bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COMPILATION AND ANALYSIS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN SETTLEMENT DATA IN THE BASIN OF MEXICO
Authors: Gorenflo L. J. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA key component of archaeological research in the Basin of Mexico was a series of systematic regional surveys conducted between 1960 and 1975. This essay discusses efforts to finalize settlement data generated by those surveys, and preliminary analyses of the resulting dataset that include geographic information system applications to examine patterns of settlement over time. The paper begins by reviewing the surveys and the information they produced for more than 3,900 sites. Analyses of demographics, settlement hierarchies, and environmental patterning reveal periods of slow population increase and decrease that indicate no major demographic events, but noteworthy shifts in settlement types and environmental focus. Analyses of spatial patterning reveal evidence of considerable geographic shifts in settlement over time, probable widespread reliance on irrigation throughout much of the pre-Columbian basin, likely major shifts in adaptation to the central lake system in the region, and intraregional migration as a key demographic process in settlement patterning. Amid growing understanding of pre-Columbian settlement patterns in the Basin of Mexico, this paper also defines key research problems involving demographic mobility, the role of water control in adaptation and sociocultural evolution, and implications of changing environmental emphasis in settlement patterning.
Analysis of energy poverty and its implications for sustainable development in Nigeria
Authors: Ogwumike Fidelis O. , Ozughalu Uche M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis study estimates and analyzes the incidence and determinants of energy poverty in Nigeria based on a simple multidimensional energy poverty index that it constructed. It also highlights the implications of energy poverty for sustainable development in Nigeria. The headcount ratio and the logistic regression technique are used. The study utilizes the Nigeria Living Standard Survey data set of 2004, obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics. The estimates show that energy poverty is pervasive in the country; it afflicts over 75 per cent of the population. The determinants of energy poverty in Nigeria include household size; educational level, gender and age of household head; general poverty; region of residence; and proportion of working members in the household. Efforts should be made to adequately tackle the problem of energy poverty in Nigeria. This is a major way to put the country on the path to rapid and sustainable development.
μCT-Based Analysis of the Solid Phase in Foams: Cell Wall Corrugation and other Microscopic Features
Authors: Pardo-Alonso Samuel , Solórzano Eusebio , Vicente Jerome , Brabant Loes , Dierick Manuel L. , Manke Ingo , Hilger Andr , Laguna Ester , Rodriguez-Perez Miguel Angel 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis work presents a series of three-dimensional computational methods with the objective of analyzing and quantifying some important structural characteristics in a collection of low-density polyolefin-based foams. First, the solid phase tortuosity, local thickness, and surface curvature, have been determined over the solid phase of the foam. These parameters were used to quantify the presence of wrinkles located at the cell walls of the foams under study. In addition, a novel segmentation technique has been applied to the continuous solid phase. This novel method allows performing a separate analysis of the constituting elements of this phase, that is, cell struts and cell walls. The methodology is based on a solid classification algorithm and evaluates the local topological dissimilarities existing between these elements. Thanks to this method it was possible to perform a separate analysis of curvature, local thickness, and corrugation ratio in the solid constituents that reveals additional differences that were not detected in the first analysis of the continuous structure. The methods developed in this work are applicable to other types of porous materials in fields such as geoscience or biomedicine.
Pubertätsstadium bei Konsumbeginn als Risikofaktor für späteren problematischen Alkoholkonsum: Elterliches Erziehungsverhalten als Schutzfaktor?
Authors: Hohm Erika , Blomeyer Dorothea , Laucht Manfred 
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Ziel: Der frühzeitige Konsumbeginn gilt als gesicherter Risikofaktor für alkoholassoziierte Probleme im Erwachsenenalter. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht eine mögliche protektive Wirkung des elterlichen Erziehungsverhaltens auf diesen Zusammenhang. Methodik: Im Rahmen der Mannheimer Risikokinderstudie wurde bei 287 Jugendlichen (130 Jungen, 157 Mädchen) das Pubertätsstadium bei Alkoholerstkonsum (PUBA) bestimmt. Mit 19, 22, 23 und 25 Jahren wurden Parameter des aktuellen Trinkverhaltens erfasst. Elterliches Erziehungsverhalten (Supervision, Akzeptanz, Autonomiegewährung) wurde im Alter von 15 Jahren erhoben. Ergebnisse: Jugendliche, die während der Pubertät zum ersten Mal Alkohol tranken, konsumierten als junge Erwachsene deutlich mehr Alkohol und wiesen mehr alkoholassoziierte Probleme auf als Jugendliche, deren Erstkonsum in die Zeit der Postpubertät fiel. Dieser Zusammenhang wurde bei pubertären Erstkonsumenten durch eine Autonomie gewährende Erziehung abgepuffert. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die Rolle des Pubertätsstadiums bei Konsumbeginn als Risikofaktor sowie den moderierenden Einfluss des Erziehungsverhaltens auf den langfristigen Umgang mit Alkohol. Die Bedeutung des Elternverhaltens sollte in Präventionskonzepten stärker betont werden.
