bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Droit civil, condition ouvrière et transition au capitalisme industriel au Québec
Authors: Nootens Thierry
Published: March 2016

Cet article propose une reconstitution du régime juridique avec lequel devait composer la classe ouvrière au Québec, de l’adoption du Code civil du Bas-Canada en 1866 à la mise en place d’une législation provinciale sur les accidents de travail, en 1909. L’examen des règles de droit relatives au salariat contredit de manière assez franche l’idéal libéral d’égalité juridique formelle des citoyens : à bien des égards, la marginalisation des travailleurs est inscrite au cœur même du droit civil québécois du temps. Cependant, la province de Québec revoit assez fréquemment, durant cette période, le contenu du code civil et du code de procédure civile applicable aux ouvriers. Le caractère limité de ces réformes, pour certaines complexes et difficiles à concrétiser, traduirait une espèce d’épuisement du recours à la juridicisation du social en tant que réponse à l’ébranlement de la société sous les coups du salariat, de ses risques et de ses fragilités.
Estimates of the temperature flux–temperature gradient relation above a sea floor
Authors: Cimatoribus Andrea A. , van Haren H.
Published: March 2016

The relation between the flux of temperature (or buoyancy), the vertical temperature gradient and the height above the bottom is investigated in an oceanographic context, using high-resolution temperature measurements. The model for the evolution of a stratified layer by Balmforth et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 355, 1998, pp. 329–358) is reviewed and adapted to the case of a turbulent flow above a wall. Model predictions are compared with the average observational estimates of the flux, exploiting a flux estimation method proposed by Winters & D’Asaro (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 317, 1996, pp. 179–193). This estimation method enables the disentanglement of the dependence of the average flux on the height above the bottom and on the background temperature gradient. The classical N-shaped flux–gradient relation is found in the observations. The model and the observations show similar qualitative behaviour, despite the strong simplifications used in the model. The results shed light on the modulation of the temperature flux by the presence of the boundary, and support the idea of a turbulent flux following a mixing-length argument in a stratified flow. Furthermore, the results support the use of Thorpe scales close to a boundary, if sufficient averaging is performed, suggesting that the Thorpe scales are affected by the boundary in a similar way to the mixing length.
Stable finite volume element schemes for the shallow-ice approximation
Authors: BUELER ED
Published: March 2016

The isothermal, non-sliding shallow-ice approximation, combined with mass conservation, is a fundamental model for ice-sheet and glacier flow. It determines the ice extent, geometry and velocity by the solution of a free-boundary problem. In this paper, the steady-state form of this problem is solved directly, without time-stepping, thereby demonstrating a fully implicit scheme with no stability restrictions. The classical Mahaffy (1976) finite difference method is first reinterpreted as a ‘finite volume element’ scheme that has both an everywhere-defined approximate thickness function and an approximation of the conservation equation in flux integral form. From this reinterpretation an improved scheme is built by using better quadrature in the integral and upwinding on that part of the flux which is proportional to the bed gradient. The discrete equations are then solved by a parallel Newton scheme which respects the constraint that ice thickness is non-negative. The results show good accuracy on both flat-bed and bedrock-step exact solutions. The method is then applied at high resolution to model the steady-state geometry of the Greenland ice sheet, using only bedrock elevation and present-day surface mass balance as input data.
Compositional turnover and ecological changes related to the waxing and waning of glaciers during the late Paleozoic ice age in ice-proximal regions (Pennsylvanian, western Argentina)
Authors: Balseiro Diego
Published: March 2016

The late Paleozoic ice age (LPIA) had a profound effect on the biota. Despite much research having been focused on paleotropical regions or global-scale analyses, regional ecological changes have seldom been studied in ice-proximal basins. Here, I study the compositional turnover and diversity structure across the main Carboniferous glacial event recorded in western Argentina and the subsequent nonglacial interval. Brachiopod and bivalve data from western Argentina suggest that the transition from glacial to nonglacial climates caused major compositional changes. Turnover, however, was not uniform across the bathymetric gradient, being higher in deep environments. Because extirpation was concentrated in brachiopods, but immigration was similar in both clades, the taxonomic structure of the region was significantly modified. Although regional hierarchical diversity structure and occupancy distributions remained stable, dissecting the analysis in brachiopods and bivalves underscores that both clades had different responses to climate change. Brachiopods, on the one hand, show stability in the diversity structure and a very slight decrease in occupancies of intermediate genera, while bivalves show an important rise in diversity, both at the environment and regional scale, and an increase in genera with intermediate occupancies. The bathymetric diversity gradient was also modified from hump shaped with maximum diversity in the deep subtidal to a linear gradient with maximum values toward the offshore. However, relative compositional differences within environments remained stable, with maximum values at intermediate depths both in glacial and nonglacial intervals. Moreover, local-scale coexistence between brachiopods and bivalves changed in the nonglacial interval, showing significant segregation, which indicates relevant modifications in community assembly dynamics. Results from western Argentina highlight the magnitude of regional-scale ecological changes during the LPIA in ice-proximal regions, suggesting that the waxing and waning of glaciers was able to cause regional taxonomic turnover and medium-scale ecological changes even during intervals of relative macroevolutionary quiescence.
“Our Supreme Objective”: Nehru, A Suitable Boy, and the Moderation of Feeling
Authors: Scott Bede
Published: March 2016

