bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poverty, early care, and stress reactivity in adolescence: Findings from a prospective, longitudinal study in South Africa
Authors: Fearon R. M. Pasco , Tomlinson Mark , Kumsta Robert , Skeen Sarah , Murray Lynne , Cooper Peter J. , Morgan Barak
Published: April 2017

A considerable body of evidence suggests that early caregiving may affect the short-term functioning and longer term development of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis. Despite this, most research to date has been cross-sectional in nature or restricted to relatively short-term longitudinal follow-ups. More important, there is a paucity of research on the role of caregiving in low- and middle-income countries, where the protective effects of high-quality care in buffering the child's developing stress regulation systems may be crucial. In this paper, we report findings from a longitudinal study (N = 232) conducted in an impoverished periurban settlement in Cape Town, South Africa. We measured caregiving sensitivity and security of attachment in infancy and followed children up at age 13 years, when we conducted assessments of hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenocortical axis reactivity, as indexed by salivary cortisol during the Trier Social Stress Test. The findings indicated that insecure attachment was predictive of reduced cortisol responses to social stress, particularly in boys, and that attachment status moderated the impact of contextual adversity on stress responses: secure children in highly adverse circumstances did not show the blunted cortisol response shown by their insecure counterparts. Some evidence was found that sensitivity of care in infancy was also associated with cortisol reactivity, but in this case, insensitivity was associated with heightened cortisol reactivity, and only for girls. The discussion focuses on the potentially important role of caregiving in the long-term calibration of the stress system and the need to better understand the social and biological mechanisms shaping the stress response across development in low- and middle-income countries.
Methylation matters: FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5) methylation moderates the associations ofFKBP5genotype and resistant attachment with stress regulation
Authors: Mulder Rosa H. , Rijlaarsdam Jolien , Luijk Maartje P. C. M. , Verhulst Frank C. , Felix Janine F. , Tiemeier Henning , Bakermans-Kranenburg Marian J. , Van Ijzendoorn Marinus H.
Published: April 2017

The parent–child attachment relationship plays an important role in the development of the infant's stress regulation system. However, genetic and epigenetic factors such as FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5) genotype and DNA methylation have also been associated with hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis functioning. In the current study, we examined how parent–child dyadic regulation works in concert with genetic and epigenetic aspects of stress regulation. We study the associations of attachment, extreme maternal insensitivity,FKBP5single nucleotide polymorphism 1360780, andFKBP5methylation, with cortisol reactivity to the Strange Situation Procedure in 298 14-month-old infants. The results indicate thatFKBP5methylation moderates the associations ofFKBP5genotype and resistant attachment with cortisol reactivity. We conclude that the inclusion of epigenetics in the field of developmental psychopathology may lead to a more precise picture of the interplay between genetic makeup and parenting in shaping stress reactivity.
Attachment security mediates the longitudinal association between child–parent psychotherapy and peer relations for toddlers of depressed mothers
Authors: Guild Danielle J. , Toth Sheree L. , Handley Elizabeth D. , Rogosch Fred A. , Cicchetti Dante
Published: April 2017

Numerous investigations have demonstrated that child–parent psychotherapy (CPP) promotes secure attachment between mothers and offspring. However, the role of postintervention attachment security as it relates to long-term child outcomes has never been evaluated. The present study therefore examined postintervention attachment status as a mediator of the association between CPP for depressed mothers and their offspring and subsequent peer relations among offspring. Depressed mothers and their toddlers were randomized to receive CPP (n = 45) or to a control group (n = 55). A prior investigation with this sample indicated that offspring who received CPP attained significantly higher rates of secure attachment postintervention, whereas insecure attachment continued to predominate for offspring in the control group. The present study examined follow-up data of teachers’ reports on participants’ competence with classroom peers when they were approximately 9 years old. Findings indicated that children who received CPP were more likely to evidence secure attachments at postintervention, which in turn was associated with more positive peer relationships at age 9.
Mothering From the Inside Out: Results of a second randomized clinical trial testing a mentalization-based intervention for mothers in addiction treatment
Authors: Suchman Nancy E. , DeCoste Cindy L. , McMahon Thomas J. , Dalton Rachel , Mayes Linda C. , Borelli Jessica
Published: April 2017

Mothers with histories of alcohol and drug addiction have shown greater difficulty parenting young children than mothers with no history of substance misuse. This study was the second randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy of Mothering From the Inside Out (MIO), a 12-week mentalization-based individual therapy designed to address psychological deficits commonly associated with chronic substance use that also interfere with the capacity to parent young children. Eighty-seven mothers caring for a child between 11 and 60 months of age were randomly assigned to receive 12 sessions of MIO versus 12 sessions of parent education (PE), a psychoeducation active control comparison. Maternal reflective functioning, representations of caregiving, mother–child interaction quality, and child attachment were evaluated at baseline and posttreatment and 3-month follow-up. Mother–child interaction quality was assessed again at 12-month follow-up. In comparison with PE mothers, MIO mothers demonstrated a higher capacity for reflective functioning and representational coherence at posttreatment and 3-month follow-up. At 12-month follow-up, compared to PE cohorts, MIO mothers demonstrated greater sensitivity, their children showed greater involvement, and MIO dyads showed greater reciprocity. As addiction severity increased, MIO also appeared to serve as a protective factor for maternal reflective functioning, quality of mother–child interactions, and child attachment status. Results demonstrate the promise of mentalization-based interventions provided concomitant with addiction treatment for mothers and their young children.
Assessing a change mechanism in a randomized home-visiting trial: Reducing disrupted maternal communication decreases infant disorganization
Authors: Tereno Susana , Madigan Sheri , Lyons-Ruth Karlen , Plamondon Andre , Atkinson Leslie , Guedeney Nicole , Greacen Tim , Dugravier Romain , Saias Thomas , Guedeney Antoine
Published: April 2017

