bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modified approach to powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: Janakiram T N , Suri N , Sharma S B 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjective:This paper presents modifications to powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy without stenting for the management of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.Study design:A retrospective, non-randomised review.Method:A total of 105 patients with epiphora secondary to acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were operated on by our modified powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy approach.Results:Of 105 patients, 100 (95.2 per cent) have remained asymptomatic. One patient with a narrow ostium had improved symptoms, while four patients continued to experience persistent symptoms (treatment failures).Conclusion:The modified powered endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy approach led to excellent results, without bone exposure and granulations, and with early mucosalisation.
Synthetic HI observations of spiral structure in the outer disk in galaxies
Authors: Khoperskov Sergey A. , Bertin Giuseppe 
Published: December 2015

By means of 3D hydrodynamical simulations, in a separate paper we have discussed the properties of non-axisymmetric density wave trains in the outermost regions of galaxy disks, based on the picture that self-excited global spiral modes in the bright optical stellar disk are accompanied by low-amplitude short trailing wave signals outside corotation; in the gas, such wave trains can penetrate through the outer Lindblad resonance and propagate outwards, forming prominent spiral patterns. In this paper we present the synthetic 21 cm velocity maps expected from simulated models of the outer gaseous disk, focusing on the case when the disk is dominated by a two-armed spiral pattern, but considering also other more complex situations. We discuss some aspects of the spiral pattern in the gaseous periphery of galaxy disks noted in our simulations that might be interesting to compare with specific observed cases.
MAXIMAL SEMIGROUP SYMMETRY AND DISCRETE RIESZ TRANSFORMS
Authors: KOBAYASHI TOSHIYUKI , NILSSON ANDREAS , SATO FUMIHIRO 
Published: December 2015

We raise a question of whether the Riesz transform on $\mathbb{T}^{n}$ or $\mathbb{Z}^{n}$ is characterized by the ‘maximal semigroup symmetry’ that the transform satisfies. We prove that this is the case if and only if the dimension is one, two or a multiple of four. This generalizes a theorem of Edwards and Gaudry for the Hilbert transform on $\mathbb{T}$ and $\mathbb{Z}$ in the one-dimensional case, and extends a theorem of Stein for the Riesz transform on $\mathbb{R}^{n}$. Unlike the $\mathbb{R}^{n}$ case, we show that there exist infinitely many linearly independent multiplier operators that enjoy the same maximal semigroup symmetry as the Riesz transforms on $\mathbb{T}^{n}$ and $\mathbb{Z}^{n}$ if the dimension $n$ is greater than or equal to three and is not a multiple of four.
Collaborating and Co-operating to Make the Connection: How Law Librarians and Academics Can Work Together to Develop Communities of Legal Practice
Authors: Donaldson Angela , Ferris Graham 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe Library is of value as a physical and social space, as a place that can facilitate learning; independently and in distinct ways to its role as repository of, and point of access to, information. The problems that defenders of this “learning place” aspect of the Library face are bound up with a very powerful, and indeed prevalent, metaphor. This metaphor is of teaching and learning as the transfer of information from one place or head, to another place or head. Therefore, Graham Ferris and Angela Donaldson put forward a far more realistic account of learning, and combine it with an example of learning being enacted in practice. We need to articulate the value of the Library as a place of learning because it is under threat from pressures on resources that are being deployed on a “common sense” but fallacious assumption that Libraries are about the storage and manipulation of information only.
The Library Without Walls: Striving for an Excellent Law Library Service Post-Earthquake
Authors: Roberts Sara 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis paper is adapted from a presentation given by Sara Roberts at the 2015 BIALL Annual Conference. On September 4th 2010 Christchurch suffered the first of a series of catastrophic earthquakes which continued over the next two years and damaged much of the city. During this time the University of Canterbury suffered greatly, both through physical damage to the campus and from a loss of students willing to come and study in Christchurch. Subsequently, the dedicated Law Library on campus was closed and it was necessary to reassess the service in the light of severely reduced resources. More than four years on from that first earthquake, the law collection is situated in the central library on campus, and the number of professional law librarians supporting the service has reduced from four to two. Yet despite the changes the service has not diminished and, indeed, is stronger in some areas.
