bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HISTORICIZING FREUD: AUTOPSY OR REINCARNATION?
Authors: TOEWS JOHN E.
Published: July 2018

The publication between 2014 and 2017 of four substantial historical biographies of Sigmund Freud raises a number of questions that should be of interest to intellectual and cultural historians. Both Freud's reputation as a pioneering empirical investigator and brilliant theorist of human subjectivity, and his influential role in framing public discussion of the unconscious dynamics and conscious expressions of the “psyche” or the “soul” have been declining for a number of decades. Apparently we have finally reached that point in time at which W. H. Auden's famous comment (in his 1939 elegy) that Freud was “a whole climate of opinion under whom we conduct our different lives” no longer resonates.1 Unlike the last major historical Freud biography, Peter Gay's Freud: A Life for Our Time (1988), which still worked assiduously to sustain the contemporary presence and thus cross-cultural and cross-temporal validity of Freud's discoveries as empirically grounded, universal rational truths, recent works by Frederick Crews, Joel Whitebook, Élisabeth Roudinesco, and Peter-André Alt attempt to historicize Freud's work in a more critical and fundamental fashion. The perspectives governing all of these studies are self-consciously “historical.” They build their interpretations of Freud's work and their judgements regarding its claims on investigations of the temporally situated, personal, sociocultural and theoretical contexts which conditioned and therefore limited or “relativized” its meaning and its truth. For three of the biographers (all except Crews) this also implies that Freud's work was not so much a completed articulation of an investigative method (either positivist or hermeneutical) that unveiled a singular interpretation or “discovery” of a general truth as the representation of an open-ended process of investigating and thinking through the problem of the origin, development and nature of the human “soul.” From this perspective the attempt to grasp Freud's work as a fully articulated truth or completed interpretation that can now be seen as historically limited or framed by specific cultural contexts is to read Freud's life and work within assumptions about closed cultural systems or temporally bounded climates of opinion, assumptions that have themselves become a part of the historical past.
Access to health care in post-apartheid South Africa: availability, affordability, acceptability
Authors: Burger Ronelle , Christian Carmen
Published: July 2018

We use a reliable, intuitive and simple set of indicators to capture three dimensions of access – availability, affordability and acceptability. Data are from South Africa’s 2009 and 2010 General Household Surveys (n=190,164). Affordability constraints were faced by 23% and are more concentrated amongst the poorest. However, 73% of affordability constraints are due to travel costs which are aligned with findings of the availability constraints dimension. Availability constraints, involving distances and transport costs, particularly in underdeveloped rural areas, and inconvenient opening times, were faced by 27%. Acceptability constraints were noted by only 10%. We approximate acceptability with an indicator measuring the share of community members bypassing the closest health care facility, as we argue that reported health care provider choice is more reliable than stated preferences. However, the indicator assumes a choice of available and affordable providers, which may often not be an accurate assumption in rural areas. We recommend further work on the measurement of acceptability in household surveys, especially considering this dimension’s importance for health reform.
Characterization of Remote Sensing Albedo Over Sloped Surfaces Based on DART Simulations and In Situ Observations
Authors: Wu Shengbiao , Wen Jianguang , You Dongqin , Hao Dalei , Lin Xingwen , Xiao Qing , Liu Qinhuo , Gastellu‐Etchegorry Jean‐Philippe
Published: July 2018

In situ albedo measurement over sloped surfaces is pivotal to a wide range of remote sensing applications, such as the estimation and evaluation of surface energy budget at regional and global scales. However, existing albedo measurements over rugged terrain are limited and controversial and remain a major challenge. In this paper, two commonly measured broadband albedos, which depend on incoming/outgoing geometric conditions, were characterized over sloped surfaces and illustrated. These albedos are the horizontal/horizontal sloped surface albedo (HHSA) and inclined/inclined sloped surface albedo (IISA). The 3‐D Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer (DART) model simulations over varying slopes were utilized to quantify differences in the albedos. In particular, the effects of the slope, aspect, the solar zenith angle, and the proportion of diffuse skylight were investigated. The results show that absolute (relative) biases between HHSA and IISA are significant, reaching up to 0.026 (61.8%), 0.134 (62.4%), and 0.114 (62.3%) in the visible, near‐infrared, and shortwave broadbands, respectively. In addition, the diurnal cycle differences between HHSA and IISA were also compared using DART simulations and in situ observations over four typical slopes. Comparisons reveal that topographic parameters (e.g., slope and aspect) and atmospheric conditions (e.g., diffuse skylight and atmospheric visibility) are the primary factors, while the optical and structural parameters have a smaller effect.
The Ouroboros of Psychological Methodology: The Case of Effect Sizes (Mechanical Objectivity vs. Expertise)
Authors: Davidson Ian J.
Published: July 2018

