bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family Structure Experiences and Child Socioemotional Development During the First Nine Years of Life: Examining Heterogeneity by Family Structure at Birth
Authors: Bzostek Sharon H. , Berger Lawrence M.
Published: March 2017

A vast amount of literature has documented negative associations between family instability and child development, with the largest associations being in the socioemotional (behavioral) domain. Yet, prior work has paid limited attention to differentiating the role of the number, types, and sequencing of family transitions that children experience, as well as to understanding potential heterogeneity in these associations by family structure at birth. We use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study and hierarchical linear models to examine associations of family structure states and transitions with children’s socioemotional development during the first nine years of life. We pay close attention to the type and number of family structure transitions experienced and examine whether associations differ depending on family structure at birth. For children born to cohabiting or noncoresident parents, we find little evidence that subsequent family structure experiences are associated with socioemotional development. For children born to married parents, we find associations between family instability and poorer socioemotional development. However, this largely reflects the influence of parental breakup; we find little evidence that socioemotional trajectories differ for children with various family structure experiences subsequent to their parents’ breakup.
The FinTech Revolution and Financial Regulation: The Case of Online Supply-Chain Financing
Authors: TSAI Chang-hsien , PENG Kuan-Jung
Published: March 2017

Online supply-chain financing has been a relatively novel funding channel for suppliers as small- and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”) to obtain loans in that the revolution of financial technology (“FinTech”) transforms traditional supply-chain financing, which used to be administered only by official banks, to an online model also used by electronic commerce platforms (“e-commerce platform”). Endeavours towards financial inclusion of the underserved SMEs could rationalize why we should allow for or encourage FinTech innovations exemplified by the online supply-chain financing mentioned above. What would be an adaptive regulatory regime for such innovative FinTech-enabled financial services as the online supply-chain financing? Within our conceptual framework to regulate the FinTech industry at the early stage, rather than rigorous rules traditionally placed on large financial institutions, a principles-based strategy should be adopted to strike a balance between financial stability and access to financial services advanced by disruptive innovations. As a necessary complement, regulatory sandboxes would be needed to spur a shift in institutional philosophy to a principles-based regulatory regime. In other words, the regulatory attitude of FinTech regulation should be humble and light-touch to promote innovation for improving digital financial inclusion, albeit on the premise of containing potential systemic risk and protecting consumer interest in the meantime.
Variable future-time reference in French: A comparison of learners in a study-abroad and a foreign-language context
Authors: Gudmestad Aarnes , Edmonds Amanda
Published: March 2017

This study seeks to advance understanding of second-language (L2) acquisition of future-time reference in French, by comparing the developmental trajectories of learners living in and away from the target-language setting. Study-abroad learners in France (n= 45), foreign-language learners living in the US (n= 37), and native speakers of Hexagonal French (n= 30) participated in this study. They completed a written-contextualized task, a language-proficiency test and a background questionnaire. For each written-contextualized-task item, participants selected from among three responses that differed with respect to the form (inflectional future, periphrastic future, present). Items were designed to test for the influence of three factors on the form selected: presence/absence of a lexical temporal indicator, temporal distance, and (un)certainty. Additionally, two extra-linguistic factors were examined: learning context and proficiency level. The analyses of frequency and the multinomial logistic regressions suggest that, despite developmental similarities between learning contexts, acquisitional paths of study-abroad and foreign-language learners were not identical.
Carbapenem-ResistantEnterobacteriaceae: A Strategic Roadmap for Infection Control
Authors: Friedman N. Deborah , Carmeli Yehuda , Walton Aaron Lea , Schwaber Mitchell James
Published: March 2017

The incidence of carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae(CRE) has increased worldwide with great regional variability. Infections caused by these organisms are associated with crude mortality rates of up to 70%. The spread of CRE in healthcare settings is both an important medical problem and a major global public health threat. All countries are at risk of falling victim to the emergence of CRE; therefore, a preparedness plan is required to avoid the catastrophic natural course of this epidemic. Proactive and adequate preventive measures locally, regionally, and nationally are required to contain the spread of these bacteria. The keys to success in preventing the establishment of CRE endemicity in a region are early detection through targeted laboratory protocols and containment of spread through comprehensive infection control measures. This guideline provides a strategic roadmap for infection control measures based on the best available evidence and expert opinion, to enable preparation of a multifaceted preparedness plan to abort epidemics of CRE.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:580–594
Outcome and cost analysis of bilateral sequential same-day cartilage tympanoplasty compared with bilateral staged tympanoplasty
Authors: Olusesi AD , Oyeniran O
Published: March 2017

Background:

Few studies have compared bilateral same-day with staged tympanoplasty using cartilage graft materials.

Methods:

A prospective randomised observational study was performed of 38 chronic suppurative otitis media patients (76 ears) who were assigned to undergo bilateral sequential same-day tympanoplasty (18 patients, 36 ears) or bilateral sequential tympanoplasty performed 3 months apart (20 patients, 40 ears). Disease duration, intra-operative findings, combined duration of surgery, post-operative graft appearance at 6 weeks, post-operative complications, re-do rate and relative cost of surgery were recorded.

