bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An efficient CuI/DBU-catalyzed one-pot protocol for synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles
Authors: Jiang Yuqin , Li Xingfeng , Zhao Yaru , Jia Shuhong , Li Mingrui , Zhao Zhiqi , Zhang Ruili , Li Wei , Zhang Weiwei
Published: November 2016

A convenient CuI/DBU catalyzed one-pot method has been developed for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles from aryl iodides, sodium azide and phenylacetaldehyde derivatives or from aryl iodides, sodium azide and alkynes in DMSO.
Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of reverse water–gas shift reaction using a Rh–Mo6S8cluster
Authors: Cao Zhaoru , Guo Ling , Liu Naying , Zheng Xiaoli , Li Wenli , Shi Yayin , Guo Juan , Xi Yaru
Published: November 2016

The reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction catalyzed by a Rh–Mo6S8cluster is investigated using density functional theory calculations.
Efficient sensing of fluoride ions in water using a novel water soluble self-assembled supramolecular sensor based on pillar[5]arene
Authors: Lin Qi , Zheng Feng , Liu Lu , Mao Peng-Peng , Zhang You-Ming , Yao Hong , Wei Tai-Bao
Published: November 2016

By rationally introducing competitive coordination, the supramolecular sensors could reversibly sense Fe3+ and F− in water with high selectivity and sensitivity.
Carbohydrate compounds as green corrosion inhibitors: electrochemical, XPS, DFT and molecular dynamics simulation studies
Authors: Yadav M. , Sarkar T. K. , Obot I. B.
Published: November 2016

Corrosion inhibition effect of 5,6-bis(2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)hydrazono)hexane-1,2,3,4-tetraol (BIHT) and 5,6-bis(2-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)hydrazono)hexane-1,2,3,4-tetraol (MIHT) on N80 steel in 15% HCl was measured by electrochemical method.
Tailored activated carbons for supercapacitors derived from hydrothermally carbonized sugars by chemical activation
Authors: Lee Kian Keat , Hao Wenming , Gustafsson Mikaela , Tai Cheuk-Wai , Morin Daniel , Björkman Eva , Lilliestråle Malte , Björefors Fredrik , Andersson Anna M. , Hedin Niklas
Published: November 2016

“Sugar”-supercapacitors: analyses of textural properties revealed that the specific capacitances for glucose derived-activated carbons correlated most strongly with ultramicropores.
Selective synthesis of unsymmetric dibenzo[a,e]pentalenes by a rhodium-catalysed stitching reaction
Authors: Takahashi Keisuke , Ito Shingo , Shintani Ryo , Nozaki Kyoko
Published: November 2016

A rhodium-catalysed stitching reaction between 2-(silylethynyl)arylboronates and 2-(silylethynyl)aryl bromides has been developed for the synthesis of unsymmetric dibenzo[a,e]pentalenes.
Multipass inkjet printed planar methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells
Authors: Mathies Florian , Abzieher Tobias , Hochstuhl Adam , Glaser Konstantin , Colsmann Alexander , Paetzold Ulrich W. , Hernandez-Sosa Gerardo , Lemmer Uli , Quintilla Aina
Published: November 2016

Multipass inkjet printing and vacuum drying of MAPbI3perovskite for better film thickness and crystal size control.
A selectively decorated Ti-FeOOH co-catalyst for a highly efficient porous hematite-based water splitting system
Authors: Yoon Ki-Yong , Ahn Hyo-Jin , Kwak Myung-Jun , Kim Sun-I. , Park Juhyung , Jang Ji-Hyun
Published: November 2016

We report an efficient Ti-doped FeOOH (Ti-FeOOH) co-catalyst applied on SiOx thin layer coated Ti-doped porous Fe2O3 (Ti-PH) to realize an excellent water splitting photoelectrochemical cell.
Smart utilization of cobaltite-based double perovskite cathodes on barrier-layer-free zirconia electrolyte of solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Li Meng , Chen Kongfa , Hua Bin , Luo Jing-li , Rickard William D. A. , Li Jian , Irvine John T. S. , Jiang San Ping
Published: November 2016

Cathode/electrolyte interface could be formed by electrochemical polarization, offering new opportunities for direct application of double perovskites to YSZ-based SOFCs.
A respiration-detective graphene oxide/lithium battery
Authors: Ye Minghui , Cheng Huhu , Gao Jian , Li Changxia , Qu Liangti
Published: November 2016

A self-powered and respiration-detective Li–GOF battery is prepared to both supply electricity and detect human respiration in real time.
Li-ion and Na-ion transportation and storage properties in various sized TiO2spheres with hierarchical pores and high tap density
Authors: Li Yong , Wang Shuan , He Yan-Bing , Tang Linkai , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Lv Wei , Lin Zhiqun , Li Baohua , Yang Quan-Hong , Kang Feiyu
Published: November 2016

The pore distribution and the size of titanium oxide spheres were found to exert profound influence on the Li-ion and Na-ion storage and transportation.
Two-dimensional van der Waals nanocomposites as Z-scheme type photocatalysts for hydrogen production from overall water splitting
Authors: Fu Cen-Feng , Luo Qiquan , Li Xingxing , Yang Jinlong
Published: November 2016

