity and related energy release can significantly contribute to strain localization and plate-like behaviour of the lithosphere required for plate tectonics.
VLBI observation of the M 81 core with the CVN in X-band and the Pseudo-Closure Analysis
Authors: Kawaguchi Noriyuki , Jiang Wu , Shen Zhi-Qiang 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
The Chinese Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Network (CVN) is now operating as part of the Chinese Lunar Project to track the lunar orbiter and to trace the motion of the lunar rover. The network works on radio astronomy observations as well. The galaxy core of M 81 was observed at 8.3 GHz by three Chinese VLBI stations; the Nanshan 25-m, Sheshan 25-m, and Tianma 65-m radio telescopes. In the data analysis, we introduce a new parameter, the Pseudo-Closure Amplitude, to remove uncertainties in the sensitivity of the large dish telescope of the Tianma 65-m. The large dish is susceptible to gravitational loading and may show a large change of efficiency with a change of elevation angle. By introducing the Pseudo-Closure Amplitude we have successfully detected a jet in the core of M 81 and measured the position angle.
Significant gas-to-dust ratio asymmetry and variation in the disk of HD 142527 and the indication of gas depletion
Authors: Muto Takayuki , Tsukagoshi Takashi , Momose Munetake , Hanawa Tomoyuki , Nomura Hideko , Fukagawa Misato , Saigo Kazuya , Kataoka Akimasa , Kitamura Yoshimi , Takahashi Sanemichi Z. , Inutsuka Shu-ichiro , Takeuchi Taku , Kobayashi Hiroshi , Akiyama Eiji , Honda Mitsuhiko , Fujiwara Hideaki , Shibai Hiroshi 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
We investigate the dust and gas distribution in the disk around HD 142527 based on ALMA observations of dust continuum emissions, 13CO J = 3–2 and C18O J = 3–2. The disk shows strong azimuthal asymmetry in the dust continuum emission, while gas emission is more symmetric. In this paper, we investigate how gas and dust are distributed in the dust-bright northern part of the disk and in the dust-faint southern part. We construct two axisymmetric disk models. One reproduces the radial profiles of the continuum and the velocity moments 0 and 1 of CO lines in the north, and the other reproduces those in the south. We have found that the dust is concentrated in a narrow ring of ∼50 au width (in FWHM; wd = 30 au in our parameter definition), located at ∼170–200 au from the central star. The dust particles are strongly concentrated in the north. We have found that the dust surface density contrast between the north and the south amounts to ∼70. Compared to the dust, the gas distribution is more extended in the radial direction. We find that the gas component extends at least from ∼100 au to ∼250 au from the central star, and there should also be tenuous gas remaining inside and outside of these radii. The azimuthal asymmetry of gas distribution is much smaller than dust. The gas surface density differs only by a factor of ∼3–10 between the north and south. Hence, the gas-to-dust ratio strongly depends on the location of the disk: ∼30 at the location of the peak of dust distribution in the south and ∼3 at the location of the peak of dust distribution in the north. Despite large uncertainties, we infer that the overall gas-to-dust ratio is ∼10–30, indicating that the gas depletion may already have been under way.