bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving preventive locust management: insights from a multi‐agent model
Authors: Gay Pierre‐Emmanuel , Lecoq Michel , Piou Cyril
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Preventive management of locust plagues works in some cases but still fails frequently. The role of funding institution awareness was suggested as a potential facilitating factor for cyclic locust plagues. We designed a multi‐agent system to represent the events of locust plague development and a management system with three levels: funding institution, national control unit and field teams. A sensitivity analysis identified the limits and improvements of the management system.

RESULTS

The model generated cyclic locust plagues through a decrease in funding institution awareness. The funding institution could improve its impact by increasing its support by just a few percent. The control unit should avoid hiring too many field teams when plagues bring in money, in order to ensure that surveys can be maintained in times of recession. The more information the teams can acquire about the natural system, the more efficient they will be.

CONCLUSION

We argue that anti‐locust management should be considered as a complex adaptive system. This not only would allow managers to prove to funders the random aspect of their needs, but would also enable funders and decision‐makers to understand and integrate their own decisions into the locust dynamics that still regularly affect human populations. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Theory of a carbon‐oxygen‐hydrogen recombination center in n‐type Si
Authors: Santos Paulo , Coutinho José , Öberg Sven , Vaqueiro‐Contreras Michelle , Markevich Vladimir P. , Halsall Matthew P. , Peaker Anthony R.
Published: June 2017

We have recently found that in‐diffusion of hydrogen into n‐type Si crystals containing oxygen and carbon impurities can result in the formation of powerful recombination centers (M. Vaqueiro‐Contreras et al., to appear in PSS RRL). Here, we describe a combination of first‐principles calculations and electrical measurements to investigate the composition, structure, electrical activity and recombination mechanism of a carbon‐oxygen‐hydrogen complex (COH) in Si. We found a defect comprising a carbon‐oxygen complex connected to an H atom whose location depends on the charge state of the complex, and showing a calculated acceptor level at Ev + 0.3 eV, a few meV away from the observations. Bistable carbon–oxygen–hydrogen complex in silicon. Carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and silicon atoms are shown in gray, red, black, and white, respectively.
Inorganic CsPbI3 Perovskite‐Based Solar Cells: A Choice for a Tandem Device
Authors: Ahmad Waqar , Khan Jahangeer , Niu Guangda , Tang Jiang
Published: June 2017

Hygroscopicity risk and organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites easy decomposition in solar cells limit their usefulness. Apart from the hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites, inorganic perovskite solar cells display a better stability toward moisture, light soaking, and thermal stressing. However, most inorganic perovskites are inappropriate for single junction or tandem solar cells due to their large bandgaps (>1.8 eV), which eventually results in light absorption loss. Fortunately, cubic CsPbI3 perovskite (having 1.73 eV bandgap) could potentially serve as top cells in tandem devices with silicon solar cells. Poor phase stability of CsPbI3 is considered a major obstacle to design CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells. This review highlights the most recent studies on the progress in CsPbI3‐based solar cell device field. Moreover, this review also summarizes certain strategies to improve phase stability, such as size reduction to nanocrystal or external cations/anions doping, with the aim to improve the devices design.
A Poetry Coffee House: Creating a Cool Community of Writers
Authors: Ferguson Kristen
Published: June 2017

This article explores the sharing of writing through a coffee house–style poetry reading. Although this article focuses on a workshop and share activity used in a preservice teacher language arts and literacy course, it contains tips and ideas for implementing poetry coffee houses with elementary and secondary school students and preservice and inservice teachers. The coffee house activity with preservice teachers consists of three parts: a discussion about poetry, a poetry writing workshop, and an open mike sharing session. The goals of the coffee house are to broaden preservice teachers' conceptions of poetry, to model poetry writing with students, and to create a venue to share poetry as a community of writers.
Acoustic lure allows for capture of a high‐flying, endangered bat
Authors: Braun De Torrez Elizabeth C. , Samoray Steve T. , Silas Kirk A. , Wallrichs Megan A. , Gumbert Mark W. , Ober Holly K. , Mccleery Robert A.
Published: June 2017

Mist nets are commonly used to capture free‐flying bats; however, some bat species are very difficult to capture because of their flight behavior, habitat preferences, and ability to avoid nets. High‐flying, open‐space foragers are especially underrepresented by mist‐net surveys. Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of using acoustic lures (playbacks of conspecific vocalizations) to increase capture success of bats in mist nets. We tested the efficacy of an acoustic lure to capture a high‐flying rare molossid, the endangered Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus), which had been captured only once away from a known roost prior to our research. We used a crossover experimental design with 2 lure treatments (nets with lures playing social call recordings from 2 different roosts) and 2 control nets (no lures) in 6 sites for 2 nights each. We captured 15 Florida bonneted bats in our treatment nets and 0 in our control nets. One lure had greater capture success (n = 13) than the other (n = 2), with a trend for greater captures of males (n = 11) than females (n = 4). We suggest that these differences were due to the social context in which the calls used in the lures were recorded. Our study demonstrated the utility of acoustic lures to capture Florida bonneted bats and expands research opportunities critical to the species’ conservation, such as the ability to use radio telemetry to track captured bats to unknown roosting and foraging areas. Our study also lays the foundation for future research into social call playbacks as a technique to lure other high‐flying and elusive bat species into mist nets. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Classification of Normal, Ictal and Inter-ictal EEG via Direct Quadrature and Random Forest Tree
Authors: Abdulhay Enas , Alafeef Maha , Abdelhay Arwa , Al-Bashir Areen
Published: June 2017