Results:

Tympanic membrane perforations were predominantly subtotal (p = 0.36, odds ratio = 0.75). Most grafts were harvested from the conchal cartilage and fewer from the tragus (p = 0.59, odds ratio = 1.016). Types of complication, post-operative hearing gain and revision rates were similar in both patient groups.

Conclusion:

Surgical outcomes are not significantly different for same-day and bilateral cartilage tympanoplasty, but same-day surgery has the added benefit of a lower cost.
Continuous circular cycling as a predictor of treatment response in bipolar disorders: a comprehensive review of the current literature
Authors: Tundo Antonio , Cavalieri Paola
Published: March 2017

Evidence from the literature suggests that, on average, 27% of patients with a bipolar disorder (BD) experience a continuous cycling course (CCC) and that this subgroup differs significantly from patients with a noncontinuous cycling course (N-CCC) with respect to sociodemographic characteristics and clinical presentation. The aim of the present paper is to review the studies that evaluated short- and long-term treatment responses in BD patients with CCC. The retrieved studies indicate that CCC is a significant predictor of poor response to long-term treatment with lithium (the odds of a response in the CCC group were 57% less than in the N-CCC group;p<0.01), as well as to polytherapies including lithium and/or an antiepileptic augmented, when necessary, with an antipsychotic and/or antidepressant. The percentage of patients without new episodes during follow-up was significantly lower in the CCC group compared with the N-CCC group (15.4 vs. 37.6% ,p<0.01). Compared with patients in the N-CCC group, members of the CCC group had a poorer response and lower remission rates after 12-week antidepressant treatments for a major depressive episode (82.3 vs. 50%,p=0.002; 69.6 vs. 40.9%,p=0.013). These findings, underlining that CCC is a predictor of poor response to short- and long-term treatment in BD, should be interpreted considering the limitations of the reviewed studies (the small sample sizes, the small number of trials and their observational nature, the lack of randomization or placebo controls, and the unblinded nature of the outcomes). Clinical trials and observational studies with larger samples are warranted to confirm the conclusions of our review.
Examining the feasibility of implementing behavioural economics strategies that encourage home dinner vegetable intake among low-income children
Authors: Leak Tashara M , Swenson Alison , Rendahl Aaron , Vickers Zata , Mykerezi Elton , Redden Joseph P , Mann Traci , Reicks Marla
Published: March 2017

Objective

To examine the feasibility of implementing nine behavioural economics-informed strategies, or ‘nudges’, that aimed to encourage home dinner vegetable intake among low-income children.

Design

Caregivers were assigned six of nine strategies and implemented one new strategy per week (i.e. 6 weeks) during three dinner meals. Caregivers recorded child dinner vegetable intake on the nights of strategy implementation and rated the level of difficulty for assigned strategies. Baseline data on home vegetable availability and child vegetable liking were collected to assess overall strategy feasibility.

Setting

Participants’ homes in a large Midwestern metropolitan area, USA.

Subjects

Low-income caregiver/child (aged 9–12 years) dyads (n 39).

Results

Pairwise comparisons showed that child dinner vegetable intake for the strategy ‘Serve at least two vegetables with dinner meals’ was greater than intake for each of two other strategies: ‘Pair vegetables with other foods the child likes’ and ‘Eat dinner together with an adult(s) modelling vegetable consumption’. Overall, caregivers’ mean rating of difficulty for implementing strategies was 2·6 (1=‘not difficult’, 10=‘very difficult’). Households had a mean of ten different types of vegetables available. Children reported a rating ≥5 for seventeen types of vegetable on a labelled hedonic scale (1=‘hate it’, 5–6=‘it’s okay’, 10=‘like it a lot’).

Conclusions

Behavioural economics-informed strategies are feasible to implement during dinner meals, with some strategies differing by how much they influence vegetable intake among low-income children in the home.
Total leaf crude protein, amino acid composition and elemental content in the USDA-ARS bamboo germplasm collections
Authors: Wang M. L. , Harrison M. L. , Tonnis B. D. , Pinnow D. , Davis J. , Irish B. M.
Published: March 2017

Bamboo shoots and leaves are valuable food sources for both humans and livestock. The USDA-ARS NPGS (National Plant Germplasm System) collections hold 93 bamboo species in 20 genera. Total leaf protein, amino acid composition and elemental content for these important genetic resources had never been quantified. Lack of nutrition information hinders germplasm utilization. The above-mentioned nutritional traits were evaluated from these 93 species in this study. Leaf protein content among bamboo species ranged from 8.12 to 16.33% with an average of 12.84%. This average was higher than 9.0% observed for switchgrass leaves, but considerably lower than 32.48% in cassava leaves. For 18 quantified amino acids, there was more than a twofold variation among the samples evaluated. For 12 quantified mineral elements, there was significant variability from the low end (4.2-fold, 2.27–9.52 mg/g calcium; 4.4-fold, 56.17–246.43 µg/g sodium) to the high end (61.5-fold, 17.67–1087.0 µg/g manganese; 40.8-fold, 42.0–1713.5 µg/g aluminium). Due to their variability in leaf nutritive value, bamboo species should be carefully chosen when they are used as a feedstock. The results from this study will be useful for the bamboo industry, producers and consumers.
From Medicine to Mobilization: Social Service Provision and the Islamist Reputational Advantage
Authors: Brooke Steven
Published: March 2017

