bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Board on the job: public-pension governance in the United States (US) states
Authors: Brooks John
Published: November 2017

Although elected officials have the final say over pensions, boards of trustees also influence plan governance. Not a great deal is known about boards or how they shape policies. Boards are composed of politically and nonpolitically appointed members, as well as active and retired employees. Plan active-employee size turns out to be the best predictor of membership, suggesting that employee voice expands as plans cover more workers. Using both fixed effects and instrumental variables approaches, I show how boards shape plans’ policies and funded levels. Active and retired members shape discount rates, whereas active membership is positively associated with funded ratios. Interestingly, gridlock is also associated with higher discount rates. However, I find that plans’ actual investment returns are poor predictors of expected returns, irrespective of board composition. Although boards offer a venue through which states can manage funds, they are not suited to solving pensions’ governance challenges alone.
Shrinking targets in parametrised families
Authors: ASPENBERG MAGNUS , PERSSON TOMAS
Published: November 2017

We consider certain parametrised families of piecewise expanding maps on the interval, and estimate and sometimes calculate the Hausdorff dimension of the set of parameters for which the orbit of a fixed point has a certain shrinking target property. This generalises several similar results for β-transformations to more general non-linear families. The proofs are based on a result by Schnellmann on typicality in parametrised families.
A Real-time Gravity Compensation Method for a High-Precision Airborne Position and Orientation System based on a Gravity Map
Authors: Zhu Zhuangsheng , Guo Yiyang , Ye Wen
Published: November 2017

Motion compensation is a significant part of an airborne remote sensing system. A Position and Orientation System (POS) can directly measure the motion information of an airborne remote sensing payload that can improve the quality of airborne remote sensing images. Gravity disturbance, information on which is often ignored due to being difficult to acquire in real-time, has become the main error source of POS in the development of inertial components. In this paper, a new real-time gravity compensation method is proposed, which includes the gravity disturbance as the error states of a POS Kalman filter, and an accurate gravity disturbance model is constructed using a time-varying Gaussian-Markov model based on a high-precision gravity map, whose resolution is enhanced by a new interpolation method based on Gaussian Process Regression (GPR). A flight experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method and the results showed that the proposed method performs well when compared with other real-time gravity compensation methods.
The Problem of Evil & Sceptical Theism
Authors: McBrayer Justin
Published: November 2017

The problem of evil is the problem of reconciling the existence of a perfect God with the existence of horrible things in the world. Many take this problem as a convincing reason to be an atheist. But others think that the problem can be solved. One prominent solution is called ‘sceptical theism’. A sceptical theist is someone who believes in God but thinks that the problem of evil is not a real problem since humans are unable to see whether the horrible things in our world are truly pointless or else serve some greater purpose.
Sceptical Theism, the Butterfly Effect and Bracketing the Unknown
Authors: Pruss Alexander R.
Published: November 2017

Sceptical theism claims that we have vast ignorance about the realm of value and the connections, causal and modal, between goods and bads. This ignorance makes it reasonable for a theist to say that God has reasons beyond our ken for allowing the horrendous evils we observe. But if so, then does this not lead to moral paralysis when we need to prevent evils ourselves? For, for aught that we know, there are reasons beyond our ken for us to allow the evils, and so we should not prevent them. This paralysis argument, however, shall be argued to rest on a confusion between probabilities and expected utilities. A connection between this paralysis argument and Lenman's1 discussion of the butterfly effect and chaos will be drawn, and the solution offered will apply in both cases.
Skeptical theism and Skepticism About the External World and Past
Authors: Law Stephen
Published: November 2017

Skeptical theism is a popular - if not universally theistically endorsed - response to the evidential problem of evil. Skeptical theists question how we can be in a position to know God lacks God-justifying reason to allow the evils we observe. In this paper I examine a criticism of skeptical theism: that the skeptical theists skepticism re divine reasons entails that, similarly, we cannot know God lacks God-justifying reason to deceive us about the external world and the past. This in turn seems to supply us with a defeater for all our beliefs regarding the external world and past? Critics argue that either the skeptical theist abandon their skeptical theism, thereby resurrecting the evidential argument from evil, or else they must embrace seemingly absurd skeptical consequences, including skepticism about the external world and past. I look at various skeptical theist responses to this critique and find them all wanting.
Dosimetric verification and quality assurance for intensity-modulated radiation therapy using Gafchromic® EBT3 film
Authors: Iqbal Khalid , Mazhar Iqbal Muhammad , Akram Muhammad , Altaf Saima , Ahmad Buzdar Saeed
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the dosimetric properties of Gafchromic® EBT3 film and intensity-modulated radiation therapy quality assurance (IMRT QA).

Materials and methods

Beams characteristics dosimetric properties and 20 IMRT plans were created and irradiated on Varian dual-energy DHX-S Linac for 6 and 15 MV energies. EBT3 films were analysed using ‘film Pro QA 2014’ software.

Results

The dosimetric comparison of EBT3 film (for red channel dosimetry) and ionisation ion chamber measurement showed that average deviations of symmetry, flatness, central axis, penumbra (left) and penumbra (right) of dose profile were 0·18, 1·34, 0·49%, 3·68 and 3·61 mm for 6 MV and 0·10, 1·3, 0·45, 2·65 and 2·71 mm for 15 MV, respectively. The blue and green channels dosimetry showed greater dose deviation as compared with red channel. IMRT QA verification plan complied about 95% at all different criteria. Reproducibility, stability and face orientation of film were within 1·4% for red channel.

