bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All in it Together? Community Food Aid in a Multi-Ethnic Context – CORRIGENDUM
Authors: POWER MADELEINE , DOHERTY BOB , SMALL NEIL , TEASDALE SIMON , PICKETT KATE E.
Published: February 2017

The following acknowledgement was omitted from the original publication:

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the BBSRC (The Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council) for the funding of IKnowFood at York which is 4-year research programme being funded through the Global Food Security-Food System Resilience programme with contributions from BBSRC, ESRC, NERC, and the Scottish Government.

The authors apologise for this oversight.
Social Protection without Borders? The Use of Social Services by Retirement Migrants living in Spain
Authors: CALZADA INÉS
Published: February 2017

This article seeks to assess the extent to which international retirement migrants (IRMs) living in Spain make use of public elder-care services, as well as how public officials deal with their demands. The data stems from qualitative interviews with 19 social workers in ten communities characterised by a sizable population of retirement migrants. We found that substantial numbers of retirement migrants remain in Spain well after dependency sets in. This necessitates the development of complex strategies to obtain care by means of social networks, voluntary associations, and private care providers. A certain reluctance to engage with Spanish social services may explain the fact that these services are accessed only as a last resort when all other options have failed. However, the entire process of evaluating the needs of, and granting public care services to, retirement migrants is plagued by difficulties. Social workers cite the lack of a common language as a significant obstacle, together with insufficient information on claimants’ health, economic and family situations (many IRMs are not registered as residents in Spain). The familistic rules governing Spanish social services and the recent reductions in public budgets due to the economic crisis constitute additional barriers to the adequate protection of IRMs.
The Distancing-Embracing model of the enjoyment of negative emotions in art reception
Authors: Menninghaus Winfried , Wagner Valentin , Hanich Julian , Wassiliwizky Eugen , Jacobsen Thomas , Koelsch Stefan
Published: February 2017

Why are negative emotions so central in art reception far beyond tragedy? Revisiting classical aesthetics in the light of recent psychological research, we present a novel model to explain this much discussed (apparent) paradox. We argue that negative emotions are an important resource for the arts in general, rather than a special license for exceptional art forms only. The underlying rationale is that negative emotions have been shown to be particularly powerful in securing attention, intense emotional involvement, and high memorability, and hence is precisely what artworks strive for. Two groups of processing mechanisms are identified that conjointly adopt the particular powers of negative emotions for art's purposes. The first group consists of psychological distancing mechanisms that are activated along with the cognitive schemata of art, representation, and fiction. These schemata imply personal safety and control over continuing or discontinuing exposure to artworks, thereby preventing negative emotions from becoming outright incompatible with expectations of enjoyment. This distancing sets the stage for a second group of processing components that allow art recipients to positively embrace the experiencing of negative emotions, thereby rendering art reception more intense, more interesting, more emotionally moving, more profound, and occasionally even more beautiful. These components include compositional interplays of positiveandnegative emotions, the effects of aesthetic virtues of using the media of (re)presentation (musical sound, words/language, color, shapes) on emotion perception, and meaning-making efforts. Moreover, our Distancing-Embracing model proposes that concomitant mixed emotions often help integrate negative emotions into altogether pleasurable trajectories.
Ambient ozone can induce plant defence reactions in tobacco
Authors: Schraudner Martina , Graf Ursula , Langebartels Christian , Sandermann Heinrich
Published: February 2017

