bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting Statistical Design and Analysis in Scientific Research
Authors: Choi Kyeong Rok , Ryu Jae Yong , Lee Sang Yup
Published: September 2018

Statistics is essential to design experiments and interpret experimental results. Inappropriate use of the statistical analysis, however, often leads to a wrong conclusion. This concept article revisits basic concepts of statistics and provides a brief guideline of applying the statistical analysis for scientific research from designing experiments to analyzing and presenting the data.
Historical and Contemporary Gene Flow and the Genetic Structure of Muskellunge in the Ohio River Drainage
Authors: White Matthew M. , Kohli Brooks A. , Converse Paul E.
Published: September 2018

Muskellunge Esox masquinongy is a recreationally important species distributed throughout the Ohio, upper Mississippi, and Great Lakes drainages and has been introduced outside of its native range. We conducted a survey of microsatellite DNA variation among 11 populations, natural, managed, and hatchery, in the Ohio River drainage. Microsatellite DNA variation was highly significant among all populations. A CLUSTER analysis identified K = 2 populations corresponding to populations east and west of the Ohio River. This may be a consequence of different management practices by Ohio and West Virginia or may suggest that the Ohio River is a substantial barrier to gene flow. A comparison of historical and contemporary gene flow suggests little change in genetic exchange among populations. Our results further support the use of locally adapted broodstock in further management and supplementation of Muskellunge populations.
Progress in achieving quantitative classification of psychopathology
Authors: Krueger Robert F. , Kotov Roman , Watson David , Forbes Miriam K. , Eaton Nicholas R. , Ruggero Camilo J. , Simms Leonard J. , Widiger Thomas A. , Achenbach Thomas M. , Bach Bo , Bagby R. Michael , Bornovalova Marina A. , Carpenter William T. , Chmielewski Michael , Cicero David C. , Clark Lee Anna , Conway Christopher , DeClercq Barbara , DeYoung Colin G. , Docherty Anna R. , Drislane Laura E. , First Michael B. , Forbush Kelsie T. , Hallquist Michael , Haltigan John D. , Hopwood Christopher J. , Ivanova Masha Y. , Jonas Katherine G. , Latzman Robert D. , Markon Kristian E. , Miller Joshua D. , Morey Leslie C. , Mullins‐Sweatt Stephanie N. , Ormel Johan , Patalay Praveetha , Patrick Christopher J. , Pincus Aaron L. , Regier Darrel A. , Reininghaus Ulrich , Rescorla Leslie A. , Samuel Douglas B. , Sellbom Martin , Shackman Alexander J. , Skodol Andrew , Slade Tim , South Susan C. , Sunderland Matthew , Tackett Jennifer L. , Venables Noah C. , Waldman Irwin D. , Waszczuk Monika A. , Waugh Mark H. , Wright Aidan G.C. , Zald David H. , Zimmermann Johannes
Published: September 2018

Shortcomings of approaches to classifying psychopathology based on expert consensus have given rise to contemporary efforts to classify psychopathology quantitatively. In this paper, we review progress in achieving a quantitative and empirical classification of psychopathology. A substantial empirical literature indicates that psychopathology is generally more dimensional than categorical. When the discreteness versus continuity of psychopathology is treated as a research question, as opposed to being decided as a matter of tradition, the evidence clearly supports the hypothesis of continuity. In addition, a related body of literature shows how psychopathology dimensions can be arranged in a hierarchy, ranging from very broad “spectrum level” dimensions, to specific and narrow clusters of symptoms. In this way, a quantitative approach solves the “problem of comorbidity” by explicitly modeling patterns of co‐occurrence among signs and symptoms within a detailed and variegated hierarchy of dimensional concepts with direct clinical utility. Indeed, extensive evidence pertaining to the dimensional and hierarchical structure of psychopathology has led to the formation of the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) Consortium. This is a group of 70 investigators working together to study empirical classification of psychopathology. In this paper, we describe the aims and current foci of the HiTOP Consortium. These aims pertain to continued research on the empirical organization of psychopathology; the connection between personality and psychopathology; the utility of empirically based psychopathology constructs in both research and the clinic; and the development of novel and comprehensive models and corresponding assessment instruments for psychopathology constructs derived from an empirical approach.
Fact Resistance, Populism, and Conspiracy Theories
Authors: Hendricks Vincent F. , Vestergaard Mads
Published: September 2018

In 2005, the concept truthiness was coined by Stephen Colbert, host of the popular satire show, The Colbert Report. Truthiness has been referred to as truth that comes from guts and not from facts and is defined as “the belief in what you feel to be true rather than what the facts will support.” The concept took hold. In 2006 it was declared word of the year by the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It was used particularly and critically in reference to the political scene of the conservative right in the USA at that time. Before Breitbart, the conservative right rallied around Fox News, whose biased news coverage was satirized by The Colbert Report. The show’s critical satire focused on how, especially in the conservative right wing and for then President Bush, it often was enough that something felt like it was true in order to be accepted as such. And not only in the conservative right wing may gut feeling replace truth; this is a universal human phenomenon. The phenomenon of truthiness may find support in cognitive psychology. Through experiments cognitive psychology has demonstrated just how much political bias matters when selecting information and accepting it as true or rejecting it as false.
The photophobic ALP
Authors: Craig Nathaniel , Hook Anson , Kasko Skyler
Published: September 2018

