bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psycho-social transition to retirement and adjustment to retired life: influence on wellbeing and mental health in retired farmers
Authors: Laberon Sonia , Grotz Catherine , Amieva Hélène , Pérès Karine , Vonthron Anne-Marie
Published: August 2018

This article investigates the relationship between psycho-social transition to retirement on the wellbeing and mental health of retired farmers through their adjustment to retired life. The sample was taken from the Approche Multidisciplinaire Intégrée cohort, a French prospective study of retired farmers living in rural areas in south-western France. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted on a sample of 530 participants. The wellbeing and mental health of retirees were investigated through three outcomes: satisfaction with current life, perceived health and depression. Multiple mediator models show that the more retirees consider retirement as a positive event, the better they adapt to the new temporality of their retirement life and the more they feel satisfied with their current life, healthy and less depressed. Acceptance of the end of working life is also a mediator in the perceived health model. These results highlight the centrality of the adjustment to the new temporality induced by retirement. They indicate that the level of this adjustment is linked to how retirement is affectively experienced, regardless of its duration.
Caught between two stools? Informal care provision and employment among welfare recipients in Germany
Authors: Hohmeyer Katrin , Kopf Eva
Published: August 2018

In many countries, population ageing is challenging the viability of the welfare state and generating higher demands for long-term care. At the same time, increasing participation in the labour force is essential to ensuring the sustainability of the welfare state. To address the latter issue, affected countries have adopted measures to increase employment; e.g. welfare recipients in Germany are required to be available for any type of legal work. However, 7 per cent of welfare benefit recipients in Germany provide long-term care for relatives or friends, and this care-giving may interfere with their job search efforts and decrease their employment opportunities. Our paper provides evidence of the relationship between the care responsibilities and employment chances of welfare recipients in Germany. Our analyses are based on survey data obtained from the panel study ‘Labour Market and Social Security’ and on panel regression methods. The results reveal a negative relationship between intensive care-giving (ten or more hours per week) and employment for male and female welfare recipients. However, employment prospects recover when care duties end and are subsequently no longer lower for carers than for non-carers.
Polygenic differential susceptibility to prenatal adversity
Authors: Belsky Jay , Pokhvisneva Irina , Rema Anu Sathyan Sathyapalan , Broekman Birit F.P. , Pluess Michael , O'Donnell Kieran J. , Meaney Michael J. , Silveira Patrícia P.
Published: August 2018

A recent article in this journal reported a number of gene × environment interactions involving a serotonin transporter–gene network polygenic score and a composite index of prenatal adversity predicting several problem behavior outcomes at 48 months (e.g., anxious/depressed, pervasive developmental problems) and at 60 months (e.g., withdrawal, internalizing problems), yet did not illuminate the nature or form these genetic × environment interactions took. Here we report results of six additional analyses to evaluate whether these interactions reflected diathesis–stress or differential–susceptibility related processes. Analyses of the regions of significance and proportion of interaction index are consistent with the diathesis–stress model, seemingly because of the truncated nature of the adversity score (which did not extend to supportive/positive prenatal experiences/exposures); in contrast, the proportion (of cases) affected index favors the differential–susceptibility model. These results suggest the need for future studies to extend measurement of the prenatal environment to highly supportive experiences and exposures.
Architectural Assemblages: The Northwest Complex at Zincirli
Authors: Kertai David
Published: August 2018

The Northwest Complex is one of several known Syro-Anatolian elite residences on the citadel of Zincirli. Syro-Anatolian elite residences such as the Northwest Complex are generally described with the anachronistic term Hilani. The related discourse has focussed on the architectural features that can define the Hilani type. More recently, discussions have focused anew on how these complexes functioned. This paper uses assemblage theory to move the discourse away from its focus on what architecture is to what it can do. It situates the Northwest Complex in an assemblage of Syro-Anatolian elite residences that partake in a shared culture of hospitality. It argues that the distinctive feature of these residences is their externalization of hospitality through the creation of elaborate in-between spaces in the form of external porticos.
Isolated cardiac hydatid cyst mimicking myocardial ischaemia in a female patient
Authors: Epçaçan Serdar , Ramoğlu Mehmet G. , Özdemir Fatih
Published: August 2018

Hydatid disease is a zoonotic parasitic infection endemic in livestock-raising countries. Isolated cardiac hydatid cyst is a very rare disease, and chest pain, palpitations, cough, and dyspnoea are the most common presenting symptoms. Here a case of isolated cardiac hydatid cyst in a female patient with chest pain and electrocardiographic changes mimicking myocardial ischaemia is presented.
Negotiating the Nuclear and Humanitarian Crisis on the Korean Peninsula: A Simulation and Teaching Guide
Authors: Fung Courtney J.
Published: August 2018

This article describes a simulation scenario based on of-the-minute thinking about the Korean Peninsula crisis. The scenario highlights the tradeoffs and difficulties in addressing the nuclear and humanitarian crisis, tasking students to negotiate to reach consensus on track I and track II levels. Students are negotiators, gaining experience and exposure to key international relations and political science concepts through active learning. An optional media-teams and press-conference component also is discussed. The scenario, grading rubric, and supplemental materials are included to give instructors a resource that is easily modified across groups varying in size, ability, and composition.
LIMITS TO ARBITRAGE AND INTEREST RATES: A DEBATE AMONG KEYNES, HAWTREY, AND HICKS
Authors: Brillant Lucy
Published: August 2018

