bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Arctic-Subarctic sea ice system is entering a seasonal regime: Implications for future Arctic amplification
Authors: Haine Thomas W. N. , Martin Torge
Published: June 2017

The loss of Arctic sea ice is a conspicuous example of climate change. Climate models project ice-free conditions during summer this century under realistic emission scenarios, reflecting the increase in seasonality in ice cover. To quantify the increased seasonality in the Arctic-Subarctic sea ice system, we define a non-dimensional seasonality number for sea ice extent, area, and volume from satellite data and realistic coupled climate models. We show that the Arctic-Subarctic, i.e. the northern hemisphere, sea ice now exhibits similar levels of seasonality to the Antarctic, which is in a seasonal regime without significant change since satellite observations began in 1979. Realistic climate models suggest that this transition to the seasonal regime is being accompanied by a maximum in Arctic amplification, which is the faster warming of Arctic latitudes compared to the global mean, in the 2010s. The strong link points to a peak in sea-ice-related feedbacks that occurs long before the Arctic becomes ice-free in summer.
Interactions between LHX3- and ISL1-family LIM-homeodomain transcription factors are conserved in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Bhati Mugdha , Llamosas Estelle , Jacques David A. , Jeffries Cy M. , Dastmalchi Siavoush , Ripin Nina , Nicholas Hannah R. , Matthews Jacqueline M.
Published: June 2017

LIM-Homeodomain (LIM-HD) transcription factors are highly conserved in animals where they are thought to act in a transcriptional ‘LIM code’ that specifies cell types, particularly in the central nervous system. In chick and mammals the interaction between two LIM-HD proteins, LHX3 and Islet1 (ISL1), is essential for the development of motor neurons. Using yeast two-hybrid analysis we showed that the Caenorhabditis elegans orthologs of LHX3 and ISL1, CEH-14 and LIM-7 can physically interact. Structural characterisation of a complex comprising the LIM domains from CEH-14 and a LIM-interaction domain from LIM-7 showed that these nematode proteins assemble to form a structure that closely resembles that of their vertebrate counterparts. However, mutagenic analysis across the interface indicates some differences in the mechanisms of binding. We also demonstrate, using fluorescent reporter constructs, that the two C. elegans proteins are co-expressed in a small subset of neurons. These data show that the propensity for LHX3 and Islet proteins to interact is conserved from C. elegans to mammals, raising the possibility that orthologous cell specific LIM-HD-containing transcription factor complexes play similar roles in the development of neuronal cells across diverse species.
Polar metal phase stabilized in strained La-doped BaTiO3films
Authors: Takahashi K. S. , Matsubara Y. , Bahramy M. S. , Ogawa N. , Hashizume D. , Tokura Y. , Kawasaki M.
Published: June 2017

Ferroelectric polarization and metallic conduction are two seemingly irreconcilable properties that cannot normally coexist in a single system, as the latter tends to screen the former. Polar metals, however, defy this rule and have thus attracted considerable attention as a new class of ferroelectrics exhibiting novel properties. Here, we fabricate a new polar metal film based on the typical ferroelectric material BaTiO3by combining chemical doping and epitaxial strain induced by a substrate. The temperature dependences of the c-axis lattice constant and the second harmonic generation intensity of La-doped BaTiO3films indicate the existence of polar transitions. In addition, through La doping, films become metallic at the polar phase, and metallicity enhancement at the polar state occurs in low-La-doped films. This intriguing behaviour is effectively explained by our first-principles calculations. Our demonstration suggests that the carrier doping to ferroelectric material with epitaxial strain serves as a new way to explore polar metals.
Dual activation of neuronal G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels by cholesterol and alcohol
Authors: Glaaser Ian W. , Slesinger Paul A.
Published: June 2017

Activation of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels leads to a hyperpolarization of the neuron’s membrane potential, providing an important component of inhibition in the brain. In addition to the canonical G protein-activation pathway, GIRK channels are activated by small molecules but less is known about the underlying gating mechanisms. One drawback to previous studies has been the inability to control intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Here we used a reconstitution strategy with highly purified mammalian GIRK2 channels incorporated into liposomes and demonstrate that cholesterol or intoxicating concentrations of ethanol, i.e., >20 mM, each activate GIRK2 channels directly, in the absence of G proteins. Notably, both activators require the membrane phospholipid PIP2 but appear to interact independently with different regions of the channel. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying G protein-independent pathways of activating GIRK channels provides a unique strategy for developing new types of neuronal excitability modulators.
Copy number alteration of neuropeptides and receptors in multiple cancers
Authors: Zhao Min , Wang Tianfang , Liu Qi , Cummins Scott
Published: June 2017

