bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Transparent, Highly Stretchable, Autonomous Self‐Healing Poly(dimethyl siloxane) Elastomer
Authors: Zhang Baolin , Zhang Ping , Zhang Hanzhi , Yan Casey , Zheng Zijian , Wu Biao , Yu You
Published: May 2017

An innovative self‐healing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer, namely, PDMS‐TFB, is reported by incorporating the reversibly dynamic imine bond as the self‐healing points into the PDMS networks. The PDMS‐TFB elastomer features good optical transmittance (80%) in full visible light region, high stretchability (≈700%), and excellent autonomous self‐healing ability at room temperature. Surprisingly, the self‐healing behavior can take place in water and even at a temperature as low as −20 °C in air, showing a promising outlook for broader applications. As a proof‐of‐concept, this study demonstrates the use of the PDMS‐TFB elastomer for preparing anticorrosion coating and adhesive layer, and also the use of such an elastomer to be the platform for fabricating the flexible interconnector and chemical sensor. Remarkably, no significant difference is observed between the pristine and healed samples. Taking full advantage of these unique properties, it is anticipated that such a PDMS‐TFB elastomer shows wide applications in the fields of materials science, electronics, biology, optics, etc.

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Molecular design of interfacial layers based on conjugated polythiophenes for polymer and hybrid solar cells
Authors: Houston Judith E , Richeter Sébastien , Clément Sébastien , Evans Rachel C
Published: May 2017

In the past two decades, bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices have emerged as attractive candidates for solar energy conversion due to their lightweight design and potential for low‐cost, high‐throughput, solution‐phase processability. Interfacial engineering is a proven efficient approach to achieve OPV devices with high power conversion efficiencies. This mini‐review provides an overview of the key structural considerations necessary when undertaking the molecular design of conjugated polyelectrolytes, for application as interfacial layers (ILs). The different roles of ILs are outlined, together with the advantages and disadvantages of competing classes of IL materials. Particular emphasis is placed on the design and synthesis of water‐soluble polythiophene‐based IL materials and the influence of their structural characteristics on their performance as a promising class of IL material. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for polythiophenes as IL materials for OPV devices and other solution‐processed solar cell technologies (e.g. perovskite solar cells) are discussed. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Psychological treatment of depression and anxiety in patients with co‐morbid personality disorder: A scoping study of trial evidence
Authors: French L.R.M. , Turner K.M. , Dawson S. , Moran P.
Published: May 2017

It is unclear what the best psychological treatment is for depression and anxiety in people with co‐morbid personality disorder. Trials of different psychological treatment options for this patient group have been conducted, but this evidence has not previously been systematically reviewed or critically appraised. We set out to conduct a scoping review in order to describe which psychological therapies appear most effective in treating depression and/or anxiety in patients with co‐morbid personality disorder. PsycINFO, Cochrane library trials, Medline and Embase databases were searched for studies involving randomized, controlled, experimental, parallel‐arm comparisons, examining any well‐defined, psychotherapeutic intervention for adults, in an outpatient setting, with a clearly defined diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety, and co‐morbid personality disorder. A total of 1662 papers were identified. Fifteen met criteria for inclusion and were reviewed. There was weak evidence to support the use of cognitive behavioural therapy as a psychological treatment for depression in patients with co‐morbid personality disorder. However, the literature is characterized by considerable methodological heterogeneity, and further research is needed before there is sufficient evidence to indicate which psychological treatment would be most effective in treating anxiety and/or depression in this patient group. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating the potential benefit to a mesoscale NWP model of a microwave sounder on board a geostationary satellite
Authors: Duruisseau Fabrice , Chambon Philippe , Guedj Stéphanie , Guidard Vincent , Fourrié Nadia , Taillefer Françoise , Brousseau Pierre , Mahfouf Jean‐François , Roca Rémy
Published: May 2017

Observing the Earth with a microwave radiometer on board a geostationary satellite has generated interest for several decades. Such a mission would add a high observation rate in the microwave spectrum, offered by a geostationary orbit, to the sounding capabilities of the current observing system. The instrumental concept under study considers a microwave radiometer with six channels with different observation errors within the 183.31 GHz water vapour absorption band.

Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) are conducted to examine if these very frequent microwave observations would be beneficial to mesoscale numerical weather prediction (NWP) and complement the current or soon‐available satellite observations. The OSSE framework is built up on (i) simulated observations from a known ‘truth’ which is a long and uninterrupted forecast from the Météo‐France ARPEGE global model, and (ii) the Météo‐France AROME mesoscale model in which the simulated observations are assimilated using a 1 h update cycle 3D‐Var data assimilation system.