Abstract

We explore models and phenomenology of a photophobic axion-like particle (ALP), an axion whose coupling to photons is maximally suppressed without fine-tuning of the underlying parameters. We demonstrate that photophobia can be a natural UV property of ALP models and determine the irreducible coupling of photophobic ALPs to photons induced by violations of the axion shift symmetry. The signatures of photophobic axions are radically different from those of typical ALPs and are of particular interest for collider-based experiments, for which Standard Model triboson measurements provide a significant probe at higher masses. A variety of terrestrial and astrophysical measurements constrain the parameter space of photophobic ALPs, though bounds are typically much weaker compared to typical ALPs. We discuss implications for particle production relaxion models based on photophobic ALPs, finding that they are in mild tension with existing experimental constraints.
Vacuum structure of Yang-Mills theory as a function of θ
Authors: Aitken Kyle , Cherman Aleksey , Ünsal Mithat
Published: September 2018

Abstract

It is believed that in SU(N) Yang-Mills theory observables are N -branched functions of the topological θ angle. This is supposed to be due to the existence of a set of locally-stable candidate vacua, which compete for global stability as a function of θ. We study the number of θ vacua, their interpretation, and their stability properties using systematic semiclassical analysis in the context of adiabatic circle compactification on ℝ3 × S
1. We find that while observables are indeed N-branched functions of θ, there are only ≈ N/2 locally-stable candidate vacua for any given θ. We point out that the different θ vacua are distinguished by the expectation values of certain magnetic line operators that carry non-zero GNO charge but zero ’t Hooft charge. Finally, we show that in the regime of validity of our analysis YM theory has spinodal points as a function of θ, and gather evidence for the conjecture that these spinodal points are present even in the ℝ4 limit.
A Vibration-Based Method for the Measurement of Subgrade Soil Scaling Factor
Authors: Wang Guina , Liang Dakai , Yan Junfan
Published: September 2018

The subgrade soil scaling factor (SSSF) shows the basic properties of soil such as stiffness, gravimetry, density, and particle distribution, which are essential for disaster prediction and geotechnical engineering activities. In this paper, methods used for soil properties analysis are firstly summarized, and then a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing technology is introduced. In order to acquire the properties and mechanical characteristics of soil accurately, a vibration-based method is presented and an experiment for judging the properties of soil is conducted. As for the experiment, an FBG sensor is adhered to the upside of the vibration rod to measure its fundamental frequency. The rod vibrates freely at different-depth level of soil, and the changed data of wavelength from the FBG sensor are carefully collected. The Winkler spring model is used to analyze the relationship between the fundamental frequency and stiffness of soil. The results of this experiment suggest that data collected from FBG sensor can reflect vibration situation clearly and quantitatively. Thus the SSSF value can be calculated from the frequency-stiffness equation. The experimental results are almost identical with the theoretical derivation results. This confirms that the method presented in the paper can determine the SSSF effectively.
The neuropathological investigation of the brain in a monkey model of autism spectrum disorder with ABCA13 deletion
Authors: Iritani Shuji , Torii Youta , Habuchi Chikako , Sekiguchi Hirotaka , Fujishiro Hiroshige , Yoshida Mari , Go Yasuhiro , Iriki Astushi , Isoda Masaki , Ozaki Norio
Published: September 2018

The precise biological etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the neuropathology of a monkey model of autism Human ABCA13 is the largest ABC transporter protein, with a length of 5058 amino acids and a predicted molecular weight of >450 kDa. However, the function of this protein remains to be elucidated. This protein is thought to be associated with major psychiatric disease. Using this monkey model of autism with an ABCA13 deletion and a mutation of 5HT2c, we neuropathologically investigated the changes in the neuronal formation in the frontal cortex. As a result, the neuronal formation in the cortex was found to be disorganized with regard to the neuronal size and laminal distribution in the ABCA13 deletion monkey. The catecholaminergic and GABAergic neuronal systems, serotoninergic neuronal formation (5HT2c) were also found to be impaired by an immunohistochemical evaluation. This study suggested that ABCA13 deficit induces the impairment of neuronal maturation or migration, and the function of the neuronal network. This protein might thus play a role in the neurodevelopmental function of the central nervous system and the dysfunction of this protein may be a pathophysiological cause of mental disorders including autism.
A Descriptive Study of Self‐Reported Injury in Non‐elite Adaptive Athletes
Authors: Soo Hoo Jennifer A. , Latzka Erek , Harrast Mark A.
Published: September 2018

Background

Adaptive sports programs are increasing across the country and there is a paucity of research investigating the epidemiology and sports injury risk factors in non‐elite athletes.

Objective

To assess the demographics, training regime, and injuries incurred by adaptive athletes participating in local adaptive sports clubs and to assess the athletes' type of medical care and prevalence of those with spasticity.

