bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SpS5 - III. Matter ejection and feedback
Authors: Nazé Yaël , Che Xiao , Cox Nick L. J. , Groh José H. , Guerrero Martin , Kervella Pierre , Lee Chien-De , Matsuura Mikako , Oey M. Sally , Stringfellow Guy S. , Wachter Stephanie 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe last part of SpS5 dealt with the circumstellar environment. Structures are indeed found around several types of massive stars, such as blue and red supergiants, as well as WRs and LBVs. As shown in the last years, the potential of IR for their study is twofold: first, IR can help discover many previously unknown nebulae, leading to the identification of new massive stars as their progenitors; second, IR can help characterize the nebular features. Current and new IR facilities thus pave the way to a better understanding of the feedback from massive stars.
MarcoPolo-R: Near Earth Asteroid Sample Return Mission candidate as ESA-M3 class mission
Authors: Michel Patrick ,   the MarcoPolo-R Science Study Team
Published: March 2015

AbstractMarcoPolo-R is a sample return mission to a primitive Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) selected in 2011 for the Assessment Study Phase of M3-class missions in the framework of ESAs Cosmic Vision (CV) 2015-2025 programme. The phase A study started at the end of 2012 and will proceed throughout 2013. The final selection by ESA will occur in February 2014. MarcoPolo-R is a European-led mission with a possible contribution from other agencies. MarcoPolo-R will rendez-vous with the primitive NEA 2008 EV5. Before returning a unique sample to Earth, the asteroid will be scientifically characterized at multiple scales. MarcoPolo-R will provide detailed knowledge of the physical and compositional properties of a member of the population of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHA), which is an important contribution to mitigation studies.
Calibration of Star-Formation Rate Measurements Across the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Authors: Buat V. , Braine J. , Dale D. A. , Hornschemeier A. , Lehmer B. , Kroupa P. , Pflamm-Altenburg J. , Popescu C. C. , Wu H. , Zezas A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractStar-formation is one of the main processes that shape galaxies, and together with black-hole accretion activity the two agents of energy production in galaxies. It is important on a range of scales from star clusters/OB associations to galaxy-wide and even group/cluster scales. Recently, studies of star-formation in sub-galactic and galaxy-wide scales have met significant advances owing to: (a) developments in the theory of stellar evolution, stellar atmospheres, and radiative transfer in the interstellar medium; (b) the availability of more sensitive and higher resolution data; and (c) observations in previously poorly charted wavebands (e.g. Ultraviolet, Infrared, and X-rays). These data allow us to study more galaxies at ever-increasing distances and nearby galaxies in greater detail, and different modes of star formation activity such as massive star formation and low level continuous star formation in a variety of environments. In this contribution we summarize recent results in the fields of multi-wavelength calibrations of star-formation rate indicators, the Stellar Initial Mass function, and radiative transfer and modeling of the Spectrale Energy Disrtributions of galaxies.
TWINNING between Institutions in developed and less developed countries: an ideal way to set-up an astrophysics program
Authors: Carignan Claude 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIt is very difficult to start from scratch a new Astrophysics program in a country with very little or no researchers in the field. In 2007, we began to set-up an Astrophysics program by TWINNING the Université de Ouagadougou with the Université de Montréal in Canada, the Université de Provence in France and the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Already, courses are given at the undergraduate and Master levels and a teaching Observatory has been built. A 1m research telescope was also moved from the La Silla Observatory in Chile to Burkina Faso and the infrastructure is being built at the moment on mount Djaogari in the north-eastern part of the country. In the meantime, 6 students are doing their PhD in Astrophysics overseas (Canada, France and South Africa) and will become the core of the research group at the Université de Ouagadougou. An engineer is also doing his PhD in Astronomical Instrumentation to help with the maintenance of the equipment on the Research Telescope.
In search of a viable IAU-OAD Regional Node: A case for Africa
Authors: Okere B. I. , Okoh D. C. , Obi I. A. , Okeke P. N. , Opara F. E. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe establishment of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) in Cape Town, South Africa, with the aim of using astronomy to stimulate development at all levels including primary, secondary and tertiary education, science research and the public understanding of science is a welcome development to consolidate the gains of IYA2009. To assist the IAU OAD office in achieving its goal of using astronomy as a tool for development, there is need to have OAD regional nodes. In this paper, we present the astronomy activities/programs required of such a Regional Node in Africa and how the Node can play a significant role to realise the vision of Astronomy for a better world!
