bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LncRNA‐MALAT1 Promotes Angiogenesis of Thyroid Cancer by Modulating Tumor‐Associated Macrophage FGF2 Protein Secretion
Authors: Huang Jian‐kang , Ma Ling , Song Wen‐hua , Lu Bang‐yu , Huang Yu‐bin , Dong Hui‐ming , Ma Xiao‐kai , Zhu Zheng‐zhi , Zhou Rui
Published: May 2017

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment have been associated with enhanced tumor progression. In this study, we investigated the role and molecular mechanisms of MALAT1 in TAMs derived from thyroid cancer. The expression of MALAT1 and FGF2 in thyroid cancer tissues and cells were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR and Western blot. TAMs were transfected with indicated constructs. Then the culture medium (CM) from TAMs was harvested for assay. Secreted FGF2 protein levels and TNF‐α, IL‐12, and IL‐10 levels were detected by ELISA. The cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of FTC133 cells were determined with a CCK‐8 assay and a Transwell assay, respectively. In addition, HUVEC vasculature formation was measured by matrigel angiogenesis assay. The higher levels of MALAT‐1 and FGF2 were observed in thyroid cancer tissues and in thyroid cancer cells compared to that in the control. Besides, in the presence of si‐MALAT1, the levels of TNF‐α and IL‐12 were significantly up‐regulated whereas IL‐10 was down‐regulated in the CM from TAMs. Moreover, down‐regulation of MALAT1 in TAMs reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion of FTC133 cells and inhibited angiogenesis. However, overexpression of FGF2 blocked the effects of MALAT1 siRNAs on cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. Our results suggest that MALAT1‐mediated FGF2 protein secretion from TAMs inhibits inflammatory cytokines release, promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of FTC133 cells and induces vasculature formation. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4821–4830, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic susceptibility in cervical cancer: From bench to bedside
Authors: Bahrami Afsane , Hasanzadeh Malihe , Shahidsales Soodabeh , Farazestanian Marjaneh , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi , Moetamani Ahmadi Mehrdad , Maftouh Mina , Gharib Masoumeh , Yousefi Zohreh , Kadkhodayan Sima , Ferns Gordon A. , Avan Amir
Published: May 2017

Cervical cancer (CC) is the third most common malignancy in women globally, and persistent infection with the oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPV) is recognized as the major risk factor. The pathogenesis of CC relies on the interplay between the tumorigenic properties of the HPV and host factors. Host‐related genetic factors, including the presence of susceptibility loci for cervix tumor is substantial importance. Preclinical and genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have reported the associations of genetic variations in several susceptibility loci for the development of cervical cancer. However, many of these reports are inconsistent. In this review, we discuss the findings to date of candidate gene association studies, and GWAS in cervical cancer. The associations between these genetic variations with response to chemotherapy are also discussed.
TNF‐α has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on mouse monocyte‐derived osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Cao Yixuan , Jansen Ineke D.C. , Sprangers Sara , de Vries Teun J. , Everts Vincent
Published: May 2017

Phenotypically different osteoclasts may be generated from different subsets of precursors. To what extent the formation of these osteoclasts is influenced or mediated by the inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α, is unknown and was investigated in this study. The osteoclast precursors early blasts (CD31hiLy‐6C−), myeloid blasts (CD31+Ly‐6C+), and monocytes (CD31−Ly‐6Chi) were sorted from mouse bone marrow using flow cytometry and cultured with M‐CSF and RANKL, with or without TNF‐α. Surprisingly, TNF‐α prevented the differentiation of TRAcP+ osteoclasts generated from monocytes on plastic; an effect not seen with early blasts and myeloid blasts. This inhibitory effect could not be prevented by other cytokines such as IL‐1β or IL‐6. When monocytes were pre‐cultured with M‐CSF and RANKL followed by exposure to TNF‐α, a stimulatory effect was found. TNF‐α also stimulated monocytes’ osteoclastogenesis when the cells were seeded on bone. Gene expression analysis showed that when TNF‐α was added to monocytes cultured on plastic, RANK, NFATc1, and TRAcP were significantly down‐regulated while TNF‐αR1 and TNF‐αR2 were up‐regulated. FACS analysis showed a decreased uptake of fluorescently labeled RANKL in monocyte cultures in the presence of TNF‐α, indicating an altered ratio of bound‐RANK/unbound‐RANK. Our findings suggest a diverse role of TNF‐α on monocytes’ osteoclastogenesis: it affects the RANK‐signaling pathway therefore inhibits osteoclastogenesis when added at the onset of monocyte culturing. This can be prevented when monocytes were pre‐cultured with M‐CSF and RANKL, which ensures the binding of RANKL to RANK. This could be a mechanism to prevent unfavorable monocyte‐derived osteoclast formation away from the bone.
Estrogen receptor β regulates the tumoral suppressor PTEN to modulate pituitary cell growth
Authors: Perez Pablo A. , Petiti Juan P. , Picech Florencia , Guido Carolina B. , dV Sosa Liliana , Grondona Ezequiel , Mukdsi Jorge H. , De Paul Ana L. , Torres Alicia I. , Gutierrez Silvina
Published: May 2017