Positive-bias gate-controlled metal–insulator transition in ultrathin VO2 channels with TiO2 gate dielectrics
Authors: Yajima Takeaki , Nishimura Tomonori , Toriumi Akira 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe next generation of electronics is likely to incorporate various functional materials, including those exhibiting ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism and metal–insulator transitions. Metal–insulator transitions can be controlled by electron doping, and so incorporating such a material in transistor channels will enable us to significantly modulate transistor current. However, such gate-controlled metal–insulator transitions have been challenging because of the limited number of electrons accumulated by gate dielectrics, or possible electrochemical reaction in ionic liquid gate. Here we achieve a positive-bias gate-controlled metal–insulator transition near the transition temperature. A significant number of electrons were accumulated via a high-permittivity TiO2 gate dielectric with subnanometre equivalent oxide thickness in the inverse-Schottky-gate geometry. An abrupt transition in the VO2 channel is further exploited, leading to a significant current modulation far beyond the capacitive coupling. This solid-state operation enables us to discuss the electrostatic mechanism as well as the collective nature of gate-controlled metal–insulator transitions, paving the pathway for developing functional field effect transistors.
RCAN1 links impaired neurotrophin trafficking to aberrant development of the sympathetic nervous system in Down syndrome
Authors: Patel Ami , Yamashita Naoya , Ascaño Maria , Bodmer Daniel , Boehm Erica , Bodkin-Clarke Chantal , Ryu Yun Kyoung , Kuruvilla Rejji 
Published: December 2015

AbstractDown syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder affecting the nervous system in humans. To date, investigations of neural anomalies in Down syndrome have focused on the central nervous system, although dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system is a common manifestation. The molecular and cellular bases underlying peripheral abnormalities have remained undefined. Here, we report the developmental loss of sympathetic innervation in human Down syndrome organs and in a mouse model. We show that excess regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1), an endogenous inhibitor of the calcineurin phosphatase that is triplicated in Down syndrome, impairs neurotrophic support of sympathetic neurons by inhibiting endocytosis of the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor, TrkA. Genetically correcting RCAN1 levels in Down syndrome mice markedly improves NGF-dependent receptor trafficking, neuronal survival and innervation. These results uncover a critical link between calcineurin signalling, impaired neurotrophin trafficking and neurodevelopmental deficits in the peripheral nervous system in Down syndrome.
Testing necessary regional frontal contributions to value assessment and fixation-based updating
Authors: Vaidya Avinash R. , Fellows Lesley K. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractValue-based decisions are biased by the time people spend viewing each option: Options fixated longer are chosen more often, even when previously rated as less appealing. This bias is thought to reflect ‘value updating’ as new evidence is accumulated. Prior work has shown that ventromedial prefrontal cortex (PFC) carries a fixation-dependent value comparison signal, while other studies implicate dorsomedial PFC in representing the value of alternative options. Here, we test whether these regions are necessary for fixation-related value updating in 33 people with frontal lobe damage and 27 healthy controls performing a simple choice task. We show that damage to dorsomedial PFC leads to an exaggerated influence of fixations on choice, while damage to ventromedial or lateral PFC has no effect on this bias. These findings suggest a critical role for dorsomedial, and not ventromedial PFC, in mediating the relative influence of current fixations and a priori value on choice.
Topological states on the gold surface
Authors: Yan Binghai , Stadtmüller Benjamin , Haag Norman , Jakobs Sebastian , Seidel Johannes , Jungkenn Dominik , Mathias Stefan , Cinchetti Mirko , Aeschlimann Martin , Felser Claudia 
Published: December 2015

AbstractGold surfaces host special electronic states that have been understood as a prototype of Shockley surface states. These surface states are commonly employed to benchmark the capability of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and scanning tunnelling spectroscopy. Here we show that these Shockley surface states can be reinterpreted as topologically derived surface states (TDSSs) of a topological insulator (TI), a recently discovered quantum state. Based on band structure calculations, theZ2-type invariants of gold can be well-defined to characterize a TI. Further, our ARPES measurement validates TDSSs by detecting the dispersion of unoccupied surface states. The same TDSSs are also recognized on surfaces of other well-known noble metals (for example, silver, copper, platinum and palladium), which shines a new light on these long-known surface states.