This paper deals with a debate among Ralph George Hawtrey, John Richard Hicks, and John Maynard Keynes concerning the capacity of the central bank to influence the short-term and the long-term rates of interest. Both Hawtrey and Keynes considered the central bank’s ability to influence short-term rates of interest. However, they do not put the same emphasis on the study of the long-term rates of interest. According to Keynes, long-term rates are influenced by future expected short-term rates (1930, 1936), whereas for Hawtrey ([1932] 1962, 1937, 1938), long-term rates are more dependent on the business cycle. Short-term rates do not have much effect on long-term rates, according to Hawtrey. In 1939, Hicks enters the controversy, giving credit to both Hawtrey’s and Keynes’s theories, and also introducing limits to the operations of arbitrage. He thus presented a nuanced view.
Evidence for Highly Complex Redox Conditions and Strong Water‐Column Stratification in an Early Cambrian Continental‐Margin Sea
Authors: Zhang Zihu , Li Chao , Cheng Meng , Algeo Thomas J. , Jin Chengsheng , Tang Feng , Huang Junhua
Published: August 2018

Although oxic surface, ferruginous deep, and euxinic intermediate waters have been documented, the redox heterogeneity of early Cambrian oceans remains largely unclear, precluding our understanding of the relationship between marine redox evolution and early animal diversification. In this study, we analyzed iron species, redox‐sensitive trace elements, and S‐N‐C isotopes of deepwater black shales in the Silikou section in the continental‐margin Nanhua Basin (South China), which represent extensive clastic input mainly from the Cathaysia Block during the early Cambrian (~541–509 Ma). Integrated data reveal a continuous shift in bottom‐water redox conditions at Silikou from euxinic in the lowermost black‐shale interval (BS1, 0–37.4 m) to oxic in the uppermost black‐shale interval (BS4, 296–372.9 m) accompanying a progressive movement of the O2/H2S redoxcline into the sediment. In between, most importantly, the BS2 interval (91–154 m) accumulated under manganous‐ferruginous conditions (i.e., Fe‐Mn reduction zone) characterized by an active Fe‐Mn particulate shuttle, and the BS3 interval (204–260 m) under nitrogenous conditions (i.e., nitrate reduction zone) characterized by strong denitrification processes, suggesting highly complex redox conditions in early Cambrian oceans. The observed sequence of redox conditions supports a strong lateral and depth‐related redox stratification in the early Cambrian ocean, including (from surface to deep and from nearshore to offshore) oxic, nitrate reduction, Fe‐Mn reduction, and euxinic zones, which were sequentially recorded at Silikou likely due to secular expansion of the oxic surface layer and/or long‐term relative sea level fall. Our study highlights the need for continued paleo‐redox studies to explore the redox heterogeneity of early Cambrian oceans.
Spatial Comparisons of Tremor and Slow Slip as a Constraint on Fault Strength in the Northern Cascadia Subduction Zone
Authors: Hall K. , Houston H. , Schmidt D.
Published: August 2018

We measured displacement vectors from horizontal components of 80 Global Positioning System stations to analyze six major episodic tremor and slip (ETS) events from 2007 to 2016 in northern Cascadia and inverted for slip on a realistic plate interface. Our results indicate that slow slip of up to 2 cm extends updip of tremor by about 15 km beneath the Olympic Peninsula. In these ETSs, slow slip extends from the downdip portion of the tremorgenic region beyond the updip extent of tremor, although still downdip of the inferred locked megathrust. Slip updip of tremor is a persistent feature of all six ETS events. Inversions that restrict slip to occur only in regions that generated tremor produced slip distributions with unphysical characteristics, such as 8‐cm slip concentrated at the updip part of the tremor footprint. Updip slow slip without tremor may suggest that the gap between stress and strength widens updip above the observed limit of tremor. In these ETSs, the region updip of tremor may have undergone only limited ductile failure surrounding potentially tremorgenic patches. A widening gap between stress and strength in the updip direction is consistent with an observed along‐dip dependence of low‐frequency earthquake occurrence and numerical simulations of slow slip. Alternatively, rheological properties in the region updip of tremor may favor stable slip and not permit seismic slip (i.e., tremor). Additionally, we find that along‐strike variations in the amount of slow slip updip of tremor correspond to changes in lithology of the overlying crust.
Salinity Control of Thermal Evolution of Late Summer Melt Ponds on Arctic Sea Ice
Authors: Kim Joo‐Hong , Moon Woosok , Wells Andrew J. , Wilkinson Jeremy P. , Langton Tom , Hwang Byongjun , Granskog Mats A. , Rees Jones David W.
Published: August 2018

The thermal evolution of melt ponds on Arctic sea ice was investigated through a combination of autonomous observations and two‐dimensional high‐resolution fluid dynamics simulations. We observed one relatively fresh pond and one saline pond on the same ice floe, with similar depth. The comparison of observations and simulations indicates that thermal convection dominates in relatively fresh ponds, but conductive heat transfer dominates in salt‐stratified ponds. Using a parameterized surface energy balance, we estimate that the heat flux to the ice is larger under the saline pond than the freshwater pond when averaged over the observational period. The deviation is sensitive to assumed wind, varying between 3 and 14 W/m2 for winds from 0 to 5 m/s. If this effect persists as conditions evolve through the melt season, our results suggest that this imbalance potentially has a climatologically significant impact on sea‐ice evolution.
An Updated Solar Cycle 25 Prediction With AFT: The Modern Minimum
Authors: Upton Lisa A. , Hathaway David H.
Published: August 2018

