bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultraviolet micro-Raman stress map of polycrystalline diamond grown selectively on silicon substrates using chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Ahmed Raju , Nazari M. , Hancock B. L. , Simpson J. , Engdahl C. , Piner E. L. , Holtz M. W.
Published: May 2018

Polycrystalline diamond stripes, with a nominal thickness of ∼1.5 μm and various widths, were selectively grown on silicon substrates using chemical vapor deposition. Stress measurements using ultraviolet micro-Raman mapping reveal high compressive stress, up to ∼0.85 GPa, at the center of the diamond stripe, and moderate tensile stress, up to ∼0.14 GPa, in the substrate close to the interface with the diamond. Compressive stresses on diamond decrease with diminishing stripe widths. The stress map is well-described using finite element simulation incorporating solely thermal expansion effects.
Megagauss-level magnetic field production in cm-scale auto-magnetizing helical liners pulsed to 500 kA in 125 ns
Authors: Shipley G. A. , Awe T. J. , Hutsel B. T. , Slutz S. A. , Lamppa D. C. , Greenly J. B. , Hutchinson T. M.
Published: May 2018

Auto-magnetizing (AutoMag) liners [Slutz et al., Phys. Plasmas 24, 012704 (2017)] are designed to generate up to 100 T of axial magnetic field in the fuel for Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion [Slutz et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 056303 (2010)] without the need for external field coils. AutoMag liners (cylindrical tubes) are composed of discrete metallic helical conduction paths separated by electrically insulating material. Initially, helical current in the AutoMag liner produces internal axial magnetic field during a long (100 to 300 ns) current prepulse with an average current rise rate dI/dt=5 kA/ns. After the cold fuel is magnetized, a rapidly rising current (200 kA/ns) generates a calculated electric field of 64 MV/m between the helices. Such field is sufficient to force dielectric breakdown of the insulating material after which liner current is reoriented from helical to predominantly axial which ceases the AutoMag axial magnetic field production mechanism and the z-pinch liner implodes. Proof of concept experiments have been executed on the Mykonos linear transformer driver to measure the axial field produced by a variety of AutoMag liners and to evaluate what physical processes drive dielectric breakdown. A range of field strengths have been generated in various cm-scale liners in agreement with magnetic transient simulations including a measured field above 90 T at I = 350 kA. By varying the helical pitch angle, insulator material, and insulator geometry, favorable liner designs have been identified for which breakdown occurs under predictable and reproducible field conditions.
Metamaterial foundations may offer buildings better earthquake resistance
Authors: Cesare Chris
Published: May 2018

Experimental test of small-scale seismic isolator demonstrates a 50 percent dissipation of seismic energy.
Tearing down the barriers to domain wall electronics
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: May 2018

Using dielectric analysis, the switching dynamics of an improper ferroelectric material, hexagonal erbium manganite, has been characterized for the first time.
Habitat use and movements of Australian grayling (Prototroctes maraena) in a Victorian coastal stream
Authors: Dawson D. R. , Koster W. M.
Published: May 2018

Riverine fishes are among the most imperilled fauna in the world; however, for many species, there is little or no understanding of their ecological requirements. The Australian grayling (Prototroctes maraena) is a small diadromous fish endemic to rivers in south-eastern Australia that has declined considerably in range and abundance and is listed as threatened nationally. To improve understanding of the species’ movement ecology and to inform the development of conservation management actions, we examined the day-to-day movements and habitat use of Australian grayling (n=7) over 8 weeks by using radio-telemetry. Tagged individuals of Australian grayling typically occupied restricted (i.e. tens to hundreds of metres) reaches of stream, and were mostly located in moderate- to fast-flowing habitats (i.e. glide or run), although, at night, use of slower-flowing habitats (i.e. pools) increased. They also undertook longer-distance downstream movements during a period of increased streamflow. Incorporation of such information into management strategies has the potential to improve our capacity to maintain or re-instate the conditions required to conserve and restore Australian grayling populations.
Post-transcriptional Down-regulation of ROCKI/Rho-kinase through an MEK-dependent Pathway Leads to Cytoskeleton Disruption in Ras-transformed Fibroblasts
Authors: Pawlak Geraldine , Helfman David M.
Published: May 2018

