bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trajectories of internalizing and externalizing symptoms among adults with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Woodman Ashley C. , Mailick Marsha R. , Greenberg Jan S. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIndividuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience higher rates of psychopathology than their typically developing peers or peers with other intellectual or developmental disabilities. Little is known about the developmental course of psychiatric symptoms such as internalizing and externalizing behaviors in this population. Individual characteristics and aspects of the family environment may explain variability in outcomes for adults with ASD. The present study extends our current understanding of psychopathology among individuals with ASD by examining group-based trajectories of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adulthood. Overall, the results showed that symptoms became less severe over time. Distinct patterns of change in psychopathology were observed and associated with differential profiles of psychotropic medication use, comorbid mental health diagnoses, and residential placement. The likelihood of following each developmental trajectory was estimated based on characteristics of the adults with ASD (gender, adaptive behavior, and autistic symptoms) and maternal expressed emotion (criticism and warmth). Maternal criticism and warmth were identified as key risk and protective factors, respectively, with important implications for future research and intervention for individuals with ASD.
Familial influences on the full range of variability in attention and activity levels during adolescence: A longitudinal twin study
Authors: Peng Chun-Zi , Grant Julia D. , Heath Andrew C. , Reiersen Angela M. , Mulligan Richard C. , Anokhin Andrey P. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractTo investigate familial influences on the full range of variability in attention and activity across adolescence, we collected maternal ratings of 339 twin pairs at ages 12, 14, and 16, and estimated the transmitted and new familial influences on attention and activity as measured by the Strengths and Weaknesses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Normal Behavior Scale. Familial influences were substantial for both traits across adolescence: genetic influences accounted for 54%–73% (attention) and 31%–73% (activity) of the total variance, and shared environmental influences accounted for 0%–22% of the attention variance and 13%–57% of the activity variance. The longitudinal stability of individual differences in attention and activity was largely accounted for by familial influences transmitted from previous ages. Innovations over adolescence were also partially attributable to familial influences. Studying the full range of variability in attention and activity may facilitate our understanding of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder's etiology and intervention.
A semiotic perspective on webconferencing-supported language teaching
Authors: Guichon Nicolas , Wigham Ciara R. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIn webconferencing-supported teaching, the webcam mediates and organizes the pedagogical interaction. Previous research has provided a mixed picture of the use of the webcam: while it is seen as a useful medium to contribute to the personalization of the interlocutors’ relationship, help regulate interaction and facilitate learner comprehension and involvement, the limited access to visual cues provided by the webcam is felt to be useless or even disruptive.This study examines the meaning-making potential of the webcam in pedagogical interactions from a semiotic perspective by exploring how trainee teachers use the affordances of the webcam to produce non-verbal cues that may be useful for mutual comprehension. The research context is a telecollaborative project where trainee teachers of French as a foreign language (FFL) met for online sessions in French with undergraduate Business students at an Irish university. Using multimodal transcriptions of the interaction data from these sessions, screen shot data, and students’ post-course interviews, it was found, firstly, that while a head and shoulders framing shot was favoured by the trainee teachers, there does not appear to be an optimal framing choice for desktop videoconferencing among the three framing types identified. Secondly, there was a loss between the number of gestures performed by the trainee teachers and those that were visible for the students. Thirdly, when trainee teachers were able to coordinate the audio and kinesic modalities, communicative gestures that were framed, and held long enough to be perceived by the learners, were more likely to be valuable for mutual comprehension.The study highlights the need for trainee teachers to develop critical semiotic awareness to gain a better perception of the image they project of themselves in order to actualise the potential of the webcam and add more relief to their online teacher presence.
How Regulatory Networks Shaped Institutional Reform under the EU Telecoms Framework
Authors: Boeger Nina , Corkin Joseph 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
This chapter considers the evolving institutional responses to the challenge of regulating telecoms in the EU, taking in the Commission’s push for creating an EU agency versus the resilience of the transnationally networked model, which is usually attributed to the Member States’ sovereignty reflex. Were recent negotiations over the reform of the Regulatory Framework for telecoms, concluded in 2009, simply a turf-war in which the Commission sought to extend the EU’s role against resistance from the Member States, or did the national telecoms regulators and their existing transnational network influence the eventual compromise to retain the soft law, networked model, albeit with some hardening? Characterised as a classic integration struggle, the Member States’ intergovernmental instincts were pitched against the Commission’s supranational instincts and its preference for instruments of control premised on the centralised exercise of hierarchical power. But this chapter paints a more fine-grained picture of the negotiation’s dynamics and especially the influence of the national regulatory authorities (NRAs) and their existing transnational network; a community of expertise that stood to have its role either strengthened or diminished in the revised institutional architecture. In doing so, the chapter moves beyond orthodox (intergovernmental and neofunctionalist) accounts of these dynamics to take an institutionalist approach that is better suited to analysing the EU as a mature system of governance.
