bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational alloy design of (Co1-xNix)88Zr7B4Cu1 nanocomposite soft magnets
Authors: Dong B. , Healy J. , Lan S. , Daniil M. , Willard M. A.
Published: January 2018

The dependence of coercivity on composition is an important factor for establishing optimized soft magnetic properties. In this study, we have used the random anisotropy and coherent rotation models to estimate the variation of coercivity with composition in (Co1-xNix)88Zr7B4Cu1 nanocomposite alloys. Our calculations that the magnetoelastic anisotropy contribution to coercivity dominates for Ni rich compositions (x > 0.5). A small range of compositions (0.65 < x < 0.75) is predicted to result in low values of coercivity (<10 A/m). To validate this prediction, (Co1-xNix)88Zr7B4Cu1 nanocomposites in this range were prepared by melt spinning followed by 3600 s isothermal annealing at the primary crystallization peak temperature (∼673 K). Hysteresis loops were measured using vibrating sample magnetometry at room temperature and saturation magnetostriction was measured using a strain gage based magnetostrictometer. Moderately small coercivities (30-40 A/m) and magnetostrictions (3-4 ppm) were measured at for samples with 0.685 < x < 0.725. Our measured coercivity had a minimum value of 32 A/m at x = 0.725, a shift in composition of about 5 at% in the direction of higher Ni content and without the anticipated low value of coercivity. Several reasons for the inaccuracy of this approach are described, including: ignored contributions from amorphous phase (especially in magnetoealstic anisotropy), composition segregation during crystallization leading to unpredictable compositional shifts in prediction, and the general observation that the predictability of minimum coercivity from minimal combined anisotropies has unexplained deviation even in far less complicated materials.
Prevention of redox shuttle using electropolymerized polypyrrole film in a lithium–oxygen battery
Authors: Togasaki Norihiro , Shibamura Ryuji , Naruse Takuya , Momma Toshiyuki , Osaka Tetsuya
Published: January 2018

Among the recent advancements in lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) chemistries, redox mediators (RMs) have been revealed to play a significant role in decreasing overpotential on charging and in improving cycling performance. However, an intrinsic problem is redox shuttle of RMs, which leads to degraded RM utilization and induces the accumulation of discharge products on the cathode surface; this remains a significant issue in the current battery cell configuration (Li anode/separator/cathode). To address this detrimental problem, herein we propose a novel Li–O2 cell incorporating a freestanding electropolymerized polypyrrole (PPy) film for the restriction of the redox-shuttle phenomenon of lithium iodide (Li anode/separator/PPy film/cathode). In this study, a PPy film, which is prepared through oxidative electropolymerization using an ionic liquid of 1-methyl-1-butylpyrrolidinium mixed with pyrrole and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, is introduced between the cathode and the separator. From the charge–discharge voltage profile, it is confirmed that the PPy film suppresses the diffusion of the oxidized I3− to the Li anode, while allowing Li ion transport. Secondary scanning electron microscope measurements confirm that the chemical reactions between I3− and Li2O2 are facilitated by the presence of the PPy film because I3− remains near the cathode surface during the charging process. As a result, the cycling performance in the Li–O2 cells with PPy film exhibits a cycling life four times as long as that of the Li–O2 cells without PPy film.
Travelling wave solutions of the homogeneous one-dimensional FREFLO model
Authors: Huang B. , Hong J. Y. , Jing G. Q. , Niu W. , Fang L.
Published: January 2018

Presently there is quite few analytical studies in traffic flows due to the non-linearity of the governing equations. In the present paper we introduce travelling wave solutions for the homogeneous one-dimensional FREFLO model, which are expressed in the form of series and describe the procedure that vehicles/pedestrians move with a negative velocity and decelerate until rest, then accelerate inversely to positive velocities. This method is expect to be extended to more complex situations in the future.
Simulation of channeling contrast in scanning ion microscope images
Authors: Ohya Kaoru
Published: January 2018

The scanning ion microscope (SIM) provides a distinct channeling contrast in backscattered ion (BSI) and secondary electron (SE) images owing to its wide critical angle for ion channeling. In this report, we present a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of a crystalline sample’s channeling contrast that has been scanned by ion beams of 30 keV He, Ne, and Ga in the SIM. A middle portion of the sample surface inclined at different angles against neighboring sides oriented toward the ions’ channeling direction. Line profiles of the BSI and SE yields along the surface reproduced crystalline-oriented changes that are expected for a transparency model. Nevertheless, a trajectory simulation of the ions in the sample according to the MD technique suggests some contrast differences from that of the model for the BSI and SE images and for different ion species.
Quiver Grassmannians for wild acyclic quivers
Authors: Ringel Claus Michael
Published: January 2018

A famous result of Zimmermann-Huisgen, Hille and Reineke asserts that any projective variety occurs as a quiver Grassmannian for a suitable representation of some wild acyclic quiver. We show that this happens for any wild acyclic quiver.
Temporal Dynamics of Pseudoprogression After Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannomas—A Retrospective Volumetric Study
Authors: Breshears Jonathan D , Chang Joseph , Molinaro Annette M , Sneed Penny K , McDermott Michael W , Tward Aaron , Theodosopoulos Philip V
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

The optimal observation interval after the radiosurgical treatment of a sporadic vestibular schwannoma, prior to salvage intervention, is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine an optimal postradiosurgical treatment interval for differentiating between pseudoprogression and true tumor growth by analyzing serial volumetric data.