Transformation by oncogenic Ras profoundly alters actin cytoskeleton organization. We investigated Ras-dependent signaling pathways involved in cytoskeleton disruption by transfecting normal rat kidney (NRK) cells with different Ras mutants. RasV12S35, a mutant known to activate specifically the Raf/MAPK pathway, led to stress fiber and focal contact disruption, whereas the adherens junctions remained intact. Next, we found that pharmacological inhibition of MEK was sufficient to restore the cytoskeletal defects of ras-transformed NRK cells, including assembly of stress fibers and focal contacts, but it did not induce reorganization of the cell-cell junctions. Investigating the mechanism underlying this phenotypic reversion, we found that the sustained MAPK signaling resulting from Ras-transformation down-regulated the expression of ROCKI and Rho-kinase, two-Rho effectors required for stress fiber formation, at the post-transcriptional level. On MEK inhibition, ROCKI/Rho-kinase expression and cofilin phosphorylation were increased, demonstrating that the Rho-kinase/LIM-kinase/cofilin pathway was functionally restored. Finally, using dominant negative or constitutively active mutants, we demonstrated that expression of ROCKI/Rho-kinase was both necessary and sufficient to promote cytoskeleton reorganization in NRK/ras cells. These findings further establish the Ras/MAPK pathway as the critical pathway involved in cytoskeleton disruption during Ras-transformation, and they suggest a new mechanism, involving alteration in ROCKI/Rho-kinase expression, by which oncogenic Ras can specifically target the actin-based cytoskeleton and achieve morphological transformation of the cells.
Activity of Specific Lipid-regulated ADP Ribosylation Factor-GTPase–activating Proteins Is Required for Sec14p-dependent Golgi Secretory Function in Yeast
Authors: Yanagisawa Lora L. , Marchena Jennifer , Xie Zhigang , Li Xinmin , Poon Pak P. , Singer Richard A. , Johnston Gerald C. , Randazzo Paul A. , Bankaitis Vytas A.
Published: May 2018

Yeast phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (Sec14p) coordinates lipid metabolism with protein-trafficking events. This essential Sec14p requirement for Golgi function is bypassed by mutations in any one of seven genes that control phosphatidylcholine or phosphoinositide metabolism. In addition to these “bypass Sec14p” mutations, Sec14p-independent Golgi function requires phospholipase D activity. The identities of lipids that mediate Sec14p-dependent Golgi function, and the identity of the proteins that respond to Sec14p-mediated regulation of lipid metabolism, remain elusive. We now report genetic evidence to suggest that two ADP ribosylation factor-GTPase–activating proteins (ARFGAPs), Gcs1p and Age2p, may represent these lipid-responsive elements, and that Gcs1p/Age2p act downstream of Sec14p and phospholipase D in both Sec14p-dependent and Sec14p-independent pathways for yeast Golgi function. In support, biochemical data indicate that Gcs1p and Age2p ARFGAP activities are both modulated by lipids implicated in regulation of Sec14p pathway function. These results suggest ARFGAPs are stimulatory factors required for regulation of Golgi function by the Sec14p pathway, and that Sec14p-mediated regulation of lipid metabolism interfaces with the activity of proteins involved in control of the ARF cycle.
Formin-dependent TGF-β signaling for epithelial to mesenchymal transition
Authors: Rana Manish K. , Aloisio Francesca M. , Choi Changhoon , Barber Diane L.
Published: May 2018

The role of distinct actin filament architectures in epithelial plasticity remains incompletely understood. We therefore determined roles for formins and the Arp2/3 complex, which are actin nucleators generating unbranched and branched actin filaments, respectively, in the process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In clonal lung, mammary, and renal epithelial cells, the formin activity inhibitor SMIFH2 but not the Arp2/3 complex activity inhibitor CK666 blocked EMT induced by TGF-β. SMIFH2 prevented the proximal signal of increased Smad2 phosphorylation and hence also blocked downstream EMT markers, including actin filament remodeling, decreased expression of the adherens junction protein E-cadherin, and increased expression of the matrix protein fibronectin and the transcription factor Snail. The short hairpin RNA silencing of formins DIAPH1 and DIAPH3 but not other formins phenocopied SMIFH2 effects and inhibited Smad2 phosphorylation and changes in Snail and cadherin expression. Formin activity was not necessary for the cell surface expression or dimerization of TGF-β receptors, or for nuclear translocation of TAZ, a transcription cofactor in Hippo signaling also regulated by TGF-β. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized role for formin-dependent actin architectures in proximal TGF-β signaling that is necessary for Smad2 phosphorylation but not for cross-talk to TAZ.
A data-entrained computational model for testing the regulatory logic of the vertebrate unfolded protein response
Authors: Diedrichs Danilo R. , Gomez Javier A. , Huang Chun-Sing , Rutkowski D. Thomas , Curtu Rodica
Published: May 2018

The vertebrate unfolded protein response (UPR) is characterized by multiple interacting nodes among its three pathways, yet the logic underlying this regulatory complexity is unclear. To begin to address this issue, we created a computational model of the vertebrate UPR that was entrained upon and then validated against experimental data. As part of this validation, the model successfully predicted the phenotypes of cells with lesions in UPR signaling, including a surprising and previously unreported differential role for the eIF2α phosphatase GADD34 in exacerbating severe stress but ameliorating mild stress. We then used the model to test the functional importance of a feedforward circuit within the PERK/CHOP axis and of cross-regulatory control of BiP and CHOP expression. We found that the wiring structure of the UPR appears to balance the ability of the response to remain sensitive to endoplasmic reticulum stress and to be deactivated rapidly by improved protein-folding conditions. This model should serve as a valuable resource for further exploring the regulatory logic of the UPR.
In vivo mitotic spindle scaling can be modulated by changing the levels of a single protein: the microtubule polymerase XMAP215
Authors: Milunovic´-Jevtic´ Ana , Jevtic´ Predrag , Levy Daniel L. , Gatlin J. C.
Published: May 2018