Alkoholwerbung und häufiges Rauschtrinken im Jugendalter
Authors: Morgenstern Matthis , Isensee Barbara , Hanewinkel Reiner 
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Welchen Einfluss hat der Kontakt mit Werbung auf die Initiierung des häufigen Rauschtrinkens im Jugendalter? Methode: Beobachtungsstudie mit zwei Messzeitpunkten. 1.491 Schüler/innen aus drei Bundesländern, die keine Alkoholrauscherfahrungen hatten, wurden über einen Zeitraum von 30 Monaten verfolgt. Individuelle Kontakthäufigkeiten zu neun TV-Werbungen für alkoholische Getränke und acht Werbungen für andere Produkte wurden erhoben. Ergebnisparameter der logistischen Regressionen war die Initiierung des häufigen Rauschtrinkens (> 5-mal fünf oder mehr alkoholische Getränke bei einer Gelegenheit). Ergebnisse: 11 % der weiblichen und 18 % der männlichen Befragten berichteten erstmaliges häufiges Rauschtrinken (p < 0,001). Im Durchschnitt hatten die Jugendlichen 60 % der präsentierten Alkohol- und 73 % der Kontrollwerbungen schon einmal gesehen. Nach Kontrolle einer Vielzahl von Einflussfaktoren des jugendlichen Rauschtrinkens ergab sich für den Einstieg in häufiges Rauschtrinken ein adjustiertes Odds Ratio (OR) von 1,21 [95 % Konfidenzintervall (KI) = 1,08 – 1,36] für je 10 Kontakte mit den Alkoholwerbungen und ein OR von 1,00 [95 % KI = 0,88 – 1,14] für die Kontrollwerbungen. Diskussion: Nach den Ergebnissen der Studie werden Jugendliche durch Werbung erreicht und es zeigte sich ein inhaltspezifischer Effekt: Nur der Kontakt mit Werbungen für alkoholische Getränke, nicht aber der Kontakt mit Werbungen für andere Produkte sagt die Initiierung des häufigen Rauschtrinkens vorher.
Risikofaktoren für problematischen Substanzkonsum von Jugendlichen – Zur Anwendbarkeit des Communities That Care Schülersurveys auf kommunaler Ebene
Authors: Groeger-Roth Frederick , Frisch Johanna U. , Benit Nils , Soellner Renate 
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Zielsetzung: „Communities That Care“ (CTC) ist ein strategischer Ansatz, der die kommunale Präventionssteuerung unterstützt. Auf Basis eines Schülersurveys werden anhand der Prävalenz von Risikofaktoren Präventionsbedarfe priorisiert. Für die Bestimmung eines validen Schwellenwertes für die Risikofaktoren wurde der Median + 0.15*median absolute deviation (MAD) vorgeschlagen ( Arthur et al., 2007 ). Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird die Übertragbarkeit dieser Berechnungsart für Risikofaktoren für problematischen ‚Substanzkonsum‘ hinsichtlich Sensitivität, Spezifität und Kriteriumsvalidität an einer deutschen CTC-Stichprobe überprüft. Zudem wird die Anwendung der Schwellenwerte an einem Praxisbeispiel illustriert. Methodik: Basierend auf einer repräsentativen niedersächsischen CTC-Stichprobe, wurden die Daten von N = 1.423 Schülerinnen und Schülern (52,9 % weiblich) aus den Klassenstufen sechs bis elf im Alter von 12 – 18 Jahren (M = 14,29; SD = 1,74) in die Analysen miteingeschlossen. Ergebnisse: Der verwendete Schwellenwert führte nur teilweise zu einer annehmbaren Balance zwischen Sensitivität und Spezifität. Die Kriteriumsvalidität ist insbesondere für die individuellen Risikofaktoren hoch. Schlussfolgerungen: Der CTC-Schülersurvey ist ein vielversprechendes Instrument für die gezielte Planung und Steuerung von Präventionsmaßnahmen auf kommunaler Ebene. Für die Bestimmung valider Schwellenwerte für Deutschland sind weitere Untersuchungen nötig.
