bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blind testing cross-linking/mass spectrometry under the auspices of the 11thcritical assessment of methods of protein structure prediction (CASP11)
Authors: Belsom Adam , Schneider Michael , Fischer Lutz , Brock Oliver , Rappsilber Juri
Published: May 2016

Determining the structure of a protein by any method requires varies contributions from experimental and computational sides. In a recent study, high-density cross-linking/mass spectrometry data in combination withab initiostructure prediction by conformational space search determined the structure of human serum albumin (HSA) domains, with an RMSD to X-ray structure of up to 2.53 Å, or 3.38 Å in the context of blood serum. This paper reports the blind test on the readiness of this technology through the help of Critical Assessment of protein Structure Prediction (CASP). We identified between 201-381 unique residue pairs at an estimated 5% FDR (at link level albeit with missing site assignment precision evaluation), for the four proteins that we provided data for. This equates to between 0.63-1.20 proximal residues per residue, which is comparable to that obtained in the HSA study (0.85 links per residue at 5% FDR). Nevertheless, initial results of CASP11 have suggested that improvements in structure prediction using cross-link data are slight. Most significantly, however, CASP11 revealed to us some of the current limitations of cross-linking, spelling out areas in which the method must develop in future: links spread unevenly over sequence and beta sheets both lacked links and suffered from weak definition of observed links over structure. With CASP12 taking place this year and biannually in the future, blind testing low-resolution structure analysis tools is a worthwhile and feasible undertaking. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD003643.

The abbreviations used are

CLMS

cross-linking/mass spectrometry;

NHS

N-hydroxysuccinimide;

NMR

nuclear magnetic resonance;

sulfo-SDA

sulfo-NHSdiazirine, sulfosuccinimidyl 4,4’-azipentanoate;

FDR

false discovery rate;

MBS

model-based search;

HSA

human serum albumin;

RMSD

root-mean-square deviation;

CASP

Critical Assessment of protein Structure Prediction;

Tris

tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane;

PES

polyethersulphone;

IAA

iodoacetamide;

LTQ

linear trap quadrupole;

MS2

tandem MS scan;

LC-MS

liquid chromatography mass spectrometry;

FM

free modelling.
Improved assembly of noisy long reads by k-mer validation
Authors: Carvalho A. Bernardo , Dupim Eduardo G , Nassar Gabriel
Published: May 2016

Genome assembly depends critically on read length. Two recent technologies, PacBio and Oxford Nanopore, produce read lengths above 20 kb, which yield genome assemblies that are vastly superior to those based on Sanger or short-reads. However, the very high error rates of both technologies (around 15%-20%) makes assembly computationally expensive and imprecise at repeats longer than the read length. Here we show that the efficiency and quality of the assembly of these noisy reads can be significantly improved at a minimal cost, by leveraging on the low error rate and low cost of Illumina short reads. Namely, k-mers from the PacBio raw reads that are not present in the Illumina reads (which account for ~95% of the distinct k-mers) are deemed as sequencing errors and ignored at the seed alignment step. By focusing on ~5% of the k-mers which are error-free, read overlap sensitivity is dramatically increased. Equally important, the validation procedure can be extended to exclude repetitive k-mers, which avoids read miscorrection at repeats and further improve the resulting assemblies. We tested the k-mer validation procedure in one long-read technology (PacBio) and one assembler (MHAP/ Celera Assembler), but is likely to yield analogous improvements with alternative long-read technologies and overlappers, such as Oxford Nanopore and BLASR/DAligner.
Quantifying the degree of sharing of genetic and non-genetic causes of gene expression variability across four tissues
Authors: Buil Alfonso , Viñuela Ana , Brown Andrew A. , Davies Matthew N. , Padioleau Ismael , Bielser Deborah , Romano Luciana , Glass Daniel , Di Meglio Paola , Small Kerrin S. , Spector Timothy D. , Dermitzakis Emmanouil T.
Published: May 2016

Gene expression can provide biological mechanisms which underlie genetic associations with complex traits and diseases, but often the most relevant tissue for the trait is inaccessible and a proxy is the only alternative. Here, we investigate shared and tissue specific patterns of variability in expression in multiple tissues, to quantify the degree of sharing of causes (genetic or non-genetic) of variability in gene expression among tissues. Using gene expression in ~800 female twins from the TwinsUK cohort in skin, fat, whole blood and lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), we identified 9166 significant cis-eQTLs in fat, 9551 in LCLs, 8731 in skin and 5313 in blood (1% FDR). We observed up to 80% of cis-eQTLs are shared in pairs of tissues. In addition, the cis genetic correlation between tissues is > 90% for 35% of the genes, indicating for these genes a largely tissue-shared component of cis regulation. However, variance components show that cis genetic signals explain only a small fraction of the variation in expression, with from 67–87% of the variance explained by environmental factors, and 53% of the genetic effects occurring in trans. We observe a trans genetic correlation of 0 for all genes except a few which show correlation between fat and skin expression. The environmental effects are also observed to be entirely tissue specific, despite related tissues largely sharing exposures. These results demonstrate that patterns of gene expression are largely tissue specific, strongly supporting the need to study higher order regulatory interactions in the appropriate tissue context with large samples sizes and diversity of environmental contexts.
Range Overlap Drives Chromosome Inversion Fixation in Passerine Birds
Authors: Hooper Daniel M.
Published: May 2016