Under what conditions can parties use social-service provision to generate political support? And what is the causal mechanism connecting social-service provision to citizen mobilization? I argue that service provision conveys to voters a politically valuable image of the provider organization’s competence and probity, which is particularly valuable when information about parties and platforms is contradictory or poor. Support comes from an in-depth investigation into the medical networks of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. I combine qualitative evidence, including fieldwork and interviews with Brotherhood social-service providers, with an original 2,483-person survey experiment of Egyptians. Respondents exposed to factual information about the Brotherhood’s medical provision are significantly more likely to consider voting for the Brotherhood in elections. A causal mediation analysis, as well as qualitative evidence drawn from the survey instrument itself, supports the hypothesized mechanism by which respondents map the Brotherhood’s compassion and professionalism in the provision of medical services onto their views of Brotherhood candidates for elected office. Beyond adding to a growing comparative-politics literature on the politics of non-state social service provision, I identify why Egypt’s current rulers have expended such effort to uproot the Muslim Brotherhood’s nationwide network of social services.
A Discussion of Christopher H. Achen and Larry M. Bartels'Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government
Authors: Roberts Neil
Published: March 2017

Liberal democracy is often viewed by its supporters as a system of government that responds to the informed and rational preferences of the public organized as voters. And liberal democracy is often viewed by its critics as a system that fails to respond to the informed and rational preferences of its citizens. In this book Larry Bartels and Chris Achen draw on decades of research to argue that a “realistic” conception of democracy cannot be centered on the idea of a “rational voter,” and that the ills of contemporary democracies, and especially democracy in the U.S., must be sought in the dynamics that link voters, political parties and public policy in ways that reproduce inequality. “We believe,” write the authors, “that abandoning the folk theory of democracy is a prerequisite to both greater intellectual clarity and real political change. Too many democratic reformers have squandered their energy on misguided or quixotic ideas.”
A Discussion of Christopher H. Achen and Larry M. Bartels' Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government
Authors: Mares Isabela
Published: March 2017

Liberal democracy is often viewed by its supporters as a system of government that responds to the informed and rational preferences of the public organized as voters. And liberal democracy is often viewed by its critics as a system that fails to respond to the informed and rational preferences of its citizens. In this book Larry Bartels and Chris Achen draw on decades of research to argue that a “realistic” conception of democracy cannot be centered on the idea of a “rational voter,” and that the ills of contemporary democracies, and especially democracy in the U.S., must be sought in the dynamics that link voters, political parties and public policy in ways that reproduce inequality. “We believe,” write the authors, “that abandoning the folk theory of democracy is a prerequisite to both greater intellectual clarity and real political change. Too many democratic reformers have squandered their energy on misguided or quixotic ideas.”
Spiritualität und Burnout
Authors: Auer Natalie , Auer-Böer Bernhard
Published: March 2017

Zusammenfassung. Besteht eine mögliche Korrelation zwischen der Ausprägung der Spiritualität bei Pflegenden in der Psychiatrie und deren Risiko für ein Burnout? Diese Frage bildete die Ausgangslage für eine Studie, an der 112 Psychiatriepflegende teilnahmen. Erhoben wurden deren Spiritualität und die berufliche Belastung. Die Ergebnisse der Studie zeigen auf, dass Spiritualität kein Schutzfaktor für ein Burnout darstellt. Spiritualität verbessert aber das Sich-Einlassen auf andere Personen.
Docosahexaenoic acid enrichment in NAFLD is associated with improvements in hepatic metabolism and hepatic insulin sensitivity: a pilot study
Authors: Hodson L , Bhatia L , Scorletti E , Smith D E , Jackson N C , Shojaee-Moradie F , Umpleby M , Calder P C , Byrne C D
Published: March 2017

Background/Objective:

Treatment of subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) suggests high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) tissue enrichment decrease liver fat content. We assessed whether changes in erythrocyte DHA enrichment (as a surrogate marker of changes in tissue enrichment) were associated with alterations in hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL), postprandial FA partitioning and hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in a sub-study of the WELCOME trial (Wessex Evaluation of fatty Liver and Cardiovascular markers in NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) with OMacor thErapy).

Subjects/Methods:

Sixteen participants were randomised to 4 g/day EPA+DHA (n=8) or placebo (n=8) for 15–18 months and underwent pre- and post-intervention measurements. Fasting and postprandial hepatic FA metabolism was assessed using metabolic substrates labelled with stable-isotope tracers (2H2O and [U13C]palmitate). Insulin sensitivity was measured by a stepped hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp using deuterated glucose. Participants were stratified according to change in DHA erythrocyte enrichment (< or ⩾2% post intervention).

Results:

Nine participants were stratified to DHA⩾2% (eight randomised to EPA+DHA and one to placebo) and seven to the DHA<2% group (all placebo). Compared with individuals with erythrocyte <2% change in DHA abundance, those with ⩾2% enrichment had significant improvements in hepatic insulin sensitivity, reduced fasting and postprandial plasma triglyceride concentrations, decreased fasting hepatic DNL, as well as greater appearance of 13C from dietary fat into plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate (all P<0.05).

