bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Restraining the Huddled Masses: Migration Policy and Autocratic Survival
Authors: Miller Michael K. , Peters Margaret E.
Published: March 2018

What determines citizens’ freedom to exit autocracies? How does this influence global patterns of migration and democratization? Although control over citizen movement has long been central to autocratic power, modern autocracies vary considerably in how much they restrict emigration. This article shows that autocrats strategically choose emigration policy by balancing several motives. Increasing emigration can stabilize regimes by selecting a more loyal population and attracting greater investment, trade and remittances, but exposing their citizens to democracy abroad is potentially dangerous. Using a half-century of bilateral migration data, the study calculates the level and destinations of expected emigration given exogenous geographic and socioeconomic characteristics. It finds that when citizens disproportionately emigrate to democracies, countries are more likely to democratize – and that autocrats restrict emigration freedom in response. In contrast, a larger expected flow of economic emigration predicts autocratic survival and freer emigration policy. These results have important implications for autocratic politics, democratic diffusion and the political sources of migration.
Comparison of three different step-down feeding to weaning programmes on performance, body measurements and age at first breeding of Holstein heifers
Authors: Zahmatkesh D. , Niazi F. , Hossein Yazdi M. , Mahjoubi E.
Published: March 2018

Performance of female Holstein calves (n = 60) were evaluated in three step-down milk feeding programmes: step-down 1 (STP1: 7.5 litres/day milk from days 1 to 21, 6 litres/day milk from days 22 to 42, 4 litres/day milk from days 43 to 63 and 2 litres/day milk from days 64 to 84 of the study); step-down 2 (STP2; 7.5 litres/day milk from days 1 to 21, 6 litres/day milk from days 22 to 42 and 2 litres/day milk from days 43 to 63 of the study); and step-down 3 (STP3; 7.5 litres/day milk from days 1 to 21, 4 litres/day milk from days 22 to 42 and 2 litres/day milk from days 43 to 63 of the study). Intakes of starter were monitored daily and body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and wither height (WH) were measured monthly. Calves in STP3 had lower dry matter intake between 22 and 42 days than STP2 animals, but starter intake was greater in STP2 and STP3 calves than those in the STP1 treatment between 43–63 and 64–84 days. Total ADG was greater in STP2 and STP3 animals than in STP1 calves. No effect of treatment was observed on breeding age, BW, WH or service per conception. In addition, conception rate at first breeding was not influenced by treatment. It was concluded that the STP2 and STP3 milk feeding regimes improved performance in calves and there was no benefit in feeding milk for longer than 63 days in terms of breeding outcomes.
Helminths of zoonotic importance in slaughtered food animals in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Karshima S.N.
Published: March 2018

Knowledge of endemic helminths in a resource-limited country such as Nigeria is essential for their diagnosis, treatment and cost-effective control. In the present study, the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guideline was employed to determine the prevalence and geographical distribution of zoonotic helminths in food animals slaughtered in Nigerian abattoirs between 1970 and 2016. Pooled prevalence estimate (PPE) was determined by the random-effects model while heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran'sQ-test. Results from 42 eligible studies reported across 19 Nigerian states revealed 85,466 cases of zoonotic helminths from 3,771,832 slaughtered food animals. Overall PPE was 2.27% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.25, 2.28). PPEs for sub-groups ranged between 0.51% (95% CI: 0.46, 0.56) and 18.05% (95% CI: 17.12, 19.01) across regions, hosts, study periods and diagnostic methods.Ascaris suumhad the highest pooled prevalence of 25.46% (95% CI: 24.04, 26.92). Overall prevalence estimates for cestodes, nematodes and trematodes were 0.60% (95% CI: 0.59, 0.61), 21.51% (95% CI: 20.73, 22.30) and 1.86% (95% CI: 1.84, 1.87), respectively. A high degree of heterogeneity 99.97% (95% CI: 2.25, 2.28,P: 0.000) was observed. Zoonotic helminths were prevalent in slaughtered food animals, with higher prevalence estimates in the north–central region, pigs and during the last decade reviewed.Ascaris suumwas the most prevalent helminth, whileFasciola giganticahad the widest geographical distribution. It is envisaged that the present information will help in the formulation of disease-control policies, encourage on-farm good agricultural practices, and adequate hygiene and sanitation in abattoirs and meat-processing plants, with the aim of protecting public health.
Urban rodent reservoirs of Borrelia spp. in Warsaw, Poland
Authors: Gryczyńska A. , Gortat T. , Kowalec M.
Published: March 2018

The anticipated worldwide surge in urban environments is generating ever-greater interest in the study of host–pathogen interactions in this specific type of habitat. We investigated the potential of city-inhabiting rodents to serve as the main Lyme borreliosis agents (Borrelia spp.) reservoir. We also tried to verify if anthropogenic disturbances changing the vertebrate species community composition may also alter the scheme of Borrelia spp. circulation. A total of 252 Apodemus mice (A. agrarius, A. flavicollis, A. sylvaticus) were captured in Warsaw (Poland), at sites classified into different zones of anthropogenic disturbance, ranging from suburban forests to municipal parks strictly in the city centre. Borrelia spp. infection, ascertained based on bacterium DNA presence in the rodents’ blood, was found only in A. agrarius and A. flavicollis (7.6 and 6%, respectively). Only one species from the Borrelia genus – the mammal-associated species B. afzelii – was found in the mice studied. We found no statistical evidence of a correlation between infection in Apodemus mice and the zone of anthropogenic disturbance where the mice were caught. Non-homogeneous concentrations of Borelia spp. infected specimens within the strict city centre area suggest a lack of contact between members of particular mice subpopulations, and their responsibility for relatively high, but local Borrelia spp. infection.
A Meta-analysis of Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) Management
Authors: Davis Stacy , Mangold Jane , Menalled Fabian , Orloff Noelle , Miller Zach , Lehnhoff Erik
Published: March 2018