Neuropeptides are peptide hormones used as chemical signals by the neuroendocrine system to communicate between cells. Recently, neuropeptides have been recognized for their ability to act as potent cellular growth factors on many cell types, including cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanism for how this occurs is unknown. To clarify the relationship between neuropeptides and cancer, we manually curated a total of 127 human neuropeptide genes by integrating information from the literature, homologous sequences, and database searches. Using human ligand-receptor interaction data, we first identified an interactome of 226 interaction pairs between 93 neuropeptides and 133 G-protein coupled receptors. We further identified four neuropeptide-receptor functional modules with ten or more genes, all of which were highly mutated in multiple cancers. We have identified a number of neuropeptide signaling systems with both oncogenic and tumour-suppressing roles for cancer progression, such as the insulin-like growth factors. By focusing on the neuroendocrine prostate cancer mutational data, we found prevalent amplification of neuropeptide and receptors in about 72% of samples. In summary, we report the first observation of abundant copy number variations on neuropeptides and receptors, which will be valuable for the design of peptide-based cancer prognosis, diagnosis and treatment.
DRP3 and ELM1 are required for mitochondrial fission in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha
Authors: Nagaoka Nagisa , Yamashita Akihiro , Kurisu Rina , Watari Yuta , Ishizuna Fumiko , Tsutsumi Nobuhissro , Ishizaki Kimitsune , Kohchi Takayuki , Arimura Shin-ichi
Published: June 2017

Mitochondria increase in number by the fission of existing mitochondria. Mitochondrial fission is needed to provide mitochondria to daughter cells during cell division. In Arabidopsis thaliana, four kinds of genes have been reported to be involved in mitochondrial fission. Two of them, DRP3 (dynamin-related protein3) and FIS1 (FISSION1), are well conserved in eukaryotes. The other two are plant-specific ELM1 (elongated mitochondria1) and PMD (peroxisomal and mitochondrial division). To better understand the commonality and diversity of mitochondrial fission factors in land plants, we examined mitochondrial fission-related genes in a liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha. As a bryophyte, M. polymorpha has features distinct from those of the other land plant lineages. We found that M. polymorpha has single copies of homologues for DRP3, FIS1 and ELM1, but does not appear to have a homologue of PMD. Citrine-fusion proteins with MpDRP3, MpFIS1 and MpELM1 were localized to mitochondria in M. polymorpha. MpDRP3- and MpELM1-defective mutants grew slowly and had networked mitochondria, indicating that mitochondrial fission was blocked in the mutants, as expected. However, knockout of MpFIS1 did not affect growth or mitochondrial morphology. These results suggest that MpDRP3 and MpELM1 but neither MpFIS1 nor PMD are needed for mitochondrial fission in M. polymorpha.
MicroRNA profiling provides insights into post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in chickpea root apex under salinity and water deficiency
Authors: Khandal Hitaishi , Parween Sabiha , Roy Riti , Meena Mukesh Kumar , Chattopadhyay Debasis
Published: June 2017

Activity of root apical meristem (RAM) at the root apex is critical for stress-mediated modulation of root-architecture. Chickpea, like other legumes, possesses a basic open root meristem. Deep sequencing was used to perform microRNA expression profiling in root apex of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in order to investigate post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in this tissue in response to salinity and water deficit. Five small RNA libraries prepared from chickpea root apices at different stages of stress treatments were sequenced to obtain 284 unique miRNA sequences including 60 novel miRNAs belonging to total 255 families. Two hundred and fiftynine miRNAs were differentially expressed in stress. Six hundred and nine mRNA targets involved in diverse cellular processes were predicted for 244 miRNAs. Stress-responsive expression patterns of selected miRNAs, inverse expression patterns of their target genes and the target-cleavage sites were validated. Three candidate miRNA-target gene relationships were validated in transient expression system in chickpea. The miRNA expression profiling under salinity and water deficiency in a legume root apex and the reported function of their target genes suggested important roles of miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression involved in re-patterning of root hair cells, lateral root formation and high-affinity K+-uptake under these stresses.
A Light-Activated Explosive Micropropeller
Authors: Rao Qianlan , Si Tieyan , Wu Zhiguang , Xuan Mingjun , He Qiang
Published: June 2017

Self-propelled micro/nanomotors possess tremendous exciting promise in diverse fields. We describe an asymmetric, fuel-free and near-infrared light-powered torpedo micromotor, which is constructed by using a porous membrane-assisted layer-by-layer sol-gel method to form silica multilayer inside the pores, following by the deposition of gold nanoparticles on one end of the pores. In the absence of chemical fuels, the high propulsion of microtorpedoes under illumination of near-infrared light is owing to the photo-thermal effect of gold clusters, generating a thermal gradient inside the microtorpedoes. The speed of microtorpedoes is dependent on the laser powers and media. More interestingly, such fuel free-powered microtorpedoes could explode triggered by higher laser power at the predefined site and thus provide a new platform for future biomedical applications.
A Mie resonant antenna with high sensitivity for force and strain measurement
Authors: Wu Lingling , Xi Xiaoqing , Li Bo , Zhou Ji
Published: June 2017

We demonstrate the experimental and simulated performances of a Mie resonant antenna for force sensing with high sensitivity for compressive force and strain measurements inside soft materials. The proposed sensor is compatible with biological specimens and has small dimensions. It comprises a pair of dielectric cubes and an elastic layer of silicone rubber. The applied force is determined by measuring the redshift of the operating frequency when a mechanical load applied. Both simulated and experimental results demonstrate that the relationship between the frequency shift of the sensor and the applied compressive load could be fitted well using a quadratic equation with a maximum fitting error less than 17%, which enables highly sensitive telemetric force measurements to be performed inside structures by observing the operating frequency shift. The proposed design provides a simple and low-cost approach to realizing highly-efficient telemetric measurement inside soft materials such as biological tissues.
Inter-individual variability in the foraging behaviour of traplining bumblebees
Authors: Klein Simon , Pasquaretta Cristian , Barron Andrew B. , Devaud Jean-Marc , Lihoreau Mathieu
Published: June 2017

