bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and early Permian ichnoassemblage from the NE Iberian Peninsula (Pyrenean Basin)
Authors: MUJAL EUDALD , FORTUNY JOSEP , OMS ORIOL , BOLET ARNAU , GALOBART ÀNGEL , ANADÓN PERE 
Published: October 2015

AbstractRecent finds of tetrapod ichnites in the red-bed and volcaniclastic succession of the Iberian Pyrenean Basin permits an assessment of the faunal diversity and palaeoenvironment of a late early Permian setting. The tetrapod ichnoassemblage is inferred with the aid of photogrammetry and constituted byBatrachichnus salamandroides,Limnopusisp., cf.Amphisauropus(these three ichnotaxa present associated swimming traces, assigned toCharacichnos), cf.Ichniotherium,Dromopusisp., cf.Varanopus,Hyloidichnusisp. andDimetropus leisnerianus. These ichnotaxa suggest the presence of temnospondyls, seymouriamorphs, diadectomorphs, araeoscelids, captorhinids and synapsid pelycosaurs as potential trackmakers. These faunas correlate to the late early Permian. Two ichnoassociations correspond to two different palaeoenvironments that were permanently or occasionally aquatic (meandering fluvial systems and unconfined runoff surfaces, respectively). Ichnotaxa in the fluvial system is more diverse and abundant than in the runoff surfaces system. The Iberian Pyrenean ichnoassemblage reveals the faunistic connection and similarities among nearing basins (Spain, southern France and Morocco) differing from the Central European basins (i.e. German Tambach Formation). Based on the palaeogeography and the climate models of the early Permian, we suggest the correlation of ichnofaunal composition with different palaeoclimate biomes. This results in a diffuse boundary of Gondwana–Laurasia land masses, indicating no geographic barriers but a possible climate control on the faunal distribution. Further studies, integrating data from distant tracksites, should refine these biome boundaries.
SELLING SUCCESS, NURTURING THE SELF: SELF-HELP LITERATURE, CAPITALIST VALUES, AND THE SACRALIZATION OF SUBJECTIVE LIFE IN EGYPT
Authors: Kenney Jeffrey T. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe growing strength of self-help literature in Egypt represents a new cultural expression of accommodation with capitalism, and markedly expands the mix of modern ideas and ethical practices rendered legitimate through association with tradition. The ideas and practices found in self-help, however, are anything but traditional. In its style and content, self-help expresses the values of individualism and neoliberal understandings of subjectivity. Informed by modern insights into the self and its formation, the genre blurs the boundary between psychology and religion, valorizing the process of self-exploration and self-fulfillment. The inherent message of self-help is not simply the glorification of the individual but, more pointedly, the sacralization of the self and subjective life choices—an interpretive trend that, in Egypt, simultaneously functionalizes Islam and fosters new understandings of what it means to be Muslim.
Genetic population structure ofGyrodactylus thymalli(Monogenea) in a large Norwegian river system
Authors: PETTERSEN RUBEN ALEXANDER , MO TOR ATLE , HANSEN HAAKON , VØLLESTAD LEIF ASBJØRN 
Published: October 2015

SUMMARYThe extent of geographic genetic variation is the result of several processes such as mutation, gene flow, selection and drift. Processes that structure the populations of parasite species are often directly linked to the processes that influence the host. Here, we investigate the genetic population structure of the ectoparasiteGyrodactylus thymalliŽitňan, 1960 (Monogenea) collected from grayling (Thymallus thymallusL.) throughout the river Glomma, the largest watercourse in Norway. Parts of the mitochondrial dehydrogenase subunit 5 (NADH 5) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) genes from 309G. thymalliwere analysed to study the genetic variation and investigated the geographical distribution of parasite haplotypes. Three main clusters of haplotypes dominated the three distinct geographic parts of the river system; one cluster dominated in the western main stem of the river, one in the eastern and one in the lower part. There was a positive correlation between pairwise genetic distance and hydrographic distance. The results indicate restricted gene flow between sub-populations ofG. thymalli, most likely due to barriers that limit upstream migration of infected grayling. More than 80% of the populations had private haplotypes, also indicating long-time isolation of sub-populations. According to a molecular clock calibration, much of the haplotype diversity ofG. thymalliin the river Glomma has developed after the last glaciation.