Although randomized interventions trials have been shown to reduce the incidence of disorganized attachment, no studies to date have identified the mechanisms of change responsible for such reductions. Maternal sensitivity has been assessed in various studies and shown to change with intervention, but in the only study to formally assess mediation, changes in maternal sensitivity did not mediate changes in infant security of attachment (Cicchetti, Rogosch, & Toth, 2006). Primary aims of the current randomized controlled intervention trial in a high-risk population were to fill gaps in the literature by assessing whether the intervention (a) reduced disorganization, (b) reduced disrupted maternal communication, and (c) whether reductions in disrupted maternal communication mediated changes in infant disorganization. The results indicated that, compared to controls (n= 52), both infant disorganization and disrupted maternal communication were significantly reduced in the intervention group (n= 65) that received regular home-visiting during pregnancy and the first year of life. Furthermore, reductions in disrupted maternal communication partially accounted for the observed reductions in infant disorganization compared to randomized controls. The results are discussed in relation to the societal cost effectiveness of early attachment-informed interventions for mothers and infants, as well as the importance of formally assessing underlying mechanisms of change in order to improve and appropriately target preventive interventions.
A backward Monte Carlo approach to exotic option pricing
Authors: BORMETTI G. , CALLEGARO G. , LIVIERI G. , PALLAVICINI A.
Published: April 2017

We propose a novel algorithm which allows to sample paths from an underlying price process in a local volatility model and to achieve a substantial variance reduction when pricing exotic options. The new algorithm relies on the construction of a discrete multinomial tree. The crucial feature of our approach is that – in a similar spirit to the Brownian Bridge – each random path runs backward from a terminal fixed point to the initial spot price. We characterize the tree in two alternative ways: (i) in terms of the optimal grids originating from the Recursive Marginal Quantization algorithm, (ii) following an approach inspired by the finite difference approximation of the diffusion's infinitesimal generator. We assess the reliability of the new methodology comparing the performance of both approaches and benchmarking them with competitor Monte Carlo methods.
Spectral properties of the Neumann–Poincaré operator and cloaking by anomalous localized resonance for the elasto-static system
Authors: ANDO KAZUNORI , JI YONG-GWAN , KANG HYEONBAE , KIM KYOUNGSUN , YU SANGHYEON
Published: April 2017

We first investigate spectral properties of the Neumann–Poincaré (NP) operator for the Lamé system of elasto-statics. We show that the elasto-static NP operator can be symmetrized in the same way as that for the Laplace operator. We then show that even if elasto-static NP operator is not compact even on smooth domains, it is polynomially compact and its spectrum on two-dimensional smooth domains consists of eigenvalues that accumulate to two different points determined by the Lamé constants. We then derive explicitly eigenvalues and eigenfunctions on discs and ellipses. Using these resonances occurring at eigenvalues is considered. We also show on ellipses that cloaking by anomalous localized resonance takes place at accumulation points of eigenvalues.
Method for Estimating the Charge Density Distribution on a Dielectric Surface
Authors: Nakashima Takuya , Suhara Hiroyuki , Murata Hidekazu , Shimoyama Hiroshi
Published: April 2017

High-quality color output from digital photocopiers and laser printers is in strong demand, motivating attempts to achieve fine dot reproducibility and stability. The resolution of a digital photocopier depends on the charge density distribution on the organic photoconductor surface; however, directly measuring the charge density distribution is impossible. In this study, we propose a new electron optical instrument that can rapidly measure the electrostatic latent image on an organic photoconductor surface, which is a dielectric surface, as well as a novel method to quantitatively estimate the charge density distribution on a dielectric surface by combining experimental data obtained from the apparatus via a computer simulation. In the computer simulation, an improved three-dimensional boundary charge density method (BCM) is used for electric field analysis in the vicinity of the dielectric material with a charge density distribution. This method enables us to estimate the profile and quantity of the charge density distribution on a dielectric surface with a resolution of the order of microns. Furthermore, the surface potential on the dielectric surface can be immediately calculated using the obtained charge density. This method enables the relation between the charge pattern on the organic photoconductor surface and toner particle behavior to be studied; an understanding regarding the same may lead to the development of a new generation of higher resolution photocopiers.
AMERICANIZATION BY CATHOLIC MEANS: FRENCH CANADIAN NATIONALISM AND TRANSNATIONALISM, 1889–1901
Authors: Lacroix Patrick
Published: April 2017

