bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entangled Eurocommunism: Santiago Carrillo, the Spanish Communist Party and the Eastern Bloc during the Spanish Transition to Democracy, 1968–1982
Authors: FARALDO JOSÉ M.
Published: October 2017

The Spanish Communist Party (PCE), under the leadership of Santiago Carrillo (1960–1982), developed the path of Eurocommunism. This was in part a rethinking of communism's approach to Western parliamentary systems, as well as an indigenous strategy for adapting the party to the transition in Spain from dictatorship to democracy. However, the influence of Eastern European developments was clear not only in the development of the party's struggle against the dictatorship but also in its reaction to Eastern European dissidents and toSolidarność, when the PCE called for anaggiornamientoto align themselves to these new tendencies. This failed, and in the end more orthodox communists came to dominate the party. But the debates about the transformation in Eastern European communism played a major part in developing the new line of the Spanish communists, and in shaping their central role during the Spanish transition to democracy.
Affective and Cognitive Verbal Theory of Mind in Schizophrenia: Results From a Novel Paradigm
Authors: Okruszek Łukasz , Piejka Aleksandra , Szczepocka Ewa , Wysokiński Adam , Pluta Agnieszka
Published: October 2017

Objectives: Impairments of Theory of Mind (ToM) have been repeatedly demonstrated in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). However, only a handful of studies have explored deficits in affective and cognitive subcomponents of ToM. Thus, this study aims to examine affective and cognitive ToM abilities in SCZ by using a novel, verbal paradigm. Methods: Twenty-four SCZ and 22 healthy comparison subjects (HC) completed a battery of tasks, which consisted of: (i) Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia (B-CATS), (ii) three well-established tasks measuring social cognitive abilities, and (iii) original tasks which assess ability to infer cognitive and affective mental states based on everyday verbal social interactions. Results: In line with previous findings, SCZ were outperformed by HC in all tasks. However, the interaction effect of the group and the task showed that cognitive (as opposed to affective) ToM was more profoundly impaired in patients with SCZ. Conclusions: It is proposed that in SCZ group cognitive ToM is more impaired as it involves more effortful reflective processes, while affective ToM, which is more automatic and based on reflexive processes, may differentiate patients from healthy comparison subjects to a lesser extent. (JINS, 2018, 24, 305–309)
JAMES MILL, THE SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT AND THE PROBLEM OF CIVIL RELIGION
Authors: PLASSART ANNA
Published: October 2017

This article argues for a reassessment of James Mill's anticlerical, and possibly atheistic, brand of secularism. Mill's well-known religious skepticism and criticism of the Church of England, it is suggested, have tended to obscure his otherwise dispassionate assessment of religion as a social phenomenon. The article traces Mill's lifelong belief that religious improvement was a necessary precondition to societal progress, from his first major publication in 1805 to his late advocacy of a tolerant state religion in 1835. In this, Mill differed starkly from Jeremy Bentham, who considered all religious beliefs harmful and whose utopian utilitarian society was secular rather than tolerant. The article contends that eighteenth-century Scottish enquiries into human manners and religious progress directly inspired Mill's lifelong ambition to use religion as a tool to reform manners and create the educated public opinion he believed was indispensable to the enactment of his democratic and utilitarian programme.
Spatial distribution of different subtypes of core-collapse and thermonuclear supernovae in the galaxies
Authors: Tsvetkov Dmitry Yu. , Pavlyuk Nickolay N.
Published: October 2017

The distributions of supernovae of different types and subtypes along the radius and in z coordinate of galaxies have been studied. We show that among SNe Ia in spiral galaxies, SNe Iax and Ia-norm have, respectively, the largest and smallest concentration to the center; the distributions of SNe Ia-91bg and Ia-91T are similar. A strong concentration of SNe Ibc to the central regions has been confirmed. In spiral galaxies, the supernovae of all types strongly concentrate to the galactic plane; the slight differences in scale height correlate with the extent to which the classes of supernovae are associated with star formation.
Incidence of stellar rotation on the explosion mechanism of massive stars
Authors: Kazeroni Rémi , Guilet Jérôme , Foglizzo Thierry
Published: October 2017

Hydrodynamical instabilities may either spin-up or down the pulsar formed in the collapse of a rotating massive star. Using numerical simulations of an idealized setup, we investigate the impact of progenitor rotation on the shock dynamics. The amplitude of the spiral mode of the Standing Accretion Shock Instability (SASI) increases with rotation only if the shock to the neutron star radii ratio is large enough. At large rotation rates, a corotation instability, also known as low-T/W, develops and leads to a more vigorous spiral mode. We estimate the range of stellar rotation rates for which pulsars are spun up or down by SASI. In the presence of a corotation instability, the spin-down efficiency is less than 30%. Given observational data, these results suggest that rapid progenitor rotation might not play a significant hydrodynamical role in the majority of core-collapse supernovae.
Evolution & Explosion of Massive Stars Leading to IIP-IIL SNe with MESA & SNEC
Authors: Das Sanskriti , Ray Alak
Published: October 2017