Behavioural Economics and the Autonomous Consumer
Authors: Scholes Annette Nordhausen 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
This chapter takes as its starting point the ‘information approach’ which is the basis of current EU consumer protection legislation. It argues that the findings of behavioural economics suggest that the ‘information approach’ does not in practice achieve the protection of the consumer which it is trying to achieve. Insights and techniques gained from behavioural economics can be used as the basis for more effective consumer protection legislation, while at the same time respecting the principle of consumer autonomy which is the fundamental (though sometimes unstated) principle of EU internal market law.
Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad European Public Prosecutor?
Authors: Spencer John R. 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
In 1997 the idea of a European Public Prosecutor was floated in the Corpus Juris Project as one of a series of measures designed to ensure that fraud on the Community budget would be detected and punished. This chapter describes how in the UK the proposal was misrepresented by the eurosceptic press, and how Parliament reacted to the distorted version by changing the law to render any future participation by the UK in a project to create a European Public Prosecutor practically impossible.
Social Legitimacy and the Court of Justice of the EU: Some Reflections on the Role of the Advocate General
Authors: Hinarejos Alicia 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU, Court of Justice or Court, for short) operates in circumstances that are similar to those of a national constitutional court; at the same time, some significant features set it apart and make it more difficult for the Court of Justice to command the institutional loyalty or public support that national constitutional courts seem to enjoy in Europe. This chapter will, first, offer a brief overview of how and why the Court acquired a markedly political, and problematic, role within the judicial and legal system of the Union (Section II). Section III will then examine the different concepts of legitimacy that may be applied to courts and their decisions, focusing more specifically on the social dimension of legitimacy. This chapter will argue that the fact that the Court of Justice has to operate in a transnational context leads to a shortfall in its social legitimacy, at least when compared to national constitutional courts in Europe. Finally, Section IV will focus on the figure of the Advocate General as a mechanism that may lend some extra social legitimacy to the Court and its decisions—obviously without solving the problem completely—and that, more generally, may foster dialogue, debate and deliberative democracy in the Union.
Deciding to Cooperate in Northern Ghana: Trust as an Evolutionary Constraint Across Cultural Diversity
Authors: Acedo-Carmona Cristina , Gomila Antoni 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe upper-east and northern regions of Ghana offers a unique opportunity to study the influence of evolutionary social dynamics in making cooperation possible, despite cultural differences. These regions are occupied by several distinct ethnic groups, in interaction, such as the Kussasi, Mamprusi, Bimoba, Konkomba, and Fulani. We will report our fieldwork related to how cooperation takes places there, both within each group and among people from the different groups. Methods included personal networks of cooperation (ego networks), interviews and analysis of group contexts. The most important result is that, while each ethnic group may differ in terms of family and clan structure, a similar pattern can be found in all of them, of cooperation structured around small groups of trust-based close relationships. The study suggests that habitual decisions about cooperation are not strategic or self-interested, but instead are based on unconscious processes sustained by the emotional bonds of trust. These kind of emotional bonds are claimed to be relevant from an evolutionary point of view.
Synbiotic approach restores intestinal homeostasis and prolongs survival in leukaemic mice with cachexia
Authors: Bindels Laure B , Neyrinck Audrey M , Claus Sandrine P , Le Roy Caroline I , Grangette Corinne , Pot Bruno , Martinez Inés , Walter Jens , Cani Patrice D , Delzenne Nathalie M 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome that includes muscle wasting and inflammation. As gut microbes influence host immunity and metabolism, we investigated the role of the gut microbiota in the therapeutic management of cancer and associated cachexia. A community-wide analysis of the caecal microbiome in two mouse models of cancer cachexia (acute leukaemia or subcutaneous transplantation of colon cancer cells) identified common microbial signatures, including decreased Lactobacillus spp. and increased Enterobacteriaceae and Parabacteroides goldsteinii/ASF 519. Building on this information, we administered a synbiotic containing inulin-type fructans and live Lactobacillus reuteri 100-23 to leukaemic mice. This treatment restored the Lactobacillus population and reduced the Enterobacteriaceae levels. It also reduced hepatic cancer cell proliferation, muscle wasting and morbidity, and prolonged survival. Administration of the synbiotic was associated with restoration of the expression of antimicrobial proteins controlling intestinal barrier function and gut immunity markers, but did not impact the portal metabolomics imprinting of energy demand. In summary, this study provided evidence that the development of cancer outside the gut can impact intestinal homeostasis and the gut microbial ecosystem and that a synbiotic intervention, by targeting some alterations of the gut microbiota, confers benefits to the host, prolonging survival and reducing cancer proliferation and cachexia.