Scaling of ion energies in the relativistic-induced transparency regime
Authors: Jung D. , Albright B.J. , Yin L. , Gautier D.C. , Dromey B. , Shah R. , Palaniyappan S. , Letzring S. , Wu H.-C. , Shimada T. , Johnson R.P. , Habs D. , Roth M. , Fernández J.C. , Hegelich B.M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractExperimental data are presented showing maximum carbon C6+ ion energies obtained from nm-scaled targets in the relativistic transparent regime for laser intensities between 9 × 1019 and 2 × 1021 W/cm2. When combined with two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, these results show a steep linear scaling for carbon ions with the normalized laser amplitude a0 ($a_0 \propto \sqrt ( I)$). The results are in good agreement with a semi-analytic model that allows one to calculate the optimum thickness and the maximum ion energies as functions of a0 and the laser pulse duration τλ for ion acceleration in the relativistic-induced transparency regime. Following our results, ion energies exceeding 100 MeV/amu may be accessible with currently available laser systems.
Collisional effects on the modulational instability of intense laser pulses in magnetoactive plasmas
Authors: Niknam A. R. , Barzegar S. , Bokaei B. , Mirzaei F. Haji , Aliakbari A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe modulational instability associated with propagation of an intense laser pulse through a transversely magnetized plasma is investigated in the presence of collisional effects. The source-dependent expansion method for analyzing the wave equation is employed. The dispersion relation is obtained and modulational instability and its growth rate are studied. It is shown that in the absence of collisional effects the modulational instability is restricted to the small wavenumber region and the constant magnetic field reduces the growth rate of the instability. In contrast, in the collisional plasma, there is no upper limit of wavenumber for the existence of modulational instability. In addition, in this case, the growth rate of instability increases as the collision frequency goes up.
Expression of angiotensin II receptors in the caprine ovary and improvement of follicular viability in vitro
Authors: Bruno J.B. , Lima-Verde I.B. , Celestino J.J.H. , Lima L.F. , Matos M.H.T. , Faustino L.R. , Donato M.A.M. , Peixoto C.A. , Campello C.C. , Silva J.R.V. , Figueiredo J.R. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryThis study aimed to evaluate mRNA levels of angiotensin II (ANG II) receptors (AGTR1 and AGTR2) in caprine follicles and to investigate the influence of ANG II on the viability and in vitro growth of preantral follicles. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to quantify AGTR1 and AGTR2 mRNA levels in the different follicular stages. For culture, caprine ovaries were collected, cut into 13 fragments and then either directly fixed for histological and ultrastructural analysis (fresh control) or placed in culture for 1 or 7 days in α-minumum essential medium plus (α-MEM+) with 0, 1, 5, 10, 50 or 100 ng/ml ANG II. Then, the fragments were destined to morphological, viability and ultrastructural analysis. The results showed that primordial follicles had higher levels of AGTR1 and AGTR2 mRNA than secondary follicles. Granulosa/theca cells from antral follicles had higher levels of AGTR1 mRNA than their respective cumulus–oocyte complex (COCs). After 7 days of culture, ANG II (10 or 50 ng/ml) maintained the percentages of normal follicles compared with α-MEM+. Fluorescence and ultrastructural microscopy confirmed follicular integrity in ANG II (10 ng/ml). In conclusion, a high expression of AGTR1 and AGTR2 is observed in primordial follicles. Granulosa/theca cells from antral follicles had higher levels of AGTR1 mRNA. Finally, 10 ng/ml ANG II maintained the viability of caprine preantral follicles after in vitro culture.