Workers of social insects, such as bees, ants and wasps, show some degree of inter-individual variability in decision-making, learning and memory. Whether these natural cognitive differences translate into distinct adaptive behavioural strategies is virtually unknown. Here we examined variability in the movement patterns of bumblebee foragers establishing routes between artificial flowers. We recorded all flower visitation sequences performed by 29 bees tested for 20 consecutive foraging bouts in three experimental arrays, each characterised by a unique spatial configuration of artificial flowers and three-dimensional landmarks. All bees started to develop efficient routes as they accumulated foraging experience in each array, and showed consistent inter-individual differences in their levels of route fidelity and foraging performance, as measured by travel speed and the frequency of revisits to flowers. While the tendency of bees to repeat the same route was influenced by their colony origin, foraging performance was correlated to body size. The largest foragers travelled faster and made less revisits to empty flowers. We discuss the possible adaptive value of such inter-individual variability within the forager caste for optimisation of colony-level foraging performances in social pollinators.
Normalized periprostatic fat MRI measurements can predict prostate cancer aggressiveness in men undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localised disease
Authors: Dahran Naief , Szewczyk-Bieda Magdalena , Wei Cheng , Vinnicombe Sarah , Nabi Ghulam
Published: June 2017

Periprostatic and pelvic fat have been shown to influence prostate cancer behaviour through the secretion of chemokines and growth factors, acting in a paracrine mode. We have measured periprostatic fat volume (PFV) with normalisation to prostate gland volume on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and have correlated this with grade (Gleason score; GS) and pathological staging (pT) of prostate cancer (PCa) following radical prostatectomy (RP). PFV was determined using a segmentation technique on contiguous T1-weighted axial MRI slices from the level of the prostate base to the apex. The abdominal fat area (AFA) and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) were measured using T1-weighted axial slices at the level of the umbilicus and the upper border of the symphysis pubis, respectively. PFV was normalised to prostate volume (PV) to account for variations in PV (NPFV = PFV/PV). Patients were stratified into three risk groups according to post-operative GS: ≤6, 7(3 + 4), and ≥7(4 + 3). NPFV was significantly different between the groups (p = 0.001) and positively correlated with post-operative GS (ρ = 0.294, p < 0.001). There was a difference in NPFV between those with upgrading of GS from 6 post prostatectomy (2.43 ± 0.98; n = 26) compared to those who continued to be low grade (1.99 ± 0.82; n = 17); however, this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.11).
Species-specific antifungal activity of blue light
Authors: Trzaska Wioleta J. , Wrigley Helen E. , Thwaite Joanne E. , May Robin C.
Published: June 2017

Fungal pathogens represent a significant threat to immunocompromised patients or individuals with traumatic injury. Strategies to efficiently remove fungal spores from hospital surfaces and, ideally, patient skin thus offer the prospect of dramatically reducing infections in at-risk patients. Photodynamic inactivation of microbial cells using light holds considerable potential as a non-invasive, minimally destructive disinfection strategy. Recent data indicate that high-intensity blue light effectively removes bacteria from surfaces, but its efficacy against fungi has not been fully tested. Here we test a wide range of fungi that are pathogenic to humans and demonstrate that blue light is effective against some, but not all, fungal species. We additionally note that secondary heating effects are a previously unrecognized confounding factor in establishing the antimicrobial activity of blue light. Thus blue light holds promise for the sterilization of clinical surfaces, but requires further optimization prior to widespread use.
A novel 3D-printed head phantom with anatomically realistic geometry and continuously varying skull resistivity distribution for electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Zhang Jie , Yang Bin , Li Haoting , Fu Feng , Shi Xuetao , Dong Xiuzhen , Dai Meng
Published: June 2017

Phantom experiments are an important step for testing during the development of new hardware or imaging algorithms for head electrical impedance tomography (EIT) studies. However, due to the sophisticated anatomical geometry and complex resistivity distribution of the human head, constructing an accurate phantom for EIT research remains challenging, especially for skull modelling. In this paper, we designed and fabricated a novel head phantom with anatomically realistic geometry and continuously varying skull resistivity distribution based on 3D printing techniques. The skull model was constructed by simultaneously printing the distinct layers inside the skull with resistivity-controllable printing materials. The entire phantom was composed of saline skin, a 3D-printed skull, saline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and 3D-printed brain parenchyma. The validation results demonstrated that the resistivity of the phantom was in good agreement with that of human tissue and was stable over time, and the new phantom performed well in EIT imaging. This paper provides a standardized, efficient and reproducible method for the construction of a head phantom for EIT that could be easily adapted to other conditions for manufacturing head phantoms for brain function research, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) and electroencephalography (EEG).
Biodegradable, pH-responsive chitosan aerogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Radwan-Pragłowska J. , Piątkowski M. , Janus Ł. , Bogdał D. , Matysek D.
Published: June 2017