In many organisms, early embryonic development is characterized by a series of reductive cell divisions that result in rapid increases in cell number and concomitant decreases in cell size. Intracellular organelles, such as the nucleus and mitotic spindle, also become progressively smaller during this developmental window, but the molecular and mechanistic underpinnings of these scaling relationships are not fully understood. For the mitotic spindle, changes in cytoplasmic volume are sufficient to account for size scaling during early development in certain organisms. This observation is consistent with models that evoke a limiting component, whereby the smaller absolute number of spindle components in smaller cells limits spindle size. Here we investigate the role of a candidate factor for developmental spindle scaling, the microtubule polymerase XMAP215. Microinjection of additional XMAP215 protein into Xenopus laevis embryos was sufficient to induce the assembly of larger spindles during developmental stages 6.5, 7, and 8, whereas addition of a polymerase-incompetent XMAP215 mutant resulted in a downward shift in the in vivo spindle scaling curve. In sum, these results indicate that even small cells are able to produce larger spindles if microtubule growth rates are increased and suggest that structural components are not limiting.
LZW-Kernel: fast kernel utilizing variable length code blocks from LZW compressors for protein sequence classification
Authors: Filatov Gleb , Bauwens Bruno , Kertész-Farkas Attila
Published: May 2018

Motivation

Bioinformatics studies often rely on similarity measures between sequence pairs, which often pose a bottleneck in large-scale sequence analysis.

Results

Here, we present a new convolutional kernel function for protein sequences called the Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW)-Kernel. It is based on code words identified with the LZW universal text compressor. The LZW-Kernel is an alignment-free method, it is always symmetric, is positive, always provides 1.0 for self-similarity and it can directly be used with Support Vector Machines (SVMs) in classification problems, contrary to normalized compression distance, which often violates the distance metric properties in practice and requires further techniques to be used with SVMs. The LZW-Kernel is a one-pass algorithm, which makes it particularly plausible for big data applications. Our experimental studies on remote protein homology detection and protein classification tasks reveal that the LZW-Kernel closely approaches the performance of the Local Alignment Kernel (LAK) and the SVM-pairwise method combined with Smith-Waterman (SW) scoring at a fraction of the time. Moreover, the LZW-Kernel outperforms the SVM-pairwise method when combined with Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) scores, which indicates that the LZW code words might be a better basis for similarity measures than local alignment approximations found with BLAST. In addition, the LZW-Kernel outperforms n-gram based mismatch kernels, hidden Markov model based SAM and Fisher kernel and protein family based PSI-BLAST, among others. Further advantages include the LZW-Kernel’s reliance on a simple idea, its ease of implementation, and its high speed, three times faster than BLAST and several magnitudes faster than SW or LAK in our tests.

Availability and implementation

LZW-Kernel is implemented as a standalone C code and is a free open-source program distributed under GPLv3 license and can be downloaded from https://github.com/kfattila/LZW-Kernel.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Online.
Intervention and peace*
Authors: Levine David K , Modica Salvatore
Published: May 2018

Intervention often does not lead to peace, but rather to prolonged conflict. Indeed, we document that it is an important source of prolonged conflicts. We introduce a theoretical model of the balance of power to explain why this should be the case and to analyse how peace can be achieved: either a hot peace between hostile neighbours or the peace of the strong dominating the weak. Non-intervention generally leads to peace after defeat of the weak. Hot peace can be achieved with sufficiently strong outside intervention. The latter is thus optimal if the goal of policy is to prevent the strong from dominating the weak.
Sparse interferometric Stokes imaging under the polarization constraint (Polarized SARA)
Authors: Birdi Jasleen , Repetti Audrey , Wiaux Yves
Published: May 2018

We develop a novel algorithm for sparse imaging of Stokes parameters in radio interferometry under the polarization constraint. The latter is a physical non-linear relation between the Stokes parameters, imposing the polarization intensity as a lower bound on the total intensity. To solve the joint inverse Stokes imaging problem including this bound, we leverage epigraphical projection techniques in convex optimization and we design a primal–dual method offering a highly flexible and parallelizable structure. In addition, we propose to regularize each Stokes parameter map through an average sparsity prior in the context of a reweighted analysis approach (SARA). The resulting method is dubbed Polarized SARA. Using simulated observations of M87 with the Event Horizon Telescope, we demonstrate that imposing the polarization constraint leads to superior image quality. For the considered data sets, the results also indicate better performance of the average sparsity prior in comparison with the widely used Cotton–Schwab clean algorithm and other total variation based priors for polarimetric imaging. Our matlab code is available online on GitHub.
Grading of Total Mesorectal Excision Specimens: Assessment of Interrater Agreement
Authors: Goebel Emily A. , Stegmaier Melissa , Gorassini Donald R. , Kubica Matthew , Parfitt Jeremy R. , Driman David K.
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND:

Total mesorectal excision is the standard of care for patients with rectal cancer. Pathological evaluation of the quality of the total mesorectal excision specimen is an important prognostic factor that correlates with local recurrence, but is potentially subjective.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to determine the degree of variation in grading, both between assessors and between fresh and formalin-fixed specimens.