Benefits that may be expected from such a microwave sounder mission are evaluated in the context of a dense observing system including observations from the future hyper‐spectral InfraRed Sounder on board Meteosat Third Generation. In particular, impacts of microwave observations with observation errors ranging from 1.25 to 5 K are studied. One of the main findings of this study is that fine‐scale NWP systems do not only need observations that are frequent in space and time, but that these observations must be accurate as well.
Preparation of Gold Shells on Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres and Application to Photothermal‐Chemotherapy
Authors: Rahman Zia Ur , Zhang Tingting , Feng Yange , Ye Weichun , Wang Daoai
Published: May 2017

Hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres (HMSN) were prepared through simple steps using iron oxide nanoparticles and CTAB as templates, which were removed by refluxing in acidic solution. Hollow structure of HMSN was confirmed by TEM and XRD, while N2 adsorption‐desorption study indicated mesoporous structure of the nanospheres. Gold shells on hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres (GHMSN) were also prepared using gold nanoparticles as seeds and HAuCl4 solution as a source of Au ions, which were subsequently reduced on the surface. The prepared nanospheres indicated good biocompatibility even at very high concentration. Doxorubicin (Dox) as anticancer drug was loaded into both nanospheres which showed a pH‐responsive release. Both nanospheres were applied for the treatment of human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). Results proved the effectiveness of both nanospheres in treatment of cancer cells, while GHMSN showed synergistic therapeutic effect due to Dox as chemotherapy and gold shells as photothermal therapy, using moderate power density of near‐infrared (NIR) light radiation.
Formation of Hindered Arylcarbamates using Alkyl Aryl Carbonates under Highly Reactive Conditions
Authors: Shahsavari Shahien , Gooding James , Wigstrom Travis , Fang Shiyue
Published: May 2017

Hindered O‐tert‐alkyl N‐arylcarbamates were conveniently prepared by treating arylamines with aryl tert‐alkyl carbonates in the presence of a strong base. The new method avoids the use of sensitive and difficult‐to‐access dialkyl dicarbonates and isocyanates, which are most commonly used in known methods. Instead, the stable and readily accessible alkyl aryl carbonates are used. Therefore, the new method is particularly suitable for the synthesis of N‐arylcarbamates that contain a complex O‐alkyl moiety. Using the method, electron‐rich and electron‐poor, and primary and secondary arylamines can all be conveniently converted to their carbamates with acceptable yields. The method was also found equally effective for the synthesis of the less hindered O‐secondary and O‐primary alkyl N‐arylcarbamates.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Potent Antioxidant 1‐(2,5‐Dimethoxybenzyl)‐4‐arylpiperazines and N‐Azolyl Substituted 2‐(4‐Arylpiperazin‐1‐yl)
Authors: Saadeh Haythem A. , Khasawneh Mohammad A. , Samadi Abdelouahid , El‐Haty Ismail A. , Satała Grzegorz , Bojarski Andrzej J. , Ismaili Lhassane , Bautista‐Aguilera Óscar M. , Yañez Matilde , Mestres Jordi , Marco‐Contelles José
Published: May 2017

We describe here the synthesis, antioxidant capacity, and biological activities on MAO, ChE, and selected GPCRs, of novel 1‐(2,5‐dimethoxybenzyl)‐4‐arylpiperazines 1–10, as well as known N‐(2‐(2‐methyl‐5‐nitro‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl))‐2‐(4‐arylpiperazin‐1‐yl) 11–20 and N‐(5‐nitrothiazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐(4‐arylpiperazin‐1‐yl) 21–29. Some of the new 4‐arylpiperazines were found to have low‐micromolar affinities for the proteins tested. The most potent MAO inhibitor identified was compound 2‐(4‐(3‐fluorophenyl)‐yl)‐N‐(5‐nitrothiazol‐2‐yl)(27), with an IC50 value of 4.14 ± 0.5 μM, whereas the most potent interaction with a GPCR was 1‐(2,5‐dimethoxybenzyl)‐4‐(4‐trifluoromethylphenyl) (5) for the 5‐HT6 serotonin receptor, with a Ki value of 0.7 μM. Interestingly, some of the compounds described here showed impressive antioxidant potential. Of mention, compounds 1, 6, 7, and 23 had trolox/equivalent ORAC values of 9.10, 8.80, 8.82, and 9.42, respectively, all of them being significantly higher than the TE determined for ferulic acid (3.74), a standard antioxidant. Among all molecules synthesized and tested, compound 23 can be regarded as an interesting low‐micromolar MAO−B/5‐HT6 dual inhibitor lead with potent antioxidant properties.
Au Nanorod: An Efficient Catalyst for One‐Pot Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones via the Multicomponent Biginelli Reaction.
Authors: Thi Nguyen Nhat‐Hang , Thi Nguyen Phuong‐Phong , Thi Nguyen Thuy‐Duy , Thi Tran Minh‐Nguyet , Thi Huynh Thanh‐Nguyen , Tran Phuong Hoang
Published: May 2017

Gold nanoparticle catalysts have attracted much attention due to their catalytic efficiency under mild conditions. We report here the synthesis of a series of shapes of gold nanocrystals by simple reduction of HAuCl4⋅3H2O and application them as the catalysts for multicomponent Biginelli reaction. Amongst these, unsupported gold nanorods show the best catalytic activity. Its efficiency allows one‐pot synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones to proceed in high yield under mild conditions.
Better Than the Best Polar Solvent: Tuning the Polarity of 1,2,4‐ Triazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids
Authors: Singh Dharmendra , Sharma Gyanendra , Gardas Ramesh L.
Published: May 2017