Biodegradable chitosan aerogels with advanced properties for biomedical applications are obtained in a two-step process using biotolerant chemicals, MW irradiation and lyophilisation.
Electrochemical and structural investigation of the interactions between naphthalene diimides and metal cations
Authors: Reiner Benjamin R. , Foxman Bruce M. , Wade Casey R.
Published: June 2017

Cyclic voltammetry and X-ray diffraction studies reveal the strength and nature of the interactions between Li+/Mg2+ and reduced naphthalene diimides.
Investigating bacterial community changes and organic substrate degradation in microbial fuel cells operating on real human urine
Authors: Barbosa S. G. , Peixoto L. , Ter Heijne A. , Kuntke P. , Alves M. M. , Pereira M. A.
Published: June 2017

New insights are reported on the degradation of organics in urine, changes in the anodic bacterial community and MFC performance on urine.
Copper-mediated trifluoroacetylation of indoles with ethyl trifluoropyruvate
Authors: Yan Guobing , Cao Xihan , Zheng Wanbin , Ke Qiumin , Zhang Jieyu , Huang Dayun
Published: June 2017

Direct trifluoroacetylation of indoles with ethyl trifluoropyruvate as a trifluoroacetylating reagent has been developed.
Merging photoredox catalysis with transition metal catalysis: site-selective C4 or C5-H phosphonation of 8-aminoquinoline amides
Authors: Qiao Huijie , Sun Suyan , Zhang Yue , Zhu Hongmei , Yu Xiaomeng , Yang Fan , Wu Yusheng , Li Zhongxian , Wu Yangjie
Published: June 2017

A simple and efficient protocol for the transition metal-catalyzed site-selective C–H phosphonation of 8-aminoquinoline at the C4 or C5 positions via a photoredox process was developed.
Iridium-catalyzed intermolecular directed dehydrogenative ortho C–H silylation
Authors: Wang Hong , Wang Guanghui , Li Pengfei
Published: June 2017

An efficient method for iridium-catalyzed direct silylation of C(sp2)–H and C(sp3)–H bonds using HSiMe(OSiMe3)2 as the silylating reagent is described.
Design and discovery of novel thiazole derivatives as potential MMP inhibitors to protect against acute lung injury in sepsis rats via attenuation of inflammation and apoptotic oxidative stress
Authors: Ge Lingqing , Hu Qiaozhen , Shi Mengrao , Yang Huiyun , Zhu Guoji
Published: June 2017

Effect of compound26on the expression of ICAM-1 and THP-1 cell adherence to activated A549 cells.
Thermoresponsive star-like γ-substituted poly(caprolactone)s for micellar drug delivery
Authors: Washington Katherine E. , Kularatne Ruvanthi N. , Du Jia , Ren Yixin , Gillings Matthew J. , Geng Calvin X. , Biewer Michael C. , Stefan Mihaela C.
Published: June 2017

Fully biodegradable amphiphilic thermoresponsive star block copolymers featuring 4 and 6 arms are reported for micellar delivery of doxorubicin.
Bright green PhOLEDs using cyclometalated diiridium(iii) complexes with bridging oxamidato ligands as phosphorescent dopants
Authors: M’hamedi Ahmed , Fox Mark A. , Batsanov Andrei S. , Al-Attar Hameed A. , Monkman Andrew P. , Bryce Martin R.
Published: June 2017

In contrast to monoiridium complexes, the study of diiridium complexes as dopants in phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices (PhOLEDs) is largely unexplored.
Enhanced physical properties of pulsed laser deposited NiO films via annealing and lithium doping for improving perovskite solar cell efficiency
Authors: Qiu Zhiwen , Gong Haibo , Zheng Guanhaojie , Yuan Shuai , Zhang Hailiang , Zhu Xiaomeng , Zhou Huanping , Cao Bingqiang
Published: June 2017

Post-thermal annealing and in situ doping are adopted to tune the physical properties of PLD-NiO films.
Evolution of biosynthetic diversity
Authors: Michael Anthony J.
Published: June 2017

Since the emergence of the last common ancestor from which all extant life evolved, the metabolite repertoire of cells has increased and diversified. Not only has the metabolite cosmos expanded, but the ways in which the same metabolites are made have diversified. Enzymes catalyzing the same reaction have evolved independently from different protein folds; the same protein fold can produce enzymes recognizing different substrates, and enzymes performing different chemistries. Genes encoding useful enzymes can be transferred between organisms and even between the major domains of life. Organisms that live in metabolite-rich environments sometimes lose the pathways that produce those same metabolites. Fusion of different protein domains results in enzymes with novel properties. This review will consider the major evolutionary mechanisms that generate biosynthetic diversity: gene duplication (and gene loss), horizontal and endosymbiotic gene transfer, and gene fusion. It will also discuss mechanisms that lead to convergence as well as divergence. To illustrate these mechanisms, one of the original metabolisms present in the last universal common ancestor will be employed: polyamine metabolism, which is essential for the growth and cell proliferation of archaea and eukaryotes, and many bacteria.
Second‐order cone programming relaxation‐based optimal power flow with hybrid VSC‐HVDC transmission and active distribution networks
Authors: Ding Tao , Li Cheng , Yang Yongheng , Blaabjerg Frede , Zhang Yiyang , Yan Huan
Published: June 2017

