bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Results From a Newly Established Behavioral Health Home
Authors: Maragakis Alexandros , RachBeisel Jill , Blount Alexis 
Published: May 2015

Objective: Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) have higher rates of preventable diseases such as diabetes in comparison to the general population. While multifaceted, these high rates of preventable diseases in the population with SMI may be partially attributed to limited access to primary care. A new program, the Behavioral Health Home (BHH), which allows for the delivery of somatic care coordination and population-based care, may provide this population with the much needed somatic coordination and education it requires. Methods: The impact of the population-based health management program of the BHH identification and severity rating of glucose metabolism disorders was assessed during the initial 10 months of the BHH. Results: Multiple patients were identified who either were not having hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels drawn per recommended guidelines for individuals prescribed antipsychotic medications or were within diabetic range but did not have a diagnosis of diabetes. Mixed results occurred in regard to patients’ HbA1c levels while engaging in the BHH. Conclusion: This case study provides some initial evidence for the utility of the BHH in regard to identifying patients who need preventive care.
Preparation, assessment, and comparison of α-chitin nano-fiber films with different surface charges
Authors: Zhang Yan , Jiang Jie , Liu Liang , Zheng Ke , Yu Shiyuan , Fan Yimin 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Chitin nano-fibers with positive and negative charges have been, respectively, produced from partially deacetylated and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidized α-chitin. The average diameters and lengths of the TEMPO-oxidized chitin nano-fibers (TOChN) were 14 ± 4.3 and 190 ± 140 nm, respectively, and the average diameters and lengths of the partially deacetylated chitin nano-fibers (DEChN) were 6 ± 1.7 and 320 ± 105 nm, respectively. A partially deacetylated chitin nano-fiber film (DEChN-F), a TEMPO-mediated and oxidized chitin nano-fiber film (TOChN-F), and a composite film (DE-TO-ChN-F) consisting of a combination of the two were prepared by drying the dispersions at 40 °C. The DEChN-F, TOChN-F, and DE-TO-ChN-F all have similar tensile strengths of approximately 90 MPa; however, the chitosan film (Chitosan-F) had a tensile strength of approximately 30 MPa. In addition, TOChN-F and DE-TO-ChN-F have a thermal weight loss at 210 °C, and DEChN-F has a thermal weight loss at 280 °C. DEChN-F was found to have antimicrobial activity with regards to Escherichia coli. Finally, the chitin nano-fiber films could be slightly degraded by cellulase, which provided a novel biological performance of the chitin nano-material.
Inferring regulatory element landscapes and transcription factor networks from cancer methylomes
Authors: Yao Lijing , Shen Hui , Laird Peter W , Farnham Peggy J , Berman Benjamin P 
Published: May 2015

AbstractRecent studies indicate that DNA methylation can be used to identify transcriptional enhancers, but no systematic approach has been developed for genome-wide identification and analysis of enhancers based on DNA methylation. We describe ELMER (Enhancer Linking by Methylation/Expression Relationships), an R-based tool that uses DNA methylation to identify enhancers and correlates enhancer state with expression of nearby genes to identify transcriptional targets. Transcription factor motif analysis of enhancers is coupled with expression analysis of transcription factors to infer upstream regulators. Using ELMER, we investigated more than 2,000 tumor samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We identified networks regulated by known cancer drivers such as GATA3 and FOXA1 (breast cancer), SOX17 and FOXA2 (endometrial cancer), and NFE2L2, SOX2, and TP63 (squamous cell lung cancer). We also identified novel networks with prognostic associations, including RUNX1 in kidney cancer. We propose ELMER as a powerful new paradigm for understanding the cis-regulatory interface between cancer-associated transcription factors and their functional target genes.