This paper presents an accurate nonlinear classification method that can help physicians diagnose seizure in electroencephalographic (EEG) signal characterized by a disturbance in temporal and spectral content. This is accomplished by applying four steps. First, different EEG signals containing healthy, ictal and seizure-free (inter-ictal) activities are decomposed by empirical mode decomposition method. The instantaneous amplitudes and frequencies of resulted bands (intrinsic mode functions, IMF) are then tracked by the direct quadrature method (DQ). In contrast to other approaches, DQ cancels the effect of amplitude modulation on frequency calculation. The dissociation between instantaneous amplitude and frequency information is therefore fully achieved to avoid features confusion. Afterwards, the Shannon entropy values of both sets of instantaneous values (amplitudes and frequencies)—related to every IMF—are calculated. Finally, the obtained entropy values are classified by random forest tree. The proposed procedure yields 100% accuracy for (healthy)/(ictal) and 98.3–99.7% for (healthy)/(ictal)/(interictal) classification problems. The suggested method is hence robust, accurate, fast, user-friendly, data driven with open access interpretability.
Bank levy and bank risk‐taking
Authors: Diemer Michael
Published: June 2017

In the aftermath of the recent financial crisis, several countries implemented a bank levy. This paper studies the impact of different types of bank levies on the risk‐taking behaviour of banks competing in the market for secured or unsecured debt à la Hotelling. We differentiate between three types of bank levies: a levy on secured liabilities, a levy on unsecured liabilities and a levy on risk‐weighted assets. Banks collect funds and invest in either a prudent or a gambling asset. We find that a levy on secured and unsecured liabilities can prevent banks from investing in the gambling asset. A levy on risk‐weighted assets also induces banks to behave more prudently. Such a levy is even more effective than a levy on liabilities if banks are well‐capitalized. Finally, a guarantee on debt makes a bank levy more effective.
Return visits to the pediatric emergency department: A multicentre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Meyer-Macaulay Colin B. , Truong Mimi , Meckler Garth D. , Doan Quynh H.
Published: June 2017

Objective

Return visits to the emergency department (RTED) for the same clinical complaint occur in 2.7% to 8.1% of children presenting to pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). Most studies examining RTEDs have focused solely on PEDs and do not capture children returning to other local emergency departments (EDs). Our objective was to measure the frequency and characterize the directional pattern of RTED to any of 18 EDs serving a large geographic area for children initially evaluated at a PED.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all visits to a referral centre PED between August 2012 and August 2013. We compared demographic variables between children with and without an RTED, measures of flow and disposition outcomes between the initial (index) visit and RTED, and between RTED to the original PED versus to other EDs in the community.

Results

Among all PED visits, 7.6% had an RTED within 7 days, of which 13% were to a facility other than the original PED. Children with an RTED had higher acuity and longer length of stay on their index visit. They were also more likely to be admitted on a subsequent visit than the overall PED population. RTED to the original PED had a longer waiting time (WT), length of stay, and more frequently resulted in hospitalization than RTED to a general ED.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of RTED occur at a site other than where the original ED visit occurred. Examining RTED to and from only PEDs underestimates its burden on emergency health services.
Economic Spillovers From Public Investments in Medical Countermeasures: A Case Study of a Burn Debridement Product
Authors: Farahati Farah , Nystrom Scott , Howell David R. , Jaffe Richard
Published: June 2017

Objective

The US federal government invests in the development of medical countermeasures for addressing adverse health effects to the civilian population from chemical, biological, and radiological or nuclear threats. We model the potential economic spillover effects in day-to-day burn care for a federal investment in a burn debridement product for responding to an improvised nuclear device.

Methods

We identify and assess 4 primary components for projecting the potential economic spillover benefits of a burn debridement product: (1) market size, (2) clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, (3) product cost, and (4) market adoption rates. Primary data sources were the American Burn Association’s 2015 National Burn Repository Annual Report of Data and published clinical studies used to gain European approval for the burn debridement product.

Results

The study results showed that if approved for use in the United States, the burn debridement product has potential economic spillover benefits exceeding the federal government’s initial investment of $24 million a few years after introduction into the burn care market.

Conclusions

Economic spillover analyses can help to inform the prioritizing of scarce resources for research and development of medical countermeasures by the federal government. Future federal medical countermeasure research and development investments could incorporate economic spillover analysis to assess investment options. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:711–719)
THE BOREL COMPLEXITY OF ISOMORPHISM FOR O-MINIMAL THEORIES
Authors: RAST RICHARD , SAHOTA DAVENDER SINGH
Published: June 2017

Given a countable o-minimal theory T, we characterize the Borel complexity of isomorphism for countable models of T up to two model-theoretic invariants. If T admits a nonsimple type, then it is shown to be Borel complete by embedding the isomorphism problem for linear orders into the isomorphism problem for models of T. This is done by constructing models with specific linear orders in the tail of the Archimedean ladder of a suitable nonsimple type.

