bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re: Ultrasound‐based gestational‐age estimation in late pregnancy. A. T. Papageorghiou, B. Kemp, W. Stones, E. O. Ohuma, S. H. Kennedy, M. Purwar, L. J. Salomon, D. G. Altman, J. A. Noble, E. Bertino, M. G. Gravett, R. Pang, L. Cheikh Ismail, F. C. Barros, A. Lambert, Y. A. Jaffer, C. G. Victora, Z. A. Bhutta and J. Villar, for the International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21st Century (INTERGROWTH‐21st). Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 48: 719–726.
Authors: Bricker L.
Published: December 2016

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 48: 719–726
Planung ist, was Planer tun?
Authors: Mackrodt Ulrike , Lerch Marlene
Published: December 2016

Publicly funded projects have become popular and omnipresent in urban development. In Germany, both planning funding programs such as “Städtebauförderung” as well as non-planning funding structures have largely increased within the last two decades. These latter funding streams, though not explicitly targeted at planning issues, have a significant impact on municipal planning practices. The increase in funding structures on the European level in particular, has led to the new phenomenon that we have labelled “extra-departmental planning practices”. By presenting two cases of such externally funded planning projects in Berlin, this article reflects on this new phenomenon as a blind spot within the academic planning sphere. We argue that filling this gap is crucial both for planning theory and practice. With regard to planning practice, the article demonstrates that the increase in projects requires stronger administrative coordination, which can hardly be met by municipalities – especially under austerity conditions. A risk is that knowledge generated in these externally funded projects is lost and cannot be drawn on for future municipal projects. With regard to planning theory, the article calls for an open empirical perspective that defines “planning practice” beyond institutional boundaries. The growing practical role of extra-departmental planning practices, described in this article, opposes the idea of a planning theory whose empirical pool is limited to certain institutionally designated actors, instruments or spatial units.
Turnover of the Soil Organic Matter Amino Acid Fraction Investigated by13C and14C Signatures of Carboxyl Carbon
Authors: Hatté Christine , Noury Claude , Kheirbeik Louay , Balesdent Jérôme
Published: December 2016

Nitrogenous compounds of soil organic matter constitute a major N reservoir on Earth. Both the world food protein supply produced by agriculture and the global contamination by reactive nitrogen species rely on the dynamics of these compounds. To investigate their dynamics, we used both natural13C labeling and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)14C dating of the α-carboxyl amino carbon, which is specific of the amino acid fraction that was extracted from bulk soil organic matter by ninhydrin hydrolysis. We applied this isotopic approach to investigate the age of carboxyl carbon in a maize-cultivated Cambisol chronosequence. Based on a few measurements, we demonstrate the feasibility of this new compound-specific method of investigation of soil carbon dynamics. We show that soil organic matter amino acids can be split into two very distinct dynamic compartments: the majority having a mean age of a few years and a minority having a mean carbon age of several millennia. The latter fraction can be either strongly stabilized in soils, or can arise from microbial utilization of old carbon resources, as predicted by the priming effect theory.
Sanctification and Oneness in 1 Corinthians with Implications for the Case of ‘Mixed Marriages’ (1 Corinthians 7.12–16)
Authors: Barton Stephen C.
Published: December 2016

This essay is a social-scientific study of Paul's deployment of holiness language in 1 Corinthians. Specifically, an interpretation of holiness is offered to explain Paul's argument in 1 Cor 7.12–16 in favour of non-separation in the case of a believer married to a non-believer. For Paul, holiness involves participation in the oneness of God interpreted christologically. This participation is embodied in the holiness-as-oneness of the church. In relations between believers and unbelievers, purity rules to do with sex and marriage carry a significant symbolic burden. In some cases, clear lines of demarcation are drawn. Other cases constitute grey areas; and the suggestion here is that ‘mixed marriages’ are one such. For Paul, holiness is a matter of neither genealogical nor cultic purity. Rather, it has a boundary-transcending quality. In the case of a mixed marriage, the unbelieving partner, together with the children, is sanctified by remaining in oneness with the believing partner. Paul's concern for the oneness of the church spills over into a concern for the oneness of the household.
Negotiating a New World View in Acts 1.8? A Note on the Expression ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς
Authors: Smit Peter-Ben
Published: December 2016

This article argues that the expression ‘to the end of the earth’ in Acts 1.8, while not referring to one specific geographical location, as has often been argued in contemporary scholarship on Acts, is best understood as a way of (re)ordering the world geographically and, therefore, ideologically. Drawing on Greco-Roman geographical and literary conventions, the article suggests that the author of Acts invites the work's readers to look at the world in a new way, with Jerusalem and the gospel emanating from it as its centre – and the rest, including Rome, as its ideological (and therefore geographical) periphery. In this way, Acts proceeds to renegotiate the ‘world-view’ of its readers in an intercultural and subversive way.
Paul and ἐγώ: Some Comments on Grammar and Style
Authors: Winger Michael
Published: December 2016