Over the last decade there has been mounting evidence that the strength of the Sun's polar magnetic fields during a solar cycle minimum is the best predictor of the amplitude of the next solar cycle. Surface flux transport models can be used to extend these predictions by evolving the Sun's surface magnetic field to obtain an earlier prediction for the strength of the polar fields, and thus the amplitude of the next cycle. In 2016, our Advective Flux Transport (AFT) model was used to do this, producing an early prediction for Solar Cycle 25. At that time, AFT predicted that Cycle 25 will be similar in strength to the Cycle 24, with an uncertainty of about 15%. AFT also predicted that the polar fields in the southern hemisphere would weaken in late 2016 and into 2017 before recovering. That AFT prediction was based on the magnetic field configuration at the end of January 2016. We now have two more years of observations. We examine the accuracy of the 2016 AFT prediction and find that the new observations track well with AFT's predictions for the last 2 years. We show that the southern relapse did in fact occur, though the timing was off by several months. We propose a possible cause for the southern relapse and discuss the reason for the offset in timing. Finally, we provide an updated AFT prediction for Solar Cycle 25 that includes solar observations through January of 2018.
The Lyman‐α Sky Background as Observed by New Horizons
Authors: Gladstone G. Randall , Pryor W. R. , Stern S. Alan , Ennico Kimberly , Olkin Catherine B. , Spencer John R. , Weaver Harold A. , Young Leslie A. , Bagenal Fran , Cheng Andrew F. , Cunningham Nathaniel J. , Elliott Heather A. , Greathouse Thomas K. , Hinson David P. , Kammer Joshua A. , Linscott Ivan R. , Parker Joel Wm. , Retherford Kurt D. , Steffl Andrew J. , Strobel Darrell F. , Summers Michael E. , Throop Henry , Versteeg Maarten H. , Davis Michael W.
Published: August 2018

Recent observations of interplanetary medium atomic hydrogen Lyman‐α emission in the outer solar system, made with the Alice ultraviolet spectrograph on New Horizons, are presented. The observations include regularly spaced great circle scans of the sky and pointed observations near the downstream and upstream flow directions of interstellar H atoms. The New Horizons Alice data agree very well with the much earlier Voyager UVS results, after these are reduced by a factor of 2.4 in brightness, in accordance with recent reanalyses. In particular, the falloff of interplanetary medium Lyman‐α brightness in the upstream‐looking direction as a function of spacecraft distance from the Sun is well matched by an expected 1/r dependence, but with an added constant brightness of ~40 Rayleighs. This additional brightness is a possible signature of the hydrogen wall at the heliopause or of a more distant background. Ongoing observations are planned at a cadence of roughly twice per year.
Magnetic Field Dipolarization and Its Associated Ion Flux Variations in the Dawnside Deep Inner Magnetosphere: Arase Observations
Authors: Nosé M. , Matsuoka A. , Kasahara S. , Yokota S. , Teramoto M. , Keika K. , Yamamoto K. , Nomura R. , Fujimoto A. , Higashio N. , Koshiishi H. , Imajo S. , Oimatsu S. , Tanaka Y.‐M. , Shinohara M. , Shinohara I. , Miyoshi Y.
Published: August 2018

The Arase satellite observed clear dipolarization signatures atr~4.3–4.6RE, GMLAT~16°–18°, and MLT~5.5–5.7 hr around 15:00 UT on 27 March 2017 whenDst~−70 nT. Strong magnetic field fluctuations were embedded and their characteristic frequency was close to the local gyrofrequency of O+ions. After the dipolarization, O+flux was enhanced at ≤15 keV, while H+flux showed no clear variations. These observations provide evidence for the direct supply of O+ions from the ionosphere. There were no clear signatures for the nonadiabatic local acceleration of O+ions. We consider that a bump‐on‐tail structure in the energy spectrum around 30–50 keV due to a combination of charge exchange loss and drift motion of ions masks the nonadiabatic acceleration. Occurrence of the magnetic field dipolarization at dawn, which is far from the well‐known premidnight occurrence peak, may be due to an eastward skewing of partial ring current during the storm main phase.
Intensification of the Daily Wet Day Rainfall Distribution Across Australia
Authors: Contractor Steefan , Donat Markus G. , Alexander Lisa V.
Published: August 2018

In Australia and globally, changes in the entire distribution of daily precipitation are poorly understood. An analysis of spatiotemporal changes in the intensity and frequency of wet and all day Australian rainfall between 1958–1985 and 1986–2013 is presented using three different gridded data sets of daily precipitation based on varying underlying station data and interpolation methods. Our analysis method provides a complete picture of changes in the entire distribution as well as a coherent picture of the spatial changes across Australia. We find that the spatial pattern of changes in total rainfall is similar to the pattern of change in wet day frequency but not to change in wet day intensity. Furthermore, more grids across Australia show statistically significant increases than decreases in rainfall intensity throughout the wet day distribution. This means that when it rains (i.e., limited to the wet day distribution), whether it is light, moderate, or extreme rainfall, it rains more.
Use of Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CyGNSS) Observations for Estimation of Soil Moisture
Authors: Kim Hyunglok , Lakshmi Venkat
Published: August 2018