This article explores the various ways in which Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy privileges the affective (and aesthetic) quality of reticence. I begin by addressing the broader political significance of such moderation—relating it, more specifically, to the placatory content of the speeches made by Jawaharlal Nehru during the late forties and early fifties. I then trace the process by which Nehru’s “meandering pleas for mutual tolerance” eventually find their way into the very structure of A Suitable Boy, directly influencing its formal qualities and creating a general discursive “climate” of order and stability. In other words, I would like to suggest that the narrative not only privileges this Nehruvian virtue at the level of content—by explicitly advocating the renunciation of strong feeling—but also practices it at the formal or structural level. And by doing so, I shall argue, it ultimately obliges the reader to adopt a similar affective stance.
Conditional cash transfers and the double burden of malnutrition among children in Colombia: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Lopez-Arana Sandra , Avendano Mauricio , Forde Ian , van Lenthe Frank J. , Burdorf Alex
Published: March 2016

Conditional cash-transfer (CCT) programmes have been shown to improve the nutritional and health status of children from poor families. However, CCT programmes may have unintended and not fully known consequences by increasing the risk of overweight and obesity. We examined the impact ofFamilias en Acción(FA), a large CCT programme in Colombia, on the double burden of malnutrition among pre-school and school-aged children. Height and weight were measured before programme enrolment and during follow-ups in 1290 children from thirty-one treatment municipalities, being compared with 1584 children from sixty-two matched control municipalities. We used a difference-in-differences approach to evaluate the effect of FA on children’s stunting, BMIz-scores, thinness, overweight and obesity, controlling for individual and municipality-level confounders. At baseline, the prevalences of stunting and overweight were 30·3 and 15·4 %, respectively, in treatment municipalities and 27·9 and 17·4 % in control municipalities. FA was associated with reduced odds of thinness (OR 0·26; 95 % CI 0·09, 0·75) and higher BMI-for-agez-scores (BMIz-scores) (β0·14; 95 % CI 0·00, 0·27;P<0·05), although the latter was of small clinical significance. The prevalence of stunting, overweight and obesity decreased over time, but the effect of FA on these outcomes was not significant. The CCT programme in Colombia reduced the odds of thinness, but had no effect on stunting, a more prevalent outcome. The FA programme had no effect on overweight or obesity, although BMIz-scores were higher for children under treatment, raising the possibility of an increase of small clinical significance on BMI among pre-school and school-aged children.
Voter Decision-Making with Polarized Choices
Authors: Rogowski Jon C.
Published: March 2016

In 1950, members of the American Political Science Association’s Committee on Political Parties argued that voters could exercise greater control over government if the two major political parties adopted clear and ideologically distinct policy platforms. In 2015, partisan polarization is a defining feature of American politics and extreme parties have maintained support elsewhere. This article investigates voter decision-making with ideologically divergent electoral choices and argues that ideological conflict reduces citizens’ responsiveness to candidates’ ideological locations by increasing the role of motivated reasoning in political decision-making. Results from two observational studies and a survey experiment support this account, and the findings are robust across a range of models. These results have important implications for accountability and democratic decision-making in an age of partisan polarization.
Effect of urea fertilization on biomass yield, chemical composition,in vitrorumen digestibility and fermentation characteristics of forage oat straw in Tibet of China
Authors: CUI J. H. , YANG H. J. , YU C. Q. , BAI S. , SONG S. S. , WU T. T. , SUN W. , SHAO X. M. , JIANG L. S.
Published: March 2016

The present study investigated the effects of different levels of urea nitrogen (N) fertilizer on nutrient accumulation,in vitrorumen gas production and fermentation characteristics of forage oat straw (FOS) from oats (Avena sativaL. ‘Qinghai 444’) grown in the Tibet region of China. Fertilizer, applied at seeding (day 1), stem elongation (days 52–54) and heading (days 63–67), increased plant height and prolonged the maturity stage of the plant by 4–11 days compared with the non-fertilized control. Oat plants were harvested at maturity at the node 3–4 cm above ground, and then separated into grains and FOS. Both FOS and grain yields increased quadratically with increasing N fertilization, and their theoretical maximums occurred at the N fertilizing rates of 439 and 385 kg/ha, respectively. Increases in N fertilization did not affect the hemicellulose content of FOS, but substantially promoted the accumulation of crude protein, cellulose and lignin, resulting in a decrease in the energy content available for metabolism. A 72-h incubation of FOS with rumen fluids from lactating cows showed that increasing N resulted in FOS that showed a slower fermentation rate, decreasedin vitrodry matter disappearance and lower cumulative gas production, but unchanged fermentation gas composition. Nitrogen fertilization increased the final pH in culture fluids and decreased the microbial volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. The molar proportions of acetate and propionate were not affected, but molar propionate proportion decreased linearly with increasing urea fertilization, and consequently, the ratio of lipogenic (e.g., acetate and butyrate)-to-glucogenic acids (propionate) tended to increase. In brief, increasing urea N fertilization promoted the growth of forage oats and increased the biomass yield as well as the crude protein and cellulose content of FOS. Considering the negative effect of increased lignin content on nutrient digestibility and total VFA production, the suggested range of urea N fertilization is 156–363 kg N/ha for forage oats planted in Tibet to retain the nutritive value of FOS in the rumen.
New conceptualizations of linguistic giftedness
Authors: Biedroń Adriana , Pawlak Mirosław
Published: March 2016

