bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Relationship Between Surgical Capacity and Output in Ghana: Current Capacity Assessments May Not Tell the Whole Story
Authors: Stewart Barclay T. , Gyedu Adam , Gaskill Cameron , Boakye Godfred , Quansah Robert , Donkor Peter , Volmink Jimmy , Mock Charles
Published: March 2018

Objective

Capacity assessments serve as surrogates for surgical output in low‐ and middle‐income countries where detailed registers do not exist. The relationship between surgical capacity and output was evaluated in Ghana to determine whether a more critical interpretation of capacity assessment data is needed on which to base health systems strengthening initiatives.

Methods

A standardized surgical capacity assessment was performed at 37 hospitals nationwide using WHO guidelines; availability of 25 essential resources and capabilities was used to create a composite capacity score that ranged from 0 (no availability of essential resources) to 75 (constant availability) for each hospital. Data regarding the number of essential operations performed over 1 year, surgical specialties available, hospital beds, and functional operating rooms were also collected. The relationship between capacity and output was explored.

Results

The median surgical capacity score was 37 [interquartile range (IQR) 29–48; range 20–56]. The median number of essential operations per year was 1480 (IQR 736–1932) at first‐level hospitals; 1545 operations (IQR 984–2452) at referral hospitals; and 11,757 operations (IQR 3769–21,256) at tertiary hospitals. Surgical capacity and output were not correlated (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Contrary to current understanding, surgical capacity assessments may not accurately reflect surgical output. To improve the validity of surgical capacity assessments and facilitate maximal use of available resources, other factors that influence output should also be considered, including demand‐side factors; supply‐side factors and process elements; and health administration and management factors.
Pre-ovipositional maternal care alleviates food stress of offspring in the flower beetle Dicronocephalus wallichii
Authors: Kojima Wataru , Lin Chung-Ping
Published: March 2018

Unlike most other flower beetles, females of Dicronocephalus wallichii exhibit nesting behaviour. The female constructs a burrow in the soil, cuts dead plant leaves into small pieces to provision the nest, and then lays one egg inside the nest. Hatched larvae have been thought to feed on the nest materials prepared by their mothers, but the effects of pre-ovipositional care on larval performance have not been tested. The hatched larvae were found to stay in the nest for 15–30 days until they consumed the nest materials. We examined whether the presence of provisioned nests enhanced larval performance under both benign and food-stress conditions. With high-nutrient soil, larval survival rate and growth speed were not affected by the presence of provisioned nests. By contrast, with low-nutrient soil, mortality of the larvae was much higher in the absence than in the presence of provisioned nests. The growth speed of larvae with nests located in low-nutrient soil was as high as those reared in high-nutrient soil. These results indicate that females alleviate the food stress of larvae during their initial developmental stage by constructing provisioned nests.
A Randomized Trial Investigating the Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety of Subcutaneous Semaglutide Once-Weekly in Healthy Male Japanese and Caucasian Subjects
Authors: Ikushima Ippei , Jensen Lene , Flint Anne , Nishida Tomoyuki , Zacho Jeppe , Irie Shin
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue for once-weekly subcutaneous treatment of type 2 diabetes. This trial compared the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of semaglutide in Japanese and Caucasian subjects.

Methods

In this single-center, double-blind, parallel-group, 13-week trial, 44 healthy male subjects (22 Japanese, 22 Caucasian) were randomized within each race to semaglutide 0.5 mg (n = 8), 1.0 mg (n = 8), placebo 0.5 mg (n = 3) or 1.0 mg (n = 3). The primary endpoint was semaglutide exposure at steady state [area under the curve (AUC0–168h)].

Results

Steady-state exposure of semaglutide was similar for both populations: AUC0–168h estimated race ratio (ERR), Japanese/Caucasian: 0.5 mg, 1.06; 1.0 mg, 0.99; maximum concentration (Cmax) ERR: 0.5 mg, 1.06; 1.0 mg, 1.02. Exposure after the first dose (0.25 mg) was slightly higher in Japanese versus Caucasian subjects (AUC0–168h ERR 1.11; Cmax ERR 1.14). Dose-dependent increases in AUC0–168h and Cmax occurred in both populations. Accumulation was as expected, based on the half-life (t1/2, ~ 1 week) and dosing interval of semaglutide. Significant body weight reductions were observed with semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg in Japanese (both p ≤ 0.05) and Caucasian (both p ≤ 0.05) subjects versus placebo. No new safety issues were identified.

Conclusions

The pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety profiles of semaglutide were similar in Japanese and Caucasian subjects, suggesting that no dose adjustment is required for the clinical use of semaglutide in Japanese subjects.