METHODS

This single-institution retrospective study included all sporadic vestibular schwannomas treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (Eketa AB, Stockholm, Sweden; 12–13 Gy) from 2002 to 2014. Volumetric analysis was performed on all available pre- and posttreatment magnetic resonance imaging scans. Tumors were classified as “stable/decreasing,” “transient enlargement”, or “persistent growth” after treatment, based on incrementally increasing follow-up durations.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients included in the study had a median treatment tumor volume of 0.74 cm3 (interquartile range [IQR] = 0.34–1.77 cm3) and a median follow-up of 4.1 yr (IQR = 2.6–6.0 yr). Transient tumor enlargement was observed in 44% of patients, beginning at a median of 1 yr (IQR = 0.6–1.4 yr) posttreatment, with 90% reaching peak volume within 3.5 yr, posttreatment. Volumetric enlargement resolved at a median of 2.4 yr (IQR 1.9–3.6 yr), with 90% of cases resolved at 6.9 yr. Increasing follow-up revealed that many of the tumors initially enlarging 1 to 3 yr after stereotactic radiosurgery ultimately begin to shrink on longer follow-up (45% by 4 yr, 77% by 6 yr).

CONCLUSION

Tumor enlargement within ∼3.5 yr of treatment should not be used as a sole criterion for salvage treatment. Patient symptoms and tumor size must be considered, and giving tumors a chance to regress before opting for salvage treatment may be worthwhile.
Deaths From Pneumonia—New York City, 1999–2015
Authors: Cordoba Evette , Maduro Gil , Huynh Mary , Varma Jay K , Vora Neil M
Published: January 2018

Background

“Pneumonia and influenza” are the third leading cause of death in New York City. Since 2012, pneumonia and influenza have been the only infectious diseases listed among the 10 leading causes of death in NYC. Most pneumonia and influenza deaths in NYC list pneumonia as the underlying cause of death, not influenza. We therefore analyzed death certificate data for pneumonia in NYC during 1999–2015.

Methods

We calculated annualized pneumonia death rates (overall and by sociodemographic subgroup) and examined the etiologic agent listed.

Results

There were 41 400 pneumonia deaths during the study period, corresponding to an annualized age-adjusted death rate of 29.7 per 100 000 population. Approximately 17.5% of pneumonia deaths specified an etiologic agent. Age-adjusted pneumonia death rate declined over the study period and across each borough. Males had an annualized age-adjusted pneumonia death rate 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5–1.5) times that of females. Non-Hispanic blacks had an annualized age-adjusted pneumonia death rate 1.2 (95% CI, 1.2–1.2) times that of non-Hispanic whites. The annualized pneumonia death rate increased with age group above 5–24 years and neighborhood-level poverty. Staten Island had an annualized age-adjusted pneumonia death rate 1.3 (95% CI, 1.2–1.3) times that of Manhattan. In the multivariable analysis, pneumonia deaths were more likely to occur among males, non-Hispanic blacks, persons aged ≥65 years, residents of neighborhoods with higher poverty levels, and in Staten Island.

Conclusions

While the accuracy of death certificates is unknown, investigation is needed to understand why certain populations are disproportionately recorded as dying from pneumonia in NYC.
Formation of massive, dense cores by cloud–cloud collisions
Authors: Takahira Ken , Shima Kazuhiro , Habe Asao , Tasker Elizabeth J
Published: January 2018

We performed sub-parsec (∼ 0.014 pc) scale simulations of cloud–cloud collisions of two idealized turbulent molecular clouds (MCs) with different masses in the range of (0.76–2.67) × 10$^{4}\,M_{\odot }$ and with collision speeds of 5–30 km s−1. Those parameters are larger than in Takahira, Tasker, and Habe (2014, ApJ, 792, 63), in which study the colliding system showed a partial gaseous arc morphology that supports the NANTEN observations of objects indicated to be colliding MCs using numerical simulations. Gas clumps with density greater than 10−20 g cm−3 were identified as pre-stellar cores and tracked through the simulation to investigate the effects of the mass of colliding clouds and the collision speeds on the resulting core population. Our results demonstrate that the smaller cloud property is more important for the results of cloud–cloud collisions. The mass function of formed cores can be approximated by a power-law relation with an index γ = −1.6 in slower cloud–cloud collisions (v ∼ 5 km s−1), and is in good agreement with observation of MCs. A faster relative speed increases the number of cores formed in the early stage of collisions and shortens the gas accretion phase of cores in the shocked region, leading to the suppression of core growth. The bending point appears in the high-mass part of the core mass function and the bending point mass decreases with increase in collision speed for the same combination of colliding clouds. The higher-mass part of the core mass function than the bending point mass can be approximated by a power law with γ = −2–−3 that is similar to the power index of the massive part of the observed stellar initial mass function. We discuss implications of our results for the massive-star formation in our Galaxy.
Attitudes towards the Use of Violence against Police among Occupy Wall Street Protesters
Authors: Maguire Edward , Barak Maya , Wells William , Katz Charles
Published: January 2018