The reporting and interpretation of effect sizes is often promoted as a panacea for the ramifications of institutionalized statistical rituals associated with the null-hypothesis significance test. Mechanical objectivity—conflating the use of a method with the obtainment of truth—is a useful theoretical tool for understanding the possible failure of effect size reporting ( Porter, 1995 ). This article helps elucidate the ouroboros of psychological methodology. This is the cycle of improved tools to produce trustworthy knowledge, leading to their institutionalization and adoption as forms of thinking, leading to methodologists eventually admonishing researchers for relying too heavily on rituals, finally leading to the production of more new improved quantitative tools that may follow along this circular path. Despite many critiques and warnings, research psychologists’ superficial adoption of effect sizes might preclude expert interpretation much like in the null-hypothesis significance test as widely received. One solution to this situation is bottom-up: promoting a balance of mechanical objectivity and expertise in the teaching of methods and research. This would require the acceptance and encouragement of expert interpretation within psychological science.
Individual Differences in Selfishness as a Major Dimension of Personality: A Reinterpretation of the Sixth Personality Factor
Authors: Diebels Kate J. , Leary Mark R. , Chon Danbee
Published: July 2018

Research on the structure of personality has identified a sixth major trait that emerges in addition to the Big Five. This factor has been characterized in a number of ways—as integrity, morality, trustworthiness, honesty, values, and, most commonly, honesty-humility. Although each of these labels captures some of the attributes associated with the trait, none of them fully represents the range of associated characteristics. In this article, we provide a reinterpretation of the sixth factor as reflecting individual differences in selfishness and review research that supports this interpretation. Interpreting the sixth trait as dispositional selfishness parsimoniously represents the array of variables that are associated with the sixth factor and reflects the behaviors of people who score low versus high on the trait. This reinterpretation provides greater coherence to six-factor models of personality and suggests new directions for research on the sixth factor and on dispositional selfishness more generally.
DNA methylation reprogramming of functional elements during mammalian embryonic development
Authors: Li Congru , Fan Yong , Li Guoqiang , Xu Xiaocui , Duan Jialei , Li Rong , Kang Xiangjin , Ma Xin , Chen Xuepeng , Ke Yuwen , Yan Jie , Lian Ying , Liu Ping , Zhao Yue , Zhao Hongcui , Chen Yaoyong , Yu Yang , Liu Jiang
Published: July 2018

DNA methylation plays important roles during development. However, the DNA methylation reprogramming of functional elements has not been fully investigated during mammalian embryonic development. Herein, using our modified MethylC-Seq library generation method and published post-bisulphite adapter-tagging (PBAT) method, we generated genome-wide DNA methylomes of human gametes and early embryos at single-base resolution and compared them with mouse methylomes. We showed that the dynamics of DNA methylation in functional elements are conserved between humans and mice during early embryogenesis, except for satellite repeats. We further found that oocyte-specific hypomethylated promoters usually exhibit low CpG densities. Genes with oocyte-specific hypomethylated promoters generally show oocyte-specific hypomethylated genic and intergenic regions, and these hypomethylated regions contribute to the hypomethylation pattern of mammalian oocytes. Furthermore, hypomethylated genic regions with low CG densities correlate with gene silencing in oocytes, whereas hypomethylated genic regions with high CG densities correspond to high gene expression. We further show that methylation reprogramming of enhancers during early embryogenesis is highly associated with the development of almost all human organs. Our data support the hypothesis that DNA methylation plays important roles during mammalian development.
Towards standardized mechanical characterization of microbial biofilms: analysis and critical review
Authors: Boudarel Héloïse , Mathias Jean-Denis , Blaysat Benoît , Grédiac Michel
Published: July 2018

Developing reliable anti-biofilm strategies or efficient biofilm-based bioprocesses strongly depends on having a clear understanding of the mechanisms underlying biofilm development, and knowledge of the relevant mechanical parameters describing microbial biofilm behavior. Many varied mechanical testing methods are available to assess these parameters. The mechanical properties thus identified can then be used to compare protocols such as antibiotic screening. However, the lack of standardization in both mechanical testing and the associated identification methods for a given microbiological goal remains a blind spot in the biofilm community. The pursuit of standardization is problematic, as biofilms are living structures, i.e., both complex and dynamic. Here, we review the main available methods for characterizing the mechanical properties of biofilms through the lens of the relationship linking experimental testing to the identification of mechanical parameters. We propose guidelines for characterizing biofilms according to microbiological objectives that will help the reader choose an appropriate test and a relevant identification method for measuring any given mechanical parameter. The use of a common methodology for the mechanical characterization of biofilms will enable reliable analysis and comparison of microbiological protocols needed for improvement of engineering process and screening.
“Tossing a coin:” defining the excessive use of short-acting beta2-agonists in asthma—the views of general practitioners and asthma experts in primary and secondary care
Authors: McKibben Shauna , Bush Andy , Thomas Mike , Griffiths Chris
Published: July 2018

The National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD) identified high prescribing of short–acting beta2-agonists (SABAs) as a key factor in over 40% of deaths. We interviewed asthma experts from both a hospital background (n = 5) and a primary care background (n = 8), and general practitioners delivering asthma care (n = 8), to identify how SABA use is defined and perceived. We identified disparity in how acceptable SABA use is defined, ranging from 0.5 (100 doses/year) to 12 SABA inhalers (2400 doses/year), and complacency in the perception that over-use did not represent a marker for risk of asthma death. Despite current evidence, these findings suggest clinicians of various backgrounds are complacent about excessive SABA use.
Advances in single-scan time-encoding magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Marhabaie Sina , Bodenhausen Geoffrey , Pelupessy Philippe
Published: July 2018

