bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of functional trait diversity among Indian cultivated and weedy rice populations
Authors: Rathore M. , Singh Raghwendra , Kumar B. , Chauhan B. S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWeedy rice, a menace in rice growing areas globally, is biosimilar having attributes similar to cultivated and wild rice, and therefore is difficult to manage. A study was initiated to characterize the functional traits of 76 weedy rice populations and commonly grown rice cultivars from different agro-climatic zones for nine morphological, five physiological, and three phenological parameters in a field experiment under an augmented block design. Comparison between weedy and cultivated rice revealed a difference in duration (days) from panicle emergence to heading as the most variable trait and awn length as the least variable one, as evidenced from their coefficients of variation. The results of principal component analysis revealed the first three principal components to represent 47.3% of the total variation, which indicates an important role of transpiration, conductance, leaf-air temperature difference, days to panicle emergence, days to heading, flag leaf length, SPAD (soil-plant analysis development), grain weight, plant height, and panicle length to the diversity in weedy rice populations. The variations existing in weedy rice population are a major reason for its wider adaptability to varied environmental conditions and also a problem while trying to manage it.
Robust Type-specific Hemisynapses Induced by Artificial Dendrites
Authors: Kim Eun Joong , Jeon Chang Su , Lee Soo Youn , Hwang Inseong , Chung Taek Dong 
Published: April 2016

AbstractType-specificity of synapses, excitatory and inhibitory, regulates information process in neural networks via chemical neurotransmitters. To lay a foundation of synapse-based neural interfaces, artificial dendrites are generated by covering abiotic substrata with ectodomains of type-specific synaptogenic proteins that are C-terminally tagged with biotinylated fluorescent proteins. The excitatory artificial synapses displaying engineered ectodomains of postsynaptic neuroligin-1 (NL1) induce the formation of excitatory presynapses with mixed culture of neurons in various developmental stages, while the inhibitory artificial dendrites displaying engineered NL2 and Slitrk3 induce inhibitory presynapses only with mature neurons. By contrast, if the artificial dendrites are applied to the axonal components of micropatterned neurons, correctly-matched synaptic specificity emerges regardless of the neuronal developmental stages. The hemisynapses retain their initially established type-specificity during neuronal development and maintain their synaptic strength provided live neurons, implying the possibility of durable synapse-based biointerfaces.
In vitro antibacterial activity of ZnO and Nd doped ZnO nanoparticles against ESBL producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Hameed Abdulrahman Syedahamed Haja , Karthikeyan Chandrasekaran , Ahamed Abdulazees Parveez , Thajuddin Nooruddin , Alharbi Naiyf S. , Alharbi Sulaiman Ali , Ravi Ganasan 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPure ZnO and Neodymium (Nd) doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The synthesized nanoparticles retained the wurtzite hexagonal structure. From FESEM studies, ZnO and Nd doped ZnO NPs showed nanorod and nanoflower like morphology respectively. The FT-IR spectra confirmed the Zn-O stretching bands at 422 and 451 cm−1 for ZnO and Nd doped ZnO NPs respectively. From the UV-VIS spectroscopic measurement, the excitonic peaks were found around 373 nm and 380 nm for the respective samples. The photoluminescence measurements revealed that the broad emission was composed of ten different bands due to zinc vacancies, oxygen vacancies and surface defects. The antibacterial studies performed against extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae showed that the Nd doped ZnO NPs possessed a greater antibacterial effect than the pure ZnO NPs. From confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) analysis, the apoptotic nature of the cells was confirmed by the cell shrinkage, disorganization of cell wall and cell membrane and dead cell of the bacteria. SEM analysis revealed the existence of bacterial loss of viability due to an impairment of cell membrane integrity, which was highly consistent with the damage of cell walls.