Aβ-dependent reduction of NCAM2-mediated synaptic adhesion contributes to synapse loss in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Leshchyns’ka Iryna , Liew Heng Tai , Shepherd Claire , Halliday Glenda M. , Stevens Claire H. , Ke Yazi D. , Ittner Lars M. , Sytnyk Vladimir 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by synapse loss due to mechanisms that remain poorly understood. We show that the neural cell adhesion molecule 2 (NCAM2) is enriched in synapses in the human hippocampus. This enrichment is abolished in the hippocampus of AD patients and in brains of mice overexpressing the human amyloid-β (Aβ) precursor protein carrying the pathogenic Swedish mutation. Aβ binds to NCAM2 at the cell surface of cultured hippocampal neurons and induces removal of NCAM2 from synapses. In AD hippocampus, cleavage of the membrane proximal external region of NCAM2 is increased and soluble extracellular fragments of NCAM2 (NCAM2-ED) accumulate. Knockdown of NCAM2 expression or incubation with NCAM2-ED induces disassembly of GluR1-containing glutamatergic synapses in cultured hippocampal neurons. Aβ-dependent disassembly of GluR1-containing synapses is inhibited in neurons overexpressing a cleavage-resistant mutant of NCAM2. Our data indicate that Aβ-dependent disruption of NCAM2 functions in AD hippocampus contributes to synapse loss.
Petrologic Characteristics of the Lunar Surface
Authors: Wang Xianmin , Pedrycz Witold 
Published: November 2015

AbstractPetrologic analysis of the lunar surface is critical for determining lunar formation and evolution. Here, we report the first global petrologic map that includes the five most important lunar lithological units: the Ferroan Anorthositic (FAN) Unit, the Magnesian Suite (MS) Unit, the Alkali Suite (AS) Unit, the KREEP Basalt (KB) Unit and the Mare Basalt (MB) Unit. Based on the petrologic map and focusing on four long-debated and important issues related to lunar formation and evolution, we draw the following conclusions from the new insights into the global distribution of the five petrologic units: (1) there may be no petrogenetic relationship between MS rocks and KB; (2) there may be no petrogenetic link between MS and AS rocks; (3) the exposure of the KREEP component on the lunar surface is likely not a result of MB volcanism but is instead mainly associated with the combined action of plutonic intrusion, KREEP volcanism and celestial collision; (4) the impact size of the South Pole-Aitken basin is constrained, i.e., the basin has been excavated through the whole crust to exhume a vast majority of lower-crustal material and a very limited mantle components to the lunar surface.
Hybrid QM/MM study of FMO complex with polarized protein-specific charge
Authors: Jia Xiangyu , Mei Ye , Zhang John Z.H. , Mo Yan 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) light-harvesting complex is now one of the primary model systems for the study of excitation energy transfer (EET). However, the mechanism of the EET in this system is still controversial. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations and the electrostatic-embedding quantum-mechanics/molecular-mechanics single-point calculations have been employed to predict the energy transfer pathways utilizing the polarized protein-specific charge (PPC), which provides a more realistic description of Coulomb interaction potential in the protein than conventional mean-field charge scheme. The recently discovered eighth pigment has also been included in this study. Comparing with the conventional mean-field charges, more stable structures of FMO complex were found under PPC scheme during molecular dynamic simulation. Based on the electronic structure calculations, an exciton model was constructed to consider the couplings during excitation. The results show that pigments 3 and 4 dominate the lowest exciton levels whereas the highest exciton level are mainly constituted of pigments 1 and 6. This observation agrees well with the assumption based on the spatial distribution of the pigments. Moreover, the obtained spectral density in this study gives a reliable description of the diverse local environment embedding each pigment.
Increased risks between Interleukin-10 gene polymorphisms and haplotype and head and neck cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Niu Yu-Ming , Du Xin-Ya , Cai Heng-Xing , Zhang Chao , Yuan Rui-Xia , Zeng Xian-Tao , Luo Jie 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMolecular epidemiological research suggests that interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms may be associated with an increased risk of head and neck cancer (HNC), but results remain controversial. To derive a more precise evaluation, we performed a meta-analysis focused on genetic polymorphisms of IL-10. PubMed, Embase, CNKI and Wanfang databases were searched for studies that examined the relationship between IL-10 polymorphisms or haplotypes and HNC risk. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were applied to assess the relationship strength. Publication bias, sensitivity and cumulative analyses were conducted to measure the robustness of our findings. Overall, nine related studies involving 2,258 patients and 2,887 control samples were analyzed. Significant associations between the IL-10-1082A > G polymorphism and HNC risk were observed (G vs. A: OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.27–1.92, P < 0.01, I2 = 69.4%; AG vs. AA: OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.32–2.05, P < 0.01, I2 = 55.6%; GG vs. AA: OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.69–2.97, P < 0.01, I2 = 38.5%; AG + GG vs. AA: OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.36−2.14, P = 0.02, I2 = 61.8%; GG vs. AA + AG: OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.23−2.90, P = 0.01, I2 = 46.3%) in the total population, as well as in subgroup analysis. Moreover, increased HNC risks were also associated with the IL-10 −819T > C polymorphism and the GCC haplotype. In conclusion, our meta-analyses suggest that IL-10 polymorphisms, specifically the −1082A > G polymorphism, may be associated with increased risk of HNC development.