DESIGN:

Raters included surgeons, pathologists, pathology residents, pathologists’ assistants, and pathologists’ assistant trainees. Specimens were assessed by up to 6 raters in the fresh state and by 2 raters postfixation. Four parameters were evaluated: mesorectal bulk, surface regularity, defects, and coning. Interrater agreement was measured using ordinal α-values.

SETTING:

The study was conducted at a single academic center.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The primary outcome was agreement between individuals when grading total mesorectal excision specimens.

RESULTS:

A total of 37 total mesorectal excision specimens were assessed. Reliability between all raters for fresh specimens for mesorectal bulk, surface regularity, defects, coning, and overall grade were 0.85, 0.85, 0.92, 0.84, and 0.91. When compared with all raters, pathologists and residents had higher agreement and pathologists and surgeons had lower agreement. Ordinal α-values comparing pathologist and pathologist’s assistant agreement for overall grade were similar pre- and postfixation (0.78 vs 0.80), but agreement for assessing defects decreased postfixation. Among pathologists’ assistants, agreement was higher when grading specimens postfixation than when grading fresh specimens.

LIMITATIONS:

Assessment bias may have occurred because of the greater number of pathologists’ assistants participating than the number of residents and pathologists.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicate good interrater agreement for the assessment of overall grade, with defects showing the best interrater agreement in fresh specimens. Although total mesorectal excision specimens may be consistently graded postfixation, the assessment of defects postfixation may be less reliable. This study highlights the need for additional knowledge-transfer activities to ensure consistency and accurate grading of total mesorectal excision specimens. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A497.
Making Them Commit: Strategies to Influence Phenotypic Differentiation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Giai Via Alessio , McCarthy Mary B. , de Girolamo Laura , Ragni Enrico , Oliva Francesco , Maffulli Nicola
Published: May 2018

Tendon injuries, bone defects, and cartilage defects are complex clinical conditions leading to pain and dysfunctions. Tendon, bone, and cartilage are highly specialized and organized tissues, and the self-healing may be limited by their histologic features, or impaired by the local conditions. Furthermore, the resultant tissue often shows inferior properties compared with native tissue, leading to high rates of reruptures and revision surgeries. A growing field of research has explored tendon, bone, and cartilage regeneration using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), because of their multipotency, and because they are relatively easy to harvest. Great expectations arose from the use of MSCs in regenerative medicine in the last decade, although both the potential and the drawbacks of this method remain under reflection. This is a narrative review of the literature about different strategies to differentiate MSCs into tenocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. Challenges and limitations on the use of MSCs in vivo and in clinical practice are also discussed.
Cell Therapies in Tendon, Ligament, and Musculoskeletal System Repair
Authors: de Albornoz Pilar M. , Aicale Rocco , Forriol Francisco , Maffulli Nicola
Published: May 2018

In the last few decades, several techniques have been used to optimize tendon, ligament, and musculoskeletal healing. The evidence in favor of these techniques is still not proven, and level I studies are lacking. We performed an analysis of the therapeutic strategies and tissue engineering projects recently published in this field. Here, we try to give an insight into the current status of cell therapies and the latest techniques of bioengineering applied to the field of orthopedic surgery. The future areas for research in the management of musculoskeletal injuries are outlined. There are emerging technologies developing into substantial clinical treatment options that need to be critically evaluated. Mechanical stimulation of the constructs reproduces a more propitious environment for effective healing.
Impacts of innovation type SME’s R&D capability on patent and new product development
Authors: Kim Minseo , Kim Ji-eung , Sawng Yeong-wha , Lim Kwang-sun
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This study aims to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of corporate technology innovation activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study empirically analyzes the effects of research and development (R&D) capability on patent and new product development achievements on innovation-type small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by using the “Report on Korean Innovation Survey 2010: Manufacturing Sector” data released by the Science and Technology Policy Institute.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that staffing of the concentration of R&D human resource team and efforts toward open innovation are essential factors for the creation of corporate performance.The number of persons of the concentration R&D team in particular makes up essential resources for patent acquisition and new product development. In addition, in case of an SME’s with relatively poor resources, it is necessary to acquire resources, both material and immaterial, learn from the external R&D activities and internalize those into key corporate capabilities rather than step up the R&D activities on their own.