Identification of RELN variation p.Thr3192Ser in a Chinese family with schizophrenia
Authors: Zhou Zhifan , Hu Zhengmao , Zhang Lu , Hu Zhaoting , Liu Haihong , Liu Zhening , Du Juan , Zhao Jingping , Zhou Lin , Xia Kun , Tang Bengsha , Shen Lu 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSchizophrenia (SCZ) is a serious psychiatric disease with strong heritability. Its complexity is reflected by extensive genetic heterogeneity and much of the genetic liability remains unaccounted for. We applied a combined strategy involving detection of copy number variants (CNVs), whole-genome mapping and exome sequencing to identify the genetic basis of autosomal-dominant SCZ in a Chinese family. To rule out pathogenic CNVs, we first performed Illumina single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis on samples from two patients and one psychiatrically healthy family member, but no pathogenic CNVs were detected. In order to further narrow down the susceptible region, we conducted genome-wide linkage analysis and mapped the disease locus to chromosome 7q21.13-22.3, with a maximum multipoint logarithm of odds score of 2.144. Whole-exome sequencing was then carried out with samples from three affected individuals and one unaffected individual in the family. A missense variation c.9575 C > G (p.Thr3192Ser) was identified in RELN, which is known as a risk gene for SCZ, located on chromosome 7q22, in the pedigree. This rare variant, as a highly penetrant risk variant, co-segregated with the phenotype. Our results provide genetic evidence that RELN may be one of pathogenic gene in SCZ.
Comprehensive and quantitative proteomic analyses of zebrafish plasma reveals conserved protein profiles between genders and between zebrafish and human
Authors: Li Caixia , Tan Xing Fei , Lim Teck Kwang , Lin Qingsong , Gong Zhiyuan 
Published: April 2016

AbstractOmic approaches have been increasingly used in the zebrafish model for holistic understanding of molecular events and mechanisms of tissue functions. However, plasma is rarely used for omic profiling because of the technical challenges in collecting sufficient blood. In this study, we employed two mass spectrometric (MS) approaches for a comprehensive characterization of zebrafish plasma proteome, i.e. conventional shotgun liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for an overview study and quantitative SWATH (Sequential Window Acquisition of all THeoretical fragment-ion spectra) for comparison between genders. 959 proteins were identified in the shotgun profiling with estimated concentrations spanning almost five orders of magnitudes. Other than the presence of a few highly abundant female egg yolk precursor proteins (vitellogenins), the proteomic profiles of male and female plasmas were very similar in both number and abundance and there were basically no other highly gender-biased proteins. The types of plasma proteins based on IPA (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) classification and tissue sources of production were also very similar. Furthermore, the zebrafish plasma proteome shares significant similarities with human plasma proteome, in particular in top abundant proteins including apolipoproteins and complements. Thus, the current study provided a valuable dataset for future evaluation of plasma proteins in zebrafish.
The Cumulative Cisplatin Dose Affects the Long-Term Survival Outcomes of Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Receiving Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Peng Hao , Chen Lei , Li Wen-Fei , Guo Rui , Mao Yan-Ping , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Fan , Liu Li-Zhi , Tian Li , Lin Ai-Hua , Sun Ying , Ma Jun 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe prognostic value of the cumulative cisplatin dose (CCD) remains controversial for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) receiving only concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). We retrospectively reviewed 549 consecutive patients with non-metastatic, histologically-proven NPC treated using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) at Sun Yat-sen university cancer center. Patient survival between different CCD groups were compared. The cut-off value of pre-treatment plasma EBV DNA (pre-DNA) and CCD based on disease-free survival (DFS) were 1460 copies/ml (AUC, 0.691; sensitivity, 0.717; specificity, 0.635) and 240 mg/m2 (AUC, 0.506; sensitivity, 0.526; specificity, 0.538), respectively. Of the entire cohort, 92/549 (16.8%) patients received a CCD ≥ 240 mg/m2 and 457 (83.2%) patients, <240 mg/m2. For CCD ≥ 240 mg/m2 vs. < 240 mg/m2, the estimated 4-year DFS, overall survival (OS), locoregional-free survival (LRFFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 89.1% vs. 81.3% (P = 0.097), 92.4% vs. 90.0% (P = 0.369), 95.6% vs. 91.2% (P = 0.156), and 91.3% vs. 88.4% (P = 0.375), respectively. For the whole cohort, multivariate analysis identified the CCD was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (HR, 0.515; 95% CI, 0.267–0.995; P = 0.048). However, CCD (≥240 mg/m2) had no prognostic value in subgroup analysis with stratification by the cut-off value of pre-DNA (P > 0.05 for all rates).