A statistical view on the galactic cold ISM distribution
Authors: Viktor Tóth L. , Zahorecz Sarolta , Marton Gábor , Verebélyi Erika 
Published: March 2015

AbstractInhomogenities were found in the distribution of the cold fraction in the interstellar medium (traced by Planck cold clumps). In large scales there is a significant overdensity on some shells, in small scales there are elongated groups. Critical column density for star formation is N(H2) = 7 × 1021 cm−2.
HII radiative transfer revealed by ionization parameter mapping
Authors: Oey M. S. , Pellegrini E. W. , Winkler P. F. , Points S. D. , Smith R. C. , Jaskot A. E. , Zastrow J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe develop the technique of ionization parameter mapping (IPM) to probe the optical depth of Hii regions, applying our method to the Magellanic Clouds. Our results dramatically clarify the radiative transfer in these galaxies. Based on Sii, Oiii, and Hα imaging from the Magellanic Clouds Emission Line Survey, we find that the frequency of optically thin objects correlates strongly with Hα luminosity and correlates inversely with Hi column density. The aggregate escape fraction for the Lyman continuum is sufficient to ionize the diffuse, warm ionized medium, but the galactic escape fraction is dominated by the few largest Hii regions. The quantitative trends are similar in both the LMC and SMC in spite of their different star formation and Hi properties.
Gas in galactic halos
Authors: Dettmar Ralf-Jürgen 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe interstellar medium in galactic halos is described as a consequence of feedback mechanisms from processes related to star-formation in the disk. The presence of gas in galactic halos is also expected due to accretion of gas from the circumgalactic environment. The observational evidence for gas in galactic halos - from the hot X-ray emitting coronal phase to cool molecular gas and dust - is reviewed and discussed in the context of current models of the ISM and the “infall vs. outflow“ debate.
HVCs, infall and the Galactic Fountain
Authors: Wakker Bart P. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractHigh-velocity clouds (HVCs) consist of gas that does not take part in normal Galactic rotation, having velocities deviating by up to 400 km s−1 from those expected from rotation. Over the past five decades, studies have shown they these clouds trace a number of different processes, including the Galactic Fountain, tidal streams, and infall. Here, I summarize some recent results concerning measurements of cloud metallicities and distances and how these are used to understand individual clouds and derive the conclusion above.
Gas density histograms of galaxies: the observational density probability function of the interstellar gas density
Authors: Toshihiro Handa , Takahiro Yoda , Nario Kuno 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn the steady state, the probability density function (PDF) of the gaseous interstellar matter (ISM) can be observed as a gas density histogram (GDH) of all cells in the system. We made GDHs of the Milky Way Galaxy (MWG) using Galactic plane surveys in CO lines. We found that the GDH in the MWG is log-normal which suggests that the density structure of the molecular gas is a result of many stochastic processes. Using the Nobeyama CO atlas, we made GDHs of nearby galaxies but in column density. Although some galaxies show log-normal, the others show completely different shapes, suggesting that the density structure of galaxies may be different from galaxy to galaxy.
Modeling deuterium chemistry of interstellar space with large chemical networks
Authors: Albertsson T. , Semenov D. A. , Vasyunin A. I. , Henning Th. , Herbst E. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObservations of deuterated species are essential to probing the properties and thermal history of various astrophysical environments, and the ALMA observing facilities will reveal a multitude of new deuterated molecules. To analyze these new vast data we have constructed a new up-to-date network with the largest collection of deuterium chemistry reactions to date. We assess the reliability of the network and probe the role of physical parameters and initial abundances on the chemical evolution of deuterated species. Finally, we perform a sensitivity study to assess the uncertainties in the estimated abundances and D/H ratios.