Although many social movement participants claim to embrace non-violent civil disobedience strategies, protesters tend to have heterogeneous views on the morality and utility of engaging in violence. In particular, protesters sometimes view violence against the police as warranted, especially if they perceive that police have treated them or their peers in a procedurally unjust or excessively forceful manner. This article examines the nature and correlates of attitudes towards the use of violence against police officers among Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protesters in New York City. Data were drawn from in-person surveys of 302 OWS participants on the 6-month anniversary of the movement in March 2012. Our findings reveal that in this context, respondents who perceive that police use unjust force against protesters are significantly more likely to endorse the use of violence against police.
Strain-Specific Symbiotic Genes: A New Level of Control in the Intracellular Accommodation of Rhizobia Within Legume Nodule Cells
Authors: Gourion Benjamin , Alunni Benoit
Published: January 2018

This is a short commentary on the article by Wang et al. published in MPMI Vol. 31, No. 2, pages 240-248.
The effect of a hybrid training program
Authors: Briggs Kelly , Sharma Luv , Chandrasekaran Arivand , Douglas Claudia , Aroh Dianne , Finefrock Douglas
Published: January 2018

Improving nursing communication skills and HCAHPS scores
Safety and Antitumor Activity of Pembrolizumab in Advanced Programmed Death Ligand 1–Positive Endometrial Cancer: Results From the KEYNOTE-028 Study
Authors: Ott Patrick A. , Bang Yung-Jue , Berton-Rigaud Dominique , Elez Elena , Pishvaian Michael J. , Rugo Hope S. , Puzanov Igor , Mehnert Janice M. , Aung Kyaw L. , Lopez Juanita , Carrigan Marion , Saraf Sanatan , Chen Mei , Soria Jean-Charles
Published: January 2018

(Abstracted from J Clin Oncol 2017;35:2535–2541)

Endometrial cancer (EC) identified at an early stage is successfully treated in a majority of patients with surgery with or without radiotherapy or chemotherapy. For patients with advanced disease, however, the prognosis is poor; 5-year survival rates are less than 50% in patients with lymph node metastases and less than 20% in those with peritoneal or distant metastases.
Increased Risk of Peripartum Perinatal Mortality in Unplanned Births Outside an Institution: A Retrospective Population-Based Study
Authors: Engjom Hilde M. , Morken Nils-Halvdan , Høydahl Even , Norheim Ole F. , Klungsøyr Kari
Published: January 2018

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017;217:210.e1–210.e12)

Birth-related complications require immediate and skilled care. Studies have debated whether care is better (safer and less expensive) in smaller or larger institutions, but conclusive studies on the effects of births occurring outside institutions have not been done.
Contraception After Delivery Among Publicly Insured Women in Texas: Use Compared With Preference
Authors: Potter Joseph E. , Coleman-Minahan Kate , White Kari , Powers Daniel A. , Dillaway Chloe , Stevenson Amanda J. , Hopkins Kristine , Grossman Daniel
Published: January 2018

(Abstracted from Obstet Gynecol 2017;130:393–402)

It is estimated that half of postpartum women use birth control methods that are not reliable, resulting in high rates of repeat pregnancies, short interpregnancy intervals, and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The use of more reliable long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), has not become widely used by the majority of the population in most settings.
Prevalence of Occult Leiomyosarcomas and Atypical Leiomyomas After Laparoscopic Morcellation of Leiomyomas in Reproductive-Age Women
Authors: Pados G. , Tsolakidis D. , Theodoulidis V. , Makedos A. , Zaramboukas T. , Tarlatzis B.
Published: January 2018

(Abstracted from Hum Reprod 2017;32(10):2036–2041)

Uterine tumors are a public health issue because of their prevalence in women and their connection to menstrual disorders, anemia, pelvis pain, pregnancy loss, and infertility. Treatment of symptomatic fibroids includes open myomectomy or hysterectomy, which have higher morbidity rates, longer hospital stays, and more disruption of daily life.
Tinnitus and Auditory Perception After a History of Noise Exposure: Relationship to Auditory Brainstem Response Measures
Authors: Bramhall Naomi F. , Konrad-Martin Dawn , McMillan Garnett P.
Published: January 2018

Objectives:

To determine whether auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave I amplitude is associated with measures of auditory perception in young people with normal distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and varying levels of noise exposure history.

Design:

Tinnitus, loudness tolerance, and speech perception ability were measured in 31 young military Veterans and 43 non-Veterans (19 to 35 years of age) with normal pure-tone thresholds and DPOAEs. Speech perception was evaluated in quiet using Northwestern University Auditory Test (NU-6) word lists and in background noise using the words in noise (WIN) test. Loudness discomfort levels were measured using 1-, 3-, 4-, and 6-kHz pulsed pure tones. DPOAEs and ABRs were collected in each participant to assess outer hair cell and auditory nerve function.

Results:

The probability of reporting tinnitus in this sample increased by a factor of 2.0 per 0.1 µV decrease in ABR wave I amplitude (95% Bayesian confidence interval, 1.1 to 5.0) for males and by a factor of 2.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 6.4) for females after adjusting for sex and DPOAE levels. Similar results were obtained in an alternate model adjusted for pure-tone thresholds in addition to sex and DPOAE levels. No apparent relationship was found between wave I amplitude and either loudness tolerance or speech perception in quiet or noise.