If the theory admits no nonsimple types, then we use Mayer’s characterization of isomorphism for such theories to compute invariants for countable models. If the theory is small, then the invariant is real-valued, and therefore its isomorphism relation is smooth. If not, the invariant corresponds to a countable set of reals, and therefore the isomorphism relation is Borel equivalent to F2.

Combining these two results, we conclude that $\left( {{\rm{Mod}}\left( T \right), \cong } \right)$ is either maximally complicated or maximally uncomplicated (subject to completely general model-theoretic lower bounds based on the number of types and the number of countable models).
Detection of 70 kDa heat shock protein in the saliva of dairy cows
Authors: Lamy Elsa , Jurkovich Viktor , Rodrigues Lénia , Geraldo Ana , Cachucho Liliana , Silva Flávio , Matos Catarina , Capela e Silva Fernando , Pinheiro Cristina , Könyves László , Bakony Mikolt , Pereira Alfredo
Published: June 2017

This Research Communication describes, for the first time, the detection of HSP70 in saliva of dairy cows. Thermal stress is a major environmental stress that limits animal growth, metabolism, and productivity. The cellular response to heat stress involves the synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs), presumably to protect the functional stability of cells at increasing temperatures. HSP70 has been found to be present in cattle blood serum and may also be present in other secretory fluids, such as saliva, as already observed in humans. The aim of this study was to detect heat shock protein HSP70 in bovine saliva. Saliva samples were taken from higher- (n = 5) and lower milk producing (n = 5) Holstein-Friesian cows in summer and in winter for the detection of HSP70. HSP70 concentrations were assayed using the ELISA technique. Salivary HSP70 concentrations ranged from 0·524 to 12·174 ng/ml in cows. Higher salivary HSP70 concentrations were significantly associated with higher milk production and higher environmental temperature, but not with rectal temperature.
Simultaneously occurring Zenker's diverticulum and Killian–Jamieson diverticulum: case report and literature review
Authors: Stewart K E , Smith D R K , Woolley S L
Published: June 2017

Background:

Pharyngoesophageal diverticula have many subtypes, with Zenker's diverticulum being the most common. First described in 1983, a Killian–Jamieson diverticulum is an outpouching in the anterolateral wall at the pharyngoesophageal junction. This is located inferiorly to the cricopharyngeus muscle, unlike Zenker's diverticula which occur superiorly. Killian–Jamieson diverticula are rare and are commonly misdiagnosed as Zenker's diverticula. Less than 30 reports of Killian–Jamieson diverticula have been described in the literature.

Case report:

A 69-year-old man presented with a 2-year symptomatic history, and was found to have simultaneous Zenker's diverticulum and Killian–Jamieson diverticulum. He was treated successfully with open surgical excision of both pouches.

Conclusion:

Zenker's diverticulum and Killian–Jamieson diverticulum are diagnosed using radiological studies and endoscopy. Their differentiation is important, as surgical management differs. This paper reviews the literature on Killian–Jamieson diverticula and the management options available.
A comparison study of complications and initial follow-up costs of transcutaneous and percutaneous bone conduction devices
Authors: Godbehere J , Carr S D , Moraleda J , Edwards P , Ray J
Published: June 2017

Background:

The percutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device can be associated with more soft tissue complications when compared to the magnetic transcutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device. This study aimed to determine whether fewer soft tissue complications may result in the transcutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device being a lower cost option in hearing rehabilitation.

Methods:

This retrospective case note review included adult patients who underwent implantation with the transcutaneous Cochlear Attract (n = 22) or percutaneous Cochlear DermaLock (n = 25) bone-anchored hearing aids between September 2013 and December 2014. The number of post-operative clinic appointments, complications and treatments undertaken, and calculated cost average, were compared between the two groups.

Results:

Although the transcutaneous device was slightly more expensive than the percutaneous device, the percutaneous device was associated with a greater number of soft tissue complications and, as a result, the percutaneous device had significantly higher follow-up costs in the first six months following surgery.