Longitudinal analysis of peripheral blood T cell receptor diversity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus by next-generation sequencing
Authors: Thapa Dharma R , Tonikian Raffi , Sun Chao , Liu Mei , Dearth Andrea , Petri Michelle , Pepin Francois , Emerson Ryan O , Ranger Ann 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Introduction
T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Clonal expansion of T cells correlating with disease activity has been observed in peripheral blood (PB) of SLE subjects. Recently, next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the T cell receptor (TCR) β loci has emerged as a sensitive way to measure the T cell repertoire. In this study, we utilized NGS to assess whether changes in T cell repertoire diversity in PB of SLE patients correlate with or predict changes in disease activity.

Methods
Total RNA was isolated from the PB of 11 SLE patients. Each subject had three samples, collected at periods of clinical quiescence and at a flare. Twelve age-matched healthy controls (HC) were used for reference. NGS was used to profile the complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of the rearranged TCR β loci.

Results
Relative to the HC, SLE patients (at quiescence) demonstrated a 2.2-fold reduction in repertoire diversity in a given PB volume (P <0.0002), a more uneven distribution of the repertoire (Gini coefficient, HC vs SLE, P = 0.015), and a trend toward increased percentage of expanded clones in the repertoire (clone size >1.0 %, HC vs SLE, P = 0.078). No significant correlation between the overall repertoire diversity and clinical disease activity was observed for most SLE patients with only two of eleven SLE patients showing a decreasing trend in repertoire diversity approaching the flare time point. We did not observe any overlap of CDR3 amino acid sequences or a preferential Vβ or Jβ gene usage among the top 100 expanded clones from all SLE patients. In both HC and SLE, the majority of the expanded clones were remarkably stable over time (HC = 5.5 ±0.5 months, SLE = 7.2 ±2.4 months).

Conclusions
A significant decrease in T cell repertoire diversity was observed in PB of SLE patients compared to HC. However, in most SLE patients, repertoire diversity did not change significantly with increases in disease activity to a flare. Thus, without a priori knowledge of disease-specific clones, monitoring TCR repertoire in PB from SLE patients is not likely to be useful to predict changes in disease activity.
The hard sphere view of the outer core
Authors: Helffrich George 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe hard sphere model for liquids attempts to capture the physical behavior of a real liquid in a simple conceptual model: a fluid of fixed size spheres that only interact repulsively when they come into contact. Is the model good enough to use for modeling internal planetary structure? To answer this question, I survey variants of hard sphere liquid theory by applying them to the Earth’s outer core to determine which of them explains wavespeeds in the outer core best. The variants explored here are the Carnahan-Starling hard sphere model, the Mansoori-Carnahan-Starling-Leland extension to hard sphere mixtures, the transition metal hard sphere liquid, and the Lennard-Jones hard sphere liquid with attractive forces. With an empirical addition of a temperature dependence to the liquid’s hard sphere diameter, all of the variants explored can replicate wavespeeds in most of the radius range of the outer core. The hard sphere model for liquid transition metals explains the wavespeed best because it yields a mean liquid atomic weight of 48.8 g mol−1 at 10 wt% light element abundance in the core which is in good cosmochemical agreement with core light element models. Other variants also fit core wavespeeds but require implausibly low liquid mean atomic weight implying excessive incorporation of hydrogen or helium in the core. Applied to the detailed wavespeed structure of the Earth’s outermost outer core, the model suggests that the mean atomic weight could be reduced by up to 1.74% or the temperature could be increased by up to 400 K relative to an adiabatic profile, or there could be 8% fewer valence electrons in the liquid.
Low DICER1 expression is associated with attenuated neutrophil differentiation and autophagy of NB4 APL cells
Authors: Wampfler Julian , Federzoni Elena A , Torbett Bruce E , Fey Martin F , Tschan Mario P 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Successful myeloid differentiation depends on the expression of a series of miRNAs. Thus, it is hardly surprising that miRNAs are globally repressed in AML, a disease mainly characterized by a block in cellular myeloid differentiation. Studies investigating the mechanisms for low miRNA expression in AML has mostly focused on altered transcriptional regulation or deletions, whereas defective miRNA processing has received less attention. In this study, we report that the expression of the key miRNA processing enzyme DICER1 is down-regulated in primary AML patient samples and healthy CD34+ progenitor cells as compared with granulocytes. In line with these findings, Dicer1 expression was induced significantly in AML cell lines upon neutrophil differentiation. The knocking down of DICER1 in AML cells significantly attenuated neutrophil differentiation, which was paralleled by decreased expression of miRNAs involved in this process. Moreover, we found that inhibiting DICER1 attenuated the activation of autophagy, a cellular recycling process that is needed for proper neutrophil differentiation of AML cells. Our results clearly indicate that DICER1 plays a novel role in neutrophil differentiation as well as in myeloid autophagy of AML cells.