Time-encoding MRI is a single-scan method that uses traditionalk-encoding only in one direction. In the orthogonal “time-encoding” direction, a string of echoes appears in an order that depends on the position of the corresponding spin packets. In one variant of time-encoding, this is achieved by using a series of selective pulses and appropriate gradients in bothk-encoding and time-encoding directions. Although time-encoding offers some advantages over traditional single-scan Fourier methods such as echo planar imaging (EPI), the original time-encoding sequence also has some drawbacks that limit its applications. In this work, we show how one can improve several aspects of the original time-encoding sequence. By using an additional gradient pulse one can change the order in which the echoes appear, leading to identical echo times for all echoes, and hence to a uniform signal attenuation due to transverse relaxation and a reduction in average signal attenuation due to diffusion. By rearranging positive and negative gradients one can reduce the switching rate of the gradients. Furthermore, we show how one can implement time-encoding sequences in an interleaved fashion in order to reduce signal attenuation due to transverse relaxation and diffusion, while increasing the spatial resolution.
Prior object-knowledge sharpens properties of early visual feature-detectors
Authors: Teufel Christoph , Dakin Steven C. , Fletcher Paul C.
Published: July 2018

Early stages of visual processing are carried out by neural circuits activated by simple and specific features, such as the orientation of an edge. A fundamental question in human vision is how the brain organises such intrinsically local information into meaningful properties of objects. Classic models of visual processing emphasise a one-directional flow of information from early feature-detectors to higher-level information-processing. By contrast to this view, and in line with predictive-coding models of perception, here, we provide evidence from human vision that high-level object representations dynamically interact with the earliest stages of cortical visual processing. In two experiments, we used ambiguous stimuli that, depending on the observer’s prior object-knowledge, can be perceived as either coherent objects or as a collection of meaningless patches. By manipulating object knowledge we were able to determine its impact on processing of low-level features while keeping sensory stimulation identical. Both studies demonstrate that perception of local features is facilitated in a manner consistent with an observer’s high-level object representation (i.e., with no effect on object-inconsistent features). Our results cannot be ascribed to attentional influences. Rather, they suggest that high-level object representations interact with and sharpen early feature-detectors, optimising their performance for the current perceptual context.
Author Correction: Induction of micronuclei by four cytostatic compounds in human hematopoietic stem cells and human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells
Authors: Hintzsche Henning , Montag Gracia , Stopper Helga
Published: July 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Potential of a polyherbal drug to prevent antimicrobial resistance in bacteria to antibiotics
Authors: Sar Tapas Kumar , Samanta Indranil , Mahanti Achintya , Akhtar Shabnam , Dash Jeevan Ranjan
Published: July 2018

Persistence of antibacterial drugs for prolonged period in milk increases the probability of antimicrobial resistance progress. Ceftizoxime was found to be excreted in milk for a prolonged period in goats, cows and buffaloes following intravenous injection of ceftriaxone and ceftizoxime. A single dose of ceftriaxone was administered intravenously in healthy control goats (group I) and a single oral dose of the commercial mammary protective polyherbal drug (1.9 gm) was given one hour prior to intravenous ceftriaxone injection in healthy (group II) and induced mastitic (group III) goats to evaluate milk disposition of ceftizoxime following single intravenous dosing of ceftriaxone at 42.25 mg kg−1.Ceftriaxone/ceftizoxime was analyzed by HPLC. The t1/2α and t1/2β values were 14.755 ± 2.733 and 149.079 ± 18.565 hour, respectively indicating prolonged persistence of ceftizoxime in milk. The polyherbal drug increased the milk concentration at later hours and hastened the excretion of ceftizoxime from milk compared to control group. Ceftriaxone could not be detected in milk. The study suggested that adjunct single or repeated therapy of  the polyherbal drug may cause non persistence of ceftriaxone and shorter persistence of ceftizoxime in milk.
Steric interference from intrinsically disordered regions controls dynamin-related protein 1 self-assembly during mitochondrial fission
Authors: Lu Bin , Kennedy Bridget , Clinton Ryan W. , Wang Emily Jue , McHugh Daniel , Stepanyants Natalia , Macdonald Patrick J. , Mears Jason A. , Qi Xin , Ramachandran Rajesh
Published: July 2018

