bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population ageing in a lifecourse perspective: developing a conceptual framework
Authors: KOMP KATHRIN , JOHANSSON STINA 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTPopulation ageing is a global trend that affects individual life plans, family arrangements, market structures, care provisions and pension schemes. We combine insights from demography and lifecourse research to understand better the causes of population ageing. Demography explains population ageing by describing changes in fertility, mortality and migration rates. Lifecourse research argues that these rates are interconnected because they are embedded in the lifecourses of individuals. An individual's experiences at an early age can influence behaviours at a later age, thereby creating continuity throughout the lifecourse. Additionally, lifecourse research underlines that social networks – such as families – and countries influence lifecourse. Thus, historical events and past experiences have already set the course for today's demographic changes. Moreover, the effects of policies that strive to influence population ageing will not be evident for years or even decades to come. This paper introduces a conceptual framework that explains how the lifecourse perspective can be applied to the phenomenon of population ageing and illustrates the framework through a case study of Germany. The case study highlights that insights from the micro-, meso- and macro-levels need to be combined to achieve a deeper understanding of population ageing. Scholars can use the framework presented in this paper as a guideline for merging arguments from demography and lifecourse research in future studies.
CONCERNS FOR THE POORLY OFF IN ORDERING RISKY PROSPECTS
Authors: Bovens Luc 
Published: July 2015

Abstract:The Distribution View provides a model that integrates four distributional concerns in the evaluation of risky prospects. Starting from these concerns, we can generate an ordering over a set of risky prospects, or, starting from an ordering, we can extract a characterization of the underlying distributional concerns. Separability of States and/or Persons for multiple-person risky prospects, for single-person risky prospects and for multiple-person certain prospects are discussed within the model. The Distribution View sheds light on public health policies and provides a framework for the discussion of Parfit's Priority View for risky prospects.
PUNISHMENT JUSTIFIABLE AS A QUASI-TAX
Authors: Gilboa David 
Published: July 2015

Abstract:I argue that, since the legal order is a public good, an act of legal punishment may be viewed as the imposition of a kind of tax, which I label ‘a quasi-tax’. Once punishment is viewed as a quasi-tax, the traditionally opposed approaches to punishment may be reconciled, as both utility and retribution jointly justify an act of legal punishment. I discuss objections to my argument and I reply to them.
IMPLEMENTATION-NEUTRAL CAUSATION
Authors: LeRoy Stephen F. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract:The most basic question one can ask of a model is ‘What is the effect on variable y2 of variable y1?’ Causation is ‘implementation neutral’ when all interventions on external variables that lead to a given change in y1 have the same effect on y2, so that the effect of y1 on y2 is defined unambiguously. Familiar ideas of causal analysis do not apply when causation is implementation neutral. For example, a cause variable cannot be linked to an effect variable by both a direct path and a distinct indirect path. Discussion of empirical aspects of implementation neutrality leads to further unexpected results, such as that if one variable causes another the coefficient representing that causal link is always identified.
Blow-up for the wave equation with nonlinear source and boundary damping terms
Authors: Fiscella Alessio , Vitillaro Enzo 
Published: July 2015

The paper deals with blow-up for the solutions of an evolution problem consisting in a semilinear wave equation posed in a boundedC1,1open subset of ℝn, supplied with a Neumann boundary condition involving a nonlinear dissipation. The typical problem studied iswhere∂Ω=Γ0∪Γ1,Γ0∩Γ1= ∅,σ(Γ0) > 0, 2 <p≤ 2(n− 1)/(n− 2) (whenn≥ 3),m> 1,α∈L∞(Γ1),α≥ 0 andβ≥ 0. The initial data are posed in the energy space.The aim of the paper is to improve previous blow-up results concerning the problem.
A content analysis of the Meaningful Use clinical summary: do clinical summaries promote patient engagement?
