bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hybrid stage 1 procedure on ventricular function in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Kobayashi Daisuke , Natarajan Girija , Turner Daniel R. , Forbes Thomas J. , Delius Ralph E. , Walters Henry L. , Aggarwal Sanjeev 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe effect of Hybrid stage 1 palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome on right ventricular function is unknown. We sought to compare right ventricular function in normal neonates and those with hypoplastic left heart syndrome before Hybrid palliation and to assess the effect of Hybrid palliation on right ventricular function, using the right ventricular myocardial performance index and the ratio of systolic and diastolic durations.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective review of echocardiographic data on 23 infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent Hybrid palliation and 35 normal controls. Data were acquired before Hybrid and after Hybrid palliation – post 1, 0–4 days; post 2, 1 week; post 3, 2–3 weeks; post 4, 1–1.5 months following Hybrid palliation.ResultsMyocardial performance index and ratio of systolic and diastolic durations were higher in the pre-Hybrid hypoplastic left heart syndrome group (n=23) – 0.47±0.16 versus 0.25±0.07, p<0.001; 1.59±0.44 versus 1.09±0.14, p<0.0001 – compared with controls (n=35). There was no significant change in the myocardial performance index at any of the post-Hybrid time points. Ratio of systolic and diastolic durations increased significantly 2 weeks after Hybrid – post 3: 2.08±0.62 and post 4: 2.21±0.45 versus pre: 1.59±0.44, p=0.043 and 0.003. There were no significant differences in parameters between sub-groups of infants who died (n=10) and survivors (n=13).ConclusionsRight ventricular myocardial performance index and ratio of systolic and diastolic durations were significantly higher in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome before intervention compared with controls. The ratio of systolic and diastolic durations increased significantly 2 weeks after Hybrid palliation. Our data suggest that infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome have right ventricular dysfunction before intervention, which worsens over 2 weeks after Hybrid palliation.
Bridging thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair for a late rupture following aortic coarctation angioplasty
Authors: Oliveira Nelson F. G. , Castro João A. , Martins José D. , Quintas Anita , Laranjo Sérgio , Valentim Hugo , Pinto Fátima , Capitão Luís M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIntroductionThoracic endovascular aneurysm repair has been employed to treat late complications after aortic coarctation correction. However, its use in children has seldomly been reported.Case reportWe present the case of a 15-year-old child who presented with a ruptured aneurysm of the descending aorta complicated later by an aortic-oesophageal fistula following aortic coarctation stenting that was managed with multiple bridging endovascular interventions until a definitive repair was performed.ConclusionThoracic endovascular aneurysm repair may be used successfully as a bridging intervention to a definitive repair in children with life-threatening aortic complications following aortic coarctation repair.
“PROTRACTED CONFLICT”
Authors: Platon Mircea Alexandru 
Published: September 2015

AbstractRobert Strausz-Hupé (1903-2002) and Stefan Possony (1913-1995) were two scholars and policy makers who reached the peak of their careers as the tutelary spirits of the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), founded in 1955 at the University of Pennsylvania. Through the FPRI and its journal,Orbis, the influence of these two anti-”totalitarian” crusaders reached the high echelons of the United States military and U.S. policy makers. This article analyzes the way in which the intellectuals of the FPRI—“defense intellectuals”—tweaked concepts such as “human rights,” “freedom,” “democracy,” and “open society” in order to promote the interests of the United States’s military-industrial establishment, court racist lobbies, and accommodate problematic Cold War allies such as South Africa.
THE PHILADELPHIA NEGROAND THE CANON OF CLASSICAL URBAN THEORY
Authors: Loughran Kevin 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis paper outlines the urban theory of W. E. B. Du Bois as presented in the classic sociological textThe Philadelphia Negro. I argue that Du Bois’s urban theory, which focused on how the socially-constructed racial hierarchy of the United States was shaping the material conditions of industrial cities, prefigured important later work and offered a sociologically richer understanding of urban processes than the canonized classical urban theorists—Weber, Simmel, and Park. I focus on two key areas of Du Bois’s urban theory: (1) racial stratification as a fundamental feature of the modern city and (2) urbanization and urban migration. WhileThe Philadelphia Negrohas gained recent praise for Du Bois’s methodological achievements, I use extensive passages from the work to demonstrate the theoretical importance ofThe Philadelphia Negroand to argue that this groundbreaking work should be considered canonical urban theory.