Although stand-alone and integrated management techniques have been cited as viable approaches to managing Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense(L.) Scop.], it continues to impact annual cropping and perennial systems worldwide. We conducted meta-analyses assessing effectiveness of management techniques and herbicide mechanism of action groups for controllingC. arvenseusing 55 studies conducted in annual cropping systems and 45 studies in perennial systems. Herbicide was the most studied technique in both types of systems and was effective at reducingC. arvense. However, integrated multitactic techniques, with or without herbicides, were more effective than sole reliance on herbicides for long-term control in both annual cropping and perennial systems. A variety of management techniques such as biocontrol, crop diversification, mowing, and soil disturbance provided control similar to that of herbicide. Our results suggest that many management techniques aimed at reducingC. arvensecan also improve crop yield or abundance of desired plants. This study highlights the need to devote more research to nonchemical and integrated management approaches forC. arvensecontrol.
Paracrine cellular senescence exacerbates biliary injury and impairs regeneration
Authors: Ferreira-Gonzalez Sofia , Lu Wei-Yu , Raven Alexander , Dwyer Benjamin , Man Tak Yung , O’Duibhir Eoghan , Lewis Philip J. Starkey , Campana Lara , Kendall Tim J. , Bird Thomas G. , Tarrats Nuria , Acosta Juan-Carlos , Boulter Luke , Forbes Stuart J.
Published: March 2018

Cellular senescence is a mechanism that provides an irreversible barrier to cell cycle progression to prevent undesired proliferation. However, under pathological circumstances, senescence can adversely affect organ function, viability and regeneration. We have developed a mouse model of biliary senescence, based on the conditional deletion of Mdm2 in bile ducts under the control of the Krt19 promoter, that exhibits features of biliary disease. Here we report that senescent cholangiocytes induce profound alterations in the cellular and signalling microenvironment, with recruitment of myofibroblasts and macrophages causing collagen deposition, TGFβ production and induction of senescence in surrounding cholangiocytes and hepatocytes. Finally, we study how inhibition of TGFβ-signalling disrupts the transmission of senescence and restores liver function. We identify cellular senescence as a detrimental mechanism in the development of biliary injury. Our results identify TGFβ as a potential therapeutic target to limit senescence-dependent aggravation in human cholangiopathies.
p63 is a key regulator of iRHOM2 signalling in the keratinocyte stress response
Authors: Arcidiacono Paola , Webb Catherine M. , Brooke Matthew A. , Zhou Huiqing , Delaney Paul J. , Ng Keat-Eng , Blaydon Diana C. , Tinker Andrew , Kelsell David P. , Chikh Anissa
Published: March 2018

Hyperproliferative keratinocytes induced by trauma, hyperkeratosis and/or inflammation display molecular signatures similar to those of palmoplantar epidermis. Inherited gain-of-function mutations in RHBDF2 (encoding iRHOM2) are associated with a hyperproliferative palmoplantar keratoderma and squamous oesophageal cancer syndrome (termed TOC). In contrast, genetic ablation of rhbdf2 in mice leads to a thinning of the mammalian footpad, and reduces keratinocyte hyperproliferation and migration. Here, we report that iRHOM2 is a novel target gene of p63 and that both p63 and iRHOM2 differentially regulate cellular stress-associated signalling pathways in normal and hyperproliferative keratinocytes. We demonstrate that p63–iRHOM2 regulates cell survival and response to oxidative stress via modulation of SURVIVIN and Cytoglobin, respectively. Furthermore, the antioxidant compound Sulforaphane downregulates p63–iRHOM2 expression, leading to reduced proliferation, inflammation, survival and ROS production. These findings elucidate a novel p63-associated pathway that identifies iRHOM2 modulation as a potential therapeutic target to treat hyperproliferative skin disease and neoplasia.
Publisher Correction: Aspirin metabolite sodium salicylate selectively inhibits transcriptional activity of ATF6α and downstream target genes
Authors: Mügge Fernanda L. B. , Silva Aristóbolo M.
Published: March 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: A Systems Pharmacology Approach to Determine Active Compounds and Action Mechanisms of Xipayi Kuijie’an enema for Treatment of Ulcerative colitis
Authors: Yu Wei , Li Zhihong , Long Fei , Chen Wen , Geng Yurong , Xie Zhiyong , Yao Meicun , Han Bo , Liu Teigang
Published: March 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Publisher Correction: CODA: Integrating multi-level context-oriented directed associations for analysis of drug effects
Authors: Yu Hasun , Jung Jinmyung , Yoon Seyeol , Kwon Mijin , Bae Sunghwa , Yim Soorin , Lee Jaehyun , Kim Seunghyun , Kang Yeeok , Lee Doheon
Published: March 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Publisher Correction: A fossil species of the enigmatic early polypod fern genus Cystodium (Cystodiaceae) in Cretaceous amber from Myanmar
Authors: Regalado Ledis , Schmidt Alexander R. , Appelhans Marc S. , Ilsemann Bork , Schneider Harald , Krings Michael , Heinrichs Jochen
Published: March 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Reactive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon dimerization drives soot nucleation
Authors: Kholghy M. R. , Kelesidis G. A. , Pratsinis S. E.
Published: March 2018