Chromosome inversions evolve frequently but the reasons why remain largely enigmatic. I used cytological descriptions of 410 species of passerine birds (order Passeriformes) to identify pericentric inversion differences between species. Using a new fossil-calibrated phylogeny I examine the phylogenetic, demographic, and genomic context in which these inversions have evolved. The number of inversion differences between closely related species was highly variable yet consistently predicted by a single factor: whether the ranges of species overlapped. This observation holds even when the analysis is restricted to sympatric sister pairs known to hybridize, and which have divergence times estimated similar to allopatric pairs. Inversions were significantly more likely to have fixed on a sex chromosome than an autosome yet variable mutagenic input alone (by chromosome size, map length, GC content, or repeat density) cannot explain the differences between chromosomes in the number of inversions fixed. Together, these results support a model in which inversions in passerines are adaptive and spread by selection when gene flow occurs before reproductive isolation is complete.
Redundancy, feedback, and robustness in theArabidopsis thaliana BZR/BEHgene family
Authors: Lachowiec Jennifer , Mason G. Alex , Schultz Karla , Queitsch Christine
Published: May 2016

Organismal development is remarkably robust, tolerating stochastic errors to produce consistent, so-called canalized adult phenotypes. The mechanistic underpinnings of developmental robustness are poorly understood, but recent studies implicate certain features of genetic networks such as functional redundancy, connectivity, and feedback. Here, we examine theBRZ/BEHgene family, whose function is crucial for embryonic stem development in the plantArabidopsis thaliana, to test current assumptions on functional redundancy and trait robustness. Our analyses ofBRZ/BEHgene mutants and mutant combinations revealed that functional redundancy among gene family members does not contribute to trait robustness. Connectivity is another commonly cited determinant of robustness; however, we found no correlation between connectivity among gene family members or their connectivity with other transcription factors and effects on robustness. Instead, we found that onlyBEH4, the most ancient family member, modulated developmental robustness. We present evidence that regulatory cross-talk among gene family members is integrated byBEH4and promotes wild-type levels of developmental robustness. Further, the chaperone HSP90, a known determinant of developmental robustness, appears to act via BEH4 in maintaining robustness of embryonic stem length. In summary, we demonstrate that even among closely related transcription factors, trait robustness can arise through the activity of a single gene family member, challenging common assumptions about the molecular underpinnings of robustness.
Clinicopathological analysis of 384 cases of poroid neoplasms including 98 cases of apocrine type cases
Authors: Ito Keigo , Ansai Shin‐ichi , Fukumoto Takaya , Anan Takashi , Kimura Tetsunori
Published: May 2016

We examined 384 cases of poroid neoplasms. Most cases (n = 279, 72.7%) exhibited the features of only one subtype. One hundred and ninety‐eight cases (51.6%) showed only the features of poroma (P), 20 (5.2%) hidroacanthoma simplex (HS), five (1.3%) dermal duct tumor (D) and 56 (14.6%) hidradenoma (HA). Composite tumors of those four subtypes were observed in 105 cases (27.3%). In the trunk and lower extremities, lesions with the features of P were observed at higher rates than other sites. Those of HS and D were more frequently observed in the lower extremities. Those of HA were seen at higher rates in the scalp, face, neck and genitalia. Ninety‐eight cases (25.5%) showed decapitation secretion and diagnosed as apocrine type lesion. Apocrine type lesions were frequently observed in the lesions on the genitalia (40.0%), scalp (31.8%) and trunk (31.1%), whereas at lower rates in those on the neck (21.4%) and lower extremities (24.0%). In apocrine type cases, the lesions were located more frequently on the scalp and trunk than non‐apocrine type, whereas were less frequent on extremities. The rate of apocrine type lesions in the cases with only one subtype (19.7%) was lower than that of those with composite tumors (41.0%). In the apocrine type (43.9%), composite tumors are more frequent than in the non‐apocrine type (21.7%). In D (40.8%) and HA (32.3%), apocrine type lesions were more frequently observed than other subtypes. In conclusion, it should be noted that a quarter of poroid neoplasms are composite tumors and/or show apocrine differentiation.
Predator identity influences metacommunity assembly
Authors: Johnston Nicole K. , Pu Zhichao , Jiang Lin
Published: May 2016

Predation is among the most important biotic factors influencing natural communities, yet we have a rather rudimentary understanding of its role in modulating metacommunity assembly.

We experimentally examined the effects of two different predators (a generalist and a specialist) on metacommunity assembly, using protist microcosm metacommunities that varied in predator identity, dispersal among local communities and the history of species colonization into local communities.

Generalist predation resulted in reduced α diversity and increased β diversity irrespective of dispersal, likely due to predation‐induced stochastic extinction of different prey species in different local communities. Dispersal, however, induced source–sink dynamics in the presence of specialist predators, resulting in higher α diversity and marginally lower β diversity.