We show how the dense shells of circumstellar gas immediately outside the red supergiants(RSGs) can affect the early optical light curves of Type II-P SNe taking the example of 2013ej. The peak in V, R and I bands, decline rate after peak and plateau length are found to be strongly influenced by the dense CSM formed due to enhanced mass loss during the oxygen and silicon burning stage of the progenitor. We find that the required explosion energy for the progenitors with CSM is reduced by almost a factor of 2.
High-Resolution Observations of Dust in SN 1987A
Authors: Cigan Phil , Gomez Haley , Matsuura Mikako
Published: October 2017

The dust produced by supernovae is an important topic for understanding supernova physics and the chemical evolution of galaxies. Recent ALMA observations of SN 1987A have allowed us to peer into the inner ejecta to the cool dust, with spatial resolution from 0.″3 at ~300 GHz down to 0.″09 at ~680 GHz – an improvement over the previous 300 GHz Cycle 0 observations at 0.″69. Comparison of the dust location and morphology with other multiwavelength emission presents an interesting picture of the role dust plays in the ejecta. The mm-FIR SED is compared to radiative models to study the dust composition 30 years after the initial explosion. Fits to the ring emission also probe the drift of the center of the system over time.
Upper Limits on Gamma-ray Emission from Supernovae Serendipitously Observed with H.E.S.S.
Authors: Simoni Rachel , Maxted Nigel , Renaud Mathieu , Vink Jacco
Published: October 2017

It is hypothesized that some young supernovae might have the correct properties to accelerate cosmic rays, which in turn might generate gamma-ray emission by-products. We search for gamma-ray excesses towards supernovae in nearby galaxies which were serendipitously within the field of view of the HESS telescopes within a year of the supernova event. HESS cherenkov air-shower data collected between December 2003 and March 2015 were considered and compared to recent catalogs. Nine candidate supernovae were identified and analysed. No significant emission from these supernovae has been found, and upper limits for their very high energy emission are reported.
Aspherical Supernovae and Oblique Shock Breakout
Authors: Afsariardchi Niloufar , Matzner Christopher D.
Published: October 2017

In an aspherical supernova explosion, shock emergence is not simultaneous and non-radial flows develop near the stellar surface. Oblique shock breakouts tend to be easily developed in compact progenitors like stripped-envelop core collapse supernovae. According to Matzner et al. (2013), non-spherical explosions develop non-radial flows that alters the observable emission and radiation of a supernova explosion. These flows can limit ejecta speed, change the distribution of matter and heat of the ejecta, suppress the breakout flash, and most importantly engender collisions outside the star. We construct a global numerical FLASH hydrodynamic simulation in a two dimensional spherical coordinate, focusing on the non-relativistic, adiabatic limit in a polytropic envelope to see how these fundamental differences affect the early light curve of core-collapse SNe.
Constraining pulsar birth properties with supernova X-ray observations
Authors: Gallant Y. A. , Bandiera R. , Bucciantini N. , Amato E.
Published: October 2017

A large fraction of core-collapse supernovae are thought to result in the birth of a rotation-powered pulsar, which is later observable as a radio pulsar up to great ages. The birth properties of these pulsars, and in particular the distribution of their initial rotation periods, are however difficult to infer from studies of the radio pulsar population in our Galaxy. Yet the distributions of their birth properties is an important assumption for scenarios in which ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) originate in very young, extragalactic pulsars with short birth periods and/or high magnetic fields.

Using a model of the very young pulsar wind nebula’s dynamical and spectral evolution, with pulsar wind and accelerated particle parameters assumed similar to those inferred from modeling young pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) in our Galaxy, we show that X-ray observations of supernovae, a few years to decades after the explosion, constitute a favored window to obtain meaningful constraints on the initial spin-down luminosity of the newly-formed pulsar. We examine the expected emerging PWN spectral component, taking into account the X-ray opacity of the expanding supernova ejecta, and find that it is typically best detectable in < 10 keV X-rays some years after the explosion. We use this framework to assess available X-ray observations and flux upper limits on supernovae, building on the work of Pernaet al.(2008). We note that a resulting limit on spin-down luminosity corresponds univocally to a limit on the maximum magnetospheric acceleration potential, irrespective of the specific combination of magnetic field and rotation period that achieves it. We use available X-ray observations of supernovae to place constraints on the birth spin-down luminosity and period distribution of classical pulsars. We also examine the case of magnetars, born with much higher magnetic fields, and show that their much shorter initial spin-down time implies that any plausible signature of young magnetar wind nebulae can only be observed in harder X-ray or gamma-rays.
X-ray Synchrotron Polarization from Turbulent Plasmas in Supernova Remnants
Authors: Baring Matthew G.
Published: October 2017

As supernova remnants (SNRs) age, they become efficient cosmic ray accelerators at their outer shell shocks. The current paradigm for shock acceleration theory favors turbulent field environs in the proximity of these shocks, turbulence driven by current instabilities involving energetic ions. With the imminent prospect of dedicated X-ray polarimeters becoming a reality, the possibility looms of probing turbulence on scales that couple to the super-TeV electrons that emit X-rays. This paper presents model X-ray polarization signatures from energetic electrons moving in simulated MHD turbulence of varying levels of “chaos.” The emission volumes are finite slabs that represent the active regions of young SNR shells. We find that the turbulent field energy must be quite limited relative to that of the total field in order for the X-ray polarization degree to be as strong as the radio measures obtained in some remnants. Results presented are pertinent to the planned IXPE and XIPE polarimeters.
Searching for Young Type Ia Supernova Remnants in M83
Authors: Li Chuan-Jui , Chu You-Hua , Ou Po-Sheng
Published: October 2017