This state-of-the art paper focuses on the issue of linguistic giftedness, somewhat neglected in the second language acquisition (SLA) literature, attempting to reconceptualize, expand and update this concept in response to latest developments in the fields of psychology, linguistics and neurology. It first discusses contemporary perspectives on foreign language aptitude, concentrating in particular on the models proposed by Skehan (1998), Robinson (2002) and Sternberg (2002). This is followed by a discussion of the definitions of talented individuals and the criteria for their selection, as well as an overview of empirical research on gifted language learners, divided into early studies with those focusing on the ultimate attainment of post-pubescent learners, and those dealing with super-learners of foreign languages. The subsequent sections touch upon such issues as the relationship between first language (L1) ability and second language (L2) aptitude, and linguistic giftedness and intelligence, memory, personality factors and language learning strategies, as well as neurolinguistic research on brain functioning in gifted learners. The paper closes with the discussion of the limitations of current research, its future directions and methodological considerations.
Savings banks and working-class saving during the Swedish industrialisation
Authors: Lilja Kristina , Bäcklund Dan
Published: March 2016

This article deals with savings banks and the extent to which they encouraged workers to save. A study of probate inventories from three Swedish towns shows that just 20–30 per cent of workers had assets in savings banks during the second half of the nineteenth century. Saving patterns differed greatly among groups of workers. Savings banks were most important for unskilled, unmarried women, but married workers were more likely to invest in, for example, real estate (1870s) and insurance (1900s). Family considerations greatly affected saving decisions, which detracted from the appeal of savings banks. Their emphasis on individual saving was more suitable for those who needed a flexible alternative to use for different saving needs. This flexibility also made it easier for savings banks to meet growing competition and can explain why they continued to attract workers in the twentieth century. Although savings banks never dominated the workers' saving arena, they probably promoted unmarried workers' awareness of the advantages of saving. Consequently, since all married workers had previously been unmarried, savings banks most likely contributed to fostering saving habits among the working class.
THE EFFECT OF SURFACE TENSION ON FREE-SURFACE FLOW INDUCED BY A POINT SINK
Authors: HOCKING G. C. , NGUYEN H. H. N. , FORBES L. K. , STOKES T. E.
Published: March 2016

The steady, axisymmetric flow induced by a point sink (or source) submerged in an inviscid fluid of infinite depth is computed and the resulting deformation of the free surface is obtained. The effect of surface tension on the free surface is determined and is the new component of this work. The maximum Froude numbers at which steady solutions exist are computed. It is found that the determining factor in reaching the critical flow changes as more surface tension is included. If there is zero or a very small amount of surface tension, the limiting factor appears to be the formation of small wavelets on the free surface; but, as the surface tension increases, this is replaced by a tendency for the lowest point on the free surface to descend sharply as the Froude number is increased.
Reimagining a Fatal Flood
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: March 2016

Researchers use high-resolution simulations to reexamine the rainfall events that led to one of the most destructive floods in U.S. history.
Rapid erasure of hippocampal memory following inhibition of dentate gyrus granule cells
Authors: Madroñal Noelia , Delgado-García José M. , Fernández-Guizán Azahara , Chatterjee Jayanta , Köhn Maja , Mattucci Camilla , Jain Apar , Tsetsenis Theodoros , Illarionova Anna , Grinevich Valery , Gross Cornelius T. , Gruart Agnès
Published: March 2016

The hippocampus is critical for the acquisition and retrieval of episodic and contextual memories. Lesions of the dentate gyrus, a principal input of the hippocampus, block memory acquisition, but it remains unclear whether this region also plays a role in memory retrieval. Here we combine cell-type specific neural inhibition with electrophysiological measurements of learning-associated plasticity in behaving mice to demonstrate that dentate gyrus granule cells are not required for memory retrieval, but instead have an unexpected role in memory maintenance. Furthermore, we demonstrate the translational potential of our findings by showing that pharmacological activation of an endogenous inhibitory receptor expressed selectively in dentate gyrus granule cells can induce a rapid loss of hippocampal memory. These findings open a new avenue for the targeted erasure of episodic and contextual memories.
Spin–orbit coupling of light in asymmetric microcavities
Authors: Ma L. B. , Li S. L. , Fomin V. M. , Hentschel M. , Götte J. B. , Yin Y. , Jorgensen M. R. , Schmidt O. G.
Published: March 2016