Conclusions

The results advocate that the film can be used not only for dosimetric assessment but also as a reliable IMRT QA tool.
FORTY YEARS FROM WINGSPREAD: THE TRANSFORMATION OF AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL HISTORY
Authors: BENDER THOMAS
Published: November 2017

If one Googles “Wingspread” a vast number of conference titles covering all manner of topics will fill the screen: from Fire-Rescue Service Stakeholders to Endocrine Disruptors, from Domestic Violence to Civic Responsibilities of Research. Of more interest to intellectual historians was the conference on the future of American intellectual history held at the Wingspread Conference Center in 1977. Over forty years the “Wingspread conference” and the book that came out of it has echoed through the field. Neither the conference nor the book that emerged from it, New Directions in American Intellectual History, edited by John Higham and Paul Conkin, was a celebration of the field. It focused on a collective crisis of confidence, particularly among the more senior scholars. The heart of the matter at the conference was the perceived challenge of social history, a social history that fancied itself “scientific” and more rigorous than intellectual history. There was fear that this movement in the profession was marginalizing a field that had flourished for a couple of generations.
Unpaid wages: the experiences of Irish Magdalene Laundries and Indigenous Australians
Authors: Gallen James , Gleeson Kate
Published: November 2017

This paper will evaluate the obstacles faced by victim-survivors of historical abuse, particularly victim-survivors of forced labour in Magdalene Laundries in Ireland and the stolen wages of Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, in a post-colonial transitional justice framework. First, the paper identifies challenges in contextualising comparative interdisciplinary historical research in terms of transitional justice. Second, the paper considers the economic contribution of unpaid labour in the Australian and Irish contexts and, third, goes on to examine the historical denial of rights and redress in both settings. The paper then evaluates the different challenges in responding to legacies of historical abuse, especially unpaid wages in both states. A final section concludes with the argument that redress provided in both instances represents a form of paternalism perpetuating the colonial approach to governance, rather than the provision of the legal rights of citizens, and that this paternalism has specific implications for women who continue to be marginalised by contemporary regimes.
Prävention von Rechenstörungen
Authors: Moraske Svenja , Penrose Anna , Wyschkon Anne , Kohn Juliane , Rauscher Larissa , Aster Michael von , Esser Günter
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Ziel ist die Überprüfung der kurz- und mittelfristigen Wirksamkeit einer vorschulischen Förderung des Mengen- und Zahlenverständnisses bei Kindern mit einem Risiko für die Entwicklung einer Rechenstörung. Es wurden 32 Risikokinder mit einer Kombination aus den Förderprogrammen Mathematik im Vorschulalter und Mengen, zählen, Zahlen im letzten Kindergartenjahr von den Erzieherinnen trainiert und mit 38 untrainierten Risikokindern verglichen. Hinsichtlich der kurzfristigen Wirksamkeit zeigten sich positive Trainingseffekte auf die numerischen Leistungen im letzten Kindergartenjahr. Es ließen sich keine signifikanten mittelfristigen Trainingseffekte auf die Rechenleistungen im zweiten Halbjahr der 1. Klasse finden. Das eingesetzte vorschulische Präventionsprogramm leistete danach einen wichtigen Beitrag zur kurzfristigen Verbesserung der mathematischen Basiskompetenzen.
Multi-Informant and Multicultural Advances in Evidence-Based	Assessment of Students’ Behavioral/Emotional/Social	Difficulties
Authors: Achenbach Thomas M.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. This article presents practical tools for evidence-based assessment of students’ behavioral/emotional/social difficulties and strengths in culturally sensitive ways. The assessment instruments obtain teacher, parent, and student ratings, plus observations in classrooms and other group settings, in interviews, and in testing sessions. To document differences in students’ functioning in school and other contexts, plus differences between teacher, parent, and student perspectives, users can display cross-informant comparisons of ratings of specific difficulties items. Users can also display cross-informant comparisons between bar graphs of scores on empirically derived syndromes, DSM-oriented scales, Internalizing, Externalizing, and Total Problems. Scale scores are standardized according to norms for students’ gender and age, type of informant (teacher, parent, student), and multicultural norms. Multicultural norms are based on teacher, parent, and student ratings of population samples of students in many societies. The ratings were used to construct gender-, age-, and informant-specific norms for societies having relatively low difficulties scores, medium scores, or high scores. The assessment instruments can be used to identify students who need help and to tailor interventions to students’ needs. The same instruments can be used to measure changes by comparing pre- versus post-intervention scores. Brief instruments assess progress over short periods.
Author Correction: Multipurpose silicon photonics signal processor core
Authors: Pérez Daniel , Gasulla Ivana , Crudgington Lee , Thomson David J. , Khokhar Ali Z. , Li Ke , Cao Wei , Mashanovich Goran Z. , Capmany José
Published: November 2017

Change History: A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this article.
Alu-dependent RNA editing of GLI1 promotes malignant regeneration in multiple myeloma
Authors: Lazzari Elisa , Mondala Phoebe K. , Santos Nathaniel Delos , Miller Amber C. , Pineda Gabriel , Jiang Qingfei , Leu Heather , Ali Shawn A. , Ganesan Anusha-Preethi , Wu Christina N. , Costello Caitlin , Minden Mark , Chiaramonte Raffaella , Stewart A.  Keith , Crews Leslie A. , Jamieson Catriona H. M.
Published: November 2017