In this study, we focused on ERβ regulation in the adenohypophysis under different estrogenic milieu, by analyzing whether ER modulates the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) expression and its subcellular localization on anterior pituitary glands from Wistar rats and GH3 lactosomatotroph cells that over‐expressed ERβ. ERβ was regulated in a cyclic manner, and underwent dynamic changes throughout the estrous cycle, with decreased ERβ+ cells in estrus and under E2 treatment, but increased in ovariectomized rats. In addition, the ERα/β ratio increased in estrus and under E2 stimulation, but decreased in ovariectomized rats. Double immunofluorescence revealed that lactotroph and somatotroph ERβ+ were significantly decreased in estrus. Also, variations in the PTEN expression was observed, which was diminished with high E2 conditions but augmented with low E2 milieu. The subcellular localization of this phosphatase was cell cycle‐dependent, with remarkable changes in the immunostaining pattern: nuclear in arrested pituitary cells but cytoplasmic in stimulated cells, and responding differently to ER agonists, with only DPN being able to increase PTEN expression and retaining it in the nucleus. Finally, ERβ over‐expression increased PTEN with a noticeable subcellular redistribution, and with a significant nuclear signal increase in correlation with an increase of cells in G0/G1 phase. These results showed that E2 is able to inhibit ERβ expression and suggests that the tumoral suppressor PTEN might be one of the signaling proteins by which E2, through ERβ, acts to modulate pituitary cell proliferation, thereby adapting endocrine populations in relation with hormonal necessities.
Electric capacitance tomography for nondestructive testing of standing trees
Authors: Carcangiu Sara , Fanni Alessandra , Montisci Augusto
Published: May 2017

In this paper, an innovative Artificial Neural Network (ANN)‐based approach to solve the bi‐dimensional Electric Capacitance Tomography inverse problem is proposed in order to assess the health state of standing trees. Using a set of examples, an ANN is trained to solve the direct problem, ie, to associate the properties of the tree trunk affected by defects to a set of capacitance values. Then, the trained ANN is inverted in order to obtain the defect position and dimensions on the basis of measured capacitance values. The potentiality of the method is presented making reference to several target examples.
Cyanobacteria as efficient producers of mycosporine‐like amino acids
Authors: Jain Shikha , Prajapat Ganshyam , Abrar Mustari , Ledwani Lalita , Singh Anoop , Agrawal Akhil
Published: May 2017

Mycosporine‐like amino acids are the most common group of transparent ultraviolet radiation absorbing intracellular secondary metabolites. These molecules absorb light in the range of ultraviolet‐A and ‐B with a maximum absorbance between 310 and 362 nm. Cyanobacteria might have faced the most deleterious ultraviolet radiation, which leads to an evolution of ultraviolet protecting mycosporine‐like amino acids for efficient selection in the environment. In the last 30 years, scientists have investigated various cyanobacteria for novel mycosporine‐like amino acids, applying different induction techniques. This review organizes all the cyanobacterial groups that produce various mycosporine‐like amino acids. We found out that cyanobacteria belonging to orders Synechococcales, Chroococcales, Oscillatoriales, and Nostocales are frequently studied for the presence of mycosporine‐like amino acids, while orders Gloeobacterales, Spirulinales, Pleurocapsales, and Chroococcidiopsidales are still need to be investigated. Nostoc and Anabaena strains are major studied genus for the mycosporine‐like amino acids production. Hence, this review will give further insight to the readers about potential mycosporine‐like amino acid producing cyanobacterial groups in future investigations.
Homogenization and trend analysis of monthly mean and maximum wind speed time series in Finland, 1959–2015
Authors: Laapas Mikko , Venäläinen Ari
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Observed near‐surface monthly mean and maximum wind speed time series were homogenized in this study. Observations from 144 weather stations were used in the homogenization process, of which 33 covered the entire study period of 1959–2015. Homogenized time series were used to assess the linear trends in wind speed time series for various periods of interest, including the period of 1979–2008 for comparison with other studies. Trends were analysed on annual and seasonal levels.

Based on statistical homogenization, by applying the HOMER homogenization tool and use of station history metadata, 95% of the analysed time series were found to be at least to some degree inhomogeneous. Almost half of the detected inhomogeneities were verified by metadata, most of which were due to changes in station location and height of the anemometer. Adjustment of detected inhomogeneities resulted in both temporally and spatially more consistent time series, therefore improving the quality of observational wind speed time series of Finland.