The self-assembling, mechanoenzymatic dynamin superfamily GTPase, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), catalyzes mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission. Distinct intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in Drp1 substitute for the canonical pleckstrin homology (PH) domain and proline-rich domain (PRD) of prototypical dynamin, which cooperatively regulate endocytic vesicle scission. Whether the Drp1 IDRs function analogously to the corresponding dynamin domains however remains unknown. We show that an IDR unique to the Drp1 GTPase (G) domain, the ‘extended 80-loop’, albeit dissimilar in location, structure, and mechanism, functions akin to the dynamin PRD by enabling stable Drp1 mitochondrial recruitment and by suppressing Drp1 cooperative GTPase activity in the absence of specific partner-protein interactions. Correspondingly, we find that another IDR, the Drp1 variable domain (VD), in conjunction with the conserved stalk L1N loop, functions akin to the dynamin PH domain; first, in an ‘auto-inhibitory’ capacity that restricts Drp1 activity through a long-range steric inhibition of helical inter-rung G-domain dimerization, and second, as a ‘fulcrum’ for Drp1 self-assembly in the proper helical register. We show that the Drp1 VD is necessary and sufficient for specific Drp1-phospholipid interactions. We further demonstrate that the membrane-dependent VD conformational rearrangement essential for the alleviation of Drp1 auto-inhibition is contingent upon the basal GTP hydrolysis-dependent generation of Drp1 dimers from oligomers in solution. IDRs thus conformationally couple the enzymatic and membrane activities of Drp1 toward membrane fission.
Dynamic Loading and Tendon Healing Affect Multiscale Tendon Properties and ECM Stress Transmission
Authors: Freedman Benjamin R. , Rodriguez Ashley B. , Leiphart Ryan J. , Newton Joseph B. , Ban Ehsan , Sarver Joseph J. , Mauck Robert L. , Shenoy Vivek B. , Soslowsky Louis J.
Published: July 2018

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the primary biomechanical environment that interacts with tendon cells (tenocytes). Stresses applied via muscle contraction during skeletal movement transfer across structural hierarchies to the tenocyte nucleus in native uninjured tendons. Alterations to ECM structural and mechanical properties due to mechanical loading and tissue healing may affect this multiscale strain transfer and stress transmission through the ECM. This study explores the interface between dynamic loading and tendon healing across multiple length scales using living tendon explants. Results show that macroscale mechanical and structural properties are inferior following high magnitude dynamic loading (fatigue) in uninjured living tendon and that these effects propagate to the microscale. Although similar macroscale mechanical effects of dynamic loading are present in healing tendon compared to uninjured tendon, the microscale properties differed greatly during early healing. Regression analysis identified several variables (collagen and nuclear disorganization, cellularity, and F-actin) that directly predict nuclear deformation under loading. Finite element modeling predicted deficits in ECM stress transmission following fatigue loading and during healing. Together, this work identifies the multiscale response of tendon to dynamic loading and healing, and provides new insight into microenvironmental features that tenocytes may experience following injury and after cell delivery therapies.
Ranking genome-wide correlation measurements improves microarray and RNA-seq based global and targeted co-expression networks
Authors: Liesecke Franziska , Daudu Dimitri , Dugé de Bernonville Rodolphe , Besseau Sébastien , Clastre Marc , Courdavault Vincent , de Craene Johan-Owen , Crèche Joel , Giglioli-Guivarc’h Nathalie , Glévarec Gaëlle , Pichon Olivier , Dugé de Bernonville Thomas
Published: July 2018

Co-expression networks are essential tools to infer biological associations between gene products and predict gene annotation. Global networks can be analyzed at the transcriptome-wide scale or after querying them with a set of guide genes to capture the transcriptional landscape of a given pathway in a process named Pathway Level Coexpression (PLC). A critical step in network construction remains the definition of gene co-expression. In the present work, we compared how Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC), Spearman Correlation Coefficient (SCC), their respective ranked values (Highest Reciprocal Rank (HRR)), Mutual Information (MI) and Partial Correlations (PC) performed on global networks and PLCs. This evaluation was conducted on the model plantArabidopsis thalianausing microarray and differently pre-processed RNA-seq datasets. We particularly evaluated how dataset × distance measurement combinations performed in 5 PLCs corresponding to 4 well described plant metabolic pathways (phenylpropanoid, carbohydrate, fatty acid and terpene metabolisms) and the cytokinin signaling pathway. Our present work highlights how PCC ranked with HRR is better suited for global network construction and PLC with microarray and RNA-seq data than other distance methods, especially to cluster genes in partitions similar to biological subpathways.
Motion cues modulate responses to emotion in movies
Authors: Dayan Eran , Barliya Avi , de Gelder Beatrice , Hendler Talma , Malach Rafael , Flash Tamar
Published: July 2018

Film theorists and practitioners suggest that motion can be manipulated in movie scenes to elicit emotional responses in viewers. However, our understanding of the role of motion in emotion perception remains limited. On the one hand, movies continuously depictlocal motion- movements of objects and humans, which are crucial for generating emotional responses. Movie scenes also frequently portrayglobal motion, mainly induced by large camera movements, global motion being yet another source of information used by the brain during natural vision. Here we used functional MRI to elucidate the contributions of local and global motion to emotion perception during movie viewing. Subjects observed long (1 min) movie segments depicting emotional or neutral content. Brain activity in areas that showed preferential responses to emotional content was strongly linked over time with frame-wide variations in global motion, and to a lesser extent with local motion information. Similarly, stronger responses to emotional content were recorded within regions of interest whose activity was attuned to global and local motion over time. Since global motion fields are experienced during self-motion, we suggest that camera movements may induce illusory self-motion cues in viewers that interact with the movie’s narrative and with other emotional cues in generating affective responses.
Potent Attractant for Root-Knot Nematodes in Exudates from Seedling Root Tips of Two Host Species
Authors: Čepulytė Rasa , Danquah Wiseborn B. , Bruening George , Williamson Valerie M.
Published: July 2018

