bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and improvement of artificial redox modules by molecular fusion of flavodoxin and flavodoxin reductase from Escherichia coli
Authors: Bakkes Patrick J. , Biemann Stefan , Bokel Ansgar , Eickholt Marc , Girhard Marco , Urlacher Vlada B. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA variety of fusion proteins between the versatile redox partners flavodoxin (FldA) and flavodoxin reductase (Fpr) from Escherichia coli was constructed with the aim to improve the electron transfer properties. The order in which FldA and Fpr were fused and the linker region between them was varied in a systematic manner. A simple molecular tool, designated “DuaLinX”, was developed that facilitated the parallel introduction of flexible glycine-rich and rigid proline-rich linkers between the fusion partners in a single cloning event. The fusion constructs were tested for their ability to transfer electrons to cytochrome c and cytochrome P450 109B1 from Bacillus subtilis. With CYP109B1, the performance of the constructs showed, independent of the domain order, a strong dependency on linker length, whereas with cytochrome c this phenomenon was less pronounced. Constructs carrying linkers of ≥15 residues effectively supported the CYP109B1-catalysed hydroxylation of myristic acid. Constructs carrying proline-rich linkers generally outperformed their glycine-rich counterparts. The best construct, FldA-Fpr carrying linker ([E/L]PPPP)4, supported CYP109B1 activity equally well as equivalent amounts of the non-fused redox partners, while cytochrome c reductase activity was ~2.7-fold improved. Thus, to functionally connect redox partners, rigid proline-rich linkers may be attractive alternatives to the commonly used flexible glycine-rich linkers.
Versatile MoS2 Nanosheets in ITO-Free and Semi-transparent Polymer Power-generating Glass
Authors: Hu Xiaotian , Chen Lie , Tan Licheng , Zhang Yong , Hu Lin , Xie Bing , Chen Yiwang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractChemical exfoliated ultra-thin MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) with well 2D structure were demonstrated for interfacial layers and Ag nanowires composite transparent electrode in polymer solar cells (PSCs). The smooth and uniform n-type and p-type (after the plasma treatment) MoS2 NSs could improve fill factor of devices and light absorption in active layer. The optimized Ag nanowires–MoS2 NSs (AgNW-MoS2 NSs) transparent electrode presented a low sheet resistance of 9.8 Ω sq−1 and the corresponding transmittance also exhibited a high value of 93.1% at 550 nm. As a result, ITO-free PSCs based on AgNW-MoS2 NSs/n-MoS2 NSs cathode and p-MoS2 NSs/Ag anode achieved a highest PCE of 8.72%. Furthermore, a high efficiency (6.55%), large area and low cost semi-transparent power-generating glass was obtained, after reducing the thickness of top Ag electrode from 100 nm to 30 nm. To our best knowledge, it is the highest performance for semi-transparent PSCs devices reported up to now. The novel semi-transparent power-generating glass showed good performance and color purity for commercial applications in the near future.
Strong phylogenetic signals and phylogenetic niche conservatism in ecophysiological traits across divergent lineages of Magnoliaceae
Authors: Liu Hui , Xu Qiuyuan , He Pengcheng , Santiago Louis S. , Yang Keming , Ye Qing 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe early diverged Magnoliaceae shows a historical temperate-tropical distribution among lineages indicating divergent evolution, yet which ecophysiological traits are phylogenetically conserved and whether these traits are involved in correlated evolution remain unclear. Integrating phylogeny and 20 ecophysiological traits of 27 species, from the four largest sections of Magnoliaceae, we tested the phylogenetic signals of these traits and the correlated evolution between trait pairs. Phylogenetic niche conservatism (PNC) in water-conducting and nutrient-use related traits was identified and correlated evolution of several key functional traits was demonstrated. Among the three evergreen sections of tropical origin, Gwillimia had the lowest hydraulic-photosynthetic capacity and the highest drought tolerance compared with Manglietia and Michelia. Contrastingly, the temperate centred deciduous section, Yulania, showed high rates of hydraulic conductivity and photosynthesis at the cost of drought tolerance. This study elucidated the regulation of hydraulic and photosynthetic processes in the temperate-tropical adaptations for Magnoliaceae species, which led to strong phylogenetic signals and PNC in ecophysiological traits across divergent lineages of Magnoliaceae.
Improving the road network performance with dynamic route guidance by considering the indifference band of road users
Authors: Vreeswijk Jaap D. , Landman Ramon L. , van Berkum Eric C. , Hegyi Andreas , Hoogendoorn Serge P. , van Arem Bart 
Published: July 2015

