bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced contextual effects on visual contrast perception in schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder
Authors: Schallmo M.-P. , Sponheim S. R. , Olman C. A. 
Published: August 2015

Background.The salience of a visual stimulus is often reduced by nearby stimuli, an effect known as surround suppression of perceived contrast, which may help in locating the borders of an object. Weaker surround suppression has been observed in schizophrenia but it is unclear whether this abnormality is present in other mental disorders with similar symptomatology, or is evident in people with genetic liability for schizophrenia.Method.By examining surround suppression among subjects with schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder, their unaffected biological relatives and healthy controls we sought to determine whether diminished surround suppression was specific to schizophrenia, and if subjects with a genetic risk for either disorder would show similar deficits. Measuring perceived contrast in different surround conditions also allowed us to investigate how this suppression depends on the similarity of target and surrounding stimuli.Results.Surround suppression was weaker among schizophrenia patients regardless of surround configuration. Subjects with bipolar affective disorder showed an intermediate deficit, with stronger suppression than in schizophrenia but weaker than control subjects. Surround suppression was normal in relatives of both patient groups. Findings support a deficit in broadly tuned (rather than sharply orientation- or direction-selective) suppression mechanisms.Conclusions.Weak broadly tuned suppression during visual perception is evident in schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder, consistent with impaired gain control related to the clinical expression of these conditions.
Escaping Heaven and Hell
Authors: LUCK MORGAN 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAdams (1993) argues that the traditional view that no one in Hell can leave, poses a problem for the theist. This is because, she argues, such a bad state of affairs should be prevented by God. In response, Buckareff and Plug (2005) argue that everyone in Hell can leave. More recently, Matheson (2014) argues that if everyone in Hell can leave, then everyone in Heaven can also leave. However, Matheson provides reason to think that it is impossible for anyone in Heaven to leave. In which case, he argues, no one in Hell can leave either. In this article, I extend this debate, and offer reason to think Matheson's argument is unsound.
Stent graft implantation in an aortic pseudoaneurysm associated with a fractured Cheatham-Platinum stent in aortic coarctation
Authors: Kuhelj Dimitrij , Berden Pavel , Podnar Tomaž 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe report a case of aortic pseudoaneurysm associated with a fractured bare Cheatham-Platinum stent following stenting for aortic coarctation. These complications were recognised 6 years after the implantation procedure and were successfully managed by percutaneous stent graft implantation. Staged approach for stent dilatation might prevent development of aortic pseudoaneurysms. In addition, careful follow-up is warranted after stenting for aortic coarctation, particularly in patients with recognised aortic wall injury.
Comparative Assessment of Oral Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated from Healthy and Diseased Tissues
Authors: Páll Emöke , Florea Adrian , Soriţău Olga , Cenariu Mihai , Petruţiu Adrian S. , Roman Alexandra 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to isolate human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from palatal connective and periodontal granulation tissues and to comparatively evaluate their properties. MSCs were isolated using the explant culture method. Adherence to plastic, specific antigen makeup, multipotent differentiation potential, functionality, and ultrastructural characteristics were investigated. The frequency of colony-forming unit fibroblasts for palatal-derived mesenchymal stem cells (pMSCs) was significantly higher than that of granulation tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (gtMSCs). A significantly higher population doubling time and lower migration potential were recorded for gtMSCs than for pMSCs. Both cell lines were positive for CD105, CD73, CD90, CD44, and CD49f, and negative for CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR, but the level of expression was different. MSCs from both sources were relatively uniform in their ultrastructure. Generally, both cell lines possessed a large, irregular-shaped euchromatic nucleus, and cytoplasm rich in mitochondria, lysosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum. The periphery of the plasma membrane displayed many small filopodia. MSCs from both cell lines were successfully differentiated into osteogenic, adiopogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. Both healthy and diseased tissues may be considered as valuable sources of MSCs for regenerative medicine owing to the high acceptance and fewer complications during harvesting.