These results demonstrate the distinct effects of different predators on prey metacommunity assembly, emphasizing the need to explore the role of predator diet breadth in structuring metacommunities.
Preventive Action in World Politics
Authors: Garcia Denise , Herz Monica
Published: May 2016

In only a few instances in international relations, states anticipate major problems and address them before they become disastrous: negotiating and creating new international norms to avert human and financial loss. One example is the Protocol banning laser weapons that can permanently blind. It was created in the mid‐1990s before the weapons were fully operational and set a powerful norm that banned their future development. With new evolving technologies that have unparalleled capacity to harm and maim, such as fully autonomous weapons systems (killer robots), it is imperative that states take preventive action and create new multilateral agreements to cope with problems yet to materialize. This article aims to initiate the discussion of when states act preventively to avert major future problems. It advances three initial explanatory propositions on preventive multilateralism in areas of ‘commonly perceived global dimension of future potential harm’ to improve states’ security dilemmas; based upon reputation and humanitarian, material concerns, and national security, and presents the initial discussion toward a world politics of prevention.
Short‐term Prognosis and Current Management of Syncopal Patients at Intermediate Risk: Results from the IRiS (Intermediate‐Risk Syncope) Study
Authors: Numeroso Filippo , Mossini Gianluigi , Giovanelli Michela , Lippi Giuseppe , Cervellin Gianfranco
Published: May 2016

Objectives

Despite guidelines, admission rates and expenditures for syncope remain high. This may be caused by an imprecise definition of cardiovascular disease considered at risk and an overestimation of the role of comorbidities and advanced age. In a cohort of patients with undetermined syncope, we prospectively compared the short‐term prognosis of patients at intermediate risk (i.e., with stable heart diseases or comorbidities, of any age) versus those at high risk for cardiogenic syncope and identified factors associated with serious events. Secondarily, we analyzed the current management of intermediate‐risk patients.

Methods

In a cohort of patients with undetermined syncope, we analyzed personal data, the presence of stable heart diseases or comorbidities, destination, length of hospitalization, incidence of serious events at 30 days, and costs.

Results

In a 6‐month period, 347 patients (185 male and 162 female, age 72.8 years) with undetermined syncope were enrolled, 250 at intermediate risk and 97 at high risk. Intermediate‐risk patients were younger, with less frequent comorbidities and with a drastically lower incidence of serious events (0.8% vs. 27.8%, p < 0.001). Risk factors for cardiogenic syncope were the unique variable associated with serious events. Intermediate‐risk patients were mostly admitted (62.8%) in an ordinary ward or into an emergency department observation unit; in the case of ordinary admission we observed a mean prolonged hospitalization (8.8 days), elevated costs ($270,183), and a high rate of unexplained syncope (51%).

Conclusions

According to the results of this study, the authors believe that intermediate‐risk patients could be safely discharged, with potentially significant costs saving. In prognostic stratification, priority is to seek risk factors for cardiogenic syncope while advanced age, stable heart diseases, or comorbidities likely lead to inappropriate hospitalization.
Tree species and position matter: the role of pests for survival of other insects
Authors: Hilszczański Jacek , Jaworski Tomasz , Plewa Radosław , Horák Jakub
Published: May 2016

We investigated insects overwintering in Norway spruce and Scots pine killed by cambium‐feeding beetles. The study was conducted in five large forests in north‐eastern Poland. Insects were reared from wood samples cut from the upper and lower parts of trees growing in both shaded and sun‐exposed conditions.

We found that the species richness of overwintering insects on killed trees was mainly driven by the position in the lower trunk strata rather than in crowns or along a sun–shade gradient. Even though pine and spruce shared almost the same species composition, spruce hosted a significantly higher number of species, including beneficial ones.

These results support the hypothesis that disturbance regimes change the spatial distribution of biodiversity, which is higher in low strata, as is known for abiotic disturbances that change the environment of the forest.

One of the most important messages emerging from the present study is that pest beetle disturbance during non‐outbreak periods creates habitats that are necessary for the survival of myriads of other insects. Thus, maintaining parts of the trees that were killed by bark and wood‐boring beetles, especially high stumps, would help to support biodiversity in managed forests.
Late Pleistocene and Holocene extreme hydrological event records from slackwater flood deposits of theAnkang east reach in the upperHanjiangRiver valley,China
Authors: Zhou Liang , Huang Chun Chang , Zhou Yali , Pang Jiangli , Zha Xiaochun , Xu Jie , Zhang Yuzhu , Guo Yongqiang
Published: May 2016

This paper reports an investigation into palaeoflooding along the upper reaches of the Hanjiang River valley, China. Based on the sedimentary evidence of the palaeohydrological regime, two bedsets of palaeoflood slackwater deposits (SWDs) were identified interbedded within the Holocene loess–soil sequence along the riverbanks of the Ankang east reach. Optical Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating and stratigraphical correlation with previously dated sites were used to reconstruct the chronology of the palaeoflood events. The results show that the palaeoflood events represented bySWD1 occurred between 13 000 and 12 400 a, coincident with the climatic transition from the Bølling–Allerød (BL+AL) stage to the Younger Dryas (YD) event. The palaeoflood events recorded bySWD2 were dated to 1000–800 a, corresponding to the later stages of the North Song Dynasty (AD960–1127) and the subsequent South Song Dynasty (AD1127–1279), which was a time of climatic decline according to historical documents. Palaeoflood discharges were estimated using the step‐backwater method, and the peak discharges were estimated to be in the range 35 200–47 400 m3 s−1. These results are of significance to our understanding of the regional hydrological response to global climatic change, the utilization of water resources, hydraulic engineering, flood control and disaster reduction.
8000 years of vegetation history in the northern Iberian Peninsula inferred from the palaeoenvironmental study of the Zalama ombrotrophic bog (Basque‐Cantabrian Mountains, Spain)
Authors: Pérez‐Díaz Sebastián , López‐Sáez José Antonio , Pontevedra‐Pombal Xabier , Souto‐Souto Martín , Galop Didier
Published: May 2016