The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
Authors: Govender Kevin 
Published: March 2015

AbstractOn 16 April 2011 the IAU's Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) was launched jointly by the President of the IAU and the South African Minister of Science and Technology, at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town. This OAD was set up to realise the IAU's strategic plan which aims to use astronomy as a tool for development. Communicating astronomy with the public is one of the OAD's focus areas.
A new Starlight Reserve for the central South Island of New Zealand
Authors: Hearnshaw John 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is a new reserve created in 2012 by the International Dark-Sky Association in the central South Island of New Zealand, and covers over 4300 square kilometres around Mt John University Observatory. It is the first such reserve to be recognized at gold tier level and is the largest dark sky reserve in the world. Astro-tourism in the new reserve will be a prominent activity in the coming years.
Assessing the contribution from different parts of Canary islands to the hemispheric spectral sky radiance levels over European Northern Observatories
Authors: Aubé Martin 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we suggest to use a sky radiance model which accounts for heterogeneous distribution of light fixtures, their photometry, the ground reflectance and topography, to infer the point to point contribution of Canary Islands to the artificial sky radiance at Observatorio del Teide (Tenerife) and Observatorio Roque de los Muchachos (La Palma). In-situ hyperspectral sky radiance measurements, acquired on site in 2010, have been used to calibrate the model and to evaluate its inherent error. We aim to identify and characterize zones at which any lighting level increase or decrease may have a larger impact on light pollution at both European Northern Observatory sites, and then help to control and/or reduce their light pollution levels. This innovative methodology, can then be seen as a high level decision tool to help local authorities to restrict or reduce light pollution with the objective of protecting research class astronomical sites.
Lack of gp130 expression in hepatocytes attenuates tumor progression in the DEN model
Authors: Hatting M , Spannbauer M , Peng J , Al Masaoudi M , Sellge G , Nevzorova Y A , Gassler N , Liedtke C , Cubero F J , Trautwein C 
Published: March 2015

AbstractChronic liver inflammation is a crucial event in the development and growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Compelling evidence has shown that interleukin-6 (IL-6)/gp130-dependent signaling has a fundamental role in liver carcinogenesis. Thus, in the present study we aimed to investigate the role of gp130 in hepatocytes for the initiation and progression of HCC. Hepatocyte-specific gp130 knockout mice (gp130Δhepa) and control animals (gp130f/f) were treated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN). The role of gp130 for acute injury (0–144 h post treatment), tumor initiation (24 weeks) and progression (40 weeks) was analyzed. After acute DEN-induced liver injury we observed a reduction in the inflammatory response in gp130Δhepa animals as reflected by decreased levels of IL-6 and oncostatin M. The loss of gp130 slightly attenuated the initiation of HCC 24 weeks after DEN treatment. In contrast, 40 weeks after DEN treatment, male and female gp130Δhepa mice showed smaller tumors and reduced tumor burden, indicating a role for hepatocyte-specific gp130 expression during HCC progression. Oxidative stress and DNA damage were substantially and similarly increased by DEN in both gp130f/f and gp130Δhepa animals. However, gp130Δhepa livers revealed aberrant STAT5 activation and decreased levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), pSMAD2/3 and SMAD2, whereas phosphorylation of STAT3 at Tyr705 and Ser727 was absent. Our results indicate that gp130 deletion in hepatocytes reduces progression, but not HCC initiation in the DEN model. Gp130 deletion resulted in STAT3 inhibition but increased STAT5 activation and diminished TGF-dependent signaling. Hence, blocking gp130 in hepatocytes might be an interesting therapeutic target to inhibit the growth of HCC.
