bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oil Import Diversification in Northeast Asia: A Comparison Between China and Japan
Authors: Vivoda Vlado , Manicom James
Published: March 2016

In this article, we explore why oil import patterns differ between states with a view to understanding the relationship between agent-based explanations such as strategy and structural explanations—for example, geography. We compare degree of diversification between China and Japan in an effort to explore the relationship between agency and structure in the formation of energy security policy. The China-Japan comparison is contextualized with reference to the baseline case of the United States, a well-diversified importer. We employ the Shannon-Wiener index of diversity to assess the extent of oil import diversification, and temporal changes in diversification for China, Japan, and the United States. A key finding is that China's statist approach has allowed it to diversify its sources of imported oil more quickly than Japan's hybrid approach. In fact, since becoming a net oil importer in 1993, China's sources of imported oil have diversified quite rapidly. Japan's overreliance on the Middle East for much of its imported oil has been endemic since 1973.
Democratization and Ethnic Politics in Indonesia: Nine Theses
Authors: Aspinall Edward
Published: March 2016

After the downfall of President Suharto in 1998, communal violence occurred in several Indonesian provinces, producing an image of the country as one characterized by strong ethnic politics. In this article, I propose that this image is mistaken. The political salience of ethnicity has subsided greatly as a new democratic system has settled into place. Overall, Indonesia is a weakly ethnicized polity. Ethnicity still counts in arenas such as local elections, but what prevails is a soft form of ethnic politics, with few of the deep disputes about ethnohistory or cultural policy that occur in more ethnicized polities. Moreover, rather than producing ethnic polarization, democratization has created powerful new norms of compromise. I present this overarching argument by advancing nine general theses on Indonesian ethnic politics and by pointing to explanations concerning institutional crafting, historical legacies, and the deep architecture of politics, notably the prevalence of patronage. Rather than positing definitive answers, I propose new questions and frameworks for investigating the weakness of ethnic politics in contemporary Indonesia.
Review Essay—Access to Justice in Post-Mao China: Assessing the Politics of Criminal and Administrative Law
Authors: Kinkel Jonathan , Hurst William
Published: March 2016

Since the upheaval of the Cultural Revolution decade (1966–1976), post-Mao China has witnessed a sustained period of unprecedented legal reform. Criminal prosecutions and citizen lawsuits against the government, because they pit individual litigants against the authoritarian Chinese state, are two politically significant areas of law. We examine and critically assess the sociolegal scholarship on criminal and administrative legal reform as it has developed over the past few decades, with special attention to shifts in the conventional wisdom regarding legal reform and political liberalism in China and elsewhere. Additionally, we offer both theoretical and empirical suggestions for enhancing the explanatory power of sociolegal research in China.
War Games: North Korea'S Reaction to US and South Korean Military Exercises
Authors: D'Orazio Vito
Published: March 2016

Since 1976, the militaries of the United States and South Korea have been holding routine joint military exercises (JMEs) for the purposes of military training and deterrence against North Korea. These exercises are frequently cited as a cause of tension on the peninsula, causing North Korea to escalate its conflictual rhetoric and behavior. I empirically assess this claim using new data on US-ROK JMEs and machine-coded event data collected by the Integrated Crisis Early Warning System. The findings show that North Korea does not systematically escalate its conflictual rhetoric or behavior during or near the occurrence of JMEs. The results hold for both low- and high-intensity exercises and for rhetoric that has the United States and South Korea as its target.
Trade Versus Security: How Countries Balance Technology Transfers with China
Authors: Cheung Tai Ming , Gill Bates
Published: March 2016

Apart from a short period in the 1980s, the People's Republic of China has been almost completely excluded from access to military and sensitive dual-use civilian-military technologies from the United States and its allies. But in an era of globalization and convergence in the civilian and military technological domains, this compartmentalization of the economic and security arenas has become increasingly difficult to maintain and justify. Major trading countries are caught in the dilemma of balancing restrictions on high technology and other sensitive trade and investment with China against the benefits of deeper ties with the world's second-largest economy. In examining the trade-offs between economics and national security for the United States, the European Union, Israel, and Japan, it becomes clear that China's rise and growing economic and strategic influence introduce new complexities and challenges for controlling militarily relevant technology and knowledge transfers.
Partisanship and Citizen Politics in East Asia
Authors: Chu Yun-han , Huang Min-hua
Published: March 2016

This article assesses the relative importance of partisanship in explaining level of citizens' political engagement within a multivariate framework. In particular, we examine if the relative worth of partisan attachment in explaining civic engagement differs systematically between East Asian emerging democracies and established democracies. We find that partisanship in East Asia exerts just as much influence on citizens' engagement in politics as in established democracies. The global trend in which interest associations and social movements are becoming vigorous competitors to parties for the opportunity to represent and mobilize citizens in democratic process has also spread to East Asia.
Ethnic Accommodation and Electoral Rules in Ethno-Geographically Segregated Societies: PR Outcomes Under FPTP in Myanmar Elections
Authors: Selway Joel
Published: March 2016