This paper focuses on pollen, spores, non‐pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) and certain geochemical elements from the ombrotrophic blanket bog of Zalama (Basque‐Cantabrian Mountains, northern Iberian Peninsula), with the support of a robust chronology based on 17 AMS 14C dates. The main results related to the last 8000 years show that, during the early middle Holocene, pines and deciduous forests were the most extensive tree formations. At the beginning of the succession, pines reach 44%, showing regional presence, whereas after 7600 cal. a BP, deciduous forests were particularly abundant. From c. 6500 cal. a BP the pollen diagram constructed from our samples shows the first anthropogenic evidence, linked with the new economic practices related to the Neolithic of the Basque‐Cantabrian Mountains. From 3300 cal. a BP the expansion of Fagus sylvatica is particularly clear, and has since then become one of the dominant forest species in this region. We also discuss the Holocene evolution of other noteworthy plant communities in southwestern Europe, such as Taxus baccata, Juglans and shrublands.
Comparative risk of major cardiovascular events associated with second‐line antidiabetic treatments: a retrospective cohort study using UK primary care data linked to hospitalization and mortality records
Authors: Zghebi S. S. , Steinke D. T. , Rutter M. K. , Emsley R. A. , Ashcroft D. M.
Published: May 2016

Aims

To examine the risk of major cardiovascular events associated with second‐line diabetes therapies, in patients with type 2 diabetes, after adjusting for known cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients prescribed second‐line regimens between 1998 and 2011 after first‐line metformin. The UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, with linked national hospitalization and mortality data, for the period up to December 2013, was used. Inverse probability of treatment‐weighted time‐varying Cox regression models was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for developing a major cardiovascular event (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, acute coronary syndrome, unstable angina, or coronary revascularization) associated with second‐line therapies. Analyses adjusted for patient demographic characteristics, comorbidities, glycated haemoglobin, socio‐economic status, ethnicity, smoking status and concurrent medications.

Results

A total of 10 118 initiators of a second‐line add‐on to metformin of either a sulphonylurea (n = 6740), dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor (n = 1030) or thiazolidinedione (n = 2348) were identified. After a mean (standard deviation) of 2.4 (1.9) years of follow‐up, 386, 36 and 95 major cardiovascular events occurred in sulphonylurea‐, DPP‐4 inhibitor‐ and thiazolidinedione‐initiators, respectively. In comparison with the metformin–sulphonylurea regimen, adjusted HRs were 0.78 (95% CI 0.55; 1.11) for the metformin–DPP‐4 inhibitor regimen and 0.68 (95% CI 0.54; 0.85) for the metformin–thiazolidinedione regimen.

Conclusions

Thiazolidinedione add‐on treatments to metformin were associated with lower risks of major cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular death compared with sulphonylurea add‐on treatment to metformin. Lower, but non‐statistically significant, risks were also found with DPP‐4 inhibitor add‐on therapies.
Adult Learning in Innovative Organisations
Authors: Sutherland Olsen Dorothy
Published: May 2016

The relationship between learning and innovation has been a central theme in studies of innovation (Fagerberg et al., 2005, Borras & Edquist, 2014, Lundvall & Johnsen, 1994). Studies of the workplace have also claimed a relationship between skills or training and a firm's ability to innovate (Toner, 2011). Recent studies of innovation in European firms (Arundalet al., 2007) included surveys on organisational contexts and suggested that some organisational forms were especially conducive to learning and innovation. Studies of the learning context or of training and skills development often refer to, or make assumptions about learning, without explaining who is learning or how this learning is occurring. This article supplements some of these earlier surveys by carrying out in‐depth qualitative studies of learners in innovative organisations in Norway. The organisation of activities and the learning environments are analysed. This is supplemented by information on local HRM practice and strategies for skills development and training. The data include information on formal and informal learning of participants working within product development. We then discuss how these workers draw upon their learning in their everyday work and how their everyday work provides the opportunity for new learning. By linking HRM and innovation, this article offers a novel way of studying adult learning in the workplace and adds to our understanding of how it contributes to economic success.
Fostering Entrepreneurial Learning On‐the‐Job: evidence from innovative small and medium‐sized companies in Europe
Authors: Baggen Yvette , Lans Thomas , Biemans Harm J. A. , Kampen Jarl , Mulder Martin
Published: May 2016