Trends in homogenized wind speed time series, in both mean and maximum, were found to be generally negative around the whole study area. The mean linear trend of the annual mean and maximum wind speed of 33 weather stations for the period of 1959–2015 were estimated to be −0.09 and −0.32 m s−1 decade−1, respectively. Negative trends were consistently found, regardless of data period and season. A majority of these trends were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Application of linear gradient elution in countercurrent chromatography for the separation of triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Pulsatilla koreana Nakai
Authors: Lee Kyoung Jin , Song Kwangho , Song Da Young , Kim Yeong Shik
Published: May 2017

A linear gradient elution method using countercurrent chromatography was developed for the separation of four triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Pulsatilla koreana Nakai, including hederacolchiside E, which is responsible for the neuroprotective activity of this plant. The target fraction was obtained by 80% methanol elution of solid phase column chromatography. The partition coefficients of the target compounds were very different, which means they are difficult to separate with a single biphasic solvent system. Several important parameters for gradient elution, such as addition of alcohol content to the solvent system, starting point of the second mobile phase, and the time for the gradient change were logically determined and optimized. Four triterpenoid saponins could ultimately be separated, analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography, and their structures were identified by comparing the mass spectra and NMR spectra with the literature data. The compounds and yields were: hederasaponin B (1; 21.3 mg/100 mg), hederacolchiside E (2; 19.8 mg/100 mg), cernuoside A (3; 18.4 mg/100 mg), and cernuoside B (4; 17.3 mg/100 mg). Gradient‐elution countercurrent chromatography allows the effective separation of compounds with a wide polarity range.
SMAD3 expression and regulation of fibroplasia in vocal fold injury
Authors: Hiwatashi Nao , Benedict Peter A. , Dion Gregory R. , Bing Renjie , Kraja Iv , Amin Milan R. , Branski Ryan C.
Published: May 2017

Objective

Recent reports highlight the efficacy of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting SMAD3 to regulate transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β)‐mediated fibroplasia in vocal fold fibroblasts. The current study sought to investigate SMAD3 expression during wound healing in vivo and quantify the downstream transcriptional events associated with SMAD3 knockdown in vitro.

Study Design

In vivo and in vitro.

Methods

Unilateral vocal fold injury was created in a rabbit model. SMAD3 and SMAD7 mRNA expression was quantified at 1 hour and 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90 days following injury. In vitro, multi‐gene analysis technology was employed in our immortalized human vocal‐fold fibroblast cell line following TGF‐β1 stimulation ± SMAD3 knockdown across time points.

Results

SMAD3 mRNA expression increased following injury; upregulation was significant at 3 and 7 days compared to control (both P < 0.001). SMAD7 mRNA was also upregulated at 3, 7, and 14 days (P = 0.02, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). In vitro, SMAD3 knockdown reduced the expression of multiple profibrotic, TGF‐β signaling, and extracellular matrix metabolism genes at 6 and 24 hours following TGF‐β1 stimulation.

Conclusion

Cumulatively, these data support SMAD3 as a potential master regulator of TGF‐β‐mediated fibrosis. SMAD3 transcription peaked 7 days following injury. Multi‐gene analysis indicated that the therapeutic effectiveness of SMAD3 knockdown may be related to regulation of downstream mediators of fibroplasia and altered TGF‐β signaling.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 127:E308–E316, 2017
Fibula osteofascial flap with proximal skin paddle for intraoral reconstruction
Authors: Maldonado Andrés A. , Langerman Alexander
Published: May 2017

Background

the fibula free flap has become a workhorse in intraoral reconstruction. However, its skin paddle has multiple drawbacks. The aim of this report is to establish the applicability of the fibula osteofascial flap in intraoral reconstruction. Methods: prospectively maintained database was performed in 15 patients who underwent fibula osteofascial flap for intraoral reconstruction. Mandibular reconstruction was the main location (13 patients). Ten flaps were done following tumor resection, three due to osteoradionecrosis and two following mandible fracture/bone loss. A standard fibula flap dissection performing an anterior approach was done, adding a distal fascial flap isolated on the distal perforators (for intraoral reconstruction) and a proximal skin paddle (for external soft tissue reconstruction). Results: One flap was lost due to hypercoagulable state. Fourteen flaps survived with complete oral mucosalization, resembling physiological intraoral bone coverage by 7 weeks (range: 6–8 weeks). One patient presented with delayed donor‐site wound healing. The mean follow‐up was 14.4 months (range: 2–33 months). Thirteen patients (87%) were without tracheotomy at last follow‐up, and 14 patients (93%) were taking at least some nutrition by mouth. Conclusion: Fibula osteofascial flap can be safely used for intraoral reconstruction. This flap provides a stable, thin, and vascularized fascia over the fibula with minimal donor‐site complications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:276–281, 2017.
A comparison of optimization algorithms for localized in vivo B0 shimming
Authors: Nassirpour Sahar , Chang Paul , Fillmer Ariane , Henning Anke
Published: May 2017

Purpose

To compare several different optimization algorithms currently used for localized in vivo B0 shimming, and to introduce a novel, fast, and robust constrained regularized algorithm (ConsTru) for this purpose.

Methods

Ten different optimization algorithms (including samples from both generic and dedicated least‐squares solvers, and a novel constrained regularized inversion method) were implemented and compared for shimming in five different shimming volumes on 66 in vivo data sets from both 7 T and 9.4 T. The best algorithm was chosen to perform single‐voxel spectroscopy at 9.4 T in the frontal cortex of the brain on 10 volunteers.

Results

The results of the performance tests proved that the shimming algorithm is prone to unstable solutions if it depends on the value of a starting point, and is not regularized to handle ill‐conditioned problems. The ConsTru algorithm proved to be the most robust, fast, and efficient algorithm among all of the chosen algorithms. It enabled acquisition of spectra of reproducible high quality in the frontal cortex at 9.4 T.