Originality/value

The results of this study indicate that innovative small enterprises need to secure the number of R&D human resource members for maintaining sustainable competitiveness and securing market share. Therefore, a strategy is needed that would enable employing and raising excellent human resource in the quantitative and qualitative aspects. However, in the circumstances that small enterprises suffer difficulty in securing professional human resource for R&D compared to large enterprises, as there is a limitation for securing human resource for R&D from only the dimension of enterprises, governmental and political support is thought to be necessary for securing good-quality human resource for R&D. Accordingly, the results of this study provide many implications for the necessity of detailed methodology on how to expand professional human resource for R&D among supporting policies for technical innovative enterprises and to establish innovative strategies of enterprises.
Do decent working conditions contribute to work–life balance
Authors: Hussain A.H.M. Belayeth , Endut Noraida
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the contributions of decent work situation to work–life balance of small entrepreneurs. The survey was conducted to uncover the degree and magnitude of essential decent work indicators that can aid the work–life balance situation of small ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized a survey research design and used a five-point Likert type questionnaire to investigate the research questions. Each construct of the scale has its corresponding items, which were measured specifically. To analyze the latent variables, partial least square (PLS)–structural equation modelling with Smart PLS application was used.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that social dialogue and stability and security of enterprise have the most significant effects in ensuring work–life balance of an enterprise. Additionally, social dialogue among entrepreneurs has influence in maintaining decent working hours and fair treatment at workplace.

Originality/value

The value of this study lies in exploring a new dimension of analyzing working conditions in informal sector economy such as small enterprises. Because this research aims to study ventures that are financed by the microcredit institution, whether social financing plays a role in improving work–life balance situation through empowering decent working conditions can be investigated.
Macro-level enabling conditions for the formation of social business enterprises in the Philippines
Authors: Laylo Aaron
Published: May 2018

Purpose

A conducive and enabling environment is imperative for the formation of sustainable social business enterprises (SBEs). This paper aims to identify the macro-level enabling conditions necessary for SBE formation and to analyze them in the context of the Philippines, an emerging economy that is yet to be transformed into an inclusive one.

Design/methodology/approach

Major developments on micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, specifically on social enterprises, were revisited and analyzed. The author also looked into how they are sustained, supported and nurtured in the Philippines’ overall economic landscape. Extensive data were collected from relevant agencies in public and private sectors, after which they were analyzed parallel to existing academic literature, i.e. theories, models and concepts, on social entrepreneurship and development nexus.

Findings

It has been found that the four macro-level enabling conditions, namely, governance, socially inclusive economic approach, financial services and entrepreneurial culture, presumed to be vital for SBE formation, contribute to the latter at various levels, but surely complement each other in the process.

Research limitations/implications

The significance of exploring the context in which social enterprises are formed and flourish lies in the sheer importance of understanding the sustained prevalence of SBEs in many economies – both in developed and developing ones.

Originality/value

By having a more structured knowledge of the components surrounding SBE formation, the community may be able to also simultaneously explore why and how social entrepreneurs form profit-earning business entities that are primarily driven by social advocacies and goals.
Teaching basic spreadsheet skills with peer tutoring
Authors: Lantushenko Viktoriya , Lipton Amy F. , Erkis Todd
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Knowledge of spreadsheet tools like Microsoft Excel is a valuable skill to have in today’s job market. The preliminary assessment of a group of business school students shows that most of them struggle to perform simple tasks in a spreadsheet. The purpose of this paper is to propose using student tutors to teach these skills.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors identify students proficient in Excel as tutors and organize one-on-one peer tutoring lessons. The authors compare the Excel competency level of students prior to and after the tutoring sessions.

Findings

The results suggest that most students with minimal Excel skills significantly improve their competency level after tutoring.

Originality/value

The proposed hands-on approach appears to be effective in helping students acquire basic Excel capabilities.
Stopping the Train of Thought: A Pilot Study Using an Ecological Momentary Intervention with Twice‐Daily Exposure to Natural versus Urban Scenes to Lower Stress and Rumination
Authors: Beute Femke , de Kort Yvonne A.W.
Published: May 2018

Background

Stress, and specifically perseverative cognition, is considered to have considerable detrimental effects on mental and physical health. Interventions that can offer temporary stress relief could, therefore, bring considerable health benefits. Previous research has pointed to stress‐reducing effects of exposure to nature after acute stressors, but has not yet investigated effects in the realm of everyday life. The present pilot study explores whether an ecological momentary intervention using exposure to natural images could be effective in lowering stress and improve mood.

Methods

Fifteen participants (12 females) scoring above threshold on stress, depression, or anxiety completed two study periods of 6 days. They watched an urban (control) or natural slideshow twice daily. Using Ecological Momentary Assessment, effects on mood, and stress‐related complaints were measured in everyday life.

Results

Compliance to the study protocol was high, especially in the first week, with slightly more videos watched in the morning than in the evening. We found indications of improvements in mood, self‐reported worrying (but not stress levels), and heart rate.