In search of better replacement for highly polar volatile organic solvents, ionic liquids (ILs) with high polarity and high polarizability were synthesized using N‐1 substituted 1,2,4‐triazolium‐based cation with trifluoromethanesulfonate as the counter anion. The temperature dependence polarity of the synthesized ILs has been investigated using solvatochromic dyes and expressed in terms of and Kamlet‐Taft parameters (dipolarity/polarizability (π*), hydrogen bond donor acidity (α), and hydrogen bond basicity (β) in the range of (293.15−353.15) K. The introduction of the –SO3H functional group and triazole ring on the cation has revealed high polarity (
>1.2) and high polarizability (π*> 3.2). Furthermore, to understand the extent of intermolecular interaction temperature dependence refractive indices have been measured in the temperature range (293.15−343.15) K and a positive correlation was observed with polarity parameter. Finally, the impact of structure variants in terms of the N‐1 functionalized 1,2,4‐triazole ring has been analyzed over the studied properties which is scrutinized to understand the solvation capability and intermolecular interaction in ILs.
1, 2‐Epoxy Propane Induced Self‐Assembly of Macroscopic Graphene with Good Adsorption
Authors: Gao Bingying , He He , Lu Shaoxiang , Kalulu Mulenga , Oderinde Olayinka , Ren Lili
Published: May 2017

A universal and simple one‐step approach to fabricate three‐dimensional (3D) graphene materials with the aid of 1, 2‐epoxy propane (PO) has been reported in this paper. PO, as one of widely used engineering materials, is easy to produce ring‐opening reaction under acidic conditions. When PO is introduced into graphene oxide (GO) dispersion (pH=2.4‐3.8), a 3D graphene architecture will be formed through the reaction of PO with oxygen‐containing functional groups (i. e. epoxy, carbonyl and carboxyl groups) on the surface of GO sheets. The obtained 3D graphene monolithic exhibits high porosity, strong mechanical performance, and good adsorption capacities for oil and organic dyes, which may find potential applications in wastewater treatment, environmental remediation, and electrochemistry.
Facile Access to Amino Acid Substituted Indenoisoquinolines through Carbonylative Cycloamination with [Fe(CO)5]
Authors: Slatkovská Beáta , Ondriaš Jakub , Doháňošová Jana , Gracza Tibor , Babjak Matej
Published: May 2017

Short and facile access to indenoisoquinolines derived from amines, amino acids and a dipeptide is reported, combining modified Dieckmann condensation of phthalides with o‐bromobenzaldehydes and [Fe(CO)5] based Heck‐type carbonylation. The carbonylative step for amino acids was optimized to diminish the racemization.
A Novel Synthesis of Aryl‐ and Heteroaryl ‐ Annulated Carbazoles: Newly Synthesized Pyrido‐, Benzo[a]‐ and Spirooxindolinebenzo[a]‐carbazols
Authors: Murali Karunanidhi , Sparkes Hazel A. , Prasad Karnam Jayarampillai Rajendra
Published: May 2017

A previously unknown class of highly substituted aryl‐ and heteroaryl‐annulated carbazoles such as pyrido[2,3‐a]carbazole, benzo[a]carbazole and spiro[indoline‐3′,4‐benzo[a]carbazole] has been prepared by the condensation of substituted α,α‐dicyanoalkenes and malononitrile with salicylaldehyde, aryl/heteroaryl aldehydes and isatin respectively in good to excellent yield. The structures of the compounds were confirmed spectroscopically (FT‐IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR) and by single X‐ray diffraction. The generality and functional tolerance of this convergent method is demonstrated. Compared with the former and contemporary reaction methodologies, these approaches afford several advantages such as operational simplicity, simple work‐up procedure, higher yield, short reaction time and environment friendly protocols.
Effect of Narrow Oxirane Adduct Distribution on the Adsorption of Disodium Alcohol Ethoxylates Sulfosuccinate at Air–Aqueous Solution Interface
Authors: Wen Pengpeng , Gao Yuyang , Sun Yongqiang
Published: May 2017

Adsorption behaviors at the air–water interface were presented for disodium alcohol ethoxylate sulfosuccinates (AESS) with narrow and broad oxirane adduct distribution. The CMC and equilibrium surface tension γeq of broad‐range distributed (BRD) and narrow‐range distributed (NRD) AESS2 (with average degrees of ethoxylation of 2) were measured by the Wilhelmy plate method, while the adsorption and thermodynamic parameters were calculated. The effect of temperature and inorganic electrolyte on adsorption behaviors of these two surfactants was also investigated. The results show that NRD AESS2 displays a lower CMC and higher γeq compared with BRD AESS2. At the same time, the maximum surface excess concentration Γmax of NRD AESS2 was lower than that of BRD AESS2 because of its larger steric hindrance, leading to the different adsorption and thermodynamic parameters. The adsorption of NRD AESS2 and BRD AESS2 was weakened with increasing temperature and enhanced in the presence of inorganic electrolyte.
Life‐threatening arrhythmias leading to syncope in patients with vasospastic angina
Authors: Nishizaki Mitsuhiro
Published: May 2017

The coronary artery diseases (CAD) that can lead to the occurrence of a syncopal attack include acute coronary syndrome, vasospastic angina, effort angina, and prior myocardial infarction. The possible mechanisms considered to lead to syncope in patients with CAD are pump failure, tachyarrhythmia, bradycardia, and vagal stimulation. Coronary artery spasm, in particular, is occasionally observed in patients with unexplained syncope in Japan. Life‐threatening arrhythmias are among the most serious complications of an ischemic attack caused by coronary spasm, and are associated with an increased risk of syncope and/or sudden cardiac death (SCD). Therefore, during the initial evaluation of unexplained syncope, the diagnosis of vasospastic angina (VSA) needs to be made promptly, to avert the risk of SCD as a consequence of syncope triggered by the lethal arrhythmia. The inducibility of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, increased QT dispersion, T‐wave alternans, and early repolarization during the asymptomatic period are considered risk markers for ventricular arrhythmias during coronary spasm. In view of the conclusions from several studies, implantable cardioverter/defibrillator therapy should be considered in patients who are at high risk for recurrence of syncope due to a fatal ventricular arrhythmia triggered by coronary spasm, despite appropriate medical therapy.
Investigating Clinically and Scientifically Useful Cut Points on the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory
Authors: Miner Michael H. , Raymond Nancy , Coleman Eli , Swinburne Romine Rebecca
Published: May 2017

Introduction

One of the major obstacles to conducting epidemiologic research and determining the incidence and prevalence of compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) has been the lack of relevant empirically derived cut points on the various instruments that have been used to measure the concept.