Conclusions

For localized in vivo B0 shimming, the use of a dedicated linear least‐squares solver instead of a generic nonlinear one is highly recommended. Among all of the linear solvers, the constrained regularized method (ConsTru) was found to be both fast and most robust. Magn Reson Med 79:1145–1156, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Multiresolution topology optimization using isogeometric analysis
Authors: Lieu Qui X. , Lee Jaehong
Published: May 2017

The paper introduces a novel multiresolution scheme to topology optimization in the framework of the isogeometric analysis. A new variable parameter space is added to implement multiresolution topology optimization based on the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization approach. Design density variables defined in the variable space are used to approximate the element analysis density by the bivariate B‐spline basis functions, which are easily obtained using k‐refinement strategy in the isogeometric analysis. While the nonuniform rational B‐spline basis functions are used to exactly describe geometric domains and approximate unknown solutions in finite element analysis. By applying a refined sensitivity filter, optimized designs include highly discrete solutions in terms of solid and void materials without using any black and white projection filters. The Method of Moving Asymptotes is used to solve the optimization problem. Various benchmark test problems including plane stress, compliant mechanism inverter, and 2‐dimensional heat conduction are examined to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the present method.
Sma3s: A universal tool for easy functional annotation of proteomes and transcriptomes
Authors: Casimiro‐Soriguer Carlos S. , Muñoz‐Mérida Antonio , Pérez‐Pulido Antonio J.
Published: May 2017

The current cheapening of next‐generation sequencing has led to an enormous growth in the number of sequenced genomes and transcriptomes, allowing wet labs to get the sequences from their organisms of study. To make the most of these data, one of the first things that should be done is the functional annotation of the protein‐coding genes. But it used to be a slow and tedious step that can involve the characterization of thousands of sequences. Sma3s is an accurate computational tool for annotating proteins in an unattended way. Now, we have developed a completely new version, which includes functionalities that will be of utility for fundamental and applied science. Currently, the results provide functional categories such as biological processes, which become useful for both characterizing particular sequence datasets and comparing results from different projects. But one of the most important implemented innovations is that it has now low computational requirements, and the complete annotation of a simple proteome or transcriptome usually takes around 24 hours in a personal computer. Sma3s has been tested with a large amount of complete proteomes and transcriptomes, and it has demonstrated its potential in health science and other specific projects.
Supplementation with Herbal Extracts to Promote Behavioral and Neuroprotective Effects in Experimental Models of Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: da Costa Ianara Mendonça , Cavalcanti José Rodolfo Lopes de Paiva , de Queiroz Dinalva Brito , de Azevedo Eduardo Pereira , do Rêgo Amália Cinthia Meneses , Araújo Filho Irami , Parente Paulo , Botelho Marco Antônio , Guzen Fausto Pierdoná
Published: May 2017

Parkinson's disease (PD) consists of a neurodegenerative pathology that has received a considerable amount of attention because of its clinical manifestations. The most common treatment consists of administering the drugs levodopa and biperiden, which reduce the effectiveness of the disease and the progress of its symptoms. However, phytotherapy treatment of PD has shown great potential in retarding the loss of dopaminergic neurons and minimizing the behavioral abnormalities. The aim of this study is to systematically review the use of supplemental herbal plants with cellular protective effect and behavioral activity in in vivo and in vitro experimental models. A total of 20 studies were summarized, where the effectiveness of herbal extracts and their isolated bioactive compounds was observed in animal models for PD. The main neurochemical mechanisms found in these studies are schematically represented. The herbal extracts and their biocompounds have antioxidant, anti‐apoptotic, and antiinflammatory properties, which contribute to avoiding neuronal loss. Reports show that besides acting on the biosynthesis of dopamine and its metabolites, these compounds prevent D2 receptors' hypersensitivity. It is suggested that further studies need be conducted to better understand the mechanisms of action of the bioactive compounds distributed in these plants. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Volterra inverse scattering series method for one‐dimensional quantum barrier scattering
Authors: Chou Chia‐Chun , Yao Jie , Kouri Donald J.
Published: May 2017

The Volterra inverse scattering series method is developed to obtain the interaction potential for one‐dimensional quantum barrier scattering problems. The Lippmann–Schwinger equation describing quantum barrier scattering is renormalized from a Fredholm to a Volterra integral equation. Employing the Born–Neumann series solution of the Lippmann–Schwinger Volterra equation and a related expansion of the interaction potential in orders of the data, we derive the Volterra inverse scattering series for the reflection and transmission amplitudes. Each term of the interaction potential is computed using the scattering amplitude and the Volterra Green's function. We do not consider the separate issue of extracting scattering amplitudes from quantum cross sections. The triangular nature of the Volterra Green's function significantly reduces computational effort. The Volterra series is then applied to several one‐dimensional quantum barrier scattering problems. Computational results show that the first few terms in the Volterra series can yield accurate interaction barriers. In addition, the potential barriers are calculated using the Born inverse scattering series based on the Lippmann–Schwinger Fredholm equation with the reflection amplitude. The comparison between the Born and Volterra results demonstrates that the Volterra inverse scattering series can provide a more accurate and more efficient method for determining the interaction potential.
Concise Review: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Drug Discovery for Mitochondrial Disease
Authors: Inak Gizem , Lorenz Carmen , Lisowski Pawel , Zink Annika , Mlody Barbara , Prigione Alessandro
Published: May 2017