Funding

Novo Nordisk A/S, Denmark.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02146079. Japanese trial registration number JapicCTI-142550.
Best practices in perinatal mental health for mothers with severe mental illness
Authors: Howard L.
Published: March 2018

Perinatal mental disorders are common and can have a profound impact on women and their families. This session will briefly review the epidemiology of disorders in the perinatal period and current evidence on pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. The role of the psychiatrist in helping women in their decision-making on treatment will be discussed.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
A cognitive analysis of metrical irregularities in the ‘Ὥσπερ ξένοι’ book epigrams
Authors: Boeten Julie , Janse Mark
Published: March 2018

This article considers the variation in the metres of the ‘ὥσπερ ξένοι’ epigrams, collected in the Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams (DBBE). In its canonical form, these epigrams follow a dodecasyllabic metrical pattern. The seemingly unmetrical decasyllabic and decatetrasyllabic variants are explained from a cognitive-linguistic perspective as the pairing of different cola – 5+5 and 7+7 instead of the usual 7+5 or 5+7. From this perspective, cola can be equated with the cognitive ‘idea’ or ‘intonation units’ (IUs) used in ordinary speech.
Mediating presence: curtains in Middle and Late Byzantine imperial ceremonial and portraiture
Authors: Parani Maria G.
Published: March 2018

Curtains constituted a standard component of the scenography of imperial ceremonies during the Middle and Late Byzantine period. This paper explores how curtains were used to control and ritualise sensory and perceptual access to the sacred person of the emperor and to manipulate emotive response to ritual performances. It also enquires into the way in which curtains, both as material objects and as symbols, were employed by those staging imperial ceremonies in order to articulate and communicate messages regarding the nature of the emperor's authority and his special status vis-à-vis his subjects. Paradoxically, the performative and symbolic potential that ensured the curtains’ use in imperial ceremonies led to their exclusion from the representation of the emperor in imperial portraiture, since post-Iconoclastic art did not admit veiled secrets.
Marked length rigidity for Fuchsian buildings
Authors: CONSTANTINE DAVID , LAFONT JEAN-FRANÇOIS
Published: March 2018

We consider finite $2$-complexes $X$ that arise as quotients of Fuchsian buildings by subgroups of the combinatorial automorphism group, which we assume act freely and cocompactly. We show that locally CAT($-1$) metrics on $X$, which are piecewise hyperbolic and satisfy a natural non-singularity condition at vertices, are marked length spectrum rigid within certain classes of negatively curved, piecewise Riemannian metrics on $X$. As a key step in our proof, we show that the marked length spectrum function for such metrics determines the volume of $X$.
Statistics of patterns in typical cut and project sets
Authors: HAYNES ALAN , JULIEN ANTOINE , KOIVUSALO HENNA , WALTON JAMES
Published: March 2018

In this article pattern statistics of typical cubical cut and project sets are studied. We give estimates for the rate of convergence of appearances of patches to their asymptotic frequencies. We also give bounds for repetitivity and repulsivity functions. The proofs use ideas and tools developed in discrepancy theory.
A counterexample to the composition condition conjecture for polynomial Abel differential equations
Authors: GINÉ JAUME , GRAU MAITE , SANTALLUSIA XAVIER
Published: March 2018

Polynomial Abel differential equations are considered a model problem for the classical Poincaré center–focus problem for planar polynomial systems of ordinary differential equations. In the last few decades, several works pointed out that all centers of the polynomial Abel differential equations satisfied the composition conditions (also called universal centers). In this work we provide a simple counterexample to this conjecture.
Böttcher coordinates at fixed indeterminacy points
Authors: UENO KOHEI
Published: March 2018

We first consider the dynamics of a class of meromorphic skew products having superattracting fixed points or fixed indeterminacy points at the origin. Our theorem asserts that, if a map has a suitable weight, then it is conjugate to the associated monomial map on an invariant open set whose closure contains the origin. We next extend this result to a wider class of meromorphic maps such that the eigenvalues of the associated matrices are real and greater than $1$.
On the arithmetic dynamics of monomial maps
Authors: LIN JAN-LI
Published: March 2018

We prove several results for the arithmetic dynamics of monomial maps, including Silverman’s conjectures on height growth, dynamical Mordell–Lang conjecture, and dynamical Manin–Mumford conjecture. These results were originally known for monomial maps on algebraic tori. We extend them to arbitrary toric varieties.
A classification of aperiodic order via spectral metrics and Jarník sets
Authors: GRÖGER MAIK , KESSEBÖHMER MARC , MOSBACH ARNE , SAMUEL TONY , STEFFENS MALTE
Published: March 2018

Given an$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}>1$and a$\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$with unbounded continued fraction entries, we characterize new relations between Sturmian subshifts with slope$\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$with respect to (i) an$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$-Hölder regularity condition of a spectral metric, (ii) level sets defined in terms of the Diophantine properties of$\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$, and (iii) complexity notions which we call$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$-repetitiveness,$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$-repulsiveness and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$-finiteness—generalizations of the properties known as linear repetitiveness, repulsiveness and power freeness, respectively. We show that the level sets relate naturally to (exact) Jarník sets and prove that their Hausdorff dimension is$2/(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}+1)$.
Dynamical simplices and Fraïssé theory
Authors: MELLERAY JULIEN
Published: March 2018

We simplify a criterion (due to Ibarlucía and the author) which characterizes dynamical simplices, that is, sets
$K$
of probability measures on a Cantor space
$X$
for which there exists a minimal homeomorphism of
$X$
whose set of invariant measures coincides with
$K$
. We then point out that this criterion is related to Fraïssé theory, and use that connection to provide a new proof of Downarowicz’ theorem stating that any non-empty metrizable Choquet simplex is affinely homeomorphic to a dynamical simplex. The construction enables us to prove that there exist minimal homeomorphisms of a Cantor space which are speedup equivalent but not orbit equivalent, answering a question of Ash.
Combined free-stream disturbance measurements and receptivity studies in hypersonic wind tunnels by means of a slender wedge probe and direct numerical simulation
Authors: Wagner Alexander , Schülein Erich , Petervari René , Hannemann Klaus , Ali Syed R. C. , Cerminara Adriano , Sandham Neil D.
Published: March 2018