IRTKS negatively regulates antiviral immunity through PCBP2 sumoylation-mediated MAVS degradation
Authors: Xia Pengyan , Wang Shuo , Xiong Zhen , Ye Buqing , Huang Li-Yu , Han Ze-Guang , Fan Zusen 
Published: September 2015

AbstractRNA virus infection is recognized by the RIG-I family of receptors that activate the mitochondrial adaptor MAVS, leading to the clearance of viruses. Antiviral signalling activation requires strict modulation to avoid damage to the host from exacerbated inflammation. Insulin receptor tyrosine kinase substrate (IRTKS) participates in actin bundling and insulin signalling and its deficiency causes insulin resistance. However, whether IRTKS is involved in the regulation of innate immunity remains elusive. Here we show that IRTKS deficiency causes enhanced innate immune responses against RNA viruses. IRTKS-mediated suppression of antiviral responses depends on the RIG-I-MAVS signalling pathway. IRTKS recruits the E2 ligase Ubc9 to sumoylate PCBP2 in the nucleus, which causes its cytoplasmic translocation during viral infection. The sumoylated PCBP2 associates with MAVS to initiate its degradation, leading to downregulation of antiviral responses. Thus, IRTKS functions as a negative modulator of excessive inflammation.
Returners and explorers dichotomy in human mobility
Authors: Pappalardo Luca , Simini Filippo , Rinzivillo Salvatore , Pedreschi Dino , Giannotti Fosca , Barabási Albert-László 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe availability of massive digital traces of human whereabouts has offered a series of novel insights on the quantitative patterns characterizing human mobility. In particular, numerous recent studies have lead to an unexpected consensus: the considerable variability in the characteristic travelled distance of individuals coexists with a high degree of predictability of their future locations. Here we shed light on this surprising coexistence by systematically investigating the impact of recurrent mobility on the characteristic distance travelled by individuals. Using both mobile phone and GPS data, we discover the existence of two distinct classes of individuals: returners and explorers. As existing models of human mobility cannot explain the existence of these two classes, we develop more realistic models able to capture the empirical findings. Finally, we show that returners and explorers play a distinct quantifiable role in spreading phenomena and that a correlation exists between their mobility patterns and social interactions.
Carrier multiplication detected through transient photocurrent in device-grade films of lead selenide quantum dots
Authors: Gao Jianbo , Fidler Andrew F. , Klimov Victor I. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn carrier multiplication, the absorption of a single photon results in two or more electron–hole pairs. Quantum dots are promising materials for implementing carrier multiplication principles in real-life technologies. So far, however, most of research in this area has focused on optical studies of solution samples with yet to be proven relevance to practical devices. Here we report ultrafast electro-optical studies of device-grade films of electronically coupled quantum dots that allow us to observe multiplication directly in the photocurrent. Our studies help rationalize previous results from both optical spectroscopy and steady-state photocurrent measurements and also provide new insights into effects of electric field and ligand treatments on multiexciton yields. Importantly, we demonstrate that using appropriate chemical treatments of the films, extra charges produced by carrier multiplication can be extracted from the quantum dots before they are lost to Auger recombination and hence can contribute to photocurrent of practical devices.
