bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Religionization from the Bottom up: Religiosity Trends and Institutional Change Mechanisms in Israeli Public Services
Authors: Zehavi Amos 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study asks how religious change at the social level (as expressed in increased religiosity) influences the religious behavior of public organizations. The study's empirical foundation is three Israeli case studies that focus on the impact of growing religiosity in Israeli Jewish society on three large public institutions: the military, healthcare, and schools. Based on comparative analysis of the three case studies, it is shown that variation in the extent of religionization in public organizations is influenced primarily by the religious composition of workers and consumers of a specific public organization. The influence of political pressure from above, however, is marginal. In addition, this study demonstrates how organizational religionization is differentially mediated by institutional mechanisms/structures: institutional layering or conversion.
Religion and Self-Governance: Catholicism, Islam, and the Issue of Censorship
Authors: Jelen Ted G. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTwo aspects of democratic self-governance are analyzed: Collective self-governance, or the authority of citizens over one another, and individual self-governance, referring to the ability of each citizen to govern her/his own beliefs and actions. Individual self-governance is thought to require some level of autonomy on the part of individual citizens, and authenticity of personal preferences and desires. Beliefs about autonomy and authenticity in Roman Catholic and Islamic theology are considered, and these perspectives are applied to the problem of restricting certain types of discourse, based on the content of that discourse. While censorship if usually considered to be incompatible with democratic governance, Catholic and Islamic perspectives on individual self-governance suggest the possibility that some forms of censorship may enhance, rather than detract from citizen autonomy and authenticity, and enhance the possibility of positive collective self-governance.
Neuronal IFN-beta–induced PI3K/Akt-FoxA1 signalling is essential for generation of FoxA1+Treg cells
Authors: Liu Yawei , Marin Andrea , Ejlerskov Patrick , Rasmussen Louise Munk , Prinz Marco , Issazadeh-Navikas Shohreh 
Published: April 2017

AbstractNeurons reprogramme encephalitogenic T cells (Tenc) to regulatory T cells (Tregs), either FoxP3+Tregs or FoxA1+Tregs. We reported previously that neuronal ability to generate FoxA1+Tregs was central to preventing neuroinflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Mice lacking interferon (IFN)-β were defective in generating FoxA1+Tregs in the brain. Here we show that lack of neuronal IFNβ signalling is associated with the absence of programme death ligand-1 (PDL1), which prevents their ability to reprogramme Tenc cells to FoxA1+Tregs. Passive transfer-EAE via IFNβ-competent Tenc cells to mice lacking IFNβ and active induced-EAE in mice lacking its receptor, IFNAR, in the brain (NesCre:Ifnarfl/fl) result in defective FoxA1+Tregs generation and aggravated neuroinflammation. IFNβ activates neuronal PI3K/Akt signalling and Akt binds to transcription factor FoxA1 that translocates to the nucleus and induces PDL1. Conversely, inhibition of PI3K/Akt, FoxA1 and PDL1 blocked neuronal ability to generate FoxA1+Tregs. We characterize molecular factors central for neuronal ability to reprogramme pathogenic T cells to FoxA1+Tregs preventing neuroinflammation.
Disrupted neuronal maturation in Angelman syndrome-derived induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Fink James J. , Robinson Tiwanna M. , Germain Noelle D. , Sirois Carissa L. , Bolduc Kaitlyn A. , Ward Amanda J. , Rigo Frank , Chamberlain Stormy J. , Levine Eric S. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAngelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder caused by deletion of the maternally inherited UBE3A allele and is characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, ataxia, seizures and a happy affect. Here, we explored the underlying pathophysiology using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from AS patients and unaffected controls. AS-derived neurons showed impaired maturation of resting membrane potential and action potential firing, decreased synaptic activity and reduced synaptic plasticity. These patient-specific differences were mimicked by knocking out UBE3A using CRISPR/Cas9 or by knocking down UBE3A using antisense oligonucleotides. Importantly, these phenotypes could be rescued by pharmacologically unsilencing paternal UBE3A expression. Moreover, selective effects of UBE3A disruption at late stages of in vitro development suggest that changes in action potential firing and synaptic activity may be secondary to altered resting membrane potential. Our findings provide a cellular phenotype for investigating pathogenic mechanisms underlying AS and identifying novel therapeutic strategies.