Combined free-stream disturbance measurements and receptivity studies in hypersonic wind tunnels were conducted by means of a slender wedge probe and direct numerical simulation. The study comprises comparative tunnel noise measurements at Mach 3, 6 and 7.4 in two Ludwieg tube facilities and a shock tunnel. Surface pressure fluctuations were measured over a wide range of frequencies and test conditions including harsh test environments not accessible to measurement techniques such as Pitot probes and hot-wire anemometry. A good agreement was found between normalized Pitot pressure fluctuations converted into normalized static pressure fluctuations and the wedge probe readings. Quantitative results of the tunnel noise are provided in frequency ranges relevant for hypersonic boundary-layer transition. Complementary numerical simulations of the leading-edge receptivity to fast and slow acoustic waves were performed for the applied wedge probe at conditions corresponding to the experimental free-stream conditions. The receptivity to fast acoustic waves was found to be characterized by an early amplification of the induced fast mode. For slow acoustic waves an initial decay was found close to the leading edge. At all Mach numbers, and for all considered frequencies, the leading-edge receptivity to fast acoustic waves was found to be higher than the receptivity to slow acoustic waves. Further, the effect of inclination angles of the acoustic wave with respect to the flow direction was investigated. An inclination angle was found to increase the response on the wave-facing surface of the probe and decrease the response on the opposite surface for fast acoustic waves. A frequency-dependent response was found for slow acoustic waves. The combined numerical and experimental approach in the present study confirmed the previous suggestion that the slow acoustic wave is the dominant acoustic mode in noisy hypersonic wind tunnels.
Turbulent energy density in scale space for inhomogeneous turbulence
Authors: Hamba Fujihiro
Published: March 2018

The energy spectrum is commonly used to describe the scale dependence of the turbulent fluctuations in homogeneous isotropic turbulence. In contrast, one-point statistical quantities, such as the turbulent kinetic energy, are employed for inhomogeneous turbulence modelling. To obtain a better understanding of inhomogeneous turbulence, some attempts have been made to describe its scale dependence by using the second-order structure function and the two-point velocity correlation. However, previous expressions for the energy density in the scale space do not satisfy the requirement that it should be non-negative. In this work, a new expression for the energy density in the scale space is proposed on the basis of the two-point velocity correlation; the integral with a filter function is introduced to satisfy the non-negativity of the energy density. Direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of homogeneous isotropic turbulence were first used to assess the role of the energy density by comparing it with the energy spectrum. DNS data of a turbulent channel flow were then used to investigate the energy density and its transport equation in inhomogeneous turbulence. It was shown that the new energy density is positive in the scale space of the homogeneous direction. The energy transfer was successfully examined in the scale space both in the homogeneous and inhomogeneous directions. The energy cascade from large to small scales was clearly observed. Moreover, the inverse energy cascade from large to very large scales was observed in the scale space of the spanwise direction.
The association between school exam grades and subsequent development of bipolar disorder
Authors: Pedersen Steffie Damgaard , Østergaard Søren Dinesen , Petersen Liselotte
Published: March 2018

Objective

Prior studies have indicated that both high and low school grades are associated with development of bipolar disorder (BD), but these studies have not adjusted for parental history of mental disorder, which is a likely confounder. Furthermore, the association between school grades and bipolar I disorder (BD-I) has not been studied. Therefore, we aimed to study the association between school exam grades and subsequent development of BD and BD-I while adjusting for parental history of mental disorder.

Methods

We conducted a register-based nationwide cohort study following 505 688 individuals born in Denmark between 1987 and 1995. We investigated the association between school exam grades and development of BD or BD-I with a Cox model adjusting for family history of mental disorder and other potential confounders.

Results

During follow-up, 900 individuals were diagnosed with BD and 277 of these with BD-I. The risk for BD and BD-I was significantly increased for individuals not having completed the exams at term [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for BD (aHR=1.71, 95% CI: 1.43–2.04) and for BD-I (aHR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.13–2.19)]. Also, having low exam grades in mathematics was associated with increased risk of both BD (aHR=2.41, 95% CI: 1.27–4.59) and BD-I (aHR=2.71, 95% CI: 1.41–5.21). Females with very high exam grades in Danish (percentile group>97.7) had a significantly increased risk of BD-I (aHR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.19–5.23).

Conclusions

The potential to develop BD seems to affect the school results of individuals negatively even before BD is diagnosed – with females having the potential to develop BD-I as a possible exception.
Molecular identification of potential intermediate hosts of Aulonocephalus pennula from the order Orthoptera
Authors: Henry C. , Brym M.Z. , Kalyanasundaram A. , Kendall R.J.
Published: March 2018