Ultra-narrow metallic armchair graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Kimouche Amina , Ervasti Mikko M. , Drost Robert , Halonen Simo , Harju Ari , Joensuu Pekka M. , Sainio Jani , Liljeroth Peter 
Published: December 2015

AbstractGraphene nanoribbons (GNRs)—narrow stripes of graphene—have emerged as promising building blocks for nanoelectronic devices. Recent advances in bottom-up synthesis have allowed production of atomically well-defined armchair GNRs with different widths and doping. While all experimentally studied GNRs have exhibited wide bandgaps, theory predicts that every third armchair GNR (widths of N=3m+2, where m is an integer) should be nearly metallic with a very small bandgap. Here, we synthesize the narrowest possible GNR belonging to this family (five carbon atoms wide, N=5). We study the evolution of the electronic bandgap and orbital structure of GNR segments as a function of their length using low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy and density-functional theory calculations. Already GNRs with lengths of 5 nm reach almost metallic behaviour with ∼100 meV bandgap. Finally, we show that defects (kinks) in the GNRs do not strongly modify their electronic structure.
The effects of high-fat feeding on physical function and skeletal muscle extracellular matrix
Authors: Tam C S , Power J E , Markovic T P , Yee C , Morsch M , McLennan S V , Twigg S M 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSkeletal muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling has been proposed as a feature of the pathogenic milieu associated with obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Whether muscle ECM is associated with impaired physical function in obese conditions is unknown. C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or chow for 5, 10 and 25 weeks. Non-invasive physiological tests (hang wire, hang mesh and grip strength) to assess neuromuscular function and motor co-ordination were performed. Genes related to ECM structure (COL1, COL3, COL6A2, SPARC), growth factors (TGFB1, TGFB2, CTGF, VEGF) and muscle function (DMD (Dp147), CPN3, DAG1) were measured in gastrocnemius muscle using real-time PCR and COL1, 3 and 6 protein were measured by western immunoblot. Compared with chow, HFD mice had two to six-fold lower muscle strength (hang wire test; raw data and multiplied by body weight) at all time-points (P<0.001) and two-fold lower hang mesh and grip strength at 10 weeks (P<0.05). At 5 weeks, COL1, COL3 and COL6 gene expression, but not protein levels were three to eight-fold lower in HFD compared with chow. In the HFD group at 5 weeks, greater COL3 and 6 gene expression were associated with poorer hang wire performance. For the first time, our results demonstrate links between muscle ECM structure and physical function in obesity.
A comparison of effects of lard and hydrogenated vegetable shortening on the development of high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats
Authors: Kubant R , Poon A N , Sánchez-Hernández D , Domenichiello A F , Huot P S P , Pannia E , Cho C E , Hunschede S , Bazinet R P , Anderson G H 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackground:Obesity is associated with increased consumption and preference for dietary fat. Experimental models of fat-induced obesity use either lard or vegetable shortening. Yet, there are no direct comparisons of these commonly used fat sources, or the influence of their fatty acid composition, on the development of diet-induced obesity.Objective:To compare the effects of lard and hydrogenated vegetable-shortening diets, which differ in their fatty acid composition, on weight gain and the development of obesity and insulin resistance in rats.Methods and design:Male Wistar rats were fedad libitumfor 14 weeks high-fat diets containing either (1) high vegetable fat (HVF, 60 kcal% from vegetable shortening) or (2) high lard fat (HLF, 60 kcal% from lard). Rats fed normal-fat (NF, 16 kcal% from vegetable shortening) diet served as control. Body weight, food intake, adipose tissue mass, serum 25[OH]D3, glucose, insulin and fatty acid composition of diets were measured.Results:Rats fed either of the two high-fat diets had higher energy intake, weight gain and fat accretion than rats fed normal-fat diet. However, rats fed the HLF diet consumed more calories and gained more weight and body fat with greater increases of 32% in total (158.5±8.2 vs 120.2±6.6 g,P<0.05), 30% in visceral (104.4±5.2 vs 80.3±4.2 g,P<0.05) and 36% in subcutaneous fat mass (54.1±3.6 vs 39.9±3.1 g,P<0.05), compared with rats fed the HVF diet. Higher visceral adiposity was positively correlated with serum insulin (r=0.376,P<0.05) and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (r=0.391,P<0.05).Conclusion:We conclude that lard-based high-fat diets accentuate the increase in weight gain and the development of obesity and insulin resistance more than hydrogenated vegetable-shortening diets. These results further point to the importance of standardizing fatty acid composition and type of fat used in determining outcomes of consuming high-fat diets.
