bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NimbRo Rescue: Solving Disaster‐response Tasks with the Mobile Manipulation Robot Momaro
Authors: Schwarz Max , Rodehutskors Tobias , Droeschel David , Beul Marius , Schreiber Michael , Araslanov Nikita , Ivanov Ivan , Lenz Christian , Razlaw Jan , Schüller Sebastian , Schwarz David , Topalidou‐Kyniazopoulou Angeliki , Behnke Sven
Published: November 2016

Robots that solve complex tasks in environments too dangerous for humans to enter are desperately needed, e.g., for search and rescue applications. We describe our mobile manipulation robot Momaro, with which we participated successfully in the DARPA Robotics Challenge. It features a unique locomotion design with four legs ending in steerable wheels, which allows it both to drive omnidirectionally and to step over obstacles or climb. Furthermore, we present advanced communication and teleoperation approaches, which include immersive three‐dimensional (3D) visualization, and 6D tracking of operator head and arm motions. The proposed system is evaluated in the DARPA Robotics Challenge, the DLR SpaceBot Cup Qualification, and lab experiments. We also discuss the lessons learned from the competitions.
Differences in foraging behavior in wild and pen‐raised northern bobwhites
Authors: Jung Jacob F. , Hayslette Steven E.
Published: November 2016

Increased mortality rates of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) raised in captivity and stocked into the wild compared with wild bobwhites may be due to differences in antipredatory behaviors. We assessed behavior of wild and pen‐raised bobwhites foraging under risk of predation in a captive situation at the Tennessee Tech University Avian Research Facility, Cookeville, Tennessee, USA, during March–April 2008 and February–March 2009. We hypothesized wild bobwhites were more sensitive to predation risk than pen‐raised bobwhites and evaluated the relative contributions of time allocation, vigilance, and foraging efficiency in avoiding predation among wild and pen‐raised bobwhites. Coveys of 4 bobwhites were presented with 3 food patches at presumed safe, moderately risky, and risky distances from cover in 10‐hr trials. Food consumption, vigilance, time allocation, foraging efficiency, and average realized covey size were measured using video recordings for each patch, and compared between wild and pen‐raised bobwhites and among patch risk levels. Both wild and pen‐raised bobwhites foraged more in safe patches than in riskier patches. Vigilance rates were similar between wild and pen‐raised bobwhites. However, pen‐raised bobwhites spent more time foraging at riskier patches than did wild bobwhites. Wild bobwhites foraged more efficiently than did pen‐raised bobwhites, with foraging efficiency of wild bobwhites increasing in risky patches. Greater foraging efficiency and associated shorter foraging time among wild bobwhites may make them less susceptible to predation than pen‐raised bobwhites. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Comparative analysis of the Corynebacterium glutamicum transcriptome in response to changes in dissolved oxygen levels
Authors: Liu Xiuxia , Yang Sun , Wang Fen , Dai Xiaofeng , Yang Yankun , Bai Zhonghu
Published: November 2016

The dissolved oxygen (DO) level of a culture of Corynebacterium glutamicum (C. glutamicum) in a bioreactor has a significant impact on the cellular redox potential and the distribution of energy and metabolites. In this study, to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of DO on the metabolism of C. glutamicum, we sought to systematically explore the influence of different DO concentrations on genetic regulation and metabolism through transcriptomic analysis. The results revealed that after 20 h of fermentation, oxygen limitation enhanced the glucose metabolism, pyruvate metabolism and carbon overflow, and restricted NAD+ availability. A high oxygen supply enhanced the TCA cycle and reduced glyoxylate metabolism. Several key genes involved in response of C. glutamicum to different oxygen concentrations were examined, which provided suggestions for target site modifications in developing optimized oxygen supply strategies. These data provided new insights into the relationship between oxygen supply and metabolism of C. glutamicum.
Standard Errors and Confidence Intervals of Norm Statistics for Educational and Psychological Tests
Authors: Oosterhuis Hannah E. M. , van der Ark L. Andries , Sijtsma Klaas
Published: November 2016

Norm statistics allow for the interpretation of scores on psychological and educational tests, by relating the test score of an individual test taker to the test scores of individuals belonging to the same gender, age, or education groups, et cetera. Given the uncertainty due to sampling error, one would expect researchers to report standard errors for norm statistics. In practice, standard errors are seldom reported; they are either unavailable or derived under strong distributional assumptions that may not be realistic for test scores. We derived standard errors for four norm statistics (standard deviation, percentile ranks, stanine boundaries and Z-scores) under the mild assumption that the test scores are multinomially distributed. A simulation study showed that the standard errors were unbiased and that corresponding Wald-based confidence intervals had good coverage. Finally, we discuss the possibilities for applying the standard errors in practical test use in education and psychology. The procedure is provided via the R function check.norms, which is available in the mokken package.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Toxicological Properties of New Cationic Bleach Activators
Authors: Wang Guan , Umbuzeiro Gisela de Aragão , Vendemiatti Josiane Aparecida , de Oliveira Adria Caloto , Vacchi Francine Inforçato , Hussain Maqbool , Hauser Peter J. , Freeman Harold S. , Hinks David
Published: November 2016