Aulonocephalus pennula is a heteroxenous nematode that commonly infects a declining game bird, the northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). There is a lack of information on the life cycle of A. pennula and the potential effects of infection on bobwhites. In order to better understand the life cycle of this parasite, various species from the order Orthoptera were collected from a field site in Mitchell County, Texas. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nine potential intermediate hosts were identified from the 35 orthopteran species collected. Later, ten live specimens were collected to identify larvae within the potential intermediate hosts. Larvae were present in three of these and were sent for sequencing. Similarly, the presence of larvae was confirmed from extra tissues of samples identified as positive with PCR. This was the first study to document potential intermediate hosts, but future studies are needed to confirm that these species are capable of transmitting infection to bobwhite. However, this study demonstrates that PCR has increased sensitivity and may be a valuable tool when determining intermediate hosts.
Exploring saiga horn consumption in Singapore
Authors: Theng Meryl , Glikman Jenny A. , Milner-Gulland E. J.
Published: March 2018

The Critically Endangered saiga antelope Saiga tatarica faces an uncertain future, with populations dwindling from epidemics in its range countries, and ongoing demand for its horns in the traditional Chinese medicine trade. Singapore is a major hub for the global trade in saiga horn and an important consumer country, with saiga horn products widely available in the domestic market. Despite this, little is known about the consumers that drive domestic demand. Before interventions are carried out, it is important to understand who the consumers are, and their motivations. We conducted an investigation into consumption prevalence and consumer demographics, knowledge and motivations. We surveyed 230 Chinese Singaporeans, through a combination of face-to-face interviews and self-administered questionnaires. Recent consumption incidence (in the previous 12 months) was relatively high, at 13%. Younger respondents (18–35 years) had the highest prevalence of recent consumption (25%), often as a result of influence from an older family member or friend. Bottled saiga horn cooling water was the most popular product among recent users (50%), followed by horn shavings (31%) and tablets (13%). Awareness of conservation issues and regulations was uniformly low. Awareness raising may have an effect in reducing consumer demand in Singapore. However, given the exploratory nature of this study, it is best used to guide and inform future research underlying behavioural change interventions in a relatively understudied but important consumer group, Chinese Singaporeans.
Putting a Face to Longinus: Rethinking the Imperial Auxilia for the Twenty-First Century
Authors: James Simon
Published: March 2018

Blood of the Provinces was first published in 2013, but somewhat unaccountably did not then receive a review in Britannia. This was unfortunate, as it is a very important book. Appearance of a paperback edition in 2016, although differing from the hardback only in correction of typographical errors, provides a welcome second opportunity to consider it.
The effects of a structured group exercise programme on functional fitness of older persons living in old-age homes
Authors: CHETTY LEVIN , RAMKLASS SERELA S. , McKUNE ANDREW J.
Published: March 2018

Despite the benefits of exercise, a large percentage of the older population in South Africa continue to lead sedentary lifestyles. This study aimed to determine the effects of a structured group exercise programme on functional fitness of older persons living in old-age homes. A quasi-experimental design was used to compare the effects of a 12-week group exercise programme. Twenty participants each were selected from five old-age homes. Participants were randomly allocated into either an experimental group or a comparison group at each site. The experimental group participated in the exercise intervention three times weekly, while the comparison group received the same intervention twice weekly for 12 weeks. The intervention programme included warm-up, balance, endurance, resistance and cool-down components. Assessments of upper and lower body strength and flexibility, aerobic endurance, agility and balance were conducted before and after the intervention programme using the Senior Functional Test. Comparisons of baseline and post-intervention measures showed greater improvements in upper and lower body strength and flexibility, as well as aerobic endurance capacity (p < 0.05). Training frequency revealed no significant difference in functional fitness measures between both groups following the 12-week intervention programme. Twelve weeks of multifaceted group exercise training, at least twice a week, can be used as an effective strategy to promote functional fitness in this population.
Quantifying the impact of mass vaccination programmes on notified cases in the Netherlands
Authors: van Wijhe M. , Tulen A. D. , Korthals Altes H. , McDonald S. A. , de Melker H. E. , Postma M. J. , Wallinga J.
Published: March 2018

Vaccination programmes are considered a main contributor to the decline of infectious diseases over the 20th century. In recent years, the national vaccination coverage in the Netherlands has been declining, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and evaluation of vaccination programmes. Our aim was to quantify the impact of long-standing vaccination programmes on notified cases in the Netherlands. We collected and digitised previously unavailable monthly case notifications of diphtheria, poliomyelitis, mumps and rubella in the Netherlands over the period 1919–2015. Poisson regression models accounting for seasonality, multi-year cycles, secular trends and auto-correlation were fit to pre-vaccination periods. Cases averted were calculated as the difference between observed and expected cases based on model projections. In the first 13 years of mass vaccinations, case notifications declined rapidly with 82.4% (95% credible interval (CI): 74.9–87.6) of notified cases of diphtheria averted, 92.9% (95% CI 85.0–97.2) cases of poliomyelitis, and 79.1% (95% CI 67.1–87.4) cases of mumps. Vaccination of 11-year-old girls against rubella averted 49.9% (95% CI 9.3–73.5) of cases, while universal vaccination averted 68.1% (95% CI 19.4–87.3) of cases. These findings show that vaccination programmes have contributed substantially to the reduction of infectious diseases in the Netherlands.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GROWTH WHEN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IS ENDOGENOUS
Authors: Constant Karine , Davin Marion
Published: March 2018

