bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering evolutionary dynamics of SWEET genes in diverse plant lineages
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Si Weina , Qin QianQian , Wu Hao , Jiang Haiyang
Published: September 2018

SWEET/MtN3/saliva genes are prevalent in cellular organisms and play diverse roles in plants. These genes are widely considered as evolutionarily conserved genes, which is inconsistent with their extensive expansion and functional diversity. In this study, SWEET genes were identified from 31 representative plant species, and exhibited remarkable expansion and diversification ranging from aquatic to land plants. Duplication detection indicated that the sharp increase in the number of SWEET genes in higher plants was largely due to tandem and segmental duplication, under purifying selection. In addition, phylogeny reconstruction of SWEET genes was performed using the maximum-likelihood (ML) method; the genes were grouped into four clades, and further classified into 10 monocot and 11 dicot subfamilies. Furthermore, selection pressure of SWEET genes in different subfamilies was investigated via different strategies (classical and Bayesian maximum likelihood (Datamonkey/PAML)). The average dN/dS for each group were lower than one, indicating purifying selection. Individual positive selection sites were detected within 4 of the 21 sub-families by both two methods, including two monocot subfamilies in Clade III, harboring five rice SWEET homologs characterized to confer resistance to rice bacterial blight disease. Finally, we traced evolutionary fate of SWEET genes in clade III for functional characterization in future.
Comparative transcriptome analysis to identify putative genes involved in thymol biosynthesis pathway in medicinal plant Trachyspermum ammi L.
Authors: Soltani Howyzeh Mehdi , Sadat Noori Seyed Ahmad , Shariati J. Vahid , Amiripour Mahboubeh
Published: September 2018

Thymol, as a dietary monoterpene, is a phenol derivative of cymene, which is the major component of the essential oil of Trachyspermum ammi (L.). It shows multiple biological activities: antifungal, antibacterial, antivirus and anti-inflammatory. T. ammi, commonly known as ajowan, belongs to Apiaceae and is an important medicinal seed spice. To identify the putative genes involved in thymol and other monoterpene biosynthesis, we provided transcriptomes of four inflorescence tissues of two ajowan ecotypes, containing different thymol yield. This study has detected the genes encoding enzymes for the go-between stages of the terpenoid biosynthesis pathways. A large number of unigenes, differentially expressed between four inflorescence tissues of two ajowan ecotypes, was revealed by a transcriptome analysis. Furthermore, differentially expressed unigenes encoding dehydrogenases, transcription factors, and cytochrome P450s, which might be associated with terpenoid diversity in T. ammi, were identified. The sequencing data obtained in this study formed a valuable repository of genetic information for an understanding of the formation of the main constituents of ajowan essential oil and functional analysis of thymol-specific genes. Comparative transcriptome analysis led to the development of new resources for a functional breeding of ajowan.
Green, fast, and large-scale synthesis of highly fluorescent Au nanoclusters for Cu2+ detection and temperature sensing
Authors: Jia Yunxiao , Sun Tianxia , Jiang Yingnan , Sun Weiyi , Zhao Yu , Xin Jingwei , Hou Yiting , Yang Wensheng
Published: September 2018

A rapid sonochemical route is used for green, fast, and large-scale synthesis of highly fluorescent Au nanoclusters for Cu2+ and temperature sensing.
Catalytic regeneration of a Th–H bond from a Th–O bond through a mild and chemoselective carbonyl hydroboration
Authors: Ghatak Tapas , Makarov Konstantin , Fridman Natalia , Eisen Moris S.
Published: September 2018

Organoactinide-mediated chemoselective hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones. The catalytic regeneration of a Th–H bond from a Th–OR bond was achieved via hydroboration with HBpin.
Elemental tellurium mediated synthesis of 2-(trifluoromethyl)oxazoles using trifluoroacetic anhydride as reagent
Authors: Luo Beibei , Weng Zhiqiang
Published: September 2018

An elemental tellurium mediated synthesis of 2-(trifluoromethyl)oxazoles from the reaction of acetophenone oxime acetates with trifluoroacetic anhydride is described.
Investigating the crystal engineering of the pillared paddlewheel metal–organic framework Zn2(NH2BDC)2DABCO
Authors: McGrath D. T. , Downing V. A. , Katz M. J.
Published: September 2018

We examined the characterization data for Zn2(NH2BDC)2DABCO to gain mechanistic insight into the crystal engineering of pillared paddlewheel MOFs.
Switchable dielectric phase transition behaviors in two organic–inorganic copper(ii) halides with distinct coordination geometries
Authors: Mei Ying-Xuan , Hua Xiu-Ni , Gao Ji-Xing , Liao Wei-Qiang
Published: September 2018

Two organic–inorganic copper(ii) halides with distinct coordination geometries show noteworthy switchable dielectric phase transition behaviors.
Lithium permeation within lithium niobate multilayers with ultrathin chromium, silicon and carbon spacer layers
Authors: Hüger Erwin , Dörrer Lars , Yimnirun Rattikorn , Jutimoosik Jaru , Stahn Jochen , Paul Amitesh
Published: September 2018

