bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pricing of a resettable guarantee of a salary-connected individual pension account
Authors: CHEN CHAO-LIANG 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe present paper numerically prices a resettable guarantee of a salary-connected individual pension account (IPA). The results indicate that a principal guarantee without a reset feature is not worth much unless the volatility of assets in the IPA is huge, while the death benefit contributes a very small proportion to the guarantee value. Deferred proportional funding is an alternative to reducing problems from the difficulty in modeling salary behavior, because the required deferred proportional cost is impacted less by the salary behavior. Moreover, if the lapse from a guarantee is possible, then the guarantee is not necessarily more valuable for a younger individual.
Work-SoC–Entwicklung und Validierung einer Skala zur Erfassung des arbeitsbezogenen Kohärenzgefühls
Authors: Bauer Georg F. , Vogt Katharina , Inauen Alice , Jenny Gregor J. 
Published: January 2015

Das Kohärenzgefühl wurde ursprünglich als globale, unspezifische Lebensorientierung eingeführt, die zwischen Gesundheitsressourcen und Stressbewältigung vermittelt. Die drei Dimensionen Verstehbarkeit, Handhabbarkeit und Sinnhaftigkeit werden hier auf die Ebene der Arbeit und Organisation übertragen, um mit dem arbeitsbezogenen Kohärenzgefühl (Work-SoC) einen breit einsetzbaren Indikator gesundheitsrelevanter Arbeitsbedingungen zu bilden. Es wird eine 9-Item-Skala zur Erfassung des Work-SoC vorgestellt, die in acht Organisationen (n = 1084 Mitarbeitende) eingesetzt wurde. Die interne Konsistenz der Work-SoC-Gesamtskala lag bei α = .83. Die drei SoC-Dimensionen konnten abgebildet werden, wobei die Subskalen ein α = zwischen .72 und .84 aufwiesen. Es wurden die erwarteten quer- und längsschnittlichen Zusammenhänge mit spezifischen arbeitsbezogenen Belastungen und Ressourcen, sowie negativen und positiven Gesundheitsoutcomes gefunden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Work-SoC ein nützlicher Indikator für die gesundheitsrelevante Arbeitsumgebung eines Individuums ist.
The networks of human gut microbe–metabolite associations are different between health and irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Shankar Vijay , Homer Daniel , Rigsbee Laura , Khamis Harry J , Michail Sonia , Raymer Michael , Reo Nicholas V , Paliy Oleg 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
The goal of this study was to determine if fecal metabolite and microbiota profiles can serve as biomarkers of human intestinal diseases, and to uncover possible gut microbe–metabolite associations. We employed proton nuclear magnetic resonance to measure fecal metabolites of healthy children and those diagnosed with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Metabolite levels were associated with fecal microbial abundances. Using several ordination techniques, healthy and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) samples could be distinguished based on the metabolite profiles of fecal samples, and such partitioning was congruent with the microbiota-based sample separation. Measurements of individual metabolites indicated that the intestinal environment in IBS-D was characterized by increased proteolysis, incomplete anaerobic fermentation and possible change in methane production. By correlating metabolite levels with abundances of microbial genera, a number of statistically significant metabolite–genus associations were detected in stools of healthy children. No such associations were evident for IBS children. This finding complemented the previously observed reduction in the number of microbe–microbe associations in the distal gut of the same cohort of IBS-D children.
A dynamic periplasmic electron transfer network enables respiratory flexibility beyond a thermodynamic regulatory regime
Authors: Sturm Gunnar , Richter Katrin , Doetsch Andreas , Heide Heinrich , Louro Ricardo O , Gescher Johannes 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Microorganisms show an astonishing versatility in energy metabolism. They can use a variety of different catabolic electron acceptors, but they use them according to a thermodynamic hierarchy, which is determined by the redox potential of the available electron acceptors. This hierarchy is reflected by a regulatory machinery that leads to the production of respiratory chains in dependence of the availability of the corresponding electron acceptors. In this study, we showed that the γ-proteobacterium Shewanella oneidensis produces several functional electron transfer chains simultaneously. Furthermore, these chains are interconnected, most likely with the aid of c-type cytochromes. The cytochrome pool of a single S. oneidensis cell consists of ca. 700 000 hemes, which are reduced in the absence on an electron acceptor, but can be reoxidized in the presence of a variety of electron acceptors, irrespective of prior growth conditions. The small tetraheme cytochrome (STC) and the soluble heme and flavin containing fumarate reductase FccA have overlapping activity and appear to be important for this electron transfer network. Double deletion mutants showed either delayed growth or no growth with ferric iron, nitrate, dimethyl sulfoxide or fumarate as electron acceptor. We propose that an electron transfer machinery that is produced irrespective of a thermodynamic hierarchy not only enables the organism to quickly release catabolic electrons to a variety of environmental electron acceptors, but also offers a fitness benefit in redox-stratified environments.