The age of nationalities and nationalism associated with nineteenth-century Europe also found expression in North America in the same period: French Canadians developed a national consciousness charged with a religious and providential mission. As these Canadians crossed into the United States in ever-rising numbers and established permanent “colonies” during the Gilded Age, they carried with them a cultural ideology that kept them apart from mainstream American society—and apart from their Irish American coreligionists and coworkers. Claiming the freedoms promised to them by the Constitution, these immigrants from the North battled for accommodation not only in political conventions or state legislatures, but also in the Roman Catholic Church, whose leaders seemed intent on doing away with foreign languages and customs. The religious battle came to a head as lay and clerical Catholics gathered in Baltimore, in 1889, to reassert the Church's unity as well as its patriotic credentials. By drawing attention to French Canadian immigration, often overlooked in immigration studies, this article refocuses the question of Americanization on the Catholic Church, which proved one of the most powerful agents of acculturation in late nineteenth-century America.
Reducing the treatment gap for mental, neurological and substance use disorders in Africa: lessons from the Friendship Bench in Zimbabwe
Authors: Chibanda D.
Published: April 2017

Mental, neurological and substance use disorders (MNS) are a leading cause of disability in Africa. In response to the large treatment gap for MNS, a growing body of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) is emerging from Africa; however, there is a dearth of knowledge on how to scale up EBT. The Friendship Bench intervention is a brief psychological treatment delivered through the primary health care system in Zimbabwe by trained lay health workers. It has contributed significantly towards narrowing the treatment gap for common mental disorders in Zimbabwe where it has been scaled up to over 70 primary health care facilities. A three-pronged approach consisting of community engagement, use of EBTs and a government endorsed scale-up plan is described as part of the key strategy leading to the scale up of the Friendship Bench.
Migrationsspezifische Aspekte des Patientengutes einer grossen europäischen universitären Notaufnahme über einen Zeitraum von zehn Jahren
Authors: Braun Christian T. , Gnägi Cornelia R. , Klingberg Karsten , Srivastava David , Ricklin Meret E. , Exadaktylos Aristomenis K.
Published: April 2017

Zusammenfassung. Es lässt sich in den westlichen Industrienationen eine deutliche Zunahme der Inanspruchnahme von Zentralen Notaufnahmen (ZNA) der Krankenhäuser beobachten. Aufgrund der Flüchtlingswelle erhält dieses Thema zusätzliche Brisanz. In Städten machen Migranten einen relevanten Teil des Patientengutes der ZNAs aus, trotzdem sind sie in der Versorgungsforschung bisher nicht angemessen repräsentiert. Die retrospektive Studie beleuchtet die Entwicklung der Inanspruchnahme einer Universitären Notaufnahme durch Migranten bezüglich Patientenzahlen differenziert nach Soziodemografie, Wochentag und Zuweisungsart über zehn Jahre. Bei der jährlich steigenden Behandlungszahl in Notaufnahmen kommt es zu einem überproportionalen Anstieg von ausländischen Patientenkontakten. Der aufgezeigte Trend wird zunehmen und es sollte bei der Planung von notfallmedizinischen Vorhalteleistungen die soziodemografische Struktur berücksichtigt werden, insbesondere sollte sich die Notfallmedizin auf zusätzlich migrationsspezifisch veränderte Anforderungen einstellen.
Bevacizumab: Zankapfel der Glioblastomtherapie
Authors: Hundsberger Thomas , Weller Michael
Published: April 2017

Zusammenfassung. Das Glioblastom rezidiviert regelmässig trotz multimodaler Erstlinientherapie innerhalb weniger Monate nach der Diagnose. Für diese Situation ist bislang noch kein Therapiestandard etabliert. Bevacizumab, ein Antikörper gegen den vaskulären endothelialen Wachstumsfaktor, weckte grosse Hoffnungen in der Therapie des Glioblastoms. Zwei Phase-III-Studien zeigten allerdings nur eine Verzögerung der Krankheitsprogression, nicht aber des Gesamtüberlebens, durch die Kombination der Standarderstlinientherapie mit Bevcizumab. Gleiches ergab die EORTC 26101-Rezidivtherapiestudie mit einer Kombination von Lomustin/Bevacizumab gegenüber einer Lomustin-Monotherapie. Zudem existieren widersprüchliche Beobachtungen zur Lebensqualität und Neurokognition. Trotz der insgesamt enttäuschenden Studienlage wird Bevacizumab aufgrund seines sehr guten palliativen Effektes von den Schweizer neuro-onkologischen Zentren als zugelassene Therapieoption in der Rezidivtherapie häufig eingesetzt. Vakzinierungs- und Immuntherapien eröffnen neue Einsatzmöglichkeiten für Bevacizumab in der Behandlung primärer Hirntumoren.
Inverting polar domains via electrical pulsing in metallic germanium telluride
Authors: Nukala Pavan , Ren Mingliang , Agarwal Rahul , Berger Jacob , Liu Gerui , Johnson A. T. Charlie , Agarwal Ritesh
Published: April 2017

Germanium telluride (GeTe) is both polar and metallic, an unusual combination of properties in any material system. The large concentration of free-carriers in GeTe precludes the coupling of external electric field with internal polarization, rendering it ineffective for conventional ferroelectric applications and polarization switching. Here we investigate alternate ways of coupling the polar domains in GeTe to external electrical stimuli through optical second harmonic generation polarimetry and in situ TEM electrical testing on single-crystalline GeTe nanowires. We show that anti-phase boundaries, created from current pulses (heat shocks), invert the polarization of selective domains resulting in reorganization of certain 71o domain boundaries into 109o boundaries. These boundaries subsequently interact and evolve with the partial dislocations, which migrate from domain to domain with the carrier-wind force (electrical current). This work suggests that current pulses and carrier-wind force could be external stimuli for domain engineering in ferroelectrics with significant current leakage.
Separating decadal global water cycle variability from sea level rise
Authors: Hamlington B. D. , Reager J. T. , Lo M.-H. , Karnauskas K. B. , Leben R. R.
Published: April 2017

