bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New insights on pulsating white dwarfs from 3D radiation-hydrodynamical simulations
Authors: Tremblay Pier-Emmanuel , Fontaine Gilles , Ludwig Hans-Günter , Gianninas Alexandros , Kilic Mukremin 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe have recently computed a grid of 3D radiation-hydrodynamical simulations for the atmosphere of pure-hydrogen DA white dwarfs in the range 5.0 < log g < 9.0. Our grid covers the full ZZ Ceti instability strip where pulsating DA white dwarfs are located. We have significantly improved the theoretical framework to study these objects by removing the free parameters of 1D convection, which were previously a major modeling hurdle. We present improved atmospheric parameter determinations based on spectroscopic fits with 3D model spectra, allowing for an updated definition of the empirical edges of the ZZ Ceti instability strip. Our 3D simulations also precisely predict the depth of the convection zones, narrowing down the internal layers where pulsation are being driven. We hope that these 3D effects will be included in asteroseismic models in the future to predict the region of the HR diagram where white dwarfs are expected to pulsate.
Asteroseismology for Galactic archaeology: bridging two fields
Authors: Casagrande Luca , Aguirre Victor Silva , Serenelli Aldo M. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAsteroseismology has the capability of precisely determining stellar properties that would otherwise be inaccessible, such as radii, masses, and thus ages of field stars. When coupling this information with classical determinations of stellar parameters, such as metallicities, effective temperatures, and angular diameters, powerful new diagnostics for Galactic studies can be obtained. An overview of the ongoing Strömgren survey for Asteroseismology and Galactic Archaeology (SAGA) is presented, along with recent results using asteroseismology to investigate the vertical age structure of the Milky Way disc.
The role of interstellar filaments in the origin of the stellar initial mass function: Insights from Herschel observations
Authors: André Philippe , Könyves Vera , Roy Arabindo , Arzoumanian Doris 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe origin of the stellar initial mass function (IMF) is one of the most debated issues in astrophysics. Two major features of the IMF are 1) a fairly robust power-law slope at the high-mass end (Salpeter 1955), and 2) a broad peak around ~ 0.3 M⊙ corresponding to a characteristic stellar mass scale (cf. Elmegreen et al. 2008). In recent years, the dominant theoretical model proposed to account for these features has been the “gravo-turbulent fragmentation” picture (e.g., Hennebelle & Chabrier 2008; Hopkins 2012) whereby the properties of interstellar turbulence lead to the Salpeter power law and gravity sets the characteristic mass scale (Jeans mass). We discuss modifications to this picture based on extensive submillimeter continuum imaging observations of nearby molecular clouds with the Herschel Space Observatory which emphasize the importance of filamentary geometry (André et al. 2010; Könyves et al. 2015). The Herschel results point to the key role of the quasi-universal filamentary structure pervading the cold interstellar medium and support a scenario in which star formation occurs in two main steps (cf. André et al. 2014): first, the dissipation of kinetic energy in large-scale turbulent MHD flows generates ~ 0.1 pc-wide filaments (Arzoumanian et al. 2011) in the cold ISM; second, the densest filaments grow and fragment into prestellar cores (and ultimately protostars) by gravitational instability above a critical threshold ~ 16 M⊙/pc in mass per unit length or ~ 160 M⊙/pc2 in gas surface density (AV ∼ 8). In our observationally-driven scenario, the dense cores making up the peak of the prestellar core mass function (CMF) - likely responsible for the peak of the IMF - result from gravitational fragmentation of filaments near the critical threshold for global gravitational instability. The power-law tail of the CMF/IMF arises from the growth of the Kolmogorov-like power spectrum of initial density fluctuations [P(k) ∝ k−1.6±0.3] measured along Herschel filaments (Roy et al. 2015), in agreement with the model by Inutsuka (2001), and from the power-law distribution of line masses observed for supercritical filaments.