Teenagers' reasoning about a parent's recent death in cancer
Authors: Sveen Josefin , Kreicbergs Ulrika , Melcher Ulrica , Alvariza Anette 
Published: October 2015

AbstractObjective:The aim of the study was to explore how teenagers reason about a parent's recent death and about their life without that parent.Method:A total of 10 teenagers (aged 14–19 years, 7 boys and 3 girls) were interviewed twice, 3–12 months after their parent's death. The interviews were carried out individually and as free-ranging conversations. A content analysis with a descriptive and interpretive design was conducted.Results:Importantly, all teenagers appreciated participating in the interviews. Some had not previously talked in such depth about this with anyone, while others had more open communications within their families and with others. Their parent's death was the worst thing that could happen, but they still expressed the feeling that it had been a relief for both the ill parent and themselves. The death had relieved the parent from suffering and a life with severe illness. Many of the teenagers empathized with the surviving parent's grief and worried about him or her as well as the entire home situation. As a consequence, the teenagers did not show their grief, as they did not want to burden the grieving parent. Seeing the parent grieving could lead to feelings of loneliness and hopelessness and that the support they needed was not there for them. Nevertheless, some teenagers could grieve together with the surviving parent in common understanding and with openness.Significance of Results:A tentative conclusion is that the teenagers who were more likely to talk and grieve together with their surviving parent coped better with their situation than teenagers who did not. Parentally bereaved teenagers tend to take on a responsibility to support the grieving parent, when it is they themselves who need and should receive support.
The Costs of Policing: Psychosocial Capital and Mental Health Outcomes in a Nigeria Police Sample
Authors: Ojedokun Oluyinka , Balogun Shyngle K. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis study examined the influence of psychosocial capital (psychological and workplace social capital) on mental health outcomes among 340 police personnel in Nigeria. Data were collected via anonymously completed questionnaires. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling, and the results revealed that in the context of stress and traumatic stress, resilience p < .05, optimism p < .05, self-efficacy p < .05, hope p < .05, and workplace social capital p < .05 can influence the development of mental health problems or adaptation. The findings imply that it is important that both researchers and police organization pay attention to how psychological capital influence the development of psychopathology or resilience and how such issues can be addressed through psychological training in the workplace.
The Lin28/let-7 axis is critical for myelination in the peripheral nervous system
Authors: Gökbuget Deniz , Pereira Jorge A. , Bachofner Sven , Marchais Antonin , Ciaudo Constance , Stoffel Markus , Schulte Johannes H. , Suter Ueli 
Published: October 2015

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of myelination in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). However, the miRNAs species involved and the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We found that let-7 miRNAs are highly abundant during PNS myelination and that their levels are inversely correlated to the expression of lin28 homolog B (Lin28B), an antagonist of let-7 accumulation. Sustained expression of Lin28B and consequently reduced levels of let-7 miRNAs results in a failure of Schwann cell myelination in transgenic mouse models and in cell culture. Subsequent analyses revealed that let-7 miRNAs promote expression of the myelination-driving master transcription factor Krox20 (also known as Egr2) through suppression of myelination inhibitory Notch signalling. We conclude that the Lin28B/let-7 axis acts as a critical driver of PNS myelination, in particular by regulating myelination onset, identifying this pathway also as a potential therapeutic target in demyelinating diseases.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation improves both hearing function and tinnitus perception in sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients
Authors: Zhang Dai , Ma Yuewen 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe occurrence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) affects not only cochlear activity but also neural activity in the central auditory system. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) above the auditory cortex has been reported to improve auditory processing and to reduce the perception of tinnitus, which results from network dysfunction involving both auditory and non-auditory brain regions. SSHL patients who were refractory to standard corticosteroid therapy (SCT) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy received 20 sessions of 1 Hz rTMS to the temporoparietal junction ipsilateral to the symptomatic ear (rTMS group). RTMS therapy administered in addition to SCT and HBO therapy resulted in significantly greater recovery of hearing function and improvement of tinnitus perception compared SCT and HBO therapy without rTMS therapy. Additionally, the single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) measurements obtained in a subgroup of patients suggested that the rTMS therapy could have alleviated the decrease in regional cerebral brain flow (rCBF) in SSHL patients. RTMS appears to be an effective, practical and safe treatment strategy for SSHL.