Theoretical design of two-dimensional Z-scheme photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water splitting.
MOF-derived bi-metal embedded N-doped carbon polyhedral nanocages with enhanced lithium storage
Authors: Huang Man , Mi Kan , Zhang Junhao , Liu Huili , Yu Tingting , Yuan Aihua , Kong Qinghong , Xiong Shenglin
Published: November 2016

Co–Zn/N–C polyhedral nanocages: porous bimetallic Co/Zn embedded N-doped carbon (Co–Zn/N–C) polyhedral nanocages have been synthesized through annealing a ZIF-8@ZIF-67 precursor for the first time. The excellent lithium-storage ability is attributed to the unique structure of Co–Zn/N–C.
Horizontal molecular orientation of light-emitting oligofluorenes in spin-coated glassy organic thin films
Authors: Zhao Li , Komino Takeshi , Kim Dae Hyeon , Sazzad Muhammad Hasnan , Pitrat Delphine , Mulatier Jean-Christophe , Andraud Chantal , Ribierre Jean-Charles , Adachi Chihaya
Published: November 2016

This work demonstrates that a nearly perfect horizontal molecular orientation of guest emitters can be achieved in spin-coated doped films.
The Impact of Minimal to Mild Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Adults
Authors: Roup Christina M.
Published: November 2016

The relationship between the pure-tone audiogram and the categorization of normal hearing or a mild hearing loss fails to account for other important non-audiometric factors that impact hearing ability for approximately one-third of adults. In order to obtain a complete hearing profile of our patients who present with normal hearing or a mild hearing loss, it is necessary to consider more than simply the results of the pure-tone audiogram. Both subjective hearing handicap via questionnaire and suprathreshold auditory measures (especially in background noise) have been shown to be sensitive to deficits not captured by the pure-tone audiogram. Viable treatment options with demonstrated benefit, such as mild-gain amplification, should be considered for this population.
Information Systems Acquisition Decisions: Learning Management System of SolBridge
Authors: Hameed Tahir , Swar Bobby
Published: November 2016

SolBridge, a young business school in South Korea, acquired an open-source learning management system (LMS) in early years of its operation. It switched to an on-premises proprietary LMS a few years later. However, before renewal of its annual license SolBridge was caught in a typical dilemma of information systems acquisition (IS acquisition), i.e., keeping the costs lowest while maximizing user and organizational benefits. The decision was made more complex by newly available cloud-hosting options. SolBridge CIO analyzed the total cost of ownership (TCO) and benefits of several options before recommending one of them to school management. This case provides senior undergraduate or graduate students with an opportunity to assume the role of SolBridge CIO and analyze TCO for its next LMS. Not only will they realize the managerial challenges involved in selection and acquisition of enterprise information systems but they will also learn about the economic feasibility of on-premises and cloud-hosting options. It also becomes visible to them that organizations grapple with unceasing technological and organizational changes. Therefore, flexibility and scalability emerge as key elements of modern IT infrastructure.
The advantages of functional phenotyping in pre-field screening for drought-tolerant crops
Authors: Negin Boaz , Moshelion Menachem
Published: November 2016

Increasing worldwide demand for food, feed and fuel presents a challenge in light of limited resources and climatic challenges. Breeding for stress tolerance and drought tolerance, in particular, is one the most challenging tasks facing breeders. The comparative screening of immense numbers of plant and gene candidates and their interactions with the environment represents a major bottleneck in this process. We suggest four key components to be considered in pre-field screens (phenotyping) for complex traits under drought conditions: (i) where, when and under which conditions to phenotype; (ii) which traits to phenotype; (iii) how to phenotype (which method); and (iv) how to translate collected data into knowledge that can be used to make practical decisions. We describe some common pitfalls, including inadequate phenotyping methods, incorrect terminology and the inappropriate use of non-relevant traits as markers for drought tolerance. We also suggest the use of more non-imaging, physiology-based, high-throughput phenotyping systems, which, used in combination with soil–plant–atmosphere continuum (SPAC) measurements and fitting models of plant responses to continuous and fluctuating environmental conditions, should be further investigated in order to serve as a phenotyping tool to better understand and characterise plant stress response. In the future, we assume that many of today’s phenotyping challenges will be solved by technology and automation, leaving us with the main challenge of translating large amounts of accumulated data into meaningful knowledge and decision making tools.
A systematic approach to evaluating and ranking the relative animal welfare impacts of wildlife control methods: poisons used for lethal control of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand
Authors: Beausoleil N. J. , Fisher P. , Littin K. E. , Warburton B. , Mellor D. J. , Dalefield R. R. , Cowan P.
Published: November 2016

Context
Control of unwanted wildlife (‘pest’ animals) is undertaken for conservation and economic reasons, and when such animals are considered a nuisance. Such control should be undertaken using approaches that minimise, as far as possible, detrimental impacts on the welfare of the animals. Using a scientific framework based on the Five Domains model, the relative welfare impacts of pest control methods can be compared across methods and pest species.

Aims
We demonstrate the application of a modified version of this framework to evaluate the relative impacts of seven Vertebrate Toxic Agents (VTAs) used to control brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand. The evaluation is used to produce a ranking of the seven VTAs based on their relative impacts on possum welfare.