Conclusion:

The transcutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device may represent a more cost-effective method of hearing rehabilitation compared to the percutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device.
A brief review of salient factors influencing adult eating behaviour
Authors: Emilien Christine , Hollis James H.
Published: June 2017

A better understanding of the factors that influence eating behaviour is of importance as our food choices are associated with the risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, CVD, type 2 diabetes or some forms of cancer. In addition, accumulating evidence suggests that the industrial food production system is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emission and may be unsustainable. Therefore, our food choices may also contribute to climate change. By identifying the factors that influence eating behaviour new interventions may be developed, at the individual or population level, to modify eating behaviour and contribute to society’s health and environmental goals. Research indicates that eating behaviour is dictated by a complex interaction between physiology, environment, psychology, culture, socio-economics and genetics that is not fully understood. While a growing body of research has identified how several single factors influence eating behaviour, a better understanding of how these factors interact is required to facilitate the developing new models of eating behaviour. Due to the diversity of influences on eating behaviour this would probably necessitate a greater focus on multi-disciplinary research. In the present review, the influence of several salient physiological and environmental factors (largely related to food characteristics) on meal initiation, satiation (meal size) and satiety (inter-meal interval) are briefly discussed. Due to the large literature this review is not exhaustive but illustrates the complexity of eating behaviour. The present review will also highlight several limitations that apply to eating behaviour research.
Parenting cognitions → parenting practices → child adjustment? The standard model
Authors: Bornstein Marc H. , Putnick Diane L. , Suwalsky Joan T. D.
Published: June 2017

In a large-scale (N= 317) prospective 8-year longitudinal multiage, multidomain, multivariate, multisource study, we tested a conservative three-term model linking parenting cognitions in toddlerhood to parenting practices in preschool to classroom externalizing behavior in middle childhood, controlling for earlier parenting practices and child externalizing behavior. Mothers who were more knowledgeable, satisfied, and attributed successes in their parenting to themselves when their toddlers were 20 months of age engaged in increased supportive parenting during joint activity tasks 2 years later when their children were 4 years of age, and 6 years after that their 10-year-olds were rated by teachers as having fewer classroom externalizing behavior problems. This developmental cascade of a “standard model” of parenting applied equally to families with girls and boys, and the cascade from parenting attributions to supportive parenting to child externalizing behavior obtained independent of 12 child, parent, and family covariates. Conceptualizing socialization in terms of cascades helps to identify points of effective intervention.
Thermal regulation of secondary dormancy induction inPolygonum aviculareseeds: a quantitative analysis using the hydrotime model
Authors: Batlla Diego , Agostinelli Andrés Mateo
Published: June 2017

For seed banks showing seasonal changes in their dormancy level, the possibility of predicting temporal patterns of emergence depends on establishing a robust relationship between temperature and the rate of dormancy loss and induction. However, although the effect of temperature on dormancy loss has been extensively studied, less work has been advocated to the quantification of temperature effects on dormancy induction. In the present work, we quantified temperature regulation of dormancy induction inPolygonum aviculareseeds using the hydrotime model. To study induction into secondary dormancy, seeds previously released from primary dormancy through stratification at 5°C were stored at dormancy-inductive temperatures of 10, 15, 20 and 25°C for different periods. During storage, seeds were germinated at different temperatures and water potentials, and hydrotime model parameters were derived. Changes in hydrotime model parameters (mean base water potential for germination and its standard deviation, and the hydrotime required for germination) during dormancy induction were described by adjusting exponential equations. Obtained results indicated a minimum temperature for dormancy induction of 8.7°C and the existence of a bi-linear relationship between rate of induction into secondary dormancy and storage temperature, in which storage temperatures around 25°C showed a higher dormancy induction rate than those below 20°C. Developed model equations were then used to predict changes in germination behaviour during dormancy induction at different temperatures, showing a good agreement between simulated and observed values.
Association between early echocardiography, therapy for patent ductus arteriosus, and outcomes in very low birth weight infants
Authors: Lee Jan Hau , Greenberg Rachel G. , Quek Bin H. , Clark Reese H. , Laughon Matthew M. , Smith P. Brian , Hornik Christoph P.
Published: June 2017

Background

In very low birth weight infants, persistence of a patent ductus arteriosus results in morbidity and mortality. Therapies to close the ductus are effective, but clinical outcomes may depend on the accuracy of diagnosis and the timing of administration. The objective of the present study was to characterise the association between early echocardiography, therapy for patent ductus arteriosus, and outcomes in very low birth weight infants.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used electronic health record data on inborn infants of gestational age ⩽28 weeks and birth weight <1500 g who were discharged after day of life 7 from 362 neonatal ICU from 1997 to 2013. The primary outcome was death between day of life 7 and discharge. Secondary outcomes included bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotising enterocolitis, and grade 3 or 4 intraventricular haemorrhage.

Results

This study included a total of 48,551 infants with a median gestational age of 27 weeks (interquartile range 25, 28) and birth weight 870 g (706, 1050). Early echocardiography – that is, performed during days of life 2 to 6 – was performed in 15,971/48,551 (33%) infants, and patent ductus arteriosus was diagnosed in 31,712/48,551 (65%). The diagnosis was more common in infants who had undergone early echocardiography (14,549/15,971 [91%] versus 17,163/32,580 [53%], p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, early echocardiography was not associated with reduced mortality (odds ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.89–1.05). Results were similar in the subset of infants who received therapy for patent ductus arteriosus (odds ratio 1.01, 95% CI 0.90–1.15).