Young Type Ia supernova remnants (SNRs) are characterized by Balmer-dominated optical spectra, well-defined shell morphologies, > 1036 ergs s−1 X-ray luminosities, and a lack of massive stars and dense interstellar gas in their vicinity. Applying these characteristics and using archival deep HST and Chandra observations of M83, we search for young Type Ia SNRs in this spiral galaxy. This is a very difficult task!
Outbursts from evolved massive stars: SN 2015bh and its relatives
Authors: Thöne Christina C. , de Ugarte Postigo Antonio , Groh Jose
Published: October 2017

In their final stages, massive stars can show large eruptions which can resemble core-collapse IIn SNe. Here we present SN 2015bh in NGC 2770, a IIn/impostor, where archival data show variabilities for at least 21 years before the main event in 2015. Serendipitous spectra during an outburst are the only SN progenitor spectra available since SN 1987A and show an LBV with a fast, dense outflow. Analogues to SN 2015bh are SN 2009ip and SNhunt 248 while the SN 2000ch impostor could be equivalent to the outburst phase of SN 2015bh. It is currently unclear whether SN 2015bh (and SN 2009ip) were final core-collapse events. Alternatively, they might be large outbursts shedding the outer envelope and creating a Wolf-Rayet star in only a matter of decades. Future large-scale high-cadence surveys such as LSST will detect many more of these events and allow us a unique insight into the largely unknown late stages of massive stellar evolution.
Measuring distances to Galactic SNRs using the red clump stars
Authors: Shan S. S. , Wu D. , Zhu H. , Zhang M. F. , Tian W. W.
Published: October 2017

Reliable distances to Galactic Supernova remnants (SNRs) are essential to constrain parameters that reveal the evolutional process of SNRs. We carry out a project to measure SNRs’ distances in the first quadrant of the Galaxy. In this project, red clump stars (RCS) are used as standard candle to build the optical extinction (AV)-(D) distance relation in each direction of extinction-known SNRs. Here, G5.7-0.01, G54.1+0.3 and G78.2+2.1 are taken as typical examples. We obtain the distance of 3−0.3+0.4 kpc for G5.7-0.01, the lower limit of 5.8 kpc for G54.1+0.3, the upper limit of 2 kpc for G5.7-0.01. The results are consistent with distances from kinematic measurements. Hence, we highlight the RCS method can independently trace the distance to the SNRs.
The Radio Remnant of Supernova 1987A − A Broader View
Authors: Zanardo G. , Staveley-Smith L. , Ng C. -Y. , Indebetouw R. , Matsuura M. , Gaensler B. M. , Tzioumis A. K.
Published: October 2017

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are powerful particle accelerators. As a supernova (SN) blast wave propagates through the circumstellar medium (CSM), electrons and protons scatter across the shock and gain energy by entrapment in the magnetic field. The accelerated particles generate further magnetic field fluctuations and local amplification, leading to cosmic ray production. The wealth of data from Supernova 1987A is providing a template of the SN-CSM interaction, and an important guide to the radio detection and identification of core-collapse SNe based on their spectral properties. Thirty years after the explosion, radio observations of SNR 1987A span from 70 MHz to 700 GHz. We review extensive observing campaigns with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and follow-ups with other radio telescopes. Observations across the radio spectrum indicate rapid changes in the remnant morphology, while current ATCA and ALMA observations show that the SNR has entered a new evolutionary phase.
Comparing Political Attitudes of Evangelicals with the Attitudes of Mainline Christians and Non-Church Members in The Netherlands
Authors: Vermeer Paul , Scheepers Peer
Published: October 2017

Evangelicals are generally considered culturally conservative regarding issues like abortion or homosexuality and sometimes also economically conservative regarding issues like tax reduction. But does this image also apply to Dutch evangelicals who live in a secular environment in which they constitute only a tiny fraction of the number of church members? This article explores the political attitudes of Dutch evangelicals with the help of two research questions: (1) Do Dutch evangelicals hold more conservative political attitudes on economic and cultural issues than Catholics, mainline Protestants and non-church members? and (2) Which decisive factors determine the supposed conservatism among Dutch evangelicals as compared to Catholics, mainline Protestants and non-church members? Analyses of survey data show that Dutch evangelicals are indeed culturally conservative, but more liberal in economic matters. In addition, results also show that their cultural conservatism is related to their religious convictions, while their economic attitudes are unrelated to religion.
Completely integrated multilayered weave electro-textile antenna for wearable applications
Authors: Sundarsingh Esther F. , Kanagasabai Malathi , Ramalingam Vimal Samsingh
Published: October 2017

This paper proposes a unique, first of its kind fabrication technique for the making of textile antennas. A novel method that provides scope for automation in textile antenna production is presented here. A completely integrated textile antenna fabrication method that eliminates the tasks of positioning and fastening of the various components of a patch antenna is discussed. The technique employs multilayer weaving for the production of a wearable antenna on a cotton substrate. Silver yarn is used for the conductive regions of the textile antenna. Two layers of woven cotton serve to isolate the radiating patch from the ground plane of the antenna. The designed antenna was chosen to operate at the frequency of 2.45 GHz for Wireless Local Area Network. The built prototype resonated at 2.43 GHz with a |S11|of −18.62 dB. The integrated textile antenna exhibited a gain of 1.06 dBi at 2.43 GHz.
Four-way Gysel power divider/combiner with back-to-back configuration for dual-band operation
Authors: Moradi Elham , Moznebi Ali-Reza , Afrooz Kambiz , Movahhedi Masoud
Published: October 2017