Conclusions

The results suggest that twice‐daily exposure to restorative visual content could be a viable Ecological Momentary Intervention, with the potential to reduce self‐reported worry, lower autonomic activity, and increase positive affect.
Brazilian History as Global History
Authors: SCHULZE FREDERIK , FISCHER GEORG
Published: May 2018

The article discusses the relationship between global history and Brazilian history and suggests an agenda for future research. It argues that global history scholars could profit from Brazil's great scholarly tradition, which conceptualises key topics of global history such as global encounters and cultural identities, power asymmetries and spatial orders. Scholars interested in Brazilian history, on the other hand, will find a set of approaches and questions from a global history perspective helpful for research on central fields of Brazil historiography such as the coffee economy, scientific racism, the Cold War and the Amazon.
Does Quebec’s subsidized child care policy give boys and girls an equal start?
Authors: Kottelenberg Michael J. , Lehrer Steven F.
Published: May 2018

Although an increasing body of research promotes the development of universal early education and care programs, little is known about the extent to which these programs affect gender gaps in academic achievement and other developmental outcomes. Analyzing the introduction of universal highly‐subsidized child care in Quebec, we first demonstrate that there are no statistically significant gender differences in the average effect of access to universal child care on child outcomes. However, we find substantial heterogeneity in policy impacts on the variance of developmental and behavioural scores across genders. Additionally, our analysis reveals significant evidence of differential parenting practices by gender in response to the introduction of the policy. The analysis is suggestive that the availability of subsidized child care changed home environments disproportionately and may be responsible for the growing gender gaps in behavioural outcomes observed after child care is subsidized.

Est‐ce que la politique de garderies subventionnées du Québec donne aux garçons et aux filles un avantage de départ égal? Même si un corpus de recherches croissant promeut le développement de programmes universels de garderies et d’éducation préscolaire, on connaît peu de choses sur la nature de l’impact de ces programmes sur les écarts dans la réussite académique et dans les résultats comportementaux entre genres. Analysant l’introduction du programme universel fortement subventionné de garderies au Québec, on montre qu’il n’y a pas de différences statistiquement significatives entre genres dans l’effet moyen de l’accès au programme universel d’éducation préscolaire sur les résultats pour l’enfant. Cependant, on découvre une hétérogénéité substantielle entre genres dans les impacts de la politique sur la variance des scores pour ce qui est du développement et du comportement. De plus, l’analyse révèle des résultats significatifs en termes de pratiques parentales différenciées entre genres en réponse à l’introduction de la politique. L’analyse suggère que la disponibilité de l’éducation préscolaire subventionnée modifie de façon disproportionnée l’environnement à la maison, et peut être responsable pour l’écart croissant entre genres dans les résultats comportementaux observés après l’introduction de l’éducation préscolaire subventionnée.
Renal complications of lipodystrophy: A closer look at the natural history of kidney disease
Authors: Akinci Baris , Unlu Sadiye Mehtat , Celik Ali , Simsir Ilgin Yildirim , Sen Sait , Nur Banu , Keskin Fatma Ela , Ozgen Saydam Basak , Kutbay Ozdemir Nilufer , Sarer Yurekli Banu , Ergur Bekir Ugur , Sonmez Melda , Atik Tahir , Arslan Atakan , Demir Tevfik , Altay Canan , Tunc Ulku Aybuke , Arkan Tugba , Gen Ramazan , Eren Erdal , Akinci Gulcin , Yilmaz Aslihan Arasli , Bilen Habib , Ozen Samim , Celtik Aygul , Savas Erdeve Senay , Cetinkaya Semra , Onay Huseyin , Sarioglu Sulen , Oral Elif Arioglu
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Lipodystrophy syndromes are a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by adipose tissue loss. Proteinuria is a remarkable finding in previous reports.

Study design

In this multicentre study, prospective follow‐up data were collected from 103 subjects with non‐HIV‐associated lipodystrophy registered in the Turkish Lipodystrophy Study Group database to study renal complications in treatment naïve patients with lipodystrophy.

Methods

Main outcome measures included ascertainment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by studying the level of proteinuria and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Kidney volume was measured. Percutaneous renal biopsies were performed in 9 patients.

Results

Seventeen of 37 patients with generalized and 29 of 66 patients with partial lipodystrophy had CKD characterized by proteinuria, of those 12 progressed to renal failure subsequently. The onset of renal complications was significantly earlier in patients with generalized lipodystrophy. Patients with CKD were older and more insulin resistant and had worse metabolic control. Increased kidney volume was associated with poor metabolic control and suppressed leptin levels. Renal biopsies revealed thickening of glomerular basal membranes, mesangial matrix abnormalities, podocyte injury, focal segmental sclerosis, ischaemic changes and tubular abnormalities at various levels. Lipid vacuoles were visualized in electron microscopy images.

Conclusions

CKD is conspicuously frequent in patients with lipodystrophy which has an early onset. Renal involvement appears multifactorial. While poorly controlled diabetes caused by severe insulin resistance may drive the disease in some cases, inherent underlying genetic defects may also lead to cell autonomous mechanisms contributory to the pathogenesis of kidney disease.
Atrioventricular canal defect and genetic syndromes: The unifying role of sonic hedgehog
Authors: Digilio M.C. , Pugnaloni F. , De Luca A. , Calcagni G. , Baban A. , Dentici M.L. , Versacci P. , Dallapiccola B. , Tartaglia M. , Marino B.
Published: May 2018