Conclusions

Early echocardiography was associated with an increased diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus, but not with decreased mortality.
A Small Spot, Inert Gas, Ion Milling Process as a Complementary Technique to Focused Ion Beam Specimen Preparation
Authors: Fischione Paul E. , Williams Robert E.A. , Genç Arda , Fraser Hamish L. , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E. , Luysberg Martina , Bonifacio Cecile S. , Kovács András
Published: June 2017

This paper reports on the substantial improvement of specimen quality by use of a low voltage (0.05 to ~1 keV), small diameter (~1 μm), argon ion beam following initial preparation using conventional broad-beam ion milling or focused ion beam. The specimens show significant reductions in the amorphous layer thickness and implanted artifacts. The targeted ion milling controls the specimen thickness according to the needs of advanced aberration-corrected and/or analytical transmission electron microscopy applications.
Quantification of Cardiomyocyte Alignment from Three-Dimensional (3D) Confocal Microscopy of Engineered Tissue
Authors: Kowalski William J. , Yuan Fangping , Nakane Takeichiro , Masumoto Hidetoshi , Dwenger Marc , Ye Fei , Tinney Joseph P. , Keller Bradley B.
Published: June 2017

Biological tissues have complex, three-dimensional (3D) organizations of cells and matrix factors that provide the architecture necessary to meet morphogenic and functional demands. Disordered cell alignment is associated with congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and neurodegenerative diseases and repairing or replacing these tissues using engineered constructs may improve regenerative capacity. However, optimizing cell alignment within engineered tissues requires quantitative 3D data on cell orientations and both efficient and validated processing algorithms. We developed an automated method to measure local 3D orientations based on structure tensor analysis and incorporated an adaptive subregion size to account for multiple scales. Our method calculates the statistical concentration parameter,κ, to quantify alignment, as well as the traditional orientational order parameter. We validated our method using synthetic images and accurately measured principal axis and concentration. We then applied our method to confocal stacks of cleared, whole-mount engineered cardiac tissues generated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells or embryonic chick cardiac cells and quantified cardiomyocyte alignment. We found significant differences in alignment based on cellular composition and tissue geometry. These results from our synthetic images and confocal data demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of our method to measure alignment in 3D tissues.
Yet more on a stochastic economic model: Part 4: a model for share earnings, dividends, and prices
Authors: Wilkie A. D. , Şahin Şule
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we develop an extension to the Wilkie model, introducing share earnings and cover (earnings/dividends) as new variables, and deriving share dividends from them. Earnings are available from April 1962, but only for the Non-Financial index, and for the All-Share one only from 1992. We construct a Composite Earnings Index from these series. We then find a suitable annual time series model for changes in earnings, and then for cover, which is mean-reverting. We compare this new model with the original model, in which changes in dividends were modelled directly. We also investigate monthly data to give parameters for stochastic interpolation. We observe an unusual change in earnings over 2015–2016, consider the implications of this and show specimen simulations.
STRONGLY MILLIAN SECOND-ORDER MODAL LOGICS
Authors: JACINTO BRUNO
Published: June 2017

The most common first- and second-order modal logics either have as theorems every instance of the Barcan and Converse Barcan formulae and of their second-order analogues, or else fail to capture the actual truth of every theorem of classical first- and second-order logic. In this paper we characterise and motivate sound and complete first- and second-order modal logics that successfully capture the actual truth of every theorem of classical first- and second-order logic and yet do not possess controversial instances of the Barcan and Converse Barcan formulae as theorems, nor of their second-order analogues. What makes possible these results is an understanding of the individual constants and predicates of the target languages asstrongly Millianexpressions, where a strongly Millian expression is one that has an actually existing entity as its semantic value. For this reason these logics are called ‘strongly Millian’. It is shown that the strength of the strongly Millian second-order modal logics here characterised afford the means to resist an argument by Timothy Williamson for the truth of the claim that necessarily, every property necessarily exists.
The Impact of Qualitative Job Insecurity on Identification with the Organization
Authors: Chirumbolo Antonio , Urbini Flavio , Callea Antonino , Talamo Alessandra
Published: June 2017

Abstract. The detrimental effects of job insecurity are well recognized in the scientific literature. In this paper, we investigate the impact of qualitative job insecurity on an outcome that has been somewhat neglected to date: organizational identification. In addition, we test the moderating role of organizational justice in the relationship between qualitative job insecurity and organizational identification. A group of 170 workers completed a questionnaire assessing qualitative job insecurity, overall organizational justice, and identification with the organization. We found that qualitative job insecurity was negatively related to organizational identification as well as to organizational justice. Organizational justice buffered the negative impact of qualitative job insecurity on organizational identification. When organizational justice was low, qualitative job insecurity was significantly negatively related to organizational identification. However, when organizational justice was high, qualitative job insecurity and organizational identification were unrelated.
Ryk regulates Wnt5a repulsion of mouse corticospinal tract through modulating planar cell polarity signaling
Authors: Duan Xin , Gao Yarong , Liu Yaobo
Published: June 2017