Conclusions:

The findings from our pilot study indicate that individuals who achieved a change in erythrocyte DHA enrichment ⩾2% show favourable changes in hepatic FA metabolism and insulin sensitivity, which may contribute to decreasing hepatic fat content.
Machine learning applications in cell image analysis
Authors: Kan Andrey
Published: March 2017

Machine learning (ML) refers to a set of automatic pattern recognition methods that have been successfully applied across various problem domains, including biomedical image analysis. This review focuses on ML applications for image analysis in light microscopy experiments with typical tasks of segmenting and tracking individual cells, and modelling of reconstructed lineage trees. After describing a typical image analysis pipeline and highlighting challenges of automatic analysis (for example, variability in cell morphology, tracking in presence of clutters) this review gives a brief historical outlook of ML, followed by basic concepts and definitions required for understanding examples. This article then presents several example applications at various image processing stages, including the use of supervised learning methods for improving cell segmentation, and the application of active learning for tracking. The review concludes with remarks on parameter setting and future directions.
ORAI2 modulates store-operated calcium entry and T cell-mediated immunity
Authors: Vaeth Martin , Yang Jun , Yamashita Megumi , Zee Isabelle , Eckstein Miriam , Knosp Camille , Kaufmann Ulrike , Karoly Jani Peter , Lacruz Rodrigo S. , Flockerzi Veit , Kacskovics Imre , Prakriya Murali , Feske Stefan
Published: March 2017

Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) through Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels is critical for lymphocyte function and immune responses. CRAC channels are hexamers of ORAI proteins that form the channel pore, but the contributions of individual ORAI homologues to CRAC channel function are not well understood. Here we show that deletion of Orai1 reduces, whereas deletion of Orai2 increases, SOCE in mouse T cells. These distinct effects are due to the ability of ORAI2 to form heteromeric channels with ORAI1 and to attenuate CRAC channel function. The combined deletion of Orai1 and Orai2 abolishes SOCE and strongly impairs T cell function. In vivo, Orai1/Orai2 double-deficient mice have impaired T cell-dependent antiviral immune responses, and are protected from T cell-mediated autoimmunity and alloimmunity in models of colitis and graft-versus-host disease. Our study demonstrates that ORAI1 and ORAI2 form heteromeric CRAC channels, in which ORAI2 fine-tunes the magnitude of SOCE to modulate immune responses.
Dynamics and universal scaling law in geometrically-controlled sessile drop evaporation
Authors: Sáenz P. J. , Wray A. W. , Che Z. , Matar O. K. , Valluri P. , Kim J. , Sefiane K.
Published: March 2017

The evaporation of a liquid drop on a solid substrate is a remarkably common phenomenon. Yet, the complexity of the underlying mechanisms has constrained previous studies to spherically symmetric configurations. Here we investigate well-defined, non-spherical evaporating drops of pure liquids and binary mixtures. We deduce a universal scaling law for the evaporation rate valid for any shape and demonstrate that more curved regions lead to preferential localized depositions in particle-laden drops. Furthermore, geometry induces well-defined flow structures within the drop that change according to the driving mechanism. In the case of binary mixtures, geometry dictates the spatial segregation of the more volatile component as it is depleted. Our results suggest that the drop geometry can be exploited to prescribe the particle deposition and evaporative dynamics of pure drops and the mixing characteristics of multicomponent drops, which may be of interest to a wide range of industrial and scientific applications.
Experimental demonstration of photon upconversion via cooperative energy pooling
Authors: Weingarten Daniel H. , LaCount Michael D. , van de Lagemaat Jao , Rumbles Garry , Lusk Mark T. , Shaheen Sean E.
Published: March 2017

Photon upconversion is a fundamental interaction of light and matter that has applications in fields ranging from bioimaging to microfabrication. However, all photon upconversion methods demonstrated thus far involve challenging aspects, including requirements of high excitation intensities, degradation in ambient air, requirements of exotic materials or phases, or involvement of inherent energy loss processes. Here we experimentally demonstrate a mechanism of photon upconversion in a thin film, binary mixture of organic chromophores that provides a pathway to overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages. This singlet-based process, called Cooperative Energy Pooling (CEP), utilizes a sensitizer-acceptor design in which multiple photoexcited sensitizers resonantly and simultaneously transfer their energies to a higher-energy state on a single acceptor. Data from this proof-of-concept implementation is fit by a proposed model of the CEP process. Design guidelines are presented to facilitate further research and development of more optimized CEP systems.
One-pot synthesis of four-coordinate boron(III) complexes by the ligand-promoted organic group migration between boronic acids
Authors: Sadu Venkata S. , Bin Hye-Rin , Lee Do-Min , Lee Kee-In
Published: March 2017