High attrition rates and loss of capital plague the drug discovery process. This is particularly evident for mitochondrial disease that typically involves neurological manifestations and is caused by nuclear or mitochondrial DNA defects. This group of heterogeneous disorders is difficult to target because of the variability of the symptoms among individual patients and the lack of viable modeling systems. The use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) might significantly improve the search for effective therapies for mitochondrial disease. iPSCs can be used to generate patient-specific neural cell models in which innovative compounds can be identified or validated. Here we discuss the promises and challenges of iPSC-based drug discovery for mitochondrial disease with a specific focus on neurological conditions. We anticipate that a proper use of the potent iPSC technology will provide critical support for the development of innovative therapies against these untreatable and detrimental disorders.
PRMT8 Controls the Pluripotency and Mesodermal Fate of Human Embryonic Stem Cells By Enhancing the PI3K/AKT/SOX2 Axis
Authors: Jeong Ho-Chang , Park Soon-Jung , Choi Jong-Jin , Go Young-Hyun , Hong Soon-Ki , Kwon Ok-Seon , Shin Joong-Gon , Kim Rae-Kwon , Lee Mi-Ok , Lee Su-Jae , Shin Hyoung Doo , Moon Sung-Hwan , Cha Hyuk-Jin
Published: May 2017

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) supplementation is critical to maintain the pluripotency of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) through activation of PI3K/AKT, rather than MEK/ERK pathway. Thus, elaborate molecular mechanisms that preserve PI3K/AKT signaling upon bFGF stimulation may exist in hPSCs. Protein arginine methyltransferase 8 (PRMT8) was expressed and then its level gradually decreased during spontaneous differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). PRMT8 loss- or gain-of-function studies demonstrated that PRMT8 contributed to longer maintenance of hESC pluripotency, even under bFGF-deprived conditions. Direct interaction of membrane-localized PRMT8 with p85, a regulatory subunit of PI3K, was associated with accumulation of phosphoinositol 3-phosphate and consequently high AKT activity. Furthermore, the SOX2 induction, which was controlled by the PRMT8/PI3K/AKT axis, was linked to mesodermal lineage differentiation. Thus, we propose that PRMT8 in hESCs plays an important role not only in maintaining pluripotency but also in controlling mesodermal differentiation through bFGF signaling toward the PI3K/AKT/SOX2 axis.
Innovation support and small‐firm performance in India: A social capital perspective
Authors: Dato‐on Mary Conway , Banerjee Sharmistha , Roy Mousumi
Published: May 2017

This article empirically examines the role of network derived innovation support in translating effects of social capital dimensions on firm performance. Comparison is drawn between small firms engaged in strategic (e.g., professional associations) and social (e.g., family, informal relationships) alliances. The study uses multiple regression analysis on a representative sample of 100 small firms in West Bengal, India. Analysis largely supports the hypothesis that social capital provides innovation support to small firms, which consequently translates into improved firm performance. For firms embedded in strategic alliances, results were more pronounced, thus substantiating the advantage for small firms in India to join and activate social capital within strategic networks to overcome the constraints in generating and developing innovativeness. Implications for small firms and professional associations are discussed.
Supporting Disciplinary Talk From the Start of School: Teaching Students to Think and Talk Like Scientists
Authors: Wright Tanya S. , Gotwals Amelia Wenk
Published: May 2017

In this article, the authors first review the research literature to show why supporting talk from the start of school is important for students’ long‐term literacy development. The authors then define and describe disciplinary talk and argue that it is an important entry point into science and disciplinary literacy learning for young students. The authors briefly describe their research project, which found success in improving students’ science talk:SOLIDStart (Science, Oral Language, and Literacy Development from the Start of School). The rest of the article describes theSOLIDStart instructional strategies for supporting disciplinary talk: the research that supports these strategies, examples of what each strategy looks like in primary‐grade classrooms, and how‐tos for teachers to start using these instructional strategies.
Including GHG emissions from mangrove forests LULUC in LCA: a case study on shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Järviö Natasha , Henriksson Patrik J. G. , Guinée Jeroen B.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Mangrove forests have been recognized as important regulators of greenhouse gases (GHGs), yet the resulting land use and land-use change (LULUC) emissions have rarely been accounted for in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. The present study therefore presents up-to-date estimates for GHG emissions from mangrove LULUC and applies them to a case study of shrimp farming in Vietnam.

Methods

To estimate the global warming impacts of mangrove LULUC, a combination of the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines, the Net Committed Emissions, and the Missed Potential Carbon Sink method were used. A literature review was then conducted to characterize the most critical parameters for calculating carbon losses, missed sequestration, methane fluxes, and dinitrogen monoxide emissions.

