bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amicus Curiae Briefs in the WTO DSM: Good or Bad News for Non-State Actor Involvement?
Authors: SQUATRITO THERESA 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSince 1998, non-state actors have had access to submit an ‘amicus curiae’ brief to the WTO DSM. Like other forms of non-state actor involvement in the WTO, amicus curiae access has been controversial. Despite this controversy, non-state actors have made use of this access and submitted amicus curiae briefs. This article asks: What has come of these briefs once they are submitted and what explains how amicus are treated by the DSM? This article empirically maps amici in all disputes from 1998 (after amicus access was first recognized) through 2014, arguing that amicus access is conditioned by a combination of political and legal constraints faced by the WTO panels and AB. In particular, whether the content of an amicus is considered hinges on it having the endorsement of a disputing party and whether its consideration interferes with the WTO DSM's reputation for coherence. In all, these findings have implications for the debate over whether amicus curiae access is good or bad news for the WTO and non-state actor involvement.
Comparative analysis of the spatio-temporal dynamics of rotifer community structure based on taxonomic indices and functional groups in two subtropical lakes
Authors: Wen Xinli , Zhai Pan , Feng Ruonan , Yang Ruijie , Xi Yilong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLittle research has focused on how rotifer communities respond to eutrophication based on their combined taxonomic and functional indices. In this research, the relationship of the environment and rotifer communities was comparatively investigated in two subtropical lakes over one year. The taxon-based indices, including species number (S), Margalef index (D), Simpson index (d), Shannon-wiener index (H′), and functional traits relying on the guild ratio (GR) and the modified guild ratio (GR′) from the moderately eutrophic Lake Xiyanghu were significantly lower than those from the slightly eutrophic Lake Jinghu. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that both lakes were distinct from each other. Taken together, the findings indicate that trophic state was an important factor affecting rotifer community structure. In addition, the average annual GR′ of Lake Xiyanghu was <0, suggesting the dominancy of microphagous rotifers. Over time,S,D,d, andH′ were positively correlated with temperature and phosphorus levels in Lake Jinghu, but were negatively correlated with NH4+-N levels in Lake Xiyanghu. Only GR′ was negatively associated with chlorophyll-ain Lake Xiyanghu, implying that the functional index (GR′) might be an effective tool to explore the relationship between trophic state and the rotifer community in seriously eutrophic lakes.
Chloro-benquinone Modified on Graphene Oxide as Metal-free Catalyst: Strong Promotion of Hydroxyl Radical and Generation of Ultra-Small Graphene Oxide
Authors: Zhao He , Wang Juehua , Zhang Di , Dai Qin , Han Qingzhen , Du Penghui , Liu Chenming , Xie Yongbing , Zhang Yi , Cao Hongbin , Fan Zhuangjun 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCarbon-based metal-free catalyst has attracted more and more attention. It is a big challenge to improve catalytic activity of metal-free catalyst for decomposition of H2O2 to produce hydroxyl radical (HO•). Here, we report chloro-benquinone (TCBQ) modified on graphene oxide (GO) as metal-free catalyst for strong promotion of HO•. By the incorporation of GO, the HO• production by H2O2 and TCBQ is significantly promoted. Based on density functional theory, TCBQ modified GO (GO-TCBQ) is more prone to be nucleophilic attacked by H2O2 to yield HO• via electron transfer acceleration. Furthermore, the generated HO• can cut GO nanosheets into uniform ultra-small graphene oxide (USGO) through the cleavage of epoxy and C-C bonds. Interestingly, the damaged GO and in situ formed GO fragments can further enhance decomposition of H2O2 to produce HO•. Different from other catalytic processes, the GO-TCBQ metal-free catalysis process can be enhanced by GO itself, producing more HO•, and uniform USGO also can be generated. Thus, the metal free catalysis will be considered a fabrication method for uniform USGO, and may be extended to other fields including detoxifying organic pollutants and the application as disinfectants.
Adipokines (Leptin, Adiponectin, Resistin) Differentially Regulate All Hormonal Cell Types in Primary Anterior Pituitary Cell Cultures from Two Primate Species