A multi-crystal method for extracting obscured crystallographic states from conventionally uninterpretable electron density
Authors: Pearce Nicholas M. , Krojer Tobias , Bradley Anthony R. , Collins Patrick , Nowak Radosław P. , Talon Romain , Marsden Brian D. , Kelm Sebastian , Shi Jiye , Deane Charlotte M. , von Delft Frank 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn macromolecular crystallography, the rigorous detection of changed states (for example, ligand binding) is difficult unless signal is strong. Ambiguous (‘weak’ or ‘noisy’) density is experimentally common, since molecular states are generally only fractionally present in the crystal. Existing methodologies focus on generating maximally accurate maps whereby minor states become discernible; in practice, such map interpretation is disappointingly subjective, time-consuming and methodologically unsound. Here we report the PanDDA method, which automatically reveals clear electron density for the changed state—even from inaccurate maps—by subtracting a proportion of the confounding ‘ground state’; changed states are objectively identified from statistical analysis of density distributions. The method is completely general, implying new best practice for all changed-state studies, including the routine collection of multiple ground-state crystals. More generally, these results demonstrate: the incompleteness of atomic models; that single data sets contain insufficient information to model them fully; and that accuracy requires further map-deconvolution approaches.
Decreased Circulating Levels of Dickkopf-1 in Patients with Exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Qiu Fangfang , Liu Zhen , Zhou Yueping , He Jia , Gong Songjian , Bai Xue , Zeng Yingxia , Liu Zuguo , Ma Jian-xing 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a pathogenic role in retinal inflammation and neovascularization. Here, we investigated whether circulating levels of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), a specific inhibitor of this pathway, are altered in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Plasma was obtained from 128 patients with exudative AMD, 46 patients with atrophic AMD and 111 healthy controls. DKK-1 levels in plasma were measured using ELISA, and data analyzed with one-way ANOVA, logistic regression analysis and receiver-operating characteristic analysis (ROC). We found that DKK-1 levels were decreased in exudative AMD patients, compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001) and atrophic AMD patients (P < 0.001). The decrease was more prominent in patients with classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) than those with occult CNV (P < 0.001). The odds ratio (OR) of exudative AMD was 11.71 (95% CI; 5.24–6.13) for lowest versus upper quartile of DKK-1 levels. For discriminating exudative AMD patients, the optimum diagnostic cutoff of DKK-1 was 583.1 pg/mL with the area under curve (AUC) 0.76 (95% CI, 0.70–0.82; P < 0.001), sensitivity 78.1% and specificity 63.1%. These findings suggested that decreased circulating DKK-1 levels are associated with the development and severity of exudative AMD, and have potential to become a biomarker for exudative AMD.
Mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits in a mouse model for Costello Syndrome are distinct from other RASopathy mouse models
Authors: Schreiber Jadwiga , Grimbergen Laura-Anne , Overwater Iris , Vaart Thijs van der , Stedehouder Jeffrey , Schuhmacher Alberto J. , Guerra Carmen , Kushner Steven A. , Jaarsma Dick , Elgersma Ype 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRASopathies, characterized by germline mutations in genes encoding proteins of the RAS-ERK signaling pathway, show overlapping phenotypes, which manifest themselves with a varying severity of intellectual disability. However, it is unclear to what extent they share the same downstream pathophysiology that underlies the cognitive deficits. Costello syndrome (CS) is a rare RASopathy caused by activating mutations in the HRAS gene. Here we investigated the mechanisms underlying the cognitive deficits of HRas
G12V/G12V
mice. HRas
G12V/G12V
mice showed robust upregulation of ERK signaling, neuronal hypertrophy, increased brain volume, spatial learning deficits, and impaired mGluR-dependent long-term depression (LTD). In contrast, long-term potentiation (LTP), which is affected in other RASopathy mouse models was unaffected. Treatment with lovastatin, a HMG-CoA-Reductase inhibitor which has been shown to rescue the behavioral phenotypes of mouse models of NF1 and Noonan syndrome, was unable to restore ERK signaling and the cognitive deficits of HRas
G12V/G12V
mice. Administration of a potent mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor rescued the ERK upregulation and the mGluR-LTD deficit of HRas
G12V/G12V
mice, but failed to rescue the cognitive deficits. Taken together, this study indicates that the fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the cognitive aspects of different RASopathies are remarkably distinct, and may require disease specific treatments.