Conclusions:

Reduced ABR wave I amplitude was associated with an increased risk of tinnitus, even after adjusting for DPOAEs and sex. In contrast, wave III and V amplitudes had little effect on tinnitus risk. This suggests that changes in peripheral input at the level of the inner hair cell or auditory nerve may lead to increases in central gain that give rise to the perception of tinnitus. Although the extent of synaptopathy in the study participants cannot be measured directly, these findings are consistent with the prediction that tinnitus may be a perceptual consequence of cochlear synaptopathy.
Salvage Surgery for Locoregional Failure in Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Guerra Glen R. , Kong Joseph C. , Bernardi Maria-Pia , Ramsay Robert G. , Phillips Wayne A. , Warrier Satish K. , Lynch A. Craig , Ngan Samuel Y. , Heriot Alexander G.
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND:

Anal squamous cell carcinoma is a rare cancer with a high cure rate, making research into the treatment of locoregional failure difficult.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to local treatment failure and determine the outcomes of patients undergoing local salvage resection.

DESIGN:

This was a retrospective cohort study.

SETTING:

This study was conducted at a quaternary referral center.

PATIENTS:

Patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy between January 1983 and December 2015 were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The influence of patient-, tumor-, and treatment-related factors on the primary outcome measures of locoregional failure, overall survival, and disease-free survival were investigated.

RESULTS:

Of 467 patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma, 63 experienced locoregional failure with 41 undergoing salvage resection. Twenty-seven patients (38%) had persistent disease and 36 (62%) developed locoregional recurrence. Multivariate analysis identified tumor stage (HR, 3.16; p < 0.002) as an independent predictor of locoregional failure. Thirty abdominoperineal resections and 11 pelvic exenterations were undertaken with no surgical mortality. At a median follow-up of 20 months (range, 4–150 months), 5-year overall and disease-free survival for the salvage cohort was 51% and 47%. Margin positivity was an independent predictor for relapse post-salvage surgery on multivariate analysis (HR, 20.1; p = 0.027). Nineteen patients (48%) developed further relapse, which included all 10 patients with a positive resection margin, 3 of whom underwent re-resection. Of the 19 patients with relapse, 3 remain alive and 2 have persistent disease.

LIMITATIONS:

Limitations include the retrospective nature of the database, the prolonged time period of the study, and episodes of incomplete data.

CONCLUSIONS:

Advanced T stage is an independent predictor of local failure in anal squamous cell carcinoma. Most patients can be salvaged, with a positive resection margin being a strong predictor of further relapse and poor outcome. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A515.
Acne and Its Variants in Special Populations
Authors: St. Claire Kayla , Lake Eden P.
Published: January 2018

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common medical conditions encountered in dermatology and primary care settings, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually. It is a disease of the pilosebaceous unit characterized by microcomedones, papules, pustules, and nodules that primarily affect the face, upper chest, and back. Although acne is commonly considered an oily disease of puberty, it is important to recognize that acne has various presentations, sequelae, and effects on quality of life in different populations. African Americans are more prone to scarring, hyperpigmentation, and keloid formation. Adult women may present clinically with dry skin and have more severe acne flares across the menstrual cycle with a greater psychological impact. Acne presenting in childhood should raise suspicion for various endocrinopathies if other clinical signs of androgen excess are present such as accelerated height velocity, enlarged genitalia, or pubic hair and are concurrent with advanced bone age. It is important for medical practitioners to familiarize themselves with these differing presentations and sequelae in specific populations to provide adequate evaluations and treatment regimens.
More Than Skin Deep
Authors: Lenczowski Emily , Pappo Lake Eden
Published: January 2018

Acne vulgaris is among the most prevalent dermatologic conditions affecting both adolescents and adults. Beyond creating a cosmetic disfigurement, the persistent nature and widespread prevalence of acne result in significant psychosocial comorbidity, disrupting overall well-being and impairing social and emotional functions. In fact, the emotional impact of acne vulgaris results in decreased quality of life similar to patients who struggle with other chronic debilitating medical conditions such as epilepsy and asthma. In the wake of rising rates of depression, there is a need for prompt recognition of psychiatric symptoms in patients struggling with skin disorders, which in turn will result in improvement in quality of life as well as compliance with medical treatment.
Effects of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting on the Sexual Function of Sudanese Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Rouzi Abdulrahim A. , Berg Rigmor C. , Sahly Nora , Alkafy Susan , Alzaban Faten , Abduljabbar Hassan
Published: January 2018

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017;217:62.e1–62.e6)

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) for nonmedical reasons is a cultural practice that has been going on for centuries and affected hundreds of millions of women, primarily in Africa and the Middle East. Female genital mutilation/cutting is medically classified into 4 types by the extent of the procedure.
Trends in Operative Vaginal Delivery, 2005–2013: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Merriam A. A. , Ananth C. V. , Wright J. D. , Siddiq Z. , D'Alton M. E. , Friedman A. M.
Published: January 2018

(Abstracted from BJOG 2017;124:1365–1372)

Declines in operative vaginal delivery have previously been described. One concern about such decreases in operative vaginal deliveries is the decreased resident training to ensure alternatives to cesarean delivery remain available.
Techniques for Repair of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries
Authors: Meister Melanie R. , Rosenbloom Joshua I. , Lowder Jerry L. , Cahill Alison G.
Published: January 2018

Importance

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASISs) complicate up to 11% of vaginal deliveries; obstetricians must be able to recognize and manage these technically challenging injuries.