Using the first full annual cycle of Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CyGNSS) observations, we investigated the limitations and capabilities of CyGNSS observations for soil moisture (SM) estimates (0–5 cm). A relative signal‐to‐noise ratio (rSNR) value from a CyGNSS‐derived delay‐Doppler map is introduced to improve the temporal resolution of SM derived from Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) data. We then evaluated the CyGNSS‐derived rSNR using ground‐based SM measurements and the triple collocation method with SMAP and modeled SM products. We found that CyGNSS can provide useful SM estimates over moderately vegetated regions (correlation coefficient of the individual data: 0.77) but shows degraded performance over arid and densely vegetated regions (correlation coefficient of the individual data: 0.68 and 0.67). However, when rSNR data is combined with SM data from SMAP, daily SM estimates can be achieved. These results show that synergistic use of CyGNSS observations can improve on SM estimates from current satellite systems.
On the Emergence of Anthropogenic Signal in Extreme Precipitation Change Over China
Authors: Li Wei , Jiang Zhihong , Zhang Xuebin , Li Laurent
Published: August 2018

The detection of anthropogenic influences on climate extremes at regional scale is important for the development of national climate change policy. Global climate simulations from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario are used to examine the time at which an anthropogenic influence becomes detectable in extreme precipitation over China and the change in probability of extreme precipitation with certain magnitudes when the changes are detectable. Anthropogenic influence is not significantly detected over China in the observational record or simulations from 1961 to 2012 based on the test of field significance. Simulations indicate that such change would become detectable in the future by around 2035. Large changes would already manifest by the time of signal detection; for example, extreme precipitation events that occur on average once every 20, 50, and 100 years in current (1986–2005) climate would reduce to about 15, 34, and 63 years on average by the time of detection around 2035.
A Comparative Study of the Proton Properties of Magnetospheric Substorms at Earth and Mercury in the Near Magnetotail
Authors: Sun W. J. , Slavin J. A. , Dewey R. M. , Raines J. M. , Fu S. Y. , Wei Y. , Karlsson T. , Poh G. K. , Jia X. , Gershman D. J. , Zong Q. G. , Wan W. X. , Shi Q. Q. , Pu Z. Y. , Zhao D.
Published: August 2018

The variations of plasma sheet proton properties during magnetospheric substorms at Earth and Mercury are comparatively studied. This study utilizes kappa distributions to interpret proton properties at both planets. Proton number densities are found to be around an order of magnitude higher, temperatures several times smaller, and κ values broader at Mercury than at Earth. Protons become denser and cooler during the growth phase, and are depleted and heated after the dipolarizations in both magnetospheres. The changes of κ at Earth are generally small (<20%), indicating that spectrum‐preserving processes, like adiabatic betatron acceleration, play an important role there, while variations of κ at Mercury are large (>60%), indicating the importance of spectrum‐altering processes there, such as acceleration due to nonadiabatic cross‐tail particle motions and wave‐particle interactions. This comparative study reveals important intrinsic properties on the energization of protons in both magnetospheres.
Design of Shaped Reflector Antennas for the Applications of Outdoor Base Station Antennas in LTE Mobile Communications
Authors: Chou Hsi‐Tseng , Kuo Li‐Ruei , Chou Sheng‐Ju
Published: August 2018

This paper examines the radiation characteristics of a shaped reflector antenna applied as an outdoor base station antenna for mobile communications. A simpler architecture in a reflector antenna can reduce the implementation cost and complexity of a base station antenna. The aim of this reflector antenna design is to resemble the required radiation characteristics of conventional base station antennas, which employ a single‐column phased array of antennas to radiate directional beam patterns for radio coverage in cell planning, while improving the existing drawback of overly large beam overlapping in adjacent sectors. It also discards the beam forming circuits of conventional base station antennas to reduce the level of passive intermodulation. This reflector antenna is fed by the elemental antenna of conventional base station antennas and is thus equipped with the functionalities of beam tilting and dual‐polarization radiation to fulfill the requirements of adaptive sectorized cell adjustment. Both numerical simulation and measurement results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility.
Solar Energetic Proton Access to the Magnetosphere During the 10–14 September 2017 Particle Event
Authors: O'Brien T. P. , Mazur J. E. , Looper M. D.
Published: August 2018

We explore the penetration of >60 MeV protons into the magnetosphere during the 10–14 September 2017 solar energetic particle event. Solar energetic particles can cause single event effects and total dose degradation in spacecraft electronics. Therefore, it is important for satellite anomaly analysis to understand how deep into the magnetosphere these particles penetrate. Whereas most studies of geomagnetic cutoffs use low‐altitude data, we use data from the Relativistic Proton Spectrometer on National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Van Allen Probes, which is in a high‐altitude, elliptical orbit. We determine how the penetration depends on particle energy, location, and direction of incidence. We evaluate multiple published models of the geomagnetic cutoff to determine how well these models constrain the spectrum at the location of a spacecraft inside the magnetosphere given data outside the magnetosphere. We show that, compared to cutoff models, low‐altitude proton measurements are far superior for near‐real‐time monitoring of the geomagnetic cutoff in support of high‐altitude anomaly resolution.
Latitudinal and Longitudinal Patterns of Exhumation in the Andes of North‐Central Chile
Authors: Rodríguez María Pía , Charrier Reynaldo , Brichau Stephanie , Carretier Sébastien , Farías Marcelo , de Parseval Philippe , Ketcham Richard A.
Published: August 2018