Green tea consumption is associated with reduced incident CHD and improved CHD-related biomarkers in the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort
Authors: Tian Chong , Huang Qiao , Yang Liangle , Légaré Sébastien , Angileri Francesca , Yang Handong , Li Xiulou , Min Xinwen , Zhang Ce , Xu Chengwei , Yuan Jing , Miao Xiaoping , He Mei-an , Wu Tangchun , Zhang Xiaomin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractProspective studies on the association of green tea with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence were scarce. This study examined whether green tea can reduce CHD incidence and have a beneficial effect on CHD-related risk markers in middle-aged and older Chinese population. We included 19 471 participants who were free of CHD, stroke or cancer at baseline from September 2008 to June 2010, and were followed until October 2013. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the hazard ratios (HR) of CHD incidence in relation to green tea consumption. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the effect of green tea on 5-year changes of CHD-related biomarkers. Compared with non-green tea consumers, the multivariable-adjusted HR for CHD was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.81-0.98) in green tea consumers. Particularly, the reduced risk of CHD incidence with green tea consumption was more evident among participants who were male, more than 60 years old, overweight, or with diabetes mellitus. In addition, green tea consumption improved multiple CHD-related risk markers including total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, mean platelet volume, and uric acid. In conclusion, green tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk of CHD incidence in the middle-aged and older Chinese populations, and the association might be partly due to altered CHD-related biomarkers.
Indian monsoon variability on millennial-orbital timescales
Authors: Kathayat Gayatri , Cheng Hai , Sinha Ashish , Spötl Christoph , Edwards R. Lawrence , Zhang Haiwei , Li Xianglei , Yi Liang , Ning Youfeng , Cai Yanjun , Lui Weiguo Lui , Breitenbach Sebastian F. M. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe Indian summer monsoon (ISM) monsoon is critical to billions of people living in the region. Yet, significant debates remain on primary ISM drivers on millennial-orbital timescales. Here, we use speleothem oxygen isotope (δ18O) data from Bittoo cave, Northern India to reconstruct ISM variability over the past 280,000 years. We find strong coherence between North Indian and Chinese speleothem δ18O records from the East Asian monsoon domain, suggesting that both Asian monsoon subsystems exhibit a coupled response to changes in Northern Hemisphere summer insolation (NHSI) without significant temporal lags, supporting the view that the tropical-subtropical monsoon variability is driven directly by precession-induced changes in NHSI. Comparisons of the North Indian record with both Antarctic ice core and sea-surface temperature records from the southern Indian Ocean over the last glacial period do not suggest a dominant role of Southern Hemisphere climate processes in regulating the ISM variability on millennial-orbital timescales.
Charge Transfer Dynamics at Dye-Sensitized ZnO and TiO2 Interfaces Studied by Ultrafast XUV Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Borgwardt Mario , Wilke Martin , Kampen Thorsten , Mähl Sven , Xiao Manda , Spiccia Leone , Lange Kathrin M. , Kiyan Igor Yu. , Aziz Emad F. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractInterfacial charge transfer from photoexcited ruthenium-based N3 dye molecules into ZnO thin films received controversial interpretations. To identify the physical origin for the delayed electron transfer in ZnO compared to TiO2, we probe directly the electronic structure at both dye-semiconductor interfaces by applying ultrafast XUV photoemission spectroscopy. In the range of pump-probe time delays between 0.5 to 1.0 ps, the transient signal of the intermediate states was compared, revealing a distinct difference in their electron binding energies of 0.4 eV. This finding strongly indicates the nature of the charge injection at the ZnO interface associated with the formation of an interfacial electron-cation complex. It further highlights that the energetic alignment between the dye donor and semiconductor acceptor states appears to be of minor importance for the injection kinetics and that the injection efficiency is dominated by the electronic coupling.