As economies become more innovation‐driven, the need for entrepreneurial behaviour amongst employees working for existing companies increases in order to enhance the organisations’ capacity to develop new ideas, products and services. Hence, entrepreneurial learning and the development of entrepreneurial competencies of employees on‐the‐job become more important. One of the most crucial competencies in this regard is the ability to identify potential business opportunities, referred to as opportunity identification competence (OIC). In this empirical study, antecedents of OIC were investigated in a small and medium‐sized business context. Based on the 3‐P (i.e. presage, process, product) model, specific learner, work environment, and process factors influencing OIC as an outcome variable were studied. More than 200 employees from 12 companies completed a questionnaire. Results of a backward regression analysis underline the importance of investing in programmes that focus on entrepreneurial learning at the shop floor level, trusting employees that they are capable of actively participating in the early stages of innovation and the crucial role of owner‐managers to support entrepreneurial employee activities.
Work Organisation, Forms of Employee Learning and National Systems of Education and Training
Authors: Lorenz Edward , Lundvall Bengt‐Åke , Kraemer‐Mbula Erika , Rasmussen Palle
Published: May 2016

This article uses a multi‐level framework to investigate for 17 European nations the links between forms of work organisation and style of employee learning at the workplace on the one hand, and the characteristics of national educational and training systems on the other. The analysis shows that forms of work organisation characterised by relatively high levels of employee discretion and learning are more likely to be adopted in nations with broad‐based systems of education and training that recognise the value of both academic and vocational training and provide ample opportunities for continuing adult education. Furthermore, it shows that employees with low levels of formal education have better access to jobs involving organisational learning in countries with more developed adult education systems. The results point to the need to balance policies designed to increase tertiary education rates with a commitment of resources at both the EU and national levels to develop broad and inclusive systems of lifelong learning.
Impact of neural cell adhesion molecule deletion on regeneration after mouse spinal cord injury
Authors: Saini Vedangana , Loers Gabriele , Kaur Gurcharan , Schachner Melitta , Jakovcevski Igor
Published: May 2016

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) plays important functional roles in development of the nervous system. We investigated the influence of a constitutive ablation of NCAM on the outcome of spinal cord injury. Transgenic mice lacking NCAM (NCAM−/−) were subjected to severe compression injury of the lower thoracic spinal cord using wild‐type (NCAM+/+) littermates as controls. According to the single‐frame motion analysis, the NCAM−/− mice showed reduced locomotor recovery in comparison to control mice at 3 and 6 weeks after injury, indicating an overall positive impact of NCAM on recovery after injury. Also the Basso Mouse Scale score was lower in NCAM−/− mice at 3 weeks after injury, whereas at 6 weeks after injury the difference between genotypes was not statistically significant. Worse locomotor function was associated with decreased monoaminergic and cholinergic innervation of the spinal cord caudal to the injury site and decreased axonal regrowth/sprouting at the site of injury. Astrocytic scar formation at the injury site, as assessed by immunohistology for glial fibrillary acidic protein at and around the lesion site was increased in NCAM−/− compared with NCAM+/+ mice. Migration of cultured monolayer astrocytes from NCAM−/− mice was reduced as assayed by scratch wounding. Numbers of Iba‐1 immunopositive microglia were not different between genotypes. We conclude that constitutive NCAM deletion in young adult mice reduces recovery after spinal cord injury, validating the hypothesized beneficial role of this molecule in recovery after injury.
Chronic pain disrupts the reward circuitry in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Seixas Daniela , Palace Jacqueline , Tracey Irene
Published: May 2016

Pain commonly affects multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and has the potential to become chronic and burden an already damaged central nervous system. Imaging studies are providing insights into brain restructuring associated with chronic pain and different chronic pain conditions seem to evoke distinct plasticity patterns. Our objective was to study the structural and functional brain changes of chronic neuropathic pain of MS. Employing structural and resting functional magnetic resonance imaging we compared MS patients with chronic central pain with MS patients without pain matched with respect to age, gender, subtype and duration of MS and disability. Mean duration of pain was 7.6 years. Comparing the pain and no‐pain groups, brain functional default‐mode network differences were found. There was decreased coactivation in the caudate nucleus and nucleus accumbens bilaterally. Also, for the relapsing‐remitting subgroup of patients, grey matter thickness changes predominated in the pain group in the mesial region of the temporal lobes, caudate, putamen, thalami and the fronto‐parietal cortex; in the group without pain, changes predominated in the frontopolar and orbitofrontal cortices and in the occipital areas. A dysfunction in the reward system in chronic pain of MS was found, particularly in the brain areas involved in its motivational aspects, as such probably reflecting the maladaptive physiology of chronic pain, and possibly the signature of pain in MS, in a disease where reward impairment seems to be already one of its features.
Laminar analysis of the slow wave activity in the somatosensory cortex of anesthetized rats
Authors: Fiáth Richárd , Kerekes Bálint Péter , Wittner Lucia , Tóth Kinga , Beregszászi Patrícia , Horváth Domonkos , Ulbert István
Published: May 2016