Autoregulatory loop between TGF-β1/miR-411-5p/SPRY4 and MAPK pathway in rhabdomyosarcoma modulates proliferation and differentiation
Authors: Sun M , Huang F , Yu D , Zhang Y , Xu H , Zhang L , Li L , Dong L , Guo L , Wang S 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe origin of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) remains controversial. However, specific microRNAs (miRNAs) are downregulated in RMS and it is possible that re-expression of these miRNAs may lead to differentiation. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is known to block differentiation of RMS. We therefore analyzed miRNA microarrays of RMS cell lines with or without TGF-β1 knockdown and identified a novel anti-oncogene miR-411-5p. Re-expression of miR-411-5p inhibited RMS cell proliferation in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. Using a luciferase reporting system and sequence analysis, the potential target of miR-411-5p was identified as sprouty homolog 4 (SPRY4), which inhibits protein kinase Cα-mediated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), especially p38MAPK phosphorylation. These results revealed an inverse correlation between TGF-β1/SPRY4 and miR-411-5p levels. SPRY4 small interfering RNA and miR-411-5p both activated p38MAPK phosphorylation and also promoted apoptosis and myogenic differentiation, indicated by increased caspase-3, myosin heavy chain, and myosin expression. SPRY4 and miR-411 mRNA levels correlated with TGF-β1 expression levels in RMS tissues, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining for TGF-β1, SPRY4, and phosphorylated p38MAPK proteins. Overall, these results indicate that miR-411-5p acts as an RMS differentiation-inducing miRNA prompting p38MAPK activation via directly downregulating SPRY4. These results establish an autoregulatory loop between TGF-β1/miR-411-5p/SPRY4 and MAPK in RMS, which governs the switch between proliferation and differentiation.
Low-threshold amplified spontaneous emission and lasing from colloidal nanocrystals of caesium lead halide perovskites
Authors: Yakunin Sergii , Protesescu Loredana , Krieg Franziska , Bodnarchuk Maryna I. , Nedelcu Georgian , Humer Markus , De Luca Gabriele , Fiebig Manfred , Heiss Wolfgang , Kovalenko Maksym V. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMetal halide semiconductors with perovskite crystal structures have recently emerged as highly promising optoelectronic materials. Despite the recent surge of reports on microcrystalline, thin-film and bulk single-crystalline metal halides, very little is known about the photophysics of metal halides in the form of uniform, size-tunable nanocrystals. Here we report low-threshold amplified spontaneous emission and lasing from ∼10 nm monodisperse colloidal nanocrystals of caesium lead halide perovskites CsPbX3 (X=Cl, Br or I, or mixed Cl/Br and Br/I systems). We find that room-temperature optical amplification can be obtained in the entire visible spectral range (440–700 nm) with low pump thresholds down to 5±1 μJ cm−2 and high values of modal net gain of at least 450±30 cm−1. Two kinds of lasing modes are successfully observed: whispering-gallery-mode lasing using silica microspheres as high-finesse resonators, conformally coated with CsPbX3 nanocrystals and random lasing in films of CsPbX3 nanocrystals.
Nek2 activation of Kif24 ensures cilium disassembly during the cell cycle
Authors: Kim Sehyun , Lee Kwanwoo , Choi Jung-Hwan , Ringstad Niels , Dynlacht Brian David 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMany proteins are known to promote ciliogenesis, but mechanisms that promote primary cilia disassembly before mitosis are largely unknown. Here we identify a mechanism that favours cilium disassembly and maintains the disassembled state. We show that co-localization of the S/G2 phase kinase, Nek2 and Kif24 triggers Kif24 phosphorylation, inhibiting cilia formation. We show that Kif24, a microtubule depolymerizing kinesin, is phosphorylated by Nek2, which stimulates its activity and prevents the outgrowth of cilia in proliferating cells, independent of Aurora A and HDAC6. Our data also suggest that cilium assembly and disassembly are in dynamic equilibrium, but Nek2 and Kif24 can shift the balance toward disassembly. Further, Nek2 and Kif24 are overexpressed in breast cancer cells, and ablation of these proteins restores ciliation in these cells, thereby reducing proliferation. Thus, Kif24 is a physiological substrate of Nek2, which regulates cilia disassembly through a concerted mechanism involving Kif24-mediated microtubule depolymerization.