Nucleation is an important yet poorly understood step in soot formation. Strong chemical bonds between PAH monomers are required as physical dimerization cannot explain soot formation at high temperatures. Dimers can be considered as soot nuclei as larger oligomers have negligible contribution.
Hydrogen bond network structures of protonated short-chain alcohol clusters
Authors: Fujii Asuka , Sugawara Natsuko , Hsu Po-Jen , Shimamori Takuto , Li Ying-Cheng , Hamashima Toru , Kuo Jer-Lai
Published: March 2018

Protonated alcohol clusters enable extraction of the physical essence of the nature of hydrogen bond networks.
Electrochemical behavior of a Rh(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) complex bearing an NAD+/NADH-functionalized ligand
Authors: Kobayashi Katsuaki , Koizumi Take-aki , Ghosh Debashis , Kajiwara Takashi , Kitagawa Susumu , Tanaka Koji
Published: March 2018

A Rh complex bearing an NAD+/NADH-functionalized ligand undergoes different structural changes under redox or base-activated conditions.
Glucose-nucleobase pairs within DNA: impact of hydrophobicity, alternative linking unit and DNA polymerase nucleotide insertion studies
Authors: Vengut-Climent Empar , Peñalver Pablo , Lucas Ricardo , Gómez-Pinto Irene , Aviñó Anna , Muro-Pastor Alicia M. , Galbis Elsa , de Paz M. Violante , Fonseca Guerra Célia , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Eritja Ramón , González Carlos , Morales Juan Carlos
Published: March 2018

Glucose-nucleobase pairs were designed, synthesized and incorporated into duplex DNA. Their stability, structure and polymerase replication was investigated.
Linking defects, hierarchical porosity generation and desalination performance in metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Liang Weibin , Li Lin , Hou Jingwei , Shepherd Nicholas D. , Bennett Thomas D. , D'Alessandro Deanna M. , Chen Vicki
Published: March 2018

The composite membranes with defective metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) show a significant increase in water flux, without compromising the high salt rejection.
Carbon dioxide-based facile synthesis of cyclic carbamates from amino alcohols
Authors: Niemi Teemu , Fernández Israel , Steadman Bethany , Mannisto Jere K. , Repo Timo
Published: March 2018

Selective, straightforward, and efficient synthesis of cyclic carbamates from CO2and amino alcohols.
Ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogen isotope exchange of C(sp3)–H bonds directed by a sulfur atom
Authors: Gao Longhui , Perato Serge , Garcia-Argote Sébastien , Taglang Céline , Martínez-Prieto Luis Miguel , Chollet Céline , Buisson David-Alexandre , Dauvois Vincent , Lesot Philippe , Chaudret Bruno , Rousseau Bernard , Feuillastre Sophie , Pieters Grégory
Published: March 2018

We present herein the first general method for deuterium and tritium labelling of thioether substructures in complex molecules.
An umpolung of Lewis acidity/basicity at nitrogen by deprotonation of a cyclic (amino)(aryl)nitrenium cation
Authors: Zhou Jiliang , Liu Liu Leo , Cao Levy L. , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: March 2018

The cyclic (amino)(aryl)nitrenium cation 2 is Lewis acidic at nitrenium N1, reacting with PMe3 affording a Lewis acid/base adduct 3, while deprotonation of 2 provides the neutral compound 4 which is Lewis basic at N1.
Correction: Sumanene derivatives functionalized at the internal carbon
Authors: Ngamsomprasert Niti , Dang Jing-Shuang , Higashibayashi Shuhei , Yakiyama Yumi , Sakurai Hidehiro
Published: March 2018

Correction for ‘Sumanene derivatives functionalized at the internal carbon’ by Niti Ngamsomprasert et al., Chem. Commun., 2017, 53, 697–700.
Intermolecular hydrogen bond stretching vibrations observed in terahertz spectra of crystalline vitamins
Authors: Takahashi Masae , Okamura Nobuyuki , Ding Xiaomeng , Shirakawa Hitoshi , Minamide Hiroaki
Published: March 2018

Intermolecular hydrogen bond stretching vibrations in the crystal of vitamins has several specific properties in the THz spectrum.
Optimal and robust control of quantum state transfer by shaping the spectral phase of ultrafast laser pulses
Authors: Guo Yu , Dong Daoyi , Shu Chuan-Cun
Published: March 2018

Optimal and robust control of quantum state transfer between states by incorporating a filtering function into optimization algorithm.
A robust polyoxometalate-templated four-fold interpenetrating metal–organic framework showing efficient organic dye photodegradation in various pH aqueous solutions
Authors: Liu Min , Yang Xu-Feng , Zhu Hai-Bin , Di Bao-Sheng , Zhao Yue
Published: March 2018