Under a warming climate, amplification of the water cycle and changes in precipitation patterns over land are expected to occur, subsequently impacting the terrestrial water balance. On global scales, such changes in terrestrial water storage (TWS) will be reflected in the water contained in the ocean and can manifest as global sea level variations. Naturally occurring climate-driven TWS variability can temporarily obscure the long-term trend in sea level rise, in addition to modulating the impacts of sea level rise through natural periodic undulation in regional and global sea level. The internal variability of the global water cycle, therefore, confounds both the detection and attribution of sea level rise. Here, we use a suite of observations to quantify and map the contribution of TWS variability to sea level variability on decadal timescales. In particular, we find that decadal sea level variability centered in the Pacific Ocean is closely tied to low frequency variability of TWS in key areas across the globe. The unambiguous identification and clean separation of this component of variability is the missing step in uncovering the anthropogenic trend in sea level and understanding the potential for low-frequency modulation of future TWS impacts including flooding and drought.
Microspectrofluorimetry to dissect the permeation of ceftazidime in Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Allam Anas , Maigre Laure , Vergalli Julia , Dumont Estelle , Cinquin Bertrand , Alves de Sousa Rodolphe , Pajovic Jelena , Pinet Elizabeth , Smith Nikaia , Herbeuval Jean-Philippe , Réfrégiers Matthieu , Artaud Isabelle , Pagès Jean-Marie
Published: April 2017

A main challenge in chemotherapy is to determine the in cellulo parameters modulating the drug concentration required for therapeutic action. It is absolutely urgent to understand membrane permeation and intracellular concentration of antibiotics in clinical isolates: passing the membrane barrier to reach the threshold concentration inside the bacterial periplasm or cytoplasm is the pivotal step of antibacterial activity. Ceftazidime (CAZ) is a key molecule of the combination therapy for treating resistant bacteria. We designed and synthesized different fluorescent CAZ derivatives (CAZ*, CAZ**) to dissect the early step of translocation-accumulation across bacterial membrane. Their activities were determined on E. coli strains and on selected clinical isolates overexpressing ß-lactamases. The accumulation of CAZ* and CAZ** were determined by microspectrofluorimetry and epifluorimetry. The derivatives were properly translocated to the periplasmic space when we permeabilize the outer membrane barrier. The periplasmic location of CAZ** was related to a significant antibacterial activity and with the outer membrane permeability. This study demonstrated the correlation between periplasmic accumulation and antibiotic activity. We also validated the method for approaching ß-lactam permeation relative to membrane permeability and paved the way for an original matrix for determining “Structure Intracellular Accumulation Activity Relationship” for the development of new therapeutic candidates.
Hyperuricemia is associated with cardiovascular diseases clustering among very elderly women - a community based study in Chengdu, China
Authors: Huang Gang , Xu Jun-bo , Zhang Ting-jie , Nie Xiao-li , Li Qiu , liu Ya , Lv Yan , Wen Rui-lian , Yang Lei , Zhao Bao-yu
Published: April 2017

Cardiovascular epidemiological features among very elderly Chinese are still uncertain. This study aimed to describe the distribution of cardiovascular diseases and sex difference, and investigate potential risk factors for diseases clustering among very elderly Chinese. From May 2013 to May 2015, a total of 1056 very elderly were sampled in this cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics collection, physical examination and biochemical analysis were performed. Totally, 1038 participants (men: 49.8%) with a median age of 83.0 years (age range: 80.0–100.0 years) were included. In this very elderly group, the prevalences of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, hyperuricemia, obesity, visceral obesity, and hypercholesterolaemia were 76.9%, 20.0%, 23.3%, 33.0%, 9.4%, 54.5% and 35.8%, respectively. About 17.5% of very elderly (men vs. women: 15.1% vs 19.8%, p = 0.007) have ≥3 cardiovascular diseases clustering. Logistic analysis found that hyperuricemia (odds ratio 3.850, 95%CI 2.189–6.770) was associated with of cardiovascular diseases clustering among very elderly women. Prevalences of prehypertension, hyperuricemia, visceral obesity and dyslipidaemia are apparent in very elderly women, while diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction are common in very elderly men. Women are more likely to have ≥3 cardiovascular diseases. Hyperuricemia is associated with cardiovascular diseases clustering among very elderly women.
A general framework for predicting delayed responses of ecological communities to habitat loss
Authors: Chen Youhua , Shen Tsung-Jen
Published: April 2017