Physico-chemical characterization and Li permeation experiments performed on conserved multilayer networks of LiNbO3 with Cr, Si and C spacer layers.
Rotational and translational diffusion of size-dependent fluorescent probes in homogeneous and heterogeneous environments
Authors: Lee Hong Bok , Cong Anh , Leopold Hannah , Currie Megan , Boersma Arnold J. , Sheets Erin D. , Heikal Ahmed A.
Published: September 2018

Macromolecular crowding effects on diffusion depend on the fluorophore structure, the concentration of crowding agents, and the technique employed.
Acridine-decorated cyclometallated gold(iii) complexes: synthesis and anti-tumour investigations
Authors: Williams Morwen R. M. , Bertrand Benoît , Fernandez-Cestau Julio , Waller Zoë A. E. , O'Connell Maria A. , Searcey Mark , Bochmann Manfred
Published: September 2018

(C^N) and (C^N^C) cyclometalated Au(iii) represent a highly promising class of potential anticancer agents.
Investigations of organic–inorganic hybrids based on homopiperidinium cation with haloantimonates(iii) and halobismuthates(iii). Crystal structures, reversible phase transitions, semiconducting and molecular dynamic properties
Authors: Moskwa Marcin , Bator Grażyna , Rok Magdalena , Medycki Wojciech , Miniewicz Andrzej , Jakubas Ryszard
Published: September 2018

A description of the thermal, structural, 1H NMR, electric and optical properties of novel organic–inorganic hybrids.
Spectroscopic elucidation of ionic motion processes in tunnel oxide-based memristive devices
Authors: Baeumer Christoph , Heisig Thomas , Arndt Benedikt , Skaja Katharina , Borgatti Francesco , Offi Francesco , Motti Federico , Panaccione Giancarlo , Waser Rainer , Menzel Stephan , Dittmann Regina
Published: September 2018

Operando photoelectron spectroscopy of memristive devices indicates a reversible shift of oxygen during biasing which proceeds even after device breakdown.
Morphology-controlled synthesis and enhanced energy product (BH)max of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Kumar Yogendra , Sharma Alfa , Ahmed Md. A. , Mali Sawanta S. , Hong Chang Kook , Shirage Parasharam M.
Published: September 2018

The (BH)max value of 2.41 MGOe at room temperature confirmed the capabilities of CoFe2O4 NPs in permanent magnets for current technological applications.
Jahn–Teller distortion in 2-pyridyl-(1,2,3)-triazole-containing copper(ii) compounds
Authors: Conradie J. , Conradie M. M. , Tawfiq K. M. , Coles S. J. , Tizzard G. J. , Wilson C. , Potgieter J. H.
Published: September 2018

Octahedral copper(ii) compounds, containing two 2-pyridyl-(1,2,3)-triazole ligands as well as two Cl ions, exhibit elongation Jahn–Teller distortion.
Impact of nanoparticles on amyloid peptide and protein aggregation: a review with a focus on gold nanoparticles
Authors: John Torsten , Gladytz Anika , Kubeil Clemens , Martin Lisandra L. , Risselada Herre Jelger , Abel Bernd
Published: September 2018

The accelerating and inhibiting effects of nanoparticles on amyloid peptide aggregation are discussed for varying nanoparticle and peptide properties in the context of recent studies.
Nanoscale coherent interface strengthening of Mg alloys
Authors: Peng Qiuming , Ge Bingcheng , Fu Hui , Sun Yong , Zu Qun , Huang Jianyu
Published: September 2018

Nanoscale coherent boundaries have been proposed, and confirmed as an effective strategy to overcome the strength–ductility trade-off in hcp-type Mg alloys. It is believed that the pathway of nanoscale stacking fault-contraction twins would be effective for the development of other Mg alloys or other hcp-type metals with high strength as well as good ductility.
Pt alloy nanoparticles decorated on large-size nitrogen-doped graphene tubes for highly stable oxygen-reduction catalysts
Authors: Chen Mengjie , Hwang Sooyeon , Li Jiazhan , Karakalos Stavros , Chen Kate , He Yanghua , Mukherjee Shreya , Su Dong , Wu Gang
Published: September 2018

Pt alloy nanoparticles deposited on nitrogen-doped large size graphene tubes exhibit enhanced catalytic activity and stability for oxygen reduction in fuel cells.
BODIPY-derived multi-channel polymeric chemosensor with pH-tunable sensitivity: selective colorimetric and fluorimetric detection of Hg2+ and HSO4− in aqueous media
Authors: Haldar Ujjal , Lee Hyung-il
Published: September 2018

A water-soluble BODIPY-containing polymeric chemosensor was synthesized for the selective colorimetric and turn-on fluorimetric detection of Hg2+ and HSO4− ions, respectively, in 100% aqueous media at physiological pH.
Highly conjugated poly(N-heteroacene) nanofibers for reversible Na storage with ultra-high capacity and a long cycle life
Authors: Gu Tiantian , Zhou Min , Huang Bing , Liu Mengyun , Xiong Xiaolin , Wang Kangli , Cheng Shijie , Jiang Kai
Published: September 2018

cPAN-NFs, featured as a highly conjugated polymer with rich CN groups and 1D nanostructures, demonstrate a high Na-doping level with a reversible capacity of 527 mA h g−1, superior rate capability at 5 A g−1 and ultra-long lifespan over 3500 cycles.
Hierarchical T-Nb2O5 nanostructure with hybrid mechanisms of intercalation and pseudocapacitance for potassium storage and high-performance potassium dual-ion batteries
Authors: Li Na , Zhang Fan , Tang Yongbing
Published: September 2018