Authors: Sarmento-Cabral André , Peinado Juan R. , Halliday Lisa C. , Malagon María M. , Castaño Justo P. , Kineman Rhonda D. , Luque Raúl M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAdipose-tissue (AT) is an endocrine organ that dynamically secretes multiple hormones, the adipokines, which regulate key physiological processes. However, adipokines and their receptors are also expressed and regulated in other tissues, including the pituitary, suggesting that locally- and AT-produced adipokines might comprise a regulatory circuit that relevantly modulate pituitary cell-function. Here, we used primary pituitary cell-cultures from two normal nonhuman-primate species [Papio-anubis/Macaca-fascicularis] to determine the impact of different adipokines on the functioning of all anterior-pituitary cell-types. Leptin and resistin stimulated GH-release, a response that was blocked by somatostatin. Conversely, adiponectin decreased GH-release, and inhibited GHRH-, but not ghrelin-stimulated GH-secretion. Furthermore: 1) Leptin stimulated PRL/ACTH/FSH- but not LH/TSH-release; 2) adiponectin stimulated PRL-, inhibited ACTH- and did not alter LH/FSH/TSH-release; and 3) resistin increased ACTH-release and did not alter PRL/LH/FSH/TSH-secretion. These effects were mediated through the activation of common (AC/PKA) and distinct (PLC/PKC, intra-/extra-cellular calcium, PI3K/MAPK/mTOR) signaling-pathways, and by the gene-expression regulation of key receptors/transcriptional-factors involved in the functioning of these pituitary cell-types (e.g. GHRH/ghrelin/somatostatin/insulin/IGF-I-receptors/Pit-1). Finally, we found that primate pituitaries expressed leptin/adiponectin/resistin. Altogether, these and previous data suggest that local-production of adipokines/receptors, in conjunction with circulating adipokine-levels, might comprise a relevant regulatory circuit that contribute to the fine-regulation of pituitary functions.
Distribution pattern of left-ventricular myocardial strain analyzed by a cine MRI based deformation registration algorithm in healthy Chinese volunteers
Authors: Liu Hong , Yang Dan , Wan Ke , Luo Yong , Sun Jia-Yu , Zhang Tian-Jing , Li Wei-Hao , Greiser Andreas , Jolly Marie-Pierre , Zhang Qing , Chen Yu-Cheng 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe cine magnetic resonance imaging based technique feature tracking-cardiac magnetic resonance (FT-CMR) is emerging as a novel, simple and robust method to evaluate myocardial strain. We investigated the distribution characteristics of left-ventricular myocardial strain using a novel cine MRI based deformation registration algorithm (DRA) in a cohort of healthy Chinese subjects. A total of 130 healthy Chinese subjects were enrolled. Three components of orthogonal strain (radial, circumferential, longitudinal) of the left ventricle were analyzed using DRA on steady-state free precession cine sequence images. A distinct transmural circumferential strain gradient was observed in the left ventricle that showed universal increment from the epicardial to endocardial myocardial wall (epiwall: −15.4 ± 1.9%; midwall: −18.8 ± 2.0%; endowall: −22.3 ± 2.3%, P < 0.001). Longitudinal strain showed a similar trend from epicardial to endocardial layers (epiwall: −16.0 ± 2.9%; midwall: −15.6 ± 2.7%; endowall: −14.8 ± 2.4%, P < 0.001), but radial strain had a very heterogeneous distribution and variation. In the longitudinal direction from the base to the apex of the left ventricle, there was a trend of decreasing peak systolic longitudinal strain (basal: −23.3 ± 4.6%; mid: −13.7 ± 7.3%; apical: −13.2 ± 5.5%; P < 0.001). In conclusion, there are distinct distribution patterns of circumferential and longitudinal strain within the left ventricle in healthy Chinese subjects. These distribution patterns of strain may provide unique profiles for further study in different types of myocardial disease.
Preparation and characterization of (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)-loaded nanoparticles and their inhibitory effects on Human breast cancer MCF-7 cells
Authors: Zeng Liang , Yan Jingna , Luo Liyong , Ma Mengjun , Zhu Huiqun 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe were employing nanotechnology to improve the targeting ability of (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) towards MCF-7 cells, and two kinds of EGCG nanoparticles (FA-NPS-PEG and FA-PEG-NPS) were obtained, besides, their characteristics and effects on MCF-7 cells were studied. The results indicated that (i) both FA-NPS-PEG and FA-PEG-NPS have high stabilities; (ii) their particles sizes were 185.0 ± 13.5 nm and 142.7 ± 7.2 nm, respectively; (iii) their encapsulation efficiencies of EGCG were 90.36 ± 2.20% and 39.79 ± 7.54%, respectively. (iv) there was no cytotoxicity observed in EGCG, FA-NPS-PEG and FA-PEG-NPS toward MCF-7 cells over all concentrations (0~400 μg/mL) tested; (v) EGCG, FA-NPS-PEG and FA-PEG-NPS inhibited MCF-7 cells proliferation in dose-dependent manners, with the average IC50 of 470.5 ± 33.0, 65.9 ± 0.4 and 66.6 ± 0.6 μg/mL; (vi) EGCG, FA-NPS-PEG and FA-PEG-NPS could modulated the expressions of several key regulatory proteins in PI3K-Akt pathway such as up-regulation of PTEN, p21 and Bax, and down-regulation of p-PDK1, p-AKT, CyclinD1 and Bcl-2, which gave an illustration about the mechanism by which EGCG nanoparticles inhibited MCF-7 cells proliferation. In this study, EGCG nanoparticles can significantly enhance the targeting ability and efficacy of EGCG, which is considered to an experimental foundation for further research on its activity, targeting ability and metabolism in vivo.
Facile synthesis of silicon nitride nanowires with flexible mechanical properties and with diameters controlled by flow rate
Authors: Dong Shun , Hu Ping , Zhang Xinghong , Cheng Yuan , Fang Cheng , Xu Jianguo , Chen Guiqing 
Published: March 2017