A polyoxometalate-templated four-fold interpenetrating 3-D MOF of 1 acts as a photocatalyst, which can efficiently degrade the organic dyes under UV-Vis light irradiation in aqueous solutions over a wide pH range.
The oxidation of borohydrides by photoexcited [UO2(CO3)3]4−
Authors: Takao Koichiro , Tsushima Satoru
Published: March 2018

The photochemistry of [UVIO2(CO3)3]4− has not been well-explored because of its barely luminescent nature. Herein, we have demonstrated the oxidation of borohydrides by photoexcited [UVIO2(CO3)3]4−.
Advancing semiconductor–electrocatalyst systems: application of surface transformation films and nanosphere lithography
Authors: Brinkert Katharina , Richter Matthias H. , Akay Ömer , Giersig Michael , Fountaine Katherine T. , Lewerenz Hans-Joachim
Published: March 2018

We demonstrate that shadow nanosphere lithography (SNL) is an auspicious tool to systematically create three-dimensional electrocatalyst nanostructures on the semiconductor photoelectrode through controlling their morphology and optical properties.
Identifying pragmatic quasi-harmonic electronic structure approaches for modeling molecular crystal thermal expansion
Authors: McKinley Jessica L. , Beran Gregory J. O.
Published: March 2018

Hybrid quasi-harmonic electronic structure strategies can predict molecular crystal thermal expansion and thermochemistry in good agreement with experiments at reasonable computational cost.
Room temperature synthesis of pH-switchable polyaniline quantum dots as a turn-on fluorescent probe for acidic biotarget labeling
Authors: Liu Yanfeng , Ding Yin , Gou Huilin , Huang Xin , Zhang Guiyang , Zhang Qi , Liu Yunzhong , Meng Zhen , Xi Kai , Jia Xudong
Published: March 2018

pH-Switchable organic quantum dots based on a polyaniline scaffold are suitable for the labeling of acidic biotargets.
Large-scale controlled synthesis of porous two-dimensional nanosheets for the hydrogen evolution reaction through a chemical pathway
Authors: Cui Zheng , Chu Hang , Gao Shangpeng , Pei Yu , Ji Jin , Ge Yuancai , Dong Pei , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Shen Jianfeng , Ye Mingxin
Published: March 2018

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is an extensively studied promising non-noble catalyst because of its remarkable performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Klinikunternehmen: Auf-/Absteiger des Monats
Authors: Schmidt Hartmut
Published: March 2018

Börsenexperte, analysiert für kma die Jahresabschlüsse* ausgewählter Kliniken

*Quelle: elektronischer Bundesanzeiger und Geschäftsberichte
Patient-Reported Outcomes in der Praxis: Bessere Entscheidungen durch strukturierte Daten
Authors: Lixenfeld Christoph
Published: March 2018

Bisher wissen viele Ärzte nichts darüber, wie gut ihre Patienten eine Operation langfristig verkraftet haben, weil sie nicht danach fragen. Dabei lässt sich die Qualität der eigenen Arbeit durch die Nutzung patientenberichteter Ergebnisse erheblich steigern.
Personalplanung: Gut geplant ist halb gewonnen
Authors: van Loo Michael , Riedel Jan-Philip
Published: March 2018

Die Personalplanung in Kliniken wird oft als „notwendiges Übel“ empfunden. Die Steuerung der wichtigsten Ressource des Krankenhauses – dem Personal – kann jedoch relativ aufwandsarm betrieben werden, wenn die richtigen Prozesse erst einmal ausgereift sind.
Krankenhauseinrichtung und Ausstattung: „Absolute Hightech-Erfindungen“
Authors: Grether Thomas
Published: March 2018

Ein gutes Bett hilft heilen. Es gibt perfekte Allround-Modelle, aber auch Spezial-Intensiv-Betten mit automatisch-lateraler Schwenkung zur Heilungsunterstützung bei Lungenentzündung oder Designer-Modelle für die Entbindungsstation. Ein Marktüberblick.
Klinikzimmer der Zukunft: App steuert Licht, Luft und Wohlbefinden
Authors: Sittel Wolfgang
Published: March 2018

Wie sieht das Patientenzimmer der Zukunft aus? Dieser Frage widmet mit sich das Projekt „Room 2525“. Führende Unternehmen aus Medizin, Industrie und Wirtschaft zeigen, dass zeitgemäßes Design und Wohlfühlatmosphäre nicht im Widerspruch mit optimalen medizinischen Bedingungen stehen.
Multiprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit: Pflege 4.0 – das könnte die Zukunft sein
Authors: Hargens Wiebke
Published: March 2018

Die digitale Patientenakte, seit Jahren gefordert, kommt in Deutschland nur schleppend voran. Dabei ist die Digitalisierung generell eine Chance für eine bessere Patientenversorgung. Ein Beispiel aus der Praxis.
Artificial neural network detects human uncertainty
Authors: Hramov Alexander E. , Frolov Nikita S. , Maksimenko Vladimir A. , Makarov Vladimir V. , Koronovskii Alexey A. , Garcia-Prieto Juan , Antón-Toro Luis Fernando , Maestú Fernando , Pisarchik Alexander N.
Published: March 2018