Why does Paul use the pronoun ἐγώ, which usually does not affect sense (adequately indicated by a first person singular verb)? The standard explanation, that ἐγώ supplies emphasis, is incomplete at best. A detailed survey of Paul's usage shows various factors: sometimes ἐγώ helps Paul distinguish himself from others, and other times to align himself with them; sometimes it allows a paradoxical construction in which Paul both admits and denies that he has done something; sometimes it seems linked to certain verbs; sometimes it supplies a kind of rhythm to a passage.
‘I Have Come to Abolish Sacrifices’ (Epiphanius,Pan.30.16.5): Re-examining a Jewish Christian Text and Tradition
Authors: Joseph Simon J.
Published: December 2016

TheGospel of the Ebionitesis a ‘text’ that only exists as fragments cited in and extrapolated from the heresiological writings of Epiphanius (Pan. 30). LikeRecognitions1.27–71, theGospel of the Ebionitesis one of a number of second- and third-century Jewish Christian sources, texts and traditions alleging that Jesus rejected animal sacrifice. In this article, I seek to review the history of research on this particular text and tradition and explore its significance as a case study in the use of non-canonical gospel traditions in New Testament studies.
Writing Global History and Its Challenges—A Workshop with Jürgen Osterhammel and Geoffrey Parker
Authors: van Ittersum Martine , Gottmann Felicia , Mostert Tristan
Published: December 2016

On 4 June 2016, Jürgen Osterhammel of the University of Konstanz and Geoffrey Parker of Ohio State University gave an all-day workshop on global history for graduate students and junior and senior scholars of the Universities of Dundee and St. Andrews in Scotland. The workshop consisted of three discussion sessions, each with a different theme, namely the conceptualization(s), parameters, and possible future(s) of global history. The central question was to what extent this fast-changing field required adjustments of “normal” historiographical methodologies and epistemologies. The workshop participants agreed that global history focuses in particular on connections across large spaces or long timespans, or both. Yet reconstructing these webs of connections should not obscure global inequalities. In the case of empires, many of the exchanges across space and time have been ordered in a hierarchical fashion—metropoles profiting from peripheral spaces, for example—and imposed by certain groups of people on others, resulting in, for example, the enslavement or extermination of indigenous peoples. As historians, we should also ask ourselves what we do about peoples or areas that were or remain unconnected, local, and remote. Where does globalization end?
Non-European Teachers in Mission Schools: Introduction
Authors: Jensz Felicity
Published: December 2016

This dossier focusses on non-European teachers within mission schools in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, especially in the period of colonial control. These teachers were central to the missionary project and helped to disseminate both Christianity and Western knowledge across the globe. Local teachers, alongside other mission assistants and helpers, also helped translate, transmit, and transform both Western and local forms of knowledge and contributed to broader discourse about knowledge, yet the importance of their work has often been overshadowed by the work undertaken in examining missionary elites. This dossier, with its extended introduction and three case studies from Africa, the Danish West Indies, and Bolivia, sheds light on the roles of non-European mission teachers as well as their recruitment and training, their self-representations, and methodological as well as conceptual issues about how information on these often inconspicuous intermediaries of mission education can be retrieved from disparate sources.
Battlefield Diplomacy and Empire-building in the Indo-Pacific World during the Seven Years’ War
Authors: Flannery Kristie Patricia
Published: December 2016

In 1762, at the height of the Seven Years’ War, Britain’s Royal Navy and East India Company mobilised a motley army of Europeans, South Asians, and Africans and invaded Manila, the capital of Spain’s Asian Empire. The Black Legend blinded the British to the complexities of the real balance of power in the Philippines. The Spanish colonial government quickly raised militias of Spaniards, Mexicans, Chinese mestizos, and indigenous Filipinos who ultimately defeated the British. The loyalties of the soldiers of many nations who converged in Manila could not be taken for granted. This article examines the ongoing bargaining that took place between imperial officials and soldiers, revealing the crucial role that negotiation played in eighteenth-century empire building beyond the Atlantic. War transformed fighting men of many nations into important historical actors who determined the outcome of the Seven Years’ War in the Indo-Pacific world.
Investigation of a national outbreak of STEC Escherichia coli O157 using online consumer panel control methods: Great Britain, October 2014
Authors: SINCLAIR C. , JENKINS C. , WARBURTON F. , ADAK G. K. , HARRIS J. P.
Published: December 2016

In October 2014, Public Health England (PHE) identified cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroup O157 sharing a multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) profile. We conducted a case-control study using multivariable logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) testing a range of exposures. Cases were defined as laboratory-confirmed STEC O157 with the implicated MLVA profile, were UK residents aged ⩾18 years with symptom onset between 25 September and 30 October 2014, and had no history of travel abroad within 5 days of symptom onset. One hundred and two cases were identified. Cases were mostly female (65%; median age 49, range 2–92 years). It was the second largest outbreak seen in England, to date, and a case-control study was conducted using market research panel controls and online survey methods. These methods were instrumental in the rapid data collection and analysis necessary to allow traceback investigations for short shelf-life products. This is a new method of control recruitment and this is the first in which it was a standalone recruitment method. The case-control study suggested a strong association between consumption of a ready-to-eat food and disease (aOR 28, 95% CI 5·0–157) from one retailer. No reactive microbiological testing of food items during the outbreak was possible due to the short shelf-life of the product. Collaboration with industrial bodies is needed to ensure timely traceback exercises to identify contamination events and initiate appropriate and focused microbiological testing and implement control measures.
Evaluation of Hospitals’ Disaster Preparedness Plans in the Holy City of Makkah (Mecca): A Cross-Sectional Observation Study
Authors: Al-Shareef Ali S. , Alsulimani Loui K. , Bojan Hattan M. , Masri Taha M. , Grimes Jennifer O. , Molloy Michael S. , Ciottone Gregory R.
Published: December 2016

Background

Makkah (Mecca) is a holy city located in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Each year, millions of pilgrims visit Makkah. These numbers impact both routine health care delivery and disaster response. This study aimed to evaluate hospitals’ disaster plans in the city of Makkah.