Hierarchical T-Nb2O5 nanostructure has been firstly investigated as anode material for potassium-ion battery with fast kinetics, contributing to superior electrochemical performance of potassium dual-ion battery.
GAPLINC is a predictor of poor prognosis and regulates cell migration and invasion in osteosarcoma
Authors: Liao Shian , Zhou Sijia , Wang Chao
Published: September 2018

Gastric adenocarcinoma predictive long intergenic non-coding (GAPLINC) is a novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and has been found to function as an oncogenic lncRNA in gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and bladder cancer. The expression status and biological function of GAPLINC in osteosarcoma are still unknown. Thus, we analyzed the association between GAPLINC expression and clinicopathological characteristics in osteosarcoma clinical samples, and conducted loss-of-function study in osteosarcoma cell lines. In our results, GAPLINC expression is elevated in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines, and correlated with advanced Enneking stage, present distant metastasis, and poor histological grade. Survival analyses indicated that GAPLINC expression was negatively associated with overall survival, and GAPLINC high-expression was an independent risk factor in osteosarcoma patients. The in vitro studies showed knockdown of GAPLINC depressed osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion via inhibiting CD44 expression, but no effect on cell proliferation. In conclusion, GAPLINC may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting prognosis and developing therapy for osteosarcoma.
Dynamic response of a plate laying on elastic base during the impact of a conical indenter
Authors: Beskopylny Alexey , Veremeenko Andrey , Kadomtseva Elena , Shilov Alexander
Published: September 2018

The article presents an analytical and numerical study of a dynamic conical indentation during impact process. The circular plate laying on the elastic base is subjected to impact load by the conical indenter. Local deformations in imprint zone are considered as elastic-plastic and general plate deformations are only elastic. According to Timoshenko method, the general plate displacement is considered as the sum of the elastic-plastic displacement of the indenter and the elastic displacement of the plate at the impact point. The solution is constructed with Fourier transforms and the Green function of the dynamic process is obtained. The numerical study of impact indentation is received by FEM method. The dependences of displacements, velocities, and accelerations of the plate on time is obtained during impact. The experimental data obtained with the special device is compared with the results of the numerical analysis. The method of an assessment of the mechanical characteristics of steel is proposed on the basis of the research. Analysis of the dynamic response and non-stationary effects on structural elements is carried out on the base of the calculated impact process.
Application of digital image correlation system for analysis of local plastic instabilities of perforated thin-walled bars
Authors: Piotrowski Andrzej , Gajewski Marcin , Ajdukiewicz Cezary
Published: September 2018

In the presented paper the local instabilities occurring in compression test of perforated thin-walled bars of low slenderness are observed using digital image correlation system ARAMIS. The tested samples slenderness is so low, that from theoretical point of view we are dealing with compression tests of some perforated shells. The samples are made from typical low carbon steel, which has to be treated as elasto-plastic material. Because of that, the final geometry of the sample (after unloading) is also analysed giving a good data for calibration of the theory of elasto-plasticity for large deformations. In analysed cases the total strain values are not exceptionally large, while local rotation (and permanent deformations) have significant values.
Numerical implementation of the Murnaghan material model in ABAQUS/Standard
Authors: Jemioło Stanisław , Franus Aleksander
Published: September 2018

The paper presents a numerical implementation of the Murnaghan material model (M) [1] in the finite element method software ABAQUS / Standard v. 6.14 [2]. The UHYPER user subroutine is employed, which is suitable for the class of isotropic hyperelastic models [3]. As a special case of the M model, the Saint Venant-Kirchhoff (SVK) model is considered [4]. Formal verification on the basis of elementary tests is performed. Among others, a special attention is paid to a simple shear deformation. In all tested types of deformation, analytical values confirms results based on the finite element procedure within assumed numerical precision and accuracy. It should be noted that the stored-energy function of the M and SVK models do not meet any requirements of the mathematical theory of non-linear elasticity [4, 5]. Therefore, these models are suitable for relatively small deformations, while there are no restrictions on finite rotations. As an example of applications, a tube under axial compression is considered in two cases. Various starting parameters for the Riks procedure [6, 7] are adopted to obtain different solutions of corresponding boundary value problem. Material parameters of steel are considered according to Lurie [8].
Problems of tank roofs resistance to corrosive attacks
Authors: Mosesov Marat , Rybakova Larisa , Adykova Evgenia
Published: September 2018