When applying dynamic route guidance to improve the road network performance, the interests of the road authorities and the road users are likely to conflict. Road users are normally aiming at minimising their travel times by choosing the time‐shortest route, whereas the authorities might want to send road users to a time‐longer alternative to prevent phenomena like capacity drop and spill‐back. In this study, the authors demonstrate how, in such a situation, bounded rationality and indifference bands (IB) of road users can be used to improve the network performance, such that the road users will not experience being disadvantaged by the advice. An interpretation and utilisation of the IBs in a route guidance control approach is proposed, which degrades the routes such that the network performance deterioration is prevented while the IBs of road users are respected. By means of a simulation test case, the potential gain in network performance of different IBs is evaluated. Results show a reduction in total travel time of 5% compared with user equilibrium, in case of an IB of 4 min for a trip of ∼22 min, and up to 14% in case of an IB of 10 min.
The LGI1–ADAM22 protein complex directs synapse maturation through regulation of PSD-95 function
Authors: Lovero Kathryn L. , Fukata Yuko , Granger Adam J. , Fukata Masaki , Nicoll Roger A. 
Published: July 2015

Significance
The PSD-95 family proteins serve as central scaffolds of excitatory synapses. Their expression levels dictate synaptic strength, and the functions of many synaptic organizing molecules are dependent on interactions with these proteins. Yet, it is unclear what guides PSD-95 into maturing synapses, which occurs postnatally and is required for proper synapse development. Here, we establish that the secreted protein LGI1 controls the functional incorporation of PSD-95 through interactions with the transmembrane protein ADAM22. This process occurs in a paracrine fashion, with LGI1 released from the pre- and postsynaptic cell able to modulate postsynaptic strength. Our data illustrate a previously undescribed level of synaptic organization, identifying a critical role for the LGI1–ADAM22 complex in controlling the function of PSD-95 itself and, in turn, normal synapse development.
Inhibition of human neutrophil elastase by labdane diterpenes from the fruiting bodies ofRamaria formosa
Authors: Lee Ik-Soo , Kim Kwan-Chul , Yoo Ick-Dong , Ha Byung-Jo 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTwo new labdane diterpenes (1 and 2) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ramaria formosa. The structures of these compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic studies and chemical evidence. The inhibitory activity of compounds 1 and 2 against human neutrophil elastase (HNE) was evaluated in vitro. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited HNE activity moderately. The IC50 values for compounds 1 and 2 were 36.4 ± 1.2 and 40.8 ± 1.5 μM, respectively; the IC50 value for the positive control, EGCG, was 12.5 ± 0.8 μM. In addition, the mechanism by which 2 inhibited HNE was a mixed-type noncompetitive inhibition, with a Ki of 41.5 ± 1.8 μM.
A Bayesian approach for structure learning in oscillating regulatory networks
Authors: Trejo Banos Daniel , Millar Andrew J. , Sanguinetti Guido 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Motivation: Oscillations lie at the core of many biological processes, from the cell cycle, to circadian oscillations and developmental processes. Time-keeping mechanisms are essential to enable organisms to adapt to varying conditions in environmental cycles, from day/night to seasonal. Transcriptional regulatory networks are one of the mechanisms behind these biological oscillations. However, while identifying cyclically expressed genes from time series measurements is relatively easy, determining the structure of the interaction network underpinning the oscillation is a far more challenging problem.
Results: Here, we explicitly leverage the oscillatory nature of the transcriptional signals and present a method for reconstructing network interactions tailored to this special but important class of genetic circuits. Our method is based on projecting the signal onto a set of oscillatory basis functions using a Discrete Fourier Transform. We build a Bayesian Hierarchical model within a frequency domain linear model in order to enforce sparsity and incorporate prior knowledge about the network structure. Experiments on real and simulated data show that the method can lead to substantial improvements over competing approaches if the oscillatory assumption is met, and remains competitive also in cases it is not.
Availability: DSS, experiment scripts and data are available at http://homepages.inf.ed.ac.uk/gsanguin/DSS.zip.
Contact: d.trejo-banos@sms.ed.ac.uk
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Ebola Virus Disease in Sierra Leone—23 May 2014 to 31 January 2015