Objective

The aim of this study was to share our approach for management of these challenging complications of childbirth based on a multidisciplinary collaboration between general obstetrician-gynecologists, maternal fetal medicine specialists, and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgeons established at our institution.

Evidence Acquisition

A systematic literature search was performed in 3 search engines: PubMed 1946–, EMBASE 1947–, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews using keywords obstetric anal sphincter injuries and episiotomy repair.

Results

Identification should begin with an assessment of risk factors, notably nulliparity and operative vaginal delivery, consistently associated with the highest risk of OASISs, and proceed with a thorough examination to grade the degree of laceration. Repair should be performed or supervised by an experienced clinician in an operating room with either regional or general anesthesia. The external anal sphincter may be repaired using either an overlapping or end-to-end anastomosis. Providers should be comfortable with both approaches as the degree of laceration may necessitate one approach over the other. We advocate for use of monofilament suture on all layers to decrease risk of bacterial seeding, as well as preoperative antibiotics and postoperative bowel regimen, which are associated with improved outcomes.

Conclusions and Relevance

Long-term sequelae, including pain, dyspareunia, and fecal incontinence, significantly impact quality of life for many patients who suffer OASISs and may be avoided if evidence-based guidelines for recognition and repair are utilized.

Target Audience

Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, the learner should be better able to state risk factors for OASISs, accurately diagnose OASISs, provide a framework for operative repair of OASISs, and describe the short- and long-term implications of OASISs for the patient.
Deep Sequencing Shows That Oocytes Are Not Prone to Accumulate mtDNA Heteroplasmic Mutations During Ovarian Ageing
Authors: Boucret L. , Bris C. , Seegers V. , Goudenège D. , Desquiret-Dumas V. , Domin-Bernhard M. , Ferré-L’Hotellier V. , Bouet P. E. , Descamps P. , Reynier P. , Procaccio V. , May-Panloup P.
Published: January 2018

(Abstracted from Hum Reprod 2017;32(10):2101–2109)

This study looks at the effect of ovarian aging on the number of point mutations in oocyte mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The “bottleneck” theory states that because there may be only a few mtDNA molecules in the original oocyte they will eventually populate the entire body.
Targeted Temperature Management at 33°C or 36°C Produces Equivalent Neuroprotective Effects in the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Rat Model of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Lee Jung Ho , Lim Jisoo , Chung Yong Eun , Chung Sung Phil , Park Incheol , Kim Chul Hoon , You Je Sung
Published: January 2018

Targeted temperature management (TTM, 32°C to 36°C) is one of the most successful achievements in modern resuscitation medicine. It has become standard treatment for survivors of sudden cardiac arrest to minimize secondary brain damage. TTM at 36°C is just as effective as TTM at 33°C and is actually preferred because it reduces adverse TTM-associated effects. TTM also likely has direct neuroprotective effects in ischemic brains in danger of stroke. It remains unclear, however, whether higher temperature TTM is equally effective in protecting the brain from the effects of stroke. Here, we asked whether TTM at 36°C is as effective as TTM at 33°C in improving outcomes in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of ischemic stroke. After dividing rats randomly into MCAO, MCAO+33°C TTM, MCAO+36°C TTM, and sham groups, we subjected all of them except for the sham group to MCAO for 3 h (for the behavioral tests) or 4 h (for all other biochemical analyses). We found TTM protocols at both 33°C and 36°C to produce comparable reductions of infarct volumes in the MCAO territory and equally attenuate the extracellular release of high mobility group box 1 in postischemic brains. Both the TTM conditions prevent the mRNA induction of a major pro-inflammatory cytokine, tissue necrosis factor-α, in the ischemic penumbra region. Finally, both the TTM protocols produce similar improvements in neurological outcomes in rats, as measured by a battery of behavior tests 21 h after the start of reperfusion. These data acquired in a rat MCAO model suggest TTM at 36°C has excellent therapeutic potential for improving clinical outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Functional interaction of low-homology FRPs from different cyanobacteria with Synechocystis OCP
Authors: Slonimskiy Yury B. , Maksimov Eugene G. , Lukashev Evgeny P. , Moldenhauer Marcus , Jeffries Cy M. , Svergun Dmitri I. , Friedrich Thomas , Sluchanko Nikolai N.
Published: January 2018

Photosynthesis requires a balance between efficient light harvesting and protection against photodamage. The cyanobacterial photoprotection system uniquely relies on the functioning of the photoactive orange carotenoid protein (OCP) that under intense illumination provides fluorescence quenching of the light-harvesting antenna complexes, phycobilisomes. The recently identified fluorescence recovery protein (FRP) binds to the photoactivated OCP and accelerates its relaxation into the basal form, completing the regulatory circle. The molecular mechanism of FRP functioning is largely controversial. Moreover, since the available knowledge has mainly been gained from studying Synechocystis proteins, the cross-species conservation of the FRP mechanism remains unexplored. Besides phylogenetic analysis, we performed a detailed structural-functional analysis of two selected low-homology FRPs by comparing them with Synechocystis FRP (SynFRP). While adopting similar dimeric conformations in solution and preserving binding preferences of SynFRP toward various OCP variants, the low-homology FRPs demonstrated distinct binding stoichiometries and differentially accentuated features of this functional interaction. By providing clues to understand the FRP mechanism universally, our results also establish foundations for upcoming structural investigations necessary to elucidate the FRP-dependent regulatory mechanism.
Seasonal physiological responses to heat in an alpine range-restricted bird: the Cape Rockjumper
Authors: Oswald Krista N , Lee Alan TK , Smit Ben
Published: January 2018