Aim

To further develop the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI) through exploring predictive validity and developing an empirically determined and clinically useful cut point for defining CSB.

Methods

A sample of 242 men who have sex with men was recruited from various sites in a moderate-size Midwestern city. Participants were assigned to a CSB group or a control group using an interview for the diagnosis that was patterned after the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The 22-item CSBI was administered as part of a larger battery of self-report inventories.

Main Outcome Measures

Receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to compute area-under-the-curve measurements to ascertain the predictive validity of the total scale, the control subscale, and the violence subscale. Cut points were determined through consensus of experts balancing sensitivity and specificity as determined by receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Analyses indicated that the 22-item CSBI was a good predictor of group membership, as was the 13-item control subscale. The violence subscale added little to the predictive accuracy of the instrument; thus, it likely measures something other than CSB. Two relevant cut points were found, one that minimized false negatives and another, more conservative cut point that minimized false positives.

Conclusion

The CSBI as currently configured measures two different constructions and only the control subscale is helpful in diagnosing CSB. Therefore, we decided to eliminate the violence subscale and move forward with a 13-item scale that we have named the CSBI-13. Two cut points were developed from this revised scale, one that is useful as a clinical screening tool and the other, more conservative measurement that is useful for etiologic and epidemiologic research.
One-Stage Gender-Confirmation Surgery as a Viable Surgical Procedure for Female-to-Male Transsexuals
Authors: Stojanovic Borko , Bizic Marta , Bencic Marko , Kojovic Vladimir , Majstorovic Marko , Jeftovic Milos , Stanojevic Dusan , Djordjevic Miroslav L.
Published: May 2017

Background

Female-to-male gender-confirmation surgery (GCS) includes removal of breasts and female genitalia and complete genital and urethral reconstruction. With a multidisciplinary approach, these procedures can be performed in one stage, avoiding multistage operations.

Aim

To present our results of one-stage sex-reassignment surgery in female-to-male transsexuals and to emphasize the advantages of single-stage over multistage surgery.

Methods

During a period of 9 years (2007–2016), 473 patients (mean age = 31.5 years) underwent metoidioplasty. Of these, 137 (29%) underwent simultaneous hysterectomy, and 79 (16.7%) underwent one-stage GCS consisting of chest masculinization, total transvaginal hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, vaginectomy, metoidioplasty, urethral lengthening, scrotoplasty, and implantation of bilateral testicular prostheses. All surgeries were performed simultaneously by teams of experienced gynecologic and gender surgeons.

Outcomes

Primary outcome measurements were surgical time, length of hospital stay, and complication and reoperation rates compared with other published data and in relation to the number of stages needed to complete GCS.

Results

Mean follow-up was 44 months (range = 10–92). Mean surgery time was 270 minutes (range = 215–325). Postoperative hospital stay was 3 to 6 days (mean = 4). Complications occurred in 20 patients (25.3%). Six patients (7.6%) had complications related to mastectomy, and one patient underwent revision surgery because of a breast hematoma. Two patients underwent conversion of transvaginal hysterectomy to an abdominal approach, and subcutaneous perineal cyst, as a consequence of colpocleisis, occurred in nine patients. There were eight complications (10%) from urethroplasty, including four fistulas, three strictures, and one diverticulum. Testicular implant rejection occurred in two patients and testicular implant displacement occurred in one patient.

Clinical Implications

Female-to-male transsexuals can undergo complete GCS, including mastectomy, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, vaginectomy, and metoidioplasty with urethral reconstruction as a one-stage procedure without increased surgical risks and complication rates.

Strengths and Limitations

To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort on this topic so far, with good surgical outcomes. Limitations include lack of selection or exclusion criteria and lack of other studies with a simple approach. For this reason, the technique should be studied further and compared with other techniques for female-to-male surgery before it can be recommended as an alternative procedure.

Conclusions

Through a multidisciplinary approach of experienced teams, one-stage GCS presents a safe, viable, and time- and cost-saving procedure. Complication rates do not differ from reported rates in multistage surgeries.
The Use of Dehydrated Human Amnion/Chorion Membrane Allograft Injection for the Treatment of Tendinopathy or Arthritis: A Case Series Involving 40 Patients
Authors: Gellhorn Alfred C. , Han Alex
Published: May 2017

Background

Degenerative joint and tendon injuries remain difficult to treat, with few effective conservative treatment options available. Regenerative approaches aim to promote the inherent healing capacity of injured tissues. Micronized dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (dHACM) injection is an emerging regenerative option with promising preclinical results.

Objective

To test the clinical effectiveness of dHACM injection in patients with chronic tendinopathy and arthropathy.

Design

Case series.

Setting

Academic medical center outpatient sports medicine clinic.