Use of exotic plants to control Spartina alterniflora invasion and promote mangrove restoration
Authors: Zhou Ting , Liu Shuchao , Feng Zhili , Liu Gang , Gan Qian , Peng Shaolin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn coastal China, the exotic invasive Spartina alterniflora is preventing the establishment of native mangroves. The use of exotic species, control of exotic plant invasion and restoration of native plant communities are timely research issues. We used exotic Sonneratia apetala Buch.-Ham and S. caseolaris (L.) Engl. to control invasive Spartina alterniflora Loisel through replacement control for five years, which concurrently promoted the restoration of native mangroves. This process includes three stages. I: In a mangrove area invaded by S. alterniflora, exotic S. apetala and S. caseolaris grew rapidly due to their relatively fast-growing character and an allelopathic effect. II: Fast-growing S. apetala and S. caseolaris eradicate S. alterniflora through shading and allelopathy. III: The growth of native mangrove was promoted because exotic plant seedlings cannot regenerate in the understory shade, whereas native mesophytic mangrove plants seedlings can grow; when the area experiences extreme low temperatures in winter or at other times, S. apetala dies and native mangrove species grow to restore the communities. This model has important implications for addressing the worldwide problems of “how to implement the ecological control of invasion using exotic species” and “how to concurrently promote native community restoration during the control of exotic invasion”.
Function does not follow form in gene regulatory circuits
Authors: Payne Joshua L. , Wagner Andreas 
Published: August 2015

AbstractGene regulatory circuits are to the cell what arithmetic logic units are to the chip: fundamental components of information processing that map an input onto an output. Gene regulatory circuits come in many different forms, distinct structural configurations that determine who regulates whom. Studies that have focused on the gene expression patterns (functions) of circuits with a given structure (form) have examined just a few structures or gene expression patterns. Here, we use a computational model to exhaustively characterize the gene expression patterns of nearly 17 million three-gene circuits in order to systematically explore the relationship between circuit form and function. Three main conclusions emerge. First, function does not follow form. A circuit of any one structure can have between twelve and nearly thirty thousand distinct gene expression patterns. Second and conversely, form does not follow function. Most gene expression patterns can be realized by more than one circuit structure. And third, multifunctionality severely constrains circuit form. The number of circuit structures able to drive multiple gene expression patterns decreases rapidly with the number of these patterns. These results indicate that it is generally not possible to infer circuit function from circuit form, or vice versa.
Human cell dedifferentiation in mesenchymal condensates through controlled autophagy
Authors: Pennock Rebecca , Bray Elen , Pryor Paul , James Sally , McKeegan Paul , Sturmey Roger , Genever Paul 
Published: August 2015

AbstractTissue and whole organ regeneration is a dramatic biological response to injury that occurs across different plant and animal phyla. It frequently requires the dedifferentiation of mature cells to a condensed mesenchymal blastema, from which replacement tissues develop. Human somatic cells cannot regenerate in this way and differentiation is considered irreversible under normal developmental conditions. Here, we sought to establish in vitro conditions to mimic blastema formation by generating different three-dimensional (3D) condensates of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). We identified specific 3D growth environments that were sufficient to dedifferentiate aged human MSCs to an early mesendoderm-like state with reversal of age-associated cell hypertrophy and restoration of organized tissue regenerating capacity in vivo. An optimal auophagic response was required to promote cytoplasmic remodeling, mitochondrial regression and a bioenergetic shift from oxidative phosphorylation to anaerobic metabolism. Our evidence suggests that human cell dedifferentiation can be achieved through autonomously controlled autophagic flux.