Despite novel therapies, relapse of multiple myeloma (MM) is virtually inevitable. Amplification of chromosome 1q, which harbors the inflammation-responsive RNA editase adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR)1 gene, occurs in 30–50% of MM patients and portends a poor prognosis. Since adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing has recently emerged as a driver of cancer progression, genomic amplification combined with inflammatory cytokine activation of ADAR1 could stimulate MM progression and therapeutic resistance. Here, we report that high ADAR1 RNA expression correlates with reduced patient survival rates in the MMRF CoMMpass data set. Expression of wild-type, but not mutant, ADAR1 enhances Alu-dependent editing and transcriptional activity of GLI1, a Hedgehog (Hh) pathway transcriptional activator and self-renewal agonist, and promotes immunomodulatory drug resistance in vitro. Finally, ADAR1 knockdown reduces regeneration of high-risk MM in serially transplantable patient-derived xenografts. These data demonstrate that ADAR1 promotes malignant regeneration of MM and if selectively inhibited may obviate progression and relapse.
Plasma channel undulator excited by high-order laser modes
Authors: Wang J. W. , Schroeder C. B. , Li R. , Zepf M. , Rykovanov S. G.
Published: November 2017

The possibility of utilizing plasma undulators and plasma accelerators to produce compact ultraviolet and X-ray sources, has attracted considerable interest for a few decades. This interest has been driven by the great potential to decrease the threshold for accessing such sources, which are mainly provided by a few dedicated large-scale synchrotron or free-electron laser (FEL) facilities. However, the broad radiation bandwidth of such plasma devices limits the source brightness and makes it difficult for the FEL instability to develop. Here, using multi-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, we demonstrate that a plasma undulator generated by the beating of a mixture of high-order laser modes propagating inside a plasma channel, leads to a few percent radiation bandwidth. The strength of the undulator can reach unity, the period can be less than a millimeter, and the number of undulator periods can be significantly increased by a phase locking technique based on the longitudinal tapering. Polarization control of such an undulator can be achieved by appropriately choosing the phase of the modes. According to our results, in the fully beam loaded regime, the electron current in the plasma undulator can reach 0.3 kA level, making such an undulator a potential candidate towards a table-top FEL.
Prevalence of malaria in two highly endemic Community Health Centers in the Bastar district, Chhattisgarh showing mixed infections with Plasmodium species
Authors: Krishna Sri , Yadav Ajay , Bhandari Sneha , Vishwakarma Anup K. , Bharti Praveen K. , Mandavi Prem L. , Bahgel Pradeep , Basak Sanjay , Sharma Ravendra K. , Singh Neeru
Published: November 2017

Malaria is a major public health problem in India and in the Chhattisgarh state. The diagnosis of malaria presents a major challenge in remote areas The prevalence of malaria in Darbha and Kilepal Community Health Centers (CHCs) of the Jagdalpur district, Chhattisgarh affected by conflict was determined using microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the year 2015, 29.4% and 21.5% cases were found to be positive for malaria at the Darbha and Kilepal CHCs, respectively, by microscopy, and 7.4% and 1.6% of cases had mixed infections, respectively. Among the suspected cases of mixed infections and doubtful diagnoses, 21% had mixed infections with two or more species at the Darbha CHC, and 17% from the Kilepal CHC, as determined by PCR. Both the P. vivax subspecies Pv210 (56%) and Pv247 (44%) and the P. ovale curtisi subspecies were found in this area. The high proportion of mixed malaria parasitic infections detected in this study indicate the need to adequately train health staff involved in diagnosing malaria. This study showed that there is a need for site-specific data to understand the epidemiological picture and to develop appropriate intervention strategies and management guidelines for controlling and eliminating malaria in India.
microRNA Expression in Ethnic Specific Early Stage Breast Cancer: an Integration and Comparative Analysis
Authors: Nassar Farah J. , Talhouk Rabih , Zgheib Nathalie K. , Tfayli Arafat , El Sabban Maya , El Saghir Nagi S. , Boulos Fouad , Jabbour Mark N. , Chalala Claude , Boustany Rose-Mary , Kadara Humam , Zhang Zhou , Zheng Yinan , Joyce Brian , Hou Lifang , Bazarbachi Ali , Calin George , Nasr Rihab
Published: November 2017

Breast cancer (BC) has a higher incidence in young Lebanese woman as compared to the West. We assessed the microRNA (miRNA) microarray profile of tissues derived from Lebanese patients with early BC and performed mRNA-miRNA integration analysis. 173 miRNAs were significantly dysregulated in 45 BC versus 17 normal adjacent breast tissues, including 74 with a fold change more than two of which 17 were never reported before in cancer. Integration analysis of mRNA-miRNA microarray data revealed a potential role of 51 dysregulated miRNA regulating 719 tumor suppressive or oncogenic mRNA associated with increased proliferation and decreased migration and invasion. We then performed a comparative miRNA microarray profile analysis of BC tissue between these 45 Lebanese and 197 matched American BC patients. Notably, Lebanese BC patients had 21 exclusively dysregulated miRNA (e.g. miR-31, 362-3p, and 663) and 4 miRNA with different expression manner compared to American patients (e.g. miR-1288-star and 324-3p). Some of these differences could reflect variation in patient age at diagnosis or ethnic variation affecting miRNA epigenetic regulation or sequence of miRNA precursors. Our data provide a basis for genetic/epigenetic investigations to explore the role of miRNA in early stage BC in young women, including ethnic specific differences.
Key site residues of pheromone-binding protein 1 involved in interacting with sex pheromone components of Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Dong Kun , Duan Hong-Xia , Liu Jing-Tao , Sun Liang , Gu Shao-Hua , Yang Ruo-Nan , Dhiloo Khalid Hussain , Gao Xi-Wu , Zhang Yong-Jun , Guo Yu-Yuan
Published: November 2017