Nowadays, there are many types of roofing designed for steel vertical tanks. Their working properties are also quite different. The paper considers technical solutions of tank roofs constructed for storage of liquid aggressive liquids of oil type and the like. It describes a new technology which is being actively introduced at Russian enterprises at the moment. According to this new method, load-bearing structures are installed above roof flashing sheets, thus protecting them from direct contact with an aggressive environment. It ensures corrosion resistance and, consequently, durability of the tank stationary roof. To reduce the risk of corrosion damage it is necessary to increase metal thickness. The researchers suggest using stainless steel instead of regular carbon steel. In this case, steel sheets thickness can also be lessened thus making it possible to reduce loads on underlying constructions. The proposed solution of the units fastening the tank roof elements also simplifies construction inspection activities.
Conservation of irregular stone masonry in Tanais in Russia
Authors: Terlikowski Wojciech , Matera Marcin , Wasilewski Kacper , Gregoriou-Szczepaniak Martyna , Sobczyńska Ewa
Published: September 2018

The article presents and describes the conservation of masonry structures at archaeological site in Tanais near Rostov-on-Don in Russia. The authors' experiences presented in the article result from many years of cooperation between the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Warsaw University of Technology and the Centre for Research on the Antiquity of Southeastern Europe at the University of Warsaw. Works on masonry structures located in the area of archaeological excavations are characterized by a unique specificity covering both formal issues, resulting from international standards and agreements regulating the conservation of historic buildings, as well as technical and environmental issues. The basic technical issues include ensuring the safety of further excavation works, protection of masonry structures against the destructive effects of atmospheric condition and preparing the structure for possible presentation in archaeological parks organized on the site of trenches. Environmental issues relate to local, social and economic conditions. The article presents the procedures that should be used in the maintenance of antique irregular masonry and presents the specific technological and material solutions used in the example objects.
In-situ examination of the concrete quality European standard approach
Authors: Moczko Andrzej , Moczko Marta
Published: September 2018

The paper presents overview of European standard procedures related to determining concrete quality basing on the in-situ testing. Among other things following testing methods have been discussed: testing cored specimens, rebound measurements, “pull-out” method, “pull-off” method, ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements. Testing conditions, guidelines for calibration and crucial requirement for proper interpretation of the data obtained by means of rebound and ultrasonic measurements were shown. Independently “pull-out” and “pull-off” NDT methods have been introduced. Finally, the European procedures of assessment of in-situ concrete compressive strength in structures have been also presented.
Testing procedures of the Under Sleeper Pads applied in the ballasted rail track systems
Authors: Kraśkiewicz Cezary , Oleksiewicz Wojciech , Płudowska-Zagrajek Monika , Piotrowski Andrzej
Published: September 2018

The paper describes the essential functional and operational features of the Under Sleeper Pads (USPs), used in ballasted rail track systems. The overview of appropriate test methods for determining the values of relevant parameters for the purposes of using vibro-acoustic isolators was presented, with special attention drown to the changes resulting from the introduction of the PN-EN 16730 standard in this field. Due to the given testing procedures for USPs, selected examples of the normative testing methods of the USPs’ carried out at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Warsaw University of Technology with the results were presented.
Insights into the state of affairs and possible ways to improve secondary material waste management
Authors: Velichko Evgeniy , Tskhovrebov Eduard
Published: September 2018

The paper focuses on the statutory regulation and ways of im-proving secondary materials management, their use as secondary raw ma-terials for the manufacture of goods, provision of works, services, as well as power generation. It is shown that due to the economic factor, only read-ily available and valuable waste, particularly, ferrous and non-ferrous met-al scrap and waste, high-grade paper, pure textiles, plastic and wood waste, glass scrap, some mineral waste from the electric power, metal, chemical industries, construction and demolition of buildings, structures, construc-tion materials industry are injected back into the economy. Obviously, bet-ter legal, economic, organizational and technical aspects of recycling will help tackle the fundamental environmental challenges currently faced by the Russian Federation, as well as contribute to its policy geared towards conservation of strategic natural resources and long-term sustainable eco-nomic development.
Potential for the use of information systems in the management of construction waste
Authors: Aleksanin Aleksandr
Published: September 2018

At the present stage of the development of the construction industry, based on the principles of sustainable development, special attention should be paid to the formation of construction waste. Reserves for improving the level of efficiency of waste management can be found in the application of modern information technologies and their adaptation to resource-saving problems. The use of information systems is advisable at all stages of the life cycle of a building. Today, the technology of building information modeling (BIM) is actively developing, which can significantly reduce the amount of waste generation in construction. This is possible with its implementation at the design stage, in order to avoid irrational design decisions, collisions, etc. Information systems for data transmission allow rapid exchange of information between project participants, promptly warn about changes in space-planning decisions, materials, structures and equipment. At the stage of operation, in the presence of the information model of the building, it is possible to create a planning system for the organization of works of major overhaul or reconstruction. This article also proposes a description of the functions that an information system must have aimed at coordinating the management of construction waste in the region.
Mechanism of gypsum hardening
Authors: Petropavlovskaya Victoria , Novichenkova Tatiana , Pustovgar Andrey , Buryanov Aleksandr , Petropavlovskii Kirill
Published: September 2018