Prospective errors determine motor learning
Authors: Takiyama Ken , Hirashima Masaya , Nozaki Daichi 
Published: January 2015

AbstractDiverse features of motor learning have been reported by numerous studies, but no single theoretical framework concurrently accounts for these features. Here, we propose a model for motor learning to explain these features in a unified way by extending a motor primitive framework. The model assumes that the recruitment pattern of motor primitives is determined by the predicted movement error of an upcoming movement (prospective error). To validate this idea, we perform a behavioural experiment to examine the model’s novel prediction: after experiencing an environment in which the movement error is more easily predictable, subsequent motor learning should become faster. The experimental results support our prediction, suggesting that the prospective error might be encoded in the motor primitives. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this model has a strong explanatory power to reproduce a wide variety of motor-learning-related phenomena that have been separately explained by different computational models.
Endothelial destabilization by angiopoietin-2 via integrin β1 activation
Authors: Hakanpaa Laura , Sipila Tuomas , Leppanen Veli-Matti , Gautam Prson , Nurmi Harri , Jacquemet Guillaume , Eklund Lauri , Ivaska Johanna , Alitalo Kari , Saharinen Pipsa 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAngiopoietins regulate vascular homeostasis via the endothelial Tie receptor tyrosine kinases. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) supports endothelial stabilization via Tie2 activation. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) functions as a context-dependent Tie2 agonist/antagonist promoting pathological angiogenesis, vascular permeability and inflammation. Elucidating Ang2-dependent mechanisms of vascular destablization is critical for rational design of angiopoietin antagonists that have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in cancer trials. Here, we report that Ang2, but not Ang1, activates β1-integrin, leading to endothelial destablization. Autocrine Ang2 signalling upon Tie2 silencing, or in Ang2 transgenic mice, promotes β1-integrin-positive elongated matrix adhesions and actin stress fibres, regulating vascular endothelial-cadherin-containing cell–cell junctions. The Tie2-silenced monolayer integrity is rescued by β1-integrin, phosphoinositide-3 kinase or Rho kinase inhibition, and by re-expression of a membrane-bound Tie2 ectodomain. Furthermore, Tie2 silencing increases, whereas Ang2 blocking inhibits transendothelial tumour cell migration in vitro. These results establish Ang2-mediated β1-integrin activation as a promoter of endothelial destablization, explaining the controversial vascular functions of Ang1 and Ang2.
Augmented AMPK activity inhibits cell migration by phosphorylating the novel substrate Pdlim5
Authors: Yan Yi , Tsukamoto Osamu , Nakano Atsushi , Kato Hisakazu , Kioka Hidetaka , Ito Noriaki , Higo Shuichiro , Yamazaki Satoru , Shintani Yasunori , Matsuoka Ken , Liao Yulin , Asanuma Hiroshi , Asakura Masanori , Takafuji Kazuaki , Minamino Tetsuo , Asano Yoshihiro , Kitakaze Masafumi , Takashima Seiji 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAugmented AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity inhibits cell migration, possibly contributing to the clinical benefits of chemical AMPK activators in preventing atherosclerosis, vascular remodelling and cancer metastasis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we identify PDZ and LIM domain 5 (Pdlim5) as a novel AMPK substrate and show that it plays a critical role in the inhibition of cell migration. AMPK directly phosphorylates Pdlim5 at Ser177. Exogenous expression of phosphomimetic S177D-Pdlim5 inhibits cell migration and attenuates lamellipodia formation. Consistent with this observation, S177D-Pdlim5 suppresses Rac1 activity at the cell periphery and displaces the Arp2/3 complex from the leading edge. Notably, S177D-Pdlim5, but not WT-Pdlim5, attenuates the association with Rac1-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors at the cell periphery. Taken together, our findings indicate that phosphorylation of Pdlim5 on Ser177 by AMPK mediates inhibition of cell migration by suppressing the Rac1-Arp2/3 signalling pathway.