Authors: Dietz Patricia M. , Jambai Amara , Paweska Janusz T. , Yoti Zabulon , Ksaizek Thomas G. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Background.  Sierra Leone has the most cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) ever reported. Trends in laboratory-confirmed EVD, symptom presentation, and risk factors have not been fully described.
Methods.  EVD cases occurring from 23 May 2014 to 31 January 2015 are presented by geography, demographics, and risk factors for all persons who had laboratory-confirmed EVD, which was identified by Ebola virus–specific reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction–based testing.
Results.  During the study period, 8056 persons had laboratory-confirmed EVD. Their median age was 28 years; 51.7% were female. Common symptoms included fever (90.4%), fatigue (88.3%), loss of appetite (87.0%), headache (77.9%), joint pain (73.7%), vomiting (71.2%), and diarrhea (70.6%). Among persons with confirmed cases, 47.9% reported having had contact with someone with suspected EVD or any sick person, and 25.5% reported having attended a funeral, of whom 66.2% reported touching the body. The incidence of EVD was highest during 1–30 November 2014, at 7.5 per 100 000 population per week, and decreased to 2.1 per week during 1–31 January 2015. Between 23 May and 30 August 2014, two districts had the highest incidence of 3.8 and 7.0 per 100 000 population per week which decreased &gt;97% by 1–31 January 2015. In comparison, the districts that include the capital city reported a 10-fold increase in incidence per week during the same time periods.
Conclusions.  Almost half of patients with EVD in Sierra Leone reported physical contact with a person ill with EVD or a dead body, highlighting prevention opportunities.
Ground-based optical atomic clocks as a tool to monitor vertical surface motion
Authors: Bondarescu Ruxandra , Schärer Andreas , Lundgren Andrew , Hetényi György , Houlié Nicolas , Jetzer Philippe , Bondarescu Mihai 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
According to general relativity, a clock experiencing a shift in the gravitational potential ΔU will measure a frequency change given by Δf/f ≈ ΔU/c2. The best clocks are optical clocks. After about 7 hr of integration they reach stabilities of Δf/f ∼ 10−18 and can be used to detect changes in the gravitational potential that correspond to vertical displacements of the centimetre level. At this level of performance, ground-based atomic clock networks emerge as a tool that is complementary to existing technology for monitoring a wide range of geophysical processes by directly measuring changes in the gravitational potential. Vertical changes of the clock's position due to magmatic, post-seismic or tidal deformations can result in measurable variations in the clock tick rate. We illustrate the geopotential change arising due to an inflating magma chamber using the Mogi model and apply it to the Etna volcano. Its effect on an observer on the Earth's surface can be divided into two different terms: one purely due to uplift (free-air gradient) and one due to the redistribution of matter. Thus, with the centimetre-level precision of current clocks it is already possible to monitor volcanoes. The matter redistribution term is estimated to be 3 orders of magnitude smaller than the uplift term. Additionally, clocks can be compared over distances of thousands of kilometres over short periods of time, which improves our ability to monitor periodic effects with long wavelength like the solid Earth tide.
What can Gaia (with Thirty Meter Telescope) say about the Sculptor Dwarf's Core?
Authors: Evslin Jarah 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Walker et al.'s Magellan/Michigan/MIKE Fiber System (MMFS) survey identified 1355 red giant candidates in the dwarf spheroidal galaxy Sculptor. We find that the Gaia satellite will be able to measure the proper motions of 139 of these with a precision of between 13 and 20 km s−1. Using a Jeans analysis and 5-parameter density model we show that this allows a determination of the mass within the deprojected half-light radius to within 16 per cent and a measurement of the dark matter density exponent γ to within 0.68 within that radius. If, even at first light, the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) observes Sculptor then the combined observations will improve the precision on these proper motions to about 5 km s−1, about 5 years earlier than would be possible without Gaia, further improving the precision of γ to 0.27. Using a bimodal stellar population model for Sculptor the precision of γ improves by about 30 per cent. This suggests that Gaia (with TMT) is capable of excluding a cusped profile of the kind predicted by CDM simulations with 2σ (4σ) of confidence.
SynCardia Portable Freedom Driver: A Single-Center Experience with 11 Patients
Authors: Shah Nilay R. , Jaroszewski Dawn E. , Ashfaq Awais , Schroedl Lucas A. , Staley Linda L. , Pajaro Octavio E. , Kasirajan Vigneshwar , Arabia Francisco A. 
Published: July 2015