Multidisciplinary applications of four-coordinate boron(III) complexes make them very attractive and challenging research field in chemistry, biology and material sciences. The dual role played by boron atom in stabilising the chelate ligand and enhancing the π-conjugation makes them very useful as luminescent materials for organic electronics and photonics, and sensing and imaging probes for biomedical purposes. The conventional methods involve the use of diarylborinic acids or anhydrides and triaryl boranes, which are made from organometallic reagents. The strong nucleophilicity of these reagents limits the peripheral modifications onto the boron cores. Here, we report a metal-free one-pot synthesis of four-coordinate organoborons using boronic acids, which represents the first instance of ligand assisted organic group migration between boronic acids. A tetrahedral boron ‘ate’ complex capable of transferring an organic group to the adjacent sp2 boron within a boronic anhydride intermediate is proposed and preliminary mechanistic studies by MALDI-TOF and 11B NMR support this proposal. The products are available from a series of N,O-, N,N- and O,O-bidentate ligands upon a wide array of boronic acids. We anticipate that this reaction will impact the way of producing the four-coordinate organoborons, and propel a new discovery of such materials for optoelectronic and biomedical applications.
Surveillance of Dialysis Events: one-year experience at 33 outpatient hemodialysis centers in China
Authors: Zhang Hui , Li Liuyi , Jia Huixue , Liu Yunxi , Wen Jianguo , Wu Anhua , Lu Qun , Hou Tieying , Yang Yun , Yang Huai , Li Weiguang , Zong Zhiyong
Published: March 2017

A multicenter prospective surveillance on dialysis events was carried in 33 dialysis centers in China. Maintenance hemodialysis (HD) outpatients who were dialyzed on the first two days of each month during 2014 were monitored for dialysis events and other infections. During the one-year period, 52,680 patient-months were monitored. Fistula and tunneled or non-tunneled central line were used for 73.70%, 15.70% and 8.85% of vascular access, respectively. There were 773 dialysis events occurred in 671 patients including 589 IV antimicrobial starts, 74 positive blood cultures and 110 local access site infections (LASI). The incidence of dialysis events was 1.47 per 100 patient-months. Among the 74 cases with bloodstream infection (BSI), 38 were access-related BSI (ARB) and there were therefore 148 cases with vascular-related infection (VAI; 38 ARB and 110 LASI). There were 740 cases (1.40 per 100 patient-months) with infections other than BSI and LASI, most (79.19%) of which were respiratory tract infections. For those with dialysis events, there were 425 cases (425/671, 63.34%) admitted to hospital and 12 cases of death (12/671, 1.79%). In conclusion, the surveillance revealed a relatively low incidence of dialysis events and the surveillance may be tailored to target those using central lines in resource-limited settings.
Correlates of Social Exclusion in Social Anxiety Disorder: An fMRI study
Authors: Heeren Alexandre , Dricot Laurence , Billieux Joël , Philippot Pierre , Grynberg Delphine , de Timary Philippe , Maurage Pierre
Published: March 2017

Cognitive models posit that social anxiety disorder (SAD) is maintained by biased information-processing vis-à-vis threat of social exclusion. However, uncertainty still abounds regarding the very nature of this sensitivity to social exclusion in SAD. Especially, brain alterations related to social exclusion have not been explored in SAD. Our primary purpose was thus to determine both the self-report and neural correlates of social exclusion in this population. 23 patients with SAD and 23 matched nonanxious controls played a virtual game (“Cyberball”) during fMRI recording. Participants were first included by other players, then excluded, and finally re-included. At the behavioral level, patients with SAD exhibited significantly higher levels of social exclusion feelings than nonanxious controls. At the brain level, patients with SAD exhibited significantly higher activation within the left inferior frontal gyrus relative to nonanxious controls during the re-inclusion phase. Moreover, self-report of social exclusion correlates with the activity of this cluster among individuals qualifying for SAD diagnosis. Our pattern of findings lends strong support to the notion that SAD may be better portrayed by a poor ability to recover following social exclusion than during social exclusion per se. These findings value social neuroscience as an innovative procedure to gain new insight into the underlying mechanisms of SAD.
The blood labyrinthine barrier in the human normal and Meniere’s disease macula utricle
Authors: Ishiyama Gail , Lopez Ivan A. , Ishiyama Paul , Vinters Harry V. , Ishiyama Akira
Published: March 2017

The ultrastructural organization of the blood labyrinthine barrier (BLB) was investigated in the human vestibular endorgan, the utricular macula, using postmortem specimens from individuals with documented normal auditory and vestibular function and surgical specimens from patients with intractable Meniere’s disease. Transmission electron microscopic analysis of capillaries located in the normal human utricular stroma showed vascular endothelial cells with few pinocytotic vesicles, covered by a smooth and uniform basement membrane surrounded by pericyte processes. Meniere’s disease specimens revealed differential ultrastructural pathological changes in the cellular elements of the microvasculature. With moderate degeneration of the BLB, there were numerous vesicles within the vascular endothelial cells (VECs), with increased numbers at the abluminal face, pericyte process detachment and disruption of the perivascular basement membrane surrounding the VECs. With severe degeneration of the BLB, there was severe vacuolization or frank apparent necrosis of VECs and loss of subcellular organelles. A higher severity of BLB degenerative changes was associated with a higher degree of basement membrane thickening and edematous changes within the vestibular stroma. This study presents the first ultrastructural analysis of the capillaries constituting the BLB in the human vestibular macula utricle from normal and Meniere’s disease.
A robust empirical seasonal prediction of winter NAO and surface climate
Authors: Wang L. , Ting M. , Kushner P. J.
Published: March 2017