The detailed topology of renewable resource bases may have the impact on the optimal power flow (OPF) of the voltage source converter (VSC)‐based high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission network. To address this issue, this study develops an OPF with the hybrid VSC‐HVDC transmission and active distribution networks to optimally schedule the generation output and voltage regulation of both networks, which leads to a non‐convex programming model. Furthermore, the non‐convex power flow equations are based on the second‐order cone programming (SOCP) relaxation approach. Thus, the proposed model can be relaxed to an SOCP that can be tractably solved. Numerical results on a three‐bus VSC‐HVDC network and the European system verify the effectiveness of the proposed model and suggest that the proposed model can guarantee the voltage magnitudes of both networks within the allowable ranges.
Allocation of PMUs for power system‐wide inertial frequency response estimation
Authors: Lara‐Jimenez Jose David , Ramırez Juan M. , Mancilla‐David Fernando
Published: June 2017

This study proposes a novel approach for estimating the power system‐wide inertial frequency response (IFR) using strategically allocated phasor measurement units (PMUs). First, a method is presented to identify generator clusters that form aggregated sources of inertial response. Then, the collective dynamics of each cluster are synthesised using PMUs placed at key network buses. These buses are identified as the inertial centres which accurately represent the centre of inertia motion. The proposed synthesis process ultimately yields IFR estimates at zonal and global (system‐wide) scales. Simulation results demonstrate the proposed methodology's ability to accurately estimate IFR under several operating conditions, network topology changes, and disturbances.
High discriminative SIFT feature and feature pair selection to improve the bag of visual words model
Authors: Liu Lifeng , Ma Yan , Zhang Xiangfen , Zhang Yuping , Li Shunbao
Published: June 2017

The bag of visual words (BOW) model has been widely applied in the field of image recognition and image classification. However, all scale‐invariant feature transform (SIFT) features are clustered to construct the visual words which result in a substantial loss of discriminative power for the visual words. The corresponding visual phrases will further render the generated BOW histogram sparse. In this study, the authors aim to improve the classification accuracy by extracting high discriminative SIFT features and feature pairs. First, high discriminative SIFT features are extracted with the within‐ and between‐class correlation coefficients. Second, the high discriminative SIFT feature pairs are selected by using minimum spanning tree and its total cost. Next, high discriminative SIFT features and feature pairs are exploited to construct the visual word dictionary and visual phrase dictionary, respectively, which are concatenated to a joint histogram with different weights. Compared with the state‐of‐the‐art BOW‐based methods, the experimental results on Caltech 101 dataset show that the proposed method has higher classification accuracy.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Long-Term Health Consequences
Authors: Zore Temeka , Joshi Nikhil , Lizneva Daria , Azziz Ricardo
Published: June 2017

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women and can be associated with significant adverse sequelae that can affect overall long-term health and well-being. This review provides a succinct but comprehensive overview of our current understanding concerning the known morbidities of PCOS, beginning with a review of the importance of the different phenotypes of PCOS in determining long-term morbidity, the confounding impact of obesity on health outcomes in PCOS, and the immediate short-term consequences of the disorder (including dermatologic, reproductive, and mood disturbances). The longer-term morbidities of PCOS are then reviewed including metabolic consequences (impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), dyslipidemia and vascular dysfunction (including hypertension and increased incidences of cerebrovascular accidents and thromboembolisms on oral contraceptives), neoplastic (primarily endometrial adenocarcinoma), and mental health disorders (including greater incidences of depressive and anxiety disturbances and psychosexual dysfunction). In conclusion, strategies for the prevention and amelioration of long-term morbidities in PCOS are presented.
A Canary in the Coal Mine: Reproductive Health and Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Authors: Quinn Molly , Cedars Marcelle
Published: June 2017

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in women in the United States. Compared with age-matched men, premenopausal women are protected against CVD, yet this difference dissipates after menopause. Hypogonadism underlies the shared increased CVD risk seen in menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Early menarche and PCOS have also been associated with CVD risk factors, highlighting the importance of mediators other than deficient estrogen in the underlying etiology of this female-specific increased risk. Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm delivery are also associated with subsequent CV disease and offer early opportunities for the identification of risk. Preliminary evidence suggests a common underlying vascular pathology for ovarian aging and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. Research is needed to understand the shared pathophysiology of these female-specific risk factors for CVD and target interventions to change outcomes.
Abnormal Placentation Associated with Infertility as a Marker of Overall Health
Authors: Sundheimer Lauren , Pisarska Margareta
Published: June 2017

Infertility and fertility treatments utilized are associated with abnormal placentation leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes related to placentation, including preterm birth, low birth weight, placenta accrete, and placenta previa. This may be due to the underlying genetics predisposing to infertility or the epigenetic changes associated with the fertility treatments utilized, as specific disease states leading to infertility are at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including placental abruption, fetal loss, gestational diabetes mellitus, and outcomes related to placentation, as well as the treatments utilized including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and non-IVF fertility treatment. Placentation defects, leading to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, which are more pronounced in the infertile population, occur due to changes in trophoblast invasion, vascular defects, changes in the environmental milieu, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. These similar processes are recognized as major contributors to lifelong risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease for both the mother and her offspring. Thus, abnormal placentation, found to be more prevalent in the infertile population, may be the key to better understand how infertility affects overall and long-term health.
Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer Screening among Riverside Women of the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Duarte Daniel Valim , Vieira Rodrigo Covre , Brito Elza Baía de , Pinheiro Maria da Conceição Nascimento , Monteiro Jeniffer do Socorro Valente , Valente Mário Diego Rocha , Ishikawa Edna Aoba Yassui , Fuzii Hellen Thais , Sousa Maísa Silva de
Published: June 2017