Integrin-linked kinase regulates the niche of quiescent epidermal stem cells
Authors: Morgner Jessica , Ghatak Sushmita , Jakobi Tobias , Dieterich Christoph , Aumailley Monique , Wickström Sara A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractStem cells reside in specialized niches that are critical for their function. Quiescent hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are confined within the bulge niche, but how the molecular composition of the niche regulates stem cell behaviour is poorly understood. Here we show that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a key regulator of the bulge extracellular matrix microenvironment, thereby governing the activation and maintenance of HFSCs. ILK mediates deposition of inverse laminin (LN)-332 and LN-511 gradients within the basement membrane (BM) wrapping the hair follicles. The precise BM composition tunes activities of Wnt and transforming growth factor-β pathways and subsequently regulates HFSC activation. Notably, reconstituting an optimal LN microenvironment restores the altered signalling in ILK-deficient cells. Aberrant stem cell activation in ILK-deficient epidermis leads to increased replicative stress, predisposing the tissue to carcinogenesis. Overall, our findings uncover a critical role for the BM niche in regulating stem cell activation and thereby skin homeostasis.
Phospho-selective mechanisms of arrestin conformations and functions revealed by unnatural amino acid incorporation and 19F-NMR
Authors: Yang Fan , Yu Xiao , Liu Chuan , Qu Chang-Xiu , Gong Zheng , Liu Hong-Da , Li Fa-Hui , Wang Hong-Mei , He Dong-Fang , Yi Fan , Song Chen , Tian Chang-Lin , Xiao Kun-Hong , Wang Jiang-Yun , Sun Jin-Peng 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSpecific arrestin conformations are coupled to distinct downstream effectors, which underlie the functions of many G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Here, using unnatural amino acid incorporation and fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance (19F-NMR) spectroscopy, we demonstrate that distinct receptor phospho-barcodes are translated to specific β-arrestin-1 conformations and direct selective signalling. With its phosphate-binding concave surface, β-arrestin-1 ‘reads’ the message in the receptor phospho-C-tails and distinct phospho-interaction patterns are revealed by 19F-NMR. Whereas all functional phosphopeptides interact with a common phosphate binding site and induce the movements of finger and middle loops, different phospho-interaction patterns induce distinct structural states of β-arrestin-1 that are coupled to distinct arrestin functions. Only clathrin recognizes and stabilizes GRK2-specific β-arrestin-1 conformations. The identified receptor-phospho-selective mechanism for arrestin conformation and the spacing of the multiple phosphate-binding sites in the arrestin enable arrestin to recognize plethora phosphorylation states of numerous GPCRs, contributing to the functional diversity of receptors.
Transform-limited single photons from a single quantum dot
Authors: Kuhlmann Andreas V. , Prechtel Jonathan H. , Houel Julien , Ludwig Arne , Reuter Dirk , Wieck Andreas D. , Warburton Richard J. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractDeveloping a quantum photonics network requires a source of very-high-fidelity single photons. An outstanding challenge is to produce a transform-limited single-photon emitter to guarantee that single photons emitted far apart in the time domain are truly indistinguishable. This is particularly difficult in the solid-state as the complex environment is the source of noise over a wide bandwidth. A quantum dot is a robust, fast, bright and narrow-linewidth emitter of single photons; layer-by-layer growth and subsequent nano-fabrication allow the electronic and photonic states to be engineered. This represents a set of features not shared by any other emitter but transform-limited linewidths have been elusive. Here, we report transform-limited linewidths measured on second timescales, primarily on the neutral exciton but also on the charged exciton close to saturation. The key feature is control of the nuclear spins, which dominate the exciton dephasing via the Overhauser field.
Sparsity-based super-resolved coherent diffraction imaging of one-dimensional objects
Authors: Sidorenko Pavel , Kfir Ofer , Shechtman Yoav , Fleischer Avner , Eldar Yonina C. , Segev Mordechai , Cohen Oren 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPhase-retrieval problems of one-dimensional (1D) signals are known to suffer from ambiguity that hampers their recovery from measurements of their Fourier magnitude, even when their support (a region that confines the signal) is known. Here we demonstrate sparsity-based coherent diffraction imaging of 1D objects using extreme-ultraviolet radiation produced from high harmonic generation. Using sparsity as prior information removes the ambiguity in many cases and enhances the resolution beyond the physical limit of the microscope. Our approach may be used in a variety of problems, such as diagnostics of defects in microelectronic chips. Importantly, this is the first demonstration of sparsity-based 1D phase retrieval from actual experiments, hence it paves the way for greatly improving the performance of Fourier-based measurement systems where 1D signals are inherent, such as diagnostics of ultrashort laser pulses, deciphering the complex time-dependent response functions (for example, time-dependent permittivity and permeability) from spectral measurements and vice versa.