Authors: Jiggins Karen 
Published: July 2015

AimThis study analyzed Meaningful Use (MU) clinical summaries (CS) given to 100 older adults (⩾65) from 10 family physicians in an urban primary care practice.BackgroundIn the United States, MU was designed to promote and enhance patient engagement in hospitals and clinics across the country, providing financial incentives to physicians attesting to the Meaningful Use of a certified Electronic Health Record by meeting a series of measures and objectives. The CS is intended to support patient and family engagement by communicating elements discussed during the clinical encounter including an updated medication list, problem list, and plan of care (POC). Despite the $27.7 billion spent distributing MU payments to more than 418,000 Eligible Professionals in ambulatory care to date, there is little discussion in the scholarly literature supporting the use of the CS to facilitate patient engagement.MethodsTen CS were accessed from each of 10 family physicians during a regular practice week. Directed content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the summaries. Key variables of analysis included diagnoses, medications, plan of care content, availability, completeness, health literacy, format, and readability.FindingsCS contained an average of 5.2 diagnoses and 10 medications. Summaries contained vital signs (98%), lab results (9%), smoking status (88%), professional care team members (4%), follow-up appointments (46%), and POC (67%); 37% of CS were judged to be incomplete. Readability scores indicated that a university education was required to understand the CS. CS support patient engagement by supplying information that supports behavior change and self-management, however barriers to patient engagement exist, including (a) access, (b) poor document readability, and (c) a lack of customization to the patient’s experience.
Behaviour in war: The place of law, moral inquiry and self-identity
Authors: Stephens Dale 
Published: July 2015

AbstractDaniel Munoz-Rojas and Jean-Jacques Fresard's study “The Roots of Behaviour in War” (RBW Study), which came out in 2004, provided very useful insight into how compliance with international humanitarian law may be better ensured. In essence, it emphasized the role of “the law” and associated enforcement mechanisms in achieving optimal results. Emphasis on “persuasion” regarding the values underpinning the law was identified as having a possibly corrosive effect and was to be de-emphasized, if not avoided. Such conclusions raise serious questions. The study's reliance on neutral normativity of “the law” can be overstated. The issue may be less one of checking aberrant behaviour under the law and more one of ensuring that unnecessary harm is curtailed within the law. The assumptions made by the RBW Study concerning the efficacy of the law are too narrow in their avoidance of the moral and ethical questioning that can accompany legal interpretative approaches. The role of identity and professional culture offers an effective means of ensuring restraint under the law. This article argues that the RBW Study has not stood the test of time and that operational developments have transcended the conclusions made in the study.
Health Implications of Adults’ Eating at and Living near Fast Food or Quick Service Restaurants
Authors: Jiao J , Moudon A V , Kim S Y , Hurvitz P M , Drewnowski A 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Background:
This paper examined whether the reported health impacts of frequent eating at a fast food or quick service restaurant on health were related to having such a restaurant near home.

Methods:
Logistic regressions estimated associations between frequent fast food or quick service restaurant use and health status, being overweight or obese, having a cardiovascular disease or diabetes, as binary health outcomes. In all, 2001 participants in the 2008–2009 Seattle Obesity Study survey were included in the analyses.

Results:
Results showed eating ⩾2 times a week at a fast food or quick service restaurant was associated with perceived poor health status, overweight and obese. However, living close to such restaurants was not related to negative health outcomes.

Conclusions:
Frequent eating at a fast food or quick service restaurant was associated with perceived poor health status and higher body mass index, but living close to such facilities was not.
Strain-level bacterial identification by CeO2-catalyzed MALDI-TOF MS fatty acid analysis and comparison to commercial protein-based methods
Authors: Cox C. R. , Jensen K. R. , Saichek N. R. , Voorhees K. J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMatrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has emerged as a rapid approach for clinical bacterial identification. However, current protein-based commercial bacterial ID methods fall short when differentiating closely related species/strains. To address this shortcoming, we employed CeO2-catalyzed fragmentation of lipids to produce fatty acids using the energy inherent to the MALDI laser as a novel alternative to protein profiling. Fatty acid profiles collected from Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter and Listeria using CeO2-catalyzed metal oxide laser ionization (MOLI MS), processed by principal component analysis and validated by leave–one-out cross-validation (CV), showed 100% correct classification at the species level and 98% at the strain level. In comparison, protein profile data from the same bacteria yielded 32%, 54% and 67% mean species-level accuracy using two MALDI-TOF MS platforms, respectively. In addition, several pathogens were misidentified by protein profiling as non-pathogens and vice versa. These results suggest novel CeO2-catalyzed lipid fragmentation readily produced (i) taxonomically tractable fatty acid profiles by MOLI MS, (ii) highly accurate bacterial classification and (iii) consistent strain-level ID for bacteria that were routinely misidentified by protein-based methods.