Rhythmic slow waves characterize brain electrical activity during natural deep sleep and under anesthesia, reflecting the synchronous membrane potential fluctuations of neurons in the thalamocortical network. Strong evidence indicates that the neocortex plays an important role in the generation of slow wave activity (SWA), however, contributions of individual cortical layers to theSWAgeneration are still unclear. The anatomically correct laminar profiles ofSWAwere revealed under ketamine/xylazine anesthesia, with combined local field potential recordings, multiple‐unit activity (MUA), current source density (CSD) and time‐frequency analyses precisely co‐registered with histology. The up‐state related negative field potential wave showed the largest amplitude in layerIV, theCSDwas largest in layers I andIII, whereasMUAwas maximal in layer V, suggesting spatially dissociated firing and synaptic/transmembrane processes in the rat somatosensory cortex. Up‐state related firing could start in virtually any layers (III–VI) of the cortex, but were most frequently initiated in layer V. However, in a subset of experiments, layerIVwas considerably active in initiating up‐state relatedMUAeven in the absence of somatosensory stimulation. Somatosensory stimulation further strengthened up‐state initiation in layerIV. Our results confirm that cortical layer V firing may have a major contribution to the up‐state generation of ketamine/xylazine‐inducedSWA, however, thalamic influence through the thalamorecipient layerIVcan also play an initiating role, even in the absence of sensory stimulation.
Large‐scale impact of climate change vs. land‐use change on future biome shifts in Latin America
Authors: Boit Alice , Sakschewski Boris , Boysen Lena , Cano‐Crespo Ana , Clement Jan , Garcia‐alaniz Nashieli , Kok Kasper , Kolb Melanie , Langerwisch Fanny , Rammig Anja , Sachse René , van Eupen Michiel , von Bloh Werner , Clara Zemp Delphine , Thonicke Kirsten
Published: May 2016

Climate change and land‐use change are two major drivers of biome shifts causing habitat and biodiversity loss. What is missing is a continental‐scale future projection of the estimated relative impacts of both drivers on biome shifts over the course of this century. Here, we provide such a projection for the biodiverse region of Latin America under four socio‐economic development scenarios. We find that across all scenarios 5–6% of the total area will undergo biome shifts that can be attributed to climate change until 2099. The relative impact of climate change on biome shifts may overtake land‐use change even under an optimistic climate scenario, if land‐use expansion is halted by the mid‐century. We suggest that constraining land‐use change and preserving the remaining natural vegetation early during this century creates opportunities to mitigate climate‐change impacts during the second half of this century. Our results may guide the evaluation of socio‐economic scenarios in terms of their potential for biome conservation under global change.
The Pain of Endo Existence: Toward a Feminist Disability Studies Reading of Endometriosis
Authors: Jones Cara E.
Published: May 2016

Disability scholars have critiqued medical models that pathologize disability as an individual flaw that needs treatment, rehabilitation, and cure, favoring instead a social‐constructionist approach that likens disability to other identity categories such as gender, race, class, and sexuality. However, the emphasis on social constructionism has left chronic illness and pain largely untheorized. This article argues that feminist disability studies (FDS) must attend to the common, chronic gynecological condition endometriosis (endo) when theorizing pain. Endo is particularly important for FDS analysis because the highly feminized and sexualized nature of endo pain is a major source of disability. Because medical treatments of endo enhance fertility rather than provide pain relief, those with endo must not only have access to medical services to manage their pain, but also demand better medical management of their pain as well as disability accommodations for their pain. Thus, I propose a pain‐centric model of disability that politicizes pain through social‐constructionist and medical models of disability by attending to the lived experiences of pain.
Antibacterial Bioglass‐Derived Scaffolds: Innovative Synthesis Approach and Characterization
Authors: Miola Marta , Verné Enrica , Vitale‐Brovarone Chiara , Baino Francesco
Published: May 2016

Prevention and successful treatment of implant infection following bone surgery are critical challenges to avoid additional stress, disease, and any extra‐surgery to patients. We investigated the feasibility of a new synthesis method to prepare a bioactive glass‐ceramic scaffolds doped with silver, an antibacterial element. Scaffolds were fabricated by sponge replication method and silver was incorporated in the glass‐based slurry that infiltrates the template using silver nitrate as a precursor. The silver‐doped scaffolds mimic closely the cancellous bone in terms of 3‐D trabecular architecture and mechanical properties, were highly bioactive as demonstrated by the in vitro formation of a surface hydroxyapatite layer upon soaking in simulated body fluids, and exhibited good antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterial strain involved in postsurgical infections.
Structural Origin of the Thermal and Diffusion Behaviors of Lithium Aluminosilicate Crystal Polymorphs and Glasses
Authors: Ren Mengguo , Du Jincheng
Published: May 2016