Methods
Scientific literature describing mode of toxic action, specific effects in possums or other animals and reports from human poisonings was collated as reference material for a panel of six experts. The panel produced a median welfare impact score (‘none’ to ‘extreme’) for each of the Five Domains. The ‘Overall Grade’ (1 to 8) reflected the intensity and duration of all impacts of a VTA on possums.

Key results
All VTAs evaluated have at least moderate impacts on possum welfare, lasting for at least minutes. Cyanide was assessed as having the lowest welfare impacts (median grade 4), and cholecalciferol and the anticoagulants the highest impacts (7.5 to 8). Zinc phosphide was assigned an intermediate grade (6) with high confidence. While the overall impacts of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) and phosphorus were also assessed as intermediate (6), the panel’s confidence in these scores was low.

Conclusions
From an animal welfare perspective, anticoagulant poisons and cholecalciferol should be the least preferred options for controlling possums in New Zealand, as VTAs with less severe welfare impacts are available.

Implications
The results of such assessments allow animal welfare impacts to be integrated with other factors in wildlife management decision-making and policy development, and are thus useful for managers, researchers, regulators and operators. Evaluation of welfare impacts aligns with the goals and mandates of ethical wildlife control and may also be valuable in wider wildlife research and management activities.
Structural and functional analysis of an anchorless fibronectin-binding protein FBPS from Gram-positive bacterium
Streptococcus suis
Authors: Musyoki Abednego Moki , Shi Zhongyu , Xuan Chunling , Lu Guangwen , Qi Jianxun , Gao Feng , Zheng Beiwen , Zhang Qiangmin , Li Yan , Haywood Joel , Liu Cuihua , Yan Jinghua , Shi Yi , Gao George F.
Published: November 2016

Significance

Gram-positive bacteria have evolved to use host fibronectin via molecules called “fibronectin-binding proteins” (FnBPs) to execute their host-interaction functions. The anchorless FnBPs, for which neither structural information nor a well-defined function is available, were recently proposed to be important virulence factors. Our work illustrates the organization of fibronectin/fibrinogen-binding protein from
Streptococcus suis
(FBPS), a representative member of the anchorless FnBP group from
S
.
suis
, by small-angle X-ray scattering and describes two terminal-half structures at high resolution. The C-terminal half of FBPS interacts with fibronectin and the N-terminal half attaches to the bacterial surface. Functionally, FBPS contributes to the bacterial pathogenesis both as an adhesin and as a chemokine stimulator.
I corpora diacronici delle lingue romanze
Authors: Schirato Giovanna
Published: November 2016

This paper presents a survey of the diachroniccorporaavailable online for the study of the Romance languages. In the first place the makeup of eachcorpusis described, indicating the number of texts and tokens included and the manner of classification of the documents following chronological, typological and diatopic criteria. After having examined the problems involved in lemmatization and morphosyntactic annotation, the paper will look at query options with a view to possible research into lexicon, morphology, syntax and semantics. A short conclusion will consist in the presentation of the MIDIAcorpus, published in June 2014, which represents the first tool devised for the study of Italian from a lengthy diachronic perspective (from the earliest texts to the mid-twentieth century).
The effect of alloying elements on the corrosion resistance of brass
Authors: Claesson E. , Rod O.
Published: November 2016

A systematic study has been performed on the effect of alloying elements arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and phosphorus (P) on the dezincification resistance of α-phase in brass. The result showed that P formed particles with Al and Fe already at relatively high temperatures, leaving no P in solid solution and thus no protection against dezincification. Arsenic only formed particles at lower temperatures and offers a satisfactory protecting. However, with increasing As levels grain boundary attack was observed. Samples alloyed with Sb show a satisfactory resistance to dezincification and no grain boundary attack. Finally, a combination of As and Sb at low alloying levels provided an excellent dezincification resistance for brass containing typical impurity levels.

This paper is part of a Themed Issue on Brass Alloys.
Practical large-scale production of dihydrocapsiate, a nonpungent capsaicinoid-like substance
Authors: Kurosawa Wataru , Nakano Takashi , Amino Yusuke
Published: November 2016

Capsinoids represent a novel group of capsaicinoid-like substances found in a nonpungent cultivar, Capsicum annuum “CH-19 Sweet.” They have capsaicinoid-like physiological and biological properties while lacking the harmful stimuli of capsaicinoids. A large-scale synthesis of dihydrocapsiate (DCT) is established in this work. 8-Methynonanoic acid (MNA) was synthesized by copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of ethyl 6-bromohexanoate with isobutylmagnesium bromide and subsequent hydrolysis. Lipase-catalyzed chemoselective esterification of vanillyl alcohol and MNA was performed at 50 °C under reduced pressure to remove water without solvents or drying agents. A slightly larger stoichiometric amount of MNA was used and the purification in the final stage was simplified to leave a small amount of MNA in the product, because we found that the presence of a small amount of MNA is necessary to stabilize DCT. DCT was synthesized according to the production, and stabilization methods described here has been filed as a new dietary ingredient.
Forensic Evaluators' Self-Reported Engagement in Culturally Competent Practices
Authors: Kois Lauren , Chauhan Preeti
Published: November 2016