Patients

A total of 40 patients with chronic tendinosis or arthropathy who received dHACM over a period of 9 months.

Methods

A structured interview was administered to patients by telephone to supplement the clinical information available in the medical chart. All patients received an ultrasound‐guided injection of dHACM.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was change in pain level, and the secondary outcome was change in activities of daily living (ADLs) and sports/recreation function. More than 30% improvement in average pain and function was considered a successful outcome.

Results

Patient pain and function were measured at 1, 2, and 3 months after the procedure. Patient‐reported average pain scores decreased from a baseline value of 6.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.7‐7.0) to 2.7 (95% CI = 2.1‐3.3; P < .001) at 1 month, 1.7 (95% CI = 1.1‐2.2; P < .001) at 2 months, and 1.4 (95% CI = 0.9‐1.9; P < .001) at 3 months. The percentage of patients achieving clinical success, defined as 30% or greater improvement in pain levels, was 68% at 1 month, 82% at 2 months, and 91% at 3 months. Patient‐reported functional impairment in ADLs decreased from 6.8 (95% CI = 6.0‐7.5) to 2.0 (95% CI = 1.4‐2.7) (P < .001); impairment in sports/recreation decreased from 8.5 (95% CI = 7.9‐9.1) to 3.2 (95% CI = 2.6‐3.9) (P < .001). Frequency of pain medication use decreased from 29 of 40 patients (72.5%) before the procedure to 9 of 40 patients (22.5%) at final follow up (P < .001). Localized pain at the injection site was common, but no other adverse events or side effects were reported.

Conclusion

In the setting of tendinosis or arthropathy, dHACM injection was clinically effective in reducing pain and improving function in a majority of adults.

Level of Evidence

IV
Anti-System Parties Revisited: Concept Formation and Guidelines for Empirical Research
Authors: Zulianello Mattia
Published: May 2017

On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the concept of anti-system party it is time to ask whether it enjoys good health in addition to longevity. Reflecting on what constitutes an anti-system party appears to be of unprecedented relevance, particularly in the light of the electoral success of populist parties such as the French Front National, the Five Star Movement in Italy and Syriza in Greece. This article highlights two crucial questions that remain unsolved if we follow existing conceptualizations: What are the boundaries of the concept? When does a party cease to be anti-system and how can it be reclassified thereafter? In order to overcome such limitations, this article develops a revisited concept of anti-system party and provides a set of guidelines for its empirical application. Furthermore, a novel typology capable of investigating the evolution of anti-system parties and classifying political parties in general is presented.
William N. Goetzmann, Money Changes Everything: How Finance Made Civilization Possible.
Authors: Eisenstadt Peter
Published: May 2017

Louis Armstrong was once asked to define “swing.” His response was—probably apocryphally—“if you have to ask, you'll never know.” But when it comes to defining and understanding capitalism, “you'll know it when you see it” answers do not suffice. Defining precisely what we mean by capitalism has never been easy. Capitalism is a “keyword,” to use Raymond Williams's term, a touchstone in our cultural and political debates. For Williams, keywords have “a history and complexity of meanings; conscious changes, or consciously different uses; of innovation, obsolescence, specialization, extension, overlap, transfer” (Raymond Williams, Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society [1976]). And there is good reason to think that, over the past generation, as capitalism has globalized, both surged and failed, and largely displaced its former rivals to the left, socialism and communism, the problems of precisely saying what we mean when speak of capitalism has only become more difficult.
Unpacking the role of self-reported compulsivity and impulsivity in obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Prochazkova Luisa , Parkes Linden , Dawson Andrew , Youssef George , Ferreira Gabriela M. , Lorenzetti Valentina , Segrave Rebecca A. , Fontenelle Leonardo F. , Yücel Murat
Published: May 2017

Objective

We aimed to determine whether individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and demographically matched healthy individuals can be clustered into distinct clinical subtypes based on dimensional measures of their self-reported compulsivity (OBQ–44 and IUS–12) and impulsivity (UPPS–P).

Methods

Participants (n=217) were 103 patients with a clinical diagnosis of OCD; 79 individuals from the community who were “OCD-likely” according to self-report (Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory–Revised scores equal or greater than 21); and 35 healthy controls. All data were collected between 2013 and 2015 using self-report measures that assessed different aspects of compulsivity and impulsivity. Principal component analysis revealed two components broadly representing an individual's level of compulsivity and impulsivity. Unsupervised clustering grouped participants into four subgroups, each representing one part of an orthogonal compulsive-impulsive phenotype.

Results

Clustering converged to yield four subgroups: one group low on both compulsivity and impulsivity, comprised mostly of healthy controls and demonstrating the lowest OCD symptom severity; two groups showing roughly equal clinical severity, but with opposing drivers (i.e., high compulsivity and low impulsivity, and vice versa); and a final group high on both compulsivity and impulsivity and recording the highest clinical severity. Notably, the largest cluster of individuals with OCD was characterized by high impulsivity and low compulsivity. Our results suggest thatbothimpulsivity and compulsivity mediate obsessive-compulsive symptomatology.