Economical analysis of saturation mutagenesis experiments
Authors: Acevedo-Rocha Carlos G. , Reetz Manfred T. , Nov Yuval 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSaturation mutagenesis is a powerful technique for engineering proteins, metabolic pathways and genomes. In spite of its numerous applications, creating high-quality saturation mutagenesis libraries remains a challenge, as various experimental parameters influence in a complex manner the resulting diversity. We explore from the economical perspective various aspects of saturation mutagenesis library preparation: We introduce a cheaper and faster control for assessing library quality based on liquid media; analyze the role of primer purity and supplier in libraries with and without redundancy; compare library quality, yield, randomization efficiency and annealing bias using traditional and emergent randomization schemes based on mixtures of mutagenic primers; and establish a methodology for choosing the most cost-effective randomization scheme given the screening costs and other experimental parameters. We show that by carefully considering these parameters, laboratory expenses can be significantly reduced.
Visible-light-driven Photocatalytic N-arylation of Imidazole Derivatives and Arylboronic Acids on Cu/graphene catalyst
Authors: Cui Yan-Li , Guo Xiao-Ning , Wang Ying-Yong , Guo Xiang-Yun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractN-aryl imidazoles play an important role as structural and functional units in many natural products and biologically active compounds. Herein, we report a photocatalytic route for the C-N cross-coupling reactions over a Cu/graphene catalyst, which can effectively catalyze N-arylation of imidazole and phenylboronic acid and achieve a turnover frequency of 25.4 h−1 at 25 oC and the irradiation of visible light. The enhanced catalytic activity of the Cu/graphene under the light irradiation results from the localized surface plasmon resonance of copper nanoparticles. The Cu/graphene photocatalyst has a general applicability for photocatalytic C-N, C-O and C-S cross-coupling of arylboronic acids with imidazoles, phenols and thiophenols. This study provides a green photocatalytic route for the production of N-aryl imidazoles.
Haplotypes in the promoter region of the CIDEC gene associated with growth traits in Nanyang cattle
Authors: Wang Jing , Hua Liu-shuai , Pan Hong , Zhang Liang-zhi , Li Ming-xun , Huang Yong-zhen , Li Zhuan-jian , Lan Xian-yong , Lei Chu-zhao , Li Cong-jun , Chen Hong 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCell death-inducing DFFA-like effector c (CIDEC, also known as Fsp27) has emerged as an important regulator of metabolism associated with lipodystrophy, diabetes and hepatic steatosis. It is required for unilocular lipid droplet formation and optimal energy storage. The mechanism between this gene and livestock growth traits, however, has yet to be reported. In this study, we found ten novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5’ transcriptional region of CIDEC in Nanyang (NY) cattle, which are located in the recognition sequences (potential cis-acting elements) of 22 transcription factors and the nine haplotypes represent nine different combinations of polymorphic potential cis-acting elements. The results indicated that individuals with the H8-H8 diplotype had heavier body weights and faster growth rates (P < 0.01) at 18th months than those with H1-H8. We evaluated the transcriptional activities of different haplotypes in vitro, the results were consistent with the association analysis. The H8 haplotype had 1.88-fold (P < 0.001) higher transcriptional activity than the H1 haplotype. We speculate that the haplotypes of the potential cis-acting elements may affect the transcriptional activity of CIDEC, thus affecting the growth traits of cattle. This information may be used in molecular marker-assisted selection of cattle breeding in the future.