Pheromone binding proteins (PBPs) are widely distributed in insect antennae, and play important roles in the perception of sex pheromones. However, the detail mechanism of interaction between PBPs and odorants remains in a black box. Here, a predicted 3D structure of PBP1 of the serious agricultural pest, Helicoverpa armigera (HarmPBP1) was constructed, and the key residues that contribute to binding with the major sex pheromone components of this pest, (Z)-11- hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald) and (Z)-9- hexadecenal (Z9-16:Ald), were predicted by molecular docking. The results of molecular simulation suggest that hydrophobic interactions are the main linkage between HarmPBP1 and the two aldehydes, and four residues in the binding pocket (Phe12, Phe36, Trp37, and Phe119) may participate in binding with these two ligands. Then site-directed mutagenesis and fluorescence binding assays were performed, and significant decrease of the binding ability to both Z11-16:Ald and Z9-16:Ald was observed in three mutants of HarmPBP1 (F12A, W37A, and F119A). These results revealed that Phe12, Trp37, and Phe119 are the key residues of HarmPBP1 in binding with the Z11-16:Ald and Z9-16:Ald. This study provides new insights into the interactions between pheromone and PBP, and may serve as a foundation for better understanding of the pheromone recognition in moths.
Sero-catalytic and Antibody Acquisition Models to Estimate Differing Malaria Transmission Intensities in Western Kenya
Authors: Weber Grace E. , White Michael T. , Babakhanyan Anna , Sumba Peter Odada , Vulule John , Ely Dylan , John Chandy , Angov Evelina , Lanar David , Dutta Sheetij , Narum David L. , Horii Toshihiro , Cowman Alan , Beeson James , Smith Joseph , Kazura James W. , Dent Arlene E.
Published: November 2017

We sought to identify a subset of Plasmodium falciparum antibody targets that would inform monitoring efforts needed to eliminate malaria in high transmission settings. IgG antibodies to 28 recombinant Pf antigens were measured in residents of two communities in western Kenya examined in 2003 and 2013, when the respective prevalence of asymptomatic parasitemia among children was 81 and 15 percent by microscopy. Annual seroconversion rates based on a sero-catalytic model that dichotomised antibody values to negative versus positive showed that rates were higher in 2003 than 2013 for 1 pre-erythrocytic and 7 blood-stage antigens. Antibody acquisition models that considered antibody levels as continuous variables showed that age-related antibody levels to Circumsporozoite Protein and 10 merozoite proteins increased at different rates with age in 2003 versus 2013. Both models found that antibodies to 5 proteins of the Merozoite Surface Protein 1 complex were differentially acquired between the cohorts, and that changes in antibody levels to Apical Membrane Antigen 1 suggested a decrease in transmission that occurred ~10 years before 2013. Further studies evaluating antibodies to this subset of Pf antigens as biomarkers of malaria exposure and naturally acquired immunity are warranted in endemic settings where transmission has been reduced but persists.
Mitochondrial genomic variation and phylogenetic relationships of three groups in the genus Scaphoideus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae)
Authors: Du Yimin , Dai Wu , Dietrich Christopher H.
Published: November 2017

The widespread leafhopper genus Scaphoideus Uhler is the most diverse genus in Scaphoideini and includes some species that are serious pests and vectors of plant pathogens. Here the first Scaphoideus mitogenome sequences are provided for three species, S. maai, S. nigrivalveus and S. varius, representing three main species groups in the Oriental region based on color pattern. The lengths of these three mitogenomes were 15,188, 15,235 and 15,207 bp, respectively. Gene order of three mitogenomes is highly conserved and identical to that of the putative ancestral insect. All three mitogenomes exhibited similar AT nucleotide bias, AT-, GC-skews and codon usage. One large 101 bp intergenic spacer between trnY and cox1 was in S. varius. All 22 tRNA genes had typical cloverleaf secondary structures, except for trnS1 (AGN) which appears to lack the dihydrouridine arm. Genes atp8, nad6 and nad2 were highly variable while cox1 showed the lowest nucleotide diversity. Phylogenetic analyses of three concatenated nucleotide datasets using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods, comprising all 13 mitogenomes currently available for Membracoidea plus mitogenomes for eight outgroup species representing other cicadomorphan superfamilies, yielded the same topology in which Scaphoideus species formed a monophyletic group within a larger clade comprising three other included Deltocephalinae.
KIF1Bβ increases ROS to mediate apoptosis and reinforces its protein expression through O
2

−
in a positive feedback mechanism in neuroblastoma
Authors: Angelina Clara , Tan Irene Sze Ying , Choo Zhang’e , Lee Oswald Zhao Jian , Pervaiz Shazib , Chen Zhi Xiong
Published: November 2017