Conclusions

Individuals with OCD can be clustered into distinct subtypes based on measures of compulsivity and impulsivity, with the latter being found to be one of the more defining characteristics of the disorder. These dimensions may serve as viable and novel treatment targets.
Catching Glimpses of Centuries-Old Earthquakes
Authors: Witman Sarah
Published: May 2017

Researchers in the western United States survey the earthquakes that have torn up California for the past millennium.
When Ocean and Atmosphere Couple, the Climate Wobbles
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: May 2017

Every 25–30 years, the ocean and atmosphere conspire to produce an enhanced North Atlantic Oscillation
Ancient Methane Seeps Tell Tale of Sudden Warming
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: May 2017

Newly discovered rock mounds left by ancient methane seeps give scientists clues that methane on ancient ocean floor was released by ancient global warming.
Analysis of renal cancer cell lines from two major resources enables genomics-guided cell line selection
Authors: Sinha Rileen , Winer Andrew G. , Chevinsky Michael , Jakubowski Christopher , Chen Ying-Bei , Dong Yiyu , Tickoo Satish K. , Reuter Victor E. , Russo Paul , Coleman Jonathan A. , Sander Chris , Hsieh James J. , Hakimi A. Ari
Published: May 2017

The utility of cancer cell lines is affected by the similarity to endogenous tumour cells. Here we compare genomic data from 65 kidney-derived cell lines from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and the COSMIC Cell Lines Project to three renal cancer subtypes from The Cancer Genome Atlas: clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC, also known as kidney renal clear cell carcinoma), papillary (pRCC, also known as kidney papillary) and chromophobe (chRCC, also known as kidney chromophobe) renal cell carcinoma. Clustering copy number alterations shows that most cell lines resemble ccRCC, a few (including some often used as models of ccRCC) resemble pRCC, and none resemble chRCC. Human ccRCC tumours clustering with cell lines display clinical and genomic features of more aggressive disease, suggesting that cell lines best represent aggressive tumours. We stratify mutations and copy number alterations for important kidney cancer genes by the consistency between databases, and classify cell lines into established gene expression-based indolent and aggressive subtypes. Our results could aid investigators in analysing appropriate renal cancer cell lines.
HLA-DP84Gly constitutively presents endogenous peptides generated by the class I antigen processing pathway
Authors: Yamashita Yuki , Anczurowski Mark , Nakatsugawa Munehide , Tanaka Makito , Kagoya Yuki , Sinha Ankit , Chamoto Kenji , Ochi Toshiki , Guo Tingxi , Saso Kayoko , Butler Marcus O. , Minden Mark D. , Kislinger Thomas , Hirano Naoto
Published: May 2017

Classical antigen processing leads to the presentation of antigenic peptides derived from endogenous and exogenous sources for MHC class I and class II molecules, respectively. Here we show that, unlike other class II molecules, prevalent HLA-DP molecules with β-chains encoding Gly84 (DP84Gly) constitutively present endogenous peptides. DP84Glydoes not bind invariant chain (Ii) via the class II-associated invariant chain peptide (CLIP) region, nor does it present CLIP. However, Ii does facilitate the transport of DP84Glyfrom the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the endosomal/lysosomal pathway by transiently binding DP84Glyvia a non-CLIP region(s) in a pH-sensitive manner. Accordingly, like class I, DP84Glyconstitutively presents endogenous peptides processed by the proteasome and transported to the ER by the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). Therefore, DP84Gly, found only in common chimpanzees and humans, uniquely uses both class I and II antigen-processing pathways to present peptides derived from intracellular and extracellular sources.
New Insight into the Ground State of FePc: A Diffusion Monte Carlo Study
Authors: Ichibha Tom , Hou Zhufeng , Hongo Kenta , Maezono Ryo
Published: May 2017

We have applied DMC to evaluate relative stability of the possible electronic configurations of an isolated FePc under D4h
symmetry, considering some fixed nodes generated from different methods. They predict A2g
ground state consistently, supporting preceding DFT studies, with confidence overcoming the ambiguity about exchange-correlation (XC) functionals. By comparing DMC with several XC, we clarified the importance of the short-range exchange to describe the relative stability. We examined why the predicted A2g
is excluded from possible ground states in the recent ligand field based model. Simplified assumptions made in the superposition model are identified to give unreasonably less energy gain for A2g
when compared with the reality. The state is found to have possible reasons for the stabilization, reducing the occupations from an unstable anti-bonding orbital, avoiding double occupation of a spatially localized orbital, and gaining exchange energy by putting a triplet spin pair in degenerate orbitals.
Systems Immunology of Diabetes-Tuberculosis Comorbidity Reveals Signatures of Disease Complications
Authors: Prada-Medina Cesar A. , Fukutani Kiyoshi F. , Pavan Kumar Nathella , Gil-Santana Leonardo , Babu Subash , Lichtenstein Flávio , West Kim , Sivakumar Shanmugam , Menon Pradeep A. , Viswanathan Vijay , Andrade Bruno B. , Nakaya Helder I. , Kornfeld Hardy
Published: May 2017