AbstractUltralong Si3N4nanowires (NWs) were successfully synthesized with size controlled in N2gas by using an efficient method. The diameters of the Si3N4NWs increased when the flow rate of N2gas increased, with average diameters of 290 nm from flow rates of 100 ml/min, 343 nm from flow rates of 200 ml/min and 425 nm from flow rates of 400 ml/min. Young’s modulus was found to rely strongly on the diameters of the Si3N4NWs, decreasing from approximately 526.0 GPa to 321.9 GPa; as the diameters increased from 360 nm to 960 nm. These findings provide a promising method for tailoring these mechanical properties of the NWs in a controlled manner over a wide range of Young’s modulus values. Vapour-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanisms were used to model the growth of Si3N4NWs on the inner wall of an alumina crucible and on the surface of the powder mixture. Alumina may be an effective mediator of NW growth that plays an important role in controlling the concentrations of Si-containing reactants to support the growth of NWs on the inner wall of the alumina crucible. This approach offers a valuable means for preparing ultralong Si3N4NWs doped with Al with unique properties.
Recruiting and Retaining Community-Based Preceptors: A Multicenter Qualitative Action Study of Pediatric Preceptors
Authors: Beck Dallaghan Gary L. , Alerte Anton M. , Ryan Michael S. , Patterson Patricia B. , Petershack Jean , Christy Cynthia , Mills William A. , Paul Caroline R. , Peltier Chris , Stamos Julie K. , Tenney-Soeiro Rebecca , Vercio Chad 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The recruitment and retention of community preceptors to teach medical students is difficult. The authors sought to characterize the underlying motivational factors for becoming a preceptor and to identify strategies for recruiting and retaining community-based pediatric preceptors.