A key determinant of winter weather and climate in Europe and North America is the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the dominant mode of atmospheric variability in the Atlantic domain. Skilful seasonal forecasting of the surface climate in both Europe and North America is reflected largely in how accurately models can predict the NAO. Most dynamical models, however, have limited skill in seasonal forecasts of the winter NAO. A new empirical model is proposed for the seasonal forecast of the winter NAO that exhibits higher skill than current dynamical models. The empirical model provides robust and skilful prediction of the December-January-February (DJF) mean NAO index using a multiple linear regression (MLR) technique with autumn conditions of sea-ice concentration, stratospheric circulation, and sea-surface temperature. The predictability is, for the most part, derived from the relatively long persistence of sea ice in the autumn. The lower stratospheric circulation and sea-surface temperature appear to play more indirect roles through a series of feedbacks among systems driving NAO evolution. This MLR model also provides skilful seasonal outlooks of winter surface temperature and precipitation over many regions of Eurasia and eastern North America.
Abundance of badgers (Meles meles) in England and Wales
Authors: Judge Johanna , Wilson Gavin J. , Macarthur Roy , McDonald Robbie A. , Delahay Richard J.
Published: March 2017

The European badger (Meles meles) is of considerable interest in the UK as it is both a protected species and the main wildlife reservoir for bovine tuberculosis infection in cattle. While there have been three national badger surveys in the 1980s, 1990s and 2011–13, using the number of badger main setts as a proxy for the abundance of badger social groups, none has combined contemporary data on social group size at landscape and national scales. We estimated social group size by genotyping hair samples collected at 120 main setts across England and Wales and employing a capture-mark-recapture method based on genotypes. The estimated mean social group size in England and Wales was 6.74 (±0.63) badgers. There was considerable variation in badger social group size among Land Class Groups (LCGs), with a low of 2.67 in LCG3 and a high of 7.92 in LCG4. Combining these results with the recent Badger Sett Survey of England and Wales, we estimate there are approximately 485,000 badgers (95% confidence intervals 391,000–581,000) in England and Wales. Although direct comparison with previous estimates is not ideal owing to methodological differences, our results are consistent with a marked increase in the badger population of England and Wales since the 1980s.
Sex Differences in the Clinical Features, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Intracerebral Hemorrhage: a Large Hospital-based Stroke Registry in China
Authors: Xing Yonghong , An Zhongping , Zhang Xianghui , Yu Ning , Zhao Wenjuan , Ning Xianjia , Wang Jinghua
Published: March 2017

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is common in China. However, the sex differences in clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of ICH remain controversial. Between 2005 and 2014, we recruited patients with primary ICH in Tianjin, China, and evaluated sex differences in clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes at 3, 12, and 36 months after ICH. The 1,325 patients included 897 men (67.7%) and 428 women (32.3%). The mean age at ICH onset was younger among men (59.14 years) than among women (63.12 years, P < 0.001). Men were more likely to have a hematoma in the basal ganglia, while women were more likely to have one in the thalamus. Women had higher frequencies of urinary tract infections, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity. Men had a greater risk of death at 3 months after ICH. However, no sex differences were observed for mortality at 12 and 36 months after ICH or for recurrence and dependency at 3, 12, and 36 months after ICH. These findings suggested that it crucial to strengthen management of AF and complications in patients with ICH, especially management of blood pressure in men for reducing the mortality rates and the burden of ICH in China.
Erratum: Spring maize yield, soil water use and water use efficiency under plastic film and straw mulches in the Loess Plateau
Authors: Lin Wen , Liu Wenzhao , Xue Qingwu
Published: March 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 38995; published online: 15 December 2016; updated: 15 March 2017 This article had a row omitted in Table 1, the correct table is below:
Correction: Corrigendum: Effect of TREM-1 blockade and single nucleotide variants in experimental renal injury and kidney transplantation
Authors: Tammaro Alessandra , Kers Jesper , Emal Diba , Stroo Ingrid , Teske Gwendoline J. D. , Butter Loes M. , Claessen Nike , Damman Jeffrey , Derive Marc , Navis Gerjan J. , Florquin Sandrine , Leemans Jaklien C. , Dessing Mark C.
Published: March 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 38275; published online: 08 December 2016; updated: 15 March 2017 The original version of this Article contained errors in the spelling of the authors Alessandra Tammaro, Jesper Kers, Diba Emal, Ingrid Stroo, Gwendoline J. D. Teske, Loes M. Butter, Nike Claessen, Jeffrey Damman, Marc Derive, Gerjan J.
A Multilayer perspective for the analysis of urban transportation systems
Authors: Aleta Alberto , Meloni Sandro , Moreno Yamir
Published: March 2017