Explaining the density profile of self-gravitating systems by statistical mechanics
Authors: Kang Dong-Biao 
Published: October 2016

AbstractA self-gravitating system usually shows a quasi-universal density profile, such as the NFW profile of a simulated dark matter halo, the flat rotation curve of a spiral galaxy, the Sérsic profile of an elliptical galaxy, the King profile of a globular cluster and the exponential law of the stellar disk. It will be interesting if all of the above can be obtained from first principles. Based on the original work of White & Narayan (1987), we propose that if the self-bounded system is divided into infinite infinitesimal subsystems, the entropy of each subsystem can be maximized, but the whole system's gravity may just play the role of the wall, which may not increase the whole system's entropy St, and finally St may be the minimum among all of the locally maximized entropies (He & Kang 2010). For spherical systems with isotropic velocity dispersion, the form of the equation of state will be a hybrid of isothermal and adiabatic (Kang & He 2011). Hence this density profile can be approximated by a truncated isothermal sphere, which means that the total mass must be finite and our results can be consistent with observations (Kang & He 2011b). Our method requires that the mass and energy should be conserved, so we only compare our results with simulations of mild relaxation (i.e. the virial ratio is close to -1) of dissipationless collapse (Kang 2014), and the fitting also is well. The capacity can be calculated and is found not to be always negative as in previous works, and combining with calculations of the second order variation of the entropy, we find that the thermodynamical stability still can be true (Kang 2012) if the temperature tends to be zero. However, the cusp in the center of dark matter halos can not be explained, and more works will continue.The above work can be generalized to study the radial distribution of the disk (Kang 2015). The energy constraint automatically disappears in our variation, because angular momentum is much more important than energy for the disk-shape system. To simplify this issue, a toy model is taken: 2D gravity is adopted, then at large scale it will be consistent with a flat rotation curve; the bulge and the stellar disk are studied together. Then with constraints of mass and angular momentum, the calculated surface density can be consistent with the truncated, up-bended or standard exponential law. Therefore the radial distribution of the stellar disk may be determined by both the random and orbital motions of stars. In our fittings the central gravity is set to be nonzero to include the effect of asymmetric components.
The Multiply Imaged Strongly Lensed Supernova Refsdal
Authors: Kelly Patrick 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn 1964, Sjur Refsdal first considered the possibility that the light from a background supernova could traverse multiple paths around a strong gravitational lens towards us. He showed that the arrival times of the supernova's light would depend on the cosmic expansion rate, as well as the distribution of matter in the lens. I discussed the discovery of the first such multiply imaged supernova, which exploded behind the MACS J1149.6+2223 galaxy cluster. We have obtained Hubble Space Telescope grism and ground-based spectra of the four images of the supernova, which form an Einstein Cross configuration around an elliptical cluster member. These spectra as well as rest-frame optical light curves have allowed us to learn about the properties of the peculiar core-collapse supernova explosion, which occurred 4.3 Gyr after the Bang Bang, and contain information about the lenses matter distribution as well as their stellar populations. A delayed image of the supernova is expected close to the galaxy cluster center as early as this Fall, and will serve as an unprecedented probe of the potential of a massive galaxy cluster.
Finding Ancient Supernovae at 5 < z < 12 with Frontier Fields
Authors: Whalen Daniel J. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractSupernovae are important probes of the properties of stars at high redshifts because they can be detected at early epochs and their masses can be inferred from their light curves. Direct detection of the first cosmic explosions in the universe will only be possible with JWST, WFIRST and the next generation of extremely large telescopes. But strong gravitational lensing by massive clusters, like those in the Frontier Fields, could reveal supernovae at slightly lower redshifts now by magnifying their flux by factors of 10 or more. We find that Frontier Fields will likely discover dozens of core-collapse supernovae at 5 < z < 12. Future surveys of cluster lenses similar in scope to Frontier Fields by JWST might find hundreds of these events out to z ~ 15 - 17. Besides revealing the masses of early stars, these ancient supernovae could also constrain cosmic star formation rates in the era of first galaxy formation.
Patterns of association of chronic medical conditions and major depression
Authors: Patten S. B. , Williams J. V. A. , Lavorato D. H. , Wang J. L. , Jetté N. , Sajobi T. T. , Fiest K. M. , Bulloch A. G. M. 