Methods

Study investigators administered a questionnaire survey to 17 hospitals in the city of Makkah. Data on hospital characteristics and three key domains of disaster plans (general evaluation of disaster planning, structural feasibility of the hospitals, and health care worker knowledge and training) were collated and analyzed.

Results

A response rate of 82% (n=14) was attained. Ten (71%) of the hospitals were government hospitals, whereas four were private hospitals. Eleven (79%) hospitals had a capacity of less than 300 beds.

Only nine (64%) hospitals reviewed their disaster plan within the preceding two years. Nine (64%) respondents were drilling for disasters at least twice per year. The majority of hospitals did not rely on a hazard vulnerability analysis (HVA) to develop their Emergency Operations Plan. Eleven (79%) hospitals had the Hospital Incident Command Systems (HICS) present in their plans.

All hospitals described availability of some supplies required for the first 24 hours of a disaster response, such as: N95 masks, antidotes for nerve agents, and antiviral medications. Only five (36%) hospitals had a designated decontamination area. Nine (64%) hospitals reported ability to re-designate inpatient wards into an intensive care unit (ICU) format. Only seven (50%) respondents had a protocol for increasing availability of isolation rooms to prevent the spread of airborne infection. Ten (71%) hospitals had a designated disaster-training program for health care workers.

Conclusions

Makkah has experienced multiple disaster incidents over the last decade. The present research suggests that Makkah hospitals are insufficiently prepared for potential future disasters. This may represent a considerable threat to the health of both residents and visitors to Makkah. This study demonstrated that there is significant room for improvement in most aspects of hospital Emergency Operations Plans, in particular: reviewing the plan and increasing the frequency of multi-agency and multi-hospital drills. Preparedness for terrorism utilizing chemical, biologic, radiation, nuclear, explosion (CBRNE) and infectious diseases was found to be sub-optimal and should be assessed further.

Al-ShareefAS, AlsulimaniLK, BojanHM, MasriTM, GrimesJO, MolloyMS, CiottoneGR. Evaluation of hospitals’ disaster preparedness plans in the holy city of Makkah (Mecca): a cross-sectional observation study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32
(1):33–45.
Integrative modelling of tumour DNA methylation quantifies the contribution of metabolism
Authors: Mehrmohamadi Mahya , Mentch Lucas K. , Clark Andrew G. , Locasale Jason W.
Published: December 2016

Altered DNA methylation is common in cancer and often considered an early event in tumorigenesis. However, the sources of heterogeneity of DNA methylation among tumours remain poorly defined. Here we capitalize on the availability of multi-platform data on thousands of human tumours to build integrative models of DNA methylation. We quantify the contribution of clinical and molecular factors in explaining intertumoral variability in DNA methylation. We show that the levels of a set of metabolic genes involved in the methionine cycle is predictive of several features of DNA methylation in tumours, including the methylation of cancer genes. Finally, we demonstrate that patients whose DNA methylation can be predicted from the methionine cycle exhibited improved survival over cases where this regulation is disrupted. This study represents a comprehensive analysis of the determinants of methylation and demonstrates the surprisingly large interaction between metabolism and DNA methylation variation. Together, our results quantify links between tumour metabolism and epigenetics and outline clinical implications.
Evaluating the convergence between eddy-covariance and biometric methods for assessing carbon budgets of forests
Authors: Campioli M. , Malhi Y. , Vicca S. , Luyssaert S. , Papale D. , Peñuelas J. , Reichstein M. , Migliavacca M. , Arain M. A. , Janssens I. A.
Published: December 2016

The eddy-covariance (EC) micro-meteorological technique and the ecology-based biometric methods (BM) are the primary methodologies to quantify CO2 exchange between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere (net ecosystem production, NEP) and its two components, ecosystem respiration and gross primary production. Here we show that EC and BM provide different estimates of NEP, but comparable ecosystem respiration and gross primary production for forest ecosystems globally. Discrepancies between methods are not related to environmental or stand variables, but are consistently more pronounced for boreal forests where carbon fluxes are smaller. BM estimates are prone to underestimation of net primary production and overestimation of leaf respiration. EC biases are not apparent across sites, suggesting the effectiveness of standard post-processing procedures. Our results increase confidence in EC, show in which conditions EC and BM estimates can be integrated, and which methodological aspects can improve the convergence between EC and BM.
Continuous-variable quantum computing on encrypted data
Authors: Marshall Kevin , Jacobsen Christian S. , Schäfermeier Clemens , Gehring Tobias , Weedbrook Christian , Andersen Ulrik L.
Published: December 2016