The atrioventricular canal defect (AVCD) is a congenital heart defect (CHD) frequently associated with extracardiac anomalies (75%). Previous observations from a personal series of patients with AVCD and “polydactyly syndromes” showed that the distinct morphology and combination of AVCD features in some of these syndromes is reminiscent of the cardiac phenotype found in heterotaxy, a malformation complex previously associated with functional cilia abnormalities and aberrant Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Hh signaling coordinates multiple aspects of left‐right lateralization and cardiovascular growth. Being active at the venous pole the secondary heart field (SHF) is essential for normal development of dorsal mesenchymal protrusion and AVCD formation and septation. Experimental data show that perturbations of different components of the Hh pathway can lead to developmental errors presenting with partially overlapping manifestations and AVCD as a common denominator. We review the potential role of Hh signaling in the pathogenesis of AVCD in different genetic disorders. AVCD can be viewed as part of a “developmental field,” according to the concept that malformations can be due to defects in signal transduction cascades or pathways, as morphogenetic units which may be altered by Mendelian mutations, aneuploidies, and environmental causes.
Independent decision making of adolescents regarding food choice
Authors: McKeown Amy , Nelson Roy
Published: May 2018

The adolescence period is the stage in the life cycle in which individuals begin to develop independent decision making related to their social environment including their dietary intake. The period is fundamental in the development of longer term eating habits that may be reflected in adulthood. This study aimed to investigate the decision‐making process of adolescents and their dietary behaviour in the achievement of a balanced diet and to determine the underlying factors that may affect these choices. To meet this aim, a three phase data collection was utilized. In phase 1, a baseline questionnaire (n = 239) measured factors affecting dietary behaviour and the barriers in the achievement of a balanced diet. Phase two employed and measured respondents’ (n = 235) independent decision making by rating nineteen menu choices which reflected all options of dietary guidelines. This was analyzed through conjoint analysis. In phase three a subsample (n = 55) from the first two phases completed a food map which determined underlying reasons for food decisions and choice behaviour. Results revealed that when adolescents are given free choice they tend to follow an unbalanced diet with some diets raising concerns for their current and future health. Fifty‐seven percent of respondents displayed serious concerns in their dietary choice of which 18% were identified as requiring immediate intervention. The most noticeable factors affecting dietary choice were the desire to eat foods high in fat and carbohydrates and low in fruit and vegetable consumption. Food‐mapping indicated prior knowledge and attitudes had no effect on the choices made but that that behaviour of parents in the preparation of meals at home and peers in the selection of snack choices had the most influence on the unbalanced diet.
End‐stage renal disease, dialysis, kidney transplantation and their impact on CD4+ T‐cell differentiation
Authors: Schaier Matthias , Leick Angele , Uhlmann Lorenz , Kälble Florian , Morath Christian , Eckstein Volker , Ho Anthony , Mueller‐Tidow Carsten , Meuer Stefan , Mahnke Karsten , Sommerer Claudia , Zeier Martin , Steinborn Andrea
Published: May 2018

Premature aging of both CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) and CD4+ responder‐T (Tresp) cells in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is expected to affect the success of later kidney transplantation. Both T‐cell populations are released from the thymus as inducible T‐cell co‐stimulator‐positive (ICOS+) and ICOS− recent thymic emigrant (RTE) Treg/Tresp cells, which differ primarily in their proliferative capacities. In this study, we analysed the effect of ESRD and subsequent renal replacement therapies on the differentiation of ICOS+ and ICOS− RTE Treg/Tresp cells into ICOS+ CD31− or ICOS− CD31− memory Treg/Tresp cells and examined whether diverging pathways affected the suppressive activity of ICOS+ and ICOS− Treg cells in co‐culture with autologous Tresp cells. Compared with healthy controls, we found an increased differentiation of ICOS+ RTE Treg/Tresp cells and ICOS− RTE Treg cells through CD31+ memory Treg/Tresp cells into CD31− memory Treg/Tresp cells in ESRD and dialysis patients. In contrast, ICOS− RTE Tresp cells showed an increased differentiation via ICOS− mature naive (MN) Tresp cells into CD31− memory Tresp cells. Thereby, the ratio of ICOS+ Treg/ICOS+ Tresp cells was not changed, whereas that of ICOS− Treg/ICOS− Tresp cells was significantly increased. This differentiation preserved the suppressive activity of both Treg populations in ESRD and partly in dialysis patients. After transplantation, the increased differentiation of ICOS+ and ICOS− RTE Tresp cells proceeded, whereas that of ICOS+ RTE Treg cells ceased and that of ICOS− RTE Treg cells switched to an increased differentiation via ICOS− MN Treg cells. Consequently, the ratios of ICOS+ Treg/ICOS+ Tresp cells and of ICOS− Treg/ICOS− Tresp cells decreased significantly, reducing the suppressive activity of Treg cells markedly. Our data reveal that an increased tolerance‐inducing differentiation of ICOS+ and ICOS− Treg cells preserves the functional activity of Treg cells in ESRD patients, but this cannot be maintained during long‐term renal replacement therapy.
Time‐Varying Capital Requirements and Disclosure Rules: Effects on Capitalization and Lending Decisions
Authors: IMBIEROWICZ BJÖRN , KRAGH JONAS , RANGVID JESPER
Published: May 2018