New thermochronometric data provide evidence for an along‐strike diachronous building of the Andes in north‐central Chile (28.5–32°S). Geochronological (U‐Pb zircon) and thermochronological (apatite fission track and (U‐Th)/He) analyses of rock units were obtained in west‐to‐east transects across the western topographic front. Thermal models indicate that the area west of the topographic front was little exhumed since approximately 45 Ma. To the east of the western topographic front, the Main Cordillera shows both latitudinal and longitudinal differences in exhumation patterns. North of 31.5°S, Cenozoic exhumation began before approximately 40–30 Ma at the western and eastern limits of the Main Cordillera, building the Incaic Range. Later, accelerated exhumation focused on the core of the Main Cordillera and in the Frontal Cordillera at approximately 22–14 Ma and approximately 7 Ma, respectively. South of 31.5°S, accelerated exhumation in the Main Cordillera occurred mainly around 22–14 Ma, after an initial Eocene phase, and the locus of exhumation moved eastward by the late Miocene. Whereas accelerated exhumation in the early to mid‐Miocene correlates with the breakup of the Farallon Plate, late Miocene accelerated exhumation correlates with the onset of flat subduction. Latitudinal differences on the exhumation timing along the western topographic front of the Main Cordillera may be due to the absence of the Paleozoic crystalline core south of 31.5°S, which seems to have acted as a buttress for shortening during the Eocene.
Studying cancer immunotherapy using patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) in humanized mice
Authors: Choi Yunsik , Lee Sanghyuk , Kim Kapyoul , Kim Soo-Hyun , Chung Yeun-Jun , Lee Charles
Published: August 2018

Cancer immunotherapy is a promising way to eliminate tumor cells by using the patient’s own immune system. Selecting the appropriate animal models to develop or validate preclinical immunotherapeutic trials is now an important aspect of many cancer research programs. Here we discuss the advantages and limitations of using genetically engineered immunodeficient mouse models, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), and humanized mouse models for developing and testing immunotherapeutic strategies.
Strong negative nonlinear friction from induced two-phonon processes in vibrational systems
Authors: Dong X. , Dykman M. I. , Chan H. B.
Published: August 2018

Self-sustained vibrations in systems ranging from lasers to clocks to biological systems are often associated with the coefficient of linear friction, which relates the friction force to the velocity, becoming negative. The runaway of the vibration amplitude is prevented by positive nonlinear friction that increases rapidly with the amplitude. Here we use a modulated electromechanical resonator to show that nonlinear friction can be made negative and sufficiently strong to overcome positive linear friction at large vibration amplitudes. The experiment involves applying a drive that simultaneously excites two phonons of the studied mode and a phonon of a faster decaying high-frequency mode. We study generic features of the oscillator dynamics with negative nonlinear friction. Remarkably, self-sustained vibrations of the oscillator require activation in this case. When, in addition, a resonant force is applied, a branch of large-amplitude forced vibrations can emerge, isolated from the branch of the ordinary small-amplitude response.
Learning auditory discriminations from observation is efficient but less robust than learning from experience
Authors: Narula Gagan , Herbst Joshua A. , Rychen Joerg , Hahnloser Richard H. R.
Published: August 2018

Social learning enables complex societies. However, it is largely unknown how insights obtained from observation compare with insights gained from trial-and-error, in particular in terms of their robustness. Here, we use aversive reinforcement to train “experimenter” zebra finches to discriminate between auditory stimuli in the presence of an “observer” finch. We show that experimenters are slow to successfully discriminate the stimuli, but immediately generalize their ability to a new set of similar stimuli. By contrast, observers subjected to the same task are able to discriminate the initial stimulus set, but require more time for successful generalization. Drawing on concepts from machine learning, we suggest that observer learning has evolved to rapidly absorb sensory statistics without pressure to minimize neural resources, whereas learning from experience is endowed with a form of regularization that enables robust inference.
Apparent bias toward long gene misregulation in MeCP2 syndromes disappears after controlling for baseline variations
Authors: Raman Ayush T. , Pohodich Amy E. , Wan Ying-Wooi , Yalamanchili Hari Krishna , Lowry William E. , Zoghbi Huda Y. , Liu Zhandong
Published: August 2018

Recent studies have suggested that genes longer than 100 kb are more likely to be misregulated in neurological diseases associated with synaptic dysfunction, such as autism and Rett syndrome. These length-dependent transcriptional changes are modest in MeCP2-mutant samples, but, given the low sensitivity of high-throughput transcriptome profiling technology, here we re-evaluate the statistical significance of these results. We find that the apparent length-dependent trends previously observed in MeCP2 microarray and RNA-sequencing datasets disappear after estimating baseline variability from randomized control samples. This is particularly true for genes with low fold changes. We find no bias with NanoString technology, so this long gene bias seems to be particular to polymerase chain reaction amplification-based platforms. In contrast, authentic long gene effects, such as those caused by topoisomerase inhibition, can be detected even after adjustment for baseline variability. We conclude that accurate characterization of length-dependent (or other) trends requires establishing a baseline from randomized control samples.
Post-eruptive mobility of lithium in volcanic rocks
Authors: Ellis B. S. , Szymanowski D. , Magna T. , Neukampf J. , Dohmen R. , Bachmann O. , Ulmer P. , Guillong M.
Published: August 2018