Root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) can parasitize over 2,000 plant species and are generally considered to be the most agriculturally damaging group of plant-parasitic nematodes worldwide. Infective juveniles (J2) are non-feeding and must locate and invade a host before their reserves are depleted. However, what attracts J2 to appropriate root entry sites is not known. An aim of this research is to identify semiochemicals that attract RKN to roots. J2 of the three RKN species tested are highly attracted to root tips of both tomato and Medicago truncatula. For both hosts, mutants defective in ethylene signaling were found to be more attractive than those of wild type. We determined that cell-free exudates collected from tomato and M. truncatula seedling root tips were highly attractive to M. javanica J2. Using a pluronic gel-based microassay to monitor chemical fractionation, we determined that for both plant species the active component fractionated similarly and had a mass of ~400 based on size-exclusion chromatography. This characterization is a first step toward identification of a potent and specific attractant from host roots that attracts RKN. Such a compound is potentially a valuable tool for developing novel and safe control strategies.
Automatic multiple zebrafish tracking based on improved HOG features
Authors: Bai Yun-Xiang , Zhang Shu-Hui , Fan Zhi , Liu Xing-Yu , Zhao Xin , Feng Xi-Zeng , Sun Ming-Zhu
Published: July 2018

As an excellent model organism, zebrafish have been widely applied in many fields. The accurate identification and tracking of individuals are crucial for zebrafish shoaling behaviour analysis. However, multi-zebrafish tracking still faces many challenges. It is difficult to keep identified for a long time due to fish overlapping caused by the crossings. Here we proposed an improved Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG) algorithm to calculate the stable back texture feature map of zebrafish, then tracked multi-zebrafish in a fully automated fashion with low sample size, high tracking accuracy and wide applicability. The performance of the tracking algorithm was evaluated in 11 videos with different numbers and different sizes of zebrafish. In the Right-tailed hypothesis test of Wilcoxon, our method performed better than idTracker, with significant higher tracking accuracy. Throughout the video of 16 zebrafish, the training sample of each fish had only 200–500 image samples, one-fifth of the idTracker’s sample size. Furthermore, we applied the tracking algorithm to analyse the depression and hypoactivity behaviour of zebrafish shoaling. We achieved correct identification of depressed zebrafish among the fish shoal based on the accurate tracking results that could not be identified by a human.
Engineering the oleaginous red yeast Rhodotorula glutinis for simultaneous β-carotene and cellulase production
Authors: Pi Hong-Wei , Anandharaj Marimuthu , Kao Yi-Ying , Lin Yu-Ju , Chang Jui-Jen , Li Wen-Hsiung
Published: July 2018

Rhodotorula glutinis, an oleaginous red yeast, intrinsically produces several bio-products (i.e., lipids, carotenoids and enzymes) and is regarded as a potential host for biorefinery. In view of the limited available genetic engineering tools for this yeast, we have developed a useful genetic transformation method and transformed the β-carotene biosynthesis genes (crtI, crtE, crtYB and tHMG1) and cellulase genes (CBHI, CBHII, EgI, EgIII, EglA and BGS) into R. glutinis genome. The transformant P4-10-9-63Y-14B produced significantly higher β-carotene (27.13 ± 0.66 mg/g) than the wild type and also exhibited cellulase activity. Furthermore, the lipid production and salt tolerance ability of the transformants were unaffected. This is the first study to engineer the R. glutinis for simultaneous β-carotene and cellulase production. As R. glutinis can grow in sea water and can be engineered to utilize the cheaper substrates (i.e. biomass) for the production of biofuels or valuable compounds, it is a promising host for biorefinery.
Natural Course of Clinically Isolated Syndrome: A Longitudinal Analysis Using a Markov Model
Authors: Hou Yuli , Jia Yujuan , Hou Jingtian
Published: July 2018

Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) refers to the initial clinical episode with symptoms suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). Due to limited number of long-term follow-up studies, progression pattern from CIS to more advanced stages remains unclear. In the current study, we constructed a Markov model to simulate the natural course of CIS. The model estimated the probabilities of transition from CIS to more advanced disease stages and the duration needed for the progression. The analysis showed: (1) CIS is a solid disease identity: more than 85% of the subjects with a diagnosis of CIS progress to RRMS or more advanced stages within 20 years; (2) the reduction of life expectancy in subjects with CIS is marginal.
Determination of risk factors for herpesvirus outbreak in oysters using a broad-scale spatial epidemiology framework
Authors: Pernet Fabrice , Fuhrmann Marine , Petton Bruno , Mazurié Joseph , Bouget Jean-François , Fleury Elodie , Daigle Gaétan , Gernez Pierre
Published: July 2018

Marine diseases have major impacts on ecosystems and economic consequences for aquaculture and fisheries. Understanding origin, spread and risk factors of disease is crucial for management, but data in the ocean are limited compared to the terrestrial environment. Here we investigated how the marine environment drives the spread of viral disease outbreak affecting The Pacific oyster worldwide by using a spatial epidemiology framework. We collected environmental and oyster health data at 46 sites spread over an area of 300 km2 along an inshore-offshore gradient during an epizootic event and conducted risk analysis. We found that disease broke out in the intertidal farming area and spread seaward. Mortalities and virus detection were observed in oysters placed 2 km from the farming areas, but oysters of almost all sites were subclinically infected. Increasing food quantity and quality, growth rate and energy reserves of oyster were associated with a lower risk of mortality offshore whereas increasing turbidity, a proxy of the concentration of suspended particulate matter, and terrestrial inputs, inferred from fatty acid composition of oysters, were associated with a higher risk of mortality. Offshore farming and maintenance of good ecological status of coastal waters are options to limit disease risk in oysters.
Mechanical interactions between bacteria and hydrogels
Authors: Kandemir Nehir , Vollmer Waldemar , Jakubovics Nicholas S. , Chen Jinju
Published: July 2018