Differing roles of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases during mouse oocyte maturation
Authors: Hou Xiaojing , Zhang Liang , Han Longsen , Ge Juan , Ma Rujun , Zhang Xuesen , Moley Kelle , Schedl Tim , Wang Qiang 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT
Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDKs) modulate energy homeostasis in multiple tissues and cell types, under various nutrient conditions, through phosphorylation of the α subunit (PDHE1α, also known as PDHA1) of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex. However, the roles of PDKs in meiotic maturation are currently unknown. Here, by undertaking knockdown and overexpression analysis of PDK paralogs (PDK1–PDK4) in mouse oocytes, we established the site-specificity of PDKs towards the phosphorylation of three serine residues (Ser232, Ser293 and Ser300) on PDHE1α. We found that PDK3-mediated phosphorylation of Ser293-PDHE1α results in disruption of meiotic spindle morphology and chromosome alignment and decreased total ATP levels, probably through inhibition of PDH activity. Unexpectedly, we discovered that PDK1 and PDK2 promote meiotic maturation, as their knockdown disturbs the assembly of the meiotic apparatus, without significantly altering ATP content. Moreover, phosphorylation of Ser232-PDHE1α was demonstrated to mediate PDK1 and PDK2 action in meiotic maturation, possibly through a mechanism that is distinct from PDH inactivation. These findings reveal that there are divergent roles of PDKs during oocyte maturation and indicate a new mechanism controlling meiotic structure.
Visual phototransduction components in cephalopod chromatophores suggest dermal photoreception
Authors: Kingston Alexandra C. N. , Kuzirian Alan M. , Hanlon Roger T. , Cronin Thomas W. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT
Cephalopod mollusks are renowned for their colorful and dynamic body patterns, produced by an assemblage of skin components that interact with light. These may include iridophores, leucophores, chromatophores and (in some species) photophores. Here, we present molecular evidence suggesting that cephalopod chromatophores – small dermal pigmentary organs that reflect various colors of light – are photosensitive. RT-PCR revealed the presence of transcripts encoding rhodopsin and retinochrome within the retinas and skin of the squid Doryteuthis pealeii, and the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis and Sepia latimanus. In D. pealeii, Gqα and squid TRP channel transcripts were present in the retina and in all dermal samples. Rhodopsin, retinochrome and Gqα transcripts were also found in RNA extracts from dissociated chromatophores isolated from D. pealeii dermal tissues. Immunohistochemical staining labeled rhodopsin, retinochrome and Gqα proteins in several chromatophore components, including pigment cell membranes, radial muscle fibers, and sheath cells. This is the first evidence that cephalopod dermal tissues, and specifically chromatophores, may possess the requisite combination of molecules required to respond to light.