Design

Descriptive cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Local area adaptive sports teams and programs.

Participants

Sixty‐one athletes participating in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, sled hockey, and adaptive rowing were surveyed, with a response rate of 70.5%.

Interventions

Completion of self‐report survey.

Outcome

Report of injury prevalence, injury characteristics, type of medical care, and assessment of frequency and severity of spasticity using the Penn Spasm Frequency Scale.

Results

Most athletes (86%) trained or competed in their main sport 9‐12 months per year. Most athletes (79.1%) trained at least 4 hours per week. In the past 12 months, 39.5% of athletes surveyed sustained an injury that required them to miss practice or a competition, with 58.8% of these athletes having sustained a significant injury. Many of those injured (64.7%) had never participated in an injury prevention or conditioning program. Injury prevalence by sport was 42.9% in wheelchair rugby, 60% in sled hockey, 44% wheelchair basketball, and 0% in adaptive rowing. The most commonly injured body parts were the shoulder (52.9%) and wrist (52.9%).

Conclusions

This study shows that non‐elite adaptive sports athletes sustain similar types of injuries as noted in published reports of elite athletes but could be provided with less injury prevention education and access to medical care. This area will require future study, especially investigating injury risk factors within specific sports and diagnoses.

Level of Evidence

III
The political origins of transparency reform: insights from the Italian case
Authors: Di Mascio Fabrizio , Natalini Alessandro , Cacciatore Federica
Published: September 2018

This research contributes to the expanding literature on the determinants of government transparency. It uncovers the dynamics of transparency in the Italian case, which shows an interesting reform trajectory: until the late 1980s no transparency provisions existed; since then, provisions have dramatically increased under the impulse of changing patterns of political competition. The analysis of the Italian case highlights that electoral uncertainty for incumbents is a double-edged sword for institutional reform: on the one hand, it incentivizes the adoption of ever-growing transparency provisions; on the other, it jeopardizes the implementation capacity of public agencies by leading to severe administrative burdens.
The Rise and Fall of Female Labor Force Participation During World War II in the United States
Authors: Rose Evan K.
Published: September 2018

I use new data on employment and job placements during WWII to characterize the wartime surge in female work and its subsequent impact on female employment in the United States. The geography of female wartime work was primarily driven by industrial mobilization, not drafted men’s withdrawal from local labor markets. After the war, returning veterans and sharp cutbacks in war-related industries displaced many new female entrants, despite interest in continued work. As a result, areas most exposed to wartime work show limited overall effects on female labor force participation in 1950 and only marginal increases in durables manufacturing employment.
Ideology and Migration after the American Civil War
Authors: Eli Shari , Salisbury Laura , Shertzer Allison
Published: September 2018

The American Civil War fractured communities in border states where families who would eventually support the Union or the Confederacy lived together prior to the conflict. We study the subsequent migration choices of Civil War veterans and their families using a unique longitudinal dataset covering enlistees from the border state of Kentucky. Nearly half of surviving Kentucky veterans moved to a new county between 1860 and 1880. We find strong evidence of sorting along ideological dimensions for veterans from both sides of the conflict. However, we find limited evidence of a positive economic return to these relocation decisions.
Covenants, Creditors’ Simultaneous Equity Holdings, and Firm Investment Policies
Authors: Chava Sudheer , Wang Rui , Zou Hong
Published: September 2018

This article analyzes how creditors’ simultaneous debt and equity holdings affect firm investment policies. We find that firms with dual ownership are less likely to have capital expenditure restrictions in loan contracts, and the relation varies in predicted ways with the monitoring needs of borrowers and the monitoring capacity of dual owners. A less frequent use of capital expenditure restrictions, however, does not result in borrowers’ risk-shifting. Dual ownership firms are also more likely to be granted an unconditional waiver and do not significantly reduce debt issuance or investment expenditures after a financial covenant violation. Our results highlight how dual ownership can help mitigate shareholder–creditor conflicts.
The use of thalidomide therapy for refractory epistaxis in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia: systematic review
Authors: Harrison L , Kundra A , Jervis P
Published: September 2018

Background

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia is an autosomal dominant condition, characterised by mucocutaneous telangiectasia, aneurysm and arteriovenous malformations. Thalidomide has been used as a therapeutic strategy for refractory epistaxis in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia patients. This review set out to examine the evidence for using thalidomide in the management of refractory epistaxis in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia patients.

Methods

A systematic search of the available literature was performed using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and NHS Evidence databases, from inception to December 2017. The search terms used included: hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, epistaxis, haemorrhage and thalidomide.

Results

All studies using thalidomide therapy showed a reduction in the frequency and duration of epistaxis, as early as four weeks post-therapy. In addition, thalidomide therapy was shown to increase median haemoglobin levels and reduce blood transfusion dependence.