Public urban mobility systems are composed by several transportation modes connected together. Most studies in urban mobility and planning often ignore the multi-layer nature of transportation systems considering only aggregated versions of this complex scenario. In this work we present a model for the representation of the transportation system of an entire city as a multiplex network. Using two different perspectives, one in which each line is a layer and one in which lines of the same transportation mode are grouped together, we study the interconnected structure of 9 different cities in Europe raging from small towns to mega-cities like London and Berlin highlighting their vulnerabilities and possible improvements. Finally, for the city of Zaragoza in Spain, we also consider data about service schedule and waiting times, which allow us to create a simple yet realistic model for urban mobility able to reproduce real-world facts and to test for network improvements.
Analysis of RP2 and RPGR Mutations in Five X-Linked Chinese Families with Retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: Jiang Jingjing , Wu Xiaofei , Shen Di , Dong Lijin , Jiao Xiaodong , Hejtmancik J. Fielding , Li Ningdong
Published: March 2017

Mutations in RP2 and RPGR genes are responsible for the X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). In this study, we analyzed the RP2 and RPGR gene mutations in five Han Chinese families with XLRP. An approximately 17Kb large deletion including the exon 4 and exon 5 of RP2 gene was found in an XLRP family. In addition, four frameshift mutations including three novel mutations of c.1059 + 1 G > T, c.2002dupC and c.2236_2237del CT, as well as a previously reported mutation of c.2899delG were detected in the RPGR gene in the other four families. Our study further expands the mutation spectrum of RP2 and RPGR, and will be helpful for further study molecular pathogenesis of XLRP.
Stochastic modelling of deep magmatic controls on porphyry copper deposit endowment
Authors: Chiaradia Massimo , Caricchi Luca
Published: March 2017

Porphyry deposits, our main source of copper and of significant amounts of Mo, Re and Au, form at convergent margins in association with intermediate-felsic magmas. Although it is accepted that copper is transported and precipitated by fluids released by these magmas, the magmatic processes leading to the formation of economic deposits remain elusive. Here we perform Monte Carlo petrological and geochemical modelling to quantitatively link crustal magmatic processes and the geochemical signatures of magmas (i.e., Sr/Y) to the formation of porphyry Cu deposits of different sizes. Our analysis shows that economic deposits (particularly the largest ones) may only form in association with magma accumulated in the lower-middle crust (P > ~0.5 GPa) during ≥2–3 Ma, and subsequently transferred to and degassed in the upper crust over periods of up to ~2.0 Ma. Magma accumulation and evolution at shallower depths (<~0.4 GPa) dramatically reduces the potential of magmatic systems to produce economic deposits. Our modelling also predicts the association of the largest porphyry deposits with a specific Sr/Y interval (~100 ± 50) of the associated magmatic rocks, which is virtually identical to the range measured in giant porphyry copper deposits.
Chlorin e6 mediated photodynamic inactivation for multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis in mice in vivo
Authors: Wu Ming-Feng , Deichelbohrer Mona , Tschernig Thomas , Laschke Matthias W. , Szentmáry Nóra , Hüttenberger Dirk , Foth Hans-Jochen , Seitz Berthold , Bischoff Markus
Published: March 2017

Following corneal epithelium scratches, mouse corneas were infected with the multidrug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa strain PA54. 24 hours later, 0% (for control group), 0.01%, 0.05% or 0.1% Chlorin e6 (Ce6), a second generation photosensitizer derived from chlorophyll, was combined with red light, for photodynamic inactivation (PDI). 1 hour or 2 days later, entire mouse eyes were enucleated and homogenized for counting colony forming units (CFU) of P. aeruginosa. For comparison, 0.1% Ce6 mediated PDI was started at 12 hours post infection, and 0.005% methylene blue mediated PDI 24 hours post infection. Clinical scores of corneal manifestation were recorded daily. Compared to the control, CFU 1 hour after PDI started 24 hours post infection in the 0.01% Ce6 and 0.05% Ce6 groups were significantly lower (more than one log10 reduction), the CFU 2 days post PDI higher in the 0.1% Ce6 group, clinical score lower in the 0.1% Ce6 group at 1 day post PDI. These findings suggest that PDI with Ce6 and red light has a transient efficacy in killing MDR-PA in vivo, and repetitive PDI treatments are required to fully resolve the infection. Before its clinical application, the paradoxical bacterial regrowth post PDI has to be further studied.
Droughts in India from 1981 to 2013 and Implications to Wheat Production
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Obringer Renee , Wei Chehan , Chen Nengcheng , Niyogi Dev
Published: March 2017

Understanding drought from multiple perspectives is critical due to its complex interactions with crop production, especially in India. However, most studies only provide singular view of drought and lack the integration with specific crop phenology. In this study, four time series of monthly meteorological, hydrological, soil moisture, and vegetation droughts from 1981 to 2013 were reconstructed for the first time. The wheat growth season (from October to April) was particularly analyzed. In this study, not only the most severe and widespread droughts were identified, but their spatial-temporal distributions were also analyzed alone and concurrently. The relationship and evolutionary process among these four types of droughts were also quantified. The role that the Green Revolution played in drought evolution was also studied. Additionally, the trends of drought duration, frequency, extent, and severity were obtained. Finally, the relationship between crop yield anomalies and all four kinds of drought during the wheat growing season was established. These results provide the knowledge of the most influential drought type, conjunction, spatial-temporal distributions and variations for wheat production in India. This study demonstrates a novel approach to study drought from multiple views and integrate it with crop growth, thus providing valuable guidance for local drought mitigation.
Enabling time resolved microscopy with random Raman lasing
Authors: Hokr Brett H. , Thompson Jonathan V. , Bixler Joel N. , Nodurft Dawson T. , Noojin Gary D. , Redding Brandon , Thomas Robert J. , Cao Hui , Rockwell Benjamin A. , Scully Marlan O. , Yakovlev Vladislav V.
Published: March 2017