Relapse-prone, poor prognosis neuroblastoma is frequently characterized by deletion of chr1p36 where tumor suppressor gene KIF1Bβ resides. Interestingly, many 1p36-positive patients failed to express KIF1Bβ protein. Since altered cellular redox status has been reported to be involved in cell death and protein modification, we investigated the relationship between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and KIF1Bβ. Here, we showed that wild-type KIF1Bβ protein expression positively correlates with superoxide (O2−) and total ROS levels in neuroblastoma cells, unlike apoptotic loss-of-function KIF1Bβ mutants. Overexpression of KIF1Bβ apoptotic domain variants increases total ROS and, specifically O2−, whereas knockdown of endogenous KIF1Bβ decreases ROS and O2−. Interestingly, O2− increases KIF1Bβ protein expression, independent of the proteasomal degradation pathway. Scavenging O2− or ROS decreases KIF1Bβ protein expression and subsequent apoptosis. Moreover, treatment with investigational redox compound Gliotoxin increases O2−, KIF1Bβ protein expression, apoptosis and colony formation inhibition. Overall, our findings suggest that ROS and O2− may be important downstream effectors of KIF1Bβ-mediated apoptosis. Subsequently, O2− produced may increase KIF1Bβ protein expression in a positive feedback mechanism. Therefore, ROS and, specifically O2−, may be critical regulators of KIF1Bβ-mediated apoptosis and its protein expression in neuroblastoma.
Hydrothermal treatment and butylphosphonic acid derived self-assembled monolayers for improving the surface chemistry and corrosion resistance of AZ61 magnesium alloy
Authors: Yang Chung-Wei , Liu Cheng , Lin Da-Jun , Yeh Ming-Long , Lee Tzer-Min
Published: November 2017

The hydrothermal treatment followed by a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 1-butylphosphonic acid through the tethering by aggregation and growth (T-BAG) method was employed to produce protective surface coatings on the Mg-6Al-1Zn alloy (AZ61) for reducing the degradation rate in physiological environments. Potentiodynamic polarization measurements revealed that the organic self-assembled monolayer and Mg(OH)2 coating can further enhance the surface chemical stability and corrosion resistance of Mg alloys. SAM-treated Mg(OH)2 coatings can be served as a more passive surface layer as a result of their much higher charge transfer resistance and the presence of Warburg impedance in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement.
De novo design of RNA-binding proteins with a prion-like domain related to ALS/FTD proteinopathies
Authors: Mitsuhashi Kana , Ito Daisuke , Mashima Kyoko , Oyama Munenori , Takahashi Shinichi , Suzuki Norihiro
Published: November 2017

Aberrant RNA-binding proteins form the core of the neurodegeneration cascade in spectrums of disease, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Six ALS-related molecules, TDP-43, FUS, TAF15, EWSR1, heterogeneous nuclear (hn)RNPA1 and hnRNPA2 are RNA-binding proteins containing candidate mutations identified in ALS patients and those share several common features, including harboring an aggregation-prone prion-like domain (PrLD) containing a glycine/serine-tyrosine-glycine/serine (G/S-Y-G/S)-motif-enriched low-complexity sequence and rich in glutamine and/or asparagine. Additinally, these six molecules are components of RNA granules involved in RNA quality control and become mislocated from the nucleus to form cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) in the ALS/FTD-affected brain. To reveal the essential mechanisms involved in ALS/FTD-related cytotoxicity associated with RNA-binding proteins containing PrLDs, we designed artificial RNA-binding proteins harboring G/S-Y-G/S-motif repeats with and without enriched glutamine residues and nuclear-import/export-signal sequences and examined their cytotoxicity in vitro. These proteins recapitulated features of ALS-linked molecules, including insoluble aggregation, formation of cytoplasmic IBs and components of RNA granules, and cytotoxicity instigation. These findings indicated that these artificial RNA-binding proteins mimicked features of ALS-linked molecules and allowed the study of mechanisms associated with gain of toxic functions related to ALS/FTD pathogenesis.
Evidence for a novel function of Awd in maintenance of genomic stability
Authors: Romani Patrizia , Duchi Serena , Gargiulo Giuseppe , Cavaliere Valeria
Published: November 2017

The abnormal wing discs (awd) gene encodes the Drosophila homolog of NME1/NME2 metastasis suppressor genes. Awd acts in multiple tissues where its function is critical in establishing and maintaining epithelial integrity. Here, we analysed awd gene function in Drosophila epithelial cells using transgene-mediated RNA interference and genetic mosaic analysis. We show that awd knockdown in larval wing disc epithelium leads to chromosomal instability (CIN) and induces apoptosis mediated by activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Forced maintenance of Awd depleted cells, by expressing the cell death inhibitor p35, downregulates atypical protein kinase C and DE-Cadherin. Consistent with their loss of cell polarity and enhanced level of matrix metalloproteinase 1, cells delaminate from wing disc epithelium. Furthermore, the DNA content profile of these cells indicates that they are aneuploid. Overall, our data demonstrate a novel function for awd in maintenance of genomic stability. Our results are consistent with other studies reporting that NME1 down-regulation induces CIN in human cell lines and suggest that Drosophila model could be successfully used to study in vivo the impact of NME/Awd - induced genomic instability on tumour development and metastasis formation.
661W is a retinal ganglion precursor-like cell line in which glaucoma-associated optineurin mutants induce cell death selectively
Authors: Sayyad Zuberwasim , Sirohi Kapil , Radha Vegesna , Swarup Ghanshyam
Published: November 2017