Add-on Protective Effect of Pentoxifylline in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Treated with Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Blockade - A Nationwide Database Analysis
Authors: Kuo Ko-Lin , Hung Szu-Chun , Liu Jia-Sin , Chang Yu-Kang , Hsu Chih-Cheng , Tarng Der-Cherng 
Published: November 2015

AbstractA combination therapy of pentoxifylline with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) decreased proteinuria or glomerular filtration rate decline in early chronic kidney disease (CKD). Whether adding pentoxifylline to ACEI/ARB provides additional benefits on outcome is unclear in CKD stage 5 patients who have not yet received dialysis (CKD 5 ND). A prospective cohort study was conducted based on the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. From January 1, 2000 to June 30, 2009, we enrolled 14,117 CKD 5 ND with serum creatinine levels >6 mg/dL and hematocrit levels <28% and who have been treated with ACEI/ARB. All patients were divided into pentoxifylline users and nonusers. Patient follow-up took place until dialysis, death before initiation of dialysis or December 31, 2009. Finally, 9,867 patients (69.9%) required long-term dialysis and 2,805 (19.9%) died before dialysis. After propensity score-matching, use of pentoxifylline was associated with a lower risk for long-term dialysis or death in ACEI/ARB users (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.90–0.99) or ARB users (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85–0.97). In conclusion, pentoxifylline exhibited a protective effect in reducing the risk for the composite outcome of long-term dialysis or death in ACEI/ARB treated CKD 5 ND.
Development of Endothelial-Specific Single Inducible Lentiviral Vectors for Genetic Engineering of Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Authors: Yang Guanghua , Kramer M. Gabriela , Fernandez-Ruiz Veronica , Kawa Milosz P. , Huang Xin , Liu Zhongmin , Prieto Jesus , Qian Cheng 
Published: November 2015

AbstractEndothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are able to migrate to tumor vasculature. These cells, if genetically modified, can be used as vehicles to deliver toxic material to, or express anticancer proteins in tumor. To test this hypothesis, we developed several single, endothelial-specific and doxycycline-inducible self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vectors. Two distinct expression cassettes were inserted into a SIN-vector: one controlled by an endothelial lineage-specific, murine vascular endothelial cadherin (mVEcad) promoter for the expression of a transactivator, rtTA2S-M2; and the other driven by an inducible promoter, TREalb, for a firefly luciferase reporter gene. We compared the expression levels of luciferase in different vector constructs, containing either the same or opposite orientation with respect to the vector sequence. The results showed that the vector with these two expression cassettes placed in opposite directions was optimal, characterized by a robust induction of the transgene expression (17.7- to 73-fold) in the presence of doxycycline in several endothelial cell lines, but without leakiness when uninduced. In conclusion, an endothelial lineage-specific single inducible SIN lentiviral vector has been developed. Such a lentiviral vector can be used to endow endothelial progenitor cells with anti-tumor properties.
VASP, zyxin and TES are tension-dependent members of Focal Adherens Junctions independent of the α-catenin-vinculin module
Authors: Oldenburg Joppe , van der Krogt Gerard , Twiss Floor , Bongaarts Annika , Habani Yasmin , Slotman Johan A. , Houtsmuller Adriaan , Huveneers Stephan , de Rooij Johan 
Published: November 2015

AbstractMechanical forces are integrated at cadherin-based adhesion complexes to regulate morphology and strength of cell-cell junctions and organization of associated F-actin. A central mechanosensor at the cadherin complex is α-catenin, whose stretching recruits vinculin to regulate adhesion strength. The identity of the F-actin regulating signals that are also activated by mechanical forces at cadherin-based junctions has remained elusive. Here we identify the actin-regulators VASP, zyxin and TES as members of punctate, tensile cadherin-based junctions called Focal Adherens Junctions (FAJ) and show that they display mechanosensitive recruitment similar to that of vinculin. However, this recruitment is not altered by destroying or over-activating the α-catenin/vinculin module. Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM) indicates that these tension sensitive proteins concentrate at locations within FAJs that are distinct from the core cadherin complex proteins. Furthermore, localization studies using mutated versions of VASP and zyxin indicate that these two proteins require binding to each other in order to localize to the FAJs. We conclude that there are multiple force sensitive modules present at the FAJ that are activated at distinct locations along the cadherin-F-actin axis and regulate specific aspects of junction dynamics.