It was previously reported a role for Ryk in mediating Wnt5a repulsion of the corticospinal tract (CST) in mice. Recent evidence has shown that Ryk regulates planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling through interacting with Vangl2. Here, in vivo, in vitro and biochemical analyses were applied to investigate the molecular cross-talk between the Ryk and PCP signaling pathways, revealing that PCP pathway components play important roles in CST anterior–posterior guidance. Ryk–Vangl2 interactions are crucial for PCP signaling to mediate Wnt5a repulsion of CST axons. Cytoplasmic distribution of Ryk is increased under high concentrations of Wnt5a and facilitates the cytoplasmic distribution of Vangl2, leading to inhibition of Frizzled3 translocation to cytoplasm. Alternatively, Ryk stabilizes Vangl2 in the plasma membrane under low Wnt5a concentrations, which promotes cytoplasmic translocation of Frizzled3. We propose that Ryk regulates PCP signaling through asymmetric modulation of Vangl2 distribution in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane, which leads to repulsion of CST axons in response to the Wnt gradient.
Lipid-mediated PX-BAR domain recruitment couples local membrane constriction to endocytic vesicle fission
Authors: Schöneberg Johannes , Lehmann Martin , Ullrich Alexander , Posor York , Lo Wen-Ting , Lichtner Gregor , Schmoranzer Jan , Haucke Volker , Noé Frank
Published: June 2017

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) involves membrane-associated scaffolds of the bin-amphiphysin-rvs (BAR) domain protein family as well as the GTPase dynamin, and is accompanied and perhaps triggered by changes in local lipid composition. How protein recruitment, scaffold assembly and membrane deformation is spatiotemporally controlled and coupled to fission is poorly understood. We show by computational modelling and super-resolution imaging that phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate [PI(3,4)P2] synthesis within the clathrin-coated area of endocytic intermediates triggers selective recruitment of the PX-BAR domain protein SNX9, as a result of complex interactions of endocytic proteins competing for phospholipids. The specific architecture induces positioning of SNX9 at the invagination neck where its self-assembly regulates membrane constriction, thereby providing a template for dynamin fission. These data explain how lipid conversion at endocytic pits couples local membrane constriction to fission. Our work demonstrates how computational modelling and super-resolution imaging can be combined to unravel function and mechanisms of complex cellular processes.
Non-equilibrium steady states in supramolecular polymerization
Authors: Sorrenti Alessandro , Leira-Iglesias Jorge , Sato Akihiro , Hermans Thomas M.
Published: June 2017

Living systems use fuel-driven supramolecular polymers such as actin to control important cell functions. Fuel molecules like ATP are used to control when and where such polymers should assemble and disassemble. The cell supplies fresh ATP to the cytosol and removes waste products to sustain steady states. Artificial fuel-driven polymers have been developed recently, but keeping them in sustained non-equilibrium steady states (NESS) has proven challenging. Here we show a supramolecular polymer that can be kept in NESS, inside a membrane reactor where ATP is added and waste removed continuously. Assembly and disassembly of our polymer is regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, respectively. Waste products lead to inhibition, causing the reaction cycle to stop. Inside the membrane reactor, however, waste can be removed leading to long-lived NESS conditions. We anticipate that our approach to obtain NESS can be applied to other stimuli-responsive materials to achieve more life-like behaviour.
Image Data Resource: a bioimage data integration and publication platform
Authors: Williams Eleanor , Moore Josh , Li Simon W , Rustici Gabriella , Tarkowska Aleksandra , Chessel Anatole , Leo Simone , Antal Bálint , Ferguson Richard K , Sarkans Ugis , Brazma Alvis , Carazo Salas Rafael E , Swedlow Jason R
Published: June 2017

Access to primary research data is vital for the advancement of science. To extend the data types supported by community repositories, we built a prototype Image Data Resource (IDR). IDR links data from several imaging modalities, including high-content screening, multi-dimensional microscopy and digital pathology, with public genetic or chemical databases and cell and tissue phenotypes expressed using controlled ontologies. Using this integration, IDR facilitates the analysis of gene networks and reveals functional interactions that are inaccessible to individual studies. To enable reanalysis, we also established a computational resource based on Jupyter notebooks that allows remote access to the entire IDR. IDR is also an open-source platform for publishing imaging data. Thus IDR provides an online resource and a software infrastructure that promotes and extends publication and reanalysis of scientific image data.
Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and type 2 diabetes incidence in Thai adults: results from an 8-year prospective study
Authors: Papier K , D'Este C , Bain C , Banwell C , Seubsman S , Sleigh A , Jordan S
Published: June 2017

Background:

The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is high and is increasing in countries undergoing rapid socio-economic development, including Thailand. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake may contribute to the risk of developing T2DM. However, few studies have assessed this association in Asian populations, and the results have been inconsistent. We aimed to assess that association in a prospective study of Thai adults.

Methods:

Data were from Thai Cohort Study participants surveyed in 2005, 2009 and 2013. The nation-wide sample included adult cohort members who were free of diabetes in 2005 and who were followed-up in 2013 (n=39 175). We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations between SSB intake and eight-year T2DM incidence. We used a counterfactual mediation analysis to explore potential mediation of the SSB intake and T2DM-risk relationship.