Methylation of ribosomal RNA by NSUN5 is a conserved mechanism modulating organismal lifespan
Authors: Schosserer Markus , Minois Nadege , Angerer Tina B. , Amring Manuela , Dellago Hanna , Harreither Eva , Calle-Perez Alfonso , Pircher Andreas , Gerstl Matthias Peter , Pfeifenberger Sigrid , Brandl Clemens , Sonntagbauer Markus , Kriegner Albert , Linder Angela , Weinhäusel Andreas , Mohr Thomas , Steiger Matthias , Mattanovich Diethard , Rinnerthaler Mark , Karl Thomas , Sharma Sunny , Entian Karl-Dieter , Kos Martin , Breitenbach Michael , Wilson Iain B.H. , Polacek Norbert , Grillari-Voglauer Regina , Breitenbach-Koller Lore , Grillari Johannes 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSeveral pathways modulating longevity and stress resistance converge on translation by targeting ribosomal proteins or initiation factors, but whether this involves modifications of ribosomal RNA is unclear. Here, we show that reduced levels of the conserved RNA methyltransferase NSUN5 increase the lifespan and stress resistance in yeast, worms and flies. Rcm1, the yeast homologue of NSUN5, methylates C2278 within a conserved region of 25S rRNA. Loss of Rcm1 alters the structural conformation of the ribosome in close proximity to C2278, as well as translational fidelity, and favours recruitment of a distinct subset of oxidative stress-responsive mRNAs into polysomes. Thus, rather than merely being a static molecular machine executing translation, the ribosome exhibits functional diversity by modification of just a single rRNA nucleotide, resulting in an alteration of organismal physiological behaviour, and linking rRNA-mediated translational regulation to modulation of lifespan, and differential stress response.
Ultimately short ballistic vertical graphene Josephson junctions
Authors: Lee Gil-Ho , Kim Sol , Jhi Seung-Hoon , Lee Hu-Jong 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMuch efforts have been made for the realization of hybrid Josephson junctions incorporating various materials for the fundamental studies of exotic physical phenomena as well as the applications to superconducting quantum devices. Nonetheless, the efforts have been hindered by the diffusive nature of the conducting channels and interfaces. To overcome the obstacles, we vertically sandwiched a cleaved graphene monoatomic layer as the normal-conducting spacer between superconducting electrodes. The atomically thin single-crystalline graphene layer serves as an ultimately short conducting channel, with highly transparent interfaces with superconductors. In particular, we show the strong Josephson coupling reaching the theoretical limit, the convex-shaped temperature dependence of the Josephson critical current and the exceptionally skewed phase dependence of the Josephson current; all demonstrate the bona fide short and ballistic Josephson nature. This vertical stacking scheme for extremely thin transparent spacers would open a new pathway for exploring the exotic coherence phenomena occurring on an atomic scale.
Label-free detection of kanamycin based on a G-quadruplex DNA aptamer-based fluorescent intercalator displacement assay
Authors: Xing Yun-Peng , Liu Chun , Zhou Xiao-Hong , Shi Han-Chang 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis work was the first to report that the kanamycin-binding DNA aptamer (5′-TGG GGG TTG AGG CTA AGC CGA-3′) can form stable parallel G-quadruplex DNA (G4-DNA) structures by themselves and that this phenomenon can be verified by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Based on these findings, we developed a novel label-free strategy for kanamycin detection based on the G4-DNA aptamer-based fluorescent intercalator displacement assay with thiazole orange (TO) as the fluorescence probe. In the proposed strategy, TO became strongly fluorescent upon binding to kanamycin-binding G4-DNA. However, the addition of kanamycin caused the displacement of TO from the G4-DNA–TO conjugate, thereby resulting in decreased fluorescent signal, which was inversely related to the kanamycin concentration. The detection limit of the proposed assay decreased to 59 nM with a linear working range of 0.1 μM to 20 μM for kanamycin. The cross-reactivity against six other antibiotics was negligible compared with the response to kanamycin. A satisfactory recovery of kanamycin in milk samples ranged from 80.1% to 98.0%, confirming the potential of this bioassay in the measurement of kanamycin in various applications. Our results also served as a good reference for developing similar fluorescent G4-DNA-based bioassays in the future.