Method
This multicenter qualitative action study included semistructured interviews with community-based pediatric preceptors affiliated with 12 institutions from August to December 2015. Only active preceptors were included, and participating institutions were diverse with respect to geographic location and class size. Interviews were conducted over the telephone and transcribed verbatim. Six investigators used deidentified transcripts to develop a codebook. Through a constant comparative method, codes were revised as data were analyzed and disagreements were resolved through discussion. All investigators organized the themes into dimensions.

Results
Fifty-one preceptors were interviewed. Forty-one themes coalesced into four dimensions: (1) least liked aspects of teaching, (2) preparation to teach, (3) inspiration to teach, and (4) ways to improve recruitment and retention. Time constraints and patient care demands were the most commonly cited deterrents to teaching. Successful preceptors balanced their clinical demands with their desire to teach using creative scheduling. External rewards (e.g., recognition, continuing medical education credit) served as incentives. Internal motivation inspired participants to share their enthusiasm for pediatrics and to develop longitudinal relationships with their learners.

Conclusions
Changes in health care delivery have imposed more time constraints on community-based preceptors. However, this study identified underlying factors motivating physicians to volunteer as preceptors. Strategies to recruit new and retain current preceptors must be collaborative.
Outcome and Histopathology of Secondary Penetrating Keratoplasty Graft Failure Managed by Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Authors: Lavy Itay , Liarakos Vasilios S. , Verdijk Robert M. , Parker Jack , Müller Thomas M. , Bruinsma Marieke , Binder Perry S. , Melles Gerrit R. J. 
Published: March 2017

Purpose:
To describe the clinical outcome and histopathology of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) performed for secondary graft failure after penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Methods:
A total of 11 eyes from 10 patients who underwent DMEK for secondary PK graft failure at a tertiary referral center were included in this retrospective study. Best-corrected visual acuity, endothelial cell density, and central pachymetry were evaluated before and at regular time intervals up to 36 months after DMEK and complications were recorded; 1 post mortem cornea was available for light microscopy.

Results:
At their last follow-up visit (on average, 16 months after DMEK), 7 of 11 transplanted corneas were clear. In the 7 eyes with clear grafts, 5 had a best-corrected visual acuity of ≥20/25 (≥0.8), central pachymetry averaged 535 (±70) μm, and endothelial cell density averaged 1045 (±500) cells/mm2. Of the 11 eyes, 4 required rebubbling in the early postoperative phase; 1 eye was left with a small (<1/3) detachment. Light microscopy of the pathology specimen showed complete attachment of the DMEK graft onto the preexisting PK posterior stroma, with interface scarring over DMEK graft folds and underneath the graft area that had initially been detached.

Conclusions:
DMEK may be a viable option to manage secondary PK graft failure with acceptable outcomes in many cases. Rebubbling for graft detachment may be anticipated, especially because of preexisting glaucoma conditions (severe decompensation, hypotony, and tubes from glaucoma-draining devices). Graft reattachment may occur through interface scarring.
Handgrip Strength: A Population-Based Study of Norms and Age Trajectories for 3- to 17-Year-Olds
Authors: Bohannon Richard W. , Wang Ying-Chih , Bubela Deborah , Gershon Richard C. 
Published: March 2017

Purpose:
To provide normative values and equations for grip strength obtained from a population-based sample of individuals 3 to 17 years of age.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study used grip strength data from 2706 participants (49.2% males, 91% right-hand dominant) in the normative phase of the National Institutes of Health Toolbox project.

Results:
Analyses showed greater strength in the dominant hand in boys and with each yearly increase in age. Normative data are presented separately for each side, sex, and age. Separate regression equations using age and weight as explanatory variables of grip strength are provided for each side by sex.

Conclusions:
The normative data can serve as a guide for interpreting grip strength measurements. The trajectories can be used to investigate the effect of various pathologies and conditions on grip strength during physical maturation.
Physical Chemistry of Bile
Authors: Itani Malak , Dubinsky Theodore J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDespite the overwhelming prevalence of cholelithiasis, many health care professionals are not familiar with the basic pathophysiology of gallstone formation. This article provides an overview of the biochemical pathways related to bile, with a focus on the physical chemistry of bile. We describe the important factors in bile synthesis and secretion that affect the composition of bile and consequently its liquid state. Within this biochemical background lies the foundation for understanding the clinical and sonographic manifestation of cholelithiasis, including the pathophysiology of cholesterol crystallization, gallbladder sludge, and gallstones. There is a brief discussion of the clinical manifestations of inflammatory and obstructive cholestasis and the impact on bile metabolism and subsequently on liver function tests. Despite being the key modality in diagnosing cholelithiasis, ultrasound has a limited role in the characterization of stone composition.
Impact of Surgical Approach on Long-term Survival in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Patients With or Without Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Noordman Bo Jan , van Klaveren David , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , Wijnhoven Bas P. L. , Gisbertz Suzanne S. , Lagarde Sjoerd M. , van der Gaast Ate , Hulshof Maarten C. C. M. , Biermann Katharina , Steyerberg Ewout W. , van Lanschot J. Jan B. 
Published: March 2017

Objective:
To compare overall survival in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) with limited lymphadenectomy or transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) with extended lymphadenectomy with or without neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).

Background:
The application of neoadjuvant therapy might change the association between the extent of lymphadenectomy and survival in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. This may influence the choice of surgical approach in patients treated with nCRT.

Methods:
Patients with potentially curable subcarinal esophageal adenocarcinoma treated with surgery alone or nCRT followed by surgery in 7 centers were included. The effect of surgical approach on overall survival, differentiated by the addition or omission of nCRT, was analyzed using a multivariable Cox regression model that included well-known prognostic factors and factors that might have influenced the choice of surgical approach.