Results and discussion

Our estimated LUC emissions from mangrove deforestation resulted in 124 t CO2 ha−1 year−1, assuming IPCC’s recommendations of 1 m of soil loss, and 96% carbon oxidation. In addition to this, 1.25 t of carbon would no longer be sequestered annually. Discounted over 20 years, this resulted in total LULUC emissions of 129 t CO2 ha−1 year−1 (CV = 0.441, lognormal distribution (ln)). Shrimp farms in the Mekong Delta, however, can today operate for 50 years or more, but are 1.5 m deep (50% oxidation). In addition to this, Asian tiger shrimp farming in mixed mangrove concurrent farms (the only type of shrimp farm that resulted in mangrove deforestation since 2000 in our case study) resulted in 533 kg methane and 1.67 kg dinitrogen monoxide per hectare annually. Consequently, the LULUC GHG emissions resulted in 184 and 282 t CO2-eq t−1 live shrimp at farm gate, using mass and economic allocation, respectively. These GHG emissions are about an order of magnitude higher than from semi-intensive or intensive shrimp farming systems. Limitations in data quality and quantity also led us to quantify the uncertainties around our emission estimates, resulting in a CV of between 0.4 and 0.5.

Conclusions

Our results reinforce the urgency of conserving mangrove forests and the need to quantify uncertainties around LULUC emissions. It also questions mixed mangrove concurrent shrimp farming, where partial removal of mangrove forests is endorsed based upon the benefits of partial mangrove conservation and maintenance of certain ecosystem services. While we recognize that these activities limit the chances of complete removal, our estimates show that large GHG emissions from mangrove LULUC question the sustainability of this type of shrimp farming, especially since mixed mangrove farming only provide 5% of all farmed shrimp produced in Vietnam.
Manganese‐enhanced MR imaging (MEMRI) combined with electrophysiology in the study of cross‐modal plasticity in binocularly blind rats
Authors: Tang Zuohua , Wu Lingjie , Xiao Zebin , Sun Xinghuai , Feng Xiaoyuan , Chen Qian , Fan Jiawen , Wang Jie , Wang Wentao , Luo Jianfeng , Jin Lixin
Published: May 2017

Our study aimed to determine and verify the establishment of visual to auditory cross‐modal plasticity using manganese‐enhanced MR imaging (MEMRI) combined with examinations of the visual evoked potential (VEP), auditory brainstem response (ABR) and bilateral visual cortex response to a bilateral auditory stimulus (AVR). Fourteen healthy male Sprague‐Dawley newborn rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 7 per group). Optic nerve transection was performed in the 7 rats of Group A three weeks after birth to obtain binocularly blind models, and the 7 rats of Group B were maintained as the control group. The VEP was measured to ensure complete binocular blindness. Four months after the operation, MnCl2 was injected into the left inner ear perilymph of all rats, and an MRI examination was performed 24 h after injection. Then, ABR and AVR were measured to detect the generation of auditory compensatory function. The results of the VEP have confirmed complete binocular blindness. The normalized signal intensity of the bilateral medial geniculate nucleus, auditory cortex, visual center (including the lateral geniculate nucleus, superior colliculus and visual cortex) and right hippocampus in binocularly blind rats was significantly increased compared with that in normal rats (P ≤ 0.005), which was confirmed by measurement of the ABR and AVR. Our results suggested that MEMRI combined with electrophysiology can show changes in the auditory and visual pathways of binocularly blind rats and demonstrate the generation of an auditory compensatory pathway.
Viscosity and elasticity: a model intercomparison of ice-shelf bending in an Antarctic grounding zone
Authors: WILD CHRISTIAN T. , MARSH OLIVER J. , RACK WOLFGANG
Published: May 2017

Grounding zones are vital to ice-sheet mass balance and its coupling to the global ocean circulation. Processes here determine the mass discharge from the grounded ice sheet, to the floating ice shelves. The response of this transition zone to tidal forcing has been described by both elastic and viscoelastic models. Here we examine the validity of these models for grounding zone flexure over tidal timescales using field data from the Southern McMurdo Ice Shelf (78° 15′S, 167° 7′E). Observations of tidal movement were carried out by simultaneous tiltmeter and GPS measurements along a profile across the grounding zone. Finite-element simulations covering a 64 d period reveal that the viscoelastic model fits best the observations using a Young's modulus of 1.6 GPa and a viscosity of 1013.7 Pa s (≈ 50.1 TPa s). We conclude that the elastic model is only well-constrained for tidal displacements >35% of the spring-tidal amplitude using a Young's modulus of 1.62 ± 0.69 GPa, but that a viscoelastic model is necessary to adequately capture tidal bending at amplitudes below this threshold. In grounding zones where bending stresses are greater than at the Southern McMurdo Ice Shelf or ice viscosity is lower, the threshold would be even higher.
Inverse solution of surface mass balance of Midtre Lovénbreen, Svalbard
Authors: VÄLISUO ILONA , ZWINGER THOMAS , KOHLER JACK
Published: May 2017

We investigate the temporal evolution and spatial distribution of mass balance on the glacier Midtre Lovénbreen, Svalbard. Running a diagnostic high-resolution full-stress ice flow model with geometries obtained from five digital elevation models (DEMs) in the period 1962–2005, we compute velocity fields and linearly interpolated volume change of the glacier. We evaluate the kinematic free surface equation using these model outputs to solve the surface mass balance (SMB). Monitoring data on Midtre Lovénbreen allows model results to be compared with point measurements from the glacier over several decades. This method allows us to estimate the mass balance over the entire glacier surface, beyond the spatially limited field measurements, and to derive past SMB over an extended time period.
Drones on ice: an assessment of the legal implications of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in scientific research and by the tourist industry in Antarctica
Authors: Leary David
Published: May 2017