Field resistance of transgenic plantain to nematodes has potential for future African food security
Authors: Tripathi Leena , Babirye Annet , Roderick Hugh , Tripathi Jaindra N. , Changa Charles , Urwin Peter E. , Tushemereirwe Wilberforce K. , Coyne Danny , Atkinson Howard J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPlant parasitic nematodes impose losses of up to 70% on plantains and cooking bananas in Africa. Application of nematicides is inappropriate and resistant cultivars are unavailable. Where grown, demand for plantain is more than for other staple crops. Confined field testing demonstrated that transgenic expression of a biosafe, anti-feedant cysteine proteinase inhibitor and an anti-root invasion, non-lethal synthetic peptide confers resistance to plantain against the key nematode pests Radopholus similis and Helicotylenchus multicinctus. The best peptide transgenic line showed improved agronomic performance relative to non-transgenic controls and provided about 99% nematode resistance at harvest of the mother crop. Its yield was about 186% in comparison with the nematode challenged control non-transgenic plants based on larger bunches and diminished plant toppling in storms, due to less root damage. This is strong evidence for utilizing this resistance to support the future food security of 70 million, mainly poor Africans that depend upon plantain as a staple food.
Spatiotemporal chaotic unjamming and jamming in granular avalanches
Authors: Wang Ziwei , Zhang Jie 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe have investigated the spatiotemporal chaotic dynamics of unjamming and jamming of particles in a model experiment – a rotating drum partially filled with bidisperse disks to create avalanches. The magnitudes of the first Lyapunov vector δu(t) and velocity v(t) of particles are directly measured for the first time to yield insights into their spatial correlation Cδu,v, which is on statistical average slightly larger near the unjamming than the value near the jamming transition. These results are consistent with the recent work of Banigan et al (Nature Phys. 2013) and it is for the first time to validate their theoretical models in a real scenario. v(t) shows rich dynamics: it grows exponentially for unstable particles and keeps increasing despite stochastic interactions; after the maximum, it decays with large fluctuations. Hence the spatiotemporal chaotic dynamics of avalanche particles are entangled, causing temporal correlations of macroscopic quantities of the system. We propose a simple model for these observations.
Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973, a fast growing cyanobacterial chassis for biosynthesis using light and CO2
Authors: Yu Jingjie , Liberton Michelle , Cliften Paul F. , Head Richard D. , Jacobs Jon M. , Smith Richard D. , Koppenaal David W. , Brand Jerry J. , Pakrasi Himadri B. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPhotosynthetic microbes are of emerging interest as production organisms in biotechnology because they can grow autotrophically using sunlight, an abundant energy source and CO2, a greenhouse gas. Important traits for such microbes are fast growth and amenability to genetic manipulation. Here we describe Synechococcuselongatus UTEX 2973, a unicellular cyanobacterium capable of rapid autotrophic growth, comparable to heterotrophic industrial hosts such as yeast. Synechococcus UTEX 2973 can be readily transformed for facile generation of desired knockout and knock-in mutations. Genome sequencing coupled with global proteomics studies revealed that Synechococcus UTEX 2973 is a close relative of the widely studied cyanobacterium Synechococcuselongatus PCC 7942, an organism that grows more than two times slower. A small number of nucleotide changes are the only significant differences between the genomes of these two cyanobacterial strains. Thus, our study has unraveled genetic determinants necessary for rapid growth of cyanobacterial strains of significant industrial potential.
Microcontroller-Assisted Compensation of Adenosine Triphosphate Levels: Instrument and Method Development
Authors: Hu Jie-Bi , Chen Ting-Ru , Chen Yu-Chie , Urban Pawel L. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn order to ascertain optimum conditions for biocatalytic processes carried out in vitro, we have designed a bio-opto-electronic system which ensures real-time compensation for depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in reactions involving transfer of phosphate groups. The system covers ATP concentration range of 2–48 μM. The report demonstrates feasibility of the device operation using apyrase as the ATP-depleting enzyme.