Although biodiversity crisis at different spatial scales has been well recognised, the phenomena of extinction debt and immigration credit at a crossing-scale context are, at best, unclear. Based on two community patterns, regional species abundance distribution (SAD) and spatial abundance distribution (SAAD), Kitzes and Harte (2015) presented a macroecological framework for predicting post-disturbance delayed extinction patterns in the entire ecological community. In this study, we further expand this basic framework to predict diverse time-lagged effects of habitat destruction on local communities. Specifically, our generalisation of KH’s model could address the questions that could not be answered previously: (1) How many species are subjected to delayed extinction in a local community when habitat is destructed in other areas? (2) How do rare or endemic species contribute to extinction debt or immigration credit of the local community? (3) How will species differ between two local areas? From the demonstrations using two SAD models (single-parameter lognormal and logseries), the predicted patterns of the debt, credit, and change in the fraction of unique species can vary, but with consistencies and depending on several factors. The general framework deepens the understanding of the theoretical effects of habitat loss on community dynamic patterns in local samples.
Structure-based dynamic arrays in regulatory domains of sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) isoforms
Authors: Giladi Moshe , Lee Su Youn , Ariely Yarden , Teldan Yotam , Granit Rotem , Strulovich Roi , Haitin Yoni , Chung Ka Young , Khananshvili Daniel
Published: April 2017

Mammalian Na+/Ca2+ exchangers, NCX1 and NCX3, generate splice variants, whereas NCX2 does not. The CBD1 and CBD2 domains form a regulatory tandem (CBD12), where Ca2+ binding to CBD1 activates and Ca2+ binding to CBD2 (bearing the splicing segment) alleviates the Na+-induced inactivation. Here, the NCX2-CBD12, NCX3-CBD12-B, and NCX3-CBD12-AC proteins were analyzed by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass-spectrometry (HDX-MS) to resolve regulatory variances in the NCX2 and NCX3 variants. SAXS revealed the unified model, according to which the Ca2+ binding to CBD12 shifts a dynamic equilibrium without generating new conformational states, and where more rigid conformational states become more populated without any global conformational changes. HDX-MS revealed the differential effects of the B and AC exons on the folding stability of apo CBD1 in NCX3-CBD12, where the dynamic differences become less noticeable in the Ca2+-bound state. Therefore, the apo forms predefine incremental changes in backbone dynamics upon Ca2+ binding. These observations may account for slower inactivation (caused by slower dissociation of occluded Ca2+ from CBD12) in the skeletal vs the brain-expressed NCX2 and NCX3 variants. This may have physiological relevance, since NCX must extrude much higher amounts of Ca2+ from the skeletal cell than from the neuron.
Glucocorticoids Suppress Antimicrobial Autophagy and Nitric Oxide Production and Facilitate Mycobacterial Survival in Macrophages
Authors: Wang Jinli , Wang Ruining , Wang Hui , Yang Xiaofan , Yang Jiahui , Xiong Wenjing , Wen Qian , Ma Li
Published: April 2017

Chronic administration of glucocorticoids has been shown to render individuals highly susceptible to mycobacterial infection and lead to reactivation of latent bacilli. However, the effect of glucocorticoids on innate anti-mycobacterial defense, especially in macrophages remains largely unknown. Here, we found that glucocorticoids inhibited the innate immune response, antimicrobial nitric oxide production and autophagy in mycobacteria-challenged macrophages. Meanwhile, maturation and acidification of mycobacterial phagosomes were attenuated in RAW264.7 cells after glucocorticoids treatment. Consequently, we observed a glucocorticoid-induced increase in the survival of intracellular mycobacteria in both primary macrophages and cell lines. Glucocorticoids treatment decreased the activation of TBK1 kinase, which promotes the maturation of autophagosomes. Inhibition of TBK1 also decreased the production of nitric oxide. Furthermore, several autophagy-related genes were down-regulated, while activation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was increased after glucocorticoids treatment, which may account for autophagy inhibition during mycobacterial infection. Restoration of autophagy with the agonist rapamycin abolished glucocorticoid-mediated enhancement of mycobacterial survival, suggesting that glucocorticoids blocked anti-mycobacterial defense via autophagy inhibition. Collectively, this study demonstrates that glucocorticoids impair innate antimicrobial autophagy and promote mycobacterial survival in macrophages, which is a novel mechanism for glucocorticoid-mediated immunosuppression. Our findings may provide important clues for tuberculosis prevention.
Substrate Induced Strain Field in FeRh Epilayers Grown on Single Crystal MgO (001) Substrates
Authors: Barton C. W. , Ostler T. A. , Huskisson D. , Kinane C. J. , Haigh S. J. , Hrkac G. , Thomson T.
Published: April 2017

Equi-atomic FeRh is highly unusual in that it undergoes a first order meta-magnetic phase transition from an antiferromagnet to a ferromagnet above room temperature (Tr ≈ 370 K). This behavior opens new possibilities for creating multifunctional magnetic and spintronic devices which can utilise both thermal and applied field energy to change state and functionalise composites. A key requirement in realising multifunctional devices is the need to understand and control the properties of FeRh in the extreme thin film limit (tFeRh < 10 nm) where interfaces are crucial. Here we determine the properties of FeRh films in the thickness range 2.5–10 nm grown directly on MgO substrates. Our magnetometry and structural measurements show that a perpendicular strain field exists in these thin films which results in an increase in the phase transition temperature as thickness is reduced. Modelling using a spin dynamics approach supports the experimental observations demonstrating the critical role of the atomic layers close to the MgO interface.
A comparative study of efficiency droop and internal electric field for InGaN blue lighting-emitting diodes on silicon and sapphire substrates
Authors: Ryu H. Y. , Jeon K. S. , Kang M. G. , Yuh H. K. , Choi Y. H. , Lee J. S.
Published: April 2017