In the present work the receiving of gypsum products on the basis of a calcium sulfate dihydrate is described. As a raw material, the calcium sulfate dihydrate in the form of industry waste was used. This research offers the mechanism of un hydration hardening of monomineral bindings, including gypsum. The mechanism is based on interaction of particles of the different size in the conditions of supersaturation when pressing. Under the corresponding conditions in system of a dihydrate crystallizational contacts are formed. The offered mechanism is confirmed with pilot studies. Researches of solubility of powders, to deformations of raw mix, strength, density and other characteristics of structure are conducted. Strength reaches to 74 MPa. The way allows to simplify technology of receiving gypsum products. Expenses of energy decrease. Burn is excluded and the grinding is reduced. Thus the offered of un hydration hardening of monomineral binders has high innovative appeal.
Sieht aus wie Burnout, ist aber PTBS
Authors: Lass-Hennemann Johanna , Brückner Alexandra , Michael Tanja , Equit Monika
Published: September 2018

Eine Entwicklungshelferin, die nach 20 Jahren in Afrika zusammenbricht und nicht
mehr arbeitsfähig ist – ausgebrannt, traumatisiert, oder beides? Während ein
Burnout eher als Reaktion auf chronischen Stress entsteht, kann eine
Posttraumatische Belastungsstörung eine Reaktion auf schwere Traumata sein. Der
folgende Beitrag soll Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten beider Störungsbilder
darstellen und Behandlungsempfehlungen geben.
Neuroinflammatory Nexus of Pediatric Epilepsy
Authors: Bagla Shruti , Dombkowski Alan
Published: September 2018

A rapidly growing body of evidence supports the premise that neuroinflammation plays an important role in initiating and sustaining seizures in a range of pediatric epilepsies. Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that neuroinflammation is both an outcome and a contributor to seizures. In this manner, seizures that arise from an initial insult (e.g., infection, trauma, and genetic mutation) contribute to an inflammatory response that subsequently promotes recurrent seizures. This cyclic relationship between seizures and neuroinflammation has been described as a “vicious cycle.” Studies of human tissue resected for surgical treatment of refractory epilepsy have reported activated inflammatory and immune signaling pathways, while animal models have been used to demonstrate that key inflammatory mediators lead to increased seizure susceptibility. Further characterization of the molecular mechanisms involved in this cycle may ultimately enable the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of epilepsy. In this brief review, we focus on key inflammatory mediators that have become prominent in recent literature of epilepsy, including newly characterized microRNAs and their potential role in neuroinflammatory signaling.
Current Therapeutic Options for Implant-Supported Rehabilitation of Severely Atrophic Mandibles
Authors: Ribeiro-Júnior Paulo Domingos , Araujo Rafael Zetehaku , Mendes Gabriel Cury , Padovan Luis Eduardo
Published: September 2018

The implant-supported rehabilitation of atrophic mandibles (AM) with severe bone resorption is challenging for both surgical and prosthetic procedures due to the high risk of mandible fracture during implant surgery and postoperatively due to the masticatory load. The aim of case presentations was to demonstrate treatment alternatives for patients with AM who required oral rehabilitation with osseointegrated implants (OIs) according to the residual mandibular bone volume. When bone is 9 mm in height, the ideal treatment is the use of narrow, short OIs. When the bone height is 5 to < 9 mm, mandibular reinforcement with reconstruction plates using the intraoral approach and simultaneous placement of osseointegrated implants are proposed. In cases where bone height is < 5 mm, the choice of treatment is mandibular reconstructive surgery with an autogenous bone graft and biomaterials. The fundamental principles of this protocol are to reduce the morbidity and complications associated with the surgical procedure, which would reduce both the time and cost of full dental rehabilitation. The choice of the technique for mandibular reconstruction should be indicated according to the magnitude of the atrophy.
Placeboeffekte in der Akutschmerztherapie
Authors: Haaga Roland , Schnabel Alexander
Published: September 2018

Placebo- und Noceboeffekte stehen aktuell sehr im Fokus der klinischen und experimentellen Schmerzforschung. Neuro- sowie psychophysiologische Prozesse scheinen eine wichtige Rolle bei der Entstehung sowie Vermittlung zu spielen. So werden Placebo- und Noceboeffekte im Wesentlichen über das Netzwerk des opioidergen, absteigenden, schmerzmodulierenden Systems vermittelt. Für das Zustandekommen eines Placeboeffektes wiederum werden 3 psychologische Mechanismen verantwortlich gemacht: klassische Konditionierung, soziales Lernen sowie die Schmerzerwartung. Eine offene Analgetikagabe, eine ausführliche Aufklärung über Wirkung und Nebenwirkung (ohne diese zu sehr in den Fokus zu stellen) der im perioperativen Bereich eingesetzten Medikamente und Interventionen sowie eine Einbindung des Patienten in die Therapie (z. B. durch patientenkontrollierte Systeme) können zu einer additiven Verbesserung der Akutschmerztherapie (bis zu 30%) führen.
Ruthenium Alkynyl Complexes in Non-Linear Optics
Authors: Humphrey Mark G.
Published: September 2018