Hot, dry summer conditions impose physiological stress on endotherms, yet we have a poor understanding of how endotherms seasonally adjust their costs of thermoregulation under hot conditions. We determined whether seasonal phenotypic plasticity in evaporative cooling capacity at high temperatures explained how the range-restricted Cape Rockjumper (Chaetops frenatus; hereafter “Rockjumper”), copes with hot and dry summer temperatures of the temperate mountain peaks of southwest South Africa. We measured evaporative water loss (EWL), resting metabolic rate (RMR), and body temperature (Tb) at high air temperatures (30 to 42°C) of individuals from a wild population of Rockjumpers during winter and summer (n = 11 winter, 4 females, 7 males; n = 10 summer, 6 females, 4 males). We found Rockjumper evaporative cooling in summer imposes higher EWL (i.e. greater water costs) compared to winter, although an accompanying lack of change in RMR resulted in increased summer cooling efficiency. These patterns are similar to those observed in species that inhabit regions where summer temperatures are routinely hot but not water stressed. Our findings show that avian seasonal physiological adjustments to heat can be diverse. Further seasonal studies on thermoregulation in the heat will greatly improve our knowledge of the functional value traits such as evaporative cooling efficiency and heat tolerance hold and how they contribute to the physiological stress organisms experience in heterogenous environments.
Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages that infect Citrobacter rodentium, a model pathogen for investigating human intestinal diseases
Authors: Mizuno Carolina M. , Luong Tiffany , Cedarstrom Robert , Krupovic Mart , Debarbieux Laurent , Roach Dwayne R.
Published: January 2018

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a major etiology for diarrheal diseases among children. Antibiotics, when used appropriately, are effective; however, their overuse and misuse has led to the rise of antibiotic resistance worldwide. Thus, there are renewed efforts into the development of phage therapy. Due to the drawbacks of EPEC in vivo models, a surrogate is the mouse-restricted gut pathgoen Citrobacter rodentium. In this study, two new phages CrRp3 and CrRp10, which infect C. rodentium, were isolated and characterized. CrRp3 was found to be a new species within the genus Vectrevirus and CrRp10 is a new strain within the genus Tequatrovirus. Neither phage carries known genes associated with bacterial virulence, antibiotic resistance, or lysogeny. CrRp3 and CrRp10 appear to have independently evolved from E. coli phages. CrRp3 appears to be the more ‘potent’ being 24x more likely to find a host cell and has a shorter lytic cycle, while CrRp10 at MOI 0.001 was able to maintain bacterial density below the limit of detection after 18 h. We found that hypoxia (5% O2 and 5% CO2) inhibited CrRp3 ability to reverse exponential bacterial growth. It is unclear whether the subtle characteristic differences between CrRp3 and CrRp10 will influence treatment efficacy in future phage therapy in vivo investigations.
Identification of loci where DNA methylation potentially mediates genetic risk of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Ye Jody , Richardson Tom G , McArdle Wendy L , Relton Caroline L , Gillespie Kathleen M , Suderman Matthew , Hemani Gibran
Published: January 2018

The risk of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) comprises both genetic and environmental components. We investigated whether genetic susceptibility to T1D could be mediated by changes in DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism that potentially plays a role in autoimmune diabetes. Using data from a non-diabetic population comprising blood samples taken at birth (n=844), childhood (n=911) and adolescence (n=907), we evaluated the associations between 65 top GWAS single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genome-wide DNA methylation levels. We identified 159 proximal SNP-cytosine phosphate guanine (CpG) pairs (cis), and 7 distal SNP-CpG associations (trans) at birth, childhood, and adolescence. There was also a systematic enrichment for methylation related SNPs to be associated with T1D across the genome, after controlling for genomic characteristics of the SNPs, implying that methylation could either be on the causal pathway to T1D or a non-causal biomarker. Combining the principles of Mendelian Randomization and genetic colocalization analysis, we provided evidence that at 5 loci,ITGB3BP,AFF3,PTPN2,CTSHandCTLA4, DNA methylation is potentially on the causal pathway to T1D.
Caenorhabditis elegans locomotion is affected by internalized paramagnetic nanoparticles in the presence of magnetic field
Authors: Gourgou Eleni , Zhang Yang , Mirzakhalili Ehsan , Epureanu Bogdan
Published: January 2018

C. elegans nematodes are a model organism used broadly to investigate the impact of environmental factors on physiology and behavior. Here, C. elegans with internalized paramagnetic nanoparticles were placed inside magnetic field to explore effects on locomotion. We hypothesize that internalized paramagnetic nanoparticles combined with external magnetic field affect C. elegans’ locomotion machinery. To test our hypothesis, we used young adult C. elegans fed on bacteria mixed with paramagnetic nanoparticles of 1 μm, 100 nm and 40 nm diameter. The presence of nanoparticles inside the worms’ body (alimentary canal, body muscle) was verified by fluorescent and electron microscopy. A custom-made software was used to track freely moving C. elegans in the absence or presence of magnetic field sequentially for 200+200 sec. We used established metrics to quantify locomotion-related parameters, including posture, motion and path features. Key features of C. elegans locomotion (increased body bends and stay ratio, decreased range, forward movement, and speed along the magnetic field) were affected in worms with internalized nanoparticles of 100 nm and 1 μm in the presence of magnetic field, in contrast to untreated worms. Our work contributes on clarifying the effect of internalized paramagnetic nanoparticles, combined with magnetic field, on C. elegans locomotion.