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are known to be a powerful tool for data analysis. They are used in social science, robotics, and neurophysiology for solving tasks of classification, forecasting, pattern recognition, etc. In neuroscience, ANNs allow the recognition of specific forms of brain activity from multichannel EEG or MEG data. This makes the ANN an efficient computational core for brain-machine systems. However, despite significant achievements of artificial intelligence in recognition and classification of well-reproducible patterns of neural activity, the use of ANNs for recognition and classification of patterns in neural networks still requires additional attention, especially in ambiguous situations. According to this, in this research, we demonstrate the efficiency of application of the ANN for classification of human MEG trials corresponding to the perception of bistable visual stimuli with different degrees of ambiguity. We show that along with classification of brain states associated with multistable image interpretations, in the case of significant ambiguity, the ANN can detect an uncertain state when the observer doubts about the image interpretation. With the obtained results, we describe the possible application of ANNs for detection of bistable brain activity associated with difficulties in the decision-making process.
Progress in efficient doping of high aluminum-containing group III-nitrides
Authors: Liang Y.-H. , Towe E.
Published: March 2018

The group III-nitride (InN, GaN, and AlN) class of semiconductors has become one of two that are critical to a number of technologies in modern life—the other being silicon. Light-emitting diodes made from (In,Ga)N, for example, dominate recent innovations in general illumination and signaling. Even though the (In,Ga)N materials system is fairly well established and widely used in advanced devices, challenges continue to impede development of devices that include aluminum-containing nitride films such as (Al,Ga)N. The main difficulty is efficient doping of films with aluminum-rich compositions; the problem is particularly severe for p-type doping, which is essential for Ohmic contacts to bipolar device structures. This review briefly summarizes the fundamental issues related to p-type doping, and then discusses a number of approaches that are being pursued to resolve the doping problem or for circumventing the need for p-type doping. Finally, we discuss an approach to doping under liquid-metal-enabled growth by molecular beam epitaxy. Recent results from a number of groups appear to indicate that p-type doping of nitride films under liquid-metal-enabled growth conditions might offer a solution to the doping problem—at least for materials grown by molecular beam epitaxy.
Gradient-based stochastic estimation of the density matrix
Authors: Wang Zhentao , Chern Gia-Wei , Batista Cristian D. , Barros Kipton
Published: March 2018

Fast estimation of the single-particle density matrix is key to many applications in quantum chemistry and condensed matter physics. The best numerical methods leverage the fact that the density matrix elements f(H)ij decay rapidly with distance rij between orbitals. This decay is usually exponential. However, for the special case of metals at zero temperature, algebraic decay of the density matrix appears and poses a significant numerical challenge. We introduce a gradient-based probing method to estimate all local density matrix elements at a computational cost that scales linearly with system size. For zero-temperature metals, the stochastic error scales like S−(d+2)/2d, where d is the dimension and S is a prefactor to the computational cost. The convergence becomes exponential if the system is at finite temperature or is insulating.
Note: Soft X-ray transmission polarizer based on ferromagnetic thin films
Authors: Müller L. , Hartmann G. , Schleitzer S. , Berntsen M. H. , Walther M. , Rysov R. , Roseker W. , Scholz F. , Seltmann J. , Glaser L. , Viefhaus J. , Mertens K. , Bagschik K. , Frömter R. , De Fanis A. , Shevchuk I. , Medjanik K. , Öhrwall G. , Oepen H. P. , Martins M. , Meyer M. , Grübel G.
Published: March 2018

A transmission polarizer for producing elliptically polarized soft X-ray radiation from linearly polarized light is presented. The setup is intended for use at synchrotron and free-electron laser beamlines that do not directly offer circularly polarized light for, e.g., X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements or holographic imaging. Here, we investigate the degree of ellipticity upon transmission of linearly polarized radiation through a cobalt thin film. The experiment was performed at a photon energy resonant to the Co L3-edge, i.e., 778 eV, and the polarization of the transmitted radiation was determined using a polarization analyzer that measures the directional dependence of photo electrons emitted from a gas target. Elliptically polarized radiation can be created at any absorption edge showing the XMCD effect by using the respective magnetic element.
Reaction pathways of producing and losing particles in atmospheric pressure methane nanosecond pulsed needle-plane discharge plasma
Authors: Zhao Yuefeng , Wang Chao , Li Li , Wang Lijuan , Pan Jie
Published: March 2018

In this work, a two-dimensional fluid model is built up to numerically investigate the reaction pathways of producing and losing particles in atmospheric pressure methane nanosecond pulsed needle-plane discharge plasma. The calculation results indicate that the electron collisions with CH4 are the key pathways to produce the neutral particles CH2 and CH as well as the charged particles e and CH3+. CH3, H2, H, C2H2, and C2H4 primarily result from the reactions between the neutral particles and CH4. The charge transfer reactions are the significant pathways to produce CH4+, C2H2+, and C2H4+. As to the neutral species CH and H and the charged species CH3+, the reactions between themselves and CH4 contribute to substantial losses of these particles. The ways responsible for losing CH3, H2, C2H2, and C2H4 are CH3 + H → CH4, H2 + CH → CH2 + H, CH4+ + C2H2 → C2H2+ + CH4, and CH4+ + C2H4 → C2H4+ + CH4, respectively. Both electrons and C2H4+ are consumed by the dissociative electron-ion recombination reactions. The essential reaction pathways of losing CH4+ and C2H2+ are the charge transfer reactions.
Structure of chaotic magnetic field lines in IR-T1 tokamak due to ergodic magnetic limiter
Authors: Ahmadi S. , Salar Elahi A. , Ghorannevis M.
Published: March 2018