In this article I explore how the current first-past-the-post (FPTP) rules contributed to the failure of ethnic compromise during the democratic period (1948–1962) in Myanmar by encouraging extremist parties, hardening ethnic divisions, and causing political deadlock, ironically the same charges the centripetal school lays against proportional representation (PR). This puzzle of “PR outcomes” under FPTP is explained using geographic information systems techniques that map the country's 2010 electoral districts onto an ethnic population map. It shows that ethnic party success in the 2010 election closely follows the distribution of ethnic groups in Myanmar and that given the high level of ethno-geographic segregation in Myanmar the representation of ethnic parties would be similar under PR and the alternative vote to the current FPTP. I conclude by discussing Indonesia's electoral rules as a possible solution for Myanmar. The general theoretic contribution is that, although past scholars have generally argued that FPTP is bad for ethnically divided societies, their mechanisms are incorrect for ethno-geographically segregated societies.
Strategic Censorship in a Hybrid Authoritarian Regime? Differential Bias in Malaysia's Online and Print Media
Authors: Abbott Jason , Givens John Wagner
Published: March 2016

We analyze and compare three separate efforts to code bias in Malaysia's media and find strong empirical evidence of an ongoing and profound progovernment bias in coverage. We also find, however, significant variation in bias between different types of news outlets. While Malay and Anglophone sources tended to be strongly progovernment, Chinese-language and online outlets were far more impartial. We demonstrate that both the general bias and the variation in it are largely the result of two factors: (1) government censorship and (2) ownership structures that link many major outlets to the ruling coalition. These findings provide a detailed view of the struggle for media independence in a less-than-democratic regime and supply insight into media bias across both authoritarian and democratic regimes in Asia, as well as outside it.
Rejoinder: The Authors Respond to “Interpreting Ethnicity and Urbanization in Malaysia's 2013 General Election”
Authors: Jian Ng Jason Wei , Rangel Gary John , Vaithilingam Santha , Pillay Subramaniam S.
Published: March 2016

In this article we respond to Thomas Pepinsky's commentary on our article “2013 Malaysian Elections: Ethnic Politics or Urban Wave?” (both in this issue). We confirm that both ethnicity and urbanization play important roles in determining the incumbent ruling party's percentage vote share in the thirteenth general election. In doing so, we address the various econometric issues raised by Pepinsky and clearly explain the advantages of our econometric methodology vis-à-vis the OLS analysis espoused by Pepinsky. Our main results indicate that Barisan National's (BN) vote share from Bumiputera voters, regardless of urbanization levels of the parliamentary constituency, is below the 50 percent threshold. This result is surprisingly compensated by the more than 50 percent support for BN when Chinese voters are a small minority of the electorate. We also argue that Pepinsky's statement that Malay voters are predominantly rural voters is inaccurate and provide evidence to the contrary.
A Comparative Measure of Decentralization for Southeast Asia
Authors: Shair-Rosenfield Sarah , Marks Gary , Hooghe Liesbet
Published: March 2016

In this article we set out a fine-grained measure of the formal authority of intermediate subnational government for Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand that is designed to be a flexible tool in the hands of researchers and policymakers. It improves on prior measures by providing annual estimates across ten dimensions of regional authority; it disaggregates to the level of the individual region; and it examines individual regional tiers, asymmetric regions, and regions with special arrangements. We use the measure and its elements to summarize six decades of regional governance in Southeast Asia and conclude by noting how the Regional Authority index could further the dialogue between theory and empirics in the study of decentralization and democratization.
In uterobetamethasone affects 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and inhibin-α immunoexpression during testis development
Authors: Pedrana G. , Viotti H. , Lombide P. , Sanguinetti G. , Pino C. , Cavestany D. , Sloboda D. M. , Martin G. B.
Published: March 2016

Prenatal glucocorticoids, commonly used in women at risk of preterm delivery, can predispose the newborn to disease in later life. Since male reproductive function is likely to reflect testis development during fetal life, we studied the effects of prenatal glucocorticoids on two key intra-testicular factors that play roles in cellular proliferation and differentiation, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and inhibin-α. Pregnant sheep (n=42) were treated with betamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) or saline (control) at 104, 111 and 118 days of gestation (DG). Testicular tissue was sampled from fetuses at 121 and 132DG, and from lambs at 45 and 90 postnatal days (PD). Within the betamethasone treated group, 3β-HSD immunostaining area was greater at 121DG than at 90PD (P=0.04), but the intensity of immunostaining was higher at 90PD than at 121DG (P=0.04), 132DG (P=0.04) and 45PD (P=0.03). Control animals showed no changes in 3β-HSD area or intensity of immunostaining. No significant differences were observed between treated and control animals in immunostaining area, but immunostaining was more intense in the treated group than in the control group at 90PD (P=0.03). For inhibin-α, the proportion of immunostaining area declined in treated offspring from 121DG to 45PD, in contrast to control values, but recovered fully by 90PD, concomitantly with the onset of spermatogenesis. In conclusion, prenatal betamethasone increased the postnatal testicular expression of inhibin-α but reduced the expression of 3β-HSD. These effects could compromise androgen-mediated testicular development and therefore adult capacity for spermatogenesis.
Deubiquitylating enzyme USP9x regulates hippo pathway activity by controlling angiomotin protein turnover
Authors: Thanh Nguyen Hung , Andrejeva Diana , Gupta Rajat , Choudhary Chunaram , Hong Xin , Eichhorn Pieter J A , Loya Anand C , Cohen Stephen M
Published: March 2016