New Insight into Phase Formation of MxMg2Al4+xSi5−xO18:Eu2+ Solid Solution Phosphors and Its Luminescence Properties
Authors: Zhou Jun , Xia Zhiguo , Chen Mingyue , Molokeev Maxim S. , Liu Quanlin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractHere we reported the phase formation of MxMg2Al4+xSi5−xO18:Eu2+ (M = K, Rb) solid solution phosphors, where M+ ions were introduced into the void channels of Mg2Al4Si5O18 via Al3+/Si4+ substitution to keep the charge balance. XRD results revealed that the as-prepared phosphors with different M+ contents were iso-structural with Mg2Al4Si5O18 phase. The combined analysis of the Rietveld refinement and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) results proved that M+ ions were surely introduced into the intrinsic channels in Mg2Al4Si5O18. The emission peaks of MxMg2Al4+xSi5−xO18:Eu2+ (M = K, Rb) phosphors with various x values performed a systematic red-shift tendency, which was ascribed to the elongation of [MgO6] octahedra. The temperature stable photoluminescence and internal quantum efficiency (QE) of MxMg2Al4+xSi5−xO18:Eu2+ (M = K, Rb) phosphors were enhanced owing to the filling of M+ in the void channels suggesting a new insight to design the solid solution phosphors with improved photoluminescence properties.
Apparent plasticity in functional traits determining competitive ability and spatial distribution: a case from desert
Authors: Xie Jiang-Bo , Xu Gui-Qing , Jenerette G. Darrel , Bai Yong-fei , Wang Zhong-Yuan , Li Yan 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSpecies competitive abilities and their distributions are closely related to functional traits such as biomass allocation patterns. When we consider how nutrient supply affects competitive abilities, quantifying the apparent and true plasticity in functional traits is important because the allometric relationships among traits are universal in plants. We propose to integrate the notion of allometry and the classical reaction norm into a composite theoretical framework that quantifies the apparent and true plasticity. Combining the framework with a meta-analysis, a series of field surveys and a competition experiment, we aimed to determine the causes of the dune/interdune distribution patterns of two Haloxylon species in the Gurbantonggut Desert. We found that (1) the biomass allocation patterns of both Haloxylon species in responses to environmental conditions were apparent rather than true plasticity and (2) the allometric allocation patterns affected the plants’ competition for soil nutrient supply. A key implication of our results is that the apparent plasticity in functional traits of plants determines their response to environmental change. Without identifying the apparent and true plasticity, we would substantially overestimate the magnitude, duration and even the direction of plant responses in functional traits to climate change.
Spinal muscular atrophy patient-derived motor neurons exhibit hyperexcitability
Authors: Liu Huisheng , Lu Jianfeng , Chen Hong , Du Zhongwei , Li Xue-Jun , Zhang Su-Chun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) presents severe muscle weakness with limited motor neuron (MN) loss at an early stage, suggesting potential functional alterations in MNs that contribute to SMA symptom presentation. Using SMA induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we found that SMA MNs displayed hyperexcitability with increased membrane input resistance, hyperpolarized threshold and larger action potential amplitude, which was mimicked by knocking down full length survival motor neuron (SMN) in non-SMA MNs. We further discovered that SMA MNs exhibit enhanced sodium channel activities with increased current amplitude and facilitated recovery, which was corrected by restoration of SMN1 in SMA MNs. Together we propose that SMN reduction results in MN hyperexcitability and impaired neurotransmission, the latter of which exacerbate each other via a feedback loop, thus contributing to severe symptoms at an early stage of SMA.
Relationship between Diabetic Retinopathy and Subclinical Hypothyroidism: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Jingyang , Yue Song , Geng Jin , Liu Limin , Teng Weiping , Liu Lei , Chen Lei 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSeveral epidemiological studies have found a positive association between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), but the findings are varied or even contradictory. In the work, we performed a meta-analysis to ascertain the relationship between DR and SCH. We searched relevant studies on the relationship between DR and SCH. All English reports were used Medline, EMbase, Web of Science, Google scholar and all Chinese ones used CBMDisc (Chinese Biochemical Literature on Disc) and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) database. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 software. We obtained eight observational studies. Random-effects meta-analysis indicated a significant association between DR and SCH (odds ratio = 2.13, 95% confidence interval = 1.41 – 3.23, p < 0.001). Based on currently evidence, SCH is probably a significant risk factor for DR.