RanBP9 at the intersection between cofilin and Aβ pathologies: rescue of neurodegenerative changes by RanBP9 reduction
Authors: Woo J A , Boggess T , Uhlar C , Wang X , Khan H , Cappos G , Joly-Amado A , De Narvaez E , Majid S , Minamide L S , Bamburg J R , Morgan D , Weeber E , Kang D E 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMolecular pathways underlying the neurotoxicity and production of amyloid β protein (Aβ) represent potentially promising therapeutic targets for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We recently found that overexpression of the scaffolding protein RanBP9 increases Aβ production in cell lines and in transgenic mice while promoting cofilin activation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Translocation of cofilin to mitochondria and induction of cofilin–actin pathology require the activation/dephosphorylation of cofilin by Slingshot homolog 1 (SSH1) and cysteine oxidation of cofilin. In this study, we found that endogenous RanBP9 positively regulates SSH1 levels and mediates Aβ-induced translocation of cofilin to mitochondria and induction of cofilin–actin pathology in cultured cells, primary neurons, and in vivo. Endogenous level of RanBP9 was also required for Aβ-induced collapse of growth cones in immature neurons (days in vitro 9 (DIV9)) and depletion of synaptic proteins in mature neurons (DIV21). In vivo, amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin-1 (PS1) mice exhibited 3.5-fold increased RanBP9 levels, and RanBP9 reduction protected against cofilin–actin pathology, synaptic damage, gliosis, and Aβ accumulation associated with APP/PS1 mice. Brains slices derived from APP/PS1 mice showed significantly impaired long-term potentiation (LTP), and RanBP9 reduction significantly enhanced paired pulse facilitation and LTP, as well as partially rescued contextual memory deficits associated with APP/PS1 mice. Therefore, these results underscore the critical importance of endogenous RanBP9 not only in Aβ accumulation but also in mediating the neurotoxic actions of Aβ at the level of synaptic plasticity, mitochondria, and cofilin–actin pathology via control of the SSH1-cofilin pathway in vivo.
MiR-216b is involved in pathogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through HBx-miR-216b-IGF2BP2 signaling pathway
Authors: Liu F-y , Zhou S-j , Deng Y-l , Zhang Z-y , Zhang E-l , Wu Z-b , Huang Z-y , Chen X-p 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the expression status of miRNA-216b in familial hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the correlation between miRNA-216b expression and pathogenesis, as well as the progression of HCC. The expression profile of miRNAs in plasma of peripheral blood between HCC patients with HCC family history and healthy volunteers without HCC family history was determined by microarray. Using real-time quantitative PCR to detect the expression in paired tissues from 150 patients with HCC, miR-216b was selected as its expression value in HCC patients was significantly lower compared with healthy volunteers. Next, miR-216b expression and the clinicopathological features of HCC were evaluated. The effect of miR-216b expression on tumor cells was investigated by regulating miR-216b expression in SMMC-7721 and HepG2 in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we explored mRNA targets of miR-216b. In 150 HCC, 37 (75%) tumors showed reduced miR-216b expression comparing with their adjacent liver tissues. The decreased expression of miR-216b was significantly correlated with tumor volume (P=0.044), HBV infection (P=0.026), HBV DNA quantitative (P=0.001) and vascular invasion (P=0.032). The 5-year disease-free survival and overall rates after liver resection in low expression and high expression groups of miR-216b are 62% and 54%, 25% and 20%, respectively. MiR-216b overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and miR-216b inhibition did the opposite. The expression of hepatitis B virus x protein (HBx) has tight correlation with downregulation of miR-216b. Furthermore, miR-216b downregulated the expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) and exerted its tumor-suppressor function through inhibition of protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling downstream of IGF2. MiR-216b inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC by regulating IGF2BP2 and it is regulated by HBx.
Spanning the scales of granular materials through microscopic force imaging
Authors: Brodu Nicolas , Dijksman Joshua A. , Behringer Robert P. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIf you walk on sand, it supports your weight. How do the disordered forces between particles in sand organize, to keep you from sinking? This simple question is surprisingly difficult to answer experimentally: measuring forces in three dimensions, between deeply buried grains, is challenging. Here we describe experiments in which we have succeeded in measuring forces inside a granular packing subject to controlled deformations. We connect the measured micro-scale forces to the macro-scale packing force response with an averaging, mean field calculation. This calculation explains how the combination of packing structure and contact deformations produce the observed nontrivial mechanical response of the packing, revealing a surprising microscopic particle deformation enhancement mechanism.