Origin of life: LUCA and extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs)
Authors: Gill S. , Forterre P. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCells from the three domains of life produce extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs), suggesting that EMV production is an important aspect of cellular physiology. EMVs have been implicated in many aspects of cellular life in all domains, including stress response, toxicity against competing strains, pathogenicity, detoxification and resistance against viral attack. These EMVs represent an important mode of inter-cellular communication by serving as vehicles for transfer of DNA, RNA, proteins and lipids between cells. Here, we review recent progress in the understanding of EMV biology and their various roles. We focus on the role of membrane vesicles in early cellular evolution and how they would have helped shape the nature of the last universal common ancestor. A membrane-protected micro-environment would have been a key to the survival of spontaneous molecular systems and efficient metabolic reactions. Interestingly, the morphology of EMVs is strongly reminiscent of the morphology of some virions. It is thus tempting to make a link between the origin of the first protocell via the formation of vesicles and the origin of viruses.
Mit Wissen zu akkurateren Urteilen?
Authors: Rausch Tobias , Matthäi Jacqueline , Artelt Cordula 
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht, ob und inwieweit das Wissen im Bereich Textverstehen von Deutschlehrkräften der Sekundarstufe mit der Urteilsgüte bei der Einschätzung von Schülerleistungen in diesem Bereich zusammenhängt. Dazu wurde das Text-, Aufgaben- und Strategiewissen von 77 Lehrkräften erhoben und mit Indikatoren der globalen und aufgabenspezifischen Urteilsgüte bei der Einschätzung der Textverstehensleistung von Schülerinnen und Schülern der achten und neunten Klassenstufe korrelativ in Bezug gesetzt. Die Lehrkräfte schätzen ihre Schülerinnen und Schüler relativ akkurat ein und verfügen auch über umfassendes Wissen in den getesteten Bereichen. Es zeigen sich jedoch weder für die Güte von globalen Urteilen noch für die Güte von aufgabenspezifischen Urteilen substanzielle und signifikante Zusammenhänge mit dem Lehrerwissen.
Akademische Selbstwirksamkeit oder fachbezogene Selbstwirksamkeiten?
Authors: Feng Xiaoli , Rost Detlef H. , Zhang Dajun 
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Zielsetzung der Arbeit ist die Klärung der Relevanz der Schulfächer für die Struktur der akademischen Selbstwirksamkeit und für ihre Messung. Zwei chinesische Stichproben wurden mit einem Selbstwirksamkeitsgitter untersucht (Stichprobe A: N = 601 Studierende im Alter von 17 bis 25 Jahren; Stichprobe B: N = 485 Mittelschüler/-schülerinnen im Alter von 14 bis 17 Jahren). In Studie A bestätigten explorative und konfirmatorische Analysen die schulfachbezogene Faktorenstruktur. Differentielle Korrelationen zu schultestähnlichen Leistungsprüfungen belegten die konvergent-diskriminante Validität der fachspezifischen Selbstwirksamkeitserfassung. In Studie B konnte die Schulfachstruktur konfirmatorisch repliziert werden. Die psychometrischen Kennwerte des schulfachbezogenen Selbstwirksamkeitsgitters erwiesen sich als gut.
Children’s Phonological Awareness as a Predictor of Reading and Spelling
Authors: Pfost Maximilian 
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Numerous observational and experimental studies have shown that phonological awareness relates to reading and spelling. However, most studies were conducted in English-speaking countries, neglecting the issue of the generalizability of the findings across different orthographies. This meta-analysis focused exclusively on studies from German-speaking countries and explored how measures of phonological awareness relate longitudinally to reading and spelling. It summarized 19 manuscripts reporting the results of 21 independent studies. Results indicated a mean effect size of Zr = 0.318 (r = .308) for the relation between phonological awareness and later reading and spelling. Moderator analyses showed that phonological awareness on the rhyme level was less related to reading and spelling than phonological awareness on the phoneme level. Furthermore, the predictive power of phonological awareness remained substantial even for children beyond the second grade. The findings suggest that research on reading and spelling development should take into account the characteristics of German orthography.