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the overall and type-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among females living in riverside communities in the state of Pará, in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon. These communities are inhabited by low-income people, and are accessible only by small boats. Cervical cytology and risk factors for HPV infection were also assessed.

Methods Cervical samples from 353 women of selected communities were collected both for Papanicolau (Pap) test and HPV detection. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR were used to assess the overall and type-specific prevalence of HPV-16 and HPV-18, the main oncogenic types worldwide. Epidemiological questionnaires were used for the assessment of the risk factors for HPV infection.

Results The mean age of the participants was 37 years (standard deviation [SD] ± 13.7). Most were married or with a fixed sexual partner (79%), and had a low educational level (80%) and family monthly income (< U$ 250; 53%). Overall, HPV prevalence was 16.4% (n = 58), with 8 cases of HPV-16 (2.3%) and 5 of HPV-18 (1.4%). Almost 70% of the women surveyed had never undergone the Pap test. Abnormal cytology results were found in 27.5% (n = 97) of the samples, with higher rates of HPV infection according to the severity of the lesions (p = 0.026).

Conclusions The infections by HPV-16 and HPV-18 were not predominant in our study, despite the high prevalence of overall HPV infection. Nevertheless, the oncogenic potential of these types and the low coverage of the Pap test among women from riverside communities demonstrate a potential risk for the development of cervical lesions and their progression to cervical cancer, since the access to these communities is difficult and, in most cases, these women do not have access to primary care and public health services.
Distinct Pattern of Metastases in Patients with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast
Authors: Mathew Aju , Rajagopal Padma , Villgran Vipin , Sandhu Gurprataap , Jankowitz Rachel , Jacob Mini , Rosenzweig Margaret , Oesterreich Steffi , Brufsky Adam
Published: June 2017

Background Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) comprises around 10 – 15% of invasive breast cancers. Few prior studies have demonstrated a unique pattern of metastases between ILC and the more common invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). To our knowledge, such data is limited to first sites of distant recurrence. We aimed to perform a comparison of the metastatic pattern of ILC and IDC at first distant recurrence as well as over the entire course of metastatic disease.

Methods We used a prospectively collated database of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Breast cancer recurrence or metastases were classified into various sites and a descriptive analysis was performed.

Results Among 761 patients, 88 (11.6%) were diagnosed with ILC and 673 (88.4%) with IDC. Patients with ILC showed more frequent metastases to the bone (56.8 vs. 37.7%, p = 0.001) and gastrointestinal (GI) tract (5.7 vs. 0.3%, p < 0.001) as first site of distant recurrence, and less to organs such as lung (5.7 vs. 24.2%, p < 0.001) and liver (4.6 vs. 11.4%, p = 0.049). Over the entire course of metastatic disease, more patients with ILC had ovarian (5.7 vs. 2.1%, p = 0.042) and GI tract metastases (8.0 vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001), also demonstrating reduced tendency to metastasize to the liver (20.5 vs. 49.0%, p < 0.001) and lung (23.9 vs. 51.9%, p < 0.001). All associations but bone held after sensitivity analysis on hormonal status. Although patients presenting with ILC were noted to have more advanced stage at presentation, recurrence-free survival in these patients was increased (4.8 years vs. 3.2 years, p = 0.017). However, overall survival was not (2.5 vs. 2.0 years, p = 0.75).

Conclusion After accounting for hormone receptor status, patients with IDC had greater lung/pleura and liver involvement, while patients with ILC had a greater propensity to develop ovarian and GI metastases both at first site and overall. Clinicians can use this information to provide more directed screening for metastases; it also adds to the argument that these two variants of breast cancer should be managed as unique diseases.
Röntgenkriterien - Der mechanische Dünndarm-Ileus
Authors: Klein Sandra , Amort Kerstin , Tellhelm Bernd , Kramer Martin
Published: June 2017

In dieser Serie werden Ihnen spezifische Details zur Röntgenanatomie präsentiert und/oder Röntgenbefunde, die als wesentliche differenzialdiagnostische Kriterien bei der Diagnose einer spezifischen Erkrankung herangezogen werden können. In dieser Folge geht es um Ileus-Kriterien.