Published: October 2016

Aims.Age and sex-related patterns of association between medical conditions and major depressive episodes (MDE) are important for understanding disease burden, anticipating clinical needs and for formulating etiological hypotheses. General population estimates are especially valuable because they are not distorted by help-seeking behaviours. However, even large population surveys often deliver inadequate precision to adequately describe such patterns. In this study, data from a set of national surveys were pooled to increase precision, supporting more precise characterisation of these associations.Methods.The data were from a series of Canadian national surveys. These surveys used comparable sampling strategies and assessment methods for MDE. Chronic medical conditions were assessed using items asking about professionally diagnosed medical conditions. Individual-level meta-analysis methods were used to generate unadjusted, stratified and adjusted prevalence odds ratios for 11 chronic medical conditions. Random effects models were used in the meta-analysis. A procedure incorporating rescaled replicate bootstrap weights was used to produce 95% confidence intervals.Results.Overall, conditions characterised by pain and inflammation tended to show stronger associations with MDE. The meta-analysis uncovered two previously undescribed patterns of association. Effect modification by age was observed in varying degrees for most conditions. This effect was most prominent for high blood pressure and cancer. Stronger associations were found in younger age categories. Migraine was an exception: the strength of association increased with age, especially in men. Second, especially for conditions predominantly affecting older age groups (arthritis, diabetes, back pain, cataracts, effects of stroke and heart disease) confounding by age was evident. For each condition, age adjustment resulted in strengthening of the associations. In addition to migraine, two conditions displayed distinctive patterns of association. Age adjusted odds ratios for thyroid disease reflected a weak association that was only significant in women. In epilepsy, a similar strength of association was found irrespective of age or sex.Conclusions.The prevalence of MDE is elevated in association with most chronic conditions, but especially those characterised by inflammation and pain. Effect modification by age may reflect greater challenges or difficulties encountered by young people attempting to cope with these conditions. This pattern, however, does not apply to migraine or epilepsy. Neurobiological changes associated with these conditions may offset coping-related effects, such that the association does not weaken with age. Prominent confounding by age for several conditions suggests that age adjustments are necessary in order to avoid underestimating the strength of these associations.
miR-203 inhibits the traumatic heterotopic ossification by targeting Runx2
Authors: Tu Bing , Liu Shen , Yu Bo , Zhu Jing , Ruan Hongjiang , Tang Tingting , Fan Cunyi 
Published: October 2016

AbstractEmerging evidence has indicated that dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) have an important role in bone formation. However, the pathophysiological role of miRNAs in traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO) remains to be elucidated. Using gene expression profile analyses and subsequent confirmation with real-time PCR assays, we identified the decreased expression of miRNA-203 (miR-203) and increased expression of Runx2 as responses to the development of traumatic HO. We found that miR-203 expression was markedly higher in primary and recurrent HO tissues than in normal bones. The upregulation of miR-203 significantly decreased the level of Runx2 expression, whereas miR-203 downregulation increased Runx2 expression. Mutation of the putative miR-203-binding sites in Runx2 mRNA abolished miR-203-mediated repression of Runx2 3'-untranslated region luciferase reporter activity, indicating that Runx2 is an important target of miR-203 in osteoblasts. We also found that miR-203 is negatively correlated with osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, in vitro osteoblast activity and matrix mineralization were promoted by antagomir-203 and decreased by agomir-203. We showed that miR-203 suppresses osteoblast activity by inhibiting the β-catenin and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways. Moreover, using a tenotomy mouse HO model, we found an inhibitory role of miR-203 in regulating HO in vivo; pretreatment with antagomiR-203 increased the development of HO. These data suggest that miR-203 has a crucial role in suppressing HO by directly targeting Runx2 and that the therapeutic overexpression of miR-203 may be a potential strategy for treating traumatic HO.