Conclusion

Current available evidence suggests that low-dose thalidomide is effective in transiently reducing epistaxis frequency and duration. Further studies are required to establish a treatment regimen to prevent side effects.
Recent changes in the number of spoon-billed sandpipers Calidris pygmaea wintering on the Upper Gulf of Mottama in Myanmar
Authors: Aung Pyae-Phyo , Moses Saw , Clark Nigel A. , Anderson Guy Q.A. , Hilton Geoff M. , Buchanan Graeme M. , Zöckler Christoph , Green Rhys E.
Published: September 2018

The spoon-billed sandpiper Calidris pygmaea, a migratory Arctic-breeding shorebird, is one of the rarest birds and its population has declined since the 1970s. We surveyed its most important known wintering area in the Upper Gulf of Mottama in Myanmar to estimate recent (2009–2016) changes in its numbers there. The total number of small shorebirds present in the Upper Gulf was counted and the proportion of them that were spoon-billed sandpipers was estimated from sample scans. These two quantities were multiplied together to give the estimated number of spoon-billed sandpipers in each of 4 years. Total numbers of combined small shorebird species tripled from 21,000 to 63,000 between 2009 and 2016, coincident with efforts to reduce hunting pressure on waterbirds. However, the proportion of small shorebirds that were spoon-billed sandpipers declined and their estimated absolute numbers fell by about half, from 244 to 112 individuals. It is probable that loss of intertidal habitat and shorebird hunting elsewhere on the migration route of the spoon-billed sandpipers wintering at Mottama is causing a continued decline, although this is occurring at a less rapid rate than that recorded from Arctic Russia before 2010. The number of spoon-billed sandpipers wintering on the Upper Gulf of Mottama remains the highest single-site total for this species from any known wintering site. Preventing resurgence of illegal shorebird hunting and ensuring long-term protection of the intertidal feeding habitats and roost sites in the Gulf are high priorities if extinction of this species is to be averted.
Robust position-based impedance control of lightweight single-link flexible robots interacting with the unknown environment via a fractional-order sliding mode controller
Authors: Fayazi Ali , Pariz Naser , Karimpour Ali , Hosseinnia Seyed Hassan
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a fractional-order sliding mode control scheme equipped with a disturbance observer for robust impedance control of a single-link flexible robot arm when it comes into contact with an unknown environment. In this research, the impedance control problem is studied for both unconstrained and constrained maneuvers. The proposed control strategy is robust with respect to the changes of the environment parameters (such as stiffness and damping coefficient), the unknown Coulomb friction disturbances, payload, and viscous friction variations. The proposed control scheme is also valid for both unconstrained and constrained motions. Our novel approach automatically switches from the free to the constrained motion mode using a simple algorithm of contact detection. In this regard, an impedance control scheme is proposed with the inner loop position control. This means that in the free motion, the applied force to the environment is zero and the reference trajectory for the inner loop position control is the desired trajectory. However, in the constrained motion the reference trajectory for the inner loop is determined by the desired impedance dynamics. Stability of the closed loop control system is proved by Lyapunov theory. Several numerical simulations are carried out to indicate the capability and the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Extreme rainfall-related clutch size variation in the Critically Endangered Raso Lark Alauda razae of the arid Cape Verde islands
Authors: BROOKE M. de L.
Published: September 2018

The Raso Lark Alauda razae is a single island endemic confined to the island of Raso in the Cape Verde islands. It has been studied via short (11–20 day), similarly-timed visits every year from 2001 to 2017. These November/December visits have occurred towards the end of the main rainy period (August–October) in the Cape Verdes. Average clutch size ranged from zero (no nests found) to 3.57 in different years and was strongly correlated with rainfall in the three months preceding the year’s visit, but not with population size, which varied 25-fold during the study period. Since the nomadic pursuit of rain is not an option for the Raso Lark, the species adjusts clutch size according to conditions prevailing on Raso.
The Earliest Balance Weights in the West: Towards an Independent Metrology for Bronze Age Europe
Authors: Ialongo Nicola
Published: September 2018

Weighing devices are the earliest material correlates of the rational quantification of economic value, and they yield great potential in the study of trade in pre-literate societies. However, the knowledge of European Bronze Age metrology is still underdeveloped in comparison to Eastern Mediterranean regions, mostly due to the lack of a proper scientific debate. This paper introduces a theoretical and methodological framework for the study of standard weight-systems in pre-literate societies, and tests it on a large sample of potential balance weights distributed between Southern Italy and Central Europe during the Bronze Age (second–early first millenniumbc). A set of experimental expectations is defined on the basis of comparisons with ancient texts, archaeological cases and modern behaviour. Concurrent typological, use-wear, statistical and contextual analyses allow to cross-check the evidence against the expectations, and to validate the balance-weight hypothesis for the sample under analysis. The paper urges a reappraisal of an independent weight metrology for Bronze Age Europe, based on adequate methodologies and a critical perspective.
Nonionic Surfactant Affects Dislodgeable 2,4-D Foliar Residue from Turfgrass
Authors: Maxwell Patrick J. , Gannon Travis W. , Cooper Richard J.
Published: September 2018