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, are used in scientific research and a diverse range of other applications across the globe. They are also being used increasingly for scientific research in Antarctica and to a lesser extent by tourists visiting the world's last great frontier tourist destination. Their use in scientific research in Antarctica offers many benefits to science and if used responsibly may be less invasive than other research techniques, offering a rich source of new scientific data. For tourists, UAVs also offer unique aerial photographic perspectives on Antarctica — the ultimate holiday snap shot. Concerns have been raised about the safety of drone use in the harsh and unpredictable Antarctic conditions, as well as possible environmental impacts. This paper considers these issues and the emerging regulatory response to drone use in Antarctica focusing on theAntarctic Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Operator's Handbook, which provides guidelines to national Antarctic programmes on the use of UAVs in the Antarctic Treaty area, and the temporary ban on use of drones by tourists imposed by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). Both measures arguably constitute a good first response to this emerging issue, although more still needs to be done.
Anorectal swabs as a marker of male-to-male sexual exposure in STI surveillance systems
Authors: AMPT F. H. , EL HAYEK C. , AGIUS P. A. , BOWRING A. L. , BARTNIK N. , VAN GEMERT C. , FAIRLEY C. K. , CHOW E. P. F. , BRADSHAW C. S. , STEPHENS N. , LIM M. S. C. , HELLARD M. E.
Published: May 2017

Identification of priority populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) is important in surveillance systems to monitor trends of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We explored using routinely collected non-behavioural data as a means to establish MSM status in surveillance by assessing anorectal swab as a marker of male-to-male sexual exposure. We used chlamydia testing data from a sexual health clinic, 2007–2012. Men reporting any male sexual partner(s) in the previous 12 months were considered MSM. The dataset was split into development and validation samples to develop a univariate predictive model and assess the model fit. The dataset included 30 358 individual men and 48 554 episodes of STI testing; 45% were among reported MSM and an anorectal swab was performed in 40% of testing episodes. Anorectal swabbing had good diagnostic performance as a marker for MSM status (sensitivity = 87%, specificity = 99%, positive predictive value = 98·6%, negative predictive value = 90·3%). The model showed good fit against the internal validation sample (area under the curve = 0·93). Anorectal swabs are a valid marker of MSM behaviour in surveillance data from sexual health clinics, and they are likely to be particularly useful for monitoring STI trends among MSM with higher risk behaviour.
Automated Image Acquisition for Low-Dose STEM at Atomic Resolution
Authors: Mittelberger Andreas , Kramberger Christian , Hofer Christoph , Mangler Clemens , Meyer Jannik C.
Published: May 2017

Beam damage is a major limitation in electron microscopy that becomes increasingly severe at higher resolution. One possible route to circumvent radiation damage, which forms the basis for single-particle electron microscopy and related techniques, is to distribute the dose over many identical copies of an object. For the acquisition of low-dose data, ideally no dose should be applied to the region of interest before the acquisition of data. We present an automated approach that can collect large amounts of data efficiently by acquiring images in a user-defined area-of-interest with atomic resolution. We demonstrate that the stage mechanics of the Nion UltraSTEM, combined with an intelligent algorithm to move the sample, allow the automated acquisition of atomically resolved images from micron-sized areas of a graphene substrate. Moving the sample stage automatically in a regular pattern over the area-of-interest enables the collection of data from pristine sample regions without exposing them to the electron beam before recording an image. Therefore, it is possible to obtain data with minimal dose (no prior exposure during focusing), which is only limited by the minimum signal needed for data processing. This enables us to minimize beam-induced damage in the sample and to acquire large data sets within a reasonable amount of time.
The emergence of personal growth amongst healthcare professionals who care for dying children
Authors: Beaune Laura , Muskat Barbara , Anthony Samantha J.
Published: May 2017

Objective:

Compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious traumatization are prominent topics in the current literature on the impact of the rewarding but challenging work of healthcare professionals who care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. The positive effects of caregiving constitute a newly emerging outcome that has been relatively unexplored in the pediatric literature, and yet they may play an important role in contributing to the satisfaction and well-being of the healthcare professionals who care for children who have a life-limiting illness.

Method:

This paper reports the results of a secondary analysis of qualitative interview transcripts that explored the experiences of hospital-based pediatric healthcare providers caring for children with varied life-limiting illnesses. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 healthcare professionals (9 social workers, 8 nurses, and 8 physicians). The majority of participants were women (80%), with an age range between 20 and 60 years, and most (84%) had the experience of caring for more than 15 dying children. Thematic analysis was conducted using interpretive description and constant comparison.

Results:

Every healthcare professional interviewed experienced personal growth as a result of their providing care for dying children. Three dimensions of personal growth were most consistently reported: (1) new or altered life perspectives, (2) enhanced personal resources, and (3) benevolence.