Three new bleach activators for cotton containing pyridinium (PBBC), nicotinamido (NABBC), and 3‐methylpyridinium (3‐PBBC) cationic groups were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR and HPLC–mass spectrometry. They were then applied to cotton fabric in a bleaching process and evaluated for their performance against the prototype N‐[4‐(triethylammoniomethyl)benzoyl]butyrolactam chloride (TBBC) at a relatively low bleaching temperature (55 °C) and pH 8.5. Measurement of Commission internationale de l’éclairage (International Commission on Illumination) (CIE) whiteness index (WI) values showed that PBBC (WI = 64), NABBC (WI = 58), and 3‐PBBC (WI = 71) impart a significant increase in CIE whiteness compared to a control sample (WI = 40). Among the three new activators, 3‐PBBC exhibited the best performance. Its WI was comparable to that of fabric bleached using the prototype bleach activator TBBC. The acute toxicity of TBBC and the new bleach activators was evaluated using the microcrustacean Daphnia similis. The chronic toxicity of TBBC and 3‐PBBC was evaluated using the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata, and mutagenicity was evaluated in the Salmonella/microsome assay using the strain TA100. 3‐PBBC was 86 times less toxic to D. similis, 18 times less toxic to R. subcapitata, and 10 times less mutagenic to TA100 in comparison with TBBC.
Elderly Perceptions of Social Capital and Age-Related Disaster Vulnerability
Authors: Meyer Michelle Annette
Published: November 2016

Objective

Elderly individuals are considered at elevated risk of disaster impacts owing to increased health concerns, reduced mobility, and fixed economic resources. Social capital can counteract these vulnerabilities by increasing the likelihood of hearing disaster warnings, providing social ties to assist with preparation and evacuation, and providing access to financial or nonfinancial resources. I aimed to analyze the relationship between age and perceptions of disaster-related social capital.

Methods

I used mailed surveys and in-person interviews with a sample of residents from 2 Florida counties to study perceptions of social capital available for disaster.

Results

The results showed that age has a negative effect on perceptions of social capital resources available during a disaster. The elderly reported fewer social ties overall and much fewer social ties that could provide financial assistance, if necessary, during a disaster.

Conclusions

These results indicate that social capital may not counteract the social vulnerabilities of elderly persons to disaster impacts. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:48–55)
Context and Contingency: Explaining State Ownership in Norway
Authors: LIE EINAR
Published: November 2016

At the present time, the Norwegian state owns a large number of business enterprises. The state controls around 35 percent of the total values on the Oslo Stock Exchange, and five of the seven largest listed companies are partially owned by the state, ranging from 34 to 64 percent. This article traces the background of state ownership from the formative phase of state involvement in the modern economy, and it demonstrates how this ownership provided growth in state enterprises after 1945. The broad support for large state enterprises is explained by ongoing national, political, social, and economic contexts. There is a high level of trust in the state, which is perceived as a protector of common interests. Broad support is also based on the fact that there is a lack of private investors and a strong inclination to restrict foreign influence in the domestic economy.
Nonlinear coupling of interfacial instabilities with resonant wave interactions in horizontal two-fluid plane Couette–Poiseuille flows: numerical and physical observations
Authors: Campbell Bryce K. , Hendrickson Kelli , Liu Yuming
Published: November 2016

We investigate mechanisms governing the initial growth and nonlinear evolution of interfacial waves in horizontal two-fluid plane Couette–Poiseuille flows. Nonlinear coupling of the Kelvin–Helmholtz interfacial instability with resonant wave interactions has been shown to be capable of rapidly generating long waves through the transfer of energy from linearly unstable short waves to stable long-wave components within the context of potential flow theory. The objective of this work is to determine whether that coupled mechanism persists in laminar and turbulent viscous flows. Utilizing both theoretical and computational methods, we analyse the initial Orr–Sommerfeld instability to quantify the frequencies and growth/decay rates of each wave mode for two-fluid laminar and turbulent channel flows. The obtained dispersion relation allows for the identification of resonant and/or near-resonant triads among (unstable and damped) wave components in an interfacial wave spectrum. We perform direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the two-phase Navier–Stokes equations with a fully nonlinear interface to formally establish the validity of our theoretical predictions for viscous flows. DNS results show the existence of a nonlinear energy cascade from unstable short- to damped long-wavelength waves due to resonant subharmonic and/or triadic interactions in both laminar Couette and turbulent Poiseuille flows. Spectral analysis of the interfacial evolution confirms that the combined instability–resonance mechanism persists in the presence of viscosity despite being derived under the assumption of potential flow theory. Finally, we perform a detailed examination of experimentally measured wave power spectra from Jurman et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 238, 1992, pp. 187–219) and carry out a numerical sensitivity study of the flow conditions to demonstrate and verify the existence of the coupled instability–resonance mechanism in physical systems. Our analysis accurately predicts the initial instability and the resulting nonlinear energy cascade through subharmonic and triadic interfacial wave resonances.
Variational treatment of inertia–gravity waves interacting with a quasi-geostrophic mean flow
Authors: Salmon Rick
Published: November 2016