Block of both TGF-β and IL-2 signaling impedes Neurophilin-1+ regulatory T cell and follicular regulatory T cell development
Authors: Li Liang , Yang Shu-Han , Yao Yuan , Xie Yu-Qing , Yang Yan-Qing , Wang Yin-Hu , Yin Xue-Ying , Ma Hong-Di , Gershwin MEric , Lian Zhe-Xiong 
Published: October 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms that lead to autoimmunity is critical for defining potential therapeutic pathways. In this regard there have been considerable efforts in investigating the interacting roles of TGF-β and IL-2 on the function regulatory T cells. We have taken advantage of dnTGF-βRII Il2ra−/− (abbreviated as Il2ra−/−Tg) mouse model, which allows a direct mechanistic approach to define the relative roles of TGF-β and IL-2 on Treg development. Il2ra−/−Tg mice spontaneously developed multi-organ autoimmune diseases with expansion of pathogenic T cells and enhanced germinal center response at 3–4 weeks of age. Importantly, peripheral Treg cells from Il2ra−/−Tg mice demonstrated an activated Th1-like stable phenotype and normal in vitro suppressive function, while thymus Treg increased but manifested decreased suppressive function. Interestingly, neither thymus nor peripheral Treg cells of Il2ra−/−Tg mice contained Neuropilin-1+ or PD-1hi phenotype, resulting in defective follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cell development. Such defective Tfr development led to elevated follicular T helper cells, enhanced germinal center responses and increased plasma cell infiltration. These data demonstrate an important synergetic role of TGF-β and IL-2 in the generation, activation and stability of Treg cells, as well as their subsequent development into Tfr cells.
Induced sensorimotor brain plasticity controls pain in phantom limb patients
Authors: Yanagisawa Takufumi , Fukuma Ryohei , Seymour Ben , Hosomi Koichi , Kishima Haruhiko , Shimizu Takeshi , Yokoi Hiroshi , Hirata Masayuki , Yoshimine Toshiki , Kamitani Yukiyasu , Saitoh Youichi 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe cause of pain in a phantom limb after partial or complete deafferentation is an important problem. A popular but increasingly controversial theory is that it results from maladaptive reorganization of the sensorimotor cortex, suggesting that experimental induction of further reorganization should affect the pain, especially if it results in functional restoration. Here we use a brain–machine interface (BMI) based on real-time magnetoencephalography signals to reconstruct affected hand movements with a robotic hand. BMI training induces significant plasticity in the sensorimotor cortex, manifested as improved discriminability of movement information and enhanced prosthetic control. Contrary to our expectation that functional restoration would reduce pain, the BMI training with the phantom hand intensifies the pain. In contrast, BMI training designed to dissociate the prosthetic and phantom hands actually reduces pain. These results reveal a functional relevance between sensorimotor cortical plasticity and pain, and may provide a novel treatment with BMI neurofeedback.
Reorganization between preparatory and movement population responses in motor cortex
Authors: Elsayed Gamaleldin F. , Lara Antonio H. , Kaufman Matthew T. , Churchland Mark M. , Cunningham John P. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractNeural populations can change the computation they perform on very short timescales. Although such flexibility is common, the underlying computational strategies at the population level remain unknown. To address this gap, we examined population responses in motor cortex during reach preparation and movement. We found that there exist exclusive and orthogonal population-level subspaces dedicated to preparatory and movement computations. This orthogonality yielded a reorganization in response correlations: the set of neurons with shared response properties changed completely between preparation and movement. Thus, the same neural population acts, at different times, as two separate circuits with very different properties. This finding is not predicted by existing motor cortical models, which predict overlapping preparation-related and movement-related subspaces. Despite orthogonality, responses in the preparatory subspace were lawfully related to subsequent responses in the movement subspace. These results reveal a population-level strategy for performing separate but linked computations.
Simultaneous delivery of Paclitaxel and Bcl-2 siRNA via pH-Sensitive liposomal nanocarrier for the synergistic treatment of melanoma
Authors: Reddy Teegala Lakshminarayan , Garikapati Koteswara Rao , Reddy S. Gopal , Reddy B. V. Subba , Yadav J. S. , Bhadra Utpal , Bhadra Manika Pal 
Published: October 2016

AbstractpH-sensitive drug carriers that are sensitive to the acidic (pH = ~6.5) microenvironments of tumor tissues have been primarily used as effective drug/gene/siRNA/microRNA carriers for releasing their payloads to tumor cells/tissues. Resistance to various drugs has become a big hurdle in systemic chemotherapy in cancer. Therefore delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and siRNA’s targeting anti apoptotic genes possess advantages to overcome the efflux pump mediated and anti apoptosis-related drug resistance. Here, we report the development of nanocarrier system prepared from kojic acid backbone-based cationic amphiphile containing endosomal pH-sensitive imidazole ring. This pH-sensitive liposomal nanocarrier effectively delivers anti-cancer drug (Paclitaxel; PTX) and siRNA (Bcl-2), and significantly inhibits cell proliferation and reduces tumor growth. Tumor inhibition response attributes to the synergistic effect of PTX potency and MDR reversing ability of Bcl-2 siRNA in the tumor supporting that kojic acid based liposomal pH-sensitive nanocarrier as efficient vehicle for systemic co-delivery of drugs and siRNA.
