bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Inbreeding on Mortality in Japan
Authors: Schull William J. , Neel James V. 
Published: March 2015

A century ago, in the midst of a flurry of interest in consanguineous marriages, the Philadelphia Ledger observed, “If one half is true that has been affirmed in regard to the effect of cousins intermarrying, it would seem as if it were the duty of parents and guardians to interfere, and even of all State Legislatures to do what can be done to prevent so injurious a custom”. These sentiments were sufficiently widespread to be echoed in an editorial in the Times of India, dated August 9, 1860, and they might well be justified today if we could establish that, in fact, “one half that is affirmed is true”. Interests in the effect of consanguineous marriage are again high, but they now stem not from a concern for Levitical Law but from the powerful tool consanguinity affords in an appraisal of the relative importance of mutation versus selection in maintaining the genetic burden of a population. Clearly the value of this tool is directly proportional to the quality and quantity of data available.Recently, numerous studies have been published relating inbreeding to infantile and juvenile mortality. Notable among these are the studies of Sutter and Tabah (summarized in Sutter, 1958) in France, of Böök (1957) in Sweden, of Slatis, Reis, and Hoene (1958) in the United States, of Freire-Maia (1961) in Brazil, of Zerbin-Rüdin (1960) in Germany, and of a number of workers including ourselves in Japan. These studies differ markedly in size, scope, and design. In all, save our own, the mortality data are essentially retrospective in character. Experiences such as those with rubella in pregnancy should make us acutely aware of the possible biased nature of such observations. Be this as it may, it is the purpose of this paper to present the results of a continuing, anterospective investigation of the effects of inbreeding on mortality in Japan.
Trans-fatty acids in cooking oils in Bogota, Colombia: changes in the food supply from 2008 to 2013
Authors: Moynihan Meghan , Villamor Eduardo , Marin Constanza , Mora-Plazas Mercedes , Campos Hannia , Baylin Ana 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectiveLong-chain n-3 fatty acid intake in Colombia is low because fish consumption is limited. Vegetable oils with high n-3 fatty acid content are recommended, but their concentrations of trans fats were high in previous studies. Thus, regular monitoring of the fatty acid composition of vegetable oils is required. Our objective was to quantify the fatty acid composition in commercially available oils in Bogota, Colombia and determine if composition changed from 2008 to 2013.DesignCross-sectional study. We obtained samples of all commercially available oils reported in a survey of low- and middle-income families with a child participating in the Bogota School Children Cohort.SettingBogota, Colombia.SubjectsNot applicable.ResultsSunflower oil had the highest trans-fatty acid content (2·18 %). Canola oil had the lowest proportion of trans-fatty acids (0·40 %) and the highest n-3 fatty acid content (9·37 %). In terms of percentage reduction from 2008 to 2013 in 18:1 and 18:2 trans-fatty acids, canola oil had 89 % and 65 % reduction, mixed oils had 44 % and 48 % reduction, and sunflower oil had 25 % and 51 % reduction, respectively. Soyabean oil became widely available in 2013.ConclusionsThe content of trans-fatty acids decreased in all oils from 2008 to 2013, suggesting a voluntary reduction by industry. We believe that regular monitoring of the fatty acid composition of oils is warranted.
A Tale of Two Families: Generational Succession in Filipino and American Family Firms
Authors: McCoy Alfred W. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThrough comparison of two families, Filipino and American, this essay finds that the axiomatic three-generational cycle of rise and decline, articulated famously by Andrew Carnegie, proved predictive for an American family firm but not for its Filipino counterpart. Over the span of a century, both families followed a surprisingly similar move from agriculture to food processing and then publishing. Thereafter, however, divergent state policies shaped different destinies for these two families. In the United States, impersonal enforcement of state security and economic regulation allowed the unchecked rise of finance capital that consolidated some 2000 US breweries, most of them family owned, into two transnational corporate conglomerates. In the Philippines, by contrast, persistent rent seeking by elite families, combined with personalised, partisan state economic enforcement, has allowed the continuing dominance of family-controlled corporations. Through comparison of two societies with close relations for over a century, we can see how state economic regulation can encourage the eclipse of major family firms in one society and the perpetuation of a political-economic oligarchy in another.