This paper examines the relationship between environmental policy and growth when green preferences are endogenously determined by education and pollution. We consider an environmental policy in which the government implements a tax on pollution and recycles the revenue to fund pollution abatement activities and/or an education subsidy (influencing green behaviors). When the sensitivity of agents' environmental preferences to pollution and human capital is high, the economy can converge to a balanced growth path equilibrium with damped oscillations. We show that this environmental policy can both remove the oscillations, associated with intergenerational inequalities, and enhance the long-term growth rate. However, this solution requires that the revenue from the tax rate must be allocated to education and direct environmental protection simultaneously. We demonstrate that this type of mixed-instrument environment policy is an effective way to address environmental and economic issues in both the short and the long run.
From Bilingualism to Bilingualisms: Bilingual experience in Edinburgh and Singapore affects attentional control differently
Authors: OOI SEOK HUI , GOH WINSTON D. , SORACE ANTONELLA , BAK THOMAS H.
Published: March 2018

Recent theories propose that language-switching in bilinguals influences executive control. We investigated whether switching behaviour, shaped by the bilingual's interactional context as well as personal preferences impacted attentional control. We compared four groups – (i) Edinburgh monolinguals, (ii) Edinburgh non-switching late bilinguals, (iii) Edinburgh non-switching early bilinguals, and (iv) Singapore switching early bilinguals – on two tasks of attentional control. Effects of interactional context were observed, with Singapore bilinguals performing better on conflict resolution in the Attention Network Task and Edinburgh late bilinguals on attentional switching in the Elevator reversal (Test of Everyday Attention) subtest. Our results suggest that the interactional context of bilinguals could impact attentional control differently.
Sensitive periods and language aptitude in second language acquisition
Authors: LONG MICHAEL H. , GRANENA GISELA
Published: March 2018

Mayberry and Kluender (Mayberry & Kluender) adopt interesting positions on a wide range of issues. Due to space limitations, we will focus on just two where our views differ: (i) the robustness of maturational constraints on second language acquisition (L2A), and (ii) the implications of a role for language aptitudes within the boundaries defined by sensitive periods (SPs).
Correction: Author Correction: Whole-exome SNP array identifies 15 new susceptibility loci for psoriasis
Authors: Zuo Xianbo , Sun Liangdan , Yin Xianyong , Gao Jinping , Sheng Yujun , Xu Jinhua , Zhang Jianzhong , He Chundi , Qiu Ying , Wen Guangdong , Tian Hongqing , Zheng Xiaodong , Liu Shengxiu , Wang Wenjun , Li Weiran , Cheng Yuyan , Liu Longdan , Chang Yan , Wang Zaixing , Li Zenggang , Li Longnian , Wu Jianping , Fang Ling , Shen Changbing , Zhou Fusheng , Liang Bo , Chen Gang , Li Hui , Cui Yong , Xu Aie , Yang Xueqin , Hao Fei , Xu Limin , Fan Xing , Li Yuzhen , Wu Rina , Wang Xiuli , Liu Xiaoming , Zheng Min , Song Shunpeng , Ji Bihua , Fang Hong , Yu Jianbin , Sun Yongxin , Hui Yan , Zhang Furen , Yang Rongya , Yang Sen , Zhang Xuejun
Published: March 2018

Nature Communications 6: Article number: 6793 (2015); Published: 9 April 2015; Updated: 13 March 2018 In the originally published version of this Article, there were errors in the Methods section and in Supplementary Figure 2. In the Methods section entitled ‘Quality control’, and in Supplementary Figure 2, references to ‘MAF>0.
Copper-surface-mediated synthesis of acetylenic carbon-rich nanofibers for active metal-free photocathodes
Authors: Zhang Tao , Hou Yang , Dzhagan Volodymyr , Liao Zhongquan , Chai Guoliang , Löffler Markus , Olianas Davide , Milani Alberto , Xu Shunqi , Tommasini Matteo , Zahn Dietrich R. T. , Zheng Zhikun , Zschech Ehrenfried , Jordan Rainer , Feng Xinliang
Published: March 2018

The engineering of acetylenic carbon-rich nanostructures has great potential in many applications, such as nanoelectronics, chemical sensors, energy storage, and conversion, etc. Here we show the synthesis of acetylenic carbon-rich nanofibers via copper-surface-mediated Glaser polycondensation of 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene on a variety of conducting (e.g., copper, graphite, fluorine-doped tin oxide, and titanium) and non-conducting (e.g., Kapton, glass, and silicon dioxide) substrates. The obtained nanofibers (with optical bandgap of 2.51 eV) exhibit photocatalytic activity in photoelectrochemical cells, yielding saturated cathodic photocurrent of ca. 10 µA cm−2 (0.3–0 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode). By incorporating thieno[3,2-b]thiophene units into the nanofibers, a redshift (ca. 100 nm) of light absorption edge and twofold of the photocurrent are achieved, rivalling those of state-of-the-art metal-free photocathodes (e.g., graphitic carbon nitride of 0.1–1 µA cm−2). This work highlights the promise of utilizing acetylenic carbon-rich materials as efficient and sustainable photocathodes for water reduction
A supramolecular biomimetic skin combining a wide spectrum of mechanical properties and multiple sensory capabilities
Authors: Lei Zhouyue , Wu Peiyi
Published: March 2018