Significance of results:

A deeper understanding of the phenomenon of personal growth could help healthcare organizations to implement innovative approaches that would counterbalance compassion fatigue, and thereby enhance both healthcare provider well-being and child and family outcomes.
Monostatic continuous-wave radar integrating a tunable wideband leakage canceler for indoor tagless localization
Authors: Mercuri Marco , Barmuta Paweł , Soh Ping Jack , Leroux Paul , Schreurs Dominique
Published: May 2017

Continuous-wave (CW) radars have been recently investigated in healthcare aiming at contactless health monitoring. However, a major problem in monostatic CW architectures is represented by the unwanted leakage produced by poor isolation between transmitter and receiver, which can drastically decrease the receiver's sensitivity reducing therefore the radar dynamic range. Although this situation can be easily controlled in case of narrowband CW radar by an appropriate passive microwave design, it becomes much more complicated in case of stepped-frequency CW and frequency-modulated CW architectures that present an ultra-wideband nature. In this paper, a monostatic CW radar integrating a tunable wideband leakage canceler aiming at indoor tagless localization is presented and discussed. The use of the feedforward canceler allows a strong reduction of the unwanted leakage over the whole radar bandwidth. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, showing an outstanding improvement of the radar dynamic range.
Altered regulatory T‐cell fractions and Helios expression in clinically isolated syndrome: clues to the development of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Jones Anderson P , Trend Stephanie , Byrne Scott N , Fabis‐Pedrini Marzena J , Geldenhuys Sian , Nolan David , Booth David R , Carroll William M , Lucas Robyn M , Kermode Allan G , Hart Prue H
Published: May 2017

Development of multiple sclerosis (MS) is frequently preceded by an acute or subacute neurological disturbance referred to as clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). The specific immunological disturbances present in CIS remain underexamined. This study analysed peripheral blood mononuclear cells from n=18 treatment‐naive individuals with recently diagnosed CIS (<120 days) for disturbances in the phenotype of T regulatory (Treg), follicular T regulatory (Tfr), T helper (Th), follicular T helper (Tfh) and B cells. Relative to healthy controls (n=19), CIS was associated with lower proportions of suppressive CD45RA+FoxP3lo Treg and Tfr cells and greater proportions of non‐suppressive CD45RA−FoxP3lo and Th17‐like Treg and Tfr. Lower Helios expression (mean fluorescence intensity) was measured across all Treg and Tfr fractions in the CIS group, suggesting less potent regulatory function. Greater frequencies of activated, efficient B‐cell helper Tfh subsets and a trend for a higher proportion of IgD−CD27− B cells was also detected in the CIS group, characteristics that were positively correlated with Treg and Tfr Helios expression. These results indicate that Treg and Tfr impairment is an early feature in MS.
Fair Topologies: Community Structures and Network Hubs Drive Emergence of Fairness Norms
Authors: Mosleh Mohsen , Heydari Babak
Published: May 2017

Fairness has long been argued to govern human behavior in a wide range of social, economic, and organizational activities. The sense of fairness, although universal, varies across different societies. In this study, using a computational model, we test the hypothesis that the topology of social interaction can causally explain some of the cross-societal variations in fairness norms. We show that two network parameters, namely, community structure, as measured by the modularity index, and networkhubiness, represented by the skewness of degree distribution, have the most significant impact on emergence of collective fair behavior. These two parameters can explain much of the variations in fairness norms across societies and can also be linked to hypotheses suggested by earlier empirical studies in social and organizational sciences. We devised a multi-layered model that combines local agent interactions with social learning, thus enables both strategic behavior as well as diffusion of successful strategies. By applying multivariate statistics on the results, we obtain the relation between network structural features and the collective fair behavior.
Sonochemical Synthesis of Sulfur Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Supported CuS Nanoparticles for the Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensor Applications
Authors: Karikalan Natarajan , Karthik Raj , Chen Shen-Ming , Karuppiah Chelladurai , Elangovan Arumugam
Published: May 2017

Over the present material synthesis routes, the sonochemical route is highly efficient and comfortable way to produce nanostructured materials. In this way, the copper sulfide (CuS-covellite) and sulfur doped reduced graphene oxide (S-rGO) nanocomposite was prepared by sonochemical method. Interestingly, the structure of the as-prepared S-rGO/CuS was changed from the covellite to digenite phase. Herein, the S-rGO was act as a mild oxidizer and liable for the structural transformations. These structural changes are sequentially studied by various physicochemical characterizations such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After scrupulous structural evaluations, the transformation of CuS phase was identified and documented. This oxidized CuS has an excellent electrocatalytic activity when compare to the bulk CuS. This S-rGO/CuS was further used for the determination of glucose and acquired good electrocatalytic performances. This S-rGO/CuS was exhibited a wide linear concentration range, 0.0001–3.88 mM and 3.88–20.17 mM, and a low-level detection limit of 32 nM. Moreover, we have validated the practicability of our developed glucose sensor in real biological samples.
An iron germylene complex having Fe–H and Ge–H bonds: synthesis, structure and reactivity
Authors: Dhungana Tara Prasad , Hashimoto Hisako , Tobita Hiromi
Published: May 2017

An iron germylene complex having Fe–H and Ge–H bonds was synthesized and its reactivity toward various organic substrates was investigated.