The ability to perform computations on encrypted data is a powerful tool for protecting a client’s privacy, especially in today’s era of cloud and distributed computing. In terms of privacy, the best solutions that classical techniques can achieve are unfortunately not unconditionally secure in the sense that they are dependent on a hacker’s computational power. Here we theoretically investigate, and experimentally demonstrate with Gaussian displacement and squeezing operations, a quantum solution that achieves the security of a user’s privacy using the practical technology of continuous variables. We demonstrate losses of up to 10 km both ways between the client and the server and show that security can still be achieved. Our approach offers a number of practical benefits (from a quantum perspective) that could one day allow the potential widespread adoption of this quantum technology in future cloud-based computing networks.
Differential protein expression in metallothionein protection from depleted uranium-induced nephrotoxicity
Authors: Hao Yuhui , Huang Jiawei , Liu Cong , Li Hong , Liu Jing , Zeng Yiping , Yang Zhangyou , Li Rong
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of metallothionein (MT) protection from depleted uranium (DU) using a proteomics approach to search for a DU toxicity-differential protein. MT−/− and MT+/+ mice were administrated with a single dose of DU (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or equal volume of saline. After 4 days, protein changes in kidney tissues were evaluated using a proteomics approach. A total of 13 differentially expressed proteins were identified using two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The validating results showed that the expression of aminoacylase-3 (ACY-3) and the mitochondrial ethylmalonic encephalopathy 1 (ETHE1) decreased significantly after DU exposure; in addition, the reduction in MT−/− mice was more significant than that in MT+/+ mice. The results also showed that exogenous ETHE1 or ACY-3 could increase the survival rate of human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells after DU exposure. A specific siRNA of ETHE1 significantly increased cell apoptosis rates after DU exposure, whereas exogenous ETHE1 significantly decreased cell apoptosis rates. In summary, ACY-3 and ETHE1 might involve in protection roles of MT. ETHE1 could be a new sensitive molecular target of DU-induced cell apoptosis.
Microarray analysis of long noncoding RNA and mRNA expression profiles in human macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Yang Xiaofan , Yang Jiahui , Wang Jinli , Wen Qian , Wang Hui , He Jianchun , Hu Shengfeng , He Wenting , Du Xialin , Liu Sudong , Ma Li
Published: December 2016

Macrophages play a crucial role in the control and elimination of invading Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and also serve as the major residence for Mtb. However, the interaction between macrophages and Mtb remains to be clearly determined. Although long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators in many biological processes, their roles in anti-mycobacterial responses of macrophages remain to be elucidated. Here, we applied microarray analysis to examine lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in human primary macrophages after 72 h of infection with H37Ra or H37Rv. Our results revealed that many lncRNAs were differentially expressed in macrophages after H37Ra or H37Rv infection, indicating a possible role for lncRNAs in immune responses induced by Mtb infection and providing important cues for further functional studies. Furthermore, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) biological pathway analysis of the differentially expressed mRNAs showed the potential functions and pathways related to the pathogenesis of Mtb infection. Finally, two lncRNAs, MIR3945HG V1 and MIR3945HG V2, were identified as novel candidate diagnostic markers for tuberculosis. Our results provide novel insight into the mechanisms of the pivotal Mtb-macrophage interactions, and reveal potential targets for diagnostics and the treatment of tuberculosis.
Cumulative release characteristics of controlled-release nitrogen and potassium fertilizers and their effects on soil fertility, and cotton growth
Authors: Yang Xiuyi , Geng Jibiao , Li Chengliang , Zhang Min , Tian Xiaofei
Published: December 2016

To investigate the interacting effects of polymer coated urea (PCU) and polymer coated potassium chloride (PCPC) on cotton growth, an experiment was conducted with containerized plants in 2014 and 2015. There were two kinds of nitrogen fertilizer, PCU and urea, which were combined with PCPC at three application rates (40, 80 and 120 kg ha−1). The kinds of nitrogen fertilizer formed the main plot, while individual rates of PCPC were the subplots. The results suggested N and K release patterns for PCU and PCPC in the soil were closely matched to the N and K requirements by cotton. Soil inorganic nitrogen contents significantly increased by using PCU instead of urea, and the same trend was observed with soil available potassium contents, which also had increased rates. Meanwhile, the number of bolls and lint yields of cotton in the PCU treatments were 4.9–35.3% and 2.9–40.7% higher than from urea treatments. Lint yields also increased by 9.1–12.7% with PCPC80 and PCPC120 treatments compared with PCPC40 treatment at the same nitrogen type. Hence, application of PCU combined with 80 kg ha−1 of PCPC fertilizer on cotton increased the yields and fertilizer use efficiencies in addition to improving fiber quality and delaying leaf senescence.
Resilin microjoints: a smart design strategy to avoid failure in dragonfly wings
Authors: Rajabi H. , Shafiei A. , Darvizeh A. , Gorb S. N.
Published: December 2016