Novel nano-semiconductor film layer supported nano-Pd Complex Nanostructured Catalyst Pd/Ⓕ-MeOx/AC for High Efficient Selective Hydrogenation of Phenol to Cyclohexanone
Authors: Si Jiaqi , Ouyang Wenbing , Zhang Yanji , Xu Wentao , Zhou Jicheng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSupported metal as a type of heterogeneous catalysts are the most widely used in industrial processes. High dispersion of the metal particles of supported catalyst is a key factor in determining the performance of such catalysts. Here we report a novel catalyst Pd/Ⓕ-MeOx/AC with complex nanostructured, Pd nanoparticles supported on the platelike nano-semiconductor film/activated carbon, prepared by the photocatalytic reduction method, which exhibited high efficient catalytic performance for selective hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone. Conversion of phenol achieved up to more than 99% with a lower mole ratio (0.5%) of active components Pd and phenol within 2 h at 70 °C. The synergistic effect of metal nanoparticles and nano-semiconductors support layer and the greatly increasing of contact interface of nano-metal-semiconductors may be responsible for the high efficiency. This work provides a clear demonstration that complex nanostructured catalysts with nano-metal and nano-semiconductor film layer supported on high specific surface AC can yield enhanced catalytic activity and can afford promising approach for developing new supported catalyst.
General description and understanding of the nonlinear dynamics of mode-locked fiber lasers
Authors: Wei Huai , Li Bin , Shi Wei , Zhu Xiushan , Norwood Robert A. , Peyghambarian Nasser , Jian Shuisheng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAs a type of nonlinear system with complexity, mode-locked fiber lasers are known for their complex behaviour. It is a challenging task to understand the fundamental physics behind such complex behaviour, and a unified description for the nonlinear behaviour and the systematic and quantitative analysis of the underlying mechanisms of these lasers have not been developed. Here, we present a complexity science-based theoretical framework for understanding the behaviour of mode-locked fiber lasers by going beyond reductionism. This hierarchically structured framework provides a model with variable dimensionality, resulting in a simple view that can be used to systematically describe complex states. Moreover, research into the attractors’ basins reveals the origin of stochasticity, hysteresis and multistability in these systems and presents a new method for quantitative analysis of these nonlinear phenomena. These findings pave the way for dynamics analysis and system designs of mode-locked fiber lasers. We expect that this paradigm will also enable potential applications in diverse research fields related to complex nonlinear phenomena.
Genome of Paulownia (Paulownia fortunei) illuminates the related transcripts, miRNA and proteins for salt resistance
Authors: Fan Guoqiang , Wang Limin , Dong Yanpeng , Zhao Zhenli , Deng Minjie , Niu Suyan , Zhang Xiaoshen , Cao Xibing 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPolyploidy in plants can bestow long-term evolutionary flexibility and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The upstream activation mechanisms of salt response remain unknown. Here we integrated transcriptome, miRNA and proteome data to describe the link between abscisic acid (ABA)-effectors and salt resistance against the background of Paulownia genome. Combing GO and KEGG pathway annotation of differentially expressed genes and proteins, as well as differentially expressed miRNA, these results reflect endogenous signal ABA activate the downstream effectors, such as ion channel effectors and oxido-reduction effectors, to maintain the homeostasis of Paulownia’s growth. The cascaded metabolic network involved ABA biosynthesis, signaling transduction and the response of effectors. Our results will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis of salt tolerance, which may help to expand the available arable land for P. fortunei cultivation.