We investigated the efficiency droop and polarization-induced internal electric field of InGaN blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) grown on silicon(111) and c-plane sapphire substrates. The efficiency droop of the LED sample grown on silicon substrates was considerably lower than that of the identically fabricated LED sample grown on sapphire substrates. Consequently, the LED on silicon showed higher efficiency at a sufficiently high injection current despite the lower peak efficiency caused by the poorer crystal quality. The reduced efficiency droop for the LED on silicon was attributed to its lower internal electric field, which was confirmed by reverse-bias electro-reflectance measurements and numerical simulations. The internal electric field of the multiple quantum wells (MQWs) on silicon was found to be reduced by more than 40% compared to that of the MQWs on sapphire, which resulted in a more homogenous carrier distribution in InGaN MQWs, lower Auger recombination rates, and consequently reduced efficiency droop for the LEDs grown on the silicon substrates. Owing to its greatly reduced efficiency droop, the InGaN blue LED on silicon substrates is expected to be a good cost effective solution for future lighting technology.
A priori Prediction of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response and Survival in Breast Cancer Patients using Quantitative Ultrasound
Authors: Tadayyon Hadi , Sannachi Lakshmanan , Gangeh Mehrdad J. , Kim Christina , Ghandi Sonal , Trudeau Maureen , Pritchard Kathleen , Tran William T. , Slodkowska Elzbieta , Sadeghi-Naini Ali , Czarnota Gregory J.
Published: April 2017

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) can probe tissue structure and analyze tumour characteristics. Using a 6-MHz ultrasound system, radiofrequency data were acquired from 56 locally advanced breast cancer patients prior to their neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and QUS texture features were computed from regions of interest in tumour cores and their margins as potential predictive and prognostic indicators. Breast tumour molecular features were also collected and used for analysis. A multiparametric QUS model was constructed, which demonstrated a response prediction accuracy of 88% and ability to predict patient 5-year survival rates (p = 0.01). QUS features demonstrated superior performance in comparison to molecular markers and the combination of QUS and molecular markers did not improve response prediction. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that non-invasive QUS features in the core and margin of breast tumours can indicate breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and predict five-year recurrence-free survival.
Advances in pancreatic islet monolayer culture on glass surfaces enable super-resolution microscopy and insights into beta cell ciliogenesis and proliferation
Authors: Phelps Edward A. , Cianciaruso Chiara , Santo-Domingo Jaime , Pasquier Miriella , Galliverti Gabriele , Piemonti Lorenzo , Berishvili Ekaterine , Burri Olivier , Wiederkehr Andreas , Hubbell Jeffrey A. , Baekkeskov Steinunn
Published: April 2017

A robust and reproducible method for culturing monolayers of adherent and well-spread primary islet cells on glass coverslips is required for detailed imaging studies by super-resolution and live-cell microscopy. Guided by an observation that dispersed islet cells spread and adhere well on glass surfaces in neuronal co-culture and form a monolayer of connected cells, we demonstrate that in the absence of neurons, well-defined surface coatings combined with components of neuronal culture media collectively support robust attachment and growth of primary human or rat islet cells as monolayers on glass surfaces. The islet cell monolayer cultures on glass stably maintain distinct mono-hormonal insulin+, glucagon+, somatostatin+ and PP+ cells and glucose-responsive synchronized calcium signaling as well as expression of the transcription factors Pdx-1 and NKX-6.1 in beta cells. This technical advance enabled detailed observation of sub-cellular processes in primary human and rat beta cells by super-resolution microscopy. The protocol is envisaged to have broad applicability to sophisticated analyses of pancreatic islet cells that reveal new biological insights, as demonstrated by the identification of an in vitro protocol that markedly increases proliferation of primary beta cells and is associated with a reduction in ciliated, ostensibly proliferation-suppressed beta cells.
Correlations in the degeneracy of structurally controllable topologies for networks
Authors: Campbell Colin , Aucott Steven , Ruths Justin , Ruths Derek , Shea Katriona , Albert Réka
Published: April 2017

Many dynamic systems display complex emergent phenomena. By directly controlling a subset of system components (nodes) via external intervention it is possible to indirectly control every other component in the system. When the system is linear or can be approximated sufficiently well by a linear model, methods exist to identify the number and connectivity of a minimum set of external inputs (constituting a so-called minimal control topology, or MCT). In general, many MCTs exist for a given network; here we characterize a broad ensemble of empirical networks in terms of the fraction of nodes and edges that are always, sometimes, or never a part of an MCT. We study the relationships between the measures, and apply the methodology to the T-LGL leukemia signaling network as a case study. We show that the properties introduced in this report can be used to predict key components of biological networks, with potentially broad applications to network medicine.
Crystallisation-enhanced bulk hole mobility in phenothiazine-based organic semiconductors
Authors: Shinde D. B. , Salunke Jagadish K. , Candeias Nuno R. , Tinti Francesca , Gazzano Massimo , Wadgaonkar P. P. , Priimagi Arri , Camaioni Nadia , Vivo Paola
Published: April 2017