Interferon-λ rs12979860 genotype and liver fibrosis in viral and non-viral chronic liver disease
Authors: Eslam Mohammed , Hashem Ahmed M. , Leung Reynold , Romero-Gomez Manuel , Berg Thomas , Dore Gregory J. , Chan Henry L.K. , Irving William L. , Sheridan David , Abate Maria L. , Adams Leon A. , Mangia Alessandra , Weltman Martin , Bugianesi Elisabetta , Spengler Ulrich , Shaker Olfat , Fischer Janett , Mollison Lindsay , Cheng Wendy , Powell Elizabeth , Nattermann Jacob , Riordan Stephen , McLeod Duncan , Armstrong Nicola J. , Douglas Mark W. , Liddle Christopher , Booth David R. , George Jacob , Ahlenstiel Golo ,   the International Hepatitis C Genetics Consortium (IHCGC), Ampuero Javier , Bassendine Margaret , Wong Vincent W. S. , Rosso Chiara , White Rose , Mezzabotta Lavinia , Suppiah Vijayaprakash , Michalk Monika , Malik Barbara , Matthews Gail , Applegate Tanya , Grebely Jason , Fragomeli Vincenzo , Jonsson Julie R. , Santaro Rosanna 
Published: March 2015

AbstractTissue fibrosis is a core pathologic process that contributes to mortality in ~45% of the population and is likely to be influenced by the host genetic architecture. Here we demonstrate, using liver disease as a model, that a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs12979860) in the intronic region of interferon-λ4 (IFNL4) is a strong predictor of fibrosis in an aetiology-independent manner. In a cohort of 4,172 patients, including 3,129 with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), 555 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 488 with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), those with rs12979860CC have greater hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. In CHC, those with rs12979860CC also have greater stage-constant and stage-specific fibrosis progression rates (P<0.0001 for all). The impact of rs12979860 genotypes on fibrosis is maximal in young females, especially those with HCV genotype 3. These findings establish rs12979860 genotype as a strong aetiology-independent predictor of tissue inflammation and fibrosis.
Highly specific in vivo gene delivery for p53-mediated apoptosis and genetic photodynamic therapies of tumour
Authors: Tseng S.-Ja , Liao Zi-Xian , Kao Shih-Han , Zeng Yi-Fang , Huang Kuo-Yen , Li Hsin-Jung , Yang Chung-Lin , Deng Yu-Fan , Huang Chi-Feng , Yang Shuenn-Chen , Yang Pan-Chyr , Kempson Ivan M. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAnticancer therapies are often compromised by nonspecific effects and challenged by tumour environments’ inherent physicochemical and biological characteristics. Often, therapeutic effect can be increased by addressing multiple parameters simultaneously. Here we report on exploiting extravasation due to inherent vascular leakiness for the delivery of a pH-sensitive polymer carrier. Tumours’ acidic microenvironment instigates a charge reversal that promotes cellular internalization where endosomes destabilize and gene delivery is achieved. We assess our carrier with an aggressive non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in vivo model and achieve >30% transfection efficiency via systemic delivery. Rejuvenation of the p53 apoptotic pathway as well as expression of KillerRed protein for sensitization in photodynamic therapy (PDT) is accomplished. A single administration greatly suppresses tumour growth and extends median animal survival from 28 days in control subjects to 68 days. The carrier has capacity for multiple payloads for greater therapeutic response where inter-individual variability can compromise efficacy.
Accelerated exploration of multi-principal element alloys with solid solution phases
Authors: Senkov O.N. , Miller J.D. , Miracle D.B. , Woodward C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractRecent multi-principal element, high entropy alloy (HEA) development strategies vastly expand the number of candidate alloy systems, but also pose a new challenge—how to rapidly screen thousands of candidate alloy systems for targeted properties. Here we develop a new approach to rapidly assess structural metals by combining calculated phase diagrams with simple rules based on the phases present, their transformation temperatures and useful microstructures. We evaluate over 130,000 alloy systems, identifying promising compositions for more time-intensive experimental studies. We find the surprising result that solid solution alloys become less likely as the number of alloy elements increases. This contradicts the major premise of HEAs—that increased configurational entropy increases the stability of disordered solid solution phases. As the number of elements increases, the configurational entropy rises slowly while the probability of at least one pair of elements favouring formation of intermetallic compounds increases more rapidly, explaining this apparent contradiction.