2,4-dimethylamine salt (2,4-D) is a synthetic auxin herbicide used extensively in turfgrass for selective broadleaf weed control. Previous research has shown that 2,4-D can dislodge from treated turf, notably in the presence of canopy moisture. Practitioners commonly apply 2,4-D in combination with various commercially available surfactants to increase efficacy. Field research was completed to evaluate the effect of surfactant inclusion and sample collection time within a day on dislodgeable 2,4-D residue from perennial ryegrass. Research was initiated May 24, 2016 in Raleigh, NC and repeated in time to quantify dislodgeable 2,4-D following application (2.1 kg ae ha–1) either alone or with a nonionic surfactant (0.5% vol/vol). Sample collection occurred 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 or 24 d after treatment (DAT) at AM [7:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST)] and PM (2:00 PM EST) sample timings within a day. 2,4-D applied with surfactant (0.4% to 25.4% of applied) reduced dislodgeable foliar residue compared to 2,4-D applied alone (0.5% to 31.2%) from 1 through 6 DAT, whereas dislodgeable 2,4-D was not detected at 12 and 24 DAT. Regardless of surfactant inclusion or absence, samples collected in the AM resulted in a 5- to 10-fold increase in dislodgeable 2,4-D compared to samples collected in the PM from 1 through 6 DAT, suggesting that 2,4-D dislodgeability may be influenced by conditions favoring canopy moisture development. This research will improve turfgrass management practices and research designed to minimize human 2,4-D exposure.
Problem-Specific Coaching Interventions Influence Goal Attainment via Double-Loop Learning
Authors: Zimmermann Lisa Catherine , Antoni Conny Herbert
Published: September 2018

Abstract. How do coaching interventions work? This study contributes to process-outcome research in coaching by examining the impact of coaches’ problem-specific interventions on coaching results. Paying particular attention to the mediation processes in coaching seems to be a promising research area, which has received little attention to date. Using several points of measurement over time and taking nested data structure into account, 33 coaching dyads were analyzed using longitudinal multilevel analyses. Results showed a general coaching effect as well as the mediating role of learning processes. As expected, clients’ perceived goal attainment increased over the course of the coaching sessions. Furthermore, problem-specific interventions by the coach, especially clarification of meaning and mastery/coping, led to an increase in goal attainment mediated by clients’ perceived learning experience (double-loop learning). Our results underscore the importance of stimulating learning processes by specific interventions to improve coaching effectiveness.
Reservoir Stimulation's Effect on Depletion‐Induced Seismicity
Authors: Fryer Barnaby , Siddiqi Gunter , Laloui Lyesse
Published: September 2018

Depletion‐induced seismicity can pose a problem in some fluid‐producing subsurface reservoirs, in some cases requiring production rate control in order to limit the seismicity. This study investigates the use of reservoir stimulation to reduce the depletion‐induced seismicity rate. Depletion‐induced stress and pore pressure changes are evaluated in a shale cap rock, sandstone reservoir, and shale underburden system, which contains a horizontal well, all modeled in plane strain conditions. The seismicity rate is then predicted based on an existing seismicity model and is found to be dependent on the direction the well is drilled in with respect to the principal stresses. The case where the reservoir has first been stimulated is compared to the case where stimulation has not been performed (using the same production rates) for normal, reverse, and strike‐slip faulting stress regimes. Seismicity is reduced in the case of reservoir stimulation for both reverse and strike‐slip faulting stress regimes. The seismicity rate is only slightly reduced for the normal faulting stress regime. Stimulation also increases the distance that changes in pore pressure dominate over poroelastic stress changes in the reservoir. Further, it is found that the optimal orientation of a horizontal well, in terms of induced seismicity, is parallel to the minimum principal stress in normal faulting stress regimes and parallel to the maximum principal stress in reverse faulting stress regimes. The orientation of a horizontal well determines where the seismicity is located in a strike‐slip faulting stress regime.
Quantum theory cannot consistently describe the use of itself
Authors: Frauchiger Daniela , Renner Renato
Published: September 2018

Quantum theory provides an extremely accurate description of fundamental processes in physics. It thus seems likely that the theory is applicable beyond the, mostly microscopic, domain in which it has been tested experimentally. Here, we propose a Gedankenexperiment to investigate the question whether quantum theory can, in principle, have universal validity. The idea is that, if the answer was yes, it must be possible to employ quantum theory to model complex systems that include agents who are themselves using quantum theory. Analysing the experiment under this presumption, we find that one agent, upon observing a particular measurement outcome, must conclude that another agent has predicted the opposite outcome with certainty. The agents’ conclusions, although all derived within quantum theory, are thus inconsistent. This indicates that quantum theory cannot be extrapolated to complex systems, at least not in a straightforward manner.
Evaluating climate geoengineering proposals in the context of the Paris Agreement temperature goals
Authors: Lawrence Mark G. , Schäfer Stefan , Muri Helene , Scott Vivian , Oschlies Andreas , Vaughan Naomi E. , Boucher Olivier , Schmidt Hauke , Haywood Jim , Scheffran Jürgen
Published: September 2018