Synopsis

Typical phytopathological defence reactions of tobacco have been studied in response to ozone. After a single standard ozone pulse (5 h, 150 nl 1−1) β-l,3-glucanase was induced up to 40-fold in the sensitive tobacco cv. Bel W3, which developed necrotic lesions following the treatment. The activity was elevated 10-fold in the tolerant Bel B without concomitant injury. A decrease within 24 h occurred only in Bel B. Tyramine hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA transferase activity was induced 6- to 7-fold in both cultivars with a maximum after 5–8 h. Tyramine conjugates as the product of this reaction could not be isolated and were apparently rapidly integrated into the cell wall. Precultivation of Bel B plants in a greenhouse containing up to 70% of the outdoor ozone concentration resulted in a 4-fold induction of β-l,3-glucanase and a further increase after an administered ozone pulse. Pretreatment (30 nl 1−1 ozone, 7 h per day, 23 days) of sensitive Bel W3 caused increased injury and ethylene formation upon a subsequent ozone pulse. β-l,3-glucanase was induced to the same level as in non-pretreated control plants. In a comparison with other major air pollutants (SO2, NO2), only ozone induced the above reactions. However, a combined treatment of ozone and NO2 led to synergistic effects. These data indicate that ambient ozone is able to change the phytopathological disposition of plants. This finding may have practical significance for the usual plant experiments carried out in greenhouses with non-filtered air.
Exposure of mature Norway spruce to ozone in twig-chambers: effects on gas exchange
Authors: Wieser Gerhard , Havranek Wilhelm M.
Published: February 2017

Synopsis

Little is known about ozone (O3) effects on adult trees in the field, where ecophysiological parameters control pollutant uptake. It was the goal of this study to examine how ambient and above ambient O3 concentrations affect gas exchange of mature Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Therefore, twigs were enclosed in chambers and exposed to different O3 concentrations for one and two seasons over three years. During winter periods twigs were maintained under ambient conditions. Data from the shade crown of spruce trees at 1000 m a.s.l. are presented. After one and two fumigation periods no clear treatment effects on gas exchange were observed in twigs fumigated with O3 concentrations ranging from zero up to ambient (A) + 60 ppb. However, O3 at 90 ppb reduced photosynthesis and conductance. CO2 response curves indicated that in A + 90 twigs the efficiency of CO2 uptake was diminished. Observed losses in Pn of A + 90 twigs were greater than reductions in conductance indicating that stomatal closure alone did not limit CO2 uptake. We conclude that ambient and slightly above ambient O3 concentrations do not alter gas exchange of mature Norway spruce. Therefore, suppositions on O3 damage on mature spruce trees should be critically questioned.
Anaerobic germination and metabolism ofErythrinaseeds with special reference to mitochondria and nitrate reductase
Authors: Kemp Karin , Small J. G. C.
Published: February 2017

Seeds ofErythrina caffraThunb. are able to germinate anaerobically. Cycloheximide, chloramphenicol and malonate depressed germination. N2-incubated seeds metabolised [2-14C] Na-acetate. Synthesis of ATP in embryonic axes of N2-incubated seeds occurred to the same extent as in air-germinated seeds. Cycloheximide but not chloramphenicol depressed ATP and ethanol contents and respiratory capacity of embryonic axes.

Embryonic axis mitochondrial O2uptake capacity was similar for seeds incubated for 24 h in air and N2. The activities of five mitochondrial enzymes at this stage were slightly lower in N2-incubated than in air-incubated axes. However, at 12 h, i.e. prior to germination, activities in N2-incubated axes were higher for malate dehydrogenase, oxoglutarate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase, similar for succinate dehydrogenase and slightly lower for cytochrome oxidase than corresponding activities in axes of air-germinated seeds. Mitochondrial protein synthesis occurred in axes of N2-incubated seeds but at a slightly lower rate than in air-incubated seeds.

When assayed anaerobically nitrate reductase activity was found associated with purified mitochondria. The nitrate reductase associated with mitochondria utilised NADH, succinate and to a lesser extent malate as electron donors. The activities measured were much lower than those of typical mitochondrial enzymes.