The Hippo pathway has been identified as a key barrier for tumorigenesis, acting through downregulation of YAP/TAZ activity. Elevated YAP/TAZ activity has been documented in many human cancers. Ubiquitylation has been shown to play a key role in regulating YAP/TAZ activity through downregulation of a number of Hippo pathway components. Several ubiquitin ligase complexes have been implicated in this process, however, little is known about the deubiquitylating enzymes that counteract these activities to regulate YAP/TAZ. Here we identify the deubiquitylating enzyme USP9x as a regulator of YAP/TAZ activity. We demonstrate that USPx regulates ubiquitin-mediated turnover of the YAP inhibitor, Angiomotin. USP9x acts to deubiquitylate Angiomotin at lysine 496, resulting in stabilization of Angiomotin and lower YAP/TAZ activity. USP9x mRNA levels were reduced in several cancers. Clinically, USP9x mRNA levels were reduced in several cancers with low USPx expression correlating with poor prognosis in renal clear cell carcinoma. Our data indicate that USP9x may be a useful biomarker for renal clear cell carcinoma.
Interplanar coupling-dependent magnetoresistivity in high-purity layered metals
Authors: Kikugawa N. , Goswami P. , Kiswandhi A. , Choi E. S. , Graf D. , Baumbach R. E. , Brooks J. S. , Sugii K. , Iida Y. , Nishio M. , Uji S. , Terashima T. , Rourke P.M.C. , Hussey N. E. , Takatsu H. , Yonezawa S. , Maeno Y. , Balicas L.
Published: March 2016

The magnetic field-induced changes in the conductivity of metals are the subject of intense interest, both for revealing new phenomena and as a valuable tool for determining their Fermi surface. Here we report a hitherto unobserved magnetoresistive effect in ultra-clean layered metals, namely a negative longitudinal magnetoresistance that is capable of overcoming their very pronounced orbital one. This effect is correlated with the interlayer coupling disappearing for fields applied along the so-called Yamaji angles where the interlayer coupling vanishes. Therefore, it is intrinsically associated with the Fermi points in the field-induced quasi-one-dimensional electronic dispersion, implying that it results from the axial anomaly among these Fermi points. In its original formulation, the anomaly is predicted to violate separate number conservation laws for left- and right-handed chiral (for example, Weyl) fermions. Its observation in PdCoO2, PtCoO2 and Sr2RuO4 suggests that the anomaly affects the transport of clean conductors, in particular near the quantum limit.
Unpredictable environments lead to the evolution of parental neglect in birds
Authors: Caro Shana M. , Griffin Ashleigh S. , Hinde Camilla A. , West Stuart A.
Published: March 2016

A nest of begging chicks invites an intuitive explanation: needy chicks want to be fed and parents want to feed them. Surprisingly, however, in a quarter of species studied, parents ignore begging chicks. Furthermore, parents in some species even neglect smaller chicks that beg more, and preferentially feed the biggest chicks that beg less. This extreme variation across species, which contradicts predictions from theory, represents a major outstanding problem for the study of animal signalling. We analyse parent–offspring communication across 143 bird species, and show that this variation correlates with ecological differences. In predictable and good environments, chicks in worse condition beg more, and parents preferentially feed those chicks. In unpredictable and poor environments, parents pay less attention to begging, and instead rely on size cues or structural signals of quality. Overall, these results show how ecological variation can lead to different signalling systems being evolutionarily stable in different species.
Additive opportunistic capture explains group hunting benefits in African wild dogs
Authors: Hubel Tatjana Y. , Myatt Julia P. , Jordan Neil R. , Dewhirst Oliver P. , McNutt J. Weldon , Wilson Alan M.
Published: March 2016

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are described as highly collaborative endurance pursuit hunters based on observations derived primarily from the grass plains of East Africa. However, the remaining population of this endangered species mainly occupies mixed woodland savannah where hunting strategies appear to differ from those previously described. We used high-resolution GPS and inertial technology to record fine-scale movement of all members of a single pack of six adult African wild dogs in northern Botswana. The dogs used multiple short-distance hunting attempts with a low individual kill rate (15.5%), but high group feeding rate due to the sharing of prey. Use of high-level cooperative chase strategies (coordination and collaboration) was not recorded. In the mixed woodland habitats typical of their current range, simultaneous, opportunistic, short-distance chasing by dogs pursuing multiple prey (rather than long collaborative pursuits of single prey by multiple individuals) could be the key to their relative success in these habitats.
Energy cost and return for hunting in African wild dogs and cheetahs
Authors: Hubel Tatjana Y. , Myatt Julia P. , Jordan Neil R. , Dewhirst Oliver P. , McNutt J. Weldon , Wilson Alan M.
Published: March 2016

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are reported to hunt with energetically costly long chase distances. We used high-resolution GPS and inertial technology to record 1,119 high-speed chases of all members of a pack of six adult African wild dogs in northern Botswana. Dogs performed multiple short, high-speed, mostly unsuccessful chases to capture prey, while cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) undertook even shorter, higher-speed hunts. We used an energy balance model to show that the energy return from group hunting and feeding substantially outweighs the cost of multiple short chases, which indicates that African wild dogs are more energetically robust than previously believed. Comparison with cheetah illustrates the trade-off between sheer athleticism and high individual kill rate characteristic of cheetahs, and the energetic robustness of frequent opportunistic group hunting and feeding by African wild dogs.
Defects in TRPM7 channel function deregulate thrombopoiesis through altered cellular Mg2+ homeostasis and cytoskeletal architecture
Authors: Stritt Simon , Nurden Paquita , Favier Remi , Favier Marie , Ferioli Silvia , Gotru Sanjeev K. , van Eeuwijk Judith M M. , Schulze Harald , Nurden Alan T. , Lambert Michele P. , Turro Ernest , Burger-Stritt Stephanie , Matsushita Masayuki , Mittermeier Lorenz , Ballerini Paola , Zierler Susanna , Laffan Michael A. , Chubanov Vladimir , Gudermann Thomas , Nieswandt Bernhard , Braun Attila
Published: March 2016