In this paper, a four-way dual-band Gysel power divider (GPD)/combiner based on a back-to-back microstrip structure method is proposed and investigated. A two-layer substrate is adopted to implement this PD. In order to divide the input signal into four equivalent signals, the input and four output ports of the proposed PD are placed on the top and the four external isolation resistors are placed on the bottom layer of the substrate. Furthermore, the dual-band response is achieved by adding a short-circuit stub and an open-circuit stub to the structure. Then, the theoretical closed-form design formulas are derived based on the considered conditions and circuit transmission line theory. Finally, for verification purpose, a prototype PD is designed, fabricated, and measured which works at dual frequencies of 1 and 2 GHz simultaneously. The good agreement between simulation and measurement results, which show good impedance matching, isolation, as well as power transmission, verifies the correctness of the design theory.
Improved energy detection receiver for ranging in IEEE 802.15.4a standard
Authors: Maali Abdelmadjid , Baudoin Geneviève , Mesloub Ammar
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we propose a novel energy detection (ED) receiver architecture combined with time-of-arrival (TOA) estimation algorithm, compliant to the IEEE 802.15.4a standard. The architecture is based on double overlapping integrators and a sliding correlator. It exploits a series of ternary preamble sequences with perfect autocorrelation property. This property ensures coding gain, which allows an accurate estimation of power delay profile (PDP). To improve TOA estimation, the interpolation of PDP samples is proposed and the architecture is validated by using an ultra-wideband signals measurements platform. These measurements are carried out in line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight multipath environments. The experimental results show that the ranging performances obtained by the proposed architecture are higher than those obtained by the conventional architecture based on a single-integrator in both LOS and NLOS environments.
The impact of periconceptional alcohol exposure on fat preference and gene expression in the mesolimbic reward pathway in adult rat offspring
Authors: Dorey E. S. , Cullen C. L. , Lucia D. , Mah K. M. , Manchadi M.-L. Roy , Muhlhausler B. S. , Moritz K. M.
Published: October 2017

Alcohol consumption around the time of conception is highly prevalent in Western countries. Exposure to ethanol levels during gestation has been associated with altered development of the mesolimbic reward pathway in rats and increased propensity to addiction, however the effect of exposure only around the time of conception is unknown. The current study investigated the effects of periconceptional alcohol exposure (PC:EtOH) on alcohol and palatable food preferences and gene expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens of the adult offspring. Rats were exposed to a liquid diet containing ethanol (EtOH) (12.5% vol/vol) or a control diet from 4 days before mating until 4 days after mating. PC:EtOH had no effect on alcohol preference in either sex. At 15 months of age, however, male PC:EtOH offspring consumed more high-fat food when compared with male control offspring, but this preference was not observed in females. Expression of the dopamine receptor type 1 (Drd1a) was lower in the VTA of male PC:EtOH offspring compared with their control counterparts. There was no effect of PC:EtOH on mRNA expression of the µ-opioid receptor, tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), dopamine receptor type 2 (Drd2) or dopamine active transporter (Slc6a3). These data support the hypothesis that periconceptional alcohol exposure can alter expression of key components of the mesolimbic reward pathway and heighten the preference of offspring for palatable foods and may therefore increase their propensity towards diet-induced obesity. These results highlight the importance of alcohol avoidance when planning a pregnancy.
Effect of Rhizome Fragmentation, Clover Competition, Shoot-Cutting Frequency, and Cutting Height on Quackgrass (Elymus repens)
Authors: Kolberg Dorothee , Brandsæter Lars Olav , Bergkvist Göran , Solhaug Knut Asbjørn , Melander Bo , Ringselle Björn
Published: October 2017