The equations for three-dimensional hydrostatic Boussinesq dynamics are equivalent to a variational principle that is closely analogous to the variational principle for classical electrodynamics. Inertia–gravity waves are analogous to electromagnetic waves, and available potential vorticity (i.e. the amount by which the potential vorticity exceeds the potential vorticity of the rest state) is analogous to electric charge. The Lagrangian can be expressed as the sum of three parts. The first part corresponds to quasi-geostrophic dynamics in the absence of inertia–gravity waves. The second part corresponds to inertia–gravity waves in the absence of quasi-geostrophic flow. The third part represents a coupling between the inertia–gravity waves and quasi-geostrophic motion. This formulation provides the basis for a general theory of inertia–gravity waves interacting with a quasi-geostrophic mean flow.
Effects of arginine on intestinal epithelial cell integrity and nutrient uptake
Authors: Xia Mi , Ye Lulu , Hou Qihang , Yu Qinghua
Published: November 2016

Arginine is a multifaceted amino acid that is critical to the normal physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Oral arginine administration has been shown to improve mucosal recovery following intestinal injury. The present study investigated the influence of extracellular arginine concentrations on epithelial cell barrier regulation and nutrition uptake by porcine small intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2). The results show that reducing arginine concentration from 0·7 to 0·2 mmdid not affect the transepithelial electrical resistance value, tight-junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin, E-cadherin), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (p-ERK) and mucin-1 expression. Furthermore, reducing arginine concentration stimulated greater expression of cationic amino acid transporter (CAT1), excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT3) and alanine/serine/cysteine transporter (ASCT1) mRNA by IPEC-J2 cells, which was verified by elevated efficiency of amino acid uptake. Glucose consumption by IPEC-J2 cells treated with 0·2 mm-arginine remained at the same physiological level to guarantee energy supply and to maintain the cell barrier. This experiment implied that reducing arginine concentration is feasible in IPEC-J2 cells guaranteed by nutrient uptake and cell barrier function.
The Sexuality of Malcolm X
Authors: PHELPS CHRISTOPHER
Published: November 2016

This article engages the controversy over whether Malcolm Little, who would become Malcolm X, had same-sexual encounters. A minute sifting of all evidence and claims, augmented by new findings, yields strong indication that Malcolm Little did take part in sex acts with male counterparts. If set in the context of the 1930s and 1940s, these acts position him not as a “homosexual lover,” as has been asserted, but in the pattern of “straight trade” – heterosexual men open to sex with homosexuals – an understanding that in turn affords insights into the black revolutionary's mature masculinity.
The Nikaidoh procedure for complex transposition of the great arteries: short-term follow-up
Authors: Ventosa-Fernández Guillermo , Pérez-Negueruela Carolina , Mayol Javier , Paradela Marina , Caffarena-Calvar José M.
Published: November 2016

Background

The surgical treatment for complex forms ofd-transposition of the great arteries associated with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction remains controversial. In this study, we describe the classical surgical options – namely, the Rastelli procedure and the “réparation à l’étage ventriculaire” – and present our experience with the modified Nikaidoh procedure with early and short-term follow-up results.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2014, four patients withd-transposition of the great arteries associated with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction underwent surgical repair at our institution by means of a modified Nikaidoh procedure.

Results

With a mean follow-up of 4.5 years, survival was 100%, and none of the patients required re-intervention or mechanical circulatory support. There was no recurrence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and no aortic valve regurgitation classified as more than mild. Left ventricular function was preserved.

Conclusions

Aortic translocation with the modified Nikaidoh procedure is a safe and effective surgical treatment for certain complex forms of transposition of the great arteries, particularly those associated with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. It is associated with less need for re-intervention and better morbidity and mortality results in the short- and mid-term follow-up, when compared with the classical alternatives such as the Rastelli procedure.
Crime and Punishment: the Impact of Skin Color and Socioeconomic Status of Defendants and Victims in Jury Trials in Brazil
Authors: da Silva Rogério Ferreira , Oliveira Lima Marcus Eugênio
Published: November 2016

Social judgments are often influenced by racism. Voluntary crimes against life, and in particular the crime of homicide, may be the most critical situations of the impact of racism in social judgments. We analyzed 114 homicide trials conducted by the 1stJury Court, in a Brazilian judicial capital, concluded between 2003 and 2007, for the purpose of investigating the effects of skin color and the socioeconomic status of the defendant and the victim of homicides in the jury trial court’s decision. The results indicate that the social and economic profile of defendants and victims of homicide is identical. They are almost all poor (more than 70%), with low education (more than 73%) and frequently non-Whites (more than 88%). We found that judges assign longer sentences to black (β = .34,p= .01) and poor defendants (β = .23,p< .05). We even verified that the poorer the defendant, the higher was the corresponding conviction rate (Wald’s Test= 5.90,p< .05). The results are discussed based on theories of social psychology and criminological sociology, which consider the relationship between skin color and socioeconomic status in social judgments and in discrimination.
The Language of Fairness: how Cross-Linguistic Norms in Spanish and English Influence Reactions to Unfair Treatment
Authors: Birk Sam J. , Kausel Edgar E.
Published: November 2016