Comorbid diabetes mellitus (DM) increases tuberculosis (TB) risk and adverse outcomes but the pathological interactions between DM and TB remain incompletely understood. We performed an integrative analysis of whole blood gene expression and plasma analytes, comparing South Indian TB patients with and without DM to diabetic and non-diabetic controls without TB. Luminex assay of plasma cytokines and growth factors delineated a distinct biosignature in comorbid TBDM in this cohort. Transcriptional profiling revealed elements in common with published TB signatures from cohorts that excluded DM. Neutrophil count correlated with the molecular degree of perturbation, especially in TBDM patients. Body mass index and HDL cholesterol were negatively correlated with molecular degree of perturbation. Diabetic complication pathways including several pathways linked to epigenetic reprogramming were activated in TBDM above levels observed with DM alone. Our data provide a rationale for trials of host-directed therapies in TBDM, targeting neutrophilic inflammation and diabetic complication pathways to address the greater morbidity and mortality associated with this increasingly prevalent dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Ancient and recent admixture layers in Sicily and Southern Italy trace multiple migration routes along the Mediterranean
Authors: Sarno Stefania , Boattini Alessio , Pagani Luca , Sazzini Marco , De Fanti Sara , Quagliariello Andrea , Gnecchi Ruscone Guido Alberto , Guichard Etienne , Ciani Graziella , Bortolini Eugenio , Barbieri Chiara , Cilli Elisabetta , Petrilli Rosalba , Mikerezi Ilia , Sineo Luca , Vilar Miguel , Wells Spencer , Luiselli Donata , Pettener Davide
Published: May 2017

The Mediterranean shores stretching between Sicily, Southern Italy and the Southern Balkans witnessed a long series of migration processes and cultural exchanges. Accordingly, present-day population diversity is composed by multiple genetic layers, which make the deciphering of different ancestral and historical contributes particularly challenging. We address this issue by genotyping 511 samples from 23 populations of Sicily, Southern Italy, Greece and Albania with the Illumina GenoChip Array, also including new samples from Albanian- and Greek-speaking ethno-linguistic minorities of Southern Italy. Our results reveal a shared Mediterranean genetic continuity, extending from Sicily to Cyprus, where Southern Italian populations appear genetically closer to Greek-speaking islands than to continental Greece. Besides a predominant Neolithic background, we identify traces of Post-Neolithic Levantine- and Caucasus-related ancestries, compatible with maritime Bronze-Age migrations. We argue that these results may have important implications in the cultural history of Europe, such as in the diffusion of some Indo-European languages. Instead, recent historical expansions from North-Eastern Europe account for the observed differentiation of present-day continental Southern Balkan groups. Patterns of IBD-sharing directly reconnect Albanian-speaking Arbereshe with a recent Balkan-source origin, while Greek-speaking communities of Southern Italy cluster with their Italian-speaking neighbours suggesting a long-term history of presence in Southern Italy.
Quantum key distribution with hacking countermeasures and long term field trial
Authors: Dixon A. R. , Dynes J. F. , Lucamarini M. , Fröhlich B. , Sharpe A. W. , Plews A. , Tam W. , Yuan Z. L. , Tanizawa Y. , Sato H. , Kawamura S. , Fujiwara M. , Sasaki M. , Shields A. J.
Published: May 2017

Quantum key distribution’s (QKD’s) central and unique claim is information theoretic security. However there is an increasing understanding that the security of a QKD system relies not only on theoretical security proofs, but also on how closely the physical system matches the theoretical models and prevents attacks due to discrepancies. These side channel or hacking attacks exploit physical devices which do not necessarily behave precisely as the theory expects. As such there is a need for QKD systems to be demonstrated to provide security both in the theoretical and physical implementation. We report here a QKD system designed with this goal in mind, providing a more resilient target against possible hacking attacks including Trojan horse, detector blinding, phase randomisation and photon number splitting attacks. The QKD system was installed into a 45 km link of a metropolitan telecom network for a 2.5 month period, during which time the system operated continuously and distributed 1.33 Tbits of secure key data with a stable secure key rate over 200 kbit/s. In addition security is demonstrated against coherent attacks that are more general than the collective class of attacks usually considered.
Nicotine in floral nectar pharmacologically influences bumblebee learning of floral features
Authors: Baracchi D. , Marples A. , Jenkins A. J. , Leitch A. R. , Chittka L.
Published: May 2017

Many plants defend themselves against herbivores by chemical deterrents in their tissues and the presence of such substances in floral nectar means that pollinators often encounter them when foraging. The effect of such substances on the foraging behaviour of pollinators is poorly understood. Using artificial flowers in tightly-controlled laboratory settings, we examined the effects of the alkaloid nicotine on bumblebee foraging performance. We found that bumblebees confronted simultaneously with two equally rewarded nicotine-containing and nicotine-free flower types are deterred only by unnaturally high nicotine concentrations. This deterrence disappears or even turns into attraction at lower nectar-relevant concentrations. The alkaloid has profound effects on learning in a dose-dependent manner. At a high natural dose, bees learn the colour of a nicotine-containing flower type more swiftly than a flower type with the same caloric value but without nicotine. Furthermore, after experiencing flowers containing nicotine in any tested concentration, increasing numbers of bumblebees stay more faithful to these flowers, even if they become a suboptimal choice in terms of reward. These results demonstrate that alkaloids enhance pollinator flower constancy, opening new perspectives in co-evolutionary process between plants and pollinators.
Impact of metabolic status on the incidence of psoriasis: a Korean nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kim Eun Sook , Han Kyungdo , Kim Mee Kyoung , Park Yong-Moon , Baek Ki-Hyun , Moon Sung Dae , Han Je-Ho , Song Ki-Ho , Kwon Hyuk-Sang
Published: May 2017