Biomimetic skin-like materials, capable of adapting shapes to variable environments and sensing external stimuli, are of great significance in a wide range of applications, including artificial intelligence, soft robotics, and smart wearable devices. However, such highly sophisticated intelligence has been mainly found in natural creatures while rarely realized in artificial materials. Herein, we fabricate a type of biomimetic iontronics to imitate natural skins using supramolecular polyelectrolyte hydrogels. The dynamic viscoelastic networks provide the biomimetic skin with a wide spectrum of mechanical properties, including flexible reconfiguration ability, robust elasticity, extremely large stretchability, autonomous self-healability, and recyclability. Meanwhile, polyelectrolytes’ ionic conductivity allows multiple sensory capabilities toward temperature, strain, and stress. This work provides not only insights into dynamic interactions and sensing mechanism of supramolecular iontronics, but may also promote the development of biomimetic skins with sophisticated intelligence similar to natural skins.
Phase nucleation through confined spinodal fluctuations at crystal defects evidenced in Fe-Mn alloys
Authors: Kwiatkowski da Silva A. , Ponge D. , Peng Z. , Inden G. , Lu Y. , Breen A. , Gault B. , Raabe D.
Published: March 2018

Analysis and design of materials and fluids requires understanding of the fundamental relationships between structure, composition, and properties. Dislocations and grain boundaries influence microstructure evolution through the enhancement of diffusion and by facilitating heterogeneous nucleation, where atoms must overcome a potential barrier to enable the early stage of formation of a phase. Adsorption and spinodal decomposition are known precursor states to nucleation and phase transition; however, nucleation remains the less well-understood step in the complete thermodynamic sequence that shapes a microstructure. Here, we report near-atomic-scale observations of a phase transition mechanism that consists in solute adsorption to crystalline defects followed by linear and planar spinodal fluctuations in an Fe-Mn model alloy. These fluctuations provide a pathway for austenite nucleation due to the higher driving force for phase transition in the solute-rich regions. Our observations are supported by thermodynamic calculations, which predict the possibility of spinodal decomposition due to magnetic ordering.
Author Correction: Super-achromatic monolithic microprobe for ultrahigh-resolution endoscopic optical coherence tomography at 800 nm
Authors: Yuan Wu , Brown Robert , Mitzner Wayne , Yarmus Lonny , Li Xingde
Published: March 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in the third sentence of the ‘Animal studies’ section of the Methods, which incorrectly read ‘The sheep anesthesia was initiated with ketamine (25 mg kg−1) and then maintained by continuous intravascular (IV) infusion of propofol (800 mg kg−1 h−1) during imaging.’ The correct version states ‘800 µg kg−1 h−1’ in place of ‘800 mg kg−1 h−1’. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the article.
Anion-induced N-doping of naphthalenediimide polymer semiconductor in organic thin-film transistors
Authors: Han Yang , Fei Zhuping , Lin Yen-Hung , Martin Jaime , Tuna Floriana , Anthopoulos Thomas D. , Heeney Martin
Published: March 2018

Molecular doping is an important strategy to improve the charge transport properties of organic semiconductors in various electronic devices. Compared to p-type dopants, the development of n-type dopants is especially challenging due to poor dopant stability against atmospheric conditions. In this article, we report the n-doping of the milestone naphthalenediimide-based conjugated polymer P(NDI2OD-T2) in organic thin film transistor devices by soluble anion dopants. The addition of the dopants resulted in the formation of stable radical anions in thin films, as confirmed by EPR spectroscopy. By tuning the dopant concentration via simple solution mixing, the transistor parameters could be readily controlled. Hence the contact resistance between the electrodes and the semiconducting polymer could be significantly reduced, which resulted in the transistor behaviour approaching the desirable gate voltage-independent model. Reduced hysteresis was also observed, thanks to the trap filling by the dopant. Under optimal doping concentrations the channel on-current was increased several fold whilst the on/off ratio was simultaneously increased by around one order of magnitude. Hence doping with soluble organic salts appears to be a promising route to improve the charge transport properties of n-type organic semiconductors.
Computer predictions on Rh-based double perovskites with unusual electronic and magnetic properties
Authors: Halder Anita , Nafday Dhani , Sanyal Prabuddha , Saha-Dasgupta Tanusri
Published: March 2018

In search for new magnetic materials, we make computer prediction of structural, electronic and magnetic properties of yet-to-be synthesized Rh-based double perovskite compounds, Sr(Ca)2BRhO6 (B=Cr, Mn, Fe). We use combination of evolutionary algorithm, density functional theory, and statistical–mechanical tool for this purpose. We find that the unusual valence of Rh5+ may be stabilized in these compounds through formation of oxygen ligand hole. Interestingly, while the Cr–Rh and Mn–Rh compounds are predicted to be ferromagnetic half-metals, the Fe–Rh compounds are found to be rare examples of antiferromagnetic and metallic transition-metal oxide with three-dimensional electronic structure. The computed magnetic transition temperatures of the predicted compounds, obtained from finite temperature Monte Carlo study of the first principles-derived model Hamiltonian, are found to be reasonably high. The prediction of favorable growth condition of the compounds, reported in our study, obtained through extensive thermodynamic analysis should be useful for future synthesize of this interesting class of materials with intriguing properties.
Critical heat flux enhancement in pool boiling through increased rewetting on nanopillar array surfaces
Authors: Nguyen Thien-Binh , Liu Dongdong , Kayes Md Imrul , Wang Baomin , Rashin Nabeel , Leu Paul W. , Tran Tuan
Published: March 2018