In this paper we have studied an Ergodic Magnetic Limiter (EML) based chaotic magnetic field for transport control in the edge plasma of IR-T1 tokamak. The resonance created by the EML causes perturbation of the equilibrium field line in tokamak and as a result, the field lines are chaotic in the vicinity of the dimerized island chains. Transport barriers are formed in the chaotic field line and actually observe in tokamak with reverse magnetic shear. We used area-preserving non-twist (and twist) Poincaré maps to describe the formation of transport barriers, which are actually features of Hamiltonian systems. This transport barrier is useful in reducing radial diffusion of the field line and thus improving the plasma confinement.
Synergistic Effect of Hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene and Aluminium Tri-Hydroxide on Flame Retardancy and Smoke Suppression of Epoxy Resin
Authors: Dong Meili , Wu Baolin , Xu Shidong , Hu Po
Published: March 2018

Flame retardancy and smoke suppression of polymer materials are key problems to be considered for applications that have a potential fire hazard. This study selected hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene (HPCTP) and aluminium tri-hydroxide (ATH) powder as an integrated flame retardant treatment in epoxy resin (EP) which is usually used as the matrix of a composite. The characteristics of flame retardancy and smoke suppression were investigated. The results showed that when treated with HPCTP and ATH, the resin exhibits superior properties, resisting flame development and smoke release. Based on analysis of the surface structure of the burned materials by scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, it was confirmed that HPCTP and ATH can attract a lot of heat to slow down decomposition of the resin and produce a comprehensive protection system consisting of a non-flammable gas and solid phases during burning. Non-flammable gas can reduce the concentration of flammable gas to inhibit combustion. In addition, H2O vapour can also reduce the concentration of flammable gas to inhibit combustion. Meanwhile, solid phase films can insulate air to slow down combustion and smoke release.
Simultaneous imaging and functional studies reveal a tight correlation between calcium and actin networks
Authors: Bascom Carlisle S. , Winship Lawrence J. , Bezanilla Magdalena
Published: March 2018

Significance

Some plant cells, such as root hairs, pollen tubes, and moss protonemata, expand in a highly polarized manner known as tip growth. That calcium and actin play essential roles in tip growth has been well established, but how they interact with one another in vivo has mostly been modeled from in vitro studies. Here, we use a wavelet analysis approach to dissect the complex calcium homeostasis found in the moss
Physcomitrella patens
. By perturbing the actin cytoskeleton with drugs and targeted genome editing we find that the shortest calcium oscillation is directly coupled to actin dynamics. This approach to analyzing calcium oscillation profiles sets the stage for subtle dissection of the calcium–actin interaction mechanism.
Integration of speed and time for estimating time to contact
Authors: Chang Chia-Jung , Jazayeri Mehrdad
Published: March 2018

Significance

Existing theories suggest that reacting to dynamic stimuli is made possible by relying on internal estimates of kinematic variables. For example, to catch a bouncing ball the brain relies on the position and speed of the ball. However, when kinematic information is unreliable one may additionally rely on temporal cues. In the bouncing ball example, when visibility is low one may benefit from the temporal information provided by the sound of the bounces. Our work provides evidence that humans rely on such temporal cues and automatically integrate them with kinematic information to optimize their performance. This finding reveals a hitherto unappreciated role of the brain’s timing mechanisms in sensorimotor function.
Structural basis for the alternating access mechanism of the cation diffusion facilitator YiiP
Authors: Lopez-Redondo Maria Luisa , Coudray Nicolas , Zhang Zhening , Alexopoulos John , Stokes David L.
Published: March 2018

Significance

Zn
2+
is a micronutrient that plays important roles throughout the body. We are interested in molecular mechanisms by which appropriate levels of Zn
2+
are maintained in cells. We have combined structural and functional studies to deduce the physical changes that a bacterial transporter uses to carry Zn
2+
across cell membranes. We have identified parts of the molecule that remain static and characterized the movements of other parts that bind Zn
2+
ions and allow them to cross the membrane.
Rare variants in axonogenesis genes connect three families with sound–color synesthesia
Authors: Tilot Amanda K. , Kucera Katerina S. , Vino Arianna , Asher Julian E. , Baron-Cohen Simon , Fisher Simon E.
Published: March 2018

Significance

Our physical senses are separated not only into distinct experiences but also into specialized regions within the cerebral cortex. Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon that causes unusual links between sensory experiences, and its molecular basis is completely unknown. We demonstrate that three families who experience color when listening to sounds are connected by rare genetic variants affecting genes that contribute to axonogenesis, a process essential for neuronal connections within and across brain regions. Multiple genes with similar activity patterns during neural development fall within parts of the genome previously linked to the condition. Our results connect synesthetes’ altered structural and functional connectivity to genes that support the development of those connections.
Conserved mechanism of cell-wall synthase regulation revealed by the identification of a new PBP activator in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Greene Neil G. , Fumeaux Coralie , Bernhardt Thomas G.
Published: March 2018