Mg2+ plays a vital role in platelet function, but despite implications for life-threatening conditions such as stroke or myocardial infarction, the mechanisms controlling [Mg2+]i in megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets are largely unknown. Transient receptor potential melastatin-like 7 channel (TRPM7) is a ubiquitous, constitutively active cation channel with a cytosolic α-kinase domain that is critical for embryonic development and cell survival. Here we report that impaired channel function of TRPM7 in MKs causes macrothrombocytopenia in mice (Trpm7fl/fl-Pf4Cre) and likely in several members of a human pedigree that, in addition, suffer from atrial fibrillation. The defect in platelet biogenesis is mainly caused by cytoskeletal alterations resulting in impaired proplatelet formation by Trpm7fl/fl-Pf4Cre MKs, which is rescued by Mg2+ supplementation or chemical inhibition of non-muscle myosin IIA heavy chain activity. Collectively, our findings reveal that TRPM7 dysfunction may cause macrothrombocytopenia in humans and mice.
Structure of the full-length TRPV2 channel by cryo-EM
Authors: Huynh Kevin W. , Cohen Matthew R. , Jiang Jiansen , Samanta Amrita , Lodowski David T. , Zhou Z. Hong , Moiseenkova-Bell Vera Y.
Published: March 2016

Transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins form a superfamily Ca2+-permeable cation channels regulated by a range of chemical and physical stimuli. Structural analysis of a ‘minimal’ TRP vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) elucidated a mechanism of channel activation by agonists through changes in its outer pore region. Though homologous to TRPV1, other TRPV channels (TRPV2–6) are insensitive to TRPV1 activators including heat and vanilloids. To further understand the structural basis of TRPV channel function, we determined the structure of full-length TRPV2 at ∼5 Å resolution by cryo-electron microscopy. Like TRPV1, TRPV2 contains two constrictions, one each in the pore-forming upper and lower gates. The agonist-free full-length TRPV2 has wider upper and lower gates compared with closed and agonist-activated TRPV1. We propose these newly revealed TRPV2 structural features contribute to diversity of TRPV channels.
Positioning of centrioles is a conserved readout of Frizzled planar cell polarity signalling
Authors: Carvajal-Gonzalez Jose Maria , Roman Angel-Carlos , Mlodzik Marek
Published: March 2016

Planar cell polarity (PCP) signalling is a well-conserved developmental pathway regulating cellular orientation during development. An evolutionarily conserved pathway readout is not established and, moreover, it is thought that PCP mediated cellular responses are tissue-specific. A key PCP function in vertebrates is to regulate coordinated centriole/cilia positioning, a function that has not been associated with PCP in Drosophila. Here we report instructive input of Frizzled-PCP (Fz/PCP) signalling into polarized centriole positioning in Drosophila wings. We show that centrioles are polarized in pupal wing cells as a readout of PCP signalling, with both gain and loss-of-function Fz/PCP signalling affecting centriole polarization. Importantly, loss or gain of centrioles does not affect Fz/PCP establishment, implicating centriolar positioning as a conserved PCP-readout, likely downstream of PCP-regulated actin polymerization. Together with vertebrate data, these results suggest a unifying model of centriole/cilia positioning as a common downstream effect of PCP signalling from flies to mammals.
Correction: Corrigendum: CCR7-dependent trafficking of RORγ+ ILCs creates a unique microenvironment within mucosal draining lymph nodes
Authors: Mackley Emma C. , Houston Stephanie , Marriott Clare L. , Halford Emily E. , Lucas Beth , Cerovic Vuk , Filbey Kara J. , Maizels Rick M. , Hepworth Matthew R. , Sonnenberg Gregory F. , Milling Simon , Withers David R.
Published: March 2016

Nature Communications 6: Article number:5862 (2015); Published: 9 January 2015; Updated: 29 March 2016 Previous work by Tomura et al. reporting the generation and use of Kaede transgenic mice was inadvertently omitted from the reference list of this article and should have been cited at instances where these mice are referred to.
Dental MRI using wireless intraoral coils
Authors: Ludwig Ute , Eisenbeiss Anne-Katrin , Scheifele Christian , Nelson Katja , Bock Michael , Hennig Jürgen , von Elverfeldt Dominik , Herdt Olga , Flügge Tabea , Hövener Jan-Bernd
Published: March 2016