Cultural competence is a rising concern within the sub-specialty of forensic evaluation and will grow in need as the population diversifies. We surveyed 100 forensic evaluators to explore issues related to cultural competence. Overall, evaluators differed demographically from those they evaluate. Self-reported culturally competent practices varied, suggesting that evaluators do not always uphold practice guidelines. Evaluators' training variety was associated with an increased likelihood to address communication difficulties with evaluatees. Evaluators who saw more racially and linguistically diverse evaluatees were more likely to participate in culturally sensitive case formulation practices. We conclude with implications for practice at the individual and institutional levels and directions for research.
The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale - 11 Among a Portuguese Sample of Female Juvenile Delinquents and Community Youths
Authors: Pechorro Pedro , Ayala-Nunes Lara , Nunes Cristina , Maia Ângela , Gonçalves Rui Abrunhosa
Published: November 2016

Impulsivity among incarcerated female juvenile offenders is an understudied area of research. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11) among a Portuguese sample of female participants (N = 377, mean age = 16.23 years, SD = 1.38) recruited from forensic and school contexts. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the expected six-factor first-order structure, but not the three-factor second-order structure. Acceptable levels of internal consistency were mostly obtained, but some dimensions showed somewhat lower than expected values. Convergent validity with measures of psychopathic and callous-unemotional traits, and discriminant validity with a measure of social anxiety was demonstrated. In terms of criterion-related validity significant associations were found with relevant variables (e.g., age of crime onset, conduct disorder symptoms, alcohol, and drug use). The use of the BIS-11 among female juvenile delinquents and community youth is psychometrically justified and it can be considered a useful measure to identify impulsive adolescents.
Physicochemical Properties of Pueraria Root Starches and Their Effect on the Improvement of Buckwheat Noodle Quality
Authors: Liang Jie , Maeda Tomoko , Tao Xiang‐Lin , Wu Yue‐Hui , Tang Han‐Jun
Published: November 2016

The physicochemical properties of starches from cultivated Pueraria thomsonii Benth were examined and compared with those of P. lobata (Willd.) Ohwi and other root starches, and the effect of pueraria root starches on the improvement of buckwheat noodle quality was investigated. The total content of isoflavones in P. thomsonii root starches was higher than in P. lobata root starches, and the size and uniformity of those particles displayed a significant difference. The gel stabilities of pueraria root starches were similar and more favorable than those of potato starch and sweet potato starch. For the amylose molecular properties of pueraria root starches, the λmax and blue value index were higher than those of the potato starch and the sweet potato starch, whereas the amylose content and degree of polymerization were much lower in comparison. However, amylopectin branch lengths of pueraria root starches were shorter. Thus, pueraria root starches could improve the quality of buckwheat noodles and enhance their nutritional function. Therefore, pueraria root starches may be regarded as raw materials that influence the quality of buckwheat noodles.
Identification of Alternaria Species Causing Heart Rot of Pomegranates in California
Authors: Luo Y. , Hou L. , Förster H. , Pryor B. , Adaskaveg J. E.
Published: November 2016

Alternaria heart rot of pomegranate fruit is generally considered a minor disease. However, the current listing of the causal pathogen in California as “Alternaria sp.” or as “A. alternata and other Alternaria spp.” restricts trade of the crop to some major export markets where quarantines are in place in an effort to prevent the spread of unknown or undescribed pathogens. Thus, species identification of the pathogen is critical in determining whether infected fruit should be regulated by quarantines. In this study, 86 isolates of Alternaria were collected from pomegranate fruit with Alternaria heart rot symptoms from major production areas in California. An unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means analysis based on amplified fragment length polymorphisms revealed two main clusters, each with a high degree of variability. One of the clusters contained 24 isolates from pomegranate and one reference isolate of Alternaria arborescens. Reference isolates of A. alternata and A. tenuissima were found among pomegranate isolates in the other cluster, and these two species could not be separated. In maximum-parsimony analysis of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer sequence data, representative pomegranate isolates all clustered with reference sequences of species in section Alternaria. Single-nucleotide differences separated A. arborescens, A. gaisen, and two pomegranate isolates from the majority of the remaining isolates. Sequence comparisons of gapdh and OPA10-2 loci indicated that none of the pomegranate isolates were identical to A. gaisen, which is a quarantine pathogen. Due to high genetic similarity and variability of morphological characteristics, revisions of the taxonomy of small-spored Alternaria spp. have been proposed by others. Based on this recent taxonomic work and work herein by us, pomegranate isolates from California can be assigned to A. alternata and A. arborescens. Reassessment of export restrictions for California pomegranate due to the previous pathogen classification is warranted. Fruit injection inoculations with conidia of 12 representative isolates 3 months before harvest caused typical symptoms of Alternaria heart rot, whereas flower inoculations did not result in fruit disease.
Targeting naturally occurring epitope variants of hepatitis C virus with high-affinity T-cell receptors
Authors: Zhang Huajun , Zhang Jianbing , Chen Lei , Weng Zhiming , Tian Ye , Zhao Haifeng , Li Youjia , Chen Lin , Liang Zhaoduan , Zheng Hongjun , Zhao Wenzhuo , Zhong Shi , Li Yi
Published: November 2016