Significance

Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are synthases that build the bacterial cell wall. They are one of our most important antibiotic targets. Several years ago, it was shown that a major PBP synthase of the Gram-negative bacterium
Escherichia coli
requires activation by LpoB. This outer-membrane lipoprotein is narrowly conserved in Gram-negative species whereas its target PBP synthase is broadly distributed. Here, we show that
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and other Gram-negative bacteria use the distinct lipoprotein called LpoP to activate their PBPs via a mechanism similar to LpoB-PBP activation in
E. coli
. Our results therefore indicate that it may be possible to develop broad-spectrum inhibitors of Gram-negative PBP activation despite their use of diverse PBP regulators.
The seasonality of nonpolio enteroviruses in the United States: Patterns and drivers
Authors: Pons-Salort Margarita , Oberste M. Steven , Pallansch Mark A. , Abedi Glen R. , Takahashi Saki , Grenfell Bryan T. , Grassly Nicholas C.
Published: March 2018

Significance

Nonpolio enteroviruses are responsible for a high burden of neurological and other diseases and exhibit a peak in summer every year, but drivers of their seasonality are not clearly understood. We find that the seasonal pattern of enterovirus cases in the United States has a spatial structure comparable with that of prevaccination poliomyelitis. The average monthly distribution of cases is more flat in the south and has a more pronounced peak that occurs later toward the north, with the peak for poliomyelitis occurring approximately 1 month later than that for nonpolio enteroviruses. We find that climate, but not demography, is likely to explain this seasonality and identify the dew point temperature as a strong predictor of the intensity of enterovirus transmission.
Category change in the English gerund
Authors: Fonteyn Lauren , Heyvaert Liesbet
Published: March 2018

This study considers the diachronic categorial shift from nominal (NG) to verbal gerunds (VG) in Middle English in terms of Langacker’s functional account of noun phrases and clauses as ‘deictic expressions’. The analysis shows that the Middle English gerund was essentially formally nominal but functionally hybrid, thus exhibiting ‘form-function friction’. This friction furthered a split in the gerundive system between a verbal component associated with clausal deixis, alongside a nominal component, which specialized in nominal deixis; but this split is not absolute. The constructionist idea of language as a network of (inter)paradigmatically connected constructions helps to explain why the verbal gerund seems to simultaneously drift away from and again partake in the deictic behaviour of the nominal category.
Category change in construction morphology
Authors: Booij Geert , Audring Jenny
Published: March 2018

Morphological constructions can be formalized as schemas that specify semantic and formal output properties of complex words. Such schemas impose these output properties on their constituent words through various coercion mechanisms. In this article we focus on coercion-by-override and the concomitant category change. Our data are mainly from Dutch.

The meaning of a syntactic or morphological construction can override the lexical meaning of a word in that construction. Morphological schemas may therefore change the semantic class of the base word. Semantic coercion may be accompanied by changes in word class.

Morphological schemas may receive a higher degree of productivity within certain syntactic constructions, a phenomenon known as embedded productivity. Thus, morphological schemas contribute to the creativity and flexibility of the language system.
Religions as brands? Religion and spirituality in consumer society
Authors: Stolz Joerg , Usunier Jean-Claude
Published: March 2018

This article gives an interdisciplinary account of the societal causes as well as individual and organizational effects of religious consumer society. It integrates and systematizes contributions from economics of religion, marketing, and sociology of religion. The article presents the causes of religious consumer society and the most frequent individual adaptations (quality expectations, religious shopping, syncretism) and organizational responses (marketing and branding strategies). Findings are that (1) in the religious consumer society, individuals are free not to be religious or spiritual, putting religious associations in competition with secular organizations, and possibly leading to secularization, (2) it is exaggerated to speak of shopping and consuming as the “new religions” of Western societies, and (3) religious marketing and branding face important limitations, some internal and some external to religious and spiritual organizations, due to the dilemma between marketing practices and transcendental claims. We suggest ways and means to solve this dilemma.
Shakespeare's Sonnets and Poems: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Post Jonathan F. S.
Published: March 2018

Shakespeare’s Sonnets and Poems: A Very Short Introduction introduces all of Shakespeare’s poetry: the Sonnets; the two great narrative poems, Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece; A Lover’s Complaint; and ‘The Phoenix and Turtle’. Describing Shakespeare’s double identity as both poet and playwright, in conjunction with several of his contemporaries, it evaluates the reciprocal advantages as well as the different strategies and strains that came with writing for the stage and the page. Exploring their reception, both with contemporary audiences and through the ages until today, this VSI explores the core themes of love and lust, and analyses how the sonnets compare with other great love poetry of the English Renaissance.
1. Poet and playwright
Authors: Post Jonathan F. S.
Published: March 2018

‘Poet and playwright’ explains that, in many regards, the single most important point about Shakespeare’s double life as poet and playwright is how fruitful this generic crisscrossing was for him artistically. His poems and sonnets have an earthy, psychological, and theatrical element to them rarely found among his more exclusively elite poetic contemporaries like Spenser and Samuel Daniel. Shakespeare wrote poems to connect with the elite and the financial rewards that might come from patronage. He wrote drama to survive. However, from the period 1593-1623, the narrative poems constituted an astonishing 40 per cent of all Shakespeare’s published works.
3. The origin of mammals
Authors: Kemp T. S.
Published: March 2018