We investigate how banks’ capital and lending decisions respond to changes in bank‐specific capital and disclosure requirements. We find that an increase in the bank‐specific regulatory capital requirement results in a higher bank capital ratio, brought about via less asset risk. A decrease in the requirement implies more lending to firms but also less Tier 1 capital and higher bank leverage. We do not observe differences between confidential and public disclosure of capital requirements. Our results empirically illustrate a tradeoff between bank resilience and a fostering of the economy through more bank lending using banks’ capital requirement as policy instrument.
Influence of CNTs decomposition during reactive friction‐stir processing of an Al–Mg alloy on the correlation between microstructural characteristics and microtextural components
Authors: KHODABAKHSHI F. , NOSKO M. , GERLICH A.P.
Published: May 2018

Multipass friction‐stir processing was employed to uniformly disperse multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MW‐CNTs) within an Al–Mg alloy metal matrix. Decomposition of MW‐CNTs occurs in situ as a result of solid‐state chemical reactions, forming fullerene (C60) and aluminium carbide (Al4C3) phases during reactive high temperature severe plastic processing. The effects of this decomposition on the microstructural features, dynamic restoration mechanisms and crystallographic microtextural developments are studied for the first time by using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The formation of an equiaxed grain structure with an average size of ∼1.5 μm occurs within the stirred zone (SZ) under the influence of inclusions which hinder grain boundary migration via Zener‐Smith pinning mechanisms during the discontinuous dynamic recrystallisation (DDRX). Formation of two strong Cubic and Brass microtextural components in the heat affected zone (HAZ) and thermomechanical affected zone (TMAZ) was noted as compared to the completely random and Cube components found in the base and SZ regions, respectively. The microstructural modification led to hardening and tensile strength improvement for the processed nanocomposite by ∼55% and 110%, respectively with respect to the annealed Al–Mg base alloy.
Fertility Behavior of Interracial Couples
Authors: Choi Kate H. , Goldberg Rachel E.
Published: May 2018

Despite the unprecedented rise in the number of intermarriages and multiracial individuals in recent decades, our understanding about the fertility behavior of interracial couples is limited. Using data from the 2002 and 2006–2015 National Survey of Family Growth, this study compares the risk of pregnancy and the pregnancy intentions of interracial couples with those of same‐race couples. Interracial couples' risk of pregnancy differed little from that of same‐race White couples, with the exception of White wife–Black husband couples, whose risk of pregnancy was higher than both same‐race White and Black couples. Neither socioeconomic disparities nor union characteristics explained their elevated pregnancy risk. Interracial couples' risk of unintended pregnancy mirrored closely that of same‐race couples from the husband's racial or ethnic group. Socioeconomic disparity was the primary driver of differences in pregnancy intentions between interracial and same‐race White couples.
Confidence Sets for the Date of a Structural Change at the End of a Sample
Authors: Kurozumi Eiji
Published: May 2018

This paper proposes the construction of a confidence set for the date of a structural change at the end of a sample in a linear regression model. While the break fraction, that is, the ratio of the number of observations before the break to the sample size, is typically assumed to take a value in the (0,1)
open interval, we consider the case where a permissible break date is included in a fixed number of observations at the end of the sample; thus the break fraction approaches 1 as the sample size goes to infinity. We propose inverting the test for the break date to construct a confidence set while obtaining the critical values by using the subsampling method. By using Monte Carlo simulations, we show that the confidence set proposed in this paper can control the coverage rate in finite samples well while the average length of the confidence set is comparable to existing methods based on asymptotic theory with a fixed break fraction in the (0,1)
interval.
The global regulator of pathogenesis PnCon7 positively regulates Tox3 effector gene expression through direct interaction in the wheat pathogen Parastagonospora nodorum
Authors: Lin Shao‐Yu , Chooi Yit‐Heng , Solomon Peter S.
Published: May 2018

To investigate effector gene regulation in the wheat pathogenic fungus Parastagonospora nodorum, the promoter and expression of Tox3 was characterised through a series of complementary approaches. Promoter deletion and DNase I footprinting experiments identified a 25 bp region in the Tox3 promoter as being required for transcription. Subsequent yeast one‐hybrid analysis using the DNA sequence as bait identified that interacting partner as the C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor PnCon7, a putative master regulator of pathogenesis. Silencing of PnCon7 resulted in the down‐regulation of Tox3 demonstrating that the transcription factor has a positive regulatory role on gene expression. Analysis of Tox3 expression in the PnCon7 silenced strains revealed a strong correlation with PnCon7 transcript levels, supportive of a direct regulatory role. Subsequent pathogenicity assays using PnCon7‐silenced isolates revealed that the transcription factor was required for Tox3‐mediated disease. The expression of two other necrotrophic effectors (ToxA and Tox1) was also affected but in a non‐dose dependent manner suggesting that the regulatory role of PnCon7 on these genes was indirect. Collectively, these data have advanced our fundamental understanding of the Con7 master regulator of pathogenesis by demonstrating its positive regulatory role on the Tox3 effector in P. nodorum through direct interaction.