Global priorities for an effective information basis of biodiversity distributions
Authors: Meyer Carsten , Kreft Holger , Guralnick Robert , Jetz Walter 
Published: September 2015

AbstractGaps in digital accessible information (DAI) on species distributions hamper prospects of safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services, and addressing central ecological and evolutionary questions. Achieving international targets on biodiversity knowledge requires that information gaps be identified and actions prioritized. Integrating 157 million point records and distribution maps for 21,170 terrestrial vertebrate species, we find that outside a few well-sampled regions, DAI on point occurrences provides very limited and spatially biased inventories of species. Surprisingly, many large, emerging economies are even more under-represented in global DAI than species-rich, developing countries in the tropics. Multi-model inference reveals that completeness is mainly limited by distance to researchers, locally available research funding and participation in data-sharing networks, rather than transportation infrastructure, or size and funding of Western data contributors as often assumed. Our results highlight the urgent need for integrating non-Western data sources and intensifying cooperation to more effectively address societal biodiversity information needs.
Critical heat flux maxima during boiling crisis on textured surfaces
Authors: Dhillon Navdeep Singh , Buongiorno Jacopo , Varanasi Kripa K. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractEnhancing the critical heat flux (CHF) of industrial boilers by surface texturing can lead to substantial energy savings and global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, but fundamentally this phenomenon is not well understood. Prior studies on boiling crisis indicate that CHF monotonically increases with increasing texture density. Here we report on the existence of maxima in CHF enhancement at intermediate texture density using measurements on parametrically designed plain and nano-textured micropillar surfaces. Using high-speed optical and infrared imaging, we study the dynamics of dry spot heating and rewetting phenomena and reveal that the dry spot heating timescale is of the same order as that of the gravity and liquid imbibition-induced dry spot rewetting timescale. Based on these insights, we develop a coupled thermal-hydraulic model that relates CHF enhancement to rewetting of a hot dry spot on the boiling surface, thereby revealing the mechanism governing the hitherto unknown CHF enhancement maxima.
A Simple and Sensitive Method to Quantify Biodegradable Nanoparticle Biodistribution using Europium Chelates
Authors: Crawford Lindsey , Higgins Jaclyn , Putnam David 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe biodistribution of biodegradable nanoparticles can be difficult to quantify. We report a method using time resolved fluorescence (TRF) from a lanthanide chelate to minimize background autofluorescence and maximize the signal to noise ratio to detect biodegradable nanoparticle distribution in mice. Specifically, antenna chelates containing europium were entrapped within nanoparticles composed of polylactic acid-polyethylene glycol diblock copolymers. Tissue accumulation of nanoparticles following intravenous injection was quantified in mice. The TRF of the nanoparticles was found to diminish as a second order function in the presence of serum and tissue compositions interfered with the europium signal. Both phenomena were corrected by linearization of the signal function and calculation of tissue-specific interference, respectively. Overall, the method is simple and robust with a detection limit five times greater than standard fluorescent probes.