It is concluded that mitochondrial activity occurs anaerobically inE. caffraembryonic seed axes and might possibly play a role in anoxic germination.
Fluorescence of farnesene oxidation products in extracts and intact fruits as related to the development of superficial scald during storage of ‘Antonovka’ apples
Authors: Merzlyak M. N. , Chivkunova O. B. , Pogosyan S. I. , Kuznetsova L. I. , Ponomareva N. P. , Gudkovsky V. A.
Published: February 2017

Synopsis

The oxidation products of unsaturated hydrocarbon α-farnesene that accumulate in cuticular lipids of stored apple fruits and are involved in the development of superficial scald showed UV fluorescence. The fluorescence emission band was localised at about 330 nm; the fluorescence excitation spectrum resembles the absorption spectrum of the products, but was more resolved. The corresponding fluorescence was recorded from the surfaces of intact apple fruits. It appears that the fluorescence analysis of farnesene oxidation products is a useful, specific, and sensitive tool to follow their concentrations both in extracts and intact fruits.
Effect of postharvest application of acetaldehyde or a short period of anaerobiosis on fruit senescence
Authors: Pesis E. , Marinansky R. , Rot I. , Weksler A.
Published: February 2017

Synopsis

Acetaldehyde (AA) vapours exogenously applied or endogenously synthesised caused inhibition of fruit ripening process. Exposure of whole tomatoes to 6000 ppm AA vapour, for 6–24 h prior to storage, caused inhibition of fruit ripening, as expressed by reduced colour development. The endogenous levels of AA and ethanol found in the juice were positively correlated with the durations AA applied. Application of CO2or N2atmosphere resulted in production of endogenous AA and ethanol which also led to inhibition of ripening. Polygalacturonase (PG) activity was inhibited by the various AA treatments, as well as by CO2or N2pretreatments.

Exposure of mango fruits to AA vapour (1500–3300 ppm) caused a delay in colour development of mango fruits cv. ‘Haden’. The higher the AA concentration applied, the more effective it was in delaying fruit colour development. In addition to delaying ripening, AA concentration of 2200 ppm was the most effective in reducing the amount of fruit infected withAlternaria alternata, which is a latent fungus in this fruit. In mango cv. ‘Tommy Atkins’ pretreatment with N2atmosphere prior to storage delayed ripening as expressed by less colour development.
The occurrence of a stable quinone radical accumulating in vivo during natural and induced senescence in a range of plants
Authors: Hendry George A. F. , Atherton N. M. , Seel Wendy , Leprince Olivier
Published: February 2017

Synopsis

A correlation has been firmly established, in a wide range of plants, between environmental stress, the onset of senescence, loss of viability in seeds and the development and accumulation of a stable organic free radical. On the basis of the EPR response obtained at 95 GHz (W-band) and ENDOR spectra, and comparisons with quinone radical anions, we present evidence from contrasted plant species, plant tissues and sub-cellular fractions that this stable radical originates from one or more quinones possibly, though perhaps not exclusively, associated with stressed or age-impaired photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport chains. The radical appears to be ubiquitously associated with sub-lethal stress-induced damage and with senescence and arises during the sub-cellular structural and biochemical processes associated with the final phases of metabolism prior to death. As the free radical persists for some considerable time after death, it may have value in long-term studies of seed viability and in broader areas of plant pathology and stress physiology.
Genotype by environment interactions for productivity and resistance to gastro-intestinal nematode parasites in Red Maasai and Dorper sheep
Authors: Baker R. L. , Mugambi J. M. , Audho J. O. , Carles A. B. , Thorpe W.
Published: February 2017

Red Maasai and Dorper sheep were evaluated for their resistance to gastro-intestinal (GI) nematode parasites (predominantly Haemonchus contortus), productivity and productive efficiency (assessed on a metabolizable energy basis) in experiments undertaken at the Kenyan coast (sub-humid environment) and the Kenya highlands (semi-arid environment). In both ewes and lambs there were few significant genotype by environment (G X E) interactions for either resistance (assessed by faecal egg counts-FEC) or resilience (assessed by blood packed red cell volume-PCV) to GI nematodes. Red Maasai sheep were consistently more resistant (low FEC) and more resilient (high PCV) than Dorper sheep. However, there were significant G X £ interactions for ewe reproductive performance and for ewe and lamb mortality rates and live weights. These interactions were due to very poor performance of the Dorper compared to the Red Maasai in the sub-humid coastal environment and to the much improved performance of the Dorper in the semi-arid environment. When these component traits were combined into estimates of flock productivity and productive efficiency there were highly significant GXE interactions with the Red Maasai sheep being considerably more efficient than Dorper sheep in the sub-humid environment, while in the semi-arid environment there was a negligible breed difference in productive efficiency. The results are discussed in terms of breeding strategies for smallholder farmers and pastoralists managing sheep in low-input systems in sub-humid and semi-arid environments.
Seasonal changes in tissue weights in Scottish Blackface ewes over multiple production cycles
Authors: Lambe N. R. , Simm G. , Young M. J. , Conington J. , Brotherstone S.
Published: February 2017