Mechanical interactions between bacterial cells and extracellular polymeric substance are essential in determining biofilm assembly and disassembly as well the mechanical characteristics of biofilms. However, the physics of these mechanical interactions in different cell culture conditions are poorly understood. We created typical artificial biofilm consisting of planktonic bacteria and hydrogel, in the absence of metabolic or regulatory effect. We have demonstrated that the cell culture medium can significantly affect the mechanical interactions between bacterial cells and hydrogels. The stiffness of the bacteria-hydrogel artificial biofilm cannot be simply attributed by the summation of the contribution from the bacteria and hydrogel based on the mathematical models and computational models. We have revealed that the tryptone component of Luria-Bertani broth medium plays an important role in stiffening effect of bacteria-hydrogel construct. Such significant stiffening effect can be explained by the following mechanism: the presence of tryptone in cell culture medium may enable the bacteria itself to crosslink the hydrogel polymer chains. Our findings have also demonstrated the synergy of modelling and innovative experiments which would potentially impact the biofilm control strategies.
Don’t quote me: reverse identification of research participants in social media studies
Authors: Ayers John W. , Caputi Theodore L. , Nebeker Camille , Dredze Mark
Published: July 2018

We investigated if participants in social media surveillance studies could be reverse identified by reviewing all articles published on PubMed in 2015 or 2016 with the words “Twitter” and either “read,” “coded,” or “content” in the title or abstract. Seventy-two percent (95% CI: 63–80) of articles quoted at least one participant’s tweet and searching for the quoted content led to the participant 84% (95% CI: 74–91) of the time. Twenty-one percent (95% CI: 13–29) of articles disclosed a participant’s Twitter username thereby making the participant immediately identifiable. Only one article reported obtaining consent to disclose identifying information and institutional review board (IRB) involvement was mentioned in only 40% (95% CI: 31–50) of articles, of which 17% (95% CI: 10–25) received IRB-approval and 23% (95% CI:16–32) were deemed exempt. Biomedical publications are routinely including identifiable information by quoting tweets or revealing usernames which, in turn, violates ICMJE ethical standards governing scientific ethics, even though said content is scientifically unnecessary. We propose that authors convey aggregate findings without revealing participants’ identities, editors refuse to publish reports that reveal a participant’s identity, and IRBs attend to these privacy issues when reviewing studies involving social media data. These strategies together will ensure participants are protected going forward.
CE-MS Workflows for Metabolomics: A Focus on Sample Preparation
Authors: García-Cañas V. , Simó C.
Published: July 2018

CE-MS is a very attractive microscale analytical platform in metabolomics, especially for the analysis of highly polar and ionic metabolites in a wide range of samples, particularly those for which the amount is very limited. A number of well-defined steps are linked to undertake a metabolomics study; a typical workflow comprises: experimental design, sample preparation, data acquisition, data processing, statistical analysis, metabolite identification and biological interpretation, including validation of the results. In this chapter, we will focus on the sample preparation step. General considerations regarding sample type and collection, and detailed aspects regarding sample treatment prior to CE-MS will be reviewed.
On-line Solid-phase Extraction Capillary Electrophoresis–Mass Spectrometry and Data Analysis Approaches for Metabolomics
Authors: Pont L. , Sanz-Nebot V. , Barbosa J. , Benavente F.
Published: July 2018

The major drawback of capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the analysis of low abundance metabolites in biological fluids is the poor concentration limits of detection (LODs). Several strategies have been developed to enhance CE sensitivity. Concerning the increase of sample volume injection, chromatographic-based preconcentration using on-line solid-phase extraction capillary electrophoresis (SPE-CE) is the best alternative to provide high concentration factors and good reproducibility for analytes with a wide range of properties. In addition, SPE-CE can be used for on-line sample clean-up and purification, with minimum sample handling. This chapter presents a workflow for untargeted SPE-CE-MS-based metabolomics, which includes sample pretreatment, SPE-CE-MS analysis, feature finding, statistical analysis and metabolite identification. In particular, the potential of SPE-CE-MS with a commercial chromatographic C18 sorbent for untargeted metabolomics is demonstrated by analysing low molecular mass compounds in plasma samples from mice genetically modified to develop Huntington's disease (HD), an inherited neurodegenerative disorder. Furthermore, the application of advanced chemometric data analysis tools, such as multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), is proposed for assisting the identification of metabolite biomarker candidates.
CE-MS for Metabolomics: A Comparison with Other Techniques
Authors: Godzien Joanna , Garcia Antonia , López-Gonzalvez Angeles , Barbas Coral
Published: July 2018