Results:

In women (but not men) consuming SSBs once or more per day (versus rarely) was associated with increased T2DM incidence at the 8-year follow-up (odds ratio (OR)=2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–3.9). Obesity in 2009 was found to mediate ~23% of the total association between SSB intake in 2005 and T2DM risk in 2013 (natural indirect effect 1.15, 95% CI (1.02, 1.31).

Conclusions:

Frequent SSB consumption associated with higher T2DM incidence in women but not men. We found that a moderate proportion of the SSB-T2DM relationship was mediated through body mass index (BMI). Our findings suggest that targeting SSB consumption can help prevent a national rise in the incidence of T2DM.
Enhanced insulin sensitivity in successful, long-term weight loss maintainers compared with matched controls with no weight loss history
Authors: Clamp L D , Hume D J , Lambert E V , Kroff J
Published: June 2017

Background:

Weight gain is associated with deterioration in metabolic health, whereas weight loss improves insulin sensitivity. This study assesses the impact of long-term, successfully maintained weight loss and weight-loss relapse on measures of insulin sensitivity and identifies factors that explain variability in insulin sensitivity.

Methods:

Women (20–45 years) were recruited into four groups: reduced-overweight/obese (RED, n=15); body mass index (BMI)-matched controls (stable low-weight, n=19), BMI⩽27 kg m−2; relapsed-overweight/obese subjects (REL, n=11); and BMI-matched controls (obese stable weight, n=11), BMI⩾27 kg m−2. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test determined fasting and 2 h plasma glucose and insulin. Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI(0,120)) assessed insulin sensitivity. Anthropometric measurements, fasting resting metabolic rate (RMR) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured. Questionnaires and dietary intake were recorded, and physical activity was measured using accelerometers.

Results:

RED were more insulin sensitive, characterised by lower fasting (P=0.001) and 2 h insulin (P=0.003) levels compared with all other groups. There were no significant differences in dietary intake, sedentary, light and moderate activity, RMR or RQ in the RED compared with the other three groups. % Body weight (BW) lost (P<0.001), % BW regained (P<0.05), body fat %, light activity (P<0.05, only log HOMA), vigorous activity (P<0.05) and RQ (P<0.01) predicted 61.4% and 59.7% of variability in log HOMA and log ISI(0,120), respectively, in multiple linear regression models.

Conclusion:

This study showed sustained enhanced insulin sensitivity in successful weight loss maintainers compared with BMI-matched controls with no weight loss history. Weight-loss-relapsed individuals were indistinguishable from controls. Weight loss itself was the strongest predictor of improved insulin sensitivity, whereas weight regain significantly predicted reduced insulin sensitivity. Weight-loss maintenance programs are essential to retaining metabolic benefits acquired through weight loss. Being physically active, reducing sedentary behaviour and, in particular, including small amounts of vigorous physical activity significantly predicted improved insulin sensitivity.
Dendritic mitoflash as a putative signal for stabilizing long-term synaptic plasticity
Authors: Fu Zhong-Xiao , Tan Xiao , Fang Huaqiang , Lau Pak-Ming , Wang Xianhua , Cheng Heping , Bi Guo-Qiang
Published: June 2017

Mitochondrial flashes (mitoflashes) are recently discovered excitable mitochondrial events in many cell types. Here we investigate their occurrence in the context of structural long-term potentiation (sLTP) at hippocampal synapses. At dendritic spines stimulated by electric pulses, glycine, or targeted glutamate uncaging, induction of sLTP is associated with a phasic occurrence of local, quantized mitochondrial activity in the form of one or a few mitoflashes, over a 30-min window. Low-dose nigericin or photoactivation that elicits mitoflashes stabilizes otherwise short-term spine enlargement into sLTP. Meanwhile, scavengers of reactive oxygen species suppress mitoflashes while blocking sLTP. With targeted photoactivation of mitoflashes, we further show that the stabilization of sLTP is effective within the critical 30-min time-window and a spatial extent of ~2 μm, similar to that of local diffusive reactive oxygen species. These findings indicate a potential signaling role of dendritic mitochondria in synaptic plasticity, and provide new insights into the cellular function of mitoflashes.
Cascaded exciton energy transfer in a monolayer semiconductor lateral heterostructure assisted by surface plasmon polariton
Authors: Shi Jinwei , Lin Meng-Hsien , Chen I-Tung , Mohammadi Estakhri Nasim , Zhang Xin-Quan , Wang Yanrong , Chen Hung-Ying , Chen Chun-An , Shih Chih-Kang , Alù Andrea , Li Xiaoqin , Lee Yi-Hsien , Gwo Shangjr
Published: June 2017