Dragonflies are fast and manoeuvrable fliers and this ability is reflected in their unique wing morphology. Due to the specific lightweight structure, with the crossing veins joined by rubber-like resilin patches, wings possess strong deformability but can resist high forces and large deformations during aerial collisions. The computational results demonstrate the strong influence of resilin-containing vein joints on the stress distribution within the wing. The presence of flexible resilin in the contact region of the veins prevents excessive bending of the cross veins and significantly reduces the stress concentration in the joint.
Symbiont-derived sphingolipids modulate mucosal homeostasis and B cells in teleost fish
Authors: Sepahi Ali , Cordero Héctor , Goldfine Howard , Esteban Maria Ángeles , Salinas Irene
Published: December 2016

Symbiotic bacteria and mucosal immunoglobulins have co-evolved for millions of years in vertebrate animals. Symbiotic bacteria products are known to modulate different aspects of the host immune system. We recently reported that Flectobacillus major is a predominant species that lives in the gill and skin mucosal surfaces of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). F. major is known to produce sphingolipids of a unique molecular structure. Here we propose a role for F. major and its sphingolipids in the regulation of B cell populations in rainbow trout, as well as an essential role for sphingolipids in trout mucosal homeostasis. We found that F. major-specific IgT titers are confined to the gill and skin mucus, whereas F. major-specific IgM titers are only detected in serum. Live F. major cells are able to stimulate sustained IgT expression and secretion in gills. F. major sphingolipids modulate the growth of trout total skin and gill symbiotic bacteria. In vivo systemic administration of F. major sphingolipids changes the proportion of IgT+ to IgM+ B cells in trout HK. These results demonstrate the key role of the symbiont F. major and its sphingolipids in mucosal homeostasis via the modulation of mucosal and systemic Igs and B cells.
Validated methodology for quantifying infestation levels of dreissenid mussels in environmental DNA (eDNA) samples
Authors: Peñarrubia Luis , Alcaraz Carles , Vaate Abraham bij de , Sanz Nuria , Pla Carles , Vidal Oriol , Viñas Jordi
Published: December 2016

The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas, 1771) and the quagga mussel (D. rostriformis Deshayes, 1838) are successful invasive bivalves with substantial ecological and economic impacts in freshwater systems once they become established. Since their eradication is extremely difficult, their detection at an early stage is crucial to prevent spread. In this study, we optimized and validated a qPCR detection method based on the histone H2B gene to quantify combined infestation levels of zebra and quagga mussels in environmental DNA samples. Our results show specific dreissenid DNA present in filtered water samples for which microscopic diagnostic identification for larvae failed. Monitoring a large number of locations for invasive dreissenid species based on a highly specific environmental DNA qPCR assay may prove to be an essential tool for management and control plans focused on prevention of establishment of dreissenid mussels in new locations.
Structure-based activity prediction of CYP21A2 stability variants: A survey of available gene variations
Authors: Bruque Carlos D. , Delea Marisol , Fernández Cecilia S. , Orza Juan V. , Taboas Melisa , Buzzalino Noemí , Espeche Lucía D. , Solari Andrea , Luccerini Verónica , Alba Liliana , Nadra Alejandro D. , Dain Liliana
Published: December 2016

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency accounts for 90–95% of CAH cases. In this work we performed an extensive survey of mutations and SNPs modifying the coding sequence of the CYP21A2 gene. Using bioinformatic tools and two plausible CYP21A2 structures as templates, we initially classified all known mutants (n = 343) according to their putative functional impacts, which were either reported in the literature or inferred from structural models. We then performed a detailed analysis on the subset of mutations believed to exclusively impact protein stability. For those mutants, the predicted stability was calculated and correlated with the variant’s expected activity. A high concordance was obtained when comparing our predictions with available in vitro residual activities and/or the patient’s phenotype. The predicted stability and derived activity of all reported mutations and SNPs lacking functional assays (n = 108) were assessed. As expected, most of the SNPs (52/76) showed no biological implications. Moreover, this approach was applied to evaluate the putative synergy that could emerge when two mutations occurred in cis. In addition, we propose a putative pathogenic effect of five novel mutations, p.L107Q, p.L122R, p.R132H, p.P335L and p.H466fs, found in 21-hydroxylase deficient patients of our cohort.
Identification of Development-Related Genes in the Ovaries of Adult Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) Lady Beetles Using a Time- Series Analysis by RNA-seq
Authors: Du Wenxiao , Zeng Fanrong
Published: December 2016

Adults of the lady beetle species Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) are bred artificially en masse for classic biological control, which requires egg-laying by the H. axyridis ovary. Development-related genes may impact the growth of the H. axyridis adult ovary but have not been reported. Here, we used integrative time-series RNA-seq analysis of the ovary in H. axyridis adults to detect development-related genes. A total of 28,558 unigenes were functionally annotated using seven types of databases to obtain an annotated unigene database for ovaries in H. axyridis adults. We also analysed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between samples. Based on a combination of the results of this bioinformatics analysis with literature reports and gene expression level changes in four different stages, we focused on the development of oocyte reproductive stem cell and yolk formation process and identified 26 genes with high similarity to development-related genes. 20 DEGs were randomly chosen for quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to validate the accuracy of the RNA-seq results. This study establishes a robust pipeline for the discovery of key genes using high-throughput sequencing and the identification of a class of development-related genes for characterization.
DkXTH8, a novel xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase in persimmon, alters cell wall structure and promotes leaf senescence and fruit postharvest softening
Authors: Han Ye , Ban Qiuyan , Li Hua , Hou Yali , Jin Mijing , Han Shoukun , Rao Jingping
Published: December 2016