Nanoscale on-chip all-optical logic parity checker in integrated plasmonic circuits in optical communication range
Authors: Wang Feifan , Gong Zibo , Hu Xiaoyong , Yang Xiaoyu , Yang Hong , Gong Qihuang 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe nanoscale chip-integrated all-optical logic parity checker is an essential core component for optical computing systems and ultrahigh-speed ultrawide-band information processing chips. Unfortunately, little experimental progress has been made in development of these devices to date because of material bottleneck limitations and a lack of effective realization mechanisms. Here, we report a simple and efficient strategy for direct realization of nanoscale chip-integrated all-optical logic parity checkers in integrated plasmonic circuits in the optical communication range. The proposed parity checker consists of two-level cascaded exclusive-OR (XOR) logic gates that are realized based on the linear interference of surface plasmon polaritons propagating in the plasmonic waveguides. The parity of the number of logic 1s in the incident four-bit logic signals is determined, and the output signal is given the logic state 0 for even parity (and 1 for odd parity). Compared with previous reports, the overall device feature size is reduced by more than two orders of magnitude, while ultralow energy consumption is maintained. This work raises the possibility of realization of large-scale integrated information processing chips based on integrated plasmonic circuits, and also provides a way to overcome the intrinsic limitations of serious surface plasmon polariton losses for on-chip integration applications.
Implementation of a driver licensing support program in three Aboriginal communities: a brief report from a pilot program
Authors: Cullen Patricia , Clapham Kathleen , Byrne Jake , Hunter Kate , Rogers Kris , Senserrick Teresa , Keay Lisa , Ivers Rebecca 
Published: April 2016

Issue addressedAboriginal people face significant barriers to accessing the driver licensing system in New South Wales (NSW). Low rates of licence participation contribute to transport disadvantage and impede access to employment, education and essential health services. The Driving Change program has been piloted in three communities to increase licensing rates for young Aboriginal people. This brief report reviews implementation to determine whether Driving Change is being delivered as intended to the target population.MethodsDescriptive analysis of routinely collected program data collected between April 2013 and October 2014 to monitor client demographics (n = 194) and program‐specific outcomes.ResultsThe target population is being reached with the majority of clients aged 16–24 years (76%) and being unemployed (53%). Licensing outcomes are being achieved at all pilot sites (learner licence 19%; provisional or unrestricted licence 16%). There is variation in program delivery across the three pilot sites demonstrating the intended flexibility of the program.ConclusionsDriving Change is delivering all aspects of the program as intended at the three pilot sites. The program is reaching the target population and providing a sufficiently flexible program that responds to community and client identified need.So what?Reviewing implementation of community pilot programs is critical to ensure that the intervention is being delivered as intended to the target population. This brief report indicates that Driving Change is assisting young Aboriginal people to access licensing services in NSW. This review of program implementation will assist the subsequent expansion of the program to a further nine communities in NSW.
The impact of alcohol management practices on sports club membership and revenue
Authors: Wolfenden L. , Kingsland M. , Rowland B. , Dodds P. , Sidey M. , Sherker S. , Wiggers J. 
Published: April 2016

Issue addressedThe aim of this study was to assess the impact of an alcohol management intervention on community sporting club revenue (total annual income) and membership (number of club players, teams and spectators).MethodsThe study employed a cluster randomised controlled trial design that allocated clubs either an alcohol accreditation intervention or a control condition. Club representatives completed a scripted telephone survey at baseline and again ~3 years following. Demographic information about clubs was collected along with information about club income.ResultsNumber of players and senior teams were not significantly different between treatment groups following the intervention. The intervention group, however, showed a significantly higher mean number of spectators. Estimates of annual club income between groups at follow‐up showed no significant difference in revenue.ConclusionsThis study found no evidence to suggest that efforts to reduce alcohol‐related harm in community sporting clubs will compromise club revenue and membership.So what?These findings suggest that implementation of an intervention to improve alcohol management of sporting clubs may not have the unintended consequence of harming club viability.
Cotranslational association of mRNA encoding subunits of heteromeric ion channels
Authors: Liu Fang , Jones David K. , de Lange Willem J. , Robertson Gail A. 