When spinning particles, such as electrons and photons, undergo spin–orbit coupling, they can acquire an extra phase in addition to the well-known dynamical phase. This extra phase is called the geometric phase (also known as the Berry phase), which plays an important role in a startling variety of physical contexts such as in photonics, condensed matter, high-energy and space physics. The geometric phase was originally discussed for a cyclically evolving physical system with an Abelian evolution, and was later generalized to non-cyclic and non-Abelian cases, which are the most interesting fundamental subjects in this area and indicate promising applications in various fields. Here, we enable optical spin–orbit coupling in asymmetric microcavities and experimentally observe a non-cyclic optical geometric phase acquired in a non-Abelian evolution. Our work is relevant to fundamental studies and implies promising applications by manipulating photons in on-chip quantum devices.
Computational understanding of Li-ion batteries
Authors: Urban Alexander , Seo Dong-Hwa , Ceder Gerbrand
Published: March 2016

Over the last two decades, computational methods have made tremendous advances, and today many key properties of lithium-ion batteries can be accurately predicted by first principles calculations. For this reason, computations have become a cornerstone of battery-related research by providing insight into fundamental processes that are not otherwise accessible, such as ionic diffusion mechanisms and electronic structure effects, as well as a quantitative comparison with experimental results. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of state-of-the-art ab initio approaches for the modelling of battery materials. We consider techniques for the computation of equilibrium cell voltages, 0-Kelvin and finite-temperature voltage profiles, ionic mobility and thermal and electrolyte stability. The strengths and weaknesses of different electronic structure methods, such as DFT+U and hybrid functionals, are discussed in the context of voltage and phase diagram predictions, and we review the merits of lattice models for the evaluation of finite-temperature thermodynamics and kinetics. With such a complete set of methods at hand, first principles calculations of ordered, crystalline solids, i.e., of most electrode materials and solid electrolytes, have become reliable and quantitative. However, the description of molecular materials and disordered or amorphous phases remains an important challenge. We highlight recent exciting progress in this area, especially regarding the modelling of organic electrolytes and solid–electrolyte interfaces.
Correction: Corrigendum: Translation Microscopy (TRAM) for super-resolution imaging
Authors: Qiu Zhen , Wilson Rhodri S. , Liu Yuewei , Dun Alison R. , Saleeb Rebecca S. , Liu Dongsheng , Rickman Colin , Frame Margaret , Duncan Rory R. , Lu Weiping
Published: March 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 19993; published online: 29 January 2016; updated: 18 March 2016 In the original version of this Article, Yuewei Liu was incorrectly listed as being affiliated with 'Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China'. The correct affiliation is listedbelow:
Restoration of normal embryogenesis by mitochondrial supplementation in pig oocytes exhibiting mitochondrial DNA deficiency
Authors: Cagnone Gael L. M. , Tsai Te-Sha , Makanji Yogeshwar , Matthews Pamela , Gould Jodee , Bonkowski Michael S. , Elgass Kirstin D. , Wong Ashley S. A. , Wu Lindsay E. , McKenzie Matthew , Sinclair David A. , John Justin C. St.
Published: March 2016

An increasing number of women fail to achieve pregnancy due to either failed fertilization or embryo arrest during preimplantation development. This often results from decreased oocyte quality. Indeed, reduced mitochondrial DNA copy number (mitochondrial DNA deficiency) may disrupt oocyte quality in some women. To overcome mitochondrial DNA deficiency, whilst maintaining genetic identity, we supplemented pig oocytes selected for mitochondrial DNA deficiency, reduced cytoplasmic maturation and lower developmental competence, with autologous populations of mitochondrial isolate at fertilization. Supplementation increased development to blastocyst, the final stage of preimplantation development, and promoted mitochondrial DNA replication prior to embryonic genome activation in mitochondrial DNA deficient oocytes but not in oocytes with normal levels of mitochondrial DNA. Blastocysts exhibited transcriptome profiles more closely resembling those of blastocysts from developmentally competent oocytes. Furthermore, mitochondrial supplementation reduced gene expression patterns associated with metabolic disorders that were identified in blastocysts from mitochondrial DNA deficient oocytes. These results demonstrate the importance of the oocyte’s mitochondrial DNA investment in fertilization outcome and subsequent embryo development to mitochondrial DNA deficient oocytes.
ABO blood group system and the coronary artery disease: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Yang Sheng-Hua , Xu Hao , Li Jian-Jun
Published: March 2016

ABO blood group system, a well-known genetic risk factor, has clinically been demonstrated to be linked with thrombotic vascular diseases. However, the relationship between ABO blood group and coronary artery disease (CAD) is still controversial. We here performed an updated meta-analysis of the related studies and tried to elucidate the potential role of ABO blood group as a risk factor for CAD. All detectable case-control and cohort studies comparing the risk of CAD in different ABO blood groups were collected for this analysis through searching PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Ultimately, 17 studies covering 225,810 participants were included. The combined results showed that the risk of CAD was significantly higher in blood group A (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.26, p = 0.01) and lower in blood group O (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.78 to 0.94, p = 0.0008). Even when studies merely about myocardial infarction (MI) were removed, the risk of CAD was still significantly higher in blood group A (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.10, p = 0.03) and lower in blood group O (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.85 to 0.93, p < 0.00001). This updated systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that both blood group A and non-O were the risk factors of CAD.
Tuning-free controller to accurately regulate flow rates in a microfluidic network
Authors: Heo Young Jin , Kang Junsu , Kim Min Jun , Chung Wan Kyun
Published: March 2016