Results:
In total, 701 patients were included, of whom 318 had TTE with extended lymphadenectomy and 383 had THE with limited lymphadenectomy. TTE had differential effects on survival (P for interaction = 0.02), with a more favorable prognostic effect in patients who were treated with surgery alone [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58–1.03]. This association was statistically significant in a subgroup of patients with 1 to 8 positive lymph nodes in the resection specimen (HR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.43–0.90). The favorable prognostic effect of TTE over THE was absent in the nCRT and surgery group (HR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.80–1.66) and in the subgroup of nCRT patients with 1 to 8 positive lymph nodes in the resection specimen (HR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.61–1.68).

Conclusions:
Compared to surgery alone, the addition of nCRT may reduce the need for TTE with extended lymphadenectomy to improve long-term survival in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Regulation of Life Span by The Gut Microbiota in The Short-Lived African Turquoise Killifish
Authors: Smith Patrick , Willemsen David , Popkes Miriam , Metge Franziska , Gandiwa Edson , Reichard Martin , Valenzano Dario Riccardo 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTGut bacteria occupy the interface between the organism and the external environment, contributing to homeostasis and disease. Yet, the causal role of the gut microbiota during host aging is largely unexplored. Here, using the African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri), a naturally short-lived vertebrate, we show that the gut microbiota plays a key role in modulating vertebrate life span. Recolonizing the gut of middle-age individuals with bacteria from young donors resulted in life span extension and delayed behavioral decline. This intervention prevented the decrease in microbial diversity associated with host aging and maintained a young-like gut bacterial community, characterized by overrepresentation of the key generaExiguobacterium, Planococcus, PropionigeniumandPsychrobacter. Our findings demonstrate that the natural microbial gut community of young individuals can causally induce long-lasting beneficial systemic effects that lead to life span extension in a vertebrate model.
Post-translational thioamidation of methyl-coenzyme M reductase, a key enzyme in methanogenic and methanotrophic Archaea
Authors: Nayak Dipti D. , Mahanta Nilkamal , Mitchell Douglas A. , Metcalf William W. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR), found in strictly anaerobic methanogenic and methanotrophic archaea, catalyzes a reversible reaction involved in the production and consumption of the potent greenhouse gas methane. The α subunit of this enzyme (McrA) contains several unusual post-translational modifications, including an exceptionally rare thioamidation of glycine. Based on the presumed function of homologous genes involved in the biosynthesis of thioamide-containing natural products, we hypothesized that the archaealtfuAandycaOgenes would be responsible for post-translational installation of thioglycine into McrA. Mass spectrometric characterization of McrA in a ΔycaO-tfuAmutant of the methanogenic archaeonMethanosarcina acetivoransrevealed the presence of glycine, rather than thioglycine, supporting this hypothesis. Physiological characterization of this mutant suggested a new role for the thioglycine modification in enhancing protein stability, as opposed to playing a direct catalytic role. The universal conservation of this modification suggests that MCR arose in a thermophilic ancestor.
Multiple-model adaptive estimator for spacecraft attitude sensor calibration
Authors: Xiong Kai , Wei Chunling 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to present a multiple-model adaptive estimator (MMAE) to calibrate the star sensor low frequency error (LFE). The star sensor LFE, which is caused primarily by the periodic thermal distortion, has a great impact on spacecraft attitude determination accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach
The unfavorable effect of the LFE can be partly eliminated by using the calibration algorithm based on the augmented Kalman filter (AKF). However, the AKF may be worse than the traditional Kalman filter (KF) in the absence of the LFE. To cope with this problem, the MMAE is applied first time for combining the AKF and the KF in the spacecraft attitude determination system, such that satisfactory performance can be achieved in different operating scenarios.

Findings
The convergence of the presented MMAE is demonstrated through a formal derivation. A novel method is proposed to tune the MMAE design parameter, such that the convergence rate of the estimator is increased. It is shown via numerical studies that the presented algorithm outperforms the AKF and the KF.

Practical implications
The calibration algorithm is applicable for spacecraft attitude determination.

Originality/value
An effective star sensor LFE calibration algorithm based on the MMAE is developed. In addition, a novel method is proposed to increase convergence rate of the estimator.