Mosquitocidal properties of IgG targeting the glutamate-gated chloride channel in three mosquito disease vectors (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Meyers Jacob I. , Gray Meg , Foy Brian D. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThe glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) is a highly sensitive insecticide target of the avermectin class of insecticides. As an alternative to using chemical insecticides to kill mosquitoes, we tested the effects of purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) targeting the extracellular domain of GluCl from Anopheles gambiae (AgGluCl) on the survivorship of three key mosquito disease vectors: Anopheles gambiae s.s., Aedes aegypti and Culex tarsalis. When administered through a single blood meal, anti-AgGluCl IgG reduced the survivorship of A. gambiae in a dose-dependent manner (LC50: 2.82 mg ml−1, range 2.68–2.96 mg ml−1) but not A. aegypti or C. tarsalis. We previously demonstrated that AgGluCl is only located in tissues of the head and thorax of A. gambiae. To verify that AgGluCl IgG is affecting target antigens found outside the midgut, we injected it directly into the hemocoel via intrathoracic injection. A single, physiologically relevant concentration of anti-AgGluCl IgG injected into the hemocoel equally reduced mosquito survivorship of all three species. To test whether anti-AgGluCl IgG was entering the hemocoel of each of these mosquitoes, we fed mosquitoes a blood meal containing anti-AgGluCl IgG and subsequently extracted their hemolymph. We only detected IgG in the hemolymph of A. gambiae, suggesting that resistance of A. aegypti and C. tarsalis to anti-AgGluCl IgG found in blood meals is due to deficient IgG translocation across the midgut. We predicted that anti-AgGluCl IgG's mode of action is by antagonizing GluCl activity. To test this hypothesis, we fed A. gambiae blood meals containing anti-AgGluCl IgG and the GluCl agonist ivermectin (IVM). Anti-AgGluCl IgG attenuated the mosquitocidal effects of IVM, suggesting that anti-AgGluCl IgG antagonizes IVM-induced activation of GluCl. Lastly, we stained adult, female A. aegypti and C. tarsalis for GluCl expression. Neuronal GluCl expression in these mosquitoes was similar to previously reported A. gambiae GluCl expression; however, we also discovered GluCl staining on the basolateral surface of their midgut epithelial cells, suggesting important physiological differences in Culicine and Anopheline mosquitoes.
Facile Synthesis of MgO Microspheres via Water-in-oil Emulsion Assisted with Homogeneous Precipitation
Authors: Chang Ying , Wang Hui , Wang Huihu , Yan Ming , Liu Bei , Dong Shijie 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Water droplets containing MgCl2 and urea, as the water phase of xylene/water/span-80 water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion system, can act as microreactors where spherical MgO precursor powders with porous microstructure were obtained via homogeneous precipitation. By changing the volume ratio of span-80 to xylene, spherical powders with different sizes were synthesized, and the effect of span-80/xylene volume ratio on powder morphology was examined. The as-prepared powders as well as their precursors were characterized by means of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), laser particle size analysis (LPS), N2-adsorption measurements (BET) and thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The TG-DTA result indicated that the optimal sintering temperature of precursor powders was 450 °C. The FE-SEM results showed that the span-80-to-xylene volume ratio had a marked effect on the morphology of powders. When the ratio was 1:40, the FE-SEM and LPS results confirmed the formation of the powder microspheres with a size range of 1–16 µm, and the surface area of the microspheres was about 75.7 m2 g−1 according to the BET result.
In vitro-ex vivo model systems for nanosafety assessment
Authors: Wick Peter , Chortarea Savvina , Guenat Olivier T. , Roesslein Matthias , Stucki Janick D. , Hirn Stephanie , Petri-Fink Alke , Rothen-Rutishauser Barbara 
Published: May 2015

AbstractEngineered nanomaterials have unique and novel properties enabling wide-ranging new applications in nearly all fields of research. As these new properties have raised concerns about potential adverse effects for the environment and human health, extensive efforts are underway to define reliable, cost- and time-effective, as well as mechanistic-based testing strategies to replace the current method of animal testing, which is still the most prevalent model used for the risk assessment of chemicals. Current approaches for nanomaterials follow this line. The aim of this review is to explore and qualify the relevance of new in vitro and ex vivo models in (nano)material safety assessment, a crucial prerequisite for translation into applications.
Warm Mix Asphalt For Australian Airports
Authors: White Greg 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) is a viable alternate to Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) for airport surfacing in Australia. Limited experience with this technology at Australian airports has prevented its acceptance by airport owners and their designers. WMA does have a significant track record in Europe and the USA, where it has been demonstrated to provide significant environmental, safety, quality and construction flexibility benefits. Differences in available binders and the Australian tendency for thinner asphalt layers and less capable materials makes direct extrapolation of experience from Europe and the USA inappropriate.