Neuropsychological Functioning and Psychosocial Outcome in Adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Sobanski Esther , Sirtl Alexandra , Alm Barbara , Hennig Oliver , Banaschewski Tobias 
Published: March 2015

This study explores the association of neuropsychological functioning with ADHD-symptoms and psychosocial functioning in a clinical sample of 131 adults with ADHD. Neuropsychological functioning was assessed with the computerized Test Battery of Attentional Performance (TAP). Overall psychosocial impairment was assessed with the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). Neuropsychological performance was impaired in 39.6 % of the ADHD-patients meeting a predefined impairment criterion of a perfomance reduction of 1.5 standard deviations below normative controls in ≥ 2 TAP-subtests; 28.4 % of the patients showed regular performance in all neuropsychological tests. Severity of neuropsychological impairment was inversely correlated to severity of psychosocial impairment (GAF score; = -.24, p < .001) but not to childhood or adult ADHD symptoms. Overall severity of neuropsychological impairment explained 10 % (p < .05) of variance of psychosocial impairment.
Artificial human Met agonists based on macrocycle scaffolds
Authors: Ito Kenichiro , Sakai Katsuya , Suzuki Yoshinori , Ozawa Naoya , Hatta Tomohisa , Natsume Tohru , Matsumoto Kunio , Suga Hiroaki 
Published: March 2015

AbstractHepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, also known as Met, is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family. The Met–HGF interaction regulates various signalling pathways involving downstream kinases, such as Akt and Erk. Met activation is implicated in wound healing of tissues via multiple biological responses triggered by the above-mentioned signalling cascade. Here we report the development of artificial Met-activating dimeric macrocycles. We identify Met-binding monomeric macrocyclic peptides by means of the RaPID (random non-standard peptide integrated discovery) system, and dimerize the respective monomers through rational design. These dimeric macrocycles specifically and strongly activate Met signalling pathways through receptor dimerization and induce various HGF-like cellular responses, such as branching morphogenesis, in human cells. This work suggests our approach for generating dimeric macrocycles as non-protein ligands for cell surface receptors can be useful for developing potential therapeutics with a broad range of potential applications.
A molecular catalyst for water oxidation that binds to metal oxide surfaces
Authors: Sheehan Stafford W. , Thomsen Julianne M. , Hintermair Ulrich , Crabtree Robert H. , Brudvig Gary W. , Schmuttenmaer Charles A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMolecular catalysts are known for their high activity and tunability, but their solubility and limited stability often restrict their use in practical applications. Here we describe how a molecular iridium catalyst for water oxidation directly and robustly binds to oxide surfaces without the need for any external stimulus or additional linking groups. On conductive electrode surfaces, this heterogenized molecular catalyst oxidizes water with low overpotential, high turnover frequency and minimal degradation. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies show that it does not decompose into iridium oxide, thus preserving its molecular identity, and that it is capable of sustaining high activity towards water oxidation with stability comparable to state-of-the-art bulk metal oxide catalysts.