Measurement of the cleavage energy of graphite
Authors: Wang Wen , Dai Shuyang , Li Xide , Yang Jiarui , Srolovitz David J. , Zheng Quanshui 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe basal plane cleavage energy (CE) of graphite is a key material parameter for understanding many of the unusual properties of graphite, graphene and carbon nanotubes. Nonetheless, a wide range of values for the CE has been reported and no consensus has yet emerged. Here we report the first direct, accurate experimental measurement of the CE of graphite using a novel method based on the self-retraction phenomenon in graphite. The measured value, 0.37±0.01 J m−2for the incommensurate state of bicrystal graphite, is nearly invariant with respect to temperature (22 °C≤T≤198 °C) and bicrystal twist angle, and insensitive to impurities from the atmosphere. The CE for the ideal ABAB graphite stacking, 0.39±0.02 J m−2, is calculated based on a combination of the measured CE and a theoretical calculation. These experimental measurements are also ideal for use in evaluating the efficacy of competing theoretical approaches.
Towards nanoprinting with metals on graphene
Authors: Melinte G. , Moldovan S. , Hirlimann C. , Liu X. , Bégin-Colin S. , Bégin D. , Banhart F. , Pham-Huu C. , Ersen O. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractGraphene and carbon nanotubes are envisaged as suitable materials for the fabrication of the new generation of nanoelectronics. The controlled patterning of such nanostructures with metal nanoparticles is conditioned by the transfer between a recipient and the surface to pattern. Electromigration under the impact of an applied voltage stands at the base of printing discrete digits at the nanoscale. Here we report the use of carbon nanotubes as nanoreservoirs for iron nanoparticles transfer on few-layer graphene. An initial Joule-induced annealing is required to ensure the control of the mass transfer with the nanotube acting as a ‘pen’ for the writing process. By applying a voltage, the tube filled with metal nanoparticles can deposit metal on the surface of the graphene sheet at precise locations. The reverse transfer of nanoparticles from the graphene surface to the nanotube when changing the voltage polarity opens the way for error corrections.
Efficient expression of full-length antibodies in the cytoplasm of engineered bacteria
Authors: Robinson Michael-Paul , Ke Na , Lobstein Julie , Peterson Cristen , Szkodny Alana , Mansell Thomas J. , Tuckey Corinna , Riggs Paul D. , Colussi Paul A. , Noren Christopher J. , Taron Christopher H. , DeLisa Matthew P. , Berkmen Mehmet 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCurrent methods for producing immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in engineered cells often require refolding steps or secretion across one or more biological membranes. Here, we describe a robust expression platform for biosynthesis of full-length IgG antibodies in the Escherichia coli cytoplasm. Synthetic heavy and light chains, both lacking canonical export signals, are expressed in specially engineered E. coli strains that permit formation of stable disulfide bonds within the cytoplasm. IgGs with clinically relevant antigen- and effector-binding activities are readily produced in the E. coli cytoplasm by grafting antigen-specific variable heavy and light domains into a cytoplasmically stable framework and remodelling the fragment crystallizable domain with amino-acid substitutions that promote binding to Fcγ receptors. The resulting cytoplasmic IgGs—named ‘cyclonals’—effectively bypass the potentially rate-limiting steps of membrane translocation and glycosylation.
Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis in the Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Knut
Authors: Prüss H. , Leubner J. , Wenke N. K. , Czirják G. Á. , Szentiks C. A. , Greenwood A. D. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractKnut the polar bear of the Berlin Zoological Garden drowned in 2011 following seizures and was diagnosed as having suffered encephalitis of unknown etiology after exhaustive pathogen screening. Using the diagnostic criteria applied to human patients, we demonstrate that Knut’s encephalitis is almost identical to anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis which is a severe autoimmune disease representing the most common non-infectious encephalitis in humans. High concentrations of antibodies specific against the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor were detected in Knut’s cerebrospinal fluid. Histological examination demonstrated very similar patterns of plasma cell infiltration and minimal neuronal loss in affected brain areas. We conclude that Knut suffered anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis making his the first reported non-human case of this treatable disease. The results suggest that anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis may be a disease of broad relevance to mammals that until now has remained undiagnosed.
Computer simulations of the mechanical response of brushes on the surface of cancerous epithelial cells
Authors: Goicochea A. Gama , Guardado S. J. Alas 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe report a model for atomic force microscopy by means of computer simulations of molecular brushes on surfaces of biological interest such as normal and cancerous cervical epithelial cells. Our model predicts that the force needed to produce a given indentation on brushes that can move on the surface of the cell (called “liquid” brushes) is the same as that required for brushes whose ends are fixed on the cell’s surface (called “solid” brushes), as long as the tip of the microscope covers the entire area of the brush. Additionally, we find that cancerous cells are softer than normal ones, in agreement with various experiments. Moreover, soft brushes are found to display larger resistance to compression than stiff ones. This phenomenon is the consequence of the larger equilibrium length of the soft brushes and the cooperative association of solvent molecules trapped within the brushes, which leads to an increase in the osmotic pressure. Our results show that a careful characterization of the brushes on epithelial cells is indispensable when determining the mechanical response of cancerous cells.
Sensitive Fibre-Based Thermoluminescence Detectors for High Resolution In-Vivo Dosimetry
Authors: Ghomeishi Mostafa , Mahdiraji G. Amouzad , Adikan F. R. Mahamd , Ung N. M. , Bradley D. A. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWith interest in the potential of optical fibres as the basis of next-generation thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs), the development of suitable forms of material and their fabrication has become a fast-growing endeavour. Present study focuses on three types of Ge-doped optical fibres with different structural arrangements and/or shapes, namely conventional cylindrical fibre, capillary fibre and flat fibre, all fabricated using the same optical fibre preform. For doses from 0.5 to 8 Gy, obtained at electron and photon energies, standard thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics of the optical fibres have been the subject of detailed investigation. The results show that in collapsing the capillary fibre into a flat shape, the TL yield is increased by a factor of 5.5, the yield being also some 3.2 times greater than that of the conventional cylindrical fibre fabricated from the same perform. This suggests a means of production of suitably sensitive TLD for in-vivo dosimeter applications. Addressing the associated defects generating luminescence from each of the optical fibres, the study encompasses analysis of the TL glow curves, with computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) and 2nd order kinetics.
Continuous and reversible tuning of the disorder-driven superconductor–insulator transition in bilayer graphene
Authors: Lee Gil-Ho , Jeong Dongchan , Park Kee-Su , Meir Yigal , Cha Min-Chul , Lee Hu-Jong 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe influence of static disorder on a quantum phase transition (QPT) is a fundamental issue in condensed matter physics. As a prototypical example of a disorder-tuned QPT, the superconductor–insulator transition (SIT) has been investigated intensively over the past three decades, but as yet without a general consensus on its nature. A key element is good control of disorder. Here, we present an experimental study of the SIT based on precise in-situ tuning of disorder in dual-gated bilayer graphene proximity-coupled to two superconducting electrodes through electrical and reversible control of the band gap and the charge carrier density. In the presence of a static disorder potential, Andreev-paired carriers formed close to the Fermi level in bilayer graphene constitute a randomly distributed network of proximity-induced superconducting puddles. The landscape of the network was easily tuned by electrical gating to induce percolative clusters at the onset of superconductivity. This is evidenced by scaling behavior consistent with the classical percolation in transport measurements. At lower temperatures, the solely electrical tuning of the disorder-induced landscape enables us to observe, for the first time, a crossover from classical to quantum percolation in a single device, which elucidates how thermal dephasing engages in separating the two regimes.