Regulating Biocompatibility of Carbon Spheres via Defined Nanoscale Chemistry and a Careful Selection of Surface Functionalities
Authors: Misra Santosh K. , Chang Huei-Huei , Mukherjee Prabuddha , Tiwari Saumya , Ohoka Ayako , Pan Dipanjan 
Published: October 2015

AbstractA plethora of nanoarchitectures have been evaluated preclincially for applications in early detection and treatment of diseases at molecular and cellular levels resulted in limited success of their clinical translation. It is important to identify the factors that directly or indirectly affect their use in human. We bring a fundamental understanding of how to adjust the biocompatibility of carbon based spherical nanoparticles (CNPs) through defined chemistry and a vigilant choice of surface functionalities. CNPs of various size are designed by tweaking size (2–250 nm), surface chemistries (positive, or negatively charged), molecular chemistries (linear, dendritic, hyperbranched) and the molecular weight of the coating agents (MW 400–20 kDa). A combination of in vitro assays as tools were performed to determine the critical parameters that may trigger toxicity. Results indicated that hydrodynamic sizes are potentially not a risk factor for triggering cellular and systemic toxicity, whereas the presence of a highly positive surface charge and increasing molecular weight enhance the chance of inducing complement activation. Bare and carboxyl-terminated CNPs did present some toxicity at the cellular level which, however, is not comparable to those caused by positively charged CNPs. Similarly, negatively charged CNPs with hydroxyl and carboxylic functionalities did not cause any hemolysis.
Molecular difference between WASP and N-WASP critical for chemotaxis of T-cells towards SDF-1α
Authors: Jain Neeraj , Thanabalu Thirumaran 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASP) integrates cell signaling pathways to the actin cytoskeleton, which play a critical role in T-cell activation and migration. Hematopoietic cells express both WASP and neural-WASP (N-WASP) which share similar domain structure, yet WASP deficiency causes Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, suggesting that N-WASP present in the cells is not able to carry out all the functions of WASP. We have identified a unique internal thirty amino acid region (I30) in WASP, which regulates its function in chemotaxis of Jurkat T-cells. Deletion of the I30 region altered the WASP’s closed conformation and impaired its ability to rescue the chemotactic defect of WASP-deficient (JurkatWKD) T-cells. Expression of N-WASP in JurkatWKD T-cells using WASP promoter restored the migration velocity without correcting the chemotactic defect. However, insertion of I30 region in N-WASP (N-WASP-I30) enabled N-WASP to rescue the chemotactic defect of JurkatWKD T-cells. N-WASP-I30-EGFP displayed a punctate localization in contrast to the predominant nuclear localization of N-WASP-EGFP. Thus, our study has demonstrated that the I30 region of WASP is critical for localization and chemotaxis. This suggests that N-WASP’s failure to compensate for WASP in rescuing chemotaxis could be due to the absence of this I30 region.
Capturing ultrafast photoinduced local structural distortions of BiFeO3
Authors: Wen Haidan , Sassi Michel , Luo Zhenlin , Adamo Carolina , Schlom Darrell G. , Rosso Kevin M. , Zhang Xiaoyi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe interaction of light with materials is an intensively studied research forefront, in which the coupling of radiation energy to selective degrees of freedom offers contact-free tuning of functionalities on ultrafast time scales. Capturing the fundamental processes and understanding the mechanism of photoinduced structural rearrangement are essential to applications such as photo-active actuators and efficient photovoltaic devices. Using ultrafast x-ray absorption spectroscopy aided by density functional theory calculations, we reveal the local structural arrangement around the transition metal atom in a unit cell of the photoferroelectric archetype BiFeO3 film. The out-of-plane elongation of the unit cell is accompanied by the in-plane shrinkage with minimal change of interaxial lattice angles upon photoexcitation. This anisotropic elastic deformation of the unit cell is driven by localized electric field as a result of photoinduced charge separation, in contrast to a global lattice constant increase and lattice angle variations as a result of heating. The finding of a photoinduced elastic unit cell deformation elucidates a microscopic picture of photocarrier-mediated non-equilibrium processes in polar materials.