Atomically thin lateral heterostructures based on transition metal dichalcogenides have recently been demonstrated. In monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides, exciton energy transfer is typically limited to a short range (~1 μm), and additional losses may be incurred at the interfacial regions of a lateral heterostructure. To overcome these challenges, here we experimentally implement a planar metal-oxide-semiconductor structure by placing a WS2/MoS2 monolayer heterostructure on top of an Al2O3-capped Ag single-crystalline plate. We find that the exciton energy transfer range can be extended to tens of microns in the hybrid structure mediated by an exciton-surface plasmon polariton–exciton conversion mechanism, allowing cascaded exciton energy transfer from one transition metal dichalcogenides region supporting high-energy exciton resonance to a different transition metal dichalcogenides region in the lateral heterostructure with low-energy exciton resonance. The realized planar hybrid structure combines two-dimensional light-emitting materials with planar plasmonic waveguides and offers great potential for developing integrated photonic and plasmonic devices.
Tomographic imaging of the photonic environment of plasmonic nanoparticles
Authors: Hörl Anton , Haberfehlner Georg , Trügler Andreas , Schmidt Franz-Philipp , Hohenester Ulrich , Kothleitner Gerald
Published: June 2017

The photonic local density of states (LDOS) governs the enhancement of light–matter interaction at the nanoscale, but despite its importance for nanophotonics and plasmonics experimental local density of states imaging remains extremely challenging. Here we introduce a tomography scheme based on electron microscopy that allows retrieval of the three-dimensional local density of states of plasmonic nanoparticles with nanometre spatial and sub-eV energy resolution. From conventional electron tomography experiments we obtain the three-dimensional morphology of the nanostructure, and use this information to compute an expansion basis for the photonic environment. The expansion coefficients are obtained through solution of an inverse problem using as input electron-energy loss spectroscopy images. We demonstrate the applicability of our scheme for silver nanocuboids and coupled nanodisks, and resolve local density of states enhancements with extreme sub-wavelength dimensions in hot spots located at roughness features or in gaps of coupled nanoparticles.
Defect-induced local variation of crystal phase transition temperature in metal-halide perovskites
Authors: Dobrovolsky Alexander , Merdasa Aboma , Unger Eva L. , Yartsev Arkady , Scheblykin Ivan G.
Published: June 2017

Solution-processed organometal halide perovskites are hybrid crystalline semiconductors highly interesting for low-cost and efficient optoelectronics. Their properties are dependent on the crystal structure. Literature shows a variety of crystal phase transition temperatures and often a spread of the transition over tens of degrees Kelvin. We explain this inconsistency by demonstrating that the temperature of the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic phase transition in methylammonium lead triiodide depends on the concentration and nature of local defects. Phase transition in individual nanowires was studied by photoluminescence microspectroscopy and super-resolution imaging. We propose that upon cooling from 160 to 140 K, domains of the crystal containing fewer defects stay in the tetragonal phase longer than highly defected domains that readily transform to the high bandgap orthorhombic phase at higher temperatures. The existence of relatively pure tetragonal domains during the phase transition leads to drastic photoluminescence enhancement, which is inhomogeneously distributed across perovskite microcrystals.
Role of new Immunophenotypic Markers on Prognostic and Overall Survival of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Costa A. F. O. , Menezes D. L. , Pinheiro L. H. S. , Sandes A. F. , Nunes M. A. P. , Lyra Junior D. P. , Schimieguel D. M.
Published: June 2017

Despite technological advances, the prognosis and survival of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) adult patients remain low, compared with other hematologic malignancies. Some antigens detected by immunophenotyping may soon play a significant role in the pathophysiologic, prognostic, and overall survival (OS) rate of AML patients. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library (using PRISMA guidelines). We analyzed 11 studies and 13 antigens, detected through the immunophenotyping of 639 patients. From them, twelve exhibited a negative impact with AML prognosis. The meta-analysis demonstrated a high expression of AML markers, which have been associated with a decrease in survival over 10 months (RR 2.55; IC 95%; 1.49–4.37) and over 20 months (RR 2.46; IC 95%; 1.75–3.45). Knowing that the expression of immunophenotypic markers, which are not used on a routine basis, might be able to influence disease behavior, looks promising. However, they have been associated with a poor prognosis as well as a decrease in survival. This may allow for different chemotherapeutical protocols, including future studies for new therapeutic targets.
Orthogonal quasi-phase-matched superlattice for generation of hyperentangled photons
Authors: Hegazy Salem F. , Obayya Salah S. A. , Saleh Bahaa E. A.
Published: June 2017

A crystal superlattice structure featuring nonlinear layers with alternating orthogonal optic axes interleaved with orthogonal poling directions, is shown to generate high-quality hyperentangled photon pairs via orthogonal quasi-phase-matched spontaneous parametric downconversion. We demonstrate that orthogonal quasi-phase matching (QPM) processes in a single nonlinear domain structure correct phase and group-velocity mismatches concurrently. Compared with the conventional two-orthogonal-crystals source and the double-nonlinearity single-crystal source, the orthogonal QPM superlattice is shown to suppress the spatial and temporal distinguishability of the generated photon pairs by several orders of magnitude, depending on the number of layers. This enhanced all-over-the-cone indistinguishability enables the generation of higher fluxes of photon-pairs by means of the combined use of (a) long nonlinear crystal in noncollinear geometry, (b) low coherence-time pumping and ultra-wide-band spectral detection, and (c) focused pumping and over-the-cone detection. While each of these three features is challenging by itself, it is remarkable that the orthogonal QPM superlattice meets all of these challenges without the need for separate spatial or temporal compensation.