Photo-induced H2 production from a CH3OH-H2O solution at insulator surface
Authors: Li Rengui , Wang Xiuli , Jin Shaoqing , Zhou Xin , Feng Zhaochi , Li Zheng , Shi Jingying , Zhang Qiao , Li Can 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn a conventional photocatalytic or photochemical process, either a photocatalyst or a molecule is excited by irradiation light that has energy greater than the forbidden band (i.e., the band gap) of the semiconductor or the transition energy of an excited state of the molecule, respectively, for a reaction to occur. However, in this work, we found that a considerable amount of H2 can be generated from a CH3OH-H2O solution at a quartz surface using light with energy far outside the electronic absorbance range of the CH3OH-H2O solution; this process should not occur in principle via either conventional photocatalysis or a photochemical process. The H2 production was further confirmed using 266 nm and 355 nm lasers as light sources. Our work demonstrates that photo-induced H2 production can occur on insulator surfaces (e.g., quartz), which were commonly believed to be inert and will shed light on the surface nature of insulators.
Significant anthropogenic-induced changes of climate classes since 1950
Authors: Chan Duo , Wu Qigang 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAnthropogenic forcings have contributed to global and regional warming in the last few decades and likely affected terrestrial precipitation. Here we examine changes in major Köppen climate classes from gridded observed data and their uncertainties due to internal climate variability using control simulations from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5). About 5.7% of the global total land area has shifted toward warmer and drier climate types from 1950–2010 and significant changes include expansion of arid and high-latitude continental climate zones, shrinkage in polar and midlatitude continental climates, poleward shifts in temperate, continental and polar climates and increasing average elevation of tropical and polar climates. Using CMIP5 multi-model averaged historical simulations forced by observed anthropogenic and natural, or natural only, forcing components, we find that these changes of climate types since 1950 cannot be explained as natural variations but are driven by anthropogenic factors.
Micro/Nano-pore Network Analysis of Gas Flow in Shale Matrix
Authors: Zhang Pengwei , Hu Liming , Meegoda Jay N. , Gao Shengyan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe gas flow in shale matrix is of great research interests for optimized shale gas extraction. The gas flow in the nano-scale pore may fall in flow regimes such as viscous flow, slip flow and Knudsen diffusion. A 3-dimensional nano-scale pore network model was developed to simulate dynamic gas flow and to describe the transient properties of flow regimes. The proposed pore network model accounts for the various size distributions and low connectivity of shale pores. The pore size, pore throat size and coordination number obey normal distribution and the average values can be obtained from shale reservoir data. The gas flow regimes were simulated using an extracted pore network backbone. The numerical results show that apparent permeability is strongly dependent on pore pressure in the reservoir and pore throat size, which is overestimated by low-pressure laboratory tests. With the decrease of reservoir pressure, viscous flow is weakening, then slip flow and Knudsen diffusion are gradually becoming dominant flow regimes. The fingering phenomenon can be predicted by micro/nano-pore network for gas flow, which provides an effective way to capture heterogeneity of shale gas reservoir.
Evidence for a Finite-Temperature Insulator
Authors: Ovadia M. , Kalok D. , Tamir I. , Mitra S. , Sacépé B. , Shahar D. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn superconductors the zero-resistance current-flow is protected from dissipation at finite temperatures (T) by virtue of the short-circuit condition maintained by the electrons that remain in the condensed state. The recently suggested finite-T insulator and the “superinsulating” phase are different because any residual mechanism of conduction will eventually become dominant as the finite-T insulator sets-in. If the residual conduction is small it may be possible to observe the transition to these intriguing states. We show that the conductivity of the high magnetic-field insulator terminating superconductivity in amorphous indium-oxide exhibits an abrupt drop and seem to approach a zero conductance at T < 0.04 K. We discuss our results in the light of theories that lead to a finite-T insulator.