Quackgrass is a problematic agricultural weed in the temperate zones of the world and is difficult to control without herbicides or intensive tillage. However, it may be possible to control quackgrass with less environmental impact by combining multiple low-intensity control methods. A pot experiment was conducted in July to October 2012 and repeated in June to September 2013 to investigate the effect of rhizome fragmentation, competition from white clover, shoot-cutting frequency, and cutting height on quackgrass. Rhizome fragmentation was expected to result in more, but weaker, quackgrass shoots that would be more vulnerable to shoot cutting and competition. However, by 20 d past planting, rhizome fragmentation did not change the total number of quackgrass shoots per pot, because an increase in main shoots was offset by a decrease in tiller numbers. Rhizome fragmentation did not reduce quackgrass biomass acquisition during the experimental period. Although rhizome fragmentation did reduce total fructan content, it did not enhance the effect of clover competition, shoot-cutting frequency, or shoot-cutting height. Clover competition by itself reduced quackgrass shoot numbers by 72%, rhizome biomass by 81%, and belowground fructan concentration by 10 percentage points, compared with no competition. The more frequently quackgrass shoots were cut, the less biomass quackgrass acquired, and a high shoot-cutting frequency (each time quackgrass reached 2 leaves) resulted in a lower belowground fructan concentration than a low shoot-cutting frequency (at 8 leaves). However, in pots without competition, a higher shoot-cutting frequency resulted in more quackgrass shoots. A lower shoot-cutting height (25 mm) had more impact when shoot cutting was more frequent. In conclusion, rhizome fragmentation did not reduce the number of quackgrass shoots or rhizome biomass, but competition from white clover, a high shoot-cutting frequency, and a low shoot-cutting height strongly suppressed quackgrass biomass and fructan acquisition.
Racial Prejudice Predicts Less Desire to Learn About White	Privilege
Authors: Conway John G. , Lipsey Nikolette P. , Pogge Gabrielle , Ratliff Kate A.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. White people often experience unpleasant emotions in response to learning about White privilege ( Phillips & Lowery, 2015 ; Pinterits, Poteat, & Spanierman, 2009 ). Two studies (total N = 1,310) examined how race attitudes relate to White people’s desires to avoid or learn information about White privilege. White participants completed measures of their race attitudes, desire to change White privilege, and their desire to avoid learning information about White privilege. Study 1 showed that participants who preferred their racial in-group reported less desire to change White privilege and greater desire to avoid learning information about White privilege. Inconsistent with expectations, Study 2 showed that participants who anticipated negative affective responses to learning about White privilege reported greater desire to change White privilege.
Boredom Increases Impulsiveness
Authors: Moynihan Andrew B. , Igou Eric R. , van Tilburg Wijnand A. P.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. High (vs. low) levels of boredom are associated with greater (vs. lesser) impulsiveness. It is important to examine the psychological processes that link boredom and impulsiveness to understand this relationship. We propose that heightened impulsiveness in response to boredom partly stems from people’s attempts to deal with meaninglessness when bored. In Studies 1–2, we found that perceived meaninglessness, characteristic of boredom, mediated the relationship between boredom and impulsiveness. In Study 3, we additionally hypothesized that self-awareness serves as a catalyst of boredom-induced impulsiveness by highlighting meaninglessness. Accordingly, Study 3 showed that manipulated boredom promoted impulsiveness through meaninglessness, particularly at greater levels of self-awareness. These studies support our hypothesis that impulsiveness is a response to boredom and the meaninglessness that boredom signals.
Sooty Bird Bellies Yield Insights into Historical Air Pollution
Authors: Kaufman Rachel
Published: October 2017

A new study mined museum collections to investigate just how sooty the air in the United States has been for the past 135 years.
Mirror-image polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Jiang Wenjun , Zhang Baochang , Fan Chuyao , Wang Min , Wang Jiaxing , Deng Qiang , Liu Xianyu , Chen Ji , Zheng Jishen , Liu Lei , Zhu Ting F
Published: October 2017

The construction of mirror-image biological systems may open the next frontier for biomedical technology development and discovery. Here we have designed and chemically synthesized a mutant version of the thermostable Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 DNA polymerase IV (Dpo4) consisting of d-amino acids. With a total peptide length of 358 amino acid residues, it is the largest chemically synthesized d-amino acid protein reported to date. We show that the d-polymerase is able to amplify a 120-bp l-DNA sequence coding for the Escherichia coli 5S ribosomal RNA gene rrfB by mirror-image polymerase chain reaction, and that both the natural and mirror-image systems operate with strict chiral specificity. The development of efficient miPCR systems may lead to many practical applications, such as mirror-image systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment for the selection of therapeutically promising nuclease-resistant l-nucleic acid aptamers.
Erratum: Annual community patterns are driven by seasonal switching between closely related marine bacteria
Authors: Ward Christopher S , Yung Cheuk-Man , Davis Katherine M , Blinebry Sara K , Williams Tiffany C , Johnson Zackary I , Hunt Dana E
Published: October 2017

Correction to: The ISME Journal 2017; 11: 1412−1422. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2017.4 In the original online publication of this article the incorrect file was uploaded as supplementary information. The correct file has now been added to the online version of the article. The publishers would like to apologise for this error.
Functional Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 in the Regulation of Melanogenesis and Epidermal Structure
Authors: Dong Changsheng , Yang Shanshan , Fan Ruiwen , Ji Kaiyuan , Zhang Junzhen , Liu Xuexian , Hu Shuaipeng , Xie Jianshan , Liu Yu , Gao Wenjun , Wang Haidong , Yao Jianbo , Smith George W , Herrid Muren
Published: October 2017

The mammalian integumentary system plays important roles in body homeostasis, and dysfunction of melanogenesis or epidermal development may lead to a variety of skin diseases, including melanoma. Skin pigmentation in humans and coat color in fleece-producing animals are regulated by many genes. Among them, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and paired-box 3 (PAX3) are at the top of the cascade and regulate activities of many important melanogenic enzymes. Here, we report for the first time that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is an essential regulator ofMITFandPAX3.Cdk5knockdown in mice causes a lightened coat color, a polarized distribution of melanin and hyperproliferation of basal keratinocytes. Reduced expression of Keratin 10 (K10) resulting fromCdk5knockdown may be responsible for an abnormal epidermal structure. In contrast, overexpression ofCdk5in sheep (Ovis aries) only produces brown patches on a white background, with no other observable abnormalities. Collectively, our findings show that Cdk5 has an important functional role in the regulation of melanin production and transportation and in normal development of the integumentary system.
Effect of random feld disorder on topological superconductors
Authors: Zhou Tao
Published: October 2017