A simple preparation of very high methanol tolerant cathode electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cell based on polymer-coated carbon nanotube/platinum
Authors: Yang Zehui , Nakashima Naotoshi 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe development of a durable and methanol tolerant electrocatalyst with a high oxygen reduction reaction activity is highly important for the cathode side of direct methanol fuel cells. Here, we describe a simple and novel methodology to fabricate a practically applicable electrocatalyst with a high methanol tolerance based on poly[2,2′-(2,6-pyridine)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole]-wrapped multi-walled carbon nanotubes, on which Pt nanoparticles have been deposited, then coated with poly(vinylphosphonic acid) (PVPA). The polymer coated electrocatalyst showed an ~3.3 times higher oxygen reduction reaction activity compared to that of the commercial CB/Pt and methanol tolerance in the presence of methanol to the electrolyte due to a 50% decreased methanol adsorption on the Pt after coating with the PVPA. Meanwhile, the peroxide generation of the PVPA coated electrocatalyst was as low as 0.8% with 2 M methanol added to the electrolyte, which was much lower than those of the non-PVPA-coated electrocatalyst (7.5%) and conventional CB/Pt (20.5%). Such a high methanol tolerance is very important for the design of a direct methanol fuel cell cathode electrocatalyst with a high performance.
Association of astrocytes with neurons and astrocytes derived from distinct progenitor domains in the subpallium
Authors: Torigoe Makio , Yamauchi Kenta , Zhu Yan , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Murakami Fujio 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAstrocytes play pivotal roles in metabolism and homeostasis as well as in neural development and function in a manner thought to depend on their region-specific diversity. In the mouse spinal cord, astrocytes and neurons, which are derived from a common progenitor domain (PD) and controlled by common PD-specific transcription factors, migrate radially and share their final positions. However, whether astrocytes can only interact with neurons from common PDs in the brain remains unknown. Here, we focused on subpallium-derived cells, because the subpallium generates neurons that show a diverse mode of migration. We tracked their fate byin uteroelectroporation of plasmids that allow for chromosomal integration of transgenes or of aCre recombinaseexpression vector to reporter mice. We also used anNkx2.1Cremouse line to fate map the cells originating from the medial ganglionic eminence and preoptic area. We find that although neurons and astrocytes are labeled in various regions, only neurons are labeled in the neocortex, hippocampus and olfactory bulb. Furthermore, we find astrocytes derived from anNkx 2.1-negative PD are associated with neurons from theNkx2.1+PD. Thus, forebrain astrocytes can associate with neurons as well as astrocytes derived from a distinct PD.
Bioresponsive antisense DNA gold nanobeacons as a hybrid in vivo theranostics platform for the inhibition of cancer cells and metastasis
Authors: Bao Chenchen , Conde João , Curtin James , Artzi Natalie , Tian Furong , Cui Daxiang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractGold nanobeacons can be used as a powerful tool for cancer theranostics. Here, we proposed a nanomaterial platform based on gold nanobeacons to detect, target and inhibit the expression of a mutant Kras gene in an in vivo murine gastric cancer model. The conjugation of fluorescently-labeled antisense DNA hairpin oligonucleotides to the surface of gold nanoparticles enables using their localized surface plasmon resonance properties to directly track the delivery to the primary gastric tumor and to lung metastatic sites. The fluorescently labeled nanobeacons reports on the interaction with the target as the fluorescent Cy3 signal is quenched by the gold nanoparticle and only emit light following conjugation to the Kras target owing to reorganization and opening of the nanobeacons, thus increasing the distance between the dye and the quencher. The systemic administration of the anti-Kras nanobeacons resulted in approximately 60% tumor size reduction and a 90% reduction in tumor vascularization. More important, the inhibition of the Kras gene expression in gastric tumors prevents the occurrence of metastasis to lung (80% reduction), increasing mice survival in more than 85%. Our developed platform can be easily adjusted to hybridize with any specific target and provide facile diagnosis and treatment for neoplastic diseases.