We integrate recent findings from the linguistics literature with the organizational justice literature to examine how the language used to encode justice violations influences fairness perceptions. The study focused on the use of non-agentive syntax to encode mistakes in Spanish (“The vase was broken”) versus using agentive syntax in English (“She broke the vase”) influences event fairness perceptions. We hypothesized that when justice violations are encoded using Spanish, because the non-agentive syntax makes the responsible party less salient, the event would be perceived as less unfair. In Study 1 (n= 111), English-speaking participants rated the fairness of an event in which a mistake was made and an employee received a negative outcome. They rated it as more unfair (p< .01, η2= .06) when the scenario was presented in agentive syntax. Experiment 2 (n= 70) used native English- and Spanish-speakers who watched a video of manager making a mistake. We found that Spanish-speakers used less agentive syntax (p< .01, η2= .21), perceived the event as less unfair (p< .001, η2= .23), and were more willing to help the manager who made the mistake. In Experiment 3 (n= 101) we replicated this effect controlling for cross-cultural differences and native language; further, we found an interaction between entity fairness (event vs. entity) and native language (Spanish vs. English) on citizenship intentions (p< .01, η2= .08). These results extend our understanding of how language may influence relevant workplace attitudes.
Aquaporin 3 facilitates chemoresistance in gastric cancer cells to cisplatin via autophagy
Authors: Dong Xuqiang , Wang Yao , Zhou Yangchun , Wen Jianfei , Wang Shoulin , Shen Lizong
Published: November 2016

Cisplatin (cDDP) remains one of the first-line chemotherapeutic agents for gastric cancer (GC) treatment, and resistance to cDDP is the major limitation in its clinical application. Mechanisms of cDDP resistance have been shown to be varied and complicated. Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) has been demonstrated to be overexpressed in GC tissues and is thought to be involved in GC carcinogenesis and progression. However, the role of AQP3 in chemosensitivity of GC to cytotoxic agents remains unknown. In this study, we show that AQP3 overexpression induced resistance to cDDP in AGS cells (P<0.05), and AQP3 knockdown increased the chemosensitivity in MGC803 and SGC7901 cells (P<0.05). Moreover, cDDP treatment enhanced AQP3 expression in MGC803, SGC7901 and AGS cells. AQP3 overexpression promoted the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II in AGS cells, whereas AQP3 knockdown inhibited this conversion in MGC803 and SGC7901 cells. AQP3 upregulation increased Atg5 and Beclin-1 expression, and inhibited P62 expression in AGS cells, whereas AQP3 knockdown showed the opposite results in MGC803 and SGC7901 cells. Chloroquine (CQ), an autophagy inhibitor, enhanced the cytotoxicity of cDDP in GC cells, and CQ reversed the chemoresistance to cDDP caused by AQP3 overexpression in GC cells. Together, our data demonstrate that AQP3 facilitates cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer cells via autophagy, and suggest that the development of AQP3-based tumor therapeutics could play a key role in future GC treatment strategies.
Selective removal of deletion-bearing mitochondrial DNA in heteroplasmic Drosophila
Authors: Kandul Nikolay P. , Zhang Ting , Hay Bruce A. , Guo Ming
Published: November 2016

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) often exists in a state of heteroplasmy, in which mutant mtDNA co-exists in cells with wild-type mtDNA. High frequencies of pathogenic mtDNA result in maternally inherited diseases; maternally and somatically acquired mutations also accumulate over time and contribute to diseases of ageing. Reducing heteroplasmy is therefore a therapeutic goal and in vivo models in post-mitotic tissues are needed to facilitate these studies. Here we describe a transgene-based model of a heteroplasmic lethal mtDNA deletion (mtDNAΔ) in adult Drosophila muscle. Stimulation of autophagy, activation of the PINK1/parkin pathway or decreased levels of mitofusin result in a selective decrease in mtDNAΔ. Decreased levels of mitofusin and increased levels of ATPIF1, an inhibitor of ATP synthase reversal-dependent mitochondrial repolarization, result in a further decrease in mtDNAΔ levels. These results show that an adult post-mitotic tissue can be cleansed of a deleterious genome, suggesting that therapeutic removal of mutant mtDNA can be achieved.
Absolute abundance of southern bluefin tuna estimated by close-kin mark-recapture
Authors: Bravington Mark V. , Grewe Peter M. , Davies Campbell R.
Published: November 2016

Southern bluefin tuna is a highly valuable, severely depleted species, whose abundance and productivity have been difficult to assess with conventional fishery data. Here we use large-scale genotyping to look for parent–offspring pairs among 14,000 tissue samples of juvenile and adult tuna collected from the fisheries, finding 45 pairs in total. Using a modified mark-recapture framework where ‘recaptures’ are kin rather than individuals, we can estimate adult abundance and other demographic parameters such as survival, without needing to use contentious fishery catch or effort data. Our abundance estimates are substantially higher and more precise than previously thought, indicating a somewhat less-depleted and more productive stock. More broadly, this technique of ‘close-kin mark-recapture’ has widespread utility in fisheries and wildlife conservation. It estimates a key parameter for management—the absolute abundance of adults—while avoiding the expense of independent surveys or tag-release programmes, and the interpretational problems of fishery catch rates.
Glucose-regulated and drug-perturbed phosphoproteome reveals molecular mechanisms controlling insulin secretion
Authors: Sacco Francesca , Humphrey Sean J. , Cox Jürgen , Mischnik Marcel , Schulte Anke , Klabunde Thomas , Schäfer Matthias , Mann Matthias
Published: November 2016