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) readily establishes chronic infection, which is characterized by failure of virus-specific CD8+ T cells. HCV uses epitope mutation and T-cell exhaustion to escape from the host immune response. Previously, we engineered high-affinity T-cell receptors (HATs) targeting human immunodeficiency virus escape mutants. In this study, the affinity of a T-cell receptor specific for the HLA-A2-restricted HCV immunodominant epitope NS3 1406–1415 (KLVALGINAV) was improved from a KD of 6.6 µM to 40 pM. These HATs could also target HCV NS3 naturally occurring variants, including an escape variant vrt1 (KLVVLGINAV), with high affinities. The HATs can be used as high-affinity targeting molecules at the centre of the immune synapse for the HLA-restricted NS3 antigen. By fusing the HAT with a T-cell activation molecule, an anti-CD3 single-chain variable fragment, we constructed a molecule called high-affinity T-cell activation core (HATac), which can redirect functional CTLs possessing any specificity to recognize and kill cells presenting HCV NS3 antigens. This capability was verified with T2 cells loaded with prototype or variant peptides and HepG2 cells expressing the truncated NS3 prototype or variant proteins. The results indicate that HATac targeting the HLA-restricted NS3 antigen may provide a useful tool for circumventing immune escape mutants and T-cell exhaustion caused by HCV infection.
Computing structure-based lipid accessibility of membrane proteins withmp_lipid_accin RosettaMP
Authors: Koehler Leman Julia , Lyskov Sergey , Bonneau Richard
Published: November 2016

Background

Membrane proteins are vastly underrepresented in structural databases, which has led to a lack of computational tools and the corresponding inappropriate use of tools designed for soluble proteins. For membrane proteins, lipid accessibility is an essential property. Even though programs are available for sequence-based prediction of lipid accessibility and structure-based identification of solvent-accessible surface area, the latter does not distinguish between water accessible and lipid accessible residues in membrane proteins.

Results

Here we presentmp_lipid_acc, the first method to identify lipid accessible residues from the protein structure, implemented in the RosettaMP framework and available as a webserver. Our method uses protein structures transformed in membrane coordinates, for instance from PDBTM or OPM databases, and a defined membrane thickness to classify lipid accessibility of residues.mp_lipid_accis applicable to both α-helical and β-barrel membrane proteins of diverse architectures with or without water-filled pores and uses a concave hull algorithm for classification. We further provide a manually curated benchmark dataset, on which our method achieves prediction accuracies of 90%.

Conclusion

We present a novel tool to classify lipid accessibility from the protein structure, which is applicable to proteins of diverse architectures and achieves prediction accuracies of 90% on a manually curated database.mp_lipid_accis part of the Rosetta software suite, available atwww.rosettacommons.org. The webserver is available athttp://rosie.graylab.jhu.edu/mp_lipid_acc/submitand the benchmark dataset is available athttp://tinyurl.com/mp-lipid-acc-dataset.

Supplementary information

Supplementary information is available atBMC Bioinformatics.
Spike interval coding of translatory optic flow and depth from motion in the fly visual system
Authors: Longden Kit D. , Wicklein Martina , Hardcastle Ben J. , Huston Stephen J. , Krapp Holger G.
Published: November 2016

Many animals use the visual motion generated by travelling straight, the translatory optic flow, to successfully navigate obstacles: near objects appear larger and to move more quickly than distant objects. Flies are expert at navigating cluttered environments, and while their visual processing of rotatory optic flow is understood in exquisite detail, how they process translatory optic flow remains a mystery. Here, we present novel cell types that have motion receptive fields matched to translation self-motion, the vertical translation (VT) cells. One of these, the VT1 cell, encodes forward sideslip self-motion, and fires action potentials in clusters - spike bursts. We show that the spike burst coding is size and speed-tuned, and is selectively modulated by motion parallax - the relative motion experienced during translation. These properties are spatially organized, so that the cell is most excited by clutter rather than isolated objects. When the fly is presented with a simulation of flying past an elevated object, the spike burst activity is modulated by the height of the object, and the single spike rate is unaffected. When the moving object alone is experienced, the cell is weakly driven. Meanwhile, the VT2-3 cells have motion receptive fields matched to the lift axis. In conjunction with previously described horizontal cells, the VT cells have properties well-suited to the visual navigation of clutter and to encode the fly’s movements along near cardinal axes of thrust, lift and forward sideslip.

Highlights

VT1 is a novel cell encoding sideslip translatory optic flow with spike bursts

Spike burst rate is modulated by size, speed and motion parallax to detect clutter

These properties enable spike bursting to signal object depth from motion

VT2-3 are complementary novel cells with receptive fields matching lift translation
Adaptation modulates correlated response variability in visual cortex
Authors: Wright Nathaniel C. , Hoseini Mahmood S. , Wessel Ralf
Published: November 2016