Currently, the gold standard for dental imaging is projection radiography or cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). These methods are fast and cost-efficient, but exhibit poor soft tissue contrast and expose the patient to ionizing radiation (X-rays). The need for an alternative imaging modality e.g. for soft tissue management has stimulated a rising interest in dental magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which provides superior soft tissue contrast. Compared to X-ray imaging, however, so far the spatial resolution of MRI is lower and the scan time is longer. In this contribution, we describe wireless, inductively-coupled intraoral coils whose local sensitivity enables high resolution MRI of dental soft tissue. In comparison to CBCT, a similar image quality with complementary contrast was obtained ex vivo. In-vivo, a voxel size of the order of 250∙250∙500 μm3 was achieved in 4 min only. Compared to dental MRI acquired with clinical equipment, the quality of the images was superior in the sensitive volume of the coils and is expected to improve the planning of interventions and monitoring thereafter. This method may enable a more accurate dental diagnosis and avoid unnecessary interventions, improving patient welfare and bringing MRI a step closer to becoming a radiation-free alternative for dental imaging.
Transcriptome profile of the early stages of breast cancer tumoral spheroids
Authors: Pacheco-Marín Rosario , Melendez-Zajgla Jorge , Castillo-Rojas Gonzalo , Mandujano-Tinoco Edna , Garcia-Venzor Alfredo , Uribe-Carvajal Salvador , Cabrera-Orefice Alfredo , Gonzalez-Torres Carolina , Gaytan-Cervantes Javier , Mitre-Aguilar Irma B. , Maldonado Vilma
Published: March 2016

Oxygen or nutrient deprivation of early stage tumoral spheroids can be used to reliably mimic the initial growth of primary and metastatic cancer cells. However, cancer cell growth during the initial stages has not been fully explored using a genome-wide approach. Thus, in the present study, we investigated the transcriptome of breast cancer cells during the initial stages of tumoral growth using RNAseq in a model of Multicellular Tumor Spheroids (MTS). Network analyses showed that a metastatic signature was enriched as several adhesion molecules were deregulated, including EPCAM, E-cadherin, integrins and syndecans, which were further supported by an increase in cell migration. Interestingly, we also found that the cancer cells at this stage of growth exhibited a paradoxical hyperactivation of oxidative mitochondrial metabolism. In addition, we found a large number of regulated (long non coding RNA) lncRNAs, several of which were co-regulated with neighboring genes. The regulatory role of some of these lncRNAs on mRNA expression was demonstrated with gain of function assays. This is the first report of an early-stage MTS transcriptome, which not only reveals a complex expression landscape, but points toward an important contribution of long non-coding RNAs in the final phenotype of three-dimensional cellular models.
The sympathy of two pendulum clocks: beyond Huygens’ observations
Authors: Peña Ramirez Jonatan , Olvera Luis Alberto , Nijmeijer Henk , Alvarez Joaquin
Published: March 2016

This paper introduces a modern version of the classical Huygens’ experiment on synchronization of pendulum clocks. The version presented here consists of two monumental pendulum clocks—ad hoc designed and fabricated—which are coupled through a wooden structure. It is demonstrated that the coupled clocks exhibit ‘sympathetic’ motion, i.e. the pendula of the clocks oscillate in consonance and in the same direction. Interestingly, when the clocks are synchronized, the common oscillation frequency decreases, i.e. the clocks become slow and inaccurate. In order to rigorously explain these findings, a mathematical model for the coupled clocks is obtained by using well-established physical and mechanical laws and likewise, a theoretical analysis is conducted. Ultimately, the sympathy of two monumental pendulum clocks, interacting via a flexible coupling structure, is experimentally, numerically and analytically demonstrated.
Active control on high-order coherence and statistic characterization on random phase fluctuation of two classical point sources
Authors: Hong Peilong , Li Liming , Liu Jianji , Zhang Guoquan
Published: March 2016

Young’s double-slit or two-beam interference is of fundamental importance to understand various interference effects, in which the stationary phase difference between two beams plays the key role in the first-order coherence. Different from the case of first-order coherence, in the high-order optical coherence the statistic behavior of the optical phase will play the key role. In this article, by employing a fundamental interfering configuration with two classical point sources, we showed that the high- order optical coherence between two classical point sources can be actively designed by controlling the statistic behavior of the relative phase difference between two point sources. Synchronous positionNth-order subwavelength interference with an effective wavelength ofλ/Mwas demonstrated, in whichλis the wavelength of point sources andMis an integer not larger thanN. Interestingly, we found that the synchronous positionNth-order interference fringe fingerprints the statistic trace of random phase fluctuation of two classical point sources, therefore, it provides an effective way to characterize the statistic properties of phase fluctuation for incoherent light sources.
CO2-breathing and piercing polymersomes as tunable and reversible nanocarriers
Authors: Feng Anchao , Liang Jiamei , Ji Jinzhao , Dou Jinbo , Wang Shanfeng , Yuan Jinying
Published: March 2016

Despite numerous studies on utilizing polymeric vesicles as nanocapsules, fabrication of tunable molecular pathways on transportable vesicle walls remains challenging. Traditional methods for building penetrated channels on vesicular membrane surface often involve regulating the solvent polarity or photo-cross-linking. Herein, we developed a neat, green approach of stimulation by using CO2 gas as “molecular drill” to pierce macroporous structures on the membrane of polymersomes. By simply introducing CO2/N2 gases into the aqueous solution of self-assemblies without accumulating any byproducts, we observed two processes of polymeric shape transformation: “gas breathing” and “gas piercing.” Moreover, the pathways in terms of dimension and time were found to be adjustable simply by controlling the CO2 stimulation level for different functional encapsulated molecules in accumulation, transport, and releasing. CO2-breathing and piercing of polymersomes offers a promising functionality to tune nanocapsules for encapsulating and releasing fluorescent dyes and bioactive molecules in living systems and also a unique platform to mimic the structural formation of nucleus pore complex and the breathing process in human beings and animals.
Divergent roles of autistic and alexithymic traits in utilitarian moral judgments in adults with autism
Authors: Patil Indrajeet , Melsbach Jens , Hennig-Fast Kristina , Silani Giorgia
Published: March 2016