Optical imaging of fast events and processes is essential for understanding dynamics of complex systems. A bright flash of illuminating light is required to acquire sufficient number of photons for superior image quality. Laser pulses can provide extreme brightness and are typically employed to achieve high temporal resolution; however, the high degree of coherence associated with the lasing process degrades the image quality with speckle formation. Random lasers are low-coherence sources of stimulated emission and do not suffer from speckle, but are rather broadband and have a relatively low output power limiting the scope of their potential applications. In this report, we demonstrate the use of random Raman lasing as a novel imaging light source with unprecedented brightness for a speckle-free and narrowband light source. We showcase the advantages of a random Raman laser to image the nanosecond scale dynamics of cavitation formation in water and quantitatively compare these images to those taken with incoherent fluorescent emission and coherent laser light as illumination source.
In vivo imaging of the Muc5b gel-forming mucin
Authors: Portal Céline , Gouyer Valérie , Magnien Mylène , Plet Ségolène , Gottrand Frédéric , Desseyn Jean-Luc
Published: March 2017

Gel-forming mucins are macromolecules produced by goblet cells and responsible for the mucus gel formation. Changes in goblet cell density and in gel-forming mucin production have emerged as sensitive indicators for mucosal diseases. A Muc5b-GFP tagged reporter mouse was used to assess Muc5b production in mouse tissues by immunofluorescence microscopy and fluorescent activity using stereromicroscopy and probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy. Muc5b production was followed longitudinally by recording the fluorescent activity in vagina and in embryonic lung explants under stimulation by interleukin 13. We show that the GFP is easily visualized in the mouse adult ear, nose, trachea, gallbladder, and cervix. Live Muc5b is also easily monitored in the nasal cavity, trachea and vagina where its production varies during the estrus cycle with a peak at the proestrus phase and in pregnant mice. Explant culture of reporter mouse embryonic whole lung shows that interleukin 13 stimulates Muc5b production. The transgenic Muc5b-GFP mouse is unique and suitable to study the mechanisms that regulate Muc5b production/secretion and mucous cell differentiation by live imaging and can be applied to test drug efficacy in mucosal disease models.
STK16 regulates actin dynamics to control Golgi organization and cell cycle
Authors: Liu Juanjuan , Yang Xingxing , Li Binhua , Wang Junjun , Wang Wenchao , Liu Jing , Liu Qingsong , Zhang Xin
Published: March 2017

STK16 is a ubiquitously expressed, myristoylated, and palmitoylated serine/threonine protein kinase with underexplored functions. Recently, it was shown to be involved in cell division but the mechanism remains unclear. Here we found that human STK16 localizes to the Golgi complex throughout the cell cycle and plays important roles in Golgi structure regulation. STK16 knockdown or kinase inhibition disrupts actin polymers and causes fragmented Golgi in cells. In vitro assays show that STK16 directly binds to actin and regulates actin dynamics in a concentration- and kinase activity-dependent way. In addition, STK16 knockdown or kinase inhibition not only delays mitotic entry and prolongs mitosis, but also causes prometaphase and cytokinesis arrest. Therefore, we revealed STK16 as a novel actin binding protein that resides in the Golgi, which regulates actin dynamics to control Golgi structure and participate in cell cycle progression.
Resisting majesty: Apis cerana, has lower antennal sensitivity and decreased attraction to queen mandibular pheromone than Apis mellifera
Authors: Dong Shihao , Wen Ping , Zhang Qi , Li Xinyu , Tan Ken , Nieh James
Published: March 2017

In highly social bees, queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) is vital for colony life. Both Apis cerana (Ac) and Apis mellifera (Am) share an evolutionarily conserved set of QMP compounds: (E)-9-oxodec-2-enoic acid (9-ODA), (E)-9-hydroxydec-2-enoic acid (9-HDA), (E)-10-hydroxy-dec-2-enoic acid (10-HDA), 10-hydroxy-decanoic acid (10-HDAA), and methyl p–hydroxybenzoate (HOB) found at similar levels. However, evidence suggests there may be species-specific sensitivity differences to QMP compounds because Ac workers have higher levels of ovarian activation than Am workers. Using electroantennograms, we found species-specific sensitivity differences for a blend of the major QMP compounds and three individual compounds (9-HDA, 10-HDAA, and 10-HDA). As predicted, Am was more sensitive than Ac in all cases (1.3- to 2.7- fold higher responses). There were also species differences in worker retinue attraction to three compounds (9-HDA, HOB, and 10-HDA). In all significantly different cases, Am workers were 4.5- to 6.2-fold more strongly attracted than Ac workers were. Thus, Ac workers responded less strongly to QMP than Am workers, and 9-HDA and 10-HDA consistently elicited stronger antennal and retinue formation responses.