To reflect magmatic conditions, volcanic rocks must retain their compositions through eruption and post-eruptive cooling. Mostly, this is the case. However, welded ignimbrites from the Yellowstone–Snake River Plain magmatic province reveal systematic modification of the lithium (Li) inventory by post-eruptive processes. Here we show that phenocrysts from slowly cooled microcrystalline ignimbrite interiors consistently have significantly more Li than their rapidly quenched, glassy, counterparts. The strong association with host lithology and the invariance of other trace elements indicate that Li remains mobile long after eruption and readily passes into phenocrysts via diffusion as groundmass crystallisation increases the Li contents of the last remaining melts. Li isotopic measurements reveal that this diffusion during cooling combined with efficient degassing on the surface may significantly affect the Li inventory and isotopic compositions of volcanic rocks. Utilisation of Li for petrogenetic studies is therefore crucially dependent on the ability to ‘see through’ such post-eruptive processes.
Revealing the mechanism for covalent inhibition of glycoside hydrolases by carbasugars at an atomic level
Authors: Ren Weiwu , Pengelly Robert , Farren-Dai Marco , Shamsi Kazem Abadi Saeideh , Oehler Verena , Akintola Oluwafemi , Draper Jason , Meanwell Michael , Chakladar Saswati , Świderek Katarzyna , Moliner Vicent , Britton Robert , Gloster Tracey M. , Bennet Andrew J.
Published: August 2018

Mechanism-based glycoside hydrolase inhibitors are carbohydrate analogs that mimic the natural substrate’s structure. Their covalent bond formation with the glycoside hydrolase makes these compounds excellent tools for chemical biology and potential drug candidates. Here we report the synthesis of cyclohexene-based α-galactopyranoside mimics and the kinetic and structural characterization of their inhibitory activity toward an α-galactosidase from Thermotoga maritima (TmGalA). By solving the structures of several enzyme-bound species during mechanism-based covalent inhibition of TmGalA, we show that the Michaelis complexes for intact inhibitor and product have half-chair (2H3) conformations for the cyclohexene fragment, while the covalently linked intermediate adopts a flattened half-chair (2H3) conformation. Hybrid QM/MM calculations confirm the structural and electronic properties of the enzyme-bound species and provide insight into key interactions in the enzyme-active site. These insights should stimulate the design of mechanism-based glycoside hydrolase inhibitors with tailored chemical properties.
Otorhinolaryngological profile and surgical intervention in patients with HIV/AIDS
Authors: Bao Shiping , Shao Shan
Published: August 2018

Little is known about the diagnosis and surgical management of head and neck conditions in patients with HIV/AIDS. This study was conducted to characterize the otorhinolaryngological (ORL) profiles, surgical interventions and outcomes in patients with HIV/AIDS. This retrospective study included patients with HIV/AIDS who underwent head and neck surgeries at You’an Hospital from November 2009 to February 2017. Patients’ ages, ORL diagnoses and surgical interventions for all ORL surgeries were recorded. We identified 57 ORL surgeries in 52 patients during this time. The mean age of the patients was 37.7 ± 12.8 years, with a predominance of male patients (90.4%). The three most common surgical diagnoses were chronic tonsillitis (19.3%), followed by chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) (14.0%) and vocal polyps (8.8%). The three most common surgeries performed were tonsillectomy (19.3%), endoscopic sinus surgery + radiofrequency ablation of the inferior turbinate (14.0%) and vocal cord polypectomy (8.8%). No mortality occurred in the 30 days after surgery, but 2 patients (3.8%) developed post-operative surgical site infections (SSI). These findings provide information on ORL manifestations and surgical interventions in patients with HIV/AIDS and may assist in the achievement of the most appropriate treatments for this patient population.
Evaluation of Skin Hardness as a Physiological Sign of Human Thermal Status
Authors: Yoon Sunghyun , Sim Jai Kyoung , Park Noeul , Cho Young-Ho
Published: August 2018

This is the first ever proposal to use skin hardness as a physiological sign by which to estimate human thermal status and to verify its effectiveness and independence in relation to the two conventional signs: skin temperature and skin conductance. We propose a novel TSV model adding skin hardness to the conventional TSV model for better estimation of human thermal status with higher accuracy and lower error. We survey individual thermal sensation from 30 subjects under four different thermal conditions (normal, warm, hot, and cold); while measuring skin hardness along with the two conventional physiological signs. The novel model for estimation of thermal status from all three signs increases R2 by 17.4% and decreases error by 23.5%, compared to the conventional model using two signs. The novel TSV model has potential for applications to human-machine interaction systems for better estimation of human thermal status.
Genome-wide identification of the auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family in pepper, its characterisation, and comprehensive expression profiling under environmental and phytohormones stress
Authors: Waseem Muhammad , Ahmad Fiaz , Habib Sidra , Li Zhengguo
Published: August 2018