Current mitigation efforts and existing future commitments are inadequate to accomplish the Paris Agreement temperature goals. In light of this, research and debate are intensifying on the possibilities of additionally employing proposed climate geoengineering technologies, either through atmospheric carbon dioxide removal or farther-reaching interventions altering the Earth’s radiative energy budget. Although research indicates that several techniques may eventually have the physical potential to contribute to limiting climate change, all are in early stages of development, involve substantial uncertainties and risks, and raise ethical and governance dilemmas. Based on present knowledge, climate geoengineering techniques cannot be relied on to significantly contribute to meeting the Paris Agreement temperature goals.
Crystal structure of TcpK in complex with oriT DNA of the antibiotic resistance plasmid pCW3
Authors: Traore Daouda A. K. , Wisniewski Jessica A. , Flanigan Sarena F. , Conroy Paul J. , Panjikar Santosh , Mok Yee-Foong , Lao Carmen , Griffin Michael D. W. , Adams Vicki , Rood Julian I. , Whisstock James C.
Published: September 2018

Conjugation is fundamental for the acquisition of new genetic traits and the development of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic organisms. Here, we show that a hypothetical Clostridium perfringens protein, TcpK, which is encoded by the tetracycline resistance plasmid pCW3, is essential for efficient conjugative DNA transfer. Our studies reveal that TcpK is a member of the winged helix-turn-helix (wHTH) transcription factor superfamily and that it forms a dimer in solution. Furthermore, TcpK specifically binds to a nine-nucleotide sequence that is present as tandem repeats within the pCW3 origin of transfer (oriT). The X-ray crystal structure of the TcpK–TcpK box complex reveals a binding mode centered on and around the β-wing, which is different from what has been previously shown for other wHTH proteins. Structure-guided mutagenesis experiments validate the specific interaction between TcpK and the DNA molecule. Additional studies highlight that the TcpK dimer is important for specific DNA binding.
SNX3-retromer requires an evolutionary conserved MON2:DOPEY2:ATP9A complex to mediate Wntless sorting and Wnt secretion
Authors: McGough Ian J. , de Groot Reinoud E. A. , Jellett Adam P. , Betist Marco C. , Varandas Katherine C. , Danson Chris M. , Heesom Kate J. , Korswagen Hendrik C. , Cullen Peter J.
Published: September 2018

Wntless transports Wnt morphogens to the cell surface and is required for Wnt secretion and morphogenic gradients formation. Recycling of endocytosed Wntless requires the sorting nexin-3 (SNX3)-retromer-dependent endosome-to-Golgi transport pathway. Here we demonstrate the essential role of SNX3-retromer assembly for Wntless transport and report that SNX3 associates with an evolutionary conserved endosome-associated membrane re-modelling complex composed of MON2, DOPEY2 and the putative aminophospholipid translocase, ATP9A. In vivo suppression of Ce-mon-2, Ce-pad-1 or Ce-tat-5 (respective MON2, DOPEY2 and ATP9A orthologues) phenocopy a loss of SNX3-retromer function, leading to enhanced lysosomal degradation of Wntless and a Wnt phenotype. Perturbed Wnt signalling is also observed upon overexpression of an ATPase-inhibited TAT-5(E246Q) mutant, suggesting a role for phospholipid flippase activity during SNX3-retromer-mediated Wntless sorting. Together, these findings provide in vitro and in vivo mechanistic details to describe SNX3-retromer-mediated transport during Wnt secretion and the formation of Wnt-morphogenic gradients.
Hierarchical rupture growth evidenced by the initial seismic waveforms
Authors: Okuda Takashi , Ide Satoshi
Published: September 2018

The ability to predict the eventual size of an earthquake during its early growth stage is a crucial component of earthquake early warning systems. Recent studies have revealed that the onsets of small and large earthquakes are variable but statistically indistinguishable. However, it is unknown whether small and large earthquakes can share the same processes at the same location. Here we show clear evidence of almost identical growth processes shared by repeating earthquakes of various sizes that have occurred in the Naka region, eastern Japan. Our results indicate that a large earthquake is a failure with a large characteristic spatial scale that is initially triggered by a failure with a small characteristic scale, which may also occur independently controlled by subtle differences in the physical conditions, suggesting the existence of a hierarchical structure on the plate interface. Earthquakes are random, but they may also be controlled by such structures.
A patient-centric analysis to identify key influences in allergic rhinitis management
Authors: Cvetkovski Biljana , Tan Rachel , Kritikos Vicky , Yan Kwok , Azzi Elizabeth , Srour Pamela , Bosnic-Anticevich Sinthia
Published: September 2018