Growing evidence suggests that obesity is a risk factor for incident psoriasis. This study was aimed to evaluate the association of obesity and metabolic status with the incidence of psoriasis. A total of 418,057 adults were followed-up using a nationwide prospective cohort study in Korea. Participants were stratified based on the body mass index categories and metabolic condition. During the follow-up visit, 11054 (2.6%) cases were found to have psoriasis. Diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity were all found to be risk factors for incident psoriasis. The metabolically unhealthy non-obese (MUNO) subjects (hazard ratio [HR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–1.37) and metabolically unhealthy obese subjects (MUO; HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1. 26–1.41) had a significantly higher risk of psoriasis incidence as compared to metabolically healthy non-obese subjects. The risk of psoriasis development was found to be high among the MUNO and MUO subjects in both sexes and all age groups. In conclusion, the metabolic health status was significantly associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in both obese and non-obese individuals. However, further studies are needed to evaluate whether the control of metabolic parameters can lower the incidence of psoriasis.
A quantitative shRNA screen identifies ATP1A1 as a gene that regulates cytotoxicity by aurilide B
Authors: Takase Shohei , Kurokawa Rumi , Arai Daisuke , Kanemoto Kanto Kind , Okino Tatsufumi , Nakao Yoichi , Kushiro Tetsuo , Yoshida Minoru , Matsumoto Ken
Published: May 2017

Genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) with pooled and barcoded short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) libraries provides a powerful tool for identifying cellular components that are relevant to the modes/mechanisms of action (MoA) of bioactive compounds. shRNAs that affect cellular sensitivity to a given compound can be identified by deep sequencing of shRNA-specific barcodes. We used multiplex barcode sequencing technology by adding sample-specific index tags to PCR primers during sequence library preparation, enabling parallel analysis of multiple samples. An shRNA library screen with this system revealed that downregulation of ATP1A1, an α-subunit of Na+/K+ ATPase, conferred significant sensitivity to aurilide B, a natural marine product that induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Combined treatment with ouabain which inhibits Na+/K+ ATPase by targeting α-subunits potentiated sensitivity to aurilide B, suggesting that ATP1A1 regulates mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Our results indicate that multiplex sequencing facilitates the use of pooled shRNA library screening for the identification of combination drug therapy targets.
Phenotypic plasticity, trade-offs and gene expression changes accompanying dietary restriction and switches in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Chen Er-Hu , Hou Qiu-Li , Wei Dan-Dan , Jiang Hong-Bo , Wang Jin-Jun
Published: May 2017

In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary restriction (DR) and variable diets on phenotypes and gene expression in oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), one of the most economically important pests in the family Tephritidae around the world. As expected, we found that DR altered the B. dorsalis phenotypes by significantly increasing stress resistance and lifespan, but reduced egg production when compared with the control diet. The results suggested a trade-off between reproduction versus somatic maintenance (stress resistance) and lifespan in B. dorsalis. Diet also had a significant effect on hatchability, and DR could increase the egg hatching success of B. dorsalis. Furthermore, DR up-regulated metabolic pathways involved in energy homeostasis and down-regulated pathways in egg production, which might mediate trade-offs between somatic maintenance and reproduction under DR regimes. The gene expression profiles in response to the acute dietary switches indicated that the digestive and metabolic pathways maybe involved in the adaptability of flies to variable dietary resources. In summary, the research facilitates a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the B. dorsalis’ phenotypic adjustments to the different qualities of the available diets.
Insight into the global evolution of Rodentia associated Morbilli-related paramyxoviruses
Authors: Ghawar Wissem , Pascalis Hervé , Bettaieb Jihéne , Mélade Julien , Gharbi Adel , Snoussi Mohamed Ali , Laouini Dhafer , Goodman Steven M. , Ben Salah Afif , Dellagi Koussay
Published: May 2017

One portion of the family Paramyxoviridae is a group of Unclassified Morbilli-Related Viruses (UMRV) recently recognized in wild small mammals. At a global level, the evolutionary history of these viruses is not properly understood and the relationships between UMRV and their hosts still remain largely unstudied. The present study revealed, for the first time, that Rodentia associated UMRV emerged from a common ancestor in southern Africa more than 4000 years ago. Sequenced UMRV originating from different regions in the world, clustered into four well-supported viral lineages, which suggest that strain diversification occurred during host dispersal and associated exchanges, with purifying selection pressure as the principal evolutionary force. In addition, multi-introductions on different continents and islands of Rodentia associated UMRV and spillover between rodent species, most probably Rattus rattus, were detected and indicate that these animals are implicated in the vectoring and in the worldwide emergence of this virus group. The natural history and the evolution dynamics of these zoonotic viruses, originating from and hosted by wild animals, are most likely shaped by commensalism related to human activities.
Electrode potential dependent desolvation and resolvation of germanium(100) in contact with aqueous perchlorate electrolytes
Authors: Niu Fang , Schulz Rainer , Castañeda Medina Arcesio , Schmid Rochus , Erbe Andreas
Published: May 2017

During the electrode potential triggered surface transformation on Ge(100) in contact with aqueous electrolytes to a hydrophobic H-terminated surface, a gap opens between the electrode and the solution.
Differential effect of micron- versus nanoscale III–V particulates and ionic species on the zebrafish gut
Authors: Osborne Olivia J. , Lin Sijie , Jiang Wen , Chow Jacob , Chang Chong Hyun , Ji Zhaoxia , Yu Xuechen , Lin Shuo , Xia Tian , Nel André E.
Published: May 2017

Manufacturing of electronic products and semiconductor wafers involves the use of III–V materials, which can lead to the shedding of particulate and ionic (e.g., arsenic) waste products that gain access to waste water streams.