Cortical sensory responses are highly variable across stimulus presentations. This variability can be correlated across neurons (due to some combination of dense intracortical connectivity, cortical activity level, and cortical state), with fundamental implications for population coding. Yet the interpretation of correlated response variability (or “noise correlation”) has remained fraught with difficulty, in part because of the restriction to extracellular neuronal spike recordings. Here, we measured response variability and its correlation at the most microscopic level of electrical neural activity, the membrane potential, by obtaining dual whole-cell recordings from pairs of cortical pyramidal neurons during visual processing. We found that during visual stimulation, correlated variability adapts towards an intermediate level and that this correlation dynamic is mediated by intracortical mechanisms. A model network with external inputs, synaptic depression, and structure reproduced the observed dynamics of correlated variability. These results establish that intracortical adaptation self-organizes cortical circuits towards a balanced regime at which network coordination maintains an intermediate level.
lncRNA-screen: an interactive platform for computationally screening long non-coding RNAs in large genomics datasets
Authors: Gong Yixiao , Huang Hsuan-Ting , Liang Yu , Trimarchi Thomas , Aifantis Iannis , Tsirigos Aristotelis
Published: November 2016

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as a class of factors that are important for regulating development and cancer. Computational prediction of lncRNAs from ultra-deep RNA sequencing has been successful in identifying candidate lncRNAs. However, the complexity of handling and integrating different types of genomics data poses significant challenges to experimental laboratories that lack extensive genomics expertise. To address this issue, we have developed lncRNA-screen, a comprehensive pipeline for computationally screening putative lncRNA transcripts over large multimodal datasets. The main objective of this work is to facilitate the computational discovery of lncRNA candidates to be further examined by functional experiments. lncRNA-screen provides a fully automated easy-to-run pipeline which performs data download, RNA-seq alignment, assembly, quality assessment, transcript filtration, novel lncRNA identification, coding potential estimation, expression level quantification, histone mark enrichment profile integration, differential expression analysis, annotation with other type of segmented data (CNVs, SNPs, Hi-C, etc.) and visualization. Importantly, lncRNA-screen generates an interactive report summarizing all interesting lncRNA features including genome browser snapshots and lncRNA-mRNA interactions based on Hi-C data. In summary, our pipeline provides a comprehensive solution for lncRNA discovery and an intuitive interactive report for identifying promising lncRNA candidates. lncRNA-screen is available as free open-source software on GitHub.
Y-RNA and tRNA Cleavage by RNase L Mediates Terminal dsRNA Response
Authors: Donovan Jesse , Rath Sneha , Kolet-Mandrikov David , Korennykh Alexei
Published: November 2016

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a danger signal that triggers endonucleolytic degradation of RNA inside infected and stressed mammalian cells. This mechanism inhibits growth and ultimately removes problematic cells via apoptosis. To elucidate the molecular functions of this program and understand the connection between RNA cleavage and programmed cell death, we visualized dsRNA-induced degradation of human small RNAs using RtcB ligase-assisted RNA sequencing (RtcB RNA-seq). RtcB RNA-seq revealed strong cleavage of select transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and autoantigenic Y-RNAs, and identified the innate immune receptor RNase L as the responsible endoribonuclease. RNase L cleaves the non-coding RNA (ncRNA) targets site-specifically, releasing abundant ncRNA fragments, and downregulating full-length tRNAs and Y-RNAs. The depletion of a single Y-RNA, RNY1, appears particularly important and the loss of this Y-RNA is sufficient to initiate apoptosis. Site-specific cleavage of small ncRNA by RNase L thus emerges as an important terminal step in dsRNA surveillance.
A Preliminary Study of Insect Succession in Al‐Ahsaa Oasis, in the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Shaalan Essam A. , El‐Moaty Zeinab A. , Abdelsalam Salaheldin , Anderson Gail S.
Published: November 2016

Rabbit carcass decomposition was examined in four seasons in Al‐Ahsaa Oasis. Decomposition rate was significantly faster in summer compared with other seasons. Fourteen insect species from four orders and seven families were recorded: Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Formicidae, Histeridae, Dermestidae, and Tenebrionidae. Most of the fly maggots collected were Calliphoridae with only one species from both Muscidae and Sarcophagidae. Maggots of Calliphora vicina (R.‐D.) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) colonized the carcasses in all seasons while both Ch. bezziana (Villeneuve) and Lucilia sericata (Meigen) were found in all seasons except for winter. Maggots of Chrysomya megacephala (F.) and Phormia regina (Meigen) were only collected in the summer and autumn, respectively. Four coleopteran species were collected: Hymenorus sp., Saprinus chacites (Illiger), Dermestes maculatus DeGeer and Blaps sp. One formicidian species, Pheidole megacephala (F.), was observed in all seasons. Insect richness was greater, and decomposition rate was faster in summer compared with other seasons.
Impact of Swift and Certain Sanctions
Authors: Hamilton Zachary , Campbell Christopher M. , van Wormer Jacqueline , Kigerl Alex , Posey Brianne
Published: November 2016

Research Summary

In the wake of the mass incarceration movement, many states must now manage the rebound of decarceration. Thermodynamic forces of the justice system, however, have pushed former fiscal pressures of institutions onto that of community corrections. Encouraged by the positive findings of recently piloted innovations, several jurisdictions have taken great interest in the implementation of deterrence‐based sanctioning models when dealing with supervision violations. Among the first to implement a statewide turn to this style of sanctioning, Washington State's swift‐and‐certain (SAC) policy was implemented in June 2012. The intent of SAC was to expand the model found in Hawaii's Opportunity Probation and Enforcement (HOPE) to a wider criminal justice population, while emphasizing the reduction of confinement costs. This study focused on the impact of SAC with regard to supervision outcomes for participants. By using a quasi‐experimental design, we examined confinement, recidivism, treatment, violation, and costs outcomes of SAC participants. Findings reveal that SAC participants were found to incur fewer sanctioned incarceration days after a violation, reduced odds of recidivism, possessed greater treatment program utilization, reduced their propensity of committing violations over time, and as a result, imposed lower correctional and associated costs. The SAC model provides noteworthy positive effects and no appreciable negative impacts on public safety.