A series of three novel donor-acceptor systems based on C(3)-malononitrile-substituted phenothiazines was synthesised in good overall yields and their thermal, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties were characterised. The compounds were prepared through a sequence of Ullmann-coupling, Vilsmeier-Haack formylation and Knoevenagel-condensation, followed by Suzuki-coupling reactions for introduction of aryl substitutents at C(7) position of the phenothiazine. The introduction of a donor unit at the C(7) position exhibited a weak impact on the optical and electrochemical characteristics of the compounds and led to amorphous films with bulk hole mobilities in the typical range reported for phenothiazines, despite the higher charge delocalisation as attested by computational studies. In contrast, highly ordered films were formed when using the C(7)-unsubstituted 3-malononitrile phenothiazine, exhibiting an outstanding mobility of 1 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1, the highest reported for this class of compounds. Computational conformational analysis of the new phenothizanes suggested that free rotation of the substitutents at the C(7) position suppresses the ordering of the system, thereby hampering suitable packing of the new materials needed for high charge carrier mobility.
Prenatal stress from trawl capture affects mothers and neonates: a case study using the southern fiddler ray (Trygonorrhina dumerilii)
Authors: Guida L. , Awruch C. , Walker T. I. , Reina R. D.
Published: April 2017

Assessing fishing effects on chondrichthyan populations has predominantly focused on quantifying mortality rates. Consequently, sub-lethal effects of capture stress on the reproductive capacity of chondrichthyans are largely unknown. We investigated the reproductive consequences of capture on pregnant southern fiddler rays (Trygonorrhina dumerilii) collected from Swan Bay, Australia, in response to laboratory-simulated trawl capture (8 h) followed immediately by air exposure (30 min). Immediately prior to, and for up to 28 days post trawling, all females were measured for body mass (BM), sex steroid concentrations (17-β estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) and granulocyte to lymphocyte (G:L) ratio. At parturition, neonates were measured for total length (TL), BM and G:L ratio. Trawling reduced maternal BM and elevated the G:L ratio for up to 28 days. Trawling did not significantly affect any sex steroid concentrations relative to controls. Neonates from trawled mothers were significantly lower in BM and TL than control animals, and had an elevated G:L ratio. Our results show that capture of pregnantT. dumeriliican influence their reproductive potential and affect the fitness of neonates. We suggest other viviparous species are likely to be similarly affected. Sub-lethal effects of capture, particularly on reproduction, require further study to improve fisheries management and conservation of chondrichthyans.
Elephants know when their bodies are obstacles to success in a novel transfer task
Authors: Dale Rachel , Plotnik Joshua M.
Published: April 2017

The capacity to recognise oneself as separate from other individuals and objects is difficult to investigate in non-human animals. The hallmark empirical assessment, the mirror self-recognition test, focuses on an animal’s ability to recognise itself in a mirror and success has thus far been demonstrated in only a small number of species with a keen interest in their own visual reflection. Adapting a recent study done with children, we designed a new body-awareness paradigm for testing an animal’s understanding of its place in its environment. In this task, Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) were required to step onto a mat and pick up a stick attached to it by rope, and then pass the stick forward to an experimenter. In order to do the latter, the elephants had to see their body as an obstacle to success and first remove their weight from the mat before attempting to transfer the stick. The elephants got off the mat in the test significantly more often than in controls, where getting off the mat was unnecessary. This task helps level the playing field for non-visual species tested on cognition tasks and may help better define the continuum on which body- and self-awareness lie.
Memory-enhancing effects of GEBR-32a, a new PDE4D inhibitor holding promise for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ricciarelli Roberta , Brullo Chiara , Prickaerts Jos , Arancio Ottavio , Villa Carla , Rebosio Claudia , Calcagno Elisa , Balbi Matilde , van Hagen Britt T. J. , Argyrousi Elentina K. , Zhang Hong , Pronzato Maria Adelaide , Bruno Olga , Fedele Ernesto
Published: April 2017

Memory loss characterizes several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Inhibition of type 4 phosphodiesterase (PDE4) and elevation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to treat cognitive deficits. However, PDE4 exists in several isoforms and pan inhibitors cannot be used in humans due to severe emesis. Here, we present GEBR-32a, a new PDE4D full inhibitor that has been characterized both in vitro and in vivo using biochemical, electrophysiological and behavioural analyses. GEBR-32a efficiently enhances cAMP in neuronal cultures and hippocampal slices. In vivo pharmacokinetic analysis shows that GEBR-32a is rapidly distributed within the central nervous system with a very favourable brain/blood ratio. Specific behavioural tests (object location and Y-maze continuous alternation tasks) demonstrate that this PDE4D inhibitor is able to enhance memory in AD transgenic mice and concomitantly rescues their hippocampal long-term potentiation deficit. Of great relevance, our preliminary toxicological analysis indicates that GEBR-32a is not cytotoxic and genotoxic, and does not seem to possess emetic-like side effects. In conclusion, GEBR-32a could represent a very promising cognitive-enhancing drug with a great potential for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Origin of high strength, low modulus superelasticity in nanowire-shape memory alloy composites
Authors: Zhang Xudong , Zong Hongxiang , Cui Lishan , Fan Xueling , Ding Xiangdong , Sun Jun
Published: April 2017