Insulin-secreting beta cells play an essential role in maintaining physiological blood glucose levels, and their dysfunction leads to the development of diabetes. To elucidate the signalling events regulating insulin secretion, we applied a recently developed phosphoproteomics workflow. We quantified the time-resolved phosphoproteome of murine pancreatic cells following their exposure to glucose and in combination with small molecule compounds that promote insulin secretion. The quantitative phosphoproteome of 30,000 sites clustered into three main groups in concordance with the modulation of the three key kinases: PKA, PKC and CK2A. A high-resolution time course revealed key novel regulatory sites, revealing the importance of methyltransferase DNMT3A phosphorylation in the glucose response. Remarkably a significant proportion of these novel regulatory sites is significantly downregulated in diabetic islets. Control of insulin secretion is embedded in an unexpectedly broad and complex range of cellular functions, which are perturbed by drugs in multiple ways.
Akkermansia muciniphila mediates negative effects of IFNγ on glucose metabolism
Authors: Greer Renee L. , Dong Xiaoxi , Moraes Ana Carolina F. , Zielke Ryszard A. , Fernandes Gabriel R. , Peremyslova Ekaterina , Vasquez-Perez Stephany , Schoenborn Alexi A. , Gomes Everton P. , Pereira Alexandre C. , Ferreira Sandra R. G. , Yao Michael , Fuss Ivan J. , Strober Warren , Sikora Aleksandra E. , Taylor Gregory A. , Gulati Ajay S. , Morgun Andrey , Shulzhenko Natalia
Published: November 2016

Cross-talk between the gut microbiota and the host immune system regulates host metabolism, and its dysregulation can cause metabolic disease. Here, we show that the gut microbe Akkermansia muciniphila can mediate negative effects of IFNγ on glucose tolerance. In IFNγ-deficient mice, A. muciniphila is significantly increased and restoration of IFNγ levels reduces A. muciniphila abundance. We further show that IFNγ-knockout mice whose microbiota does not contain A. muciniphila do not show improvement in glucose tolerance and adding back A. muciniphila promoted enhanced glucose tolerance. We go on to identify Irgm1 as an IFNγ-regulated gene in the mouse ileum that controls gut A. muciniphila levels. A. muciniphila is also linked to IFNγ-regulated gene expression in the intestine and glucose parameters in humans, suggesting that this trialogue between IFNγ, A. muciniphila and glucose tolerance might be an evolutionally conserved mechanism regulating metabolic health in mice and humans.
CD45-mediated control of TCR tuning in naïve and memory CD8+ T cells
Authors: Cho Jae-Ho , Kim Hee-Ok , Ju Young-Jun , Kye Yoon-Chul , Lee Gil-Woo , Lee Sung-Woo , Yun Cheol-Heui , Bottini Nunzio , Webster Kylie , Goodnow Christopher C. , Surh Charles D. , King Cecile , Sprent Jonathan
Published: November 2016

Continuous contact with self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) ligands is essential for survival of naïve T cells but not memory cells. This surprising finding implies that T cell subsets may vary in their relative T-cell receptor (TCR) sensitivity. Here we show that in CD8+T cells TCR sensitivity correlates inversely with levels of CD5, a marker for strong self-MHC reactivity. We also show that TCR sensitivity is lower in memory CD8+ T cells than naïve cells. In both situations, TCR hypo-responsiveness applies only to short-term TCR signalling events and not to proliferation, and correlates directly with increased expression of a phosphatase, CD45 and reciprocal decreased expression of activated LCK. Inhibition by high CD45 on CD8+ T cells may protect against overt TCR auto-MHC reactivity, while enhanced sensitivity to cytokines ensures strong responses to foreign antigens.
U–Pb geochronology documents out-of-sequence emplacement of ultramafic layers in the Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa
Authors: Mungall James E. , Kamo Sandra L. , McQuade Stewart
Published: November 2016

Layered intrusions represent part of the plumbing systems that deliver vast quantities of magma through the Earth’s crust during the formation of large igneous provinces, which disrupt global ecosystems and host most of the Earth’s endowment of Pt, Ni and Cr deposits. The Rustenburg Layered Suite of the enormous Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa has been presumed to have formed by deposition of crystals at the floor of a subterranean sea of magma several km deep and hundreds of km wide called a magma chamber. Here we show, using U–Pb isotopic dating of zircon and baddeleyite, that individual chromitite layers of the Rustenburg Layered Suite formed within a stack of discrete sheet-like intrusions emplaced and solidified as separate bodies beneath older layers. Our U–Pb ages and modelling necessitate reassessment of the genesis of layered intrusions and their ore deposits, and challenge even the venerable concept of the magma chamber itself.
Anomalous time delays and quantum weak measurements in optical micro-resonators
Authors: Asano M. , Bliokh K. Y. , Bliokh Y. P. , Kofman A. G. , Ikuta R. , Yamamoto T. , Kivshar Y. S. , Yang L. , Imoto N. , Özdemir Ş.K. , Nori F.
Published: November 2016