Demonstration of Interposed Modular Hydrogel Sheet for Multicellular Analysis in a Microfluidic Assembly Platform
Authors: Bae Chae Yun , Son Jaejung , Kim Hail , Park Je-Kyun 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHydrogel sheets have emerged as a promising biomaterial scaffold for the encapsulation and transfer of multicellular structures. Although the improvement of the chemical interactions and the design of micro-scaled geometry have contributed to the development of multipurpose hydrogel scaffolds, the application of hydrogel sheets to assess multicellular structures is still challenging. To expand the technical applicability of hydrogel sheets, we here demonstrate that a single layer of the hydrogel sheet can be integrated as an interposed module in a microfluidic device for multicellular analysis. As a cell culture unit, encapsulated pancreatic insulinoma (MIN6) cells in the hydrogel sheet were labeled and examined via multiple microchannels. After obtaining simultaneously multi-labeled cells in the hydrogel sheet that had been incorporated into the microfluidic device, each modular hydrogel sheet was also recoverable and re-cultured without any distortion. The modular hydrogel sheet can be simply manipulated and conserved as a multicellular module in a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro culture platform. Using the modular concept of hydrogel sheets capable of cell culture and/or assay, an integrated multicellular analysis in the microfluidic device is expected to improve accessibility, scalability, and practicality for end users.
Xanthine oxidase inhibition by febuxostat attenuates stress-induced hyperuricemia, glucose dysmetabolism, and prothrombotic state in mice
Authors: Yisireyili Maimaiti , Hayashi Motoharu , Wu Hongxian , Uchida Yasuhiro , Yamamoto Koji , Kikuchi Ryosuke , Shoaib Hamrah Mohammad , Nakayama Takayuki , Wu Cheng Xian , Matsushita Tadashi , Nakamura Shigeo , Niwa Toshimitsu , Murohara Toyoaki , Takeshita Kyosuke 
Published: April 2017

AbstractChronic stress is closely linked to the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hyperuricemia and thromboembolism, but the mechanisms remain elusive. We reported recently that stress targets visceral adipose tissue (VAT), inducing lipolysis, low-grade inflammation with production of inflammatory adipokines, metabolic derangements such as insulin resistance, and prothrombotic state. In the present study, we hypothesized the involvement of VAT xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), a source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and uric acid (UA) in the above processes. Restraint stress in mice resulted in upregulation of XOR and xanthine oxidase activity, accumulation of ROS in VAT as well as liver and intestine, increase in serum UA levels, upregulation of NADPH oxidase subunits and downregulation of antioxidant enzymes. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analysis also showed that restraint stress induced VAT monocyte accumulation and proinflammatory adipokine production, resulting in reduced insulin sensitivity and induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue factor in VAT. Treatment with febuxostat, a potent XO inhibitor, suppressed stress-induced ROS production and VAT inflammation, resulting in improvement of serum UA levels, insulin sensitivity, and prothrombotic tendency. Our results suggest that stress perturbs glucose and UA metabolism, and promotes prothrombotic status, and that XO inhibition by febuxostat might be a potential therapy for stress-related disorders.
NKG2D+CD4+ T Cells Kill Regulatory T Cells in a NKG2D-NKG2D Ligand- Dependent Manner in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Yang Di , Tian Zhiqiang , Zhang Mengjie , Yang Weibing , Tang Jun , Wu Yuzhang , Ni Bing 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) features a decreased pool of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T regulatory (Treg) cells. We had previously observed NKG2D+CD4+T cell expansion in contrast to a decreased pool of Treg cells in SLE patients, but whether NKG2D+CD4+T cells contribute to the decreased Treg cells remains unclear. In the present study, we found that the NKG2D+CD4+T cells efficiently killed NKG2D ligand (NKG2DL)+Treg cellsin vitro, whereby the surviving Treg cells in SLE patients showed no detectable expression of NKG2DLs. It was further found that MRL/lpr lupus mice have significantly increased percentage of NKG2D+CD4+T cells and obvious decreased percentage of Treg cells, as compared with wild-type mice. Adoptively transferred NKG2DL+Treg cells were found to be efficiently killed in MRL/lpr lupus mice, with NKG2D neutralization remarkably attenuating this killing. Anti-NKG2D or anti-interferon-alpha receptor (IFNAR) antibodies treatment in MRL/lpr mice restored Treg cells numbers and markedly ameliorated the lupus disease. These results suggest that NKG2D+CD4+T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE by killing Treg cells in a NKG2D-NKG2DL-dependent manner. Targeting the NKG2D-NKG2DL interaction might be a potential therapeutic strategy by which Treg cells can be protected from cytolysis in SLE patients.