A photoreceptor cell line, 661W, derived from a mouse retinal tumor that expresses several markers of cone photoreceptor cells has been described earlier. However, these cells can be differentiated into neuronal cells. Here, we report that this cell line expressed certain markers specific to retinal ganglion cells such as Rbpms, Brn3b (Pou4f2), Brn3c (Pou4f3), Thy1 and γ-synuclein (Sncg), and some other markers of neuronal cells (beta-III tubulin, NeuN and MAP2). These cells also expressed Opn1mw, a cone-specific marker and nestin, a marker for neural precursor cells. Two glaucoma-associated mutants of OPTN, E50K and M98K, but not an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated mutant, E478G, induced cell death selectively in 661W cells. However, in a motor neuron cell line, NSC34, E478G mutant of OPTN but not E50K and M98K induced cell death. We conclude that 661W is a retinal ganglion precursor-like cell line, which shows properties of both retinal ganglion and photoreceptor cells. We suggest that these cells could be utilized for exploring the mechanisms of cell death induction and cytoprotection relevant for glaucoma pathogenesis. RGC-5 cell line which probably arose from 661W cells showed expression of essentially the same markers of retinal ganglion cells and neuronal cells as seen in 661W cells.
The sensitivity and stability of bacterioplankton community structure to wind-wave turbulence in a large, shallow, eutrophic lake
Authors: Zhou Jian , Qin Boqiang , Han Xiaoxia , Jin Decai , Wang Zhiping
Published: November 2017

Lakes are strongly influenced by wind-driven wave turbulence. The direct physical effects of turbulence on bacterioplankton community structure however, have not yet been addressed and remains poorly understood. To examine the stability of bacterioplankton communities under turbulent conditions, we simulated conditions in the field to evaluate the responses of the bacterioplankton community to physical forcing in Lake Taihu, using high-throughput sequencing and flow cytometry. A total of 4,520,231 high quality sequence reads and 74,842 OTUs were obtained in all samples with α-proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria and Actinobacteria being the most dominant taxa. The diversity and structure of bacterioplankton communities varied during the experiment, but were highly similar based on the same time of sampling, suggesting that bacterioplankton communities are insensitive to wind wave turbulence in the lake. This stability could be associated with the traits associated with bacteria. In particular, turbulence favored the growth of bacterioplankton, which enhanced biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in the lake. This study provides a better understanding of bacterioplankton communities in lake ecosystems exposed to natural mixing/disturbances.
Ultrathin two-dimensional metals with fully exposed (111) facets
Authors: Huang Kai , Hou Jiwei , Zhang Qingyun , Ou Gang , Ning Dongdong , Hussain Naveed , Xu Yushuai , Ge Binghui , Liu Kai , Wu Hui
Published: November 2017

Large-size ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) metals with a fully exposed (111) surface have been synthesized by a heat-pressing process.
Continuous purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients utilizing polymer membrane surface wettability
Authors: Imbrogno Joseph , Rogers Luke , Thomas Dale A. , Jensen Klavs F.
Published: November 2017

Liquid–liquid extraction followed by dual membrane based phase separation in flow enables fully continuous purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
How similar are amorphous calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate? A comparative study of amorphous phase formation conditions
Authors: Buljan Meić I. , Kontrec J. , Domazet Jurašin D. , Selmani A. , Njegić Džakula B. , Maltar-Strmečki N. , Lyons D. M. , Plodinec M. , Čeh M. , Gajović A. , Sikirić M. Dutour , Kralj D.
Published: November 2017

Precipitation domains of ACP and ACP increase with the complexity of the system, the ACP one being always larger.
Bringing order to large-scale disordered complex metal alloys: Gd2Au15−xSbxand BaAuxGa12−x
Authors: Celania Chris , Smetana Volodymyr , Mudring Anja-Verena
Published: November 2017

New complex metallic alloys, BaAuxGa12−xand Gd2Au15−xSbx, display entire planes of disordered atom sites, forming a set planar conformations.
Theoretical investigation of aerobic and anaerobic oxidative inactivation of the [NiFe]-hydrogenase active site
Authors: Breglia Raffaella , Greco Claudio , Fantucci Piercarlo , De Gioia Luca , Bruschi Maurizio
Published: November 2017

The extraordinary capability of [NiFe]-hydrogenases to catalyse the reversible interconversion of protons and electrons into dihydrogen (H2) has stimulated numerous experimental and theoretical studies addressing the direct utilization of these enzymes in H2production processes.
Where's water? The many binding sites of hydantoin
Authors: Gruet Sébastien , Pérez Cristóbal , Steber Amanda L. , Schnell Melanie
Published: November 2017

Investigation of an astrobiologically relevant prebiotic molecule, hydantoin, by broadband rotational spectroscopy and its plethora of water complexes.
Origin of enhanced Brønsted acidity of NiF-modified synthetic mica–montmorillonite clay
Authors: Liu Chong , Pidko Evgeny A. , Hensen Emiel J. M.
Published: November 2017

The Brønsted acidity of synthetic mica–montmorillonite (SMM) clay was studied by periodic DFT calculations.
Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of alkali–metal intercalated ZrSe2
Authors: Nikonov Konstantin , Ehlen Niels , Senkovskiy Boris , Saigal Nihit , Fedorov Alexander , Nefedov Alexei , Wöll Christof , Di Santo Giovanni , Petaccia Luca , Grüneis Alexander
Published: November 2017

We report on the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of alkali metal intercalated ZrSe2 single crystals.
Li6Na3Sr14Al11P22O90: an oxo-centered Al3cluster based phosphate constructed from two types of (3,6)-connected kgd layers
Authors: Yao Xiao-Ni , Chen Yi-Gang , Guo Yao , Jia Ying-Jie , Jiang Xing-Xing , Zhang Xian-Ming
Published: November 2017

A novel aluminophosphate Li6Na3Sr14Al11P22O90containing an anti-Lowenstein's rule Al–O–Al linkage consists of two types of (3,6)-connected kgd layers [Al(Al3O)(PO4)7]25−and [Al(PO4)2]3−.
Three-dimensional vapor intrusion modeling approach that combines wind and stack effects on indoor, atmospheric, and subsurface domains
Authors: Shirazi Elham , Pennell Kelly G.
Published: November 2017