Boiling is a key heat transfer process for a variety of power generation and thermal management technologies. We show that nanopillar arrays fabricated on a substrate enhance both the critical heat flux (CHF) and the critical temperature at CHF of the substrate and thus, effectively increase the limit of boiling before the boiling crisis is triggered. We reveal that the enhancement in both the CHF and the critical temperature results from an intensified rewetting process which increases with the height of nanopillars. We develop a predictive model based on experimental measurements of rewetting velocity to predict the enhancement in CHF and critical temperature of the nanopillar substrates. This model is critical for understanding how to control boiling enhancement and designing various nanostructured surfaces into specific applications.
High yield bacterial expression, purification and characterisation of bioactive Human Tousled-like Kinase 1B involved in cancer
Authors: Bhoir Siddhant , Shaik Althaf , Thiruvenkatam Vijay , Kirubakaran Sivapriya
Published: March 2018

Human Tousled-like kinases (TLKs) are highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinases responsible for cell proliferation, DNA repair, and genome surveillance. Their possible involvement in cancer via efficient DNA repair mechanisms have made them clinically relevant molecular targets for anticancer therapy. Innovative approaches in chemical biology have played a key role in validating the importance of kinases as molecular targets. However, the detailed understanding of the protein structure and the mechanisms of protein–drug interaction through biochemical and biophysical techniques demands a method for the production of an active protein of exceptional stability and purity on a large scale. We have designed a bacterial expression system to express and purify biologically active, wild-type Human Tousled-like Kinase 1B (hTLK1B) by co-expression with the protein phosphatase from bacteriophage λ. We have obtained remarkably high amounts of the soluble and homogeneously dephosphorylated form of biologically active hTLK1B with our unique, custom-built vector design strategy. The recombinant hTLK1B can be used for the structural studies and may further facilitate the development of new TLK inhibitors for anti-cancer therapy using a structure-based drug design approach.
Scoulerine affects microtubule structure, inhibits proliferation, arrests cell cycle and thus culminates in the apoptotic death of cancer cells
Authors: Habartova Klara , Havelek Radim , Seifrtova Martina , Kralovec Karel , Cahlikova Lucie , Chlebek Jakub , Cermakova Eva , Mazankova Nadezda , Marikova Jana , Kunes Jiri , Novakova Lucie , Rezacova Martina
Published: March 2018

Scoulerine is an isoquinoline alkaloid, which indicated promising suppression of cancer cells growth. However, the mode of action (MOA) remained unclear. Cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties were determined in this study. Scoulerine reduces the mitochondrial dehydrogenases activity of the evaluated leukemic cells with IC50 values ranging from 2.7 to 6.5 µM. The xCELLigence system revealed that scoulerine exerted potent antiproliferative activity in lung, ovarian and breast carcinoma cell lines. Jurkat and MOLT-4 leukemic cells treated with scoulerine were decreased in proliferation and viability. Scoulerine acted to inhibit proliferation through inducing G2 or M-phase cell cycle arrest, which correlates well with the observed breakdown of the microtubule network, increased Chk1 Ser345, Chk2 Thr68 and mitotic H3 Ser10 phosphorylation. Scoulerine was able to activate apoptosis, as determined by p53 upregulation, increase caspase activity, Annexin V and TUNEL labeling. Results highlight the potent antiproliferative and proapoptotic function of scoulerine in cancer cells caused by its ability to interfere with the microtubule elements of the cytoskeleton, checkpoint kinase signaling and p53 proteins. This is the first study of the mechanism of scoulerine at cellular and molecular level. Scoulerine is a potent antimitotic compound and that it merits further investigation as an anticancer drug.
Impact of brain atrophy on 90-day functional outcome after moderate-volume basal ganglia hemorrhage
Authors: Kwon Sae Min , Choi Kyu-Sun , Yi Hyeong-Joong , Ko Yong , Kim Young-Soo , Bak Koang-Hum , Chun Hyoung-Joon , Lee Young-Jun , Lee Ji Young
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of brain atrophy on the functional outcome of patients with moderate-volume basal ganglia hemorrhage. Of 1003 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, 124 with moderate-volume basal ganglia hemorrhage (hematoma volume of 20–50 mL) were enrolled. The intercaudate distance (ICD) and sylvian fissure ratio (SFR) were used as linear brain atrophy parameters. The patients were divided into groups with favorable and unfavorable outcomes, according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 90 days after symptom onset. Demographic and radiographic features, including the ICD and SFR, were compared between the two groups. Among the 124 patients, 74 (59.7%) exhibited a favorable outcome. The ICD and SFR values were significantly greater for the favorable group than for the unfavorable group. Multivariate analysis indicated that young age, high Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission, small hematoma volume, and increased ICD (odds ratio [OR], 1.207; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.004–1.451) and SFR (OR, 1.046; 95% CI, 1.007–1.086, per 0.001) values had a beneficial effect on functional outcome. In conclusion, brain atrophy exhibits protective effects in patients with moderate-volume basal ganglia hemorrhage, and is an important factor for predicting functional outcome.
Author Correction: Microbial communities with distinct denitrification potential in spruce and beech soils differing in nitrate leaching
Authors: Bárta Jiří , Tahovská Karolina , Šantrůčková Hana , Oulehle Filip
Published: March 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.
Genetic and oceanographic tools reveal high population connectivity and diversity in the endangered pen shell Pinna nobilis
Authors: Wesselmann Marlene , González-Wangüemert Mercedes , Serrão Ester A. , Engelen Aschwin H. , Renault Lionel , García-March José R. , Duarte Carlos M. , Hendriks Iris E.
Published: March 2018