Adipose tissue NAPE-PLD controls fat mass development by altering the browning process and gut microbiota
Authors: Geurts Lucie , Everard Amandine , Van Hul Matthias , Essaghir Ahmed , Duparc Thibaut , Matamoros Sébastien , Plovier Hubert , Castel Julien , Denis Raphael G. P. , Bergiers Marie , Druart Céline , Alhouayek Mireille , Delzenne Nathalie M. , Muccioli Giulio G. , Demoulin Jean-Baptiste , Luquet Serge , Cani Patrice D. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObesity is a pandemic disease associated with many metabolic alterations and involves several organs and systems. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) appears to be a key regulator of energy homeostasis and metabolism. Here we show that specific deletion of the ECS synthesizing enzyme, NAPE-PLD, in adipocytes induces obesity, glucose intolerance, adipose tissue inflammation and altered lipid metabolism. We report that Napepld-deleted mice present an altered browning programme and are less responsive to cold-induced browning, highlighting the essential role of NAPE-PLD in regulating energy homeostasis and metabolism in the physiological state. Our results indicate that these alterations are mediated by a shift in gut microbiota composition that can partially transfer the phenotype to germ-free mice. Together, our findings uncover a role of adipose tissue NAPE-PLD on whole-body metabolism and provide support for targeting NAPE-PLD-derived bioactive lipids to treat obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Silane-catalysed fast growth of large single-crystalline graphene on hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Tang Shujie , Wang Haomin , Wang Hui Shan , Sun Qiujuan , Zhang Xiuyun , Cong Chunxiao , Xie Hong , Liu Xiaoyu , Zhou Xiaohao , Huang Fuqiang , Chen Xiaoshuang , Yu Ting , Ding Feng , Xie Xiaoming , Jiang Mianheng 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe direct growth of high-quality, large single-crystalline domains of graphene on a dielectric substrate is of vital importance for applications in electronics and optoelectronics. Traditionally, graphene domains grown on dielectrics are typically only ~1 μm with a growth rate of ~1 nm min−1 or less, the main reason is the lack of a catalyst. Here we show that silane, serving as a gaseous catalyst, is able to boost the graphene growth rate to ~1 μm min−1, thereby promoting graphene domains up to 20 μm in size to be synthesized via chemical vapour deposition (CVD) on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). Hall measurements show that the mobility of the sample reaches 20,000 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature, which is among the best for CVD-grown graphene. Combining the advantages of both catalytic CVD and the ultra-flat dielectric substrate, gaseous catalyst-assisted CVD paves the way for synthesizing high-quality graphene for device applications while avoiding the transfer process.
Multiple-length-scale deformation analysis in a thermoplastic polyurethane
Authors: Sui Tan , Baimpas Nikolaos , Dolbnya Igor P. , Prisacariu Cristina , Korsunsky Alexander M. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThermoplastic polyurethane elastomers enjoy an exceptionally wide range of applications due to their remarkable versatility. These block co-polymers are used here as an example of a structurally inhomogeneous composite containing nano-scale gradients, whose internal strain differs depending on the length scale of consideration. Here we present a combined experimental and modelling approach to the hierarchical characterization of block co-polymer deformation. Synchrotron-based small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering and radiography are used for strain evaluation across the scales. Transmission electron microscopy image-based finite element modelling and fast Fourier transform analysis are used to develop a multi-phase numerical model that achieves agreement with the combined experimental data using a minimal number of adjustable structural parameters. The results highlight the importance of fuzzy interfaces, that is, regions of nanometre-scale structure and property gradients, in determining the mechanical properties of hierarchical composites across the scales.
Microstructural Abnormalities in Children with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study at 3.0T
Authors: Lei Du , Li Lingjiang , Li Lei , Suo Xueling , Huang Xiaoqi , Lui Su , Li Jing , Bi Feng , Kemp Graham J. , Gong Qiyong 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe anxiety disorder characterized by re-experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal. Brain microstructure abnormalities in PTSD, especially in children, are not yet well characterized. The aim of this study was to use MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to identify brain microstructure alterations in children with PTSD compared to non-PTSD controls who experienced the same time-limited trauma. We studied 27 children with PTSD and 24 age- and gender-matched traumatized controls without PTSD, who all experienced the 2008 Sichuan major earthquake. DTI data were acquired and analyzed in terms of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD). Children with PTSD showed an abnormal pattern, not only of FA, but also of the diffusivity measures MD, AD and RD. Most of the abnormal brain regions belonged to two important networks: the default-mode network, including precuneus and angular gyrus and the salience network, including insula, putamen and thalamus. This DTI study identifies microstructural abnormalities of children with PTSD after a major earthquake, our results are consistent with the suggestion that pediatric PTSD is accompanied by a connectivity disequilibrium between the salience and default-mode networks, a finding of potential pathophysiological significance.