Policy Implications

We further discuss the impact of SAC in the context of deterrence‐based sanctioning. Specifically, we explain how practices such as SAC may impact the future of sanctioning community supervision conditions. Although many policies that emphasize deterrence demonstrate inconsistent findings, immediate advantages of SAC take the form of fiscal savings, indicating that these novel methods provide a form of justice reinvestment. Additionally, connecting deterrence‐based supervision methods to reductions in most recidivism measures suggests that proportionality and quality assurance may increase the effectiveness of these policies. We recommend ways that such nuanced implementation may be fruitful, as well as suggest ways of conceptualizing the theory of deterrence. Policy makers can appropriately work its components into supervision practice without depreciating the importance of treatment and addressing criminogenic needs.
Foetal Ureaplasma parvum bacteraemia as a function of gestation‐dependent complement insufficiency: Evidence from a sheep model of pregnancy
Authors: Kemp Matthew W. , Ahmed Shatha , Beeton Michael L. , Payne Matthew S. , Saito Masatoshi , Miura Yuichiro , Usuda Haruo , Kallapur Suhas G. , Kramer Boris W. , Stock Sarah J. , Jobe Alan H. , Newnham John P. , Spiller Owen B.
Published: November 2016

Problem

Complement is a central defence against sepsis, and increasing complement insufficiency in neonates of greater prematurity may predispose to increased sepsis. Ureaplasma spp. are the most frequently cultured bacteria from preterm blood samples.

Method of study

A sheep model of intrauterine Ureaplasma parvum infection was used to examine in vivo Ureaplasma bacteraemia at early and late gestational ages. Complement function and Ureaplasma killing assays were used to determine the correlation between complement potency and bactericidal activity of sera ex vivo.

Results

Ureaplasma was cultured from 50% of 95‐day gestation lamb cord blood samples compared to 10% of 125‐day gestation lambs. Bactericidal activity increased with increased gestational age, and a direct correlation between functional complement activity and bactericidal activity (R2=.86; P<.001) was found for 95‐day gestational lambs.

Conclusions

Ureaplasma bacteraemia in vivo was confined to early preterm lambs with low complement function, but Ureaplasma infection itself did not diminish complement levels.
Bodies That Walk, Bodies That Talk, Bodies That Love: Palestinian Women Refugees, Affectivity, and the Politics of the Ordinary
Authors: Salih Ruba
Published: November 2016

In this article I interrogate what is lost in war and displacement through the affective memories of Palestinian refugee women who remember through their body and what their body has endured. I reflect on how bodies and spaces connect and disconnect at violent junctures, and on the vital forces vulnerability and precariousness ignite in displacement. Throughout the geography of separations and shifting shelters, refugee women engaged in place‐making, transforming the transience enforced by their continuous evictions into the permanence of home, not as a static identity‐place‐nation, but as a site of dynamic affective, social relations and connections. Read through Michael Hardt's metaphor of “social muscles”, as bodily and emotional drives that blur the boundaries of intimate and social spaces, affective memories can serve as a political horizon that redesigns, in Arendtian terms, the love for the nation as love for concrete relations and for existing in the world.
Study of Greek children and youths with cystic fibrosis identifies immunisation gaps and delays
Authors: Maltezou Helena C. , Doudounakis Stavros , Lekaditi Maria , Tanou Kalliopi , Katerelos Panos , Theodoridou Maria
Published: November 2016

Aim

Data about immunisation rates in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are scarce. We estimated the rates and timeliness of immunisations in CF patients aged 0.55–22 years.

Methods

We studied 122 subjects at a hospital in Greece in 2014. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data and parents' opinions about immunisations.

Results

The complete immunisation rates were 92.6% for diphtheria–tetanus–acellular pertussis‐inactivated poliomyelitis‐Haemophilus influenzae (DTaP‐IPV‐Hib), 96.7% for hepatitis A, 97.4% for hepatitis B, 97.4% for measles–mumps–rubella, 85.1% for the varicella zoster virus, 85.1% for the meningococcus C conjugate, 84.3% for the pneumococcus conjugate and 58.9% for the bacillus Calmette‐Guérin vaccine. Immunisation rates in youths were 64.4% for DTaP‐IPV, 26.8% for the tetravalent meningococcus conjugate vaccine and 54.1% for the human papilloma virus vaccine. In addition, 30.1% received the 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and 45.6% received annual influenza vaccines. Complete, up‐to‐date immunisation rates fell from 61.4% at 12 months of age to 14.5% at six and 12 years. All vaccines experienced delays. Most parents believed vaccines were necessary to protect their child's health.