We study the effect of random field disorder on two dimensional topological superconductors based on the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations. A phase transition from the phase coherent state to the disordered state is identified numerically. The two phases can be characterized by two different correlation functions. In the phase coherent state, Majorana Fermion states form and may be influenced by the interaction between the vortex and the antivortex. The local density of states is calculated, which may be used to distinguish these two phases.
Compared to self-immersion, mindful attention reduces salivation and automatic food bias
Authors: Baquedano Constanza , Vergara Rodrigo , Lopez Vladimir , Fabar Catalina , Cosmelli Diego , Lutz Antoine
Published: October 2017

Immersing ourselves in food images can sometimes make it feel subjectively real, as if the actual food were right in front of us. Excessive self-immersion into mental content, however, is a hallmark of psychological distress, and of several psychiatric conditions. Being aware that imagined events are not necessarily an accurate depiction of reality is a key feature of psychotherapeutic approaches akin to mindfulness-based interventions. Yet, it is still largely unknown to what extent one’s engagement with mental content, considering it as real, biases one’s automatic tendencies toward the world. In this study, we measured the change in subjective realism induced by a self-immersion and a mindful attention instruction, using self-reports and saliva volumes. Then, we measured behaviorally the impact of subjective realism changes on automatic approach bias toward attractive food (FAB) using an approach–avoidance task. We found a reduction in saliva volume, followed by a reduction in FAB in the mindful condition compared to the immersed condition. During the immersed condition only, saliva volumes, state and trait measures of subjective realism, and food craving traits were positively correlated with FAB values, whereas meditation experience was negatively correlated to it. We conclude that mindful attention instructions can de-automatize food bias.
Coherent Structure Formation through nonlinear interactions in 2D Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence
Authors: De Giorgio Elisa , Servidio Sergio , Veltri Pierluigi
Published: October 2017

Using high resolution 2D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations we analyze the formation of coherent structures induced by nonlinear interactions in turbulent flows. The properties of these coherent structures, which at the smallest scales are identified through a spatial intermittent behavior, turn out to be guided by the conservation of ideal quadratic (rugged) invariants of the 2D incompressible MHD equations. Different spatial regions can be identified, where the correlations predicted using the variational principles associated to the rugged invariants are locally displayed. These local correlated structures are produced rapidly, as soon as the turbulence is fully developed. It is worth speculating that the small scale structures under our investigation could give rise to singular weak solutions when letting the dissipative coefficients go to zero. In this case their properties could furnish a key to understand which mathematical conditions characterize singularity emergency in weak solutions of the MHD ideal case.
Synthesis of Reduced Grapheme Oxide as A Platform for loading β-NaYF4:Ho3+@TiO2Based on An Advanced Visible Light-Driven Photocatalyst
Authors: Fan Zihong , Wu Tianhui , Xu Xuan
Published: October 2017

In this paper a novel visible light-driven ternary compound photocatalyst (β-NaYF4:Ho3+@TiO2-rGO) was synthesized using a three-step approach. This photocatalyst was characterized using X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fluorescence spectrometries, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurement, electron spin resonance, three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemical properties. Such proposed photocatalyst can absorb 450 nm visible light while emit 290 nm ultraviolet light, so as to realize the visible light-driven photocatalysis of TiO2. In addition, as this tenary compound photocatalyst enjoys effecitve capacity of charge separation, superior durability, and sound adsorb ability of RhB, it can lead to the red shift of wavelength of absorbed light. This novel tenary photocatalyst can reach decomposition rate of RhB as high as 92% after 10 h of irradiation by visible-light Xe lamp. Compared with the blank experiment, the efficiency was significantly improved. Recycle experiments showed that theβ-NaYF4:Ho3+@TiO2-rGOcomposites still presented significant photocatalytic activity after four successive cycles. Finally, we investigated visible-light-responsive photocatalytic mechanism of the β-NaYF4:Ho3+@TiO2-rGO composites. It is of great significance to design an effective solar light-driven photocatalysis in promoting environmental protection.
Canonical NFκB signaling in myeloid cells is required for the glioblastoma growth
Authors: Achyut B. R. , Angara Kartik , Jain Meenu , Borin Thaiz F. , Rashid Mohammad H. , Iskander A. S. M. , Ara Roxan , Kolhe Ravindra , Howard Shelby , Venugopal Natasha , Rodriguez Paulo C. , Bradford Jennifer W. , Arbab Ali S.
Published: October 2017