Segmentation of biological multivariate time-series data
Authors: Omranian Nooshin , Mueller-Roeber Bernd , Nikoloski Zoran 
Published: March 2015

AbstractTime-series data from multicomponent systems capture the dynamics of the ongoing processes and reflect the interactions between the components. The progression of processes in such systems usually involves check-points and events at which the relationships between the components are altered in response to stimuli. Detecting these events together with the implicated components can help understand the temporal aspects of complex biological systems. Here we propose a regularized regression-based approach for identifying breakpoints and corresponding segments from multivariate time-series data. In combination with techniques from clustering, the approach also allows estimating the significance of the determined breakpoints as well as the key components implicated in the emergence of the breakpoints. Comparative analysis with the existing alternatives demonstrates the power of the approach to identify biologically meaningful breakpoints in diverse time-resolved transcriptomics data sets from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana.
Wrinkle motifs in thin films
Authors: Budrikis Zoe , Sellerio Alessandro L. , Bertalan Zsolt , Zapperi Stefano 
Published: March 2015

AbstractOn length scales from nanometres to metres, partial adhesion of thin films with substrates generates a fascinating variety of patterns, such as ‘telephone cord’ buckles, wrinkles and labyrinth domains. Although these patterns are part of everyday experience and are important in industry, they are not completely understood. Here, we report simulation studies of a previously-overlooked phenomenon in which pairs of wrinkles form avoiding pairs, focusing on the case of graphene over patterned substrates. By nucleating and growing wrinkles in a controlled way, we characterize how their morphology is determined by stress fields in the sheet and friction with the substrate. Our simulations uncover the generic behaviour of avoiding wrinkle pairs that should be valid at all scales.
Monolithic DSSC/CIGS tandem solar cell fabricated by a solution process
Authors: Moon Sung Hwan , Park Se Jin , Kim Sang Hoon , Lee Min Woo , Han Jisu , Kim Jin Young , Kim Honggon , Hwang Yun Jeong , Lee Doh-Kwon , Min Byoung Koun 
Published: March 2015

AbstractTandem architecture between organic (dye-sensitized solar cell, DSSC) and inorganic (CuInGaSe2 thin film solar cell, CIGS) single-junction solar cells was constructed particularly based on a solution process. Arc-plasma deposition was employed for the Pt interfacial layer to minimize the damage to the layers of the CIGS bottom cell. Solar cell efficiency of 13% was achieved, which is significant progress from individual single-junction solar cells (e.g., 7.25 and 6.2% for DSSC and CIGS, respectively).
Hall and field-effect mobilities in few layered p-WSe2 field-effect transistors
Authors: Pradhan N. R. , Rhodes D. , Memaran S. , Poumirol J. M. , Smirnov D. , Talapatra S. , Feng S. , Perea-Lopez N. , Elias A. L. , Terrones M. , Ajayan P. M. , Balicas L. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractHere, we present a temperature (T) dependent comparison between field-effect and Hall mobilities in field-effect transistors based on few-layered WSe2 exfoliated onto SiO2. Without dielectric engineering and beyond a T-dependent threshold gate-voltage, we observe maximum hole mobilities approaching 350 cm2/Vs at T = 300 K. The hole Hall mobility reaches a maximum value of 650 cm2/Vs as T is lowered below ~150 K, indicating that insofar WSe2-based field-effect transistors (FETs) display the largest Hall mobilities among the transition metal dichalcogenides. The gate capacitance, as extracted from the Hall-effect, reveals the presence of spurious charges in the channel, while the two-terminal sheet resistivity displays two-dimensional variable-range hopping behavior, indicating carrier localization induced by disorder at the interface between WSe2 and SiO2. We argue that improvements in the fabrication protocols as, for example, the use of a substrate free of dangling bonds are likely to produce WSe2-based FETs displaying higher room temperature mobilities, i.e. approaching those of p-doped Si, which would make it a suitable candidate for high performance opto-electronics.