Lithium aluminosilicate polymorphs α–LiAlSi2O6, β–LiAlSi2O6, and the LiAlSi2O6 glass have been studied comparatively using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with an aim to better understand the structural origin of the different thermomechanical behaviors and lithium ion diffusion properties. The melting behaviors and structural evolution were investigated for the three phases using MD simulations. The structural features of the three simulated samples were analyzed using coordination number, pair and bond angle distributions. The results showed that β‐LiAlSi2O6 and the LiAlSi2O6 glass had similar melting behavior, had more random short‐range atomic structures, and lower densities as compared to the α‐LiAlSi2O6 phase, which has a more ordered and compact structure. The lithium ion diffusion behavior in α–LiAlSi2O6, β–LiAlSi2O6, and LiAlSi2O6 glass and their melts are determined and compared by calculating the mean square displacements. It was found that at high temperatures, the melts of α–LiAlSi2O6, β–LiAlSi2O6, and LiAlSi2O6 glass had similar diffusion properties. While at low temperatures, α–LiAlSi2O6 had the lowest diffusion coefficient and highest diffusion energy barrier due to its more close‐packed structure and lacking of defects to facilitate lithium ion diffusion. Both the β–LiAlSi2O6 and glass show high ionic conductivity even at low temperatures. This originates from their lower density and thus relatively open structures, but slightly different diffusion mechanisms. Lithium ion diffusion in β–LiAlSi2O6 is through the large available interstitial sites while that in the glass is through vacancies due to high free volume. The glass phase had slightly lower lithium ion diffusion energy barrier and higher lithium ion diffusion coefficients as compared to the β–LiAlSi2O6 phase, indicating the glass phase can achieve high ionic diffusion and, in some cases, even higher than the crystalline phases with similar densities and short‐range structures.
Temperature Dependence of Energy Storage in Pb0.90La0.04Ba0.04[(Zr0.7Sn0.3)0.88Ti0.12]O3 Antiferroelectric Ceramics
Authors: Xu Ran , Xu Zhuo , Feng Yujun , He Hongliang , Tian Jingjing , Huang Dong
Published: May 2016

The temperature‐dependent energy storage and dielectric properties of Pb0.90La0.04Ba0.04[(Zr0.7Sn0.3)0.88Ti0.12]O3 were investigated in this work. With the phase transition from antiferroelectric to paraelectric induced by temperature rise, the releasable energy density decreases from 0.74 J/cm3 (20°C) to 0.29 J/cm3 (140°C), whereas the discharge efficiency increases from 75.0% to 93.4%. The pulsed discharge current indicates that the stored energy can be released in less than 1 μs. The temperature has little impact on the amplitude of the current but influences the discharge duration time greatly. In addition, with the comprehensive analysis of hysteresis loops, the DC‐bias character of dielectric constant and the discharge current, the transition from strong nonlinearity to linearity of the dielectric along with the phase switching was confirmed. It proves that the vanishment of high‐electric‐field nonlinear polarization contributions causes the declination of releasable energy with the temperature rise.
Low‐Temperature Sintering of HfC/SiC Nanocomposites Using HfSi2‐C Additives
Authors: Feng Lun , Lee Sea‐Hoon , Yin Jie
Published: May 2016

HfC/SiC nanocomposites were fabricated via the reactive spark plasma sintering (R‐SPS) of a nano‐HfC powder and HfSi2‐C sintering additives. The densification temperature decreased to 1750°C as the additive content increased. XRD analysis indicated the formation of pure HfC–(19.3–33.8 vol%) SiC within the sintered composites without residual silicide or oxide phases or secondary nonoxide phases. Ultrafine and homogeneously distributed HfC (470 nm) and SiC (300 nm) grains were obtained in the dense composites using nano‐HfC powder through the high‐energy ball‐milling of the raw powders and R‐SPS. Grain growth was further suppressed by the low‐temperature sintering using R‐SPS. No amorphous phase was identified at the grain boundary. The maximum Vickers hardness, Young's modulus, and fracture toughness values of the HfC/SiC nanocomposites were 22 GPa, 292 GPa, and 2.44 MPa·m1/2, respectively.
Synthesis of Ferroelectric Lead Titanate Nanohoneycomb Arrays via Lead Supplement Process
Authors: Kim Bongsoo , Hong Seungbum , Ahn Gun , No Kwangsoo
Published: May 2016

Here, we demonstrate a novel process to convert TiO2 nanotubes into ferroelectric nanohoneycombs, comprised of vertically aligned PbTiO3 nanotubes. Tube bottom opening process enabled effective infiltration of lead acetate precursor into the nanotubes. Nanohoneycombs, which were converted via additional lead supplement process, showed uniform conversion and well‐defined ferroelectric properties with the effective piezoelectric coefficient of approximately 20 pm/V, which was measured by piezoresponse force microscopy.
Andean uplift drives diversification of the bothriurid scorpion genus Brachistosternus
Authors: Ceccarelli F. Sara , Ojanguren‐Affilastro Andrés A. , Ramírez Martín J. , Ochoa José A. , Mattoni Camilo I. , Prendini Lorenzo
Published: May 2016

Aim

One of the planet's most imposing geomorphological features, the Andes, played an important role in the evolution of South America's flora and fauna. The bothriurid scorpion genus Brachistosternus Pocock, 1893 comprises more than 40 species with high diversity and endemism in the Andes. The present contribution investigates the biogeographical history of this genus using molecular phylogenetics and dating, to determine the role of Andean uplift on the distribution and diversification of its species.

Location

South America.

Methods

A dated species tree was obtained for 55 putative species based on two nuclear and three mitochondrial gene loci. Ancestral ranges and biogeographical events were estimated on the species tree, diversification rates and rate shifts calculated, and areas with high phylogenetic diversity (PD) and evolutionary distinctiveness identified.

Results

Brachistosternus diversified at a steady rate during the main Andean uplift. The central Andean and western slope/Pacific coastal biogeographical provinces played important roles as ancestral areas. Coastal areas of central Chile and southern Peru exhibit high levels of PD in Brachistosternus, suggesting they experienced a relatively long period of ecological stability, while the Andes continued to rise.