An open question is the underlying mechanisms for a recent discovered nanocomposite, which composed of shape memory alloy (SMA) matrix with embedded metallic nanowires (NWs), demonstrating novel mechanical properties, such as large quasi-linear elastic strain, low Young’s modulus and high yield strength. We use finite element simulations to investigate the interplay between the superelasticity of SMA matrix and the elastic-plastic deformation of embedded NWs. Our results show that stress transfer plays a dominated role in determining the quasi-linear behavior of the nanocomposite. The corresponding microstructure evolution indicate that the transfer is due to the coupling between plastic deformation within the NWs and martensitic transformation in the matrix, i.e., the martensitic transformation of the SMA matrix promotes local plastic deformation nearby, and the high plastic strain region of NWs retains considerable martensite in the surrounding SMA matrix, thus facilitating continues martensitic transformation in subsequent loading. Based on these findings, we propose a general criterion for achieving quasi-linear elasticity.
Rapid crystallization during recycling of basaltic andesite tephra: timescales determined by reheating experiments
Authors: Deardorff Nicholas , Cashman Katharine
Published: April 2017

Microcrystalline inclusions within microlite-poor matrix are surprisingly common in low intensity eruptions around the world, yet their origin is poorly understood. Inclusions are commonly interpreted as evidence of crystallization along conduit margins. Alternatively, these clasts may be recycled from low level eruptions where they recrystallize by heating within the vent. We conducted a series of experiments heating basaltic andesite lapilli from temperatures below the glass transition (~690 °C) to above inferred eruption temperatures (>1150 °C) for durations of 2 to >60 minutes. At 690 °C < T < 800 °C, crystallization is evident after heating for ~20 minutes; at T > 800 °C, crystallization occurs in <5 minutes. At T ≥ 900 °C, all samples recrystallize extensively in 2–10 minutes, with pyroxenes, Fe-oxides, and plagioclase. Experimental crystallization textures closely resemble those observed in natural microcrystalline inclusions. Comparison of inclusion textures in lapilli from the active submarine volcano NW Rota-1, Mariana arc and subaerial volcano Stromboli suggest that characteristic signatures of clast recycling are different in the two environments. Specifically, chlorine assimilation provides key evidence of recycling in submarine samples, while bands of oxides bordering microcrystalline inclusions are unique to subaerial environments. Correct identification of recycling at basaltic vents will improve (lower) estimates of mass eruption rate and help to refine interpretations of eruption dynamics.
Association between Cockroach-specific Immunoglobulin E and periodontitis in Korean male adults Based on Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Hong Mihee , Park Jun-Beom , Kim Young Soo , Lee Dong-Hee , Kim HeeYeon , Lee Jae-Im , Ahn Hyo-Suk , Sohn Tae Seo , Lee Tae-Kyu , Song Jae Yen , Jeong Seong Cheol , Yeo Chang Dong , Chae Hiun Suk , Do Han Kyung , Vu David , Lee Young Bok
Published: April 2017

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the tooth supporting tissues (periodontium) and associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance. However, there has been no nation-wide population based epidemiologic study regarding any association between periodontitis and serum IgE. Among the 8,958 participants in the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-1), 1,731 adults aged 19 to 64 who had measured serum IgE were included in the analysis. Dentists examined the periodontal status of the participants. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the odds ratio of periodontitis in association with total IgE and specific IgE to cockroach and house dust mite. In males, total IgE showed a positive correlation with the presence of periodontitis. The participants in the highest tertile of cockroach specific IgE (T3, >31.6 kU/L) had a significantly increased risk of periodontitis (OR = 2.108; 95% CI, 1.233–3.606). In females, the inverse association occurred between total IgE and periodontitis (OR = 0.409; 95% CI, 0.200–0.839). The present study firstly demonstrated the association between periodontitis and serum IgE, using the Korean nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional health examination and survey. This study suggested a positive correlation between periodontitis and cockroach-specific IgE in Korean male adults.
Smelting Magnesium Metal using a Microwave Pidgeon Method
Authors: Wada Yuji , Fujii Satoshi , Suzuki Eiichi , Maitani Masato M. , Tsubaki Shuntaro , Chonan Satoshi , Fukui Miho , Inazu Naomi
Published: April 2017

Magnesium (Mg) is a lightweight metal with applications in transportation and sustainable battery technologies, but its current production through ore reduction using the conventional Pidgeon process emits large amounts of CO2 and particulate matter (PM2.5). In this work, a novel Pidgeon process driven by microwaves has been developed to produce Mg metal with less energy consumption and no direct CO2 emission. An antenna structure consisting of dolomite as the Mg source and a ferrosilicon antenna as the reducing material was used to confine microwave energy emitted from a magnetron installed in a microwave oven to produce a practical amount of pure Mg metal. This microwave Pidgeon process with an antenna configuration made it possible to produce Mg with an energy consumption of 58.6 GJ/t, corresponding to a 68.6% reduction when compared to the conventional method.
Bioinspired carbide-derived carbons with hierarchical pore structure for the adsorptive removal of mercury from aqueous solution
Authors: Fischer C. , Oschatz M. , Nickel W. , Leistenschneider D. , Kaskel S. , Brunner E.
Published: April 2017

Biosilica of the diatom species Thalassiosira pseudonana is used as hard template for the synthesis of silicon carbide-derived carbons.