Multi-scale modeling for the transmission of influenza and the evaluation of interventions toward it
Authors: Guo Dongmin , Li King C. , Peters Timothy R. , Snively Beverly M. , Poehling Katherine A. , Zhou Xiaobo 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMathematical modeling of influenza epidemic is important for analyzing the main cause of the epidemic and finding effective interventions towards it. The epidemic is a dynamic process. In this process, daily infections are caused by people's contacts and the frequency of contacts can be mainly influenced by their cognition to the disease. The cognition is in turn influenced by daily illness attack rate, climate and other environment factors. Few existing methods considered the dynamic process in their models. Therefore, their prediction results can hardly be explained by the mechanisms of epidemic spreading. In this paper, we developed a heterogeneous graph modeling approach (HGM) to describe the dynamic process of influenza virus transmission by taking advantage of our unique clinical data. We built social network of studied region and embedded an Agent-Based Model (ABM) in the HGM to describe the dynamic change of an epidemic. Our simulations have a good agreement with clinical data. Parameter sensitivity analysis showed that temperature influences the dynamic of epidemic significantly and system behavior analysis showed social network degree is a critical factor determining the size of an epidemic. Finally, multiple scenarios for vaccination and school closure strategies were simulated and their performance was analyzed.
Bilberry extract (Antho 50) selectively induces redox-sensitive caspase 3-related apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells by targeting the Bcl-2/Bad pathway
Authors: Alhosin Mahmoud , León-González Antonio J. , Dandache Israa , Lelay Agnès , Rashid Sherzad K. , Kevers Claire , Pincemail Joël , Fornecker Luc-Matthieu , Mauvieux Laurent , Herbrecht Raoul , Schini-Kerth Valérie B. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractDefect in apoptosis has been implicated as a major cause of resistance to chemotherapy observed in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B CLL). This study evaluated the pro-apoptotic effect of an anthocyanin-rich dietary bilberry extract (Antho 50) on B CLL cells from 30 patients and on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy subjects and determined the underlying mechanism. Antho 50 induced concentration- and time-dependent pro-apoptotic effects in B CLL cells but little or no effect in PBMCs. Among the main phenolic compounds of the bilberry extract, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside induced a pro-apoptotic effect. Antho 50-induced apoptosis is associated with activation of caspase 3, down-regulation of UHRF1, a rapid dephosphorylation of Akt and Bad and down-regulation of Bcl-2. Antho 50 significantly induced PEG-catalase-sensitive formation of reactive oxygen species in B CLL cells. PEG-catalase prevented the Antho 50-induced induction of apoptosis and related signaling. The present findings indicate that Antho 50 exhibits strong pro-apoptotic activity through redox-sensitive caspase 3 activation-related mechanism in B CLL cells involving dysregulation of the Bad/Bcl-2 pathway. This activity of Antho 50 involves the glucoside and rutinoside derivatives of delphinidin. They further suggest that Antho 50 has chemotherapeutic potential by targeting selectively B CLL cells.
Fe(NO3)3-assisted large-scale synthesis of Si3N4 nanobelts from quartz and graphite by carbothermal reduction–nitridation and their photoluminescence properties
Authors: Liu Shuyue , Fang Minghao , Huang Zhaohui , Huang Juntong , Ji Haipeng , Liu Haitao , Liu Yan-gai , Wu Xiaowen 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe large-scale synthesis of Si3N4nanobelts from quartz and graphite on a graphite-felt substrate was successfully achieved by catalyst-assisted carbothermal reduction–nitridation. The phase composition, morphology and microstructure of Si3N4nanobelts were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The Si3N4nanobelts were ~4–5 mm long and ~60 nm thick and exhibited smooth surfaces and flexible shapes. The Si3N4nanobelts were well crystallized and grow along the [101] direction. The growth is dominated by the combined mechanisms of vapor–liquid–solid base growth and vapor–solid tip growth. The Fe(NO3)3played a crucial role in promoting the nanobelt formation in the initial stage. The room-temperature photoluminescence spectrum of Si3N4nanobelts consists of three emission peaks centered at 413, 437 and 462 nm, indicating potential applications in optoelectronic nanodevices.