Objective The portable Freedom Drive (SynCardia Inc, Tucson, AZ USA) for total artificial heart (TAH-t) support was approved for an investigational device exemption study in March 2010. We review our center's experience with the portable driver. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent TAH-t implantation and transfer to portable driver from September 2008 to June 2012, with follow-up through December 2012. Results A total of 30 patients underwent TAH-t implantation during this time period, with 11 patients successfully transferred to the Freedom Driver. Transfer to Freedom Driver after TAH-t implant was a median of 46 days (range, 225–86 days). Ninety-one percent (10) of 11 patients transferred to Freedom Driver were bridged to transplantation. One patient died on support. Five (45.5%) of 11 patients were discharged home and 5 (45.5%) remained in-patient on the portable driver before transplantation. Four patients (80%) successfully discharged home required at least 1 hospital readmission (range, 1–5 admissions per patient). Six patients (55%) transferred to the portable driver required a return to a main driver console. Two patients were temporarily maintained on the main driver then returned to the Freedom Driver for bridge to transplantation. Conclusions Patients with TAH-t can be considered for transfer to the portable Freedom Driver while awaiting transplantation. Issues that complicated this patient population included inadequate social support, hemodynamic instability, and concurrent morbidities. The potential benefits of the portable driver are currently undergoing assessment. These may include increased mobility and improved quality of life, opportunity for discharge home, and decreased overall medical costs.
A comparison of pediatric basic life support self-led and instructor-led training among nurses
Authors: Vestergaard Lone D. , Løfgren Bo , Jessen Casper L. , Petersen Christina B. , Wolff Anne , Nielsen Henrik V. , Krarup Niels H.V. 
Published: July 2015

Objective
Pediatric cardiac arrest carries a poor prognosis. Basic life support improves survival. Studies on pediatric basic life support (PBLS) training are sparse. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of self-training in PBLS.

Participants and methods
We conducted a prospective controlled trial enrolling nurses from pediatric and maternity wards (n=29 in each group). Self-training, including a manikin and access to a web-based video on PBLS, was compared with a 2-h instructor-led course. Two weeks after training, all participants were tested in a mock scenario of pediatric cardiac arrest. Fifteen parameters equivalent to the steps in the PBLS algorithm – for example, effective ventilations, effective chest compressions, calling for help, and correct sequence of actions, were evaluated and rated dichotomously (1=approved or 0=not approved).

Results
No difference was observed in the baseline demographics between the self-training group and the instructor-led group. The participants in the self-training group accessed the website 2±1.5 times (mean±SD) and spent 41±25 min on the site. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the overall average score (10.5 in the self-training group vs. 10.0 in the instructor-led group, P=0.51) or in any of the 15 parameters. After the study, all participants felt that they had improved their skills and felt capable of performing PBLS.

Conclusion
Self-training is not statistically different to instructor-led training in teaching PBLS. Self-evaluated confidence improved, but showed no difference between groups. PBLS may be disseminated through self-training.
What do Clinicians Perceive as a Successful “Trial of Fluids”?
Authors: Hopper Sandy M. , McCarthy Michelle , Tancharoen Chasari , Lee Katherine J. , Orsini Francesca , Babl Franz E. 
Published: July 2015

Objective
The aim of the study was to explore physician perceptions of the amount of fluid that demonstrates a successful “trial of fluids” (adequate fluid intake) in the emergency department in children who have had insufficient fluid intake at home.