Fruit softening is mainly associated with cell wall structural modifications, and members of the xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) family are key enzymes involved in cleaving and re-joining xyloglucan in the cell wall. In this work, we isolated a new XTH gene, DkXTH8, from persimmon fruit. Transcriptional profiling revealed that DkXTH8 peaked during dramatic fruit softening, and expression of DkXTH8 was stimulated by propylene and abscisic acid but suppressed by gibberellic acid and 1-MCP. Transient expression assays in onion epidermal cells indicated direct localization of DkXTH8 to the cell wall via its signal peptide. When expressed in vitro, the recombinant DkXTH8 protein exhibited strict xyloglucan endotransglycosylase activity, whereas no xyloglucan endohydrolase activity was observed. Furthermore, overexpression of DkXTH8 resulted in increased leaf senescence coupled with higher electrolyte leakage in Arabidopsis and faster fruit ripening and softening rates in tomato. Most importantly, transgenic plants overexpressing DkXTH8 displayed more irregular and twisted cells due to cell wall restructuring, resulting in wider interstitial spaces with less compact cells. We suggest that DkXTH8 expression causes cells to be easily destroyed, increases membrane permeability and cell peroxidation, and accelerates leaf senescence and fruit softening in transgenic plants.
Pt-Bi decorated nanoporous gold for high performance direct glucose fuel cell
Authors: Guo Hong , Yin Huiming , Yan Xiuling , Shi Shuai , Yu Qingyang , Cao Zhen , Li Jian
Published: December 2016

Binary PtBi decorated nanoporous gold (NPG-PtBi) electrocatalyst is specially designed and prepared for the anode in direct glucose fuel cells (DGFCs). By using electroless and electrochemical plating methods, a dense Pt layer and scattered Bi particles are sequentially coated on NPG. A simple DGFC with NPG-PtBi as anode and commercial Pt/C as cathode is constructed and operated to study the effect of operating temperatures and concentrations of glucose and NaOH. With an anode noble metal loading of only 0.45 mg cm−2 (Au 0.3 mg and Pt 0.15 mg), an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.9 V is obtained with a maximum power density of 8 mW cm−2. Furthermore, the maximum gravimetric power density of NPG-PtBi is 18 mW mg−1, about 4.5 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C.
Transportation dynamics on coupled networks with limited bandwidth
Authors: Li Ming , Hu Mao-Bin , Wang Bing-Hong
Published: December 2016

The communication networks in real world often couple with each other to save costs, which results in any network does not have a stand-alone function and efficiency. To investigate this, in this paper we propose a transportation model on two coupled networks with bandwidth sharing. We find that the free-flow state and the congestion state can coexist in the two coupled networks, and the free-flow path and congestion path can coexist in each network. Considering three bandwidth-sharing mechanisms, random, assortative and disassortative couplings, we also find that the transportation capacity of the network only depends on the coupling mechanism, and the fraction of coupled links only affects the performance of the system in the congestion state, such as the traveling time. In addition, with assortative coupling, the transportation capacity of the system will decrease significantly. However, the disassortative coupling has little influence on the transportation capacity of the system, which provides a good strategy to save bandwidth. Furthermore, a theoretical method is developed to obtain the bandwidth usage of each link, based on which we can obtain the congestion transition point exactly.
Insulin-induced Effects on the Subcellular Localization of AKT1, AKT2 and AS160 in Rat Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Zheng Xiaohua , Cartee Gregory D.
Published: December 2016

AKT1 and AKT2, the AKT isoforms that are highly expressed in skeletal muscle, have distinct and overlapping functions, with AKT2 more important for insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism. In adipocytes, AKT2 versus AKT1 has greater susceptibility for insulin-mediated redistribution from cytosolic to membrane localization, and insulin also causes subcellular redistribution of AKT Substrate of 160 kDa (AS160), an AKT2 substrate and crucial mediator of insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Although skeletal muscle is the major tissue for insulin-mediated glucose disposal, little is known about AKT1, AKT2 or AS160 subcellular localization in skeletal muscle. The major aim of this study was to determine insulin’s effects on the subcellular localization and phosphorylation of AKT1, AKT2 and AS160 in skeletal muscle. Rat skeletal muscles were incubated ex vivo ± insulin, and differential centrifugation was used to isolate cytosolic and membrane fractions. The results revealed that: 1) insulin increased muscle membrane localization of AKT2, but not AKT1; 2) insulin increased AKT2 phosphorylation in the cytosol and membrane fractions; 3) insulin increased AS160 localization to the cytosol and membranes; and 4) insulin increased AS160 phosphorylation in the cytosol, but not membranes. These results demonstrate distinctive insulin effects on the subcellular redistribution of AKT2 and its substrate AS160 in skeletal muscle.
Solid phase extraction of carbamate pesticides with banana peel derived hierarchical porous carbon prior to high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Li Menghua , Jiao Caina , Yang Xiumin , Wang Chun , Wu Qiuhua , Wang Zhi
Published: December 2016

In this work, biomass derived hierarchical porous carbon (BHPC) was prepared via a facile, cost-effective and green route by carbonizing banana peel waste.
Hydrodeoxygenation of gamma-valerolactone on transition metal phosphide catalysts
Authors: Yun Gwang-Nam , Takagaki Atsushi , Kikuchi Ryuji , Ted Oyama S.
Published: December 2016

The catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of the cyclic five-membered ester gamma-valerolactone (GVL-C5H8O2) on a series of supported metal phosphide catalysts and a commercial Pd/Al2O3catalyst was studied at 0.5 MPa.
Aluminium fluoride – the strongest solid Lewis acid: structure and reactivity
Authors: Krahl Thoralf , Kemnitz Erhard
Published: December 2016

Highly Lewis acidic aluminium fluorides are interesting heterogeneous catalysts for many reactions, especially C–H and C–F bonds can be activated at room temperature.
A cost-effective method for recycling carbon and metals in plants: synthesizing nanomaterials
Authors: Liu Haiyang , Ren Miao , Qu Jiao , Feng Yue , Song Xiangmeng , Zhang Qian , Cong Qiao , Yuan Xing
Published: December 2016

This work focuses on the synthesis of nanomaterials, including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), nanoparticles and nanocomposites, using the shoots of Sedum alfredii Hance and Brassica juncea L. (collected from a Cu–Zn mine area) as raw materials.
A high-performance supercapacitor based on activated carbon fibers with an optimized pore structure and oxygen-containing functional groups
Authors: Zhu Kai , Wang Yu , Tang Joel A. , Guo Shaohua , Gao Zhongmin , Wei Yingjin , Chen Gang , Gao Yu
Published: December 2016

Activated carbon fibers with optimized pore structures and oxygen-containing functional groups display a remarkable capacitance and an excellent cycling performance.
Controlled self-aggregation of perylene bisimide and its application in thick photoconductive interlayers for high performance polymer solar cells
Authors: Zhao Hengtao , Luo Yinqi , Liu Linlin , Xie Zengqi , Ma Yuguang
Published: December 2016

Asymmetric perylene bisimide enables a thick photoconductive cathode interlayer (100 nm), even the doping concentration is varied from 0.5 wt% to 5 wt%.
A perylene diimide based polymer: a dual function interfacial material for efficient perovskite solar cells
Authors: Meng Fanqi , Liu Kuan , Dai Shuixing , Shi Jiangjian , Zhang Huiyin , Xu Xin , Li Dongmei , Zhan Xiaowei
Published: December 2016

An n-type semiconducting copolymer of perylene diimide and dithienothiophene (PPDIDTT) is used as a dual function interfacial layer to modify the surface of perovskite films in inverted perovskite solar cells, which exhibit higher efficiency and better stability.
Impact of substrate temperature on the structure and electrical performance of vacuum-deposited α,α′-DH5T oligothiophene thin films
Authors: Mikayelyan Eduard , Vladimirov Ilja , Wesner Daniel , Grodd Linda , Rodygin Alexander I. , Schönherr Holger , Ponomarenko Sergei A. , Pietsch Ullrich , Ivanov Dimitri A. , Grigorian Souren
Published: December 2016

Remarkable structural changes are reported for α,α′-DH5T oligomer thin films evaporated at different substrate temperatures and directly correlated with the electrical performance where the order of π–π stacking plays a crucial role.
Engineering-scale superlubricity of the fingerprint-like carbon films based on high power pulsed plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Gong Zhenbin , Shi Jing , Ma Wei , Zhang Bin , Zhang Junyan
Published: December 2016

Engineering scale superlubricity was realized by the fingerprint-like carbon films, which offer exciting application opportunity in vehicles, turbines, and manufacturing equipment.
Low toxicity and accumulation of zinc oxide nanoparticles in mice after 270-day consecutive dietary supplementation
Authors: Liu Jia-Hui , Ma Xin , Xu Yingying , Tang Huan , Yang Sheng-Tao , Yang Yi-Fan , Kang Dong-Dong , Wang Haifang , Liu Yuanfang
Published: December 2016

After 270-day consecutive feeding with food containing ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO microparticles and Zn ions, no Zn level increase was found in any organ except digestive tract organs and only ZnO nanoparticles induce minor toxicity.
Hearing Loss and Cognitive-Communication Test Performance of Long-Term Care Residents With Dementia: Effects of Amplification
Authors: Hopper Tammy , Slaughter Susan E. , Hodgetts Bill , Ostevik Amberley , Ickert Carla
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The study aims were (a) to explore the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive-communication performance of individuals with dementia, and (b) to determine if hearing loss is accurately identified by long-term care (LTC) staff. The research questions were (a) What is the effect of amplification on cognitive-communication test performance of LTC residents with early- to middle-stage dementia and mild-to-moderate hearing loss? and (b) What is the relationship between measured hearing ability and hearing ability recorded by staff using the Resident Assessment Instrument–Minimum Data Set 2.0 (RAI-MDS; Hirdes et al., 1999)?

Method

Thirty-one residents from 5 long-term care facilities participated in this quasiexperimental crossover study. Residents participated in cognitive-communication testing with and without amplification. RAI-MDS ratings of participants' hearing were compared to audiological assessment results.

Results

Participants' speech intelligibility index scores significantly improved with amplification; however, participants did not demonstrate significant improvement in cognitive-communication test scores with amplification. A significant correlation was found between participants' average pure-tone thresholds and RAI-MDS ratings of hearing, yet misclassification of hearing loss occurred for 44% of participants.

Conclusions

Measuring short-term improvement of performance-based cognitive communication may not be the most effective means of assessing amplification for individuals with dementia. Hearing screenings and staff education remain necessary to promote hearing health for LTC residents.
The Impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Language Production of Healthy Adults and Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Vogel-Eyny Amy , Galletta Elizabeth E. , Obler Loraine K.
Published: December 2016

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation that is a technique for modulating cognitive and linguistic functions. Researchers employ tDCS as a way of examining the language system and related memory systems. Although the field is in its infancy, there is evidence to suggest that tDCS applied to language-related brain regions has the potential to exert a beneficial influence on the language and memory functioning of healthy adults as well as individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of the present review is to critically evaluate the current body of literature on the impact of tDCS on language production in healthy adults and the related memory performance of individuals with AD.
Update on Early Speech and Language Intervention for Children With Craniofacial Conditions
Authors: Scherer Nancy J.
Published: December 2016

This article discusses the current evidence for early intervention for children with craniofacial conditions. The article describes the evidence-based intervention approaches, strategies, and parent training options to support language and speech outcomes in young children with clefts. Use of coaching to structure parent training is discussed.
Current Practices and Controversies in Management of the Submucous Cleft Palate
Authors: Grames Lynn Marty , Patel Kamlesh
Published: December 2016

A review of the published literature on submucous cleft palate was conducted. Specific information sought included definition and prevalence of submucous cleft palate, indications for surgical intervention, ideal age for intervention, evaluation tools for submucous cleft palate, and whether or not surgical repair was indicated for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency, feeding issues, or ear disease associated with submucous cleft. The research revealed that there is no consistent definition of submucous cleft palate in the published literature, which renders comparison of treatments difficult. In addition, the literature lacks consensus on the indications for submucous cleft palate repair, the effect of repair on ancillary disorders that may exist, and the best methods of evaluation for submucous cleft palate. A consensus conference on the submucous cleft may be valuable in guiding treatment and research going forward.
Asymptotic-preserving well-balanced scheme for the electronic M1 model in the diffusive limit: Particular cases
Authors: Guisset Sébastien , Brull Stéphane , D’Humières Emmanuel , Dubroca Bruno
Published: December 2016

This work is devoted to the derivation of an asymptotic-preserving scheme for the electronic M1 model in the diffusive regime. The case without electric field and the homogeneous case are studied. The derivation of the scheme is based on an approximate Riemann solver where the intermediate states are chosen consistent with the integral form of the approximate Riemann solver. This choice can be modified to enable the derivation of a numerical scheme which also satisfies the admissible conditions and is well-suited for capturing steady states. Moreover, it enjoys asymptotic-preserving properties and handles the diffusive limit recovering the correct diffusion equation. Numerical tests cases are presented, in each case, the asymptotic-preserving scheme is compared to the classical HLL [A. Harten, P.D. Lax and B. Van Leer, SIAM Rev. 25 (1983) 35–61.] scheme usually used for the electronic M1 model. It is shown that the new scheme gives comparable results with respect to the HLL scheme in the classical regime. On the contrary, in the diffusive regime, the asymptotic-preserving scheme coincides with the expected diffusion equation, while the HLL scheme suffers from a severe lack of accuracy because of its unphysical numerical viscosity.
The decreasing aggregation of nanoscale zero-valent iron induced by trivalent chromium
Authors: Jiang Danlie , Hu Xialin , Wang Rui , Wang Yujing , Yin Daqiang
Published: December 2016

Environmental contextNanoscale zero-valent iron is a promising material for environmental engineering and groundwater remediation. However, the environmental behaviour and fate of nanoscale iron that is essential for applications and risk assessment is still uncertain. We report a study on the aggregation behaviour and mobility of nanoscale iron in the aquatic environment using colloidal chemical methods.
AbstractDespite high magnetisation, nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) exhibits weak aggregation when treating hexavalent chromium (CrVI) (0.02mmol L–1) under anaerobic circumstances, which leads to the enhancement of its mobility in the aquatic environment. To elucidate such an unexpected phenomenon, the influences of different valences of chromium on the aggregation behaviour of nZVI were examined. Results indicate that trivalent chromium (CrIII) greatly decreases the aggregation of nZVI in acidic conditions (pH 5), while little influence is observed at a higher pH (pH 7). We suggest that such influences are mainly a result of precipitation on the surface of nZVI particles, which prevents the formation of chain-like aggregates. Accordingly, although the particles are highly magnetic (magnetite content >70%, saturation magnetisation=363 kA m–1), the magnetic attraction between aggregates and particles is not strong enough to promote further aggregation. Furthermore, the Cr(OH)3 shell blocks collisions between particles and greatly enhances their zeta-potential, which also assists in preventing aggregation. Our results suggest that heavy metals can significantly affect the environmental behaviours of nanoparticles.