Most primary and secondary metabolites are water soluble and ionic and, for this reason, capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) provides a very effective analytical tool for global metabolic profiling, also termed metabolomics. Numbers very often do not support this idea, but this is principally because when lipids, which are mainly detected with liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to MS, are included in the metabolome, they outnumber all the rest of the compounds and comparisons are not accurate. In this chapter, the general metabolomics workflow will be followed and at every step, the strengths and weakness of CE-MS compared with other analytical platforms based on MS will be discussed.
Green synthesis of a plant-derived protein protected copper quantum cluster for intrauterine device application
Authors: Mathew Meegle S. , Davis Joyal , Joseph Kuruvilla
Published: July 2018

A novel one-pot synthesis of blue emitting CuQC via a facile and green method using a sustainable protein, gluten as a capping agent for the development of IUD.
Selection and community analysis of halophilic mixed exoelectrogens from salt lake soils
Authors: Liu Zhuangzhuang , Ma Yamei , Tian Bo , Li Chenxi , Jiang Yujing , Manzoor Nazish , Liu Ying
Published: July 2018

In the presence of an additional 1.5% NaCl, enriched ESA produces currents 2.7 times as high as that ofG. sulfurreducens.
Colorimetric ultrasensitive detection of DNA based on the intensity of gold nanoparticles with dark-field microscopy
Authors: Li Jingjing , Kong Caiyun , Liu Qingyun , Chen Zhengbo
Published: July 2018

We present an ultrasensitive colorimetric nucleic acid assay based on the intensity of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using dark field microscopy.
Harnessing volatile luminescent lanthanide complexes to visualise latent fingermarks on nonporous surfaces
Authors: Florence Grace E. , Gee William J.
Published: July 2018

Sublimation of luminescent lanthanide complexes is shown here to be a facile means of visualising latent fingerprints on nonporous surfaces.
A paper-based potentiometric sensing platform based on molecularly imprinted nanobeads for determination of bisphenol A
Authors: Kamel Ayman H. , Jiang Xiaojing , Li Pengjuan , Liang Rongning
Published: July 2018

For the first time, a simple, low-cost paper-based platform based on uniform-sized MIP nanobeads for potentiometric sensing of bisphenol A is reported.
Rational design of atomically dispersed nickel active sites in β-Mo2C for the hydrogen evolution reaction at all pH values
Authors: Ouyang Ting , Chen An-Na , He Zhen-Zhao , Liu Zhao-Qing , Tong Yexiang
Published: July 2018

Atomically dispersed Ni in β-Mo2C (Ni/β-Mo2C) is designed as an efficient catalyst for the HER at all pH values. The remarkable electrochemical properties of Ni/β-Mo2C are mainly attributed to the synergistic effect between atomically dispersed Ni species and β-Mo2C.
Chiral supramolecular coordination cages as high-performance inhibitors against amyloid-β aggregation
Authors: Bao Ling-Yu , Hao Si-Jia , Xi Sai-Fei , Yan Xiaodong , Zhang Hai-Xia , Shen Rui , Gu Zhi-Guo
Published: July 2018

A family of chiral tetrahedral Ni48+ coordination cages with tunable size and multiple interaction sites can effectively inhibit Aβ aggregation.
A molecular-regulation strategy towards low-voltage driven, multi degree of freedom IPMC catheters
Authors: Lu Chao , Zhao Lei , Hu Yimin , Chen Wei
Published: July 2018

A multi degree of freedom IPMC active catheter with controllable bending ability under a low voltage (∼1.0 V) was developed.
A novel non-enzymatic hydrolytic probe for dipeptidyl peptidase IV specific recognition and imaging
Authors: Xing Jie , Gong Qiuyu , Zhang Renshuai , Sun Shan , Zou Ruifen , Wu Aiguo
Published: July 2018

A novel non-enzymatic hydrolytic probe for DPP IV is obtained.
WO3 as a nucleating agent for BaO/SrO/ZnO/SiO2 glasses – experiments and simulations
Authors: Thieme Christian , Erlebach Andreas , Patzig Christian , Thieme Katrin , Sierka Marek , Höche Thomas , Rüssel Christian
Published: July 2018

In glasses from the BaO–SrO–ZnO–SiO2 system, the addition of up to 4 mol% WO3 leads to volume crystallization.
Charge transfer through a fragment of the respiratory complex I and its regulation: an atomistic simulation approach
Authors: Na Sehee , Jurkovic Sascha , Friedrich Thorsten , Koslowski Thorsten
Published: July 2018

Using molecular dynamics and experimental data, we address the initial charge flow through the respiratory complex I and its regulation.
The magnetic fingerprint of dithiazolyl-based molecule magnets
Authors: Francese Tommaso , Ribas-Arino Jordi , Novoa Juan J. , Havenith Remco W.A. , Broer Ria , de Graaf Coen , Deumal Mercè
Published: July 2018

The ferromagnetic fingerprint of dithiazolyl-based molecule materials is uncovered. Interestingly geometrical rather than electronic structure factors play the leading role.
Exploring the electron density localization in MoS2nanoparticles using a localized-electron detector: Unraveling the origin of the one-dimensional metallic sites on MoS2catalysts
Authors: Aray Yosslen , Barrios Antonio Díaz
Published: July 2018