Structural and Thermodynamic Characteristics of Amyloidogenic Intermediates of β-2-Microglobulin
Authors: Chong Song-Ho , Hong Jooyeon , Lim Sulgi , Cho Sunhee , Lee Jinkeong , Ham Sihyun 
Published: September 2015

Abstractβ-2-microglobulin (β2m) self-aggregates to form amyloid fibril in renal patients taking long-term dialysis treatment. Despite the extensive structural and mutation studies carried out so far, the molecular details on the factors that dictate amyloidogenic potential of β2m remain elusive. Here we report molecular dynamics simulations followed by the solvation thermodynamic analyses on the wild-type β2m and D76N, D59P and W60C mutants at the native (N) and so-called aggregation-prone intermediate (IT) states, which are distinguished by the native cis- and non-native trans-Pro32 backbone conformations. Three major structural and thermodynamic characteristics of the IT-state relative to the N-state in β2m protein are detected that contribute to the increased amyloidogenic potential: (i) the disruption of the edge D-strand, (ii) the increased solvent-exposed hydrophobic interface and (iii) the increased solvation free energy (less affinity toward solvent water). Mutation effects on these three factors are shown to exhibit a good correlation with the experimentally observed distinct amyloidogenic propensity of the D76N (+), D59P (+) and W60C (−) mutants (+/− for enhanced/decreased). Our analyses thus identify the structural and thermodynamic characteristics of the amyloidogenic intermediates, which will serve to uncover molecular mechanisms and driving forces in β2m amyloid fibril formation.
EXTL2 and EXTL3 inhibition with siRNAs as a promising substrate reduction therapy for Sanfilippo C syndrome
Authors: Canals Isaac , Benetó Noelia , Cozar Mónica , Vilageliu Lluïsa , Grinberg Daniel 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSanfilippo syndrome is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by an impaired degradation of heparan sulfate (HS). It presents severe and progressive neurodegeneration and currently there is no effective treatment. Substrate reduction therapy (SRT) may be a useful option for neurological disorders of this kind and several approaches have been tested to date. Here we use different siRNAs targeting EXTL2 and EXTL3 genes, which are important for HS synthesis, as SRT in Sanfilippo C patients’ fibroblasts in order to decrease glycosaminoglycan (GAG) storage inside the lysosomes. The results show a high inhibition of the EXTL gene mRNAs (around 90%), a decrease in GAG synthesis after three days (30–60%) and a decrease in GAG storage after 14 days (up to 24%). Moreover, immunocytochemistry analyses showed a clear reversion of the phenotype after treatment. The in vitro inhibition of HS synthesis genes using siRNAs shown here is a first step in the development of a future therapeutic option for Sanfilippo C syndrome.
Developing high energy dissipative soliton fiber lasers at 2 micron
Authors: Huang Chongyuan , Wang Cong , Shang Wei , Yang Nan , Tang Yulong , Xu Jianqiu 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWhile the recent discovered new mode-locking mechanism - dissipative soliton - has successfully improved the pulse energy of 1 μm and 1.5 μm fiber lasers to tens of nanojoules, it is still hard to scale the pulse energy at 2 μm due to the anomalous dispersion of the gain fiber. After analyzing the intracavity pulse dynamics, we propose that the gain fiber should be condensed to short lengths in order to generate high energy pulse at 2 μm. Numerical simulation predicts the existence of stable 2 μm dissipative soliton solutions with pulse energy over 10 nJ, comparable to that achieved in the 1 μm and 1.5 μm regimes. Experimental operation confirms the validity of the proposal. These results will advance our understanding of mode-locked fiber lasers at different wavelengths and lay an important step in achieving high energy ultrafast laser pulses from anomalous dispersion gain media.
New insight into the residual inactivation of Microcystis aeruginosa by dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: Li Lamei , Zhang Hong , Huang Qing 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWe report the new insight into the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) induced inactivation of Microcystis aeruginosa, the dominant algae which caused harmful cyanobacterial blooms in many developing countries. In contrast with the previous work, we employed flow cytometry to examine the algal cells, so that we could assess the dead and living cells with more accuracy and distinguish an intermediate state of algal cells which were verified as apoptotic. Our results showed that the numbers of both dead and apoptotic cells increased with DBD treatment delay time and hydrogen peroxide produced by DBD was the main reason for the time-delayed inactivation effect. However, apart from the influence of hydrogen peroxide, the DBD-induced initial injures on the algal cells during the discharge period also played a considerable role in the inactivation of the DBD treated cells, as indicated by the measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside the algal cells. We therefore propose an effective approach to utilization of non-thermal plasma technique that makes good use of the residual inactivation effect to optimize the experimental conditions in terms of discharge time and delay time, so that more efficient treatment of cyanobacterial blooms can be achieved.