Main conclusions

Andean uplift created new habitats and climate regimes, favouring speciation in genera such as Brachistosternus. Coastal areas to the west of the Andes continued to harbour older lineages while accommodating more recently diverged lineages from the nearby Andes.
A consensus‐based practical and daily guide for the treatment of acne patients
Authors: Gollnick H.P. , Bettoli V. , Lambert J. , Araviiskaia E. , Binic I. , Dessinioti C. , Galadari I. , Ganceviciene R. , Ilter N. , Kaegi M. , Kemeny L. , López‐Estebaranz J.L. , Massa A. , Oprica C. , Sinclair W. , Szepietowski J.C. , Dréno B.
Published: May 2016

Background

Many current guidelines provide detailed evidence‐based recommendations for acne treatment.

Objective

To create consensus‐based, simple, easy‐to‐use algorithms for clinical acne treatment in daily office‐based practice and to provide checklists to assist in determining why a patient may not have responded to treatment and what action to take.

Methods

Existing treatment guidelines and consensus papers were reviewed. The information in them was extracted and simplified according to daily clinical practice needs using a consensus‐based approach and based on the authors' clinical expertise.

Results

As outcomes, separate simple algorithms are presented for the treatment of predominant comedonal, predominant papulopustular and nodular/conglobate acne. Patients with predominant comedonal acne should initially be treated with a topical retinoid, azelaic acid or salicylic acid. Fixed combination topicals are recommended for patients with predominant papulopustular acne with treatment tailored according to the severity of disease. Treatment recommendations for nodular/conglobate acne include oral isotretinoin or fixed combinations plus oral antibiotics in men, and these options may be supplemented with oral anti‐androgenic hormonal therapy in women. Further decisions regarding treatment responses should be evaluated 8 weeks after treatment initiation in patients with predominant comedonal or papulopustular acne and 12 weeks after in those with nodular/conglobate acne. Maintenance therapy with a topical retinoid or azelaic acid should be commenced once a patient is clear or almost clear of their acne to prevent the disease from recurring. The principal explanations for lack of treatment response fall into 5 main categories: disease progression, non‐drug‐related reasons, drug‐related reasons, poor adherence, and adverse events.

Conclusion

This practical guide provides dermatologists with treatment algorithms adapted to different clinical features of acne which are simple and easy to use in daily clinical practice. The checklists to establish the causes for a lack of treatment response and subsequent action to take will facilitate successful acne management.
Toxic and behavioural effects of free fatty acids on western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae
Authors: Bernklau E. J. , Hibbard B. E. , Bjostad L. B.
Published: May 2016

Feeding behaviour, feeding intensity and staying behaviour of neonate western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) larvae were evaluated in response to synthetic feeding stimulant blends. All of the treatments contained a 3‐sugar blend (glucose : fructose : sucrose, 30 : 4 : 4 mg/ml) and one of twelve free fatty acids. Each free fatty acid was tested in this blend at three different concentrations. The addition of the 12 : 0, 16 : 0, 16 : 1, 18 : 0, 18 : 1, 18 : 2 and 18 : 3 free fatty acids to the sugar blend significantly (P < 0.05) increased the percentage of larvae feeding, but did not increase food consumption per larva. Most of the free fatty acids elicited staying behaviour. At the lowest dose (0.1 mg/ml), all of the free fatty acids except the 18 : 0 and the 20 : 0 elicited staying by significantly more larvae than the sugar blend, and at the highest dose (1.0 mg/ml), eight free fatty acids (8 : 0, 10 : 0, 12 : 0, 14 : 0, 16 : 1, 18 : 1, 18 : 2 and 18 : 3) caused more larvae to stay compared to the sugar blend. Larvae were visibly impaired after exposure to some of the free fatty acids. At the highest dose, the 8 : 0, 10 : 0, 12 : 0, 14 : 0, 16 : 1, 18 : 1 and 18 : 2 free fatty acids were toxic to the larvae. At least 60% of larvae were impaired after exposure to the 12 : 0, 16 : 1 and 18 : 2 free fatty acids and the 8 : 0 and 10 : 0 free fatty acids caused 100% impairment or death. Synthetic blends were compared with liquid from crushed maize roots and with a methanol extract of maize roots. Feeding intensity and staying behaviour on the root liquid and the root extract were significantly greater than on any of the synthetic blends, suggesting the presence of additional compounds in maize roots that serve as feeding cues for western corn rootworm larvae.
Developmental Latent Patterns of Identification as Mostly Heterosexual Versus Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual
Authors: Calzo Jerel P. , Masyn Katherine E. , Austin S. Bryn , Jun Hee‐Jin , Corliss Heather L.
Published: May 2016

Scant research exists on the development of mostly heterosexual identity, the largest sexual orientation minority subgroup. We used longitudinal latent class analysis to characterize the patterns of identification with lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB), or mostly heterosexual identities from ages 12 to 23 in 13,859 youth (57% female) in a U.S. national cohort. Three classes emerged: completely heterosexual (88.2%), mostly heterosexual (9.5%), and LGB (2.4%). LGB class youth generally identified with sexual minority identities by ages 12–17. In contrast, mostly heterosexual class youth identified with sexual minority identities gradually, with steady increases in endorsement starting at the age of 14. Developmental implications of these differential patterns are discussed.