This study investigated hypothetical moral choices in adults with high-functioning autism and the role of empathy and alexithymia in such choices. We used a highly emotionally salient moral dilemma task to investigate autistics’ hypothetical moral evaluations about personally carrying out harmful utilitarian behaviours aimed at maximizing welfare. Results showed that they exhibited a normal pattern of moral judgments despite the deficits in social cognition and emotional processing. Further analyses revealed that this was due to mutually conflicting biases associated with autistic and alexithymic traits after accounting for shared variance: (a) autistic traits were associated withreducedutilitarian bias due to elevated personal distress of demanding social situations, while (b) alexithymic traits were associated withincreasedutilitarian bias on account of reduced empathic concern for the victim. Additionally, autistics relied on their non-verbal reasoning skills to rigidly abide by harm-norms. Thus, utilitarian moral judgments in autism were spared due to opposite influences of autistic and alexithymic traits and compensatory intellectual strategies. These findings demonstrate the importance of empathy and alexithymia in autistic moral cognition and have methodological implications for studying moral judgments in several other clinical populations.
Ti3+-self doped brookite TiO2 single-crystalline nanosheets with high solar absorption and excellent photocatalytic CO2 reduction
Authors: Xin Xiaoye , Xu Tao , Wang Lan , Wang Chuanyi
Published: March 2016

Black brookite TiO2 single-crystalline nanosheets with outstanding photocatalytic activity toward CO2 reduction is prepared by a facile oxidation-based hydrothermal reaction method combined with post-annealing treatment. Large amount of Ti3+ defects are introduced into the bulk of brookite nanoparticles, which increases the solar energy absorption and enhances the photocatalytic activity.
Dual mechanisms regulating glutamate decarboxylases and accumulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid in tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves exposed to multiple stresses
Authors: Mei Xin , Chen Yiyong , Zhang Lingyun , Fu Xiumin , Wei Qing , Grierson Don , Zhou Ying , Huang Yahui , Dong Fang , Yang Ziyin
Published: March 2016

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is one of the major inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. It has multiple positive effects on mammalian physiology and is an important bioactive component of tea (Camellia sinensis). GABA generally occurs at a very low level in plants but GABA content increases substantially after exposure to a range of stresses, especially oxygen-deficiency. During processing of tea leaves, a combination of anoxic stress and mechanical damage are essential for the high accumulation of GABA. This is believed to be initiated by a change in glutamate decarboxylase activity, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In the present study we characterized factors regulating the expression and activity of three teaglutamate decarboxylasegenes (CsGAD1, 2and3) and their encoded enzymes. The results suggests that, unlike the model plantArabidopsis thaliana,there are dual mechanisms regulating the accumulation of GABA in tea leaves exposed to multiple stresses, including activation of CsGAD1 enzymatic activity by calmodulin upon the onset of the stress and accumulation of high levels ofCsGAD2mRNA induced by a combination of anoxic stress and mechanical damage.
S100A9 and ORM1 serve as predictors of therapeutic response and prognostic factors in advanced extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma patients treated with pegaspargase/gemcitabine
Authors: Zhou Zhiyuan , Li Zhaoming , Sun Zhenchang , Zhang Xudong , Lu Lisha , Wang Yingjun , Zhang Mingzhi
Published: March 2016

Pegaspargase combined with gemcitabine have greatly improved the outcomes of advanced extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKL). However, patients frequently undergo recurrent disease due to chemoresistance, and few predictive parameters are available. The present study explored potential biomarkers to predict the therapeutic response of advanced ENKL treated with pegaspargase/gemcitabine and evaluate the prognostic significance. Through serum proteomic analysis, we identified 61 upregulated and 22 downregulated proteins in nonresponders compared with responders. We further validated that patients with unfavourable treatment outcomes displayed higher levels of S100A9 and ORM1 via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity for detecting refractory patients were 81.5% and 71.4% for S100A9 > 62.0 ng/ml, 85.2% and 77.1% for ORM1 > 1436 ug/ml, 100% and 57.1% for S100A9 combined with ORM1. Furthermore, in multivariate analysis elevated levels of S100A9 were associated with poor 2-year OS (40.2% vs. 76.6%, RR = 2.92, p = 0.005) and 2-year PFS (33.1% vs. 61.1%, RR = 2.61 p = 0.011). High ORM1 also predicted inferior 2-year OS (38.7% vs.76.1, RR = 2.46, p = 0.023) and 2-year PFS (18.4% vs. 73.2%, RR = 2.86, p = 0.009). Our results indicated that S100A9 and ORM1 could serve as reliable predictors of therapeutic response and independent prognostic factors of survival in advanced ENKL patients treated with pegaspargase/gemcitabine.
Exogenous nutrients and carbon resource change the responses of soil organic matter decomposition and nitrogen immobilization to nitrogen deposition
Authors: He Ping , Wan Song-Ze , Fang Xiang-Min , Wang Fang-Chao , Chen Fu-Sheng
Published: March 2016