Quantum weak measurements, wavepacket shifts and optical vortices are universal wave phenomena, which originate from fine interference of multiple plane waves. These effects have attracted considerable attention in both classical and quantum wave systems. Here we report on a phenomenon that brings together all the above topics in a simple one-dimensional scalar wave system. We consider inelastic scattering of Gaussian wave packets with parameters close to a zero of the complex scattering coefficient. We demonstrate that the scattered wave packets experience anomalously large time and frequency shifts in such near-zero scattering. These shifts reveal close analogies with the Goos–Hänchen beam shifts and quantum weak measurements of the momentum in a vortex wavefunction. We verify our general theory by an optical experiment using the near-zero transmission (near-critical coupling) of Gaussian pulses propagating through a nano-fibre with a side-coupled toroidal micro-resonator. Measurements demonstrate the amplification of the time delays from the typical inverse-resonator-linewidth scale to the pulse-duration scale.
Optical analogues of the Newton–Schrödinger equation and boson star evolution
Authors: Roger Thomas , Maitland Calum , Wilson Kali , Westerberg Niclas , Vocke David , Wright Ewan M. , Faccio Daniele
Published: November 2016

Many gravitational phenomena that lie at the core of our understanding of the Universe have not yet been directly observed. An example in this sense is the boson star that has been proposed as an alternative to some compact objects currently interpreted as being black holes. In the weak field limit, these stars are governed by the Newton–Schrodinger equation. Here we present an optical system that, under appropriate conditions, identically reproduces such equation in two dimensions. A rotating boson star is experimentally and numerically modelled by an optical beam propagating through a medium with a positive thermal nonlinearity and is shown to oscillate in time while also stable up to relatively high densities. For higher densities, instabilities lead to an apparent breakup of the star, yet coherence across the whole structure is maintained. These results show that optical analogues can be used to shed new light on inaccessible gravitational objects.
Hierarchy of universal entanglement in 2D measurement-based quantum computation
Authors: Miller Jacob , Miyake Akimasa
Published: November 2016

Measurement-based quantum computation (MQC) is a paradigm for studying quantum computation using many-body entanglement and single-qubit measurements. Although MQC has inspired wide-ranging discoveries throughout quantum information, our understanding of the general principles underlying MQC seems to be biased by its historical reliance upon the archetypal 2D cluster state. Here we utilise recent advances in the subject of symmetry-protected topological order (SPTO) to introduce a novel MQC resource state, whose physical and computational behaviour differs fundamentally from that of the cluster state. We show that, in sharp contrast to the cluster state, our state enables universal quantum computation using only measurements of single-qubit Pauli X, Y, and Z operators. This novel computational feature is related to the ‘genuine’ 2D SPTO possessed by our state, and which is absent in the cluster state. Our concrete connection between the latent computational complexity of many-body systems and macroscopic quantum orders may find applications in quantum many-body simulation for benchmarking classically intractable complexity.
Notch3 inhibits epithelial–mesenchymal transition by activating Kibra-mediated Hippo/YAP signaling in breast cancer epithelial cells
Authors: Zhang X , Liu X , Luo J , Xiao W , Ye X , Chen M , Li Y , Zhang G-J
Published: November 2016

Invasion, metastasis and chemoresistance are leading causes of death in breast cancer patients. A vital change of epithelial cells, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), is involved in these processes. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms controlling EMT remain to be elucidated. Our previous studies have shown that ectopic N3ICD expression inhibits EMT in MDA-MB-231, a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) epithelial cell line. To decipher the mechanism, we performed in-depth studies. Specifically, we found that overexpressing N3ICD transcriptionally upregulated the expression of Kibra, an upstream member of the Hippo pathway. Correspondingly, we also observed that phosphorylated Hippo pathway core kinases, including Lats1/2 and MST1/2, were increased and decreased by overexpressing and knocking down Notch3, respectively. Furthermore, we found that the oncogenic transcriptional coactivator yes-associated protein (YAP), which is negatively regulated by the Hippo pathway, was inhibited by overexpressing N3ICD in breast cancer epithelial cells. The ability of Kibra to inhibit EMT has been previously reported. We thus speculated that Notch3 inhibition of EMT is mediated by upregulated Kibra. To verify this hypothesis, a rescue experiment was performed. Evidently, the ability of Notch3 to inhibit EMT can be countered by knocking down Kibra expression. These data suggest that Notch3 inhibits EMT by activating the Hippo/YAP pathway by upregulating Kibra in breast cancer epithelial cells, and Kibra may be a downstream effector of Notch3. These findings deepen our understanding of EMT in both development and disease, and will undoubtedly help to provide new therapeutic strategies for interfering with cancer invasion and metastasis, especially for TNBC.
Layered double hydroxide of Cd-Al/C for the Mineralization and De-coloration of Dyes in Solar and Visible Light Exposure
Authors: Khan Shahid Ali , Khan Sher Bahadar , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: November 2016

Cd-Al/C layered double hydroxide (Cd-Al/C-LDH) and Cd-Sb/C nanocatalyst are reported here for the de-coloration and mineralization of organic dyes. These catalysts were largely characterized by FESEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, XPS, PL and DRS. The diffuse reflectance data showed a band gap at 2.92 and 2.983 eV for Cd-Al/C-LDH and Cd-Sb/C respectively. The band gap suggested that both catalysts work well in visible range. The photoluminescence spectra indicated a peak at 623 nm for both the catalysts which further support the effectiveness of the respective catalyst in visible range. Both catalysts also showed good recyclability and durability till 4th cycle. Five dyes, acridine orange (AO), malachite green (MG), crystal violet (CV), congo red (CR) and methyl orange (MO) were used in this experiment. Various parameters of different light intensity such as visible, ultraviolet, sunlight and dark condition are observed for the de-coloration of these dyes. The de-coloration phenomenon was proceeded through adsorption assisted phot-degradation. The low cost, abundant nature, good recyclability and better dye removal efficiency make these catalysts suitable candidates for the de-coloration and mineralization of organic dyes.
Modulating endotoxin activity by combinatorial bioengineering of meningococcal lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Zariri Afshin , Pupo Elder , van Riet Elly , van Putten Jos P. M. , van der Ley Peter
Published: November 2016