TERT promoter mutations and monoallelic activation of TERT in cancer
Authors: Huang F W , Bielski C M , Rinne M L , Hahn W C , Sellers W R , Stegmeier F , Garraway L A , Kryukov G V 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHere we report that promoter mutations in telomerase (TERT), the most common noncoding mutations in cancer, give rise to monoallelic expression of TERT. Through deep RNA sequencing, we find that TERT activation in human cancer cell lines can occur in either mono- or biallelic manner. Without exception, hotspot TERT promoter mutations lead to the re-expression of only one allele, accounting for approximately half of the observed cases of monoallelic TERT expression. Furthermore, we show that monoallelic TERT expression is highly prevalent in certain tumor types and widespread across a broad spectrum of cancers. Taken together, these observations provide insights into the mechanisms of TERT activation and the ramifications of noncoding mutations in cancer.
Time-resolved X-ray Tracking of Expansion and Compression Dynamics in Supersaturating Ion-Networks
Authors: Matsushita Y. , Sekiguchi H. , Ichiyanagi K. , Ohta N. , Ikezaki K. , Goto Y. , Sasaki Y. C. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSupersaturation of a solution system is a metastable state containing more solute than can be normally solubilized. Moreover, this condition is thermodynamically important for a system undergoing a phase transition. This state plays critical roles in deposition morphology in inorganic, organic, polymer and protein solution systems. In particular, microscopic solution states under supersaturated conditions have recently received much attention. In this report, we observed the dynamic motion of individual ion-network domains (INDs) in a supersaturated sodium acetate trihydrate solution (6.4 M) by using microsecond time-resolved and high accuracy (picometre scale) X-ray observations (diffracted X-ray tracking; DXT). We found that there are femto-Newton (fN) anisotropic force fields in INDs that correspond to an Angstrom-scale relaxation process (continuous expansion and compression) of the INDs at 25 μs time scale. The observed anisotropic force-field (femto-Newton) from DXT can lead to new explanations of how material crystallization is triggered. This discovery could also influence the interpretation of supercooling, bio-polymer and protein aggregation processes and supersaturated systems of many other materials.
Epigenomic Reprogramming of Adult Cardiomyocyte-Derived Cardiac Progenitor Cells
Authors: Zhang Yiqiang , Zhong Jiang F , Qiu Hongyu , Robb MacLellan W. , Marbán Eduardo , Wang Charles 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIt has been believed that mammalian adult cardiomyocytes (ACMs) are terminally-differentiated and are unable to proliferate. Recently, using a bi-transgenic ACM fate mapping mouse model and an in vitro culture system, we demonstrated that adult mouse cardiomyocytes were able to dedifferentiate into cardiac progenitor-like cells (CPCs). However, little is known about the molecular basis of their intrinsic cellular plasticity. Here we integrate single-cell transcriptome and whole-genome DNA methylation analyses to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying the dedifferentiation and cell cycle reentry of mouse ACMs. Compared to parental cardiomyocytes, dedifferentiated mouse cardiomyocyte-derived CPCs (mCPCs) display epigenomic reprogramming with many differentially-methylated regions, both hypermethylated and hypomethylated, across the entire genome. Correlated well with the methylome, our transcriptomic data showed that the genes encoding cardiac structure and function proteins are remarkably down-regulated in mCPCs, while those for cell cycle, proliferation and stemness are significantly up-regulated. In addition, implantation of mCPCs into infarcted mouse myocardium improves cardiac function with augmented left ventricular ejection fraction. Our study demonstrates that the cellular plasticity of mammalian cardiomyocytes is the result of a well-orchestrated epigenomic reprogramming and a subsequent global transcriptomic alteration.