We describe a control algorithm that can improve accuracy and stability of flow regulation in a microfluidic network that uses a conventional pressure pump system. The algorithm enables simultaneous and independent control of fluid flows in multiple micro-channels of a microfluidic network, but does not require any model parameters or tuning process. We investigate robustness and optimality of the proposed control algorithm and those are verified by simulations and experiments. In addition, the control algorithm is compared with a conventional PID controller to show that the proposed control algorithm resolves critical problems induced by the PID control. The capability of the control algorithm can be used not only in high-precision flow regulation in the presence of disturbance, but in some useful functions for lab-on-a-chip devices such as regulation of volumetric flow rate, interface position control of two laminar flows, valveless flow switching, droplet generation and particle manipulation. We demonstrate those functions and also suggest further potential biological applications which can be accomplished by the proposed control framework.
Unfractionated bone marrow cells attenuate paraquat-induced glomerular injury and acute renal failure by modulating the inflammatory response
Authors: Gu Sing-Yi , Yeh Ti-Yen , Lin Shih-Yi , Peng Fu-Chuo
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of unfractionated bone marrow cells (BMCs) in attenuating acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by paraquat (PQ) in a mouse model. PQ (55 mg/kg BW) was intraperitoneally injected into C57BL/6 female mice to induce AKI, including renal function failure, glomerular damage and renal tubule injury. Glomerular podocytes were the first target damaged by PQ, which led to glomerular injury. Upon immunofluorescence staining, podocytes depletion was validated and accompanied by increased urinary podocin levels, measured on days 1 and 6. A total of 5.4 × 106 BMCs obtained from the same strain of male mice were injected into AKI mice through the tail vein at 3, 24 and 48 hours after PQ administration. As a result, renal function increased, tubular and glomerular injury were ameliorated, podocytes loss improved and recipient mortality decreased. In addition, BMCs co-treatment decreased the extent of neutrophil infiltration and modulated the inflammatory response by shifting from pro-inflammatory Th1 to an anti-inflammatory Th2 profile, where IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ levels declined and IL-10 and IL-4 levels increased. The present study provides a platform to investigate PQ-induced AKI and repeated BMCs injection represents an efficient therapeutic strategy.
Involvement of a universal amino acid synthesis impediment in cytoplasmic male sterility in pepper
Authors: Fang Xianping , Fu Hong-Fei , Gong Zhen-Hui , Chai Wei-Guo
Published: March 2016

To explore the mechanisms of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), we studied the different maturation processes of sterile and fertile pepper anthers. A paraffin section analysis of the sterile anthers indicated an abnormality of the tapetal layer and an over-vacuolization of the cells. The quantitative proteomics results showed that the expression of histidinol dehydrogenase (HDH), dihydroxy-acid dehydratase (DAD), aspartate aminotransferase (ATAAT), cysteine synthase (CS), delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS) and glutamate synthetase (GS) in the amino acid synthesis pathway decreased by more than 1.5-fold. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression levels of DAD, ATAAT, CS and P5CS showed a 2- to 16-fold increase in the maintainer line anthers. We also found that most of the amino acid content levels decreased to varying degrees during the anther tapetum period of the sterile line, whereas these levels increased in the maintainer line. The results of our study indicate that during pepper anther development, changes in amino acid synthesis are significant and accompany abnormal tapetum maturity, which is most likely an important cause of male sterility in pepper.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Increases the Risk of Hip Fracture: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Huang Shih-Wei , Wang Wei-Te , Chou Lin-Chuan , Chen Hung-Chou , Liou Tsan-Hon , Lin Hui-Wen
Published: March 2016

Hip fractures can lead to functional disability and high mortality rates among elderly patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a risk factor for hip fracture. A retrospective population-based 4-year cohort study was conducted using case–control matched analysis of data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 (LHID2005). Patients with a diagnosis of COPD between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007 were enrolled. A 2-stage approach and data from the National Health Interview Survey 2005 were applied to adjust for missing confounders in the LHID2005 cohort. Hazard ratios (HRs) and adjusted HRs were estimated hip fracture risk for the COPD. We enrolled 16,239 patients in the COPD cohort and 48,747 (1:3) patients in non-COPD cohort. The hip fracture incidences were 649 per 100,000 person-years in the study cohort and 369 per 100,000 person-years in non-COPD cohort. The hip fracture HR during the follow-up period was 1.78 (P < 0.001) and the adjusted hip fracture HR was 1.57 (P < 0.001) after adjustment for covariates by using the 2-stage approach method. Patients with COPD were at hip fracture risk and fracture-prevention strategies are essential for better quality of care.
Snake Venom Disintegrin Inhibits the Activation of Toll-Like Receptors and Alleviates Sepsis through Integrin alphaVbeta3 Blockade
Authors: Hsu Chun-Chieh , Chuang Woei-Jer , Chung Ching-Hu , Chang Chien-Hsin , Peng Hui-Chin , Huang Tur-Fu
Published: March 2016