Vapor intrusion exposure risks are difficult to characterize due to the role of atmospheric, building and subsurface processes.
Effects of appended hydroxyl groups and ligand chain length on copper coordination and oxidation activity
Authors: Jehdaramarn Attawit , Pornsuwan Soraya , Chumsaeng Phongnarin , Phomphrai Khamphee , Sangtrirutnugul Preeyanuch
Published: November 2017

The effects of appended hydroxyl groups and the chain length of a series of (imino)pyridine ligands on copper coordination and copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols were investigated.
Structure and properties of a novel staircase-like decanuclear [CuII10] cluster supported by carbonate and carboxylate bridges
Authors: Haldar Shobhraj , Vijaykumar Gonela , Carrella Luca , Musie Ghezai T. , Bera Manindranath
Published: November 2017

A novel staircase-like decanuclear copper(ii) cluster composed of a pair of [CuII5] pentameric units that are linked together exclusively by two μ2:η2:η1carbonate ligands is reported. The cluster also shows a rare μ3:η2:η1:η1bridging coordination mode of benzoate groups of the ligand.
Contemporary progress in the synthesis and reactions of 2-aminobenzothiazole: a review
Authors: Dadmal Tulshiram L. , Katre Sangita D. , Mandewale Mustapha C. , Kumbhare Ravindra M.
Published: November 2017

Various protocols for the synthesis and reactions of 2-aminobenzothiazole.
Zn-doped SnO2 nano-urchin-enriched 3D carbonaceous framework for supercapacitor application
Authors: Adhikari Amrita De , Oraon Ramesh , Tiwari Santosh Kumar , Saren Pupulata , Maity Chandan Kumar , Lee Joong Hee , Hoon Kim Nam , Nayak Ganesh Chandra
Published: November 2017

Distribution of nano-urchin spheres over the RGO sheets.
Mechanistic insights into the catalytic carbonyl hydrosilylation by cationic [CpM(CO)2(IMes)]+ (M = Mo, W) complexes: the intermediacy of η1-H(Si) metal complexes
Authors: Fang Shaoqin , Chen Hongcai , Wang Wenmin , Wei Haiyan
Published: November 2017

The ionic SN2-type mechanistic pathway initiated by silane end-on coordination on the metal centers, forming η1-H(Si) Mo/W complexes, is the preferred reaction pathway for the two cationic cyclopentadienyl molybdenum/tungsten complexes, [CpM(CO)2(IMes)]+ (M = Mo, W) in catalyzing carbonyl hydrosilylation.
Ferromagnetic photocatalysts of FeTiO3–Fe2O3 nanocomposites
Authors: Gao Baizhi , Yang Caiping , Chen Jun , Ma Yuxing , Xie Jiachen , Zhang Hao , Wei Lujun , Li Qi , Du Jun , Xu Qingyu
Published: November 2017

Besides harvesting sunlight over a broad wavelength range as much as possible, the efficient separation of photo-generated electron–hole pairs is vital for the development of high-quality photocatalysts.
Fabrication of a new metal–organic framework for sensitive sensing of nitroaromatics and efficient dye adsorption
Authors: Wu Wei-Ping , Wu Jian , Liu Jian-Qiang , Trivedi Manoj , Kumar Abhinav
Published: November 2017

Theoretical calculations indicate that the luminescence quenching in1in the presence of NACs can be attributed to an electron and resonance energy transfer between the MOF1and nitro analytes.
Adsorption of carbon dioxide by a novel amine impregnated ZSM-5/KIT-6 composite
Authors: Lin Zhifeng , Wei Jianwen , Geng Linlin , Mei Dejun , Liao Lei
Published: November 2017

Novel amine impregnated ZSM-5/KIT-6 composites exhibited excellent CO2 adsorption performance.
Synthesis of an amphiphilic graft copolymer bearing a hydrophilic poly(acrylate acid) backbone for drug delivery of methotrexate
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhou Xin , Wei Min , Liu Zude , Lu Guolin , Huang Xiaoyu
Published: November 2017

This article reports the synthesis of a PAA-g-PLA amphiphilic graft polymer, which could self-assemble into large compound micelles in aqueous media for sustained release of MTX.
Construction of a hierarchical 3D Co/N-carbon electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen reduction and overall water splitting
Authors: Pei Zengxia , Tang Zijie , Liu Zhuoxin , Huang Yan , Wang Yukun , Li Hongfei , Xue Qi , Zhu Minshen , Tang Daiming , Zhi Chunyi
Published: November 2017

A multidimensional Co–N–C catalyst is developed to deliver excellent trifunctional electroactivities for rechargeable Zn–air batteries and a self-powered water-splitting unit.
Identification of the photovoltaic model parameters using the crow search algorithm
Authors: Omar Abeer , Hasanien Hany M. , Elgendy Mohamed A. , Badr Mohamed A. L.
Published: November 2017

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are widely used for several many decades. They have become an important source for green energy and they are currently used in many applications. The PV industry has grown because of the improvements in the technology of converting light into electrical energy as well as the cost reduction. This project investigates the applications of crow search algorithm (CSA) in accurately identifying the PV module parameters. CSA is a novel population‐based meta‐heuristic optimiser based on the intelligence crows’ exhibit in their behaviours, which helps them identify best location to state their catcher. In this study, the CSA is simulated using MATLAB environment and it is performed on the single diode and double diode PV models to estimate their parameters with minimum output power error. This error can be said to be the difference between the maximum output power and the calculated power output at a particular solar irradiance and cell temperature values.
Speed‐sensorless control for grid‐connected doubly fed induction generators based on virtual synchronous generator
Authors: Zhao Yangyang , Chai Jianyun , Sun Xudong
Published: November 2017