Published: April 2016

Significance
Many ion channels are composed of related but structurally distinct membrane protein subunits, each determining the functional properties of the channel. Although their composition is carefully regulated, the mechanisms underlying their assembly are poorly understood. We show that mRNA transcripts encoding human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) 1a and 1b subunits, which assemble to form channels mediating cardiac repolarization, are physically associated and can be coimmunoprecipitated with an Ab against the nascent hERG 1a protein. Their association allows the subunits to interact during protein translation to form the heteromeric ion channel. These findings are important for understanding hERG channels, which are a target for acquired and congenital long QT syndrome, and may be generalizable to oligomeric proteins serving a wide range of biological functions.
In vitro system using human neurons demonstrates that varicella-zoster vaccine virus is impaired for reactivation, but not latency
Authors: Sadaoka Tomohiko , Depledge Daniel P. , Rajbhandari Labchan , Venkatesan Arun , Breuer Judith , Cohen Jeffrey I. 
Published: April 2016

Significance
The varicella vaccine is highly effective in preventing chickenpox. Although the vaccine virus is attenuated, it is unknown whether the virus is impaired for establishment of latency, for reactivation, or both. We developed an in vitro system using human neurons derived from ES cells and showed that axonal infection of neurons results in latent infection and that virus can be reactivated using Ab to NGF. Using this system, we show that the varicella vaccine is impaired for reactivation, but not latency. Although not necessarily equivalent to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) latency and reactivation in vivo, this system may be used to study the ability of other viruses, including viral vaccines, to establish latency and reactivate.
Syntheses and Biological Activities of Analogs of Abscisic Acid
Authors: Oritani Takayuki , Yamashita Kyohei 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Selenium dioxide oxidation of methyl α-ionylideneacetate (IIb) in ethanol afforded methyl 1′-and 4′-hydroxy-α-ionylideneacetate (IIIb and IV), methyl 3′-hydroxy-β-ionylideneacetate (V) and crude dihydroxy-ionylideneacetate (VI). The latter was oxidized with active manganese dioxide to give methyl abscisate (Ib). The growth and germination-inhibitory activity of compounds related to abscisic acid on Azuki bean seedlings and some species of seeds were examined.
Physical and Chemical Properties of Crystalline Acetylesterase from Sclerotinia Fungus
Authors: Oi Susumu 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The molecular weight of crystalline acetylesterase (AcE) from Sclerotinia libertiana was determined to be 78,500 by both Archibald and gel filtration methods. The sedimentation coefficient, , was determined to be 5.05 S. The amino acids and carbohydrate composition of AcE was determined as follows: Lys12 His14 Argi18 Asp76 Thr52 Ser62 Glu60 Pro48 Gly90 Ala57 Cysteine4 Val36 Met8 Ile37 Leu42 Tyr38 Phe35 Trp19 (carbohydrate as glucose)16. The amino and carboxyl terminals of AcE were found to be threonine and serine, respectively. Iso-electric focusing electrophoresis with carrier ampholite revealed that AcE has an isoelectric point at around 3.95. Optical rotatory dispersion measurements showed that [α]d, a0, b0 and λc were −22, −110, −75 and 234.5 nm, respectively, suggesting that the enzyme contains 11% of the α-helix structure.
Influence of Early and Prolonged Protein Depletion in the Diet on in vitro Protein Synthesis in Muscle and Liver of Rats
Authors: Goto Akihiko , Kametaka Masao 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Male rats weighing about 200 g were killed after 1, 2, 4, 10, and 20 days on a protein-free diet, and in vitro synthesis of protein was measured by the incorporation of 14C-glycine into protein of liver slices and isolated soleus muscle. The incorporation value was corrected for the differences in specific radioactivity of intracellular free glycine, and protein and RNA contents of tissue were determined.
Muscle protein synthesis began to decrease from the 1st day of depletion, fell rapidly until the 4th day, and then was reduced gradually to about 30 % of the initial control by the 20th day. This reduction was due in a major part to a fall in the rate of protein synthesis per unit of RNA and in a minor part to a decline in RNA content. In the liver, protein synthesis increased in the early period of protein depletion, but declined with prolonged depletion, and was reduced greatly by severe depletion. These alterations were caused mainly by the changes in incorporative activity per unit of RNA.
From these results, it was suggested that different patterns of adaptive response to protein depletion occurred in both cases of early and prolonged depletion in connection with protein metabolism in rats.