Bacterial infection-induced sepsis is the leading cause of septic inflammatory disease. Rhodostomin (Rn), a snake venom disintegrin, was previously reported to interact with the αVβ3 integrin and the TLR4 on phagocyte in attenuating LPS-induced endotoxemia. In this report, we further evaluated the effects of Rn on TLR2-activated monocytes and its in vivo efficacy. Rn effectively suppressed the adhesion, migration and cytokine release of Pam3CSK4-activated THP-1 cells. Rn specifically bound to integrin αVβ3 of TLR2-activated THP-1. Integrin αV and Akt siRNA transfection both restrained Pam3CSK4-elicited cytokine release. Rn decreased the Pam3CSK4-induced phosporylation of MAPKs, degradation of IκB and activation of FAK, Akt, c-Src and Syk. The Pam3CSK4-induced translocation of MyD88, a central adaptor of TLR2, to the cell membrane was also inhibited by Rn treatment. In the polymicrobial inflammatory caecal ligation and puncture model, Rn significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine release, alleviated tissue injury and elevated survival rate in vivo. Taken together, in addition to inhibiting the activation of TLR4, Rn exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through antagonizing the activation of phagocytes and interrupting the crosstalk between αVβ3 and TLR2-dependent signaling pathways.
Label-free electrochemical immunosensor based on enhanced signal amplification between Au@Pd and CoFe2O4/graphene nanohybrid
Authors: Zhang Yong , Li Jiaojiao , Wang Zhiling , Ma Hongmin , Wu Dan , Cheng Qianhe , Wei Qin
Published: March 2016

The improvement of sensitivity of electrochemical immunosensor can be achieved via two approaches: increasing loading capacities of antibody and enlarging responding electrochemical signals. Based on these, CoFe2O4/graphene nanohybrid (CoFe2O4/rGO) as support was firstly used for preparing electrochemical biosensor, and with the addition of Au@Pd nanorods (NRs) as mimic enzyme, a label-free electrochemical immunosensor was prepared. Due to the high electrical conductivity, open porous structure and large loading capacities of CoFe2O4/rGO, the enhanced signal amplification between Au@Pd NRs and CoFe2O4/rGO was studied. Fabricated as a novel substrate, the prepared immunosensor had a good analytical performance and exhibited a wide linear range from 0.01 to 18.0 ng·mL−1 with a low detection limit of 3.3 pg·mL−1 for estradiol, which was succeeded in applying to detect estradiol in the natural water.
Electrocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen in aqueous solution by a cobalt-doped modified lead dioxide electrode: influencing factors and energy demand
Authors: Wang Ying , Shen Chanchan , Li Lifang , Li Haiyan , Zhang Manman
Published: March 2016

PbO2 electrode modified with Co exhibited higher electrochemical oxidation. The effects of HA, FA, OA and CA were investigated.
Spinel MnCo2O4nanospheres as an effective cathode electrocatalyst for rechargeable lithium–oxygen batteries
Authors: Zou Lu , Cheng Junfang , Jiang Yuexing , Gong Yingpeng , Chi Bo , Pu Jian , Jian Li
Published: March 2016

A lithium–oxygen battery with a MnCo2O4nanosphere cathode shows an excellent discharge capacity of 8518 mA h g−1and cycling stability over 20 cycles.
Thermally induced chemical cross-linking reinforced fluorinated polyurethane/polyacrylonitrile/polyvinyl butyral nanofibers for waterproof-breathable application
Authors: Sheng Junlu , Zhang Min , Luo Wenjing , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: March 2016

Thermally induced chemical cross-linking could enhance the FPAN/PVB/BIP composite nanofibrous membranes with robust mechanical, waterproof and breathable performance.
Recent advances in inorganic materials for LDI-MS analysis of small molecules
Authors: Shi C. Y. , Deng C. H.
Published: March 2016

In this review, various inorganic materials were summarized for the analysis of small molecules by laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).
A simple strategy to the side chain functionalization on the quinoxaline unit for efficient polymer solar cells
Authors: Yuan Jun , Qiu Lixia , Zhang Zhiguo , Li Yongfang , He Yuehui , Jiang Lihui , Zou Yingping
Published: March 2016

A new tetrafluoridequinoxaline electron accepting block-ffQx from a quinoxaline core was designed. A new copolymer (PBDTT-ffQx) was synthesized from tetrafluoridequinoxaline and benzodithiophene and a high PCE of 8.6% was obtained.
Surface binding, localization and storage of iron in the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera
Authors: Miller Eric P , Auerbach Hendrik , Schünemann Volker , Tymon Teresa , Carrano Carl J
Published: March 2016

Iron is an essential element for all living organisms due to its ubiquitous role in redox and other enzymes, especially in the context of respiration and photosynthesis. Although the iron uptake and storage mechanisms of terrestrial/higher plants have been well-studied, the corresponding systems in marine algae have received far less attention. While the iron many marine algae take up from the environment, irrespective of its detailed internalization mechanism, arrives at the cell surface by diffusion, there is growing evidence for more “active” means of concentrating this element prior to uptake. It has been well established in both laboratory and environmentally derived samples, that a large amount of iron can be “non-specifically” adsorbed to the surface of marine algae. While this phenomenon is widely recognized and has prompted the development of experimental protocols to eliminate its contribution to iron uptake studies, its potential biological significance as a concentrated iron storage source for marine algae is only now being recognized. In this study, using an interdisciplinary array of techniques, we show that the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera also displays significant cell surface bound iron although less than that seen with the related brown alga Ectocarpus siliculosus. The iron on the surface is likely bound to carboxylate groups and once inside the iron is found to localize differently depending on cell type. Iron appears to be stored in an as yet undefined mineral phase.
Fluorescent active ruthenium(ii) complex units containing bpy or phen or dmp ligands anchored on branched poly(ethylenimine): DNA binding and in vitro biological assessment
Authors: Pradeep Ilayaperumal , Balajothi Balagurusamy , Arunachalam Sankaralingam , Dhivya Rajakumar , Vinothkanna Annadurai , Akbarsha Mohammad Abdulkadher , Sekar Soundarapandian
Published: March 2016