Conclusion

Our study of children with CF found immunisation gaps with no catch‐up immunisations and these need to be administered at follow‐up visits.
Competency based training in robotic surgery: benchmark scores for virtual reality robotic simulation
Authors: Raison Nicholas , Ahmed Kamran , Fossati Nicola , Buffi Nicolò , Mottrie Alexandre , Dasgupta Prokar , Van Der Poel Henk
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To develop benchmark scores of competency for use within a competency based virtual reality (VR) robotic training curriculum.

Subjects and Methods

This longitudinal, observational study analysed results from nine European Association of Urology hands‐on‐training courses in VR simulation. In all, 223 participants ranging from novice to expert robotic surgeons completed 1565 exercises. Competency was set at 75% of the mean expert score. Benchmark scores for all general performance metrics generated by the simulator were calculated. Assessment exercises were selected by expert consensus and through learning‐curve analysis. Three basic skill and two advanced skill exercises were identified.

Results

Benchmark scores based on expert performance offered viable targets for novice and intermediate trainees in robotic surgery. Novice participants met the competency standards for most basic skill exercises; however, advanced exercises were significantly more challenging. Intermediate participants performed better across the seven metrics but still did not achieve the benchmark standard in the more difficult exercises.

Conclusion

Benchmark scores derived from expert performances offer relevant and challenging scores for trainees to achieve during VR simulation training. Objective feedback allows both participants and trainers to monitor educational progress and ensures that training remains effective. Furthermore, the well‐defined goals set through benchmarking offer clear targets for trainees and enable training to move to a more efficient competency based curriculum.
U.S. Military Children and the Wartime Deployments of Family Members
Authors: MacDermid Wadsworth Shelley , Bailey Keisha M. , Coppola Elizabeth C.
Published: November 2016

In 2014, 1.8 million American children lived in military families, and they represented only a fraction of the U.S. children exposed directly to parents' wartime deployments over the past 15 years. In this article, we summarize recent research about military children in U.S. families and propose directions for research. Emerging from studies across the country are troubling elevations in levels of risky behaviors and mental health problems in military children, particularly when their parents have been deployed. The experiences of children in military families can help us understand risk and resilience not just in military children but in children in the general population.
Urinary tract and genital infections in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Li Dandan , Wang Tiansheng , Shen Su , Fang Zhenwei , Dong Yue , Tang Huilin
Published: November 2016

Aims

To evaluate the effects of different sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and genital infections in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Materials and methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to October 9, 2016 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the occurrence of UTIs and genital infections in patients with T2DM treated with SGLT2 inhibitors. Pairwise and network meta‐analyses were performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meta‐regression was performed to assess explanatory factors that might influence effect size.

Results

A total of 52 RCTs involving 36 689 patients were eligible for our meta‐analysis. Canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin were associated with a higher risk of genital infections than placebo, with ORs ranging from 3.21 (95% CI 2.08‐4.93) for dapagliflozin 2.5 mg to 5.23 (95% CI 3.86‐7.09) for canagliflozin 300 mg. Only dapagliflozin 10 mg led to significantly more UTIs than placebo. The increased risk of UTIs and genital infections seemed to have a dose–response relationship for dapagliflozin only. No factors that had a significant modification effect on these infectious events were detected in meta‐regression analysis.

Conclusions

The present study found that canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin were associated with a significantly higher risk of genital infections compared with placebo and other active treatments. Only dapagliflozin had a dose–response relationship with UTIs and genital infections.
THE PAYOFF TO CONSISTENCY IN PERFORMANCE
Authors: Deutscher Christian , Gürtler Oliver , Prinz Joachim , Weimar Daniel
Published: November 2016

This study investigates whether firms are willing to pay higher wages to workers who demonstrate consistent performance than to those whose performance is more volatile. A formal model reflects a production technology view, assuming the law of diminishing marginal product. This model suggests that a more consistent worker produces higher expected output and therefore receives a higher wage. The test of the model uses data from the National Basketball Association. The empirical data support the model: Players whose performances were more consistent than the performances of other players received higher wages on average. (JEL D41, J31, M52, Z20)
Nutritional considerations for horses with colitis. Part 1: Nutrients and enteral nutrition
Authors: Bozorgmanesh R. , Magdesian K. G.
Published: November 2016

The equine colon is the primary site of fibre digestion and water absorption. It is therefore not surprising that colitis and associated colonic dysfunction can result in severe nutritional derangements, which can be exacerbated by reduced feed intake in affected horses. Dietary management of colitis is important for optimum recovery. In broad terms, it should prioritise provision of nutrients to horses that otherwise have reduced appetites. In some forms, such as right dorsal colitis, as well as those with chronicity, nutritional recommendations include restricting or eliminating long‐stem roughage from the diet and feeding a complete pelleted diet. Voluntary enteral nutrition is preferred, but horses that are not ingesting enough to meet the minimum recommended requirements as outlined, should be fed via nasogastric tube (if tolerated – no reflux, no ileus and no colic present; faecal output present). Parenteral nutrition may be necessary in some cases, as some colitis cases do not tolerate enteral feeding for reasons such as colic, intestinal dysmotility or abdominal distension. Timing and constitution of nutritional intervention is vital and should be tailored to the individual patient to prevent further complications of the disease process.