Tumor development and therapeutic resistance are linked with tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) and myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration in tumors via chemokine axis. Chemokine expression, which determines the pro or anti-inflammatory status of myeloid cells, are partly regulated by the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Here, we identified that conditional deletion of canonical NF-κB signaling (p65) in myeloid cells inhibited syngeneic glioblastoma (GBM) through decreased CD45 infiltration in tumors, as characterized by decreased TAMs (CD206+) and MDSCs (Gr1+ CD11b+), increased dendritic cells (CD86+) and cytotoxic T cells (CD8+) in the p65 knockout (KO) mice. Proinflammatory cytokines (IFNγ, MCP1, MIP1α, and TNFα) and myeloid differentiation factor (Endoglin) were increased in myeloid cells from p65 KO tumor, which demonstrated an influence on CD8+T cell proliferation. In contrast, p65KO athymic chimeric mice with human GBM, failed to inhibit tumor growth, confirming the contribution of T cells in an immune competent model. The analysis of human datasets and GBM tumors revealed higher expression of p65 in GBM-associated CD68+ macrophages compared to neighboring stroma. Thus, canonical NF-κB signaling has an anti-inflammatory role and is required for macrophage polarization, immune suppression, and GBM growth. Combining an NF-κB inhibitor with standard therapy could improve antitumor immunity in GBM.
Improved detection of BRAF V600E using allele-specific PCR coupled with external and internal controllers
Authors: Yang Zhao , Zhao Na , Chen Dong , Wei Kun , Su Ning , Huang Jun-Fu , Xu Han-Qing , Duan Guang-Jie , Fu Wei-Ling , Huang Qing
Published: October 2017

Although traditional allele-specific PCR (tAS-PCR) is a common screening method for BRAF V600E mutations, its lower amplification specificity and mutation selectivity have limited its clinical applications. We hypothesize that these limitations are associated with the weaker specificities of allele-specific primers and the thermodynamic driving forces of DNA polymerase. We used three strategies to circumvent these limitations, namely, modifying allele-specific primers, introducing a competitive external allele-specific controller (i.e., cAS-PCR), and introducing a referenced internal positive controller in the cAS-PCR (i.e., rcAS-PCR). The amplification sensitivities and specificities were influenced by the position of the artificially introduced mismatched nucleotide in the allele-specific primers. Moreover, both cAS-PCR and rcAS-PCR could detect single-copy BRAF V600E alleles with higher mutation selectivity (0.1%) than tAS-PCR. In addition, cAS-PCR eliminated false-negative results caused by various PCR inhibitors that might be present in the DNA solutions. The rcAS-PCR could also be employed to avoid the false-negative results caused by low-abundance input templates in cAS-PCR. In conclusion, rcAS-PCR provides a rapid, simple, and low-cost method for detecting low levels of the mutated BRAF V600E gene.
Propensity-score-matched evaluation of the incidence of radiation pneumonitis and secondary cancer risk for breast cancer patients treated with IMRT/VMAT
Authors: Chao Pei-Ju , Lee Hsiao-Fei , Lan Jen-Hong , Guo Shih-Sian , Ting Hui-Min , Huang Yu-Jie , Chen Hui-Chun , Lee Tsair-Fwu
Published: October 2017

Propensity score matching evaluates the treatment incidence of radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) and secondary cancer risk (SCR) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for breast cancer patients. Of 32 patients treated with IMRT and 58 who received VMAT were propensity matched in a 1:1 ratio. RP and SCR were evaluated as the endpoints of acute and chronic toxicity, respectively. Self-fitted normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) parameter values were used to analyze the risk of RP. SCRs were evaluated using the preferred Schneider’s parameterization risk models. The dosimetric parameter of the ipsilateral lung volume receiving 40 Gy (IV40) was selected as the dominant risk factor for the RP NTCP model. The results showed that the risks of RP and NTCP, as well as that of SCR of the ipsilateral lung, were slightly lower than the values in patients treated with VMAT versus IMRT (p ≤ 0.01). However, the organ equivalent dose and excess absolute risk values in the contralateral lung and breast were slightly higher with VMAT than with IMRT (p ≤ 0.05). When compared to IMRT, VMAT is a rational radiotherapy option for breast cancer patients, based on its reduced potential for inducing secondary malignancies and RP complications.
Thermally stable amorphous tantalum yttrium oxide with low IR absorption for magnetophotonic devices
Authors: Yoshimoto Takuya , Goto Taichi , Takagi Hiroyuki , Nakamura Yuchi , Uchida Hironaga , Ross Caroline A. , Inoue Mitsuteru
Published: October 2017

Thin film oxide materials often require thermal treatment at high temperature during their preparation, which can limit them from being integrated in a range of microelectronic or optical devices and applications. For instance, it has been a challenge to retain the optical properties of Bragg mirrors in optical systems at temperatures above 700 °C because of changes in the crystalline structure of the high–refractive-index component. In this study, a ~100 nm–thick amorphous film of tantalum oxide and yttrium oxide with an yttrium-to-tantalum atomic fraction of 14% was prepared by magnetron sputtering. The film demonstrated high resistance to annealing above 850 °C without degradation of its optical properties. The electronic and crystalline structures, stoichiometry, optical properties, and integration with magnetooptical materials are discussed. The film was incorporated into Bragg mirrors used with iron garnet microcavities, and it contributed to an order-of-magnitude enhancement of the magnetooptical figure of merit at near-infrared wavelengths.
A Maternal Two-meal Feeding Sequence with Varying Crude Protein Affects Milk Lipid Profile in A Sow-Piglet Model
Authors: Wu Xin , Xie Chunyan , Guo Xiaoyun , Long Cimin , Zhang Tianyong , Gao Tianzeng , Yin Yulong
Published: October 2017