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasingly becoming a patient self-managed disease. Just under 70% of patients purchasing pharmacotherapy self-select their treatment with no health-care professional intervention often resulting in poor choices, leading to suboptimal management and increased burden of AR on the individual and the community. However, no decision is made without external, influencing forces. This study aims to determine the key influences driving patients’ decision-making around AR management. To accomplish this aim, we utilised a social network theory framework to map the patient’s AR network and identify the strength of the influences within this network. Adults who reported having AR were interviewed and completed an AR network map and AR severity and quality of life questionnaires. Forty one people with AR completed the study. The AR networks of the participants had a range of 1–11 influences (alters), with an average number of 4 and a median of 5. The larger the impact of AR on their quality of life, the greater the number of alters within their network. The three most commonly identified alters were, general practitioners, pharmacists and the participants’ ‘own experience’. The strength of the influence of health-care professionals (HCPs) was varied. The proportion of HCPs within the AR network increased as the impact of AR on their quality of life increased. By mapping the AR network, this study demonstrated that there are multiple influences behind patient’s decisions regarding AR management but the role of the HCP cannot be dismissed.
High-Reynolds Microfluidic Sorting of Large Yeast Populations
Authors: Keinan Eliezer , Abraham Ayelet Chen , Cohen Aaron , Alexandrov Alexander I. , Mintz Reshef , Cohen Merav , Reichmann Dana , Kaganovich Daniel , Nahmias Yaakov
Published: September 2018

Microfluidic sorting offers a unique ability to isolate large numbers of cells for bulk proteomic or metabolomics studies but is currently limited by low throughput and persistent clogging at low flow rates. Recently we uncovered the physical principles governing the inertial focusing of particles in high-Reynolds numbers. Here, we superimpose high Reynolds inertial focusing on Dean vortices, to rapidly isolate large quantities of young and adult yeast from mixed populations at a rate of 107 cells/min/channel. Using a new algorithm to rapidly quantify budding scars in isolated yeast populations and system-wide proteomic analysis, we demonstrate that protein quality control and expression of established yeast aging markers such as CalM, RPL5, and SAM1 may change after the very first replication events, rather than later in the aging process as previously thought. Our technique enables the large-scale isolation of microorganisms based on minute differences in size (±1.5 μm), a feat unmatched by other technologies.
Effects on 24-hour blood pressure variability of ace-inhibition and calcium channel blockade as monotherapy or in combination
Authors: Parati Gianfranco , Castiglioni Paolo , Omboni Stefano , Faini Andrea
Published: September 2018

Cardiovascular events in hypertensives are associated with elevated average blood pressure (BP) and higher short-term BP variability (V), but little is known on treatment effects on BPV and on how to assess changes in short-term BPV. Aim of our study was to address the methodology of short-term BPV assessment and its reduction by Lercanidipine (L) or Enalapril (E) and their combination, through analysis of 24-hour ambulatory BP recordings from two studies including subjects of different age. Study-1: 64 middle-age hypertensives (52.9 ± 9.5 yrs) received L and E s.i.d. at 10 mg (L10, E10) or 20 mg doses (L20, E20) for 8 weeks. Study-2: 66 elderly hypertensives (65.5 ± 4.7 yrs) received placebo, L10, E20 and L10 + E20 s.i.d. for 4 weeks. In middle-age subjects, both L and E decreased mean BP and, at the highest dose, also short-term BPV. In elderly subjects, L10 alone or in combination with E20 reduced BPV. Treatment-induced reductions in BP levels and BPV were uncorrelated. Different methods for short-term BPV assessment did not always provide superimposable results in the elderly. Our study supports a better reduction of BPV by L in the elderly and by E + L combination at any age, suggesting BPV reduction to be independent from reduction in average BP.
Metabolic gene expression and epigenetic effects of the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate on H3K9ac in bovine cells, oocytes and embryos
Authors: Sangalli Juliano Rodrigues , Sampaio Rafael Vilar , del Collado Maite , da Silveira Juliano Coelho , De Bem Tiago Henrique Camara , Perecin Felipe , Smith Lawrence Charles , Meirelles Flávio Vieira
Published: September 2018

The rapid decline in fertility that has been occurring to high-producing dairy cows in the past 50 years seems to be associated with metabolic disturbances such as ketosis, supporting the need for research to improve our understanding of the relations among the diet, metabolism and embryonic development. Recently, the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) was demonstrated to be a potent inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs). Herein, we performed a series of experiments aiming to investigate the epigenetic effects of BOHB on histone acetylation in somatic cells, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Treatment with BOHB does not increase histone acetylation in cells but stimulates genes associated with ketolysis and master regulators of metabolism. We further demonstrated that maturing COCs with high levels of BOHB does not affect their maturation rate or histone acetylation but increases the expression of PPARA in cumulus cells. Treatment of somatic cell nuclear transfer zygotes with BOHB causes hyperacetylation, which is maintained until the blastocyst stage, causing enhanced FOXO3A expression and blastocyst production. Our data shed light on the epigenetic mechanisms caused by BOHB in bovine cells and embryos and provide a better understanding of the connection between nutrition and reproduction.
Replacement of the L-iduronic acid unit of the anticoagulant pentasaccharide idraparinux by a 6-deoxy-L-talopyranose – Synthesis and conformational analysis
Authors: Demeter Fruzsina , Gyöngyösi Tamás , Bereczky Zsuzsanna , Kövér Katalin E. , Herczeg Mihály , Borbás Anikó
Published: September 2018