Auxin is an essential phytohormone that plays a crucial role in the growth and development of plants in stressful environments. Here, we analysed the auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family, which produces auxin in pepper, and succeeded in identifying 27 putative members containing four conserved domains (I. II. III and IV) in their protein sequences. Sequence analysis, chromosomal mapping and motif prediction of all identified CaAux/IAA genes were performed. It was observed that these genes contained four conserved motifs divided into nine different groups and distributed across nine chromosomes in pepper plants. RNA-seq analysis revealed the organ specific expression of many CaAux/IAA genes. However, the majority of genes were expressed with high expression levels in the early stages of fruit development. However, the maximum expression level of the CA03g34540 gene was observed in the breaker stage. Moreover, thirteen CaAux/IAA genes were labelled as early responsive genes to various phytohormone and abiotic stresses. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis in response to pathogen inoculation (PepMoV, TMV strains P0/P1, and Phytophthora capsici) showed distinct expression profiles of all identified genes, suggesting the diverse expression nature of genes under these stress conditions. Overall, this study provides insight into the dynamic response of CaAux/IAA genes under environmental and phytohormones stress conditions, providing bases to further explore the importance of these genes through mutant/transgenic analysis in pepper.
In situ transcriptome characteristics are lost following culture adaptation of adult cardiac stem cells
Authors: Kim Taeyong , Echeagaray Oscar H. , Wang Bingyan J. , Casillas Alexandria , Broughton Kathleen M. , Kim Bong-Hyun , Sussman Mark A.
Published: August 2018

Regenerative therapeutic approaches for myocardial diseases often involve delivery of stem cells expanded ex vivo. Prior studies indicate that cell culture conditions affect functional and phenotypic characteristics, but relationship(s) of cultured cells derived from freshly isolated populations and the heterogeneity of the cultured population remain poorly defined. Functional and phenotypic characteristics of ex vivo expanded cells will determine outcomes of interventional treatment for disease, necessitating characterization of the impact that ex vivo expansion has upon isolated stem cell populations. Single-cell RNA-Seq profiling (scRNA-Seq) was performed to determine consequences of culture expansion upon adult cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) as well as relationships with other cell populations. Bioinformatic analyses demonstrate that identity marker genes expressed in freshly isolated cells become undetectable in cultured CPCs while low level expression emerges for thousands of other genes. Transcriptional profile of CPCs exhibited greater degree of similarity throughout the cultured population relative to freshly isolated cells. Findings were validated by comparative analyses using scRNA-Seq datasets of various cell types generated by multiple scRNA-Seq technology. Increased transcriptome diversity and decreased population heterogeneity in the cultured cell population may help account for reported outcomes associated with experimental and clinical use of CPCs for treatment of myocardial injury.
Circulating glucose levels inversely correlate with Drosophila larval feeding through insulin signaling and SLC5A11
Authors: Ugrankar Rupali , Theodoropoulos Pano , Akdemir Fatih , Henne W. Mike , Graff Jonathan M.
Published: August 2018

In mammals, blood glucose levels likely play a role in appetite regulation yet the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain opaque. Mechanisms can often be explored from Drosophila genetic approaches. To determine if circulating sugars might be involved in Drosophila feeding behaviors, we scored hemolymph glucose and trehalose, and food ingestion in larvae subjected to various diets, genetic mutations, or RNAi. We found that larvae with glucose elevations, hyperglycemia, have an aversion to feeding; however, trehalose levels do not track with feeding behavior. We further discovered that insulins and SLC5A11 may participate in glucose-regulated feeding. To see if food aversion might be an appropriate screening method for hyperglycemia candidates, we developed a food aversion screen to score larvae with abnormal feeding for glucose. We found that many feeding defective larvae have glucose elevations. These findings highlight intriguing roles for glucose in fly biology as a potential cue and regulator of appetite.
Digital holography of optically-trapped aerosol particles
Authors: David Grégory , Esat Kιvanç , Thanopulos Ioannis , Signorell Ruth
Published: August 2018

Many processes taking place in atmospheric aerosol particles are accompanied by changes in the particles’ morphology (size and shape), with potentially significant impact on weather and climate. However, the characterization of dynamic information on particle morphology and position over multiple time scales from microseconds to days under atmospherically relevant conditions has proven very challenging. Here we introduce holographic imaging of unsupported aerosol particles in air that are spatially confined by optical traps. Optical trapping in air allows contact-free observation of aerosol particles under relevant conditions and provides access to extended observation times, while the digital in-line holographic microscope provides six-dimensional spatial maps of particle positions and orientations with maximum spatial resolution in the sub-micron range and a temporal resolution of 240 μs. We demonstrate the broad applicability of our approach for a few examples and discuss its prospects for future aerosol studies, including the study of complex, multi-step phase transitions.
Pyridine-based low-temperature synthesis of CoN, Ni3N and Cu3N nanoparticles
Authors: Egeberg Alexander , Warmuth Lucas , Riegsinger Sven , Gerthsen Dagmar , Feldmann Claus
Published: August 2018

CoN, Ni3N and Cu3N nanoparticles were preparedvialow-temperature, oxygen-free liquid-phase synthesis in refluxing pyridine. This approach, leading to high-purity, narrow-size (3–5 nm) nitrides, can be generally very promising for obtaining nanosized nitrides and to address their material properties.
Molecularly endowed hydrogel with anin silico-assisted screened peptide for highly sensitive small molecule harvesting
Authors: Di Natale Concetta , Celetti Giorgia , Scognamiglio Pasqualina Liana , Cosenza Chiara , Battista Edmondo , Causa Filippo , Netti Paolo A.
Published: August 2018

Schematic representation ofin silico-assisted screening of an AFM1 binding peptide and the working principle of toxin harvesting by molecularly endowed hydrogel.
Organometallic ring vs. chain formation beyond kinetic control: steering their equilibrium in two-dimensional confinement
Authors: Krug Claudio K. , Fan Qitang , Fillsack Florian , Glowatzki Johannes , Trebel Nicole , Heuplick Lukas J. , Koehler Tabea , Gottfried J. Michael
Published: August 2018