The effects of a two-meal feeding sequence on production performance and milk lipid profile were investigated. Sixty pregnant sows (d 85 of gestation) were assigned to 3 groups: 2 C group (fed a control crude protein [CP] diet at 0600 and 1500 daily), LH group (fed a low CP diet and a high CP diet at 0600 and 1500), or HL group (fed a high CP diet and a low CP diet at 0600 and 1500). Reproductive performance of sows, and lipid profiles of plasma and milk were measured. Results showed that the HL feeding sequence dramatically increased average piglet weight/litter, average daily gain of piglet/litter, and milk production of sows. LH feeding sequence increased milk fat proportion, and HL feeding sequence significantly increased the proportion of milk MUFA on d 14 and 21 of lactation. Interestingly, the HL feeding sequence also reduced the ratio of C18:1
cis
/C18:1
trans
in milk, which may account for the greater milk production of sows and growth performance of piglets during lactation. These findings indicated that both the maternal two-meal feeding sequences with varying crude protein improved milk production and milk lipid profiles of sows, which might contribute to improving growth performance of piglets.
CSF tau is associated with impaired cortical plasticity, cognitive decline and astrocyte survival only in APOE4-positive Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Koch Giacomo , Di Lorenzo Francesco , Loizzo Stefano , Motta Caterina , Travaglione Sara , Baiula Monica , Rimondini Roberto , Ponzo Viviana , Bonnì Sonia , Toniolo Sofia , Sallustio Fabrizio , Bozzali Marco , Caltagirone Carlo , Campana Gabriele , Martorana Alessandro
Published: October 2017

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, apopoliprotein (APOE) polymorphism is the main genetic factor associated with more aggressive clinical course. However, the interaction between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau protein levels and APOE genotype has been scarcely investigated. A possible key mechanism invokes the dysfunction of synaptic plasticity. We investigated how CSF tau interacts with APOE genotype in AD patients. We firstly explored whether CSF tau levels and APOE genotype influence disease progression and long-term potentiation (LTP)-like cortical plasticity as measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in AD patients. Then, we incubated normal human astrocytes (NHAs) with CSF collected from sub-groups of AD patients to determine whether APOE genotype and CSF biomarkers influence astrocytes survival. LTP-like cortical plasticity differed between AD patients with apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) and apolipoprotein E3 (APOE3) genotype. Higher CSF tau levels were associated with more impaired LTP-like cortical plasticity and faster disease progression in AD patients with APOE4 but not APOE3 genotype. Apoptotic activity was higher when cells were incubated with CSF from AD patients with APOE4 and high tau levels. CSF tau is detrimental on cortical plasticity, disease progression and astrocyte survival only when associated with APOE4 genotype. This is relevant for new therapeutic approaches targeting tau.
Facile synthesis and emission enhancement in NaLuF4 upconversion nano/micro-crystals via Y3+ doping
Authors: Lin Hao , Xu Dekang , Li Anming , Yao Lu , Qiu Zhiren , Yang Shenghong , Zhang Yueli
Published: October 2017

A series of Y3+-absent/doped NaLuF4:Yb3+, Tm3+ nano/micro-crystals were prepared via a hydrothermal process with the assistance of citric acid. Cubic nanospheres, hexagonal microdisks, and hexagonal microprisms can be achieved by simply adjusting the reaction temperature. The effect of Y3+ doping on the morphology and upconversion (UC) emission of the as-prepared samples were systematically investigated. Compared to their Y3+-free counterpart, the integrated spectral intensities in the range of 445–495 nm from α-, β-, and α/β-mixed NaLuF4:Yb3+, Tm3+ crystals with 40 mol% Y3+ doping are increased by 9.7, 4.4, and 24.3 times, respectively; red UC luminescence intensities in the range of 630–725 nm are enhanced by 4.6, 2.4, and 24.9 times, respectively. It is proposed that the increased UC emission intensity is mainly ascribed to the deformation of crystal lattice, due to the electron cloud distortion in host lattice after Y3+ doping. This paper provides a facile route to achieve nano/micro-structures with intense UC luminescence, which may have potential applications in optoelectronic devices.
An automated method for identifying an independent component analysis-based language-related resting-state network in brain tumor subjects for surgical planning
Authors: Lu Junfeng , Zhang Han , Hameed N. U. Farrukh , Zhang Jie , Yuan Shiwen , Qiu Tianming , Shen Dinggang , Wu Jinsong
Published: October 2017

As a noninvasive and “task-free” technique, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has been gradually applied to pre-surgical functional mapping. Independent component analysis (ICA)-based mapping has shown advantage, as noa prioriinformation is required. We developed an automated method for identifying language network in brain tumor subjects using ICA on rs-fMRI. In addition to standard processing strategies, we applied a discriminability-index-based component identification algorithm to identify language networks in three different groups. The results from the training group were validated in an independent group of healthy human subjects. For the testing group, ICA and seed-based correlation were separately computed and the detected language networks were assessed by intra-operative stimulation mapping to verify reliability of application in the clinical setting. Individualized language network mapping could be automatically achieved for all subjects from the two healthy groups except one (19/20, success rate = 95.0%). In the testing group (brain tumor patients), the sensitivity of the language mapping result was 60.9%, which increased to 87.0% (superior to that of conventional seed-based correlation [47.8%]) after extending to a radius of 1 cm. We established an automatic and practical component identification method for rs-fMRI-based pre-surgical mapping and successfully applied it to brain tumor patients.