‘The origin of mammals’ considers the evolutionary history of mammals using the fossil record to chart their developmental progress. It looks at a group of ‘pre-mammals’, the Synapsids—mammal-like reptiles—including pelycosaurs from 320 mya in the Upper Carboniferous. Then came the therapsids from c.260 mya in the Middle Permian, when the world was increasingly arid. Then 250 mya a mass extinction event wiped out over 90 per cent of animals and plants. Miraculously, a few therapsids survived including the burrowing dicynodont called Lystrosaurus and cynodonts that evolved throughout the Triassic and gave rise to mammals. The earliest mammal was a mouse-sized animal called Morganucodon from 200 mya.
4. The radiation of mammals
Authors: Kemp T. S.
Published: March 2018

For two-thirds of their entire history, right through the 135 million years left of the Mesozoic Era, mammals were all small, secretive animals feeding at night on insects, worms, seeds, and plant tubers. Mammals were restricted in size due to their competition with the dinosaurs. But mammalian evolution continued and early examples of placentals and marsupials have been dated to this period. ‘The radiation of mammals’ outlines the end-Cretaceous mass extinction period 65 mya when over 60 per cent of all living species disappeared. It also describes the Tertiary radiation of mammals through changing climates, and the mammalian evolution on the island continents of Australia and South America.
6. Herbivorous mammals
Authors: Kemp T. S.
Published: March 2018

Compared to a predator’s diet, plant food has two great advantages: it is abundant and it does not run away. ‘Herbivorous mammals’ explains how these advantages are matched by difficulties: plants are generally of low nutritional value and must be eaten in large amounts; leaves with protective abrasive particles can quickly wear down herbivores’ chewing teeth; and mammals cannot make their own cellulase enzymes for breaking down cellulose to sugars. The eating habits and the challenges of small herbivores (e.g. rodents, rabbits, and hyraxes) are considered, as well as those of large ungulates and elephants; marsupial herbivores (e.g. kangaroos, wombats, and koalas); and specialist herbivores (pandas, dugongs, and manatees).
8. Aquatic mammals
Authors: Kemp T. S.
Published: March 2018

Virtually all mammals can swim at least sufficiently well to cross bodies of water, but the extent of specific adaptation for aquatic life varies amongst different mammals from no more than modified behaviour like the Japanese macaque monkeys spending their days sitting in hot springs, through different degrees of amphibiousness to the permanently marine whales and dolphins, dugongs and manatees that cannot come out onto land at all. ‘Aquatic mammals’ first discusses the mammals living in freshwater that have evolved various degrees of aquatic adaptation before considering the marine mammals such as pinnipeds (sea lions, seals, and walruses), sirenians (dugongs and manatees), and cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises).
The exponential rise of induced seismicity with increasing stress levels in the Groningen gas field and its implications for controlling seismic risk
Authors: Bourne S J , Oates S J , van Elk J
Published: March 2018

Induced seismicity typically arises from the progressive activation of recently inactive geological faults by anthropogenic activity. Faults are mechanically and geometrically heterogeneous, so their extremes of stress and strength govern the initial evolution of induced seismicity. We derive a statistical model of Coulomb stress failures and associated aftershocks within the tail of the distribution of fault stress and strength variations to show initial induced seismicity rates will increase as an exponential function of induced stress. Our model provides operational forecasts consistent with the observed space–time–magnitude distribution of earthquakes induced by gas production from the Groningen field in the Netherlands. These probabilistic forecasts also match the observed changes in seismicity following a significant and sustained decrease in gas production rates designed to reduce seismic hazard and risk. This forecast capability allows reliable assessment of alternative control options to better inform future induced seismic risk management decisions.
CoPhosK: A Method for Comprehensive Kinase Substrate Annotation Using Co-phosphorylation Analysis
Authors: Ayati Marzieh , Wiredja Danica , Schlatzer Daniela , Maxwell Sean , Li Ming , Koyutürk Mehmet , Chance Mark R.
Published: March 2018

We present CoPhosK to predict kinase-substrate associations for phosphopeptide substrates detected by mass spectrometry (MS). The tool utilizes a Naïve Bayes framework with priors of known kinase-substrate associations (KSAs) to generate its predictions. Through the mining of MS data for the collective dynamic signatures of the kinases’ substrates revealed by correlation analysis of phosphopeptide intensity data, the tool infers KSAs in the data for the considerable body of substrates lacking such annotations. We benchmarked the tool against existing approaches for predicting KSAs that rely on static information (e.g. sequences, structures and interactions) using publically available MS data, including breast, colon, and ovarian cancer models. The benchmarking reveals that co-phosphorylation analysis can significantly improve prediction performance when static information is available (about 35% of sites) while providing reliable predictions for the remainder, thus tripling the KSAs available from the experimental MS data providing a to comprehensive and reliable characterization of the landscape of kinase-substrate interactions well beyond current limitations.

Author Summary

Kinases play an important role in cellular regulation and have emerged as an important class of drug targets for many diseases, particularly cancers. Comprehensive identification of the links between kinases and their substrates enhances our ability to understand the underlying mechanism of diseases and signalling networks to drive drug discovery. Most of the current computational methods for prediction of kinase-substrate associations use static information such as sequence motifs and physical interactions to generate predictions. However, phosphorylation is a dynamic process and these static predictions may overlook unique features of cellular context, where kinases may be rewired. In this manuscript, we propose a computational method, CoPhosK, which uses the mass spectrometry based phosphoproteomics data to predict the kinase for all identified phosphosites in the experiment. We show that our approach complements and extends existing approaches.