Lattice-distortion Induced Magnetic Transition from Low-temperature Antiferromagnetism to High-temperature Ferrimagnetism in Double Perovskites A2FeOsO6 (A = Ca, Sr)
Authors: Hou Y. S. , Xiang H. J. , Gong X. G. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractHigh-temperature insulating ferrimagnetism is investigated in order to further reveal its physical mechanisms, as well as identify potentially important scientific and practical applications relative to spintronics. For example, double perovskites such as Sr2FeOsO6 and Ca2FeOsO6 are shown to have puzzling magnetic properties. The former is a low-temperature antiferromagnet while the latter is a high-temperature insulating ferrimagnet. In order to understand the underlying mechanisms, we have investigated the frustrated magnetism of A2FeOsO6 by employing density functional theory and maximally-localized Wannier functions. We find lattice distortion enhances the antiferromagnetic nearest-neighboring Fe-O-Os interaction, however weakens the antiferromagnetic interactions via the Os-O-O-Os and Fe-O-Os-O-Fe paths, so is therefore responsible for the magnetic transition from the low-temperature antiferromagnetism to the high-temperature ferrimagnetism as the decrease of the A2+ ion radii. Also discussed is the 5d3-3d5 superexchange. We propose that such superexchange is intrinsically antiferromagnetic instead of ferromagnetic as previously thought. Our work clearly illustrates the magnetic frustration can be effectively relieved by lattice distortion, thus paving the way for tuning of complex magnetism in yet other 3d–5d (4d) double perovskites.
Patient- and therapy-related factors associated with the incidence of xerostomia in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving parotid-sparing helical tomotherapy
Authors: Lee Tsair-Fwu , Liou Ming-Hsiang , Ting Hui-Min , Chang Liyun , Lee Hsiao-Yi , Wan Leung Stephen , Huang Chih-Jen , Chao Pei-Ju 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe investigated the incidence of moderate to severe patient-reported xerostomia among nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with helical tomotherapy (HT) and identified patient- and therapy-related factors associated with acute and chronic xerostomia toxicity. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models were developed using quality-of-life questionnaire datasets from 67 patients with NPC. For acute toxicity, the dosimetric factors of the mean doses to the ipsilateral submandibular gland (Dis) and the contralateral submandibular gland (Dcs) were selected as the first two significant predictors. For chronic toxicity, four predictive factors were selected: age, mean dose to the oral cavity (Doc), education and T stage. The substantial sparing data can be used to avoid xerostomia toxicity. We suggest that the tolerance values corresponded to a 20% incidence of complications (TD20) for Dis = 39.0 Gy, Dcs = 38.4 Gy and Doc = 32.5 Gy, respectively, when mean doses to the parotid glands met the QUANTEC 25 Gy sparing guidelines. To avoid patient-reported xerostomia toxicity, the mean doses to the parotid gland, submandibular gland and oral cavity have to meet the sparing tolerance, although there is also a need to take inherent patient characteristics into consideration.
Doubling Power Output of Starch Biobattery Treated by the Most Thermostable Isoamylase from an Archaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii
Authors: Cheng Kun , Zhang Fei , Sun Fangfang , Chen Hongge , Percival Zhang Y-H 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBiobattery, a kind of enzymatic fuel cells, can convert organic compounds (e.g., glucose, starch) to electricity in a closed system without moving parts. Inspired by natural starch metabolism catalyzed by starch phosphorylase, isoamylase is essential to debranch alpha-1,6-glycosidic bonds of starch, yielding linear amylodextrin – the best fuel for sugar-powered biobattery. However, there is no thermostable isoamylase stable enough for simultaneous starch gelatinization and enzymatic hydrolysis, different from the case of thermostable alpha-amylase. A putative isoamylase gene was mined from megagenomic database. The open reading frame ST0928 from a hyperthermophilic archaeron Sulfolobus tokodaii was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The recombinant protein was easily purified by heat precipitation at 80 oC for 30 min. This enzyme was characterized and required Mg2+ as an activator. This enzyme was the most stable isoamylase reported with a half lifetime of 200 min at 90 oC in the presence of 0.5 mM MgCl2, suitable for simultaneous starch gelatinization and isoamylase hydrolysis. The cuvett-based air-breathing biobattery powered by isoamylase-treated starch exhibited nearly doubled power outputs than that powered by the same concentration starch solution, suggesting more glucose 1-phosphate generated.