One critical part of the synthesis of heparinoid anticoagulants is the creation of the L-iduronic acid building block featured with unique conformational plasticity which is crucial for the anticoagulant activity. Herein, we studied whether a much more easily synthesizable sugar, the 6-deoxy-L-talose, built in a heparinoid oligosaccharide, could show a similar conformational plasticity, thereby can be a potential substituent of the L-idose. Three pentasaccharides related to the synthetic anticoagulant pentasaccharide idraparinux were prepared, in which the L-iduronate was replaced by a 6-deoxy-L-talopyranoside unit. The talo-configured building block was formed by C4 epimerisation of the commercially available L-rhamnose with high efficacy at both the monosaccharide and the disaccharide level. The detailed conformational analysis of these new derivatives, differing only in their methylation pattern, was performed and the conformationally relevant NMR parameters, such as proton-proton coupling constants and interproton distances were compared to the corresponding ones measured in idraparinux. The lack of anticoagulant activity of these novel heparin analogues could be explained by the biologically not favorable 1C4 chair conformation of their 6-deoxy-L-talopyranoside residues.
Advanced glycation end products accelerate calcification in VSMCs through HIF-1α/PDK4 activation and suppress glucose metabolism
Authors: Zhu Yi , Ma Wen-Qi , Han Xi-Qiong , Wang Ying , Wang Xin , Liu Nai-Feng
Published: September 2018

Arterial media calcification is associated with diabetes mellitus. Previous studies have shown that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are responsible for vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), one of the major factors during hypoxia, and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), an important mitochondrial matrix enzyme in cellular metabolism shift, have been reported in VSMC calcification. The potential link among HIF-1α, PDK4, and AGEs-induced vascular calcification was investigated in this study. We observed that AGEs elevated HIF-1α and PDK4 expression levels in a dose-dependent manner and that maximal stimulation was attained at 24 h. Two important HIF-1α-regulated genes, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), were significantly increased after AGEs exposure. Stabilization or nuclear translocation of HIF-1α increased PDK4 expression. PDK4 inhibition attenuated AGEs-induced VSMC calcification, which was evaluated by measuring the calcium content, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) expression levels and by Alizarin red S staining. In addition, the glucose consumption, lactate production, key enzymes of glucose metabolism and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were decreased during AGEs-induced VSMC calcification. In conclusion, this study suggests that AGEs accelerate vascular calcification partly through the HIF-1α/PDK4 pathway and suppress glucose metabolism.
Oocyte growth, follicular complex formation and extracellular-matrix remodeling in ovarian maturation of the imperial zebra pleco fish Hypancistrus zebra
Authors: Viana Ivana Kerly S. , Gonçalves Liziane A. B. , Ferreira Maria Auxiliadora P. , Mendes Yanne A. , Rocha Rossineide M.
Published: September 2018

This contribution describes the growth of oocytes, addressing the formation of structures that compose the follicular complex, as well as the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, specifically laminin, fibronectin and type IV collagen during gonadal maturation. Thirty-seven females of the Acari zebra fish,Hypancistrus zebrawere captured and the ovaries were submitted to histological processing for light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry techniques. Oogonia and four stages (I – IV) of oocytes were distinguished, and structures such as the postovulatory follicle and atretic oocytes (initial and advanced atresia) were observed. The follicular complex consists of the mature oocyte, zona radiata (Zr1, Zr2 and Zr3), follicular cells, basement membrane and theca. During oocyte growth, proteins of the extracellular matrix showed different intensities of staining. Based on these observations, a model of oocyte growth is proposed to define specific characteristics of the oocyte and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix in the ovary ofH.zebra. This model of oocyte growth can be extended to other species of ornamental fishes. This study contributes data for induced fertilization and eventual conservation of this species.
Infant-directed speech facilitates seven-month-old infants’ cortical tracking of speech
Authors: Kalashnikova Marina , Peter Varghese , Di Liberto Giovanni M. , Lalor Edmund C. , Burnham Denis
Published: September 2018

This study assessed cortical tracking of temporal information in incoming natural speech in seven-month-old infants. Cortical tracking refers to the process by which neural activity follows the dynamic patterns of the speech input. In adults, it has been shown to involve attentional mechanisms and to facilitate effective speech encoding. However, in infants, cortical tracking or its effects on speech processing have not been investigated. This study measured cortical tracking of speech in infants and, given the involvement of attentional mechanisms in this process, cortical tracking of both infant-directed speech (IDS), which is highly attractive to infants, and the less captivating adult-directed speech (ADS), were compared. IDS is the speech register parents use when addressing young infants. In comparison to ADS, it is characterised by several acoustic qualities that capture infants’ attention to linguistic input and assist language learning. Seven-month-old infants’ cortical responses were recorded via electroencephalography as they listened to IDS or ADS recordings. Results showed stronger low-frequency cortical tracking of the speech envelope in IDS than in ADS. This suggests that IDS has a privileged status in facilitating successful cortical tracking of incoming speech which may, in turn, augment infants’ early speech processing and even later language development.