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the comparative performance of WMA (by foamed bitumen technology) to HMA as an airport surface layer. Comparison between HMA and WMA has been made during a number of projects at Australian airports since 2012. A formal trial was performed at a military airfield as part of a broader project in 2013. A combination of production verification, quality assurance and mix performance tests were used to make comparisons. Subject to ongoing monitoring and performance testing of the military airfield WMA trial section, WMA is now verified as a viable alternate surfacing material for Australian airport runways.
Development Of A Pavement Rutting Model Using Shakedown Theory
Authors: Boulbibane Mostapha , Collins Ian F. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The rutting of flexible pavements during their exploitation is considered to be one of the main problems in UK as well as worldwide. It is a serious mode of distress alongside fatigue in bituminous pavements that may lead to premature failure, as indicated by permanent deformation or rut depth along the wheel load path, and results in early and costly rehabilitation. This kind of pavement distress makes a negative impact to the serviceability characteristics of the flexible pavement, to the residual life of pavement structure and also to the safety and ride quality for traffic. Two design methods have been used to control rutting: one to limit the vertical compressive strain on the top of subgrade and the other to limit rutting to a tolerable amount usually around “12 mm”. Although experimental data and practical experience have been introduced into these design methods through empirical parameters, there is not a simple relationship between the elastic strain and the long-term plastic behaviour of pavement materials. This paper describes a method based on the kinematic shakedown theorem for constructing a mathematical model to predict the long-term behaviour of pavement structures under the action of repeated and cyclic loadings imposed by moving traffic. This method seeks the mechanism from within a class of mechanisms that minimises the shakedown limit load for pavement structures consisting of layers of Mohr-Coulomb materials. The model differs from extant models, in that the cyclic nature of the loading on a pavement is recognised from the outset, and the current method which is based upon foundation analysis, is replaced by a procedure employing shakedown theory that features the capabilities and applications of the developed technique for assessing rutting in flexible pavements. The basic concepts are outlined together with the most recent calculations of the critical design shakedown load. The influence of the design parameters such as, the strength, stiffness and depth of the granular base-course material as well as the consequences of traffic loading (number of equivalent standard axel loads – ESAL’s) are discussed.
Laboratory Trials Of Cold Recycled Foamed Bitumen Asphalt: Raf Waddington
Authors: Jiménez Helena Isabel Lacalle , Tuck Jessica 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation requested a pavement evaluation on RAF Waddington and the results indicated that runway rehabilitation and reprofiling was needed in order to meet the physical design requirements set out in the Manual of Aerodrome Design & Safeguarding. The presence of tar in a layer of the old pavement promoted the option of cold recycling this material into the new structure. This paper presents the results from a laboratory investigation into the suitability of cold recycled foamed bitumen asphalt to be used in the structural layers of an airfield pavement.
Laboratory mixture designs with foamed bitumen, incorporating asphalt planings from RAF Waddington runway, were produced in URS Infrastructure and Environment Ltd. laboratory. Specimens were used to assess mix performance and in order to add confidence to the design. The last objective of the research was to demonstrate that asphalt planings from RAF Waddington could be recycled into foamed asphalt for incorporation in the runway rehabilitation works. The optimum binder content was determined from Indirect Tensile Stiffness Modulus tests and Indirect Tensile Strength tests, concluding that the optimum binder content was 3.3% by mass. As a common practice in the UK, up to 1.5% by mass of cement was added to the mixture to improve early life performance. To assess the foamed bitumen samples’ performance with time, specimens were prepared and cured for 28, 180 and 360 days at different temperatures. Post curing, the specimens were tested for a range of performance criteria including fatigue, stiffness and durability.
The study found that asphalt sampled from the runway at RAF Waddington can be recycled into foamed asphalt, meeting the requirements of Defence Infrastructure Organisation Specification 050.