Summary Statement

C. elegans with internalized paramagnetic nanoparticles are placed inside magnetic field to explore effects on locomotion. Results support the potential of C. elegans to investigate the impact of the above environmental factors on behavior.
Bond-length distributions for ions bonded to oxygen: results for the lanthanides and actinides and discussion of the f-block contraction
Authors: Gagné Olivier Charles
Published: January 2018

Bond-length distributions have been examined for 84 configurations of the lanthanide ions and 22 configurations of the actinide ions bonded to oxygen, for 1317 coordination polyhedra and 10 700 bond distances for the lanthanide ions, and 671 coordination polyhedra and 4754 bond distances for the actinide ions. A linear correlation between mean bond length and coordination number is observed for the trivalent lanthanides ions bonded to O2−. The lanthanide contraction for the trivalent lanthanide ions bonded to O2− is shown to vary as a function of coordination number, and to diminish in scale with an increasing coordination number. The decrease in mean bond length from La3+ to Lu3+ is 0.25 Å for coordination number (CN) 6 (9.8%), 0.22 Å for CN 7 (8.7%), 0.21 Å for CN 8 (8.0%), 0.21 Å for CN 9 (8.2%) and 0.18 Å for CN 10 (6.9%). The crystal chemistry of Np5+ and Np6+ is shown to be very similar to that of U6+ when bonded to O2−, but differs for Np7+.
Bond-length distributions for ions bonded to oxygen: results for the non-metals and discussion of lone-pair stereoactivity and the polymerization of PO4
Authors: Gagné Olivier Charles , Hawthorne Frank Christopher
Published: January 2018

Bond-length distributions are examined for three configurations of the H+ ion, 16 configurations of the group 14–16 non-metal ions and seven configurations of the group 17 ions bonded to oxygen, for 223 coordination polyhedra and 452 bond distances for the H+ ion, 5957 coordination polyhedra and 22 784 bond distances for the group 14–16 non-metal ions, and 248 coordination polyhedra and 1394 bond distances for the group 17 non-metal ions. H...O and O—H + H...O distances correlate with O...O distance (R
2 = 0.94 and 0.96): H...O = 1.273 × O...O – 1.717 Å; O—H + H...O = 1.068 × O...O – 0.170 Å. These equations may be used to locate the hydrogen atom more accurately in a structure refined by X-ray diffraction. For non-metal elements that occur with lone-pair electrons, the most observed state between the n
versus
n+2 oxidation state is that of highest oxidation state for period 3 cations, and lowest oxidation state for period 4 and 5 cations when bonded to O2−. Observed O—X—O bond angles indicate that the period 3 non-metal ions P3+, S4+, Cl3+ and Cl5+ are lone-pair seteroactive when bonded to O2−, even though they do not form secondary bonds. There is no strong correlation between the degree of lone-pair stereoactivity and coordination number when including secondary bonds. There is no correlation between lone-pair stereoactivity and bond-valence sum at the central cation. In synthetic compounds, PO4 polymerizes via one or two bridging oxygen atoms, but not by three. Partitioning our PO4 dataset shows that multi-modality in the distribution of bond lengths is caused by the different bond-valence constraints that arise for Obr = 0, 1 and 2. For strongly bonded cations, i.e. oxyanions, the most probable cause of mean bond length variation is the effect of structure type, i.e. stress induced by the inability of a structure to follow its a priori bond lengths. For ions with stereoactive lone-pair electrons, the most probable cause of variation is bond-length distortion.
Crystal structures of 2,3,8,9,14,15-hexamethyl-5,6,11,12,17,18-hexaazatrinaphthylene and 2,3,8,9,14,15-hexaphenyl-5,6,11,12,17,18-hexazatrinaphthylene dichloromethane disolvate
Authors: Fangmann Pia , Schmidtmann Marc , Beckhaus Rüdiger
Published: January 2018

The crystal structures of two substituted HATN (hexaazatrinaphthylene) derivatives, namely 2,3,8,9,14,15-hexamethyl- and 2,3,8,9,14,15-hexaphenyl-5,6,11,12,17,18- hexazatrinaphthylene (HATNMe6 and HATNPh6), are reported. Whereas the structure of the methyl-substituted derivative (HATNMe6) contains no solvent molecules (C30H24N6), the hexaphenyl-substituted structure (HATNPh6) contains two molecules of dichloromethane (C60H36N6·2CH2Cl2). This class of planar bridging ligands is known for its electron-deficient systems and its ability to form π–π stacking interactions. Indeed, in both crystal structures strong π–π stacking interactions are observed, but with different packing features. The dichloromethane molecules in the crystal structure of HATNPh6 are situated in the voids and are involved in C—H...N contacts to the nitrogen atoms of the pyrazine units.
Crystal structure and DFT study of the zwitterionic form of 3-{(E)-1-[(4-ethoxyphenyl)iminiumyl]ethyl}-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-4-olate
Authors: Djedouani Amel , Anak Barkahem , Tabti Salima , Cleymand Franck , François Michel , Fleutot Solenne
Published: January 2018