Positioning and speed sensors for doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) often result in faults and excessive maintenance under harsh working conditions, to this end, a speed‐sensorless control for the DFIG wind turbines is investigated in this paper. As the relationship between the output active power of DFIG and the frequency of its rotor‐side converter can be established based on the virtual synchronous generator method, the DFIG can regulate its output power without the information of its rotor speed and position. Comparisons with the conventional vector control are assessed through dynamic analysis of slip frequency transfer functions. Simulation and experimental results are also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control method.
Influence of laser surface texturing on a low‐adhesion and superhydrophobic aluminium alloy surface
Authors: Li Jing , Fan Fengyu , Zhao Yanhui , Zhou Yingluo , Li Hong , Yu Huadong
Published: November 2017

An aluminium alloy surface with a microgroove array was fabricated via laser processing, and exhibited superhydrophobicity. The as‐prepared surface showed excellent anti‐adhesion properties and potential self‐cleaning behaviour. The wettability of the fabricated surface was investigated by measurement of the water contact angle. The surface morphology and chemical composition were characterised by scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The wettability of the surface was successfully modified from hydrophilicity to superhydrophobicity by the laser processing. The water contact angle was increased to 155°, and the sliding angle reduced to <5°, without any chemical modification. Water droplets on the surface existed in an almost perfectly suspended state, resembling a model Cassie state. The superhydrophobic surface showed excellent stability under conditions of external extrusion. This easy and inexpensive modification method is expected to play an important role in extending the applications of aluminium alloys.
Tomography of cool giant and supergiant star atmospheres
Authors: Kravchenko K. , Van Eck S. , Chiavassa A. , Jorissen A. , Freytag B. , Plez B.
Published: November 2017

Context. Cool giant and supergiant star atmospheres are characterized by complex velocity fields originating from convection and pulsation processes which are not fully understood yet. The velocity fields impact the formation of spectral lines, which thus contain information on the dynamics of stellar atmospheres.

Aim. The tomographic method allows to recover the distribution of the component of the velocity field projected on the line of sight at different optical depths in the stellar atmosphere. The computation of the contribution function to the line depression aims at correctly identifying the depth of formation of spectral lines in order to construct numerical masks probing spectral lines forming at different optical depths.

Methods. The tomographic method is applied to one-dimensional (1D) model atmospheres and to a realistic three-dimensional (3D) radiative hydrodynamics simulation performed with CO5BOLD in order to compare their spectral line formation depths and velocity fields.

Results. In 1D model atmospheres, each spectral line forms in a restricted range of optical depths. On the other hand, in 3D simulations, the line formation depths are spread in the atmosphere mainly because of temperature and density inhomogeneities. Comparison of cross-correlation function profiles obtained from 3D synthetic spectra with velocities from the 3D simulation shows that the tomographic method correctly recovers the distribution of the velocity component projected on the line of sight in the atmosphere.
The ALMA-PILS Survey: Formaldehyde deuteration in warm gas on small scales toward IRAS 16293–2422 B
Authors: Persson M. V. , Jørgensen J. K. , Müller H. S. P. , Coutens A. , van Dishoeck E. F. , Taquet V. , Calcutt H. , van der Wiel M. H. D. , Bourke T. L. , Wampfler S. F.
Published: November 2017

Context.The enhanced degrees of deuterium fractionation observed in envelopes around protostars demonstrate the importance of chemistry at low temperatures, relevant in pre- and protostellar cores. Formaldehyde is an important species in the formation of methanol and more complex molecules.

Aims.Here, we aim to present the first study of formaldehyde deuteration on small scales around the prototypical low-mass protostar IRAS 16293–2422 using high spatial and spectral resolution Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations. We determine the excitation temperature, abundances and fractionation level of several formaldehyde isotopologues, including its deuterated forms.

Methods.Excitation temperature and column densities of formaldehyde in the gas close to one of the components of the binary were constrained through modeling of optically thin lines assuming local thermodynamical equilibrium. The abundance ratios were compared to results from previous single dish observations, astrochemical models and local ISM values.

Results.Numerous isotopologues of formaldehyde are detected, among them H2C17O, and D213CO for the first time in the ISM. The large range of upper energy levels covered by the HDCO lines help constrain the excitation temperature to 106 ± 13 K. Using the derived column densities, formaldehyde shows a deuterium fractionation of HDCO/H2CO = 6.5 ± 1%, D2CO/HDCO = 12.8–4.1+3.3%, and D2CO/H2CO = 0.6(4) ± 0.1%. The isotopic ratios derived are16O/18O = 805–79+43,18O/17O = 3.2–0.3+0.2, and12C/13C = 56–11+8.

Conclusions.The HDCO/H2CO ratio is lower than that found in previous studies, highlighting the uncertainties involved in interpreting single dish observations of the inner warm regions. The D2CO/HDCO ratio is only slightly larger than the HDCO/H2CO ratio. This is consistent with formaldehyde forming in the ice as soon as CO has frozen onto the grains, with most of the deuteration happening toward the end of the prestellar core phase. A comparison with available time-dependent chemical models indicates that the source is in the early Class 0 stage.