Non-linear optical (NLO) materials are able to modify the propagation characteristics of light. Such materials have a range of potential applications in advanced technologies and are therefore of considerable interest. This account summarizes the development of one class of organometallics as potential NLO materials, namely ruthenium alkynyl complexes. These are available in high yields by straightforward synthetic procedures and have good thermal and environmental stability. In studies ranging from small molecules (molecular weights ~1000) to second-generation dendrimers (with molecular weights of more than 20000), the author’s group and collaborators have assayed the NLO effects in complexes with a variety of ‘multipolar’ charge distributions (dipolar, quadrupolar, octupolar), revealing that ruthenium alkynyl complexes can be engineered to display record and near-record values of the parameters responsible for various interesting NLO effects. In particular, recent studies driven by the current focus on optimizing molecular multiphoton absorption cross-sections have afforded several examples with world-record values of these key coefficients. The author’s group has also shown that the fully reversible redox processes undergone by many ruthenium alkynyl complexes are a distinctive feature that can be exploited to afford molecular NLO switches, because the different and reversibly accessible redox forms of the complexes exhibit measurably different NLO responses. This unique type of switching has been extended in two ways to afford molecular switches with multiple accessible NLO states. First, ruthenium alkynyl complexes have been subjected to various ‘orthogonal’ (independent) switching stimuli (specifically oxidation–reduction, protonation–deprotonation, and photoisomerization), affording complexes that function as NLO switches with up to six distinct NLO states. Second, heterobimetallic complexes coupling ruthenium alkynyl and iron alkynyl centres have been prepared that exhibit multiple redox-accessible NLO states.
I smell a rat! Estimating effective sweep width for searches using wildlife-detector dogs
Authors: Glen Alistair S. , Russell James C. , Veltman Clare J. , Fewster Rachel M.
Published: September 2018

Context
Dogs are often used to find rare or cryptic species, but search methods are not standardised, making it difficult to interpret and compare results. Standardised approaches are needed to optimise search effectiveness and/or efficiency. Designing an optimal search strategy requires knowledge of the effective sweep width, which is related to the probability of detection (POD) at various distances between the searcher and the search object.

Aims
Our primary aim was to estimate effective sweep width for wildlife-detector dogs searching for rodents. We also tested whether dogs differed in their reaction on encountering a laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) or a wild-caught Norway rat (wild-type R. norvegicus).

Methods
We conducted field trials using trained rodent-detector dogs to locate dead laboratory rats. We used the numbers of detections and non-detections at distances of 0–100 m to estimate detection probability and effective sweep width.

Key results
Dog teams located 100% of rats (regardless of strain) placed directly in their search path. POD declined rapidly with an increasing distance, yielding an observed detection rate of 33% at 10 m, and close to zero at ≥20 m. The data were best described by an exponential decay function. Effective sweep width was estimated to be 16.8 m (95% confidence interval 12.3–21.4 m), corresponding to a strip extending 8.4 m on either side of a walked track. Handlers could not consistently judge whether a dog had encountered a laboratory rat or a wild rat.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that when dogs are >10 m from a source of rat odour, POD declines sharply. We estimate that the effective distance explored when searching for a stationary rodent is 8.4 m either side of the search path.

Implications
This information will allow users to optimise the search pattern that dog teams should follow for a given search scenario.
Grammatical structures and oral fluency in immediate task repetition
Authors: de Jong Nel , Tillman Philip
Published: September 2018

In this study we examine to what extent words and grammatical structures are re-used when a speaking task is repeated with the same content (i.e., specific task repetition). We examine this re-use, which has been argued to support proceduralization and fluency development (N. de Jong & Perfetti, 2011), under both constant and increasing time pressure, and we investigate the correlation between re-use and fluency. The analyses are performed not only on individual words but also on trigrams, which are sequences of three words (e.g., the red car; here: lexical trigrams) or three parts of speech (e.g., det adj noun: POS trigrams), to capture grammatical structure. Thirty-nine adult ESL speakers completed repeated retellings of one to three picture stories. One group followed the 4/3/2 procedure (Nation, 1989), which involves three iterations with gradually increasing time pressure; for the other group the available time was constant. The extent of re-use of words and grammatical structures across task iterations was calculated using cosine similarity with tf-idf weighting (Manning, Raghavan, & Schütze, 2008), which adjusts for the frequency of words or trigrams, both within an iteration and across iterations and speakers. It was found that immediate task repetition had a strong effect on re-use at the level of individual words and trigrams, but increasing time pressure did not. The relationship between re-use and fluency was variable, but showed higher re-use for speakers struggling with fluency. We conclude that, if fluency development is to be stimulated by re-use of words and grammatical structures, it can be done with specific task repetition, whether under increasing time pressure or not.
The effects of task repetition and task complexity on L2 lexicon use
Authors: Kim YouJin , Crossley Scott A. , Jung YeonJoo , Kyle Kristopher , Kang Sanghee
Published: September 2018