Hill ewes undergo large changes in body fat and muscle weight throughout the annual production cycle as they contend with the pressures of reproduction and lactation, as well as harsh environmental conditions. This study modelled seasonal changes in fat and muscle weights in Scottish Blackface hill ewes throughout their productive lifetime using random regression statistical techniques.

Scottish Blackface ewes (no. = 308) were scanned using computed tomography (CT) four times per year, from 2 until 5 years old. Heritabilities of tissue weights were estimated at 2-weekly intervals throughout the productive life of the ewe. Genetic correlations between tissue weights at the same point in the production cycle at different ages, and between tissue weights at different events within each annual production cycle were predicted. Animal solutions from random regression analyses were used to estimate tissue weights, from pre-mating at 2 years old to weaning at 5 years old. The effects of litter size in the current and previous production years on fat and muscle weights were investigated.

Correlations between CT tissue weights and those predicted by a sin/cos random regression model were 0.87, 0.84, 0.88 for carcass fat, internal fat and muscle respectively. Heritabilities ranged from 0.31 to 0.90 for carcass fat weight, 0.21 to 0.68 for internal fat weight and 0.26 to 0.57 for muscle weight, throughout the productive lifetime of the ewe. Heritabilities were highest during mating for fat weights, and during the dry period and lambing time for muscle weights. Heritabilities of tissue weights in 3-year-old ewes were higher than in other age groups. Genetic correlations were 1.00 between tissue weights at the same scanning event at different ages, but ranged from close to zero to 0.97 between scanning events within age groups. Clearly environmental variation across time was large. The number of lambs produced in both the current and the previous year influenced tissue levels. Ewes that did not produce lambs (barren) in a given year carried more muscle during that year than ewes producing lambs. As ewes aged, barren ewes carried increasingly more carcass fat and muscle than ewes with lambs. Barren ewes also had significantly more muscle during the following year than ewes that had weaned lambs. Ewes that reared twins had significantly less carcass fat the following year than singleton-bearing or barren ewes. These effects of previous litter size increased significantly with age.
Growth and carcass composition of lambs of two breeds and their cross grazing ryegrass and clover swards
Authors: Macfarlane J. M. , Lewis R. M. , Emmans G. C.
Published: February 2017

The effects of sward, breed type and sex on lamb growth and carcass composition were measured at two degrees of maturity in live weight. The three breed types were Scottish Blackface (no. = 60), Suffolk (no. = 59) and their reciprocal crosses (no. = 60). The lambs grazed swards of either ryegrass, clover or a mixed sward intended to contain both. The proportion of the mixed sward as clover was only 0.014. Each lamb was scanned using X-ray computed tomography to measure the weights of fat, lean and bone in the carcass at two proportions of mature body weight (0.30 and 0.45). Live weights were recorded weekly. Average daily gains (ADG) in live weight and carcass tissues were calculated for each lamb between the 0.30 and 0.45 stages of maturity.