The Efficacy and Risk Profile of c-Met inhibitors in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: a Meta-analysis
Authors: Ye Sa , Li Jiuke , Hao Ke , Yan Jianping , Zhou Hongbin 
Published: October 2016

Abstractc-MET inhibitors are considered as a kind of novel drugs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. However, the results of different clinical studies involving c-MET inhibitors were not consistent. In this report, we performed Meta-analysis to investigate the beneficial and harmful effects of these drugs from 9 studies including 1611 patients in target drug groups and 1605 patients in control groups. As a result, patients in target drugs group had longer progression free survival (PFS) (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66–0.99, p = 0.04) but not overall survival (OS) than those in control group, especially in Asian (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.42–0.76, p < 0.001), Non-squamous (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.64–0.97, p = 0.03), Phase III (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50–0.86, p = 0.002), previous treated (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63–0.95, p = 0.01) and small molecular compounds subgroups (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50–0.78, p < 0.001). In addition, target drugs did not affect the objective response rate (ORR) but improved disease control rate (DCR) (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.02–1.46, p = 0.03) of NSCLC patients. Our study first indicated that targeting c-MET therapies improved PFS and DCR in advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients, especially in previous treated Asian patients with adenocarcinoma.
Numerical analysis of an optical nanoscale particles trapping device based on a slotted nanobeam cavity
Authors: Zhang Senlin , Yong Zhengdong , Shi Yaocheng , He Sailing 
Published: October 2016

AbstractA slotted nanobeam cavity (SNC) is utilized to trap a polystyrene (PS) particle with a radius of only 2 nm. The carefully designed SNC shows an ultrahigh Q factor of 4.5 × 107 while maintaining a small mode volume of 0.067(λ/nwater)3. Strongly enhanced optical trapping force is numerically demonstrated when the 2 nm PS particle is introduced into the central, slotted part of the SNC. In the vertical direction, the numerical calculation results show that a trapping stiffness of 0.4 pN/(nm · mW) around the equilibrium position and a trapping potential barrier of ~2000 kBT/mW can be reached. To our best knowledge, the trapping capability (trapping stiffness and trapping potential barrier) of the proposed structure significantly outperforms the theoretical results of those in previously reported work. In addition, the SNC system does not suffer from the metal induced heat issue that restricts the performance of state-of-the-art optical trapping systems involving plasmonic enhancement. Based on the proposed cavity, applications such as lab-on-a-chip platforms for nanoscale particle trapping and analysis can be expected in future.
A novel approach using C. elegans DNA damage-induced apoptosis to characterize the dynamics of uptake transporters for therapeutic drug discoveries
Authors: Papaluca Arturo , Ramotar Dindial 
Published: October 2016

AbstractOrganic cation transporter (OCT) function is critical for cellular homeostasis. C. elegans lacking OCT-1 displays a shortened lifespan and increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. We show that these phenotypes can be rescued by downregulating the OCT-1 paralogue, OCT-2. Herein, we delineate a biochemical pathway in C. elegans where uptake of genotoxic chemotherapeutics such as doxorubicin and cisplatin, and subsequent DNA damage-induced apoptosis of germ cells, are dependent exclusively upon OCT-2. We characterized OCT-2 as the main uptake transporter for doxorubicin, as well as a number of other therapeutic agents and chemical compounds, some identified through ligand-protein docking analyses. We provide insights into the conserved features of the structure and function and gene regulation of oct-1 and oct-2 in distinct tissues of C. elegans. Importantly, our innovative approach of exploiting C. elegans uptake transporters in combination with defective DNA repair pathways will have broad applications in medicinal chemistry.