Der Ileus wird im Folgenden anhand ausgewählter Röntgenbilder besprochen. Die Röntgenzeichen können vielfältige weitere Ursachen haben.
Palpationsdiagnostik - Spezifische Trigger points an den großen Extremitätengelenken
Authors: Zohmann Andreas , Kasper Markus
Published: June 2017

Der diagnostische wie auch therapeutische Einsatz von bestimmten Haut-, Muskel- und Knochenpunkten hat bei Mensch und Tier eine lange Tradition. Die Bezeichnung „Trigger point” fand erstmals 1936 Erwähnung in Zusammenhang mit der Beschreibung eines punktuellen Schulterschmerzes bei Herzinfarkt. Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick zu Lokalisation, Auffindung und Bedeutung ausgewählter Trigger points im Bereich der Extremitäten.
Changing and predicting the frequency of double wall carbon nanotubes oscillator
Authors: Huang Xing , Xiao Shao-Rong , Liu Hong-De , Wang Tong , Yue Ju-Qing
Published: June 2017

Double wall carbon nanotubes have been considered as potential candidate for ultra-high frequency oscillator. However, the exact frequency change versus the nanotubes’ shape has not been detailed discussed. In this article, a series of double wall carbon nanotubes oscillators are investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. We find that, by changing the tube length and radius, the oscillation frequency can be easily modified. To better understand the simulation result above, a theoretical model with maximum main force approximation is introduced. Then the tendency for the frequency change can be well interpreted. Moreover, we find the effective force increases linearly with the tube radius. After a careful derivation, a universal formula is given, which can predict the oscillation period with a good accuracy.
Probing the global potential energy minimum of (CH2O)2: THz absorption spectrum of (CH2O)2 in solid neon and para-hydrogen
Authors: Andersen J. , Voute A. , Mihrin D. , Heimdal J. , Berg R. W. , Torsson M. , Wugt Larsen R.
Published: June 2017

The true global potential energy minimum configuration of the formaldehyde dimer (CH2O)2, including the presence of a single or a double weak intermolecular CH⋯O hydrogen bond motif, has been a long-standing subject among both experimentalists and theoreticians as two different energy minima conformations of Cs and C2h symmetry have almost identical energies. The present work demonstrates how the class of large-amplitude hydrogen bond vibrational motion probed in the THz region provides excellent direct spectroscopic observables for these weak intermolecular CH⋯O hydrogen bond motifs. The combination of concentration dependency measurements, observed isotopic spectral shifts associated with H/D substitutions and dedicated annealing procedures, enables the unambiguous assignment of three large-amplitude infrared active hydrogen bond vibrational modes for the non-planar Cs configuration of (CH2O)2 embedded in cryogenic neon and enriched para-hydrogen matrices. A (semi)-empirical value for the change of vibrational zero-point energy of 5.5 ± 0.3 kJ mol−1 is proposed for the dimerization process. These THz spectroscopic observations are complemented by CCSD(T)-F12/aug-cc-pV5Z (electronic energies) and MP2/aug-cc-pVQZ (force fields) electronic structure calculations yielding a (semi)-empirical value of 13.7 ± 0.3 kJ mol−1 for the dissociation energy D0 of this global potential energy minimum.
Ultrafast kinetics of linkage isomerism in Na2[Fe(CN)5NO] aqueous solution revealed by time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Raheem Azhr A. , Wilke Martin , Borgwardt Mario , Engel Nicholas , Bokarev Sergey I. , Grell Gilbert , Aziz Saadullah G. , Kühn Oliver , Kiyan Igor Yu. , Merschjann Christoph , Aziz Emad F.
Published: June 2017

The kinetics of ultrafast photoinduced structural changes in linkage isomers is investigated using Na2[Fe(CN)5NO] as a model complex. The buildup of the metastable side-on configuration of the NO ligand, as well as the electronic energy levels of ground, excited, and metastable states, has been revealed by means of time-resolved extreme UV (XUV) photoelectron spectroscopy in aqueous solution, aided by theoretical calculations. Evidence of a short-lived intermediate state in the isomerization process and its nature are discussed, finding that the complete isomerization process occurs in less than 240 fs after photoexcitation.
Foam placement for soil remediation
Authors: Bertin Henri , Del Campo Estrada Estefania , Atteia Olivier
Published: June 2017

Environmental contextSoil pollution is an important concern and remediation techniques, especially in situ techniques, should be studied. We investigate a new technique based on foam generation and placement inside the porous soil to improve the pollutant extraction. This technique could be useful when the soils are heterogeneous because it allows a complete soil sweeping.
AbstractFoam can be generated in porous media, mainly by snap-off phenomena, by co-injecting gas and a surfactant solution. The liquid films that separate the gas bubbles, called lamellae, and gas trapping in small pores where capillary pressure is high generate a resistance to flow that drastically decreases fluid mobilities in porous media. Experiments performed with a 2D laboratory pilot consisting of two layers with different properties clearly highlight that foam is generated in the high-permeability layer and will divert flow towards the low-permeability region. This behaviour is of great interest for the remediation of heterogeneous polluted soils.
Tributary Use by Imperiled Flannelmouth and Bluehead Suckers in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Authors: Fraser Gregory S. , Winkelman Dana L. , Bestgen Kevin R. , Thompson Kevin G.
Published: June 2017