To date, a growing number of studies in instructed second language acquisition (SLA) have investigated the effects of task repetition on L2 performance (e.g., complexity, accuracy, fluency) as well as on the occurrence of interaction-driven learning opportunities (e.g., Bygate, 2001; Fukuta, 2016; Kim & Tracy-Ventura, 2013). However, studies have not investigated how repeating different aspects of tasks (e.g., content or procedure) during collaborative tasks affects second language lexical use. The current study aims to fill that gap by comparing the impact of procedural repetition and task repetition on the lexical use of paired language learners as they repeat collaborative tasks. Furthermore, how task complexity mediates task repetition effects was also investigated. Four intact junior high school English classes (n = 73) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: (1) simple task with exact task repetition, (2) simple task with procedural repetition, (3) complex task with exact task repetition, and (4) complex task with procedural repetition. All groups participated in three collaborative tasks over three days. The task repetition groups carried out the same information-exchange task with the same content three times, while the procedural repetition groups followed the same task procedure but had different content for the three sessions. Learners’ interaction data during collaborative tasks were transcribed and analyzed for lexical use using a natural language processing tool. Lexical use was operationalized by word familiarity, age of acquisition (AoA), and word frequency (Kyle & Crossley, 2015). The findings indicated that as learners repeated tasks, they used words that are less familiar and have a higher age of acquisition. Task complexity was found to be a mediating factor for the relationship between task repetition and vocabulary use.
The Neuroanatomy of Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptomatology in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Authors: Gudbrandsen M , Daly E , Murphy C M , Wichers R H , Stoencheva V , Perry E , Andrews D , Blackmore C E , Rogdaki M , Kushan L , Bearden C E , Murphy D G M , Craig M C , Ecker C
Published: September 2018

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a genetic condition associated with a high prevalence of neuropsychiatric conditions that include autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While evidence suggests that clinical phenotypes represent distinct neurodevelopmental outcomes, it remains unknown whether this translates to the level of neurobiology. To fractionate the 22q11.2DS phenotype on the level of neuroanatomy, we examined differences in vertex-wise estimates of cortical volume, surface area, and cortical thickness between 1) individuals with 22q11.2DS (n = 62) and neurotypical controls (n = 57) and 2) 22q11.2DS individuals with ASD symptomatology (n = 30) and those without (n = 25). We firstly observed significant differences in surface anatomy between 22q11.2DS individuals and controls for all 3 neuroanatomical features, predominantly in parietotemporal regions, cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. We also established that 22q11.2DS individuals with ASD symptomatology were neuroanatomically distinct from 22q11.2DS individuals without ASD symptoms, particularly in brain regions that have previously been linked to ASD (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortices and the entorhinal cortex). Our findings indicate that different clinical 22q11.2DS phenotypes, including those with ASD symptomatology, may represent different neurobiological subgroups. The spatially distributed patterns of neuroanatomical differences associated with ASD symptomatology in 22q11.2DS may thus provide useful information for patient stratification and the prediction of clinical outcomes.
Exploring what teams perceive by ‘culture’ when implementing new models of care
Authors: Bull Eleanor Rose , Byrne-Davis Lucie Marie Theresa , Swift Juliette , Baxter Kirstie , McLauchlan Neil , Hart Joanne Karen
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Health and social care organizations continually face change to coordinate efforts, improve care quality and better meet patient needs in the context of growing pressure on services. NHS ‘vanguard’ teams funded to pilot organizational change in England have argued that alongside new structures, policies and governance, a shift in ‘workplace culture’ is needed to implement change. Although now defined in the literature and seen as an important driver of quality care, it was not clear what teams themselves meant when discussing workplace culture.

Methods

In a qualitative study nested in a wider behavioural science programme, 34 managers and frontline NHS staff took part in interviews and focus groups on the role and meaning of ‘workplace culture’ in their experience of change. Participants were from organizations in four NHS England vanguards implementing new models of care. Inductive thematic analysis revealed six interlinking themes: unity, emotions, support, consistency, openness to innovation and performance.

Results

The term ‘workplace culture’ was nuanced and used in various ways. It was seen as a determinant, measure and/or consequence of change and linked to workplace behaviours, emotions and cognitions. Participants agreed that imposed top-down change in new models of care was a common cause of damaged culture and had knock-on effects on care quality, despite manager accounts of the importance of staff ideas.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that exploring teams’ own meanings of culture and behaviour change barriers, gathering ideas and co-developing tailored support would help overcome cultural challenges in implementing new models of care.
Identification of Berberis Species Collected from the Himalayan Region of Pakistan Susceptible to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici
Authors: Mehmood Sajid , Sajid Marina , Zhao Jie , Khan Tika , Zhan Gangming , Huang Lili , Kang Zhensheng
Published: September 2018

Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), the stripe rust pathogen infecting cereal crops and grasses, was believed to have a hemicyclic life cycle consisting of uredinial and telial stages before the recent discovery of barberry (Berberis spp.) as an alternate (aecial) host for the fungus. This discovery has improved the understanding of the biology of the stripe rust pathogen. The Himalayan and near-Himalayan regions of Pakistan, China, and Nepal are considered as the center of diversity for Pst pathogen. High genetic diversity has been reported in these areas, probably resulting from the sexual reproduction of the stripe rust fungus. To determine if Berberis species growing in Pakistan are susceptible to Pst, we collected seeds of five species and two subspecies from the Himalayan region in 2016 and inoculated the seedlings with germinated teliospores of a Pakistani Pst isolate under controlled conditions. Pycnia and aecia were produced on all inoculated plants of these species and subspecies, and were demonstrated as Pst by successful infection of wheat plants with aeciospores. This study showed that the tested Pakistani Berberis species and subspecies are susceptible to Pst under controlled conditions.
Development of a qPCR Protocol to Detect the Cotton Bacterial Blight Pathogen, Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum, from Cotton Leaves and Seeds
Authors: Wang Xiao-Qiang , Allen Tom W. , Wang Hui , Peterson Daniel G. , Nichols Robert L. , Liu Aixin , Li Xiang-Dong , Deng Peng , Jia David , Lu Shi-En
Published: September 2018

Bacterial blight, historically a seed-borne disease of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum, resulted in significant economic losses prior to development of resistant varieties and implementation of acid-delinting of planting seed. Periodic outbreaks have been associated with seed since the early twentieth century; of note, the disease has experienced a resurgence since 2011. Effective management of bacterial blight is dependent on accurate diagnosis and detection of the pathogen. Currently, detection of X. citri pv. malvacearum is performed by time-consuming microbiological methods. In this study, a novel and sensitive TaqMan-based qPCR protocol was developed to test for X. citri pv. malvacearum in cotton plant tissue. The primers developed are specific to five races of X. citri pv. malvacearum, but not to other Xanthomonas species or cotton-associated nonpathogenic bacteria. The efficiency of this assay was evaluated on artificially inoculated cotton leaves and seed, on naturally infected cotton leaves, and on bolls and seed originating from bacterial blight symptomatic bolls. The protocol’s efficiency from artificially inoculated plant tissue was 102 copies g−1 and 37 copies from 1 g seed for leaves and seed, respectively. In addition, X. citri pv. malvacearum was detected from 94% of the seed samples originating from blight symptomatic bolls. The qPCR protocol provides a rapid and accurate method for diagnosis and detection of bacterial blight and offers a tool for monitoring X. citri pv. malvacearum and potentially reducing its spread in seed.
Placing our current ‘hyperthermal’ in the context of rapid climate change in our geological past
Authors: Foster Gavin L. , Hull Pincelli , Lunt Daniel J. , Zachos James C.
Published: September 2018

‘…there are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know.’ Donald Rumsfeld 12th February 2002.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Hyperthermals: rapid and extreme global warming in our geological past’.
Overcoming systematic errors caused by log-transformation of normalized single-cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: Lun Aaron
Published: September 2018

Applying a log-transformation to normalized expression values is one of the most common procedures in exploratory analyses of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. Normalization removes systematic biases in sequencing coverage between cells, while the log-transformation ensures that downstream computational procedures operate on relative rather than absolute differences in expression. We show that the log-transformation can introduce systematic errors when cells vary in sequencing coverage, leading to spurious non-zero differences in expression and artificial population structure in simulations. We observe similar effects in real scRNA-seq data where the difference in transformed values between groups of cells is not an accurate proxy for the log-fold change. We provide some practical recommendations to overcome this effect and analytically derive an expression for a larger pseudo-count that controls the transformation-induced error to a specified threshold.
Pulvinar influences parietal delay activity and information transmission between dorsal and ventral visual cortex in macaques
Authors: Saalmann Yuri B. , Ly Ryan , Pinsk Mark A. , Kastner Sabine
Published: September 2018

The fronto-parietal attention network represents attentional priorities and provides feedback about these priorities to sensory cortical areas. Sustained spiking activity in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) carries such prioritized information, but how this activity is sustained in the absence of feedforward sensory information, and how it is transmitted to the ventral visual cortical pathway, is unclear. We hypothesized that the higher-order thalamic nucleus, the pulvinar, which is connected with both the PPC and ventral visual cortical pathway, influences information transmission within and between these cortical regions. To test this, we simultaneously recorded from the pulvinar, lateral intraparietal area (LIP) and visual cortical area V4 in macaques performing a selective attention task. Here we show that LIP influenced V4 during the delay period of the attention task, and that the pulvinar regulated LIP-V4 information exchange. Pulvino-cortical effects were consistent with the pulvinar supporting sustained activity in LIP. Taken together, these results suggest that pulvinar regulation of cortical functional connectivity generalizes to dorsal and ventral visual cortical pathways. Further, the pulvinar’s role in sustaining parietal delay activity during selective attention implicates the pulvinar in other cognitive processes supported by such delay activity, including decision-making, categorization and oculomotor functions.

Significance Statement

A network of areas on the brain’s surface, in frontal and parietal cortex, allocate attention to behaviorally relevant information around us. Such areas in parietal cortex show sustained activity during maintained attention and transmit behaviorally relevant information to visual cortical areas to enhance sensory processing of attended objects. How this activity is sustained and how it is transmitted to visual areas supporting object perception is unclear. We show that a subcortical area, the pulvinar in the thalamus, helps sustain activity in the cortex and regulates the information transmitted between the fronto-parietal attention network and visual cortex. This suggests that the thalamus, classically considered as a simple relay for sensory information, contributes to higher-level cognitive functions.