Neisseria meningitidis contains a very potent hexa-acylated LPS that is too toxic for therapeutic applications. We used systematic molecular bioengineering of meningococcal LPS through deletion of biosynthetic enzymes in combination with induction of LPS modifying enzymes to yield a variety of novel LPS mutants with changes in both lipid A acylation and phosphorylation. Mass spectrometry was used for detailed compositional determination of the LPS molecular species, and stimulation of immune cells was done to correlate this with endotoxic activity. Removal of phosphethanolamine in lipid A by deletion of lptA slightly reduces activity of hexa-acylated LPS, but this reduction is even more evident in penta-acylated LPS. Surprisingly, expression of PagL deacylase in a penta-acylated lpxL1 mutant increased LPS activity, contradicting the general rule that tetra-acylated LPS is less active than penta-acylated LPS. Further modification included expression of lpxP, an enzyme known to add a secondary 9-hexadecenoic acid to the 2’ acyl chain. The LpxP enzyme is temperature-sensitive, enabling control over the ratio of expressed modified hexa- and penta-acylated LPS by simply changing the growth temperature. These LPS derivatives display a broad range of TLR4 activity and differential cytokine induction, which can be exploited for use as vaccine adjuvant or other TLR4-based therapeutics.
The Efficacy of Prophylactic Antibiotics on Post-Stroke Infections: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Liang , Xiong Xiao-Yi , Zhang Qin , Fan Xiao-Tang , Yang Qing-Wu
Published: November 2016

Post-stroke infections are common complications in acute stroke patients and are associated with an unfavorable functional outcome. However, reports on the effects of prophylactic antibiotics treatment on post-stroke infections are conflicting, especially those on post-stroke pneumonia and outcomes. We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Knowledge databases up through March 11th, 2016. Seven randomized controlled trials including 4261 patients were analyzed among this systematic review and meta-analysis. We found preventive antibiotics treatment at the time of stroke onset did reduce the incidence of infections in adults with acute stroke (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.38–0.85, P = 0.005), including reducing the number of urinary tract infections (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.26–0.46, P < 0.001), but did not significantly decrease the rate of post-stroke pneumonia (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.73–1.13, P = 0.385). Importantly, antibiotics treatment also showed no significant effect on the number of fatalities among stroke patients (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.90–1.26, P = 0.743) and functional outcome scores on the modified Rankin Scale (OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 0.86–3.63, p = 0.124). Our study indicated that preventive antibiotics treatment not reduced the rate of post-stroke pneumonia or mortality, even though decreased the risk of infections, especially urinary tract infections. Thus, preventive antibiotics treatment may not be recommended for acute stroke patients.
Aflibercept and Ang1 supplementation improve neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy in a preclinical model of resectable breast cancer
Authors: Wu Florence T. H. , Paez-Ribes Marta , Xu Ping , Man Shan , Bogdanovic Elena , Thurston Gavin , Kerbel Robert S.
Published: November 2016

Phase III clinical trials evaluating bevacizumab (an antibody to the angiogenic ligand, VEGF-A) in breast cancer have found improved responses in the presurgical neoadjuvant setting but no benefits in the postsurgical adjuvant setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate alternative antiangiogenic therapies, which target multiple VEGF family members or differentially modulate the Angiopoietin/Tie2 pathway, in a mouse model of resectable triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Neoadjuvant therapy experiments involved treating established orthotopic xenografts of an aggressive metastatic variant of the MDA-MB-231 human TNBC cell line, LM2-4. Adjuvant therapies were given after primary tumor resections to treat postsurgical regrowths and distant metastases. Aflibercept (‘VEGF Trap’, which neutralizes VEGF-A, VEGF-B and PlGF) showed greater efficacy than nesvacumab (an anti-Ang2 antibody) as an add-on to neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy. Concurrent inhibition of Ang1 and Ang2 signaling (through an antagonistic anti-Tie2 antibody) was not more efficacious than selective Ang2 inhibition. In contrast, short-term perioperative BowAng1 (a recombinant Ang1 variant) improved the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy. In conclusion, concurrent VEGF pathway inhibition is more likely than Ang/Tie2 pathway inhibition (e.g., anti-Ang2, anti-Ang2/Ang1, anti-Tie2) to improve neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapies for TNBC. Short-term perioperative Ang1 supplementation may also have therapeutic potential in conjunction with adjuvant chemotherapy for TNBC.
High-Affinity α-Conotoxin PnIA Analogs Designed on the Basis of the Protein Surface Topography Method
Authors: Kasheverov Igor E. , Chugunov Anton O. , Kudryavtsev Denis S. , Ivanov Igor A. , Zhmak Maxim N. , Shelukhina Irina V. , Spirova Ekaterina N. , Tabakmakher Valentin M. , Zelepuga Elena A. , Efremov Roman G. , Tsetlin Victor I.
Published: November 2016