At the 0-30 stage of maturity, breed type differences in carcass composition were small; the Scottish Blackface had 0.942 as much bone as the Suffolk lambs (P < 0.001), with the cross lambs intermediate. At the 0-45 stage of maturity, Scottish Blackface lambs had less fat (0.749 times as much; P < 0.001), more lean (1.065 times as much; P < 0.001) and more bone (1.055 times as much; P < 0-001) than did Suffolk lambs. The values for crossbred lambs were intermediate but closer to those of the Suffolk. Neither sward nor its interaction with breed type had any significant effect on carcass composition at either the 0-30 or 0-45 stage of maturity. The effect of sex on carcass composition was significant at the 0-45 stage of maturity when castrated male lambs had less fat (P < 0.001) and more lean (P < 0.001) than female lambs. There were breed type by sward interactions for ADG in live weight (P < 0.05), in carcass weight (P < 0.001), and in fat (P < 0.001) and bone weights (P < 0.05). The interactions were such that Suffolk lambs had higher growth rates than Scottish Blackface lambs on clover but not on ryegrass or the mixed sward. There were no significant differences between Suffolk and crossbred lambs in growth rates on any sward. In this, and in two other experiments, the extent to which growth rate declined as the nutritional environment became worse was greater (P < 0.05) in Suffolk than in Scottish Blackface lambs; that is, Suffolk lambs expressed greater environmental sensitivity than the Scottish Blackface.
Using visual image analysis to describe pig growth in terms of size and shape
Authors: Doeschl-Wilson A. B. , Whittemore C. T. , Knap P. W. , Schofield C. P.
Published: February 2017

Random regression models were used to analyse the daily growth data for a total of 25 pigs of two commercial crossbred types between 75 and 140 days of age. A visual imaging system placed above a feeding station provided daily the plan area and length measurements of different body parts. Daily live-weight measurements of the pigs were obtained from a platform balance integrated into an electronic feeding station. Growth curves associated with different measures, pigs and types were compared. Significant differences in the age growth curves between the pig types could only be found in the ham width measurements (P < 0.05). The linear measure of ham width showed the greatest difference between the two types, and the lowest coefficient of variation among individual animals. Size measures were shown to be a more consistent indicator of pig performance during growth than live weight: pigs with a relatively large surface area or ham width at the early growth stage also have relatively large surface area or ham width at later stages and the between-animal variation in these measurements remains constant with age. Gain in live weight relative to increase in size differed significantly between the two pig types (P < 0.05). Pigs of the two types had significantly different shapes, but the change of shape during growth did not differ significantly between them. The allometric relationships between surface area and ham width1.85and between body length and ham width0.85indicate that the ham widths of pigs increase faster in proportion to full body measures. Variations between individual animals in size increase and shape change are significant (P < 0.05). The analysis suggests that VIA size and shape measurements provide valid descriptors of pig growth.
The effect of litter size and littermate weight on pre-weaning performance of low-birth-weight piglets that have been cross-fostered
Authors: English J. G. H. , Bilkeit G.
Published: February 2017

To evaluate the effect of litter size and littermate weight on low-birth-weight (< 1 kg) piglets that have been cross-fostered, piglets' pre-weaning performance in the following groups were compared. Group A (no. = 10), low-birth-weight piglets raised with equal number of heavy-birth-weight piglets in small (eight piglets) litters; group B (no. = 10), low-birth-weight piglets raised with equal number of heavy-birth-weight piglets in large (12 piglets) litters; group C (no. = 10), low-birth-weight piglets raised with equal number of average-birth-weight piglets in small (eight piglets) litters; D (no. = 10), low-birth-weight piglets raised with equal number of average-birth-weight piglets in large (12 piglets) litters; E (no. = 10), small (eight piglets) low-birth-weight litters; F (no. = 10), large (12 piglets) low-birth-weight litters.

Mortality of low-birth-weight piglets in large litters was greater (P < 0.001) with heavy littermates, but in small litters was no different. Weight gain of piglets until day 3 post partum was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by littermate weight and litter size, or their interaction. Weight at 21 days post partum was significantly affected by littermate weight, litter size, and their interaction. Low-birth-weight piglets in small litters had significantly higher 21-day weights in large litters (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05 with littermates of low, average and heavy birth weight respectively). In large but not small litters, low-birth-weight piglets missed more nursing episodes and spent more time in teat disputes than their heavier littermates whether in heavy-birth-weight (P < 0.01), or average-birth-weight (P < 0.05) litters.