The nature of the electron density localization in two MoS2nanoclusters containing eight rows of Mo atoms, one with 100% sulphur coverage at the Mo edges (n8_100S) and the other with 50% coverage (n8_50S) was studied using a localized-electron detector function defined in the local moment representation.
Visible-light driven regioselective synthesis of 1H-tetrazoles from aldehydes through isocyanide-based [3 + 2] cycloaddition
Authors: Verma Fooleswar , Sahu Anjumala , Singh Puneet K. , Rai Ankita , Singh Manorama , Rai Vijai K.
Published: July 2018

A novel and green Co@g-C3N4 catalyzed visible light driven direct regioselective synthesis of 1H-tetrazoles directly from various aldehydes and sodium azide is reported.
Design of functionalized β-ketoenole derivatives as efficient fluorescent dyes for detection of amyloid fibrils
Authors: Kovalska Vladyslava , Chernii Svitlana , Losytskyy Mykhaylo , Tretyakova Iryna , Dovbii Yan , Gorski Alexandr , Chernii Victor , Czerwieniec Rafal , Yarmoluk Sergiy
Published: July 2018

Functionalized β-ketoenoles for efficient fluorescence sensing of protein amyloid fibrils giving strong emission increase up to 0.5 QY are designed.
Diketopyrrolopyrrole-based acceptors with multi-arms for organic solar cells
Authors: Sun Po , Li Xiangzhi , Wang Yulong , Shan Haiquan , Xu Jiaju , Liu Changmei , Zhang Cong , Chen Fei , Xu Zongxiang , Chen Zhi-kuan , Huang Wei
Published: July 2018

Three diketopyrrolopyrrole-based small molecule acceptors consisting of a spirobifluorene (SBF) core unit and diketopyrrolopyrrole dicyanovinyl (DPPDCV) units as the arms have been synthesized for organic solar cells.
Confining the polymerization degree of graphitic carbon nitride in porous zeolite-Y and its luminescence
Authors: Wan Wei , Sun Jia-Yi , Ye Shi , Zhang Qin-yuan
Published: July 2018

The composites of porous zeolite-Y and graphitic carbon nitride can be synthesized via a facile two-step method, and the polymerization degree of the latter can be confined by the former.
One-pot synthesis of self-supported hierarchical urchin-like Ni3S2with ultrahigh areal pseudocapacitance
Authors: He Qian , Wang Ying , Liu Xiong Xiong , Blackwood Daniel John , Chen Jun Song
Published: July 2018

Self-supported Ni3S2with hierarchical urchin-like subunits was hydrothermally synthesized with superior areal pseudocapacitance and powered 8 red LEDs.
A comparative study on nanocrystalline layered and crystalline cubic TiP2O7 for rechargeable Li/Na/K alkali metal batteries
Authors: Hu Qiao , Liang Jia-Yun , Liao Jia-Ying , Tang Zhong-Feng , Ding Xiang , Chen Chun-Hua
Published: July 2018

We report, for the first time, that a nanocrystalline layered TiP2O7 as a cathode material for Li-, Na- and K-alkali metal batteries is prepared by a solvothermal process followed by a heat treatment at 600 °C.
Self-immolative polymers with potent and selective antibacterial activity by hydrophilic side chain grafting
Authors: Ergene Cansu , Palermo Edmund F.
Published: July 2018

Self-immolative polymers, which exert potent antibacterial activity with low hemolytic toxicity to red blood cells, are triggered to unzip into small molecules by a chemical stimulus.
The Role of Lexical Status and Individual Differences for Perceptual Learning in Younger and Older Adults
Authors: Colby Sarah , Clayards Meghan , Baum Shari
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This study examined whether older adults remain perceptually flexible when presented with ambiguities in speech in the absence of lexically disambiguating information. We expected older adults to show less perceptual learning when top-down information was not available. We also investigated whether individual differences in executive function predicted perceptual learning in older and younger adults.

Method

Younger (
n
= 31) and older adults (
n
= 27) completed 2 perceptual learning tasks composed of a pretest, exposure, and posttest phase. Both learning tasks exposed participants to clear and ambiguous speech tokens, but crucially, the lexically guided learning task provided disambiguating lexical information whereas the distributional learning task did not. Participants also performed several cognitive tasks to investigate individual differences in working memory, vocabulary, and attention-switching control.

Results

We found that perceptual learning is maintained in older adults, but that learning may be stronger in contexts where top-down information is available. Receptive vocabulary scores predicted learning across both age groups and in both learning tasks.

Conclusions

Implicit learning is maintained with age across different learning conditions but remains stronger when lexically biasing information is available. We find that receptive vocabulary is relevant for learning in both types of learning tasks, suggesting the importance of vocabulary knowledge for adapting to ambiguities in speech.
High‐accuracy document classification with a new algorithm
Authors: Temel T.
Published: July 2018

A new algorithm based on learning vector quantisation classifier is presented based on a modified proximity‐measure, which enforces a predetermined correct classification level in training while using sliding‐mode approach for stable variation in weight updates towards convergence. The proposed algorithm and some well‐known counterparts are implemented by using Python libraries and compared in a task of text classification for document categorisation. Results reveal that the new classifier is a successful contender to those algorithms in terms of testing and training performances.