UV light irradiation visible responses of polymer ruthenium complexes.
ICG-Conjugated magnetic graphene oxide for dual photothermal and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Ocsoy Ismail , Isiklan Nuran , Cansiz Sena , Özdemir Nalan , Tan Weihong
Published: March 2016

Aptamer-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide conjugates loaded with indocyanine green (ICG) dye (Apt@ICG@mGO) have been successfully developed for dual-targeted photothermal and photodynamic therapy.
Engineered Cx26 variants established functional heterotypic Cx26/Cx43 and Cx26/Cx40 gap junction channels
Authors: Karademir Levent B. , Aoyama Hiroshi , Yue Benny , Chen Honghong , Bai Donglin
Published: March 2016

Gap junction (GJ) channels mediate direct intercellular communication and are composed of two docked hemichannels (connexin oligomers). It is well documented that the docking and formation of GJs are possible only between compatible hemichannels (or connexins). The mechanisms of heterotypic docking compatibility are not fully clear. We aligned the protein sequences of docking-compatible and -incompatible connexins with that of connexin26 (Cx26). We found that two docking hydrogen bond (HB)-forming residues on the second extracellular domain (E2) of Cx26 and their equivalent residues are well conserved within docking-compatible connexins, but different between docking-incompatible connexins. Replacing one or both of these residues of Cx26 into the corresponding residues in the docking incompatible connexins (K168V, N176H or K168V-N176H) increased the formation of morphological and functional heterotypic GJs with connexin43 (Cx43) or connexin40 (Cx40), indicating that these two residues are important for docking incompatibility between Cx26 and these connexins. Our homology structure models predict that both HBs and hydrophobic interactions at the E2 docking interface are important docking mechanisms in heterotypic Cx26 K168V-N176H/Cx43 GJs and probably other docking compatible connexins. Revealing the key residues and mechanisms of heterotypic docking compatibility will assist us in understanding why these putative docking residues are hotspots of disease-linked mutants.
Regulator of G-protein signalling and GoLoco proteins suppress TRPC4 channel function via acting at Gαi/o
Authors: Jeon Jae-Pyo , Thakur Dhananjay P. , Tian Jin-bin , So Insuk , Zhu Michael X.
Published: March 2016

Transient receptor potential canonical 4 (TRPC4) forms non-selective cation channels implicated in the regulation of diverse physiological functions. Previously, TRPC4 was shown to be activated by the Gi/o subgroup of heterotrimeric G-proteins involving Gαi/o, rather than Gβγ, subunits. Because the lifetime and availability of Gα-GTP are regulated by regulators of G-protein signalling (RGS) and Gαi/o-Loco (GoLoco) domain-containing proteins via their GTPase-activating protein (GAP) and guanine-nucleotide-dissociation inhibitor (GDI) functions respectively, we tested how RGS and GoLoco domain proteins affect TRPC4 currents activated via Gi/o-coupled receptors. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we show that both RGS and GoLoco proteins [RGS4, RGS6, RGS12, RGS14, LGN or activator of G-protein signalling 3 (AGS3)] suppress receptor-mediated TRPC4 activation without causing detectable basal current or altering surface expression of the channel protein. The inhibitory effects are dependent on the GAP and GoLoco domains and facilitated by enhancing membrane targeting of the GoLoco protein AGS3. In addition, RGS, but not GoLoco, proteins accelerate desensitization of receptor-activation evoked TRPC4 currents. The inhibitory effects of RGS and GoLoco domains are additive and are most prominent with RGS12 and RGS14, which contain both RGS and GoLoco domains. Our data support the notion that the Gα, but not Gβγ, arm of the Gi/o signalling is involved in TRPC4 activation and unveil new roles for RGS and GoLoco domain proteins in fine-tuning TRPC4 activities. The versatile and diverse functions of RGS and GoLoco proteins in regulating G-protein signalling may underlie the complexity of receptor-operated TRPC4 activation in various cell types under different conditions.
Tighter αC-helix–αL16-helix interactions seem to make p38α less prone to activation by autophosphorylation than Hog1
Authors: Tesker Masha , Selamat Sadiduddin Edbe , Beenstock Jonah , Hayouka Ruchama , Livnah Oded , Engelberg David
Published: March 2016