Evaluating the Role of Microbial Internal Storage Turnover on Nitrous Oxide Accumulation During Denitrification
Authors: Liu Yiwen , Peng Lai , Guo Jianhua , Chen Xueming , Yuan Zhiguo , Ni Bing-Jie 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBiological wastewater treatment processes under a dynamic regime with respect to carbon substrate can result in microbial storage of internal polymers (e.g., polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)) and their subsequent utilizations. These storage turnovers play important roles in nitrous oxide (N2O) accumulation during heterotrophic denitrification in biological wastewater treatment. In this work, a mathematical model is developed to evaluate the key role of PHB storage turnovers on N2O accumulation during denitrification for the first time, aiming to establish the key relationship between N2O accumulation and PHB storage production. The model is successfully calibrated and validated using N2O data from two independent experimental systems with PHB storage turnovers. The model satisfactorily describes nitrogen reductions, PHB storage/utilization and N2O accumulation from both systems. The results reveal a linear relationship between N2O accumulation and PHB production, suggesting a substantial effect of PHB storage on N2O accumulation during denitrification. Application of the model to simulate long-term operations of a denitrifying sequencing batch reactor and a denitrifying continuous system indicates the feeding pattern and sludge retention time would alter PHB turnovers and thus affect N2O accumulation. Increasing PHB utilization could substantially raise N2O accumulation due to the relatively low N2O reduction rate when using PHB as carbon source.
Association between Use of Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs and the Risk of Sepsis: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Shih Chia-Jen , Wu Yueh-Lin , Chao Pei-Wen , Kuo Shu-Chen , Yang Chih-Yu , Li Szu-Yuan , Ou Shuo-Ming , Chen Yung-Tai 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAlthough oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) have been associated with immunomodulation in preclinical studies, little is still known about the association between the use of OADs and the risk of sepsis. Using a cohort of patients, extracted from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, with type 2 diabetes who were newly diagnosed between 2010 and 2012 and treated with OADs, we conducted a nested case-control study involving 43,015 cases (patients who were first hospitalized for sepsis) and 43,015 matched controls. Compared with non-use, metformin use was associated with a decreased risk of developing sepsis (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77–0.83, P < 0.001), but meglitinide (adjusted OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.25–1.40, P < 0.001) use was associated with the increased risk of developing sepsis. The risk for development of sepsis was also lower among current (adjusted OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78–0.96) and recent (adjusted OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.73–0.94) thiazolidinedione users. Current or recent sulfonylurea use and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor use were not significantly associated with the development of sepsis. Our results highlight the need to consider the potential pleiotropic effect of OADs against sepsis in addition to the lowering of blood glucose.
Cyclic thrombospondin-1 mimetics: grafting of a thrombospondin sequence into circular disulfide-rich frameworks to inhibit endothelial cell migration
Authors: Chan Lai Yue , Craik David J. , Daly Norelle L. 
Published: October 2015

Tumour formation is dependent on nutrient and oxygen supply from adjacent blood vessels. Angiogenesis inhibitors can play a vital role in controlling blood vessel formation and consequently tumour progression by inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation, sprouting and migration. The primary aim of the present study was to design cyclic thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) mimetics using disulfide-rich frameworks for anti-angiogenesis therapies and to determine whether these peptides have better potency than the linear parent peptide. A short anti-angiogenic heptapeptide fragment from TSP-1 (GVITRIR) was incorporated into two cyclic disulfide-rich frameworks, namely MCoTI-II (Momordica cochinchinensis trypsin inhibitor-II) and SFTI-1 (sunflower trypsin inhibitor-1). The cyclic peptides were chemically synthesized and folded in oxidation buffers, before being tested in a series of in vitro evaluations. Incorporation of the bioactive heptapeptide fragment into the cyclic frameworks resulted in peptides that inhibited microvascular endothelial cell migration, and had no toxicity against normal primary human endothelial cells or cancer cells. Importantly, all of the designed cyclic TSP-1 mimetics were far more stable than the linear heptapeptide in human serum. The present study has demonstrated a novel approach to stabilize the active region of TSP-1. The anti-angiogenic activity of the native TSP-1 active fragment was maintained in the new TSP-1 mimetics and the results provide a new chemical approach for the design of TSP-1 mimetics.