The title Schiff base compound, C16H17NO4, crystallizes as a zwitterion, with the phenolic H atom having been transferred to the imino group. The resulting iminium and hydroxy groups are linked by an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond, enclosing an S(6) ring motif. The conformation about the C=N bond is E and the dihedral angle between the benzene and pyran rings is 70.49 (6)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. There are also C—H...π interactions and offset π–π interactions, involving the pyran rings [intercentroid distance = 3.4156 (8) Å], which consolidate the three-dimensional structure. Quantum chemical calculations of the molecule are in good agreement with the solid state keto–amine (NH) form of the title compound.
The USA as a good comparator for UK in corporate governance
Authors: Nyombi Chrispas
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the reasons why the USA makes a good comparator for the UK when it comes to corporate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is largely theoretical.

Findings

The paper finds that the USA has become a laboratory for ideas in corporate governance and the UK can learn a lot in areas such as takeovers and shareholders’ rights.

Originality/value

The paper explains the reasons why the UK and the USA have dominated research literature in corporate governance. The findings and arguments raised throughout the paper are very original.
The role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) toward the development micro and small and entrepreneurs using partnership and community development program (PKBL) in Pekanbaru
Authors: Indarti Sri
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the roles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) or social responsibility practiced by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) toward the development of entrepreneurial attitude and revenue of micro and small entrepreneurs in Pekanbaru.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used quantitative analysis with t-test (different test) to view the differences in entrepreneurial attitude and revenue before and after receiving the CSR fund through Partnership and Community Development Program (PKBL program).

Findings

PKBL aid by a state-owned company is highly effective and helps small and micro entrepreneurs in increasing revenue. It is seen from the significance of sales turnover and cost efficiency development. Some positive impacts of receiving PKBL fund on the development of entrepreneurial attitude towards positivity are significant and some are not. A significant change is found in the development of entrepreneurial attitude in the aspect of planning and leadership that show that micro and small entrepreneurs have a plan and a good leadership after receiving PKBL fund. There appears a significant difference before and after PKBL fund distribution. Confidence, task orientation, risk taking and honesty dimensions show no signs of significant difference before and after receiving PKBL fund, as they are related to someone’s nature, which is attached to each individual, and it requires time, processes and optimal treatment to change.

Originality/value

No study has investigated the roles of CSR or social responsibility practiced by SOEs towards the development of entrepreneurial attitude and revenue of micro and small entrepreneurs in Pekanbaru, Riau.
Is the learning economy a viable concept for understanding the modern economy?
Authors: Cotsomitis John A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the conceptual adequacy of the learning economy and its ability to describe the modern globalised economy. It is argued that unlike many fleeting catchwords and phrases found in economics, the learning economy represents a superior conceptual and heuristic starting point that reflects a new and emerging economic regime.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines those features of the learning economy which makes it a useful conceptualization and highlights some preconditions that are functional for its emergence. The paper then assesses the empirical validity of the learning economy and gauges its performance across 16 EU countries.

Findings

The learning economy represents a viable and useful concept in economics and the broader social sciences, which synthesizes recent attempts to depict what is new in the world economy into an internally coherent whole while overcoming previous shortcomings. It reflects a tangible reality that has taken hold most firmly in a small but significant part of the world, the Nordic countries of Northwestern Europe.

Social implications

Because it has already emerged in some advanced countries, the learning economy offers a concrete exemplar for other countries to emulate. If one has to ask people and communities to sacrifice, save and invest for the future, it is more convincing to do so for a concrete and credible future that does exist than for some conjectural future.

Originality/value

The paper uses an epistemological perspective to analyse the concept of the learning economy as articulated by Bengt-Äke Lundvall.
Effects of income inequality on the economic growth of Brazilian states
Authors: Besarria Cássio Nobrega , Araujo Jevuks Matheus , Silva Andrea Ferreira da , Sobral Erika Fernanda Miranda , Pereira Thiago Geovane
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of income inequality on the economic growth of Brazilian states in the period from 1994 to 2014. The transmission mechanism of the effects of income inequality on economic growth is derived from the model proposed by Halter et al. (2014).

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical formulation adopted to achieve this goal is divided into two stages. The first stage is limited to short-term analysis, and panel data models with fixed effects, random effects, and instrumental variables are used. In the second stage, the discussion turns to the use of the error correction model for a cointegrated panel.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that inequalities in income and educational level are the principal determinants of different growth rates among Brazilian states. More specifically, it is found that additional years of schooling positively influence growth. By contrast, income inequality negatively affects this indicator.

Originality/value

The present study differs from the others in that it adapts the discussion proposed by Halter et al. (2014) to the analysis of Brazilian states. Halter et al. (2014) derive the transmission channel between income inequality and economic growth, showing a non-monotonic adjustment trajectory of production that leads to a linear theoretical model of income inequality and economic growth that is similar to those used in this type of approach.