Despite some success for small molecules, elucidating structure–function relationships for biologically active peptides — the ligands for various targets in the organism — remains a great challenge and calls for the development of novel approaches. Some of us recently proposed the Protein Surface Topography (PST) approach, which benefits from a simplified representation of biomolecules’ surface as projection maps, which enables the exposure of the structure–function dependencies. Here, we use PST to uncover the “activity pattern” in α-conotoxins — neuroactive peptides that effectively target nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). PST was applied in order to design several variants of the α-conotoxin PnIA, which were synthesized and thoroughly studied. Among the best was PnIA[R9, L10], which exhibits nanomolar affinity for the α7 nAChR, selectivity and a slow wash-out from this target. Importantly, these mutations could hardly be delineated by “standard” structure-based drug design. The proposed combination of PST with a set of experiments proved very efficient for the rational construction of new bioactive molecules.
Didox and resveratrol sensitize colorectal cancer cells to doxorubicin via activating apoptosis and ameliorating P-glycoprotein activity
Authors: Khaleel Sahar A. , Al-Abd Ahmed M. , Ali Azza A. , Abdel-Naim Ashraf B.
Published: November 2016

Doxorubicin (DOX) has limited efficacy in colorectal cancer due to multi-drug resistance. Resveratrol (RES) and didox (DID) are polyhydroxyphenols with potential chemosensitizing effects. Herein, we assessed the chemomodulatory effects of RES and DID to DOX in colorectal cancer cells. Equitoxic combination of DOX with RES and DID in HCT 116 reduced the IC50 of DOX from 0.96 ± 0.02 μM to 0.52 ± 0.05 μM and 0.4 ± 0.06 μM, respectively. Similarly, combination of DOX with RES and DID in HT-29 decreased the IC50’s of DOX from 0.88 ± 0.03 μM to 0.47 ± 0.02 μM and 0.29 ± 0.04 μM, respectively. The expressions of p53 and Bax genes were markedly elevated in HCT 116 cells after exposure to DOX/DID. In HT-29 cells, the expression of Bcl-XL gene was significantly decreased after exposure to DOX/DID. In addition, combination of DOX with RES significantly increased the expression of Bax gene in HCT 116 cells. RES treatment induced significant S-phase arrest in DOX-treated HCT 116 cells, while DID induced G2/M- and S-phase arrest in HCT 116 and HT-29, respectively. Both RES and DID significantly enhanced the intracellular entrapment of DOX due to blocking the efflux activity of p-glycoprotein pump. In conclusion, RES and DID sensitize colorectal cancer cells to DOX via facilitating apoptosis and enhancing intracellular entrapment of DOX.
Spin relaxation signature of colossal magnetic anisotropy in platinum atomic chains
Authors: Bergman Anders , Hellsvik Johan , Bessarab Pavel F. , Delin Anna
Published: November 2016

Recent experimental data demonstrate emerging magnetic order in platinum atomically thin nanowires. Furthermore, an unusual form of magnetic anisotropy – colossal magnetic anisotropy (CMA) – was earlier predicted to exist in atomically thin platinum nanowires. Using spin dynamics simulations based on first-principles calculations, we here explore the spin dynamics of atomically thin platinum wires to reveal the spin relaxation signature of colossal magnetic anisotropy, comparing it with other types of anisotropy such as uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (UMA). We find that the CMA alters the spin relaxation process distinctly and, most importantly, causes a large speed-up of the magnetic relaxation compared to uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. The magnetic behavior of the nanowire exhibiting CMA should be possible to identify experimentally at the nanosecond time scale for temperatures below 5 K. This time-scale is accessible in e.g., soft x-ray free electron laser experiments.
TRF1 phosphorylation on T271 modulates telomerase-dependent telomere length maintenance as well as the formation of ALT-associated PML bodies
Authors: Ho Angus , Wilson Florence R. , Peragine Stephanie L. , Jeyanthan Kajaparan , Mitchell Taylor R. H. , Zhu Xu-Dong
Published: November 2016

TRF1, a component of the shelterin complex, plays a key role in both telomerase-dependent telomere maintenance and alternative lengthening of telomeres, the latter also known as ALT. Characteristics of ALT cells include C-circles and ALT-associated PML bodies, referred to as APBs. The function of TRF1 is tightly regulated by post-translational modification including phosphorylation, however TRF1 phosphorylation sites have yet to be fully characterized. Here we report a novel TRF1 phosphorylation site threonine 271. We show that a nonphosphorylatable mutation of T271A impairs TRF1 binding to telomeric DNA in vivo and renders TRF1 defective in inhibiting telomerase-dependent telomere elongation. On the other hand, TRF1 carrying a phosphomimic mutation of T271D is competent in not only binding to telomeric DNA but also inhibiting telomerase-mediated telomere lengthening. These results suggest that TRF1 phosphorylation on T271 negatively regulates telomerase-mediated telomere maintenance. We find that in telomerase-negative ALT cells, TRF1 carrying either a T271A or T271D mutation is able to promote C-circle production but fails to support APB formation. These results suggest that TRF1 phosphorylation on T271 is necessary for APB formation but dispensable for C-circle production. These results further imply that APB formation can be mechanistically separated from C-circle production.