Habitat alterations and establishment of nonnative fishes have reduced the distributions of Flannelmouth Sucker Catostomus latipinnis and Bluehead Sucker C. discobolus to less than 50% of their historical ranges in the Colorado River basin. Tributaries are sometimes less altered than main‐stem habitat in the basin and may be important to support various life history processes, but their role in the maintenance of Flannelmouth Sucker and Bluehead Sucker populations is poorly understood. Using mark–recapture techniques, we show tributaries are important habitat for native suckers in the upper Colorado River basin and report three main findings. First, both Flannelmouth and Bluehead suckers likely respond to a thermal cue that initiates spawning movement patterns. Suckers moved into Coal Creek from the White River beginning in mid‐May of 2012 and 2013 to spawn. The majority of sucker spawning movements occurred when water temperatures in White River exceeded 11–14°C and those in Coal Creek were 2.5–4°C warmer, while flows varied between years. Second, based on PIT tag detection arrays, 13–45% of suckers showed spawning site fidelity. Sampling only with fyke nets would have resulted in the conclusion that site fidelity by native suckers was only 1–17%, because nets were less efficient at detecting marked fish. Third, most suckers of both species emigrated from Coal Creek within 48 h after being captured while suckers that were detected only via arrays remained resident for 10–12 d. The posthandling flight response we observed was not anticipated and to our knowledge has not been previously reported for these species. Remote PIT tag antenna arrays allowed for a stronger inference regarding movement and tributary use by these species than what could be achieved using just fyke nets. Tributaries are an important part of Flannelmouth Sucker and Bluehead Sucker life history and thus important to conservation strategies for these species.

Received October 7, 2016; accepted March 20, 2017 Published online June 28, 2017
Loss and Lived Memory at the Moore’s Ford Lynching Reenactment
Authors: Eatman Megan
Published: June 2017

Each year, members of the Moore’s Ford Movement conduct a memorial rally for and reenactment of a lynching that took place in 1946 near Monroe, Georgia. While a lynching memorial that includes a reenactment may sound suspect, particularly because lynching reenactments play a role in white supremacist activities, the Moore’s Ford Memorial’s unusual form offers affordances that other lynching memorials do not. This article argues that the memorial’s simultaneous attachment to and critique of necessarily inadequate traces of the past raise questions about what it means to remember violence in situ. Most lynching memorial rhetoric revolves around the narrow archive of lynching photographs produced, for the most part, by lynchers themselves. Through its combination of archival and lived memory, the Moore’s Ford Memorial both tells a broader story and draws attention to the archive’s inability to capture all that was lost. In dwelling in the gap between past and present, the memorial creates a generative space for community action.
Remembering Emmett Till: Reflections on Geography, Race, and Memory
Authors: Tell Dave
Published: June 2017

This essay uses the commemoration of Emmett Till in the Mississippi Delta to explore the connections among race, geography, and memory. I provide four examples of how race and memory have conspired to fundamentally alter the geography of the Delta. I suggest that these four examples challenge the historic articulation of memory and site. While site is traditionally figured as a stable ground for commemorative work, I suggest that practices of commemoration can transform sites of memory. I conclude by previewing a collaborative, digital, public humanities initiative called the Emmett Till Memory Project. The project seeks to commemorate Till’s murder even as it alters the meaning and practice of commemoration.
Representation variety of surface groups
Authors: Kishore Krishna
Published: June 2017

We give an exact formula for the dimension of the variety of homomorphisms from

S
g

S_g

to any semisimple real algebraic group, where

S
g

S_g

is a surface group of genus

g
≥
2

g \geq 2

.
Self-accessible states for linear systems on time scales
Authors: Henríquez Hernán , Mesquita Jaqueline
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we are concerned with linear control systems on time scales. We show that, under appropriate hypotheses, the self-accessible trajectories have diameter greater than or equal to a certain fixed positive number.
“Weak yet strong” restrictions of Hindman’s Finite Sums Theorem
Authors: Carlucci Lorenzo
Published: June 2017

We present a natural restriction of Hindman’s Finite Sums Theorem that admits a simple combinatorial proof (one that does not also prove the full Finite Sums Theorem) and low computability-theoretic and proof-theoretic upper bounds, yet implies the existence of the Turing Jump, thus realizing the only known lower bound for the full Finite Sums Theorem. This is the first example of this kind. In fact we isolate a rich family of similar restrictions of Hindman’s Theorem with analogous properties.
Single-molecule imaging of the BAR-domain protein Pil1p reveals filament-end dynamics
Authors: Lacy Michael M. , Baddeley David , Berro Julien
Published: June 2017

Molecular assemblies can have highly heterogeneous dynamics within the cell, but the limitations of conventional fluorescence microscopy can mask nanometer-scale features. Here we adapt a single-molecule strategy to perform single-molecule recovery after photobleaching (SRAP) within dense macromolecular assemblies to reveal and characterize binding and unbinding dynamics within such assemblies. We applied this method to study the eisosome, a stable assembly of BAR-domain proteins on the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane in fungi. By fluorescently labeling only a small fraction of cellular Pil1p, the main eisosome BAR-domain protein in fission yeast, we visualized whole eisosomes and, after photobleaching, localized recruitment of new Pil1p molecules with ∼30-nm precision. Comparing our data to computer simulations, we show that Pil1p exchange occurs specifically at eisosome ends and not along their core, supporting a new model of the eisosome as a dynamic filament. This result is the first direct observation of any BAR-domain protein dynamics in vivo under physiological conditions consistent with the oligomeric filaments reported from in vitro experiments.