Oxygen-18 isotope of breath CO2 linking to erythrocytes carbonic anhydrase activity: a biomarker for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ghosh Chiranjit , Banik Gourab D. , Maity Abhijit , Som Suman , Chakraborty Arpita , Selvan Chitra , Ghosh Shibendu , Chowdhury Subhankar , Pradhan Manik 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCarbonic anhydrase (CA), a well-characterized metalloenzyme, is associated with oxygen-18 ( 18O)-isotopic fractionations of CO2. To investigate how CA activity links the 18O of breath CO2 to pre-diabetes (PD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) during metabolism, we studied pre- and post-dose CA activities in erythrocytes with simultaneous monitoring of 18O/ 16O-isotope ratios of breath CO2 and thereafter elucidated potential metabolic pathways underlying CA alteration in the pathogenesis of T2D. Here we show that the post-dose CA activity in both T2D and PD was markedly enhanced, whereas the non-diabetic controls (NDC) exhibited a considerable reduction in post-dose CA activity when compared with their basal CA activities. However, T2D and PD exhibited isotopic enrichments of 18O in breath CO2, while a marked depletion of 18O in CO2 was manifested in NDC. Thus, the isotopic enrichments and depletions of 18O in breath CO2 were well correlated with the changes in CA activities for controls, PD and T2D. Our findings suggest the changes in CA activities in erythrocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of T2D and the breath C 18O 16O regulated by the CA activity as a potential biomarker for non-invasive assessment of T2D and thus may open a new method for treating T2D.
Identification and application of keto acids transporters in Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Guo Hongwei , Liu Peiran , Madzak Catherine , Du Guocheng , Zhou Jingwen , Chen Jian 
Published: January 2015

AbstractProduction of organic acids by microorganisms is of great importance for obtaining building-block chemicals from sustainable biomass. Extracellular accumulation of organic acids involved a series of transporters, which play important roles in the accumulation of specific organic acid while lack of systematic demonstration in eukaryotic microorganisms. To circumvent accumulation of by-product, efforts have being orchestrated to carboxylate transport mechanism for potential clue in Yarrowia lipolytica WSH-Z06. Six endogenous putative transporter genes, YALI0B19470g, YALI0C15488g, YALI0C21406g, YALI0D24607g, YALI0D20108g and YALI0E32901g, were identified. Transport characteristics and substrate specificities were further investigated using a carboxylate-transport-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. These transporters were expressed in Y. lipolytica WSH-Z06 to assess their roles in regulating extracellular keto acids accumulation. In a Y. lipolytica T1 line over expressing YALI0B19470g, α-ketoglutarate accumulated to 46.7 g·L−1, whereas the concentration of pyruvate decreased to 12.3 g·L−1. Systematic identification of these keto acids transporters would provide clues to further improve the accumulation of specific organic acids with higher efficiency in eukaryotic microorganisms.
Transcriptome Analysis of Sexually Dimorphic Chinese White Wax Scale Insects Reveals Key Differences in Developmental Programs and Transcription Factor Expression
Authors: Yang Pu , Chen Xiao-Ming , Liu Wei-Wei , Feng Ying , Sun Tao 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe Chinese white wax scale insect,Ericerus pela, represents one of the most dramatic examples of sexual dimorphism in any insect species. In this study, we showed that althoughE. pelamales display complete metamorphosis similar to holometabolous insects, the species forms the sister group toAcyrthosiphon pisumand cluster with hemimetabolous insects. The gene expression profile and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses revealed that the two sexes engaged in distinct developmental programs. In particular, female development appeared to prioritize the expression of genes related to cellular, metabolic and developmental processes and to anatomical structure formation in nymphs. By contrast, male nymphal development is characterized by the significant down-regulation of genes involved in chitin, the respiratory system and neurons. The wing and appendage morphogenesis, anatomical and tissue structure morphogenesis programs activated after male nymphal development. Transcription factors (that convey juvenile hormone or ecdysone signals and Hox genes) and DNA methyltransferase were also differentially expressed between females and males. These results may indicate the roles that these differentially expressed genes play in regulating sexual dimorphism through orchestrating complex genetic programs. This differential expression was particularly prominent for processes linked to female development and wing development in males.