Two-dimensional confinement enables thermodynamic control over the competition between macrocycle and chain formation.
Total synthesis of (−)-agelastatin A: an SH2′ radical azidation strategy
Authors: Tsuchimochi Izuru , Kitamura Yuta , Aoyama Hiroshi , Akai Shuji , Nakai Keiyo , Yoshimitsu Takehiko
Published: August 2018

A new synthetic approach to (−)-agelastatin A has been established through the strategic implementation of brominative olefin transposition of a silyl enol ether and subsequent SH2′ radical azidation of the resultant allylic bromide.
Synthesis of chiral supramolecular bisphosphinite palladacycles through hydrogen transfer-promoted self-assembly process
Authors: Vasseur Alexandre , Membrat Romain , Palpacelli Davide , Giorgi Michel , Nuel Didier , Giordano Laurent , Martinez Alexandre
Published: August 2018

P-Chiral secondary phosphine oxides react with Pd2(dba)3 in an acidic medium to provide chiral supramolecular bisphosphinite palladacycles through a H-transfer-based self-assembly process prior to SPO-promoted oxidative addition of an acid to a Pd(0) centre.
Synthesis and characterization of diamonds using C3H5N3O as an organic additive under high pressure and high temperature
Authors: Guo Longsuo , Ma Hongan , Chen Liangchao , Chen Ning , Miao Xinyuan , Wang Yao , Fang Shuai , Yang Zhiqiang , Fang Chao , Jia Xiaopeng
Published: August 2018

In the NiMnCo–C system, diamond single crystals have been successfully synthesized by adding C3H5N3O as an organic additive under 5.5–6.2 GPa and 1280–1320 °C.
Experimental and theoretical study of the energetic, morphological, and photoluminescence properties of CaZrO3:Eu3+
Authors: Oliveira Marisa Carvalho , Ribeiro Renan A. Pontes , Gracia Lourdes , de Lazaro Sergio R. , de Assis Marcelo , Oliva Mónica , Rosa Ieda L. Viana , Gurgel Maria Fernanda do C. , Longo Elson , Andrés Juan
Published: August 2018

In this study, we present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the geometry, electronic structure, morphology, and photoluminescence properties of CaZrO3:Eu3+materials.
Numerical study on the effect of additional resistive heating and crystal rotation on sapphire single crystals (Al2O3) grown by the Kyropoulos method
Authors: Zermout Samir , Mokhtari Faiza , Nehari Abdeldjelil , Lasloudji Idir
Published: August 2018

Reduction of melt–crystal interface convexity during Kyropoulos growth of sapphire single crystals through rotation and crucible bottom heating.
Native defects and impurity band behavior in half-Heusler thermoelectric NbFeSb
Authors: Tian Yefan , Zhu Hangtian , Ren Wuyang , Ghassemi Nader , Conant Emily , Wang Zhiming , Ren Zhifeng , Ross Joseph H.
Published: August 2018

Native defects are identified that dominate the electronic behavior and generate impurity-band states in the promising thermoelectric NbFeSb.
Computational chemistry strategies in natural product synthesis
Authors: Elkin Masha , Newhouse Timothy R.
Published: August 2018

Computational chemistry has made profound contributions to natural product synthesis, as showcased in several impressive examples.
Cu-CHA – a model system for applied selective redox catalysis
Authors: Borfecchia Elisa , Beato Pablo , Svelle Stian , Olsbye Unni , Lamberti Carlo , Bordiga Silvia
Published: August 2018

We review the structural chemistry and reactivity of copper-exchanged molecular sieves with chabazite (CHA) topology, as an industrially applied catalyst in ammonia mediated reduction of harmful nitrogen oxides (NH3-SCR) and as a general model system for red-ox active materials (also the recent results in the direct conversion of methane to methanol are considered).
Zero-strain K0.6Mn1F2.7 hollow nanocubes for ultrastable potassium ion storage
Authors: Liu Zhiwei , Li Ping , Suo Guoquan , Gong Sheng , Wang Wei (Alex) , Lao Cheng-Yen , Xie Yajie , Guo Hao , Yu Qiyao , Zhao Wang , Han Kun , Wang Qian , Qin Mingli , Xi Kai , Qu Xuanhui
Published: August 2018

In this report, we develop a new etching route to fabricate a new class of zero-strain potassium fluoromanganate hollow nanocubes (KMnF-NCs) for boosting the performance of KIBs in terms of capacity, rate capability and cycling stability.
Enzymatic synthesis of polysaccharide-based copolymers
Authors: Grimaud F. , Faucard P. , Tarquis L. , Pizzut-Serin S. , Roblin P. , Morel S. , Le Gall S. , Falourd X. , Rolland-Sabaté A. , Lourdin D. , Moulis C. , Remaud-Siméon M. , Potocki-Veronese G.
Published: August 2018

Enzymatic synthesis of biosourced block copolymers from sucrose by means of a stepwise approach.
Synthesis and characterization of carbene-pyridyl anchoring Ru(ii) dyes with various binding functionalities for photoelectrochemical cells
Authors: Akula Suri Babu , Su Chaochin , Wang Hsiou-Hsuan , Chen Huei-Siou , Li Ting-Yu , Chen Bo-Ren , Chang Chih-Chien , Li Wen-Ren
Published: August 2018

A study utilizing pyridyl carbene as the anchoring ligand was demonstrated for the first time and it was found to be more suitable for use as an ancillary group.