Direct Evidence that Myocardial Insulin Resistance following Myocardial Ischemia Contributes to Post-Ischemic Heart Failure
Authors: Fu Feng , Zhao Kun , Li Jia , Xu Jie , Zhang Yuan , Liu Chengfeng , Yang Weidong , Gao Chao , Li Jun , Zhang Haifeng , Li Yan , Cui Qin , Wang Haichang , Tao Ling , Wang Jing , Quon Michael J , Gao Feng 
Published: December 2015

AbstractA close link between heart failure (HF) and systemic insulin resistance has been well documented, whereas myocardial insulin resistance and its association with HF are inadequately investigated. This study aims to determine the role of myocardial insulin resistance in ischemic HF and its underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to myocardial infarction (MI) developed progressive left ventricular dilation with dysfunction and HF at 4 wk post-MI. Of note, myocardial insulin sensitivity was decreased as early as 1 wk after MI, which was accompanied by increased production of myocardial TNF-α. Overexpression of TNF-α in heart mimicked impaired insulin signaling and cardiac dysfunction leading to HF observed after MI. Treatment of rats with a specific TNF-α inhibitor improved myocardial insulin signaling post-MI. Insulin treatment given immediately following MI suppressed myocardial TNF-α production and improved cardiac insulin sensitivity and opposed cardiac dysfunction/remodeling. Moreover, tamoxifen-induced cardiomyocyte-specific insulin receptor knockout mice exhibited aggravated post-ischemic ventricular remodeling and dysfunction compared with controls. In conclusion, MI induces myocardial insulin resistance (without systemic insulin resistance) mediated partly by ischemia-induced myocardial TNF-α overproduction and promotes the development of HF. Our findings underscore the direct and essential role of myocardial insulin signaling in protection against post-ischemic HF.
GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms contribute to renal cell carcinoma risk: evidence from an updated meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Wentao , Shi Hua , Hou Qi , Mo Zu , Xie Xiangwei 
Published: December 2015

AbstractEmerging evidences suggest that GSTM1 and GSTT1 are involved in the detoxification of carcinogens and polymorphisms in this gene that result in a loss of enzyme activity may increase the risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Thus, to evaluate the association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and RCC, we performed an updated meta-analysis of 10 case-control studies by RevMan 5.2 and the publication bias was tested using STATA 11.0. The meta-analysis showed that the single locus GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with a risk of RCC in a recessive model. However, that wild-type genotype versus the dual null genotype of GSTM1-GSTT1 showed a positive association with RCC risk (OR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.51–0.98; P = 0.04). In another analysis of subjects exposed to pesticides, we found that the GSTM1 wild-type genotype was associated with increased RCC risk in Europeans (OR = 2.72; 95% CI = 1.54–4.82; P = 0.0006). We also identified an association between the GSTT1 wild-type and lower RCC TNM staging (I + II versus III + IV: OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.09–3.26; P = 0.02). This meta-analysis suggests that there may be a relationship between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 wild-type genotype and RCC.
Development of insect resistant maize plants expressing a chitinase gene from the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis
Authors: Osman Gamal H. , Assem Shireen K. , Alreedy Rasha M. , El-Ghareeb Doaa K. , Basry Mahmoud A. , Rastogi Anshu , Kalaji Hazem M. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractDue to the importance of chitinolytic enzymes for insect, nematode and fungal growth, they are receiving attention concerning their development as biopesticides or chemical defense proteins in transgenic plants and as microbial biocontrol agents. Targeting chitin associated with the extracellular matrices or cell wall by insect chitinases may be an effective approach for controlling pest insects and pathogenic fungi. The ability of chitinases to attack and digest chitin in the peritrophic matrix or exoskeleton raises the possibility to use them as insect control method. In this study, an insect chitinase cDNA from cotton leaf worm (Spodoptera littoralis) has been synthesized. Transgenic maize plant system was used to improve its tolerance against insects. Insect chitinase transcripts and proteins were expressed in transgenic maize plants. The functional integrity and expression of chitinase in progenies of the transgenic plants were confirmed by insect bioassays. The bioassays using transgenic corn plants against corn borer (Sesamia cretica) revealed that ~50% of the insects reared on transgenic corn plants died, suggesting that transgenic maize plants have enhanced resistance against S. cretica.