It is unclear whether exogenous nutrients and carbon (C) additions alter substrate immobilization to deposited nitrogen (N) during decomposition. In this study, we used laboratory microcosm experiments and15N isotope tracer techniques with five different treatments including N addition, N+non-N nutrients addition, N+C addition, N+non-N nutrients+C addition and control, to investigate the coupling effects of non-N nutrients, C addition and N deposition on forest floor decomposition in subtropical China. The results indicated that N deposition inhibited soil organic matter and litter decomposition by 66% and 38%, respectively. Soil immobilized15N following N addition was lowest among treatments. Litter15N immobilized following N addition was significantly higher and lower than that of combined treatments during the early and late decomposition stage, respectively. Both soil and litter extractable mineral N were lower in combined treatments than in N addition treatment. Since soil N immobilization and litter N release were respectively enhanced and inhibited with elevated non-N nutrient and C resources, it can be speculated that the N leaching due to N deposition decreases with increasing nutrient and C resources. This study should advance our understanding of how forests responds the elevated N deposition.
Rivaroxaban for thromboprophylaxis after total hip or knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Ning Guang-Zhi , Kan Shun-Li , Chen Ling-Xiao , Shangguan Lei , Feng Shi-Qing , Zhou Yue
Published: March 2016

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the most widespread severe complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We conducted this meta-analysis to further validate the benefits and harms of rivaroxaban use for thromboprophylaxis after THA or TKA. We thoroughly searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was applied to test the robustness of our findings and to obtain a more conservative estimation. Of 316 articles screened, nine studies were included. Compared with enoxaparin, rivaroxaban significantly reduced symptomatic VTE (P = 0.0001) and symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT; P = 0.0001) but not symptomatic pulmonary embolism (P = 0.57). Furthermore, rivaroxaban was not associated with an increase in all-cause mortality, clinically relevant non-major bleeding and postoperative wound infection. However, the findings were accompanied by an increase in major bleeding (P = 0.02). The TSA demonstrated that the cumulative z-curve crossed the traditional boundary but not the trial sequential monitoring boundary and did not reach the required information size for major bleeding. Rivaroxaban was more beneficial than enoxaparin for preventing symptomatic DVT but increased the risk of major bleeding. According to the TSA results, more evidence is needed to verify the risk of major bleeding with rivaroxaban.
Highly-Sensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)-based Chemical Sensor using 3D Graphene Foam Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles as SERS substrate
Authors: Srichan Chavis , Ekpanyapong Mongkol , Horprathum Mati , Eiamchai Pitak , Nuntawong Noppadon , Phokharatkul Ditsayut , Danvirutai Pobporn , Bohez Erik , Wisitsoraat Anurat , Tuantranont Adisorn
Published: March 2016

In this work, a novel platform for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based chemical sensors utilizing three-dimensional microporous graphene foam (GF) decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is developed and applied for methylene blue (MB) detection. The results demonstrate that silver nanoparticles significantly enhance cascaded amplification of SERS effect on multilayer graphene foam (GF). The enhancement factor of AgNPs/GF sensor is found to be four orders of magnitude larger than that of AgNPs/Si substrate. In addition, the sensitivity of the sensor could be tuned by controlling the size of silver nanoparticles. The highest SERS enhancement factor of ∼5 × 104 is achieved at the optimal nanoparticle size of 50 nm. Moreover, the sensor is capable of detecting MB over broad concentration ranges from 1 nM to 100 μM. Therefore, AgNPs/GF is a highly promising SERS substrate for detection of chemical substances with ultra-low concentrations.
A cuckoo-like parasitic moth leads African weaver ant colonies to their ruin
Authors: Dejean Alain , Orivel Jérôme , Azémar Frédéric , Hérault Bruno , Corbara Bruno
Published: March 2016

In myrmecophilous Lepidoptera, mostly lycaenids and riodinids, caterpillars trick ants into transporting them to the ant nest where they feed on the brood or, in the more derived “cuckoo strategy”, trigger regurgitations (trophallaxis) from the ants and obtain trophic eggs. We show for the first time that the caterpillars of a moth (Eublemma albifascia; Noctuidae; Acontiinae) also use this strategy to obtain regurgitations and trophic eggs from ants (Oecophylla longinoda). Females short-circuit the adoption process by laying eggs directly on the ant nests, and workers carry just-hatched caterpillars inside. Parasitized colonies sheltered 44 to 359 caterpillars, each receiving more trophallaxis and trophic eggs than control queens. The thus-starved queens lose weight, stop laying eggs (which transport the pheromones that induce infertility in the workers) and die. Consequently, the workers lay male-destined eggs before and after the queen’s death, allowing the colony to invest its remaining resources in male production before it vanishes.
Significance of alpha smooth muscle actin expression in traumatic painful neuromas: a pilot study in rats
Authors: Weng Weidong , Zhao Bin , Lin Dingshen , Gao Weiyang , Li Zhijie , Yan Hede
Published: March 2016