Comparative authentication of Hypericum perforatum herbal products using DNA metabarcoding, TLC and HPLC-MS
Authors: Raclariu Ancuta Cristina , Paltinean Ramona , Vlase Laurian , Labarre Aurélie , Manzanilla Vincent , Ichim Mihael Cristin , Crisan Gianina , Brysting Anne Krag , de Boer Hugo 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMany herbal products have a long history of use, but there are increasing concerns over product efficacy, safety and quality in the wake of recent cases exposing discrepancies between labeling and constituents. When it comes to St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) herbal products, there is limited oversight, frequent off-label use and insufficient monitoring of adverse drug reactions. In this study, we use amplicon metabarcoding (AMB) to authenticate 78 H. perforatum herbal products and evaluate its ability to detect substitution compared to standard methods using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Hypericum perforatum was detected in 68% of the products using AMB. Furthermore, AMB detected incongruence between constituent species and those listed on the label in all products. Neither TLC nor HPLC-MS could be used to unambiguously identify H. perforatum. They are accurate methods for authenticating presence of the target compounds, but have limited efficiency in detecting infrageneric substitution and do not yield any information on other plant ingredients in the products. Random post-marketing AMB of herbal products by regulatory agencies could raise awareness among consumers of substitution and would provide an incentive to manufacturers to increase quality control from raw ingredients to commercialized products.
Effects of fertilization on crop production and nutrient-supplying capacity under rice-oilseed rape rotation system
Authors: Yousaf Muhammad , Li Jifu , Lu Jianwei , Ren Tao , Cong Rihuan , Fahad Shah , Li Xiaokun 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIncredible accomplishments have been achieved in agricultural production in China, but many demanding challenges for ensuring food security and environmental sustainability remain. Field experiments were conducted from 2011–2013 at three different sites, including Honghu, Shayang, and Jingzhou in China, to determine the effects of fertilization on enhancing crop productivity and indigenous nutrient-supplying capacity (INuS) in a rice (Oryza sativa L.)-rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) rotation. Four mineral fertilizer treatments (NPK, NP, NK and PK) were applied in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Crop yields were increased by 19–41% (rice) and 61–76% (rapeseed) during the two years of rice-rapeseed rotation under NPK fertilization compared to PK fertilization across the study sites. Yield responses to fertilization were ranked NPK > NP > NK > PK, illustrating that N deficiency was the most limiting condition in a rice-rapeseed rotation, followed by P and K deficiencies. The highest and lowest N, P and K accumulations were observed under NPK and PK fertilization, respectively. The INuS of the soil decreased to a significant extent and affected rice-rapeseed rotation productivity at each site under NP, NK, and PK fertilization when compared to NPK. Based on the study results, a balanced nutrient application using NPK fertilization is a key management strategy for enhancing rice-rapeseed productivity and environmental safety.
Interfacial chemical bonding-mediated ionic resistive switching
Authors: Moon Hyeongjoo , Zade Vishal , Kang Hung-Sen , Han Jin-Woo , Lee Eunseok , Hwang Cheol Seong , Lee Min Hwan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we present a unique resistive switching (RS) mechanism study of Pt/TiO2/Pt cell, one of the most widely studied RS system, by focusing on the role of interfacial bonding at the active TiO2–Pt interface, as opposed to a physico-chemical change within the RS film. This study was enabled by the use of a non-conventional scanning probe-based setup. The nanoscale cell is formed by bringing a Pt/TiO2-coated atomic force microscope tip into contact with a flat substrate coated with Pt. The study reveals that electrical resistance and interfacial bonding status are highly coupled together. An oxygen-mediated chemical bonding at the active interface between TiO2 and Pt is a necessary condition for a non-polar low-resistance state, and a reset switching process disconnects the chemical bonding. Bipolar switching mode did not involve the chemical bonding. The nature of chemical bonding at the TiO2-metal interface is further studied by density functional theory calculations.