For marine meta-populations with source-sink dynamics knowledge about genetic connectivity is important to conserve biodiversity and design marine protected areas (MPAs). We evaluate connectivity of a Mediterranean sessile species, Pinna nobilis. To address a large geographical scale, partial sequences of cytochrome oxidase I (COI, 590 bp) were used to evaluate phylogeographical patterns in the Western Mediterranean, and in the whole basin using overlapping sequences from the literature (243 bp). Additionally, we combined (1) larval trajectories based on oceanographic currents and early life-history traits and (2) 10 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci collected in the Western Mediterranean. COI results provided evidence for high diversity and low inter-population differentiation. Microsatellite genotypes showed increasing genetic differentiation with oceanographic transport time (isolation by oceanographic distance (IBD) set by marine currents). Genetic differentiation was detected between Banyuls and Murcia and between Murcia and Mallorca. However, no genetic break was detected between the Balearic populations and the mainland. Migration rates together with numerical Lagrangian simulations showed that (i) the Ebro Delta is a larval source for the Balearic populations (ii) Alicante is a sink population, accumulating allelic diversity from nearby populations. The inferred connectivity can be applied in the development of MPA networks in the Western Mediterranean.
ILF2 and ILF3 are autoantigens in canine systemic autoimmune disease
Authors: Bremer Hanna D. , Landegren Nils , Sjöberg Ronald , Hallgren Åsa , Renneker Stefanie , Lattwein Erik , Leonard Dag , Eloranta Maija-Leena , Rönnblom Lars , Nordmark Gunnel , Nilsson Peter , Andersson Göran , Lilliehöök Inger , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin , Kämpe Olle , Hansson-Hamlin Helene
Published: March 2018

Dogs can spontaneously develop complex systemic autoimmune disorders, with similarities to human autoimmune disease. Autoantibodies directed at self-antigens are a key feature of these autoimmune diseases. Here we report the identification of interleukin enhancer-binding factors 2 and 3 (ILF2 and ILF3) as autoantigens in canine immune-mediated rheumatic disease. The ILF2 autoantibodies were discovered in a small, selected canine cohort through the use of human protein arrays; a method not previously described in dogs. Subsequently, ILF3 autoantibodies were also identified in the same cohort. The results were validated with an independent method in a larger cohort of dogs. ILF2 and ILF3 autoantibodies were found exclusively, and at a high frequency, in dogs that showed a speckled pattern of antinuclear antibodies on immunofluorescence. ILF2 and ILF3 autoantibodies were also found at low frequency in human patients with SLE and Sjögren’s syndrome. These autoantibodies have the potential to be used as diagnostic biomarkers for canine, and possibly also human, autoimmune disease.
Author Correction: Intranasal drug delivery of small interfering RNA targeting Beclin1 encapsulated with polyethylenimine (PEI) in mouse brain to achieve HIV attenuation
Authors: Rodriguez Myosotys , Lapierre Jessica , Ojha Chet Raj , Kaushik Ajeet , Batrakova Elena , Kashanchi Fatah , Dever Seth M. , Nair Madhavan , El-Hage Nazira
Published: March 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.
Author Correction: Quantitative Characterization of Structural and Mechanical Properties of Boron Nitride Nanotubes in High Temperature Environments
Authors: Chen Xiaoming , Dmuchowski Christopher M. , Park Cheol , Fay Catharine C. , Ke Changhong
Published: March 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.
Zinc ion rapidly induces toxic, off-pathway amyloid-β oligomers distinct from amyloid-β derived diffusible ligands in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lee Ming-Che , Yu Wan-Cheng , Shih Yao-Hsiang , Chen Chun-Yu , Guo Zhong-Hong , Huang Shing-Jong , Chan Jerry C. C. , Chen Yun-Ru
Published: March 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. Zinc (Zn) ion interacts with the pathogenic hallmark, amyloid-β (Aβ), and is enriched in senile plaques in brain of AD patients. To understand Zn-chelated Aβ (ZnAβ) species, here we systematically characterized ZnAβ aggregates by incubating equimolar Aβ with Zn. We found ZnAβ40 and ZnAβ42 both form spherical oligomers with a diameter of ~12–14 nm composed of reduced β-sheet content. Oligomer assembly examined by analytical ultracentrifugation, hydrophobic exposure by BisANS spectra, and immunoreactivity of ZnAβ and Aβ derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs) are distinct. The site-specific13C labeled solid-state NMR spectra showed that ZnAβ40 adopts β-sheet structure as in Aβ40 fibrils. Interestingly, removal of Zn by EDTA rapidly shifted the equilibrium back to fibrillization pathway with a faster kinetics. Moreover, ZnAβ oligomers have stronger toxicity than ADDLs by cell viability and cytotoxicity assays. Theex vivostudy showed that ZnAβ oligomers potently inhibited hippocampal LTP in the wild-type C57BL/6JNarl mice. Finally, we demonstrated that ZnAβ oligomers stimulate hippocampal microglia activation in an acute Aβ-injected model. Overall, our study demonstrates that ZnAβ rapidly form toxic and distinct off-pathway oligomers. The finding provides a potential target for AD therapeutic development.