Treatment of painful neuromas remains a challenge and the mechanism of neuroma-associated pain is not yet fully understood. In this study, we aimed to observe the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in traumatic neuromas and to investigate its possible roles in the cause of neuropathic pain in a rat model. The rat sciatic nerve was used and the experiment was divided into two parts. In part I, our results showed significantly higher levels of α-SMA and the pain marker c-fos in the autotomy group than in the no-autotomy group. In part II, the expression of α-SMA in neuromas was down- and up-regulated using SB-431542 and GW9662, respectively. A significant correlation between autotomy scores and the expression level of α-SMA was found (R = 0.957; p < 0.001) and the expression level of α-SMA was positively related to the autotomy scores (R2 = 0.915, p < 0.001). We concluded that the expression of α-SMA plays certain roles in the neuroma-associated pain, either as a direct cause of pain or as an indirect marker of existence of local mechanical stimuli. Our findings may provide new insights into the development of new treatment modalities for the management of intractable painful neuromas.
Distribution of Axial Length before Cataract Surgery in Chinese Pediatric Patients
Authors: Lin Haotian , Lin Duoru , Chen Jingjing , Luo Lixia , Lin Zhuoling , Wu Xiaohang , Long Erping , Zhang Li , Chen Hui , Chen Wan , Zhang Bo , Liu Jinchao , Li Xiaoyan , Chen Weirong , Liu Yizhi
Published: March 2016

Axial length (AL) is a significant indicator of eyeball development, but reports on the overall status of axial development in congenital cataract (CC) patients and its relationship with patient demographics, such as age, sex, and laterality, are rare. We prospectively investigated the AL of 1,586 patients ≤18 years old and undergoing cataract surgery in China from January 2005 to December 2014. Of these 3,172 eyes, a logarithmic correlation between AL and age in CC patients was calculated, and an age of approximately 2 years was found to be a turning point in the growth rate of AL. A considerable variation was observed in CC patients of the same age. Furthermore, 2–6 years old boys had longer AL than girls. The AL of affected eye in unilateral patients was longer than that of the contralateral eye in 2–6 years age group and longer than that of eye in bilateral CC patients in all age groups. These findings indicate that the development of the length of eyeballs in CC patients is influenced by multiple factors in addition to age. A full understanding of the distribution of AL may provide a useful reference for judging the timing of surgery in CC patients.
Deletion of JMJD2B in neurons leads to defective spine maturation, hyperactive behavior and memory deficits in mouse
Authors: Fujiwara K , Fujita Y , Kasai A , Onaka Y , Hashimoto H , Okada H , Yamashita T
Published: March 2016

JMJD2B is a histone demethylase enzyme that regulates gene expression through demethylation of H3K9me3. Although mutations of JMJD2B have been suggested to be responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders, the function of JMJD2B in the central nervous system (CNS) remains to be elucidated. Here we show that JMJD2B has a critical role in the development of the CNS. We observed JMJD2B expression, which was especially strong in the hippocampus, throughout the CNS from embryonic periods through adulthood. We generated neuron-specific JMJD2B-deficient mice using the cre-loxP system. We found an increase in total spine number, but a decrease in mature spines, in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. JMJD2B-deficient mice exhibited hyperactive behavior, sustained hyperactivity in a novel environment, deficits in working memory and spontaneous epileptic-like seizures. Together these observations indicate that JMJD2B mutant mice display symptoms reminiscent of neurodevelopmental disorders. Our findings provide evidence for the involvement of histone demethylation in the formation of functional neural networks during development.
Highly efficient and sensitive screening of ractopamine in foodstuffs by HPLC-FLD using fluorescent labeling and ultrasonic-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction
Authors: Zhao Mei , Li Guoliang , Qiu Nannan , Chen Guang , Xia Lian , You Jinmao , Wu Yongning
Published: March 2016

A new analytical method for ractopamine (RAC) screening in foodstuffs was established based on fluorescent labeling coupled with ultrasonic-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME).
A sensitive and efficient method for the determination of 8 chlorophenoxy acid herbicides in crops by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and HPLC with fluorescence detection and identification by MS
Authors: Liu Lijie , Xia Lian , Guo Caiyun , Wu Chuanxiang , Chen Guang , Li Guoliang , Sun Zhiwei , You Jinmao
Published: March 2016

A simple sample pretreatment method of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) was developed for fast and efficient extraction of 8 chlorophenoxy acid herbicides.
Defect induced ferromagnetic interaction in nanostructured nickel oxide with core–shell magnetic structure: the role of Ni2+ and O2− vacancies
Authors: Madhu G. , Maniammal K. , Biju V.
Published: March 2016

O2− vacancies act as donor impurities and mediate ferromagnetic interaction between spins associated with uncompensated and partially compensated Ni2+ vacancies.
Amino acid-derived N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes for aqueous phase Suzuki–Miyaura couplings
Authors: Steeples Elliot , Kelling Alexandra , Schilde Uwe , Esposito Davide
Published: March 2016

Five palladium complexes featuring N-heterocyclic carbene ligands derived from sustainable precursors have been synthesized and applied in aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura couplings.
Carbene-mediated self-assembly of diamondoids on metal surfaces
Authors: Adhikari Bibek , Meng Sheng , Fyta Maria
Published: March 2016

Self-assembled diamondoid monolayers on metal surfaces are strongly adsorbed through N-heterocyclic carbene molecules. The selective tuning of the work function and the charge transfer in these materials make them ideal candidates in electronics applications.