Many eukaryotic protein kinases (EPKs) are autoactivated through autophosphorylation of their activation loop. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases do not autophosphorylate spontaneously; relying instead upon mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinases (MKKs) for their activation loop phosphorylation. Yet, in previous studies we identified mutations in the yeast MAPK high osmolarity glycerol (Hog1) that render it capable of spontaneous autophosphorylation and consequently intrinsically active (MKK-independent). Four of the mutations occurred in hydrophobic residues, residing in the αC-helix, which is conserved in all EPKs, and in the αL16-helix that is unique to MAPKs. These four residues interact together forming a structural element termed ‘hydrophobic core’. A similar element exists in the Hog1’s mammalian orthologues p38s. Here we show that the ‘hydrophobic core’ is a loose suppressor of Hog1’s autophosphorylation. We inserted 18 point mutations into this core, 17 of which were able to render Hog1 MKK-independent. In p38s, however, only a very few mutations in the equivalent residues rendered these proteins intrinsically active. Structural analysis revealed that a salt bridge between the αC-helix and the αL16-helix that exists in p38α may not exist in Hog1. This bond further stabilizes the ‘hydrophobic core’ of p38, making p38 less prone to de-repressing its concealed autophosphorylation. Mutating equivalent hydrophobic residues in Jnk1 and Erk2 has no effect on their autophosphorylation. We propose that specific structural elements developed in the course of evolution to suppress spontaneous autophosphorylation of Hog1/p38. The suppressors were kept wobbly, probably to allow activation by induced autophosphorylation, but became stricter in mammalian p38s than in the yeast Hog1.
Interactions between humans and urban-adapted marsupials on private properties in the greater Perth region
Authors: Hillman Alison , Thompson R. C. Andrew
Published: March 2016

This study documents a range of interactions between humans and quenda (Isoodon obesulus) and brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in urbanised Perth, Australia. These interactions are of veterinary public health significance. Findings suggest that public education is important to safeguard the health of both the marsupials and humans involved in such interactions.
Growth and formation of annual zones in whole otoliths of Greenland halibut, a slow-growing deep-water fish
Authors: Albert O. T.
Published: March 2016

There is currently no generally agreed and validated method for age estimation of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) from otoliths, and ageing of intermediate sized individuals of this deep-water flatfish is considered particularly uncertain. To estimate otolith growth and annual zone formation in this size range, a large oxytetracycline tagging experiment was undertaken in 2005–08 in the nursery grounds north of the Svalbard Archipelago. By January 2015, 89 of the recaptured fish had both been at large for between 1 and 6 years and had reliable length measurements at release and recapture; 29 of the recaptures were returned with whole otoliths and with a chemical time stamp that allowed identification of otolith growth patterns during time at large. Four age readers interpreted the otoliths without knowing the position of the time stamps. The expected number of zones during time at large was between three and six for 79% of recaptures, and the mean reader bias was only 0.04–0.56 years. Juvenile growth was quantified and the data were analysed in relation to sex and recapture area. This study contributes to a fully validated ageing method for use in stock assessments of this commercially important species.
Master Narratives, Identities, and the Stories of Former Slaves
Authors: Clifton Jonathan , Van De Mieroop Dorien
Published: March 2016

This book is intended for researchers in the field of narrative from post-graduate level onwards. It analyzes the audio-recordings of the narratives of former slaves from the American South which are now publically available on the Library of Congress website: Voices from the days of slavery. More specifically, this book analyses the identity work of these former slaves and considers how these identities are related to master narratives. The novelty of this book is that through using such a temporally diverse and relatively large corpus, we show how master narratives change according to both the zeitgeist of the here-and-now of the interview world and the historical period that is related in the there-and-then of the story world. Moreover, focusing on the active achievement of master narratives as socially-situated co-constructed discursive accomplishments we analyze how different, inherently unstable and even contradictory versions of master narratives are enacted.
Parametrizations of Teichmüller spaces by trace functions and action of mapping class groups
Authors: Nakamura Gou , Nakanishi Toshihiro
Published: March 2016

We give a set of trace functions which give a global parametrization of the Teichmüller space

T

(
g
,
n
)
(

L
1

,
…
,

L
n

)

\mathcal {T}(g,n)(L_1,\dots ,L_n)

of hyperbolic surfaces of genus

g
g

with

n
n

geodesic boundary components of lengths

L
1

L_1

,…,

L
n

L_n

such that the action of the mapping class group on the Teichmüller space can be represented by rational transformations in the parameters.
Mechanisms of tumor escape in the context of the T-cell-inflamed and the non-T-cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment
Authors: Spranger Stefani
Published: March 2016

Checkpoint blockade therapy has been proven to be highly active across many cancer types but emerging evidence indicates that the therapeutic benefit is limited to a subset of patients in each cancer entity. The presence of CD8 + T cells within the tumor microenvironment or the invasive margin of the tumor, as well as the up-regulation of PD-L1, have emerged to be the most predictive biomarkers for clinical benefit in response to checkpoint inhibition. Although the up-regulation of immune inhibitory mechanisms is one mechanism of immune escape, commonly used by T-cell-inflamed tumors, exclusion of an anti-tumor specific T-cell infiltrate displays another even more potent mechanism of immune escape. This review will contrast the mechanisms of immunogenic, T-cell-inflamed, and the novel concept of non-immunogenic, non-T-cell-inflamed, adaptive immune escape.