Methods
This is a secondary analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled trial of viscous lidocaine versus placebo in children aged 6 months to 8 years with acute infectious ulcerative mouth conditions (gingivostomatitis, ulcerative pharyngitis, or hand foot and mouth disease) and poor oral fluid intake. We measured the amount of fluid ingested in 60 minutes after administration of the intervention and related physician perception of adequate intake to measured intake. Given that there was little difference in oral intake between the treatment groups, the 2 arms were pooled for this analysis.

Results
One hundred participants were recruited (50 per treatment group), all of whom completed the 60-minute trial period. At baseline, 72% were mildly dehydrated, 21% were not dehydrated, and 5% were moderately dehydrated. The participants drank a median of 8.6 mL/kg (interquartile range [IQR], 3.7-14). Clinicians perceived 58% of the participants to have an adequate intake within the first hour after intervention. The median consumption of those whose oral intake was deemed as adequate was 12.6 mL/kg (IQR, 9.4–18.4); for those whose oral intake was not deemed adequate, the median consumption was 2.7 mL/kg (IQR, 0.7–5.3) (rank sum, P < 0.001).

Conclusions
In children undergoing trial of fluids, we found that most clinicians perceived a fluid intake greater than 9 mL/kg as adequate and lower than 5 mL/kg as inadequate.
Prevalence of Inconsistencies in the Recorded Outcomes of Clinical Evaluations
Authors: Trotter Zola , Spirko Blake , Smithline Howard , Garb Jane 
Published: July 2015

Objectives
The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of variations in the recorded outcomes of clinical evaluations by 2 different physicians during a single patient visit and to comment on observations of physician practices regarding history taking and physical examination.

Methods
Structured interviews were conducted with both junior and supervising physicians after they had evaluated patients in a pediatric emergency department who presented with complaints of fever (temperature, >100.4°F) in infants younger than 3 months, fever (temperature, >102.2°F) in infants aged 3 to 12 months, headache in patients older than 5 years, abdominal pain in patients older than 5 years, and head injury in patients younger than 18 years. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.

Results
Most of the data reported by both junior and supervising physicians showed response disagreement. The questions on fever (temperature, >102.2°F) in infants aged 3 to 12 months showed 29% (10/34) disagreement on fever duration and 45% (5/11) on fever height. Questions on abdominal pain in children older than 5 years showed 24% (24/100) disagreement on reporting right lower quadrant pain and 10% (11/106) on right lower quadrant tenderness on examination; however, the discrepancy rates were 56% (56/100) when considering less than complete agreement on all painful sites and 53% (56/106) on all tender sites. Supervising physicians questioned and examined patients presenting with abdominal pain more often than those presenting with other complaints.

Conclusions
There are significant variations in the recorded outcome of clinical evaluations by 2 different physicians during a single patient visit. Supervising physicians are more cautious to question and examine patients presenting with abdominal pain compared with other chief complaints.
Diversity waves in collapse-driven population dynamics
Authors: Maslov Sergei , Sneppen Kim 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPopulations of species in ecosystems are often constrained by availability of resources within their environment. In effect this means that a growth of one population, needs to be balanced by comparable reduction in populations of others. In neutral models of biodiversity all populations are assumed to change incrementally due to stochastic births and deaths of individuals. Here we propose and model another redistribution mechanism driven by abrupt and severe collapses of the entire population of a single species freeing up resources for the remaining ones. This mechanism may be relevant e.g. for communities of bacteria, with strain-specific collapses caused e.g. by invading bacteriophages, or for other ecosystems where infectious diseases play an important role.The emergent dynamics of our system is cyclic “diversity waves” triggered by collapses of globally dominating populations. The population diversity peaks at the beginning of each wave and exponentially decreases afterwards. Species abundances are characterized by a bimodal time-aggregated distribution with the lower peak formed by populations of recently collapsed or newly introduced species, while the upper peak - species that has not yet collapsed in the current wave. In most waves both upper and lower peaks are composed of several smaller peaks. This self-organized hierarchical peak structure has a long-term memory transmitted across several waves. It gives rise to a scale-free tail of the time-aggregated population distribution with a universal exponent of 1.7. We show that diversity wave dynamics is robust with respect to variations in the rules of our model such as diffusion between multiple environments, species-specific growth and extinction rates, and bet-hedging strategies.