bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nabuzaana Omunozzi w’Eddagala: Hearing Kiganda Ecology in the Music of Kusamira Ritual Healing Repertories
Authors: Hoesing Peter J.
Published: July 2018

This article argues that ritual performances of song by a guild of healers called basamize situate humans and other-than-human familiars in an ecology that has a strong impact on ethnic identification in southern Uganda. An idiomatic song, ubiquitous throughout the region in focus, helps define the contours of this ecology. Primary and secondary sources link the song to oral traditions that suggest a move beyond descent as an organizing principle in Africanist discourses on ethnicity and ethnic formation.
Crafting Early African Histories with Jan Vansina
Authors: Schoenbrun David L.
Published: July 2018

The introduction explores the ways in which Jan Vansina wrote Africa’s earlier history. It argues that he overturned paradigmatic knowledge in part through policing boundaries between disciplines, but always in search of new knowledge. The boundaries enclosed different kinds of labor in producing evidence about the past. Each kind of labor teaches the scholar something about place, responsibility, and imagination. These afterlives of working in Africa informed Vansina’s interdisciplinarian publishing strategies, shape-shifting them into the imaginative, and prompting new generations of scholars to chart their own paths.
Metabolic perturbations associated with the consumption of a ketogenic medium-chain TAG diet in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy
Authors: Law Tsz Hong , Volk Holger A. , Pan Yuanlong , Zanghi Brian , Want Elizabeth J.
Published: July 2018

Consumption of diets containing medium-chain TAG (MCT) has been shown to confer neuroprotective effects. We aim to identify the global metabolic perturbations associated with consumption of a ketogenic diet (medium-chain TAG diet (MCTD)) in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. We used ultra-performance liquid chromatography-MS (UPLC-MS) to generate metabolic and lipidomic profiles of fasted canine serum and made comparisons between the MCTD and standardised placebo diet phases. We identified metabolites that differed significantly between diet phases using metabolite fragmentation profiles generated by tandem MS (UPLC–MS/MS). Consumption of the MCTD resulted in significant differences in serum metabolic profiles when compared with the placebo diet, where sixteen altered lipid metabolites were identified. Consumption of the MCTD resulted in reduced abundances of palmitoylcarnitine, octadecenoylcarnitine, stearoylcarnitine and significant changes, both reduced and increased abundances, of phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolites. There was a significant increase in abundance of the saturated C17 : 0 fatty acyl moieties during the MCTD phase. Lysophosphatidylcholine (17 : 0) (P=0·01) and PC (17:0/20:4) (P=0·03) were both significantly higher in abundance during the MCTD. The data presented in this study highlight global changes in lipid metabolism, and, of particular interest, in the C17 : 0 moieties, as a result of MCT consumption. Elucidating the global metabolic response of MCT consumption will not only improve the administration of current ketogenic diets for neurological disease models but also provides new avenues for research to develop better diet therapies with improved neuroprotective efficacies. Future studies should clarify the involvement and importance of C17 : 0 moieties in endogenous MCT metabolic pathways.
Host B chromosomes as potential sex ratio distorters of intestinal nematode infrapopulations in the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis)
Authors: Jovanović V.M. , Čabrilo B. , Budinski I. , Bjelić-Čabrilo O. , Adnađević T. , Blagojević J. , Vujošević M.
Published: July 2018

The yellow-necked mouse,Apodemus flavicollis, can be considered as a model for genetic polymorphism produced by the frequent presence of supernumerary or B chromosomes (Bs). Host genetic background is rarely taken into account in studies of parasite sex ratio. The main aim of this study was to investigate the range of infrapopulation sex ratios for nematode parasites of the yellow-necked mouse and to determine which factors most influence variation in parasite sex ratios. Six nematode species found in the collected yellow-necked mice were analysed. We confirmed the predominant pattern of female-biased sex ratios in vertebrate parasite infrapopulations. The presence of B chromosomes in host genomes played an important role in infrapopulations ofHeligmosomoides polygyrus,Syphacia stromaandTrichuris muris, as hosts with B chromosomes carried a higher proportion of males. The relative increase of males in infrapopulations could result from a shift in parasite life history strategy, induced by adaptation to the specific host genotypes (Bs present). In a meta-analysis with previously published data, the sex determination system was demonstrated to play a significant role in nematode sex ratio variation, as well as specific life history patterns, such as the place of egg hatching.
Feeding habits of thresher sharks Alopias sp. in northern Peru: predators of Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas)
Authors: González-Pestana Adriana , Acuña-Perales Nicolas , Córdova Francisco , Coasaca Javier , Alfaro Eliana , Alfaro-Shigueto Joanna , Mangel Jeffrey C.
Published: July 2018

The stomach contents of thresher sharks (Alopias spp.; 162–385 cm total length) were collected from five landing points in northern Peru during 2015. A total of 128 thresher sharks were sampled, with 38 individuals identified as Alopias pelagicus and 90 aggregated to the genus level Alopias sp. to prevent any misidentification. The diet comprised 13 and 10 prey taxa for Alopias sp. and A. pelagicus, respectively. Humboldt squid Dosidicus gigas dominated the diet of both groups, with only minor differences in the diet in relation to size classes and location. The diet of Alopias shows a high degree of specialization and the average trophic positions were high for both groups, A. pelagicus (4.4 ± 0.13) and Alopias sp. (4.5 ± 0.14).
Marketing Circus through Personalization: Class and the Celebrity Images of John Ringling and Bertram Mills
Authors: Holmes Kate
Published: July 2018

Marketing strategies today often rely on creating an emotional connection to the brand through personalizing or humanizing the business. This article explores how both the American Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey and the British Bertram Mills Circus used this strategy in the early twentieth century to encourage audiences to attend their circus rather than any other. John Ringling and Bertram Mills may best be remembered for totemic images but their celebrity was constructed through a reiterative performance process. In this article Kate Holmes examines the shifts in their representation performed in press, publicity, and anecdote to explore how each iteration of their public identity functioned to publicize their respective circuses at significant points. She also explores how these circus celebrity identities, focused on achieving financial success for a commercial enterprise, activated and perpetuated national self-identities linked to class. Kate Holmes, who has previous experience as a qualified marketer, recently completed a PhD in Drama at the University of Exeter. Her research on circus performance has been published in Early Popular Visual Culture and is forthcoming in Stage Women, a collection of essays on early twentieth-century female performers.
Shakespeare and the Naming of Bears
Authors: de Somogyi Nick
Published: July 2018

Further to his enquiries into ‘Shakespeare and the Three Bears’ (NTQ 106), Nick de Somogyi here turns his attention from Harry, Hunks, and Sackerson to another celebrity triumvirate of fighting bears at Paris Garden, likewise stabled some few hundred yards away from the playhouses Shakespeare knew. Jeremy, Sampson, and Daniel may have bequeathed a lower profile to posterity, but the endurance implicit in their Old Testament naming lends perspective to the enigma of Bankside's parallel entertainments – between blood sport and high art. In particular, it is argued here that the briefly documented life of Sampson-the-Bear enduringly informs the ‘ancient grudge’ with which Romeo and Juliet begins. A Contributing Editor to NTQ since 2003, Nick de Somogyi gained his PhD at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and works as an independent scholar, textual consultant, freelance editor, and illustrator. The founder editor of both the Globe Quartos and Shakespeare Folios series for Nick Hern Books (1997–2015), he has lectured at Cambridge University, the Museum of London, and for the Rose Trust, and has curated four exhibitions at Shakespeare's Globe (2003–16). His publications include Shakespeare's Theatre of War (Ashgate, 1998), Shakespeare on Theatre (Nick Hern Books, 2011), and (as Consultant Editor) Shakespeare in 100 Objects (V&A, 2014).
Theatre Censorship in South Korea: a Nation in Permanent Crisis
Authors: Cho Seong-kwan
Published: July 2018

Between 1975 and 1988, the Korean Public Performance Ethics Committee (KPPEC) censored obscene language, body exposure, and extreme violence, as is common in all forms of theatre censorship. However, the KPPEC focused in particular on depictions of the President of South Korea, and proscribed any work that challenged or even questioned the public image of the President as a strong leader for a nation in crisis. Despite the official abolition of censorship in 1988, it was discovered in 2016 that a blacklist had been in operation that excluded ‘left’ and ‘pro-Pyongyang’ theatre directors and actors from accessing public funding. By exploring the process of censorship, Seong-kwan Cho in this article interrogates the relationship between the theatre and the nation. Seong-kwan Cho is a lecturer at the School of Global Communication at Kyung Hee University. With Jae-beom Hong, in his current research he has been exploring North Korean performance, and his article on this subject is forthcoming in Asian Theatre Journal.
Tunisian Performances of the Sufi Ascent: the ‘Issawiya Hadra Ritual
Authors: Barghouti Dia
Published: July 2018

Focusing on the hadra ritual of the ‘Issawiya Sufi community, in this article Dia Barghouti explores how the narrative of the Prophet Muhammad's ‘night journey’ is performed within the Tunisian socio-cultural context. Drawing on the philosophical writings of the twelfth-century Sufi saint Muhyidin Ibn ‘Arabi, the author examines how re-enacting narratives of transcendence, and particularly of myths associated with the patron saint of the order, Sidi Ben-’Issa, allows members of the ‘Issawiya community to explore the ontological principles of Sufi cosmology by experiencing them directly in the body. Dia Barghouti is a playwright and PhD candidate in the Department of Theatre and Performance at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her plays have been performed at Ashtar Theatre and the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center in Ramallah in Palestine.
Aristophanes’ The Birds, the Epidaurus Festival, and the Onassis Cultural Centre
Authors: Antoniou Michaela
Published: July 2018

In this article, Michaela Antoniou offers a close analysis of Nikos Karathanos's 2016 production of Aristophanes’ The Birds, which was staged at the Epidaurus Festival with the support of the Onassis Cultural Centre. She argues that the context embodies Eric Hobsbawm's concept of the ‘invented tradition’, and examines its often problematic relation to the Centre, which, as a powerful and economically independent organization, occupies a dominant position in the field of theatre in Greece. The essential parameters and scope of Karathanos's performance aesthetics are analyzed through the lens of Michel Foucault and Kornelius Kastoriadis, while attention is also given to the media discourse surrounding the work. Finally, the article historicizes Karathanos's The Birds in relation to Koun's renowned 1959 production in order to examine Karathanos's intention to interpret the play as a production for his and our time. Michaela Antoniou is Teaching Fellow in Acting at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is also an actress, playwright, author, and translator, and has previously published articles on the work of Karolos Koun.
Marital Status and Problem Gambling among Older Adults: An Examination of Social Context and Social Motivations
Authors: Elton-Marshall Tara , Wijesingha Rochelle , Sendzik Taryn , Mock Steven E. , van der Maas Mark , McCready John , Mann Robert E. , Turner Nigel E.
Published: July 2018

Les personnes âgées constituent, en proportion, la population la plus importante parmi les joueurs (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation [OLG], 2012). Les joueurs célibataires seraient plus isolés socialement et solitaires (Dykstra & de Jong Gierveld, 2004), et plus susceptibles de s’engager dans le jeu, présentant ainsi des risques accrus pour le jeu compulsif (McQuade & Gill, 2012). Cette étude a examiné si des motivations sociales (jeu associé à la socialisation ou à la solitude) et le contexte social (sorties au casino avec des amis ou la famille) expliquent la relation entre le statut matrimonial et le jeu compulsif chez les personnes âgées. Nous avons aussi exploré si ces associations diffèrent en fonction du genre. Les données ont été extraites d’un échantillon aléatoire de 2103 adultes âgés de 55 ans et plus qui ont été contactés dans des sites de jeu du sud-ouest de l’Ontario. Ces données ont indiqué que le jeu en compagnie de la famille ou d’amis et le jeu associé à la solitude médient la relation entre le statut matrimonial et le jeu compulsif. Les personnes âgées célibataires étaient moins susceptibles de jouer avec de la famille ou des amis, comparativement aux aînés qui étaient mariés; ils étaient plus susceptibles d’utiliser le jeu pour contrer la solitude et leur profil de jeu était davantage compulsif. Les initiatives de prévention et de traitement devraient examiner les moyens permettant de diminuer la solitude et l’isolement social chez les personnes âgées, et offrir des activités sociales alternatives.
HONDURAS IN EARLY POSTCLASSIC MESOAMERICA
Authors: Joyce Rosemary A.
Published: July 2018

Social groups in Honduras played a key role in regional developments betweena.d.800 and 1100, acting as the pivot in long-distance networks extending west as far as Tula, north to Chichen Itza, and south to Costa Rica. Understanding the role of Honduran settlements at this time has been obstructed by the lack of well-dated contexts from this period and the associated uncertainty about the development of the key Honduran ceramic type, Las Vegas Polychrome. This paper offers a definition of the distinctive features that characterize Las Vegas Polychrome, reviewing evidence supporting earlier dates than traditionally suggested for this type, as early as the emergence of any white-slipped polychrome in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It summarizes evidence for a suite of luxuries consumed in conjunction with Las Vegas Polychrome, and points to the products most likely produced in Honduras for exchange with partners who provided these. Finally, the article considers the ideological, social, and political implications of changes in Honduran settlements where the new pottery was used.
START versus SALT Triage: Which is Preferred by the 21st Century Health Care Student?
Authors: Fink Brian N. , Rega Paul P. , Sexton Martha E. , Wishner Carolina
Published: July 2018

Introduction

While the art and science of disaster triage continue to evolve, the education of the US health care student in matters pertaining to disaster preparedness and response remains stifled. Unfortunately, these students will be assuming major decision-making responsibilities regarding catastrophes that will be complicated by climate change, nuclear threats, global terrorism, and pandemics. Meanwhile, Sort, Assess, Life-Saving Interventions, Treatment, and/or Transport (SALT) triage is being advocated over the globally popular Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) algorithm for multiple reasons: (1) it’s an all-hazard approach; (2) it has four medical interventions; and (3) it has an additional triage color for victims with non-survivable injuries.

Hypothesis/Problem

As present-day threats become more ominous and health care education emphasizes the needs of vulnerable populations and palliative care, the authors hypothesize that, when given a choice, health care students will prefer SALT triage.

Methods

A convenience sample of 218 interprofessional, disaster-naïve health care students received just-in-time, unbiased education on both START and SALT triage systems. Students then completed a survey asking them to decide which triage system they believe would be most effective in their community.

Results

A total of 123 health care students (56.4%) preferred SALT while 95 (43.6%) preferred START; however, only the physician assistant students showed a statistically significantly preference (28 versus six, respectively; P=.042). Interestingly, there was also a statistically significant difference in preference by gender (Chi-square=5.02; P=.025) of the observed distribution versus expected distribution in SALT and START. The females preferred SALT (61.0%) while the males preferred START (55.9%).

Among those who preferred START, START being easier to learn was the most important reason cited. Among those who preferred SALT, the most important reason cited was that the number of patient triage categories seemed more logical, comprehensible, and consistent with traditional medical care.

Conclusion:

While SALT’s preference among females and physician assistant students was based on the addition of medical interventions and the provision of palliative care, START’s preference was related to expediency. Based on this research, incorporating disaster concepts into US health care students’ curricula encourages thoughtful consideration among the future health care leaders about the most effective approach to triage care. It is critical that further research be completed to determine, without reservation, which triage system will not only save the most lives but provide the most humane care to victims.

Fink BN, Rega PP, Sexton ME, Wishner C. START versus SALT triage: which is preferred by the 21st century health care student? Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):381–386
Comparison of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology-Assisted Triage versus Standard Practice in Triaging Casualties by Paramedic Students in a Mass-Casualty Incident Scenario
Authors: Jain Trevor , Sibley Aaron , Stryhn Henrik , Hubloue Ives
Published: July 2018

Introduction

The proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has the potential to change the way medical incident commanders (ICs) respond to mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) in triaging victims. The aim of this study was to compare UAV technology to standard practice (SP) in triaging casualties at an MCI.

Methods

A randomized comparison study was conducted with 40 paramedic students from the Holland College Paramedicine Program (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada). Using a simulated motor vehicle collision (MVC) with moulaged casualties, iterations of 20 students were used for both a day and a night trial. Students were randomized to a UAV or a SP group. After a brief narrative, participants either entered the study environment or used UAV technology where total time to triage completion, GREEN casualty evacuation, time on scene, triage order, and accuracy were recorded.

Results

A statistical difference in the time to completion of 3.63 minutes (95% CI, 2.45 min-4.85 min; P=.002) during the day iteration and a difference of 3.49 minutes (95% CI, 2.08 min-6.06 min; P=.002) for the night trial with UAV groups was noted. There was no difference found in time to GREEN casualty evacuation, time on scene, or triage order. One-hundred-percent accuracy was noted between both groups.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated the feasibility of using a UAV at an MCI. A non-clinical significant difference was noted in total time to completion between both groups. There was no increase in time on scene by using the UAV while demonstrating the feasibility of remotely triaging GREEN casualties prior to first responder arrival.

Jain T, Sibley A, Stryhn H, Hubloue I.Comparison of unmanned aerial vehicle technologyassisted triage versus standard practice in triaging casualties by paramedic students in a mass-casualty incident scenario. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(4):375–380
SOVEREIGN DEBT IN THE UNITED STATES AND GROWTH EXPECTATIONS
Authors: Equiza-Goñi Juan
Published: July 2018

This paper shows empirical evidence and theory consistent with the US government using debt optimally to adjust the federal budget to news about long-term growth. First, using historical forecasts from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) since 1984, I find that government purchases and deficits are positively correlated with expectations about long-term productivity, real gross domestic product, and tax revenue growth, whereas tax receipts are negatively correlated. A structural vector autoregression estimated with US quarterly data in 1955–2015 identifies permanent and transitory productivity shocks and points to “trend” shocks as the source of these correlations. Second, I present an open economy real business-cycle model with stochastic productivity trend and optimal public purchases and taxes. Calibrating the model to the US economy, the Ramsey planners' allocation yields moments aligned with those observed in the data.
PURE LOGIC OF ITERATED FULL GROUND
Authors: LITLAND JON ERLING
Published: July 2018

This article develops the Pure Logic of Iterated Full Ground (plifg), a logic of ground that can deal with claims of the form “ϕgrounds that (ψgroundsθ)”—what we call iterated grounding claims. The core idea is that some truths Γ ground a truthϕwhen there is an explanatory argument (of a certain sort) from premisses Γ to conclusionϕ. By developing a deductive system that distinguishes between explanatory and nonexplanatory arguments we can give introduction rules for operators for factive and nonfactive full ground, as well as for a propositional “identity” connective. Elimination rules are then found by using a proof-theoretic inversion principle.
Predicting Rates and Distribution of Carbonate Melting in Oceanic Upper Mantle: Implications for Seismic Structure and Global Carbon Cycling
Authors: Clerc Fiona , Behn Mark D. , Parmentier E. M. , Hirth Greg
Published: July 2018

Coupling a global mantle flow model with a parameterized carbonate solidus, we examine the global distribution and extent of carbonate melting beneath the ocean basins. We predict carbonate melting in spatially heterogeneous patterns throughout the oceans. The rate of CO2 segregation from the mantle by off‐axis carbonate melting (~1.1 × 1012 mol/year) is comparable to the global ridge flux (~1.2 × 1012 mol/year). As the generation of carbonate melts should be enhanced in regions of mantle upwelling, we compare upwelling patterns with seismic detections of the G‐discontinuity. The upwelling velocities in areas where the G‐discontinuity is detected are not statistically different from areas with no detections—implying that the generation and pooling of carbonate melts are not dominant mechanisms in forming the G‐discontinuity. However, detections of a deeper seismic discontinuity are correlated with enhanced upwelling velocities, suggesting locally higher melt fractions at the transition between carbonate‐only and carbonate‐enhanced silicate melting.
Relationships Between Inversion Strength, Lower‐Tropospheric Moistening, and Low‐Cloud Fraction in the Subtropical Southeast Pacific Derived From Stable Isotopologues of Water Vapor
Authors: Galewsky Joseph
Published: July 2018

Quantitative, observational constraints on lower‐tropospheric mixing are crucial for improved models of low‐cloud feedbacks, and analysis of water vapor isotopic composition provides an independent means for generating such constraints. In situ measurements of water vapor isotopic composition from the Chajnantor Plateau, in northern Chile, are merged with sounding data from Antofagasta and satellite measurements of cloud fraction (CF) from the SE Pacific to show an inverse relationship between the estimated inversion strength (EIS) and water vapor export from the marine boundary layer into the free troposphere. When merged with results from the subtropical northern Pacific, the relationship between EIS and water vapor transport is found to be exponential across EIS values ranging from 0 to 15.6 K. The data from Chile are stratified into terciles of EIS with average EIS values of 9, 12.6 and 15.6 K. We show positive relationships between EIS, cloud fraction, and the mixing diagnostic δDv−δDr and negative relationships between EIS and the observed mixing ratios and water vapor δD values at Chajnantor, all of which are consistent with an inverse relationship between inversion strength and water vapor export from the marine boundary layer. Inverse modeling of the isotopic data using a simple process model shows that the average mixing ratios at Chajnantor derived from the marine boundary layer are estimated to be 2.1, 1.15, and 0.84 g/kg, respectively, for the lowest, middle, and highest terciles of EIS. These results can be used to constrain convective parameterizations and models of low‐cloud feedbacks.
Assessing the Dynamic Versus Thermodynamic Origin of Climate Model Biases
Authors: Wehrli Kathrin , Guillod Benoit P. , Hauser Mathias , Leclair Matthieu , Seneviratne Sonia I.
Published: July 2018

Global climate models present systematic biases, among others, a tendency to overestimate hot and dry summers in midlatitude regions. Here we investigate the origin of such biases in the Community Earth System Model. To disentangle the contribution of dynamics and thermodynamics, we perform simulations that include nudging of horizontal wind and compare them to simulations with a free atmosphere. Prescribing the observed large‐scale circulation improves the modeled weather patterns as well as many related fields. However, the larger part of the temperature and precipitation biases of the free atmosphere configuration remains after nudging, in particular, for extremes. Our results suggest that thermodynamical processes, including land‐atmosphere coupling and atmospheric parameterizations, drive the errors present in Community Earth System Model. Our result may apply to other climate models and highlight the importance of distinguishing thermodynamic and dynamic sources of biases in present‐day global climate models.
Flares at Earth and Mars: An Ionospheric Escape Mechanism?
Authors: Mendillo M. , Erickson P. J. , Zhang S.‐R. , Mayyasi M. , Narvaez C. , Thiemann E. , Chamberlain P. , Andersson L. , Peterson W.
Published: July 2018

Solar flares are nature's active experiment upon a planet's upper atmosphere and ionosphere. Observed effects at Earth are consistent with a “second sunrise” scenario that produces changes in electron density, electron temperature, and plasma dynamics. A solar active region in September 2017 provoked ionospheric disturbances due to solar flares observed at Earth (6 September) and later at Mars (10 and 17 September). Incoherent scatter radar observations from the Millstone Hill Observatory showed a burst of upward diffusion due to electron temperature enhancements. We explore the companion possibility of flares causing upward drifts and plasma escape at Mars. Solar observations made by the EUV Monitor instrument on the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) satellite are used to portray the time histories of irradiance changes to determine the “early” (onset to peak emission) and “late” (decay to background) time scales for these flares. During the initial phase of a flare (when photons ionize an atmosphere unmodified by flare heating), MAVEN was well above the ionosphere and thus no in situ data are available to asses this period of possible plasma escape. Estimates made using a simple terrestrial model for plasma drifts in the topside ionosphere suggest that escape rates can be enhanced at Mars at “early” times. The “late time” effects observed below 400 km 2 hr after the flare onset times did not reveal conclusive remnants of the proposed mechanism. No model of the Martian thermosphere‐ionosphere system has produced a self‐consistent simulation of solar flare effects upon Mars' upper atmosphere and ionosphere.
Mapping the sensing spots of aerolysin for single oligonucleotides analysis
Authors: Cao Chan , Li Meng-Yin , Cirauqui Nuria , Wang Ya-Qian , Dal Peraro Matteo , Tian He , Long Yi-Tao
Published: July 2018

Nanopore sensing is a powerful single-molecule method for DNA and protein sequencing. Recent studies have demonstrated that aerolysin exhibits a high sensitivity for single-molecule detection. However, the lack of the atomic resolution structure of aerolysin pore has hindered the understanding of its sensing capabilities. Herein, we integrate nanopore experimental results and molecular simulations based on a recent pore structural model to precisely map the sensing spots of this toxin for ssDNA translocation. Rationally probing ssDNA length and composition upon pore translocation provides new important insights for molecular determinants of the aerolysin nanopore. Computational and experimental results reveal two critical sensing spots (R220, K238) generating two constriction points along the pore lumen. Taking advantage of the sensing spots, all four nucleobases, cytosine methylation and oxidation of guanine can be clearly identified in a mixture sample. The results provide evidence for the potential of aerolysin as a nanosensor for DNA sequencing.
Hollow-core conjoined-tube negative-curvature fibre with ultralow loss
Authors: Gao Shou-fei , Wang Ying-ying , Ding Wei , Jiang Dong-liang , Gu Shuai , Zhang Xin , Wang Pu
Published: July 2018

Countering the optical network ‘capacity crunch’ calls for a radical development in optical fibres that could simultaneously minimize nonlinearity penalties, chromatic dispersion and maximize signal launch power. Hollow-core fibres (HCF) can break the nonlinear Shannon limit of solid-core fibre and fulfil all above requirements, but its optical performance need to be significantly upgraded before they can be considered for high-capacity telecommunication systems. Here, we report a new HCF with conjoined-tubes in the cladding and a negative-curvature core shape. It exhibits a minimum transmission loss of 2 dB km−1 at 1512 nm and a <16 dB km−1 bandwidth spanning across the O, E, S, C, L telecom bands (1302–1637 nm). The debut of this conjoined-tube HCF, with combined merits of ultralow loss, broad bandwidth, low bending loss, high mode quality and simple structure heralds a new opportunity to fully unleash the potential of HCF in telecommunication applications.
Controls on explosive-effusive volcanic eruption styles
Authors: Cassidy Mike , Manga Michael , Cashman Kathy , Bachmann Olivier
Published: July 2018

One of the biggest challenges in volcanic hazard assessment is to understand how and why eruptive style changes within the same eruptive period or even from one eruption to the next at a given volcano. This review evaluates the competing processes that lead to explosive and effusive eruptions of silicic magmas. Eruptive style depends on a set of feedback involving interrelated magmatic properties and processes. Foremost of these are magma viscosity, gas loss and external properties such as conduit geometry. Ultimately, these parameters control the speed at which magmas ascend, decompress and outgas en route to the surface, and thus determine eruptive style and evolution.
Size dependent effects of Gold Nanoparticles in ISO-induced Hyperthyroid Rats
Authors: Zhang Jingwen , Xue Yanbo , Ni Yajuan , Ning Feifei , Shang Lijun , Ma Aiqun
Published: July 2018

In this study, we applied different sizes of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) to isoproterenol (ISO)-induced hyperthyroid heart disease rats (HHD rats). Single dose of 5, 40, 100 nm Au-NPs were injected intravenously. Cardiac safety tests were evaluated by cardiac marker enzymes in serum and cardiac accumulation of Au-NPs were measured by ICP-MS. Our results showed that size-dependent cardiac effects of Au-NPs in ISO-induced hyperthyroid rats. 5 nm Au-NPs had some cardiac protective effect  but little accumulation in heart, probably due to smaller size Au-NPs can adapt to whole body easily in vivo. Histological analysis and TUNEL staining showed that Au-NPs can induce pathological alterations including cardiac fibrosis, apoptosis in control groups, however they can protect HHD groups from these harmful effects. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy and western blotting employed on H9C2 cells showed that autophagy presented in Au-NPs treated cells and that Au-NPs can decrease LC3 II turning to LC3 I and decrease APG7 and caspase 12 in the process in HHD groups, while opposite effects on control groups were presented, which could be an adaptive inflammation reacts. As there are few animal studies about using nanoparticles in the treatment of heart disease, our in vivo and in vitro studies would provide valuable information before they can be considered for clinical use in general.
Small molecule activator of Nm23/NDPK as an inhibitor of metastasis
Authors: Lee Jae-Jin , Kim Hwang Suk , Lee Ji-Sun , Park Jimin , Shin Sang Chul , Song Soonwha , Lee Eunsun , Choi Jung-Eun , Suh Ji-Wan , Lee Hongsoo , Kim Eunice EunKyeong , Seo Eun Kyoung , Shin Dong Hae , Lee Ho-Young , Lee Hee-Yoon , Lee Kong-Joo
Published: July 2018

Nm23-H1/NDPK-A is a tumor metastasis suppressor having NDP kinase (NDPK) activity. Nm23-H1 is positively associated with prolonged disease-free survival and good prognosis of cancer patients. Approaches to increasing the cellular levels of Nm23-H1 therefore have significance in the therapy of metastatic cancers. We found a small molecule, (±)-trans-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[(E)-3,4-dimethoxystyryl]cyclohex-1-ene, that activates Nm23, hereafter called NMac1. NMac1 directly binds to Nm23-H1 and increases its NDPK activity. Employing various NMac1 derivatives and hydrogen/deuterium mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), we identified the pharmacophore and mode of action of NMac1. We found that NMac1 binds to the C-terminal of Nm23-H1 and induces the NDPK activation through its allosteric conformational changes. NMac1-treated MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells showed dramatic changes in morphology and actin-cytoskeletal organization following inhibition of Rac1 activation. NMac1 also suppressed invasion and migration in vitro, and metastasis in vivo, in a breast cancer mouse model. NMac1 as an activator of NDPK has potential as an anti-metastatic agent.
Chromatin remodeling in Drosophila preblastodermic embryo extract
Authors: Šatović Eva , Font-Mateu Jofre , Carbonell Albert , Beato Miguel , Azorín Fernando
Published: July 2018

Chromatin is known to undergo extensive remodeling during nuclear reprogramming. However, the factors and mechanisms involved in this remodeling are still poorly understood and current experimental approaches to study it are not best suited for molecular and genetic analyses. Here we report on the use of Drosophila preblastodermic embryo extracts (DREX) in chromatin remodeling experiments. Our results show that incubation of somatic nuclei in DREX induces changes in chromatin organization similar to those associated with nuclear reprogramming, such as rapid binding of the germline specific linker histone dBigH1 variant to somatic chromatin, heterochromatin reorganization, changes in the epigenetic state of chromatin, and nuclear lamin disassembly. These results raise the possibility of using the powerful tools of Drosophila genetics for the analysis of chromatin changes associated with this essential process.
Investigating the Association between Chronic Kidney Disease and Ischaemic Stroke from a Health Examination Database
Authors: Ou-Yang Chao , Handaruputri Theresa Lalita , Wang Han-Cheng , Chen Chiehfeng
Published: July 2018

Stroke has become one of the leading causes of death, with ischaemic stroke as the most common type of stroke occurrence compared to haemorrhagic stroke. Chronic kidney disease(CKD), another important cause of death, shares several traditional cardiovascular riskfactors with ischaemic stroke. Therefore, it is important to examine the existence of shared risk factors in the association between CKD and ischaemic stroke. This study used a health examination database from a medical centre in Taiwan. A generalized linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between CKD and ischaemic stroke. The Maentel-Haenszel test was performed to analyse the effect of possible confounding factors on the association between CKD and ischaemic stroke. A prevalence rate study showed that more subjects with CKD suffered from ischaemic stroke than subjects without CKD. Diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia were associated with increased risks of ischaemic stroke in CKD subjects. There was an inverse association of the odds ratio of ischaemic stroke between CKD and non-CKD patients, which implied that younger subjects with CKD should be made aware of ischaemic stroke prevention.
Structure of the replication regulator Sap1 reveals functionally important interfaces
Authors: Jørgensen Maria M. , Ekundayo Babatunde , Zaratiegui Mikel , Skriver Karen , Thon Geneviève , Schalch Thomas
Published: July 2018

The mechanism by which specific protein-DNA complexes induce programmed replication fork stalling in the eukaryotic genome remains poorly understood. In order to shed light on this process we carried out structural investigations on the essential fission yeast protein Sap1. Sap1 was identified as a protein involved in mating-type switching in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and has been shown to be involved in programmed replication fork stalling. Interestingly, Sap1 assumes two different DNA binding modes. At the mating-type locus dimers of Sap1 bind the SAS1 sequence in a head-to-head arrangement, while they bind to replication fork blocking sites at rDNA and Tf2 transposons in a head-to-tail mode. In this study, we have solved the crystal structure of the Sap1 DNA binding domain and we observe that Sap1 molecules interact in the crystal using a head-to-tail arrangement that is compatible with DNA binding. We find that Sap1 mutations which alleviate replication-fork blockage at Tf2 transposons in CENP-B mutants map to the head-to-tail interface. Furthermore, several other mutations introduced in this interface are found to be lethal. Our data suggests that essential functions of Sap1 depend on its head-to-tail oligomerization.
A Multifunctional Interlayer for Solution Processed High Performance Indium Oxide Transistors
Authors: Kyndiah Adrica , Ablat Abduleziz , Guyot-Reeb Seymour , Schultz Thorsten , Zu Fengshuo , Koch Norbert , Amsalem Patrick , Chiodini Stefano , Yilmaz Alic Tugbahan , Topal Yasemin , Kus Mahmut , Hirsch Lionel , Fasquel Sophie , Abbas Mamatimin
Published: July 2018

Multiple functionality of tungsten polyoxometalate (POM) has been achieved applying it as interfacial layer for solution processed high performance In2O3 thin film transistors, which results in overall improvement of device performance. This approach not only reduces off-current of the device by more than two orders of magnitude, but also leads to a threshold voltage reduction, as well as significantly enhances the mobility through facilitated charge injection from the electrode to the active layer. Such a mechanism has been elucidated through morphological and spectroscopic studies.
Permafrost Degradation and Subsidence Observations during a Controlled Warming Experiment
Authors: Wagner Anna M. , Lindsey Nathaniel J. , Dou Shan , Gelvin Arthur , Saari Stephanie , Williams Christopher , Ekblaw Ian , Ulrich Craig , Borglin Sharon , Morales Alejandro , Ajo-Franklin Jonathan
Published: July 2018

Global climate change has resulted in a warmer Arctic, with projections indicating accelerated modifications to permafrost in the near future. The thermal, hydrological, and mechanical physics of permafrost thaw have been hypothesized to couple in a complex fashion but data collection efforts to study these feedbacks in the field have been limited. As a result, laboratory and numerical models have largely outpaced field calibration datasets. We present the design, execution, and initial results from the first decameter-scale controlled thawing experiment, targeting coupled thermal/mechanical response, particularly the temporal sequence of surface subsidence relative to permafrost degradation at depth. The warming test was conducted in Fairbanks, AK, and utilized an array of in-ground heaters to induce thaw of a ~11 × 13 × 1.5 m soil volume over 63 days. The 4-D temperature evolution demonstrated that the depth to permafrost lowered 1 m during the experiment. The resulting thaw-induced surface deformation was ~10 cm as observed using a combination of measurement techniques. Surface deformation occurred over a smaller spatial domain than the full thawed volume, suggesting that gradients in cryotexture and ice content were significant. Our experiment provides the first large field calibration dataset for multiphysics thaw models.
Faster growth with shorter antigens can explain a VSG hierarchy during African trypanosome infections: a feint attack by parasites
Authors: Liu Dianbo , Albergante Luca , Newman T. J. , Horn David
Published: July 2018

The parasitic African trypanosome,Trypanosoma brucei, evades the adaptive host immune response by a process of antigenic variation that involves the clonal switching of variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs). The VSGs that come to dominatein vivoduring an infection are not entirely random, but display a hierarchical order. How this arises is not fully understood. Combining available genetic data with mathematical modelling, we report a VSG-length-dependent hierarchical timing of clonal VSG dominance in a mouse model, consistent with an inverse correlation between VSG length and trypanosome growth-rate. Our analyses indicate that, among parasites switching to new VSGs, those expressing shorter VSGs preferentially accumulate to a detectable level that is sufficient to trigger a targeted immune response. This may be due to the increased metabolic cost of producing longer VSGs. Subsequent elimination of faster-growing parasites then allows slower-growing parasites with longer VSGs to accumulate. This interaction between the host and parasite is able to explain the temporal distribution of VSGs observedin vivo. Thus, our findings reveal a length-dependent hierarchy that operates duringT. bruceiinfection. This represents a ‘feint attack’ diversion tactic utilised by these persistent parasites to out-maneuver the host adaptive immune system.
Transcriptome Profiles of Nod Factor-independent Symbiosis in the Tropical Legume Aeschynomene evenia
Authors: Gully Djamel , Czernic Pierre , Cruveiller Stéphane , Mahé Frédéric , Longin Cyrille , Vallenet David , François Philippe , Nidelet Sabine , Rialle Stéphanie , Giraud Eric , Arrighi Jean-François , DasGupta Maitrayee , Cartieaux Fabienne
Published: July 2018

Nod factors (NF) were assumed to be indispensable for the establishment of a rhizobium-legume symbiosis until the discovery that certain Bradyrhizobium strains interacting with certain Aeschynomene species lack the canonical nodABC genes required for their synthesis. So far, the molecular dialogue between Aeschynomene and its symbionts remains an open question. Here we report a time course transcriptional analysis of Aeschynomene evenia in response to inoculation with Bradyrhizobium ORS278. The NF-independent symbiotic process was monitored at five time points between bacterial infection and nodule maturity. The five time points correspond to three specific events, root infection by crack entry, nodule organogenesis, and the establishment of the nitrogen fixing process. During the third stage, about 80 NCR-like genes and eight symbiotic genes known to be involved in signaling, bacterial infection or nodulation regulation were highly expressed. Comparative gene expression analyses at the five time points also enabled the selection of genes with an expression profile that makes them promising markers to monitor early plant responses to bacteria. Such markers could be used in bioassays to identify the nature of the bacterial signal(s). Our data represent valuable resources for investigation of this Nod factor-independent symbiosis.
Characterization of the effects of immunomodulatory drug fingolimod (FTY720) on human T cell receptor signaling pathways
Authors: Baer Alan , Colon-Moran Winston , Bhattarai Nirjal
Published: July 2018

Immune responses against gene therapy products limit its therapeutic efficacy and present a safety risk. Identification of agents that blunt immune reactions may aid in developing novel immunomodulatory therapies. Fingolimod (FTY720) is an FDA approved immunomodulatory drug for treating multiple sclerosis that inhibits lymphocyte egress from lymphoid tissues by down regulating sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor (S1PR). Recent studies found that FTY720 inhibits T cell activation (TCA) in a S1PR-independent manner; however, the mechanism is incompletely understood. Here we characterized the effects of FTY720 on human T cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathways. FTY720 inhibited both the TCR-dependent and independent activation of primary human T cells. FTY720 did not affect proximal TCR signaling events as measured by phosphorylation of Lck, ZAP-70 and LAT; however, inhibited PMA/Ionomycin induced distal TCR signaling as measured by IL-2, IFN-γ release and CD25 expression. FTY720 induced aberrant NFAT1, AP1 and NFκB activation which were associated with increased acetylation of histone (H3K9). Phosphorylated FTY720 did not inhibit TCA, and arachidonic acid did not rescue FTY720 mediated inhibition of TCA. These data suggest that FTY720 mediated inhibition of TCA is due to inhibition of distal TCR signaling. Understanding FTY720-mediated inhibition of TCA may aid in developing novel FTY720-based immunomodulatory agents.
The value of universally available raw NMR data for transparency, reproducibility, and integrity in natural product research
Authors: McAlpine James B. , Chen Shao-Nong , Kutateladze Andrei , MacMillan John B. , Appendino Giovanni , Barison Andersson , Beniddir Mehdi A. , Biavatti Maique W. , Bluml Stefan , Boufridi Asmaa , Butler Mark S. , Capon Robert J. , Choi Young H. , Coppage David , Crews Phillip , Crimmins Michael T. , Csete Marie , Dewapriya Pradeep , Egan Joseph M. , Garson Mary J. , Genta-Jouve Grégory , Gerwick William H. , Gross Harald , Harper Mary Kay , Hermanto Precilia , Hook James M. , Hunter Luke , Jeannerat Damien , Ji Nai-Yun , Johnson Tyler A. , Kingston David G. I. , Koshino Hiroyuki , Lee Hsiau-Wei , Lewin Guy , Li Jie , Linington Roger G. , Liu Miaomiao , McPhail Kerry L. , Molinski Tadeusz F. , Moore Bradley S. , Nam Joo-Won , Neupane Ram P. , Niemitz Matthias , Nuzillard Jean-Marc , Oberlies Nicholas H. , Ocampos Fernanda M. M. , Pan Guohui , Quinn Ronald J. , Reddy D. Sai , Renault Jean-Hugues , Rivera-Chávez José , Robien Wolfgang , Saunders Carla M. , Schmidt Thomas J. , Seger Christoph , Shen Ben , Steinbeck Christoph , Stuppner Hermann , Sturm Sonja , Taglialatela-Scafati Orazio , Tantillo Dean J. , Verpoorte Robert , Wang Bin-Gui , Williams Craig M. , Williams Philip G. , Wist Julien , Yue Jian-Min , Zhang Chen , Xu Zhengren , Simmler Charlotte , Lankin David C. , Bisson Jonathan , Pauli Guido F.
Published: July 2018

With contributions from the global natural product (NP) research community, and continuing the Raw Data Initiative, this review collects a comprehensive demonstration of the immense scientific value of disseminating raw nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data, independently of, and in parallel with, classical publishing outlets.
High sensitive and broad-range detection of cortisol in human saliva using a trap lateral flow immunoassay (trapLFI) sensor
Authors: Oh Hyun-Kyung , Kim Ju-Wan , Kim Jae-Min , Kim Min-Gon
Published: July 2018

Cortisol, a steroid hormone, is a main biomarker of psychological stress.
Mucins as multifunctional building blocks of biomaterials
Authors: Petrou Georgia , Crouzier Thomas
Published: July 2018

Mucins glycoproteins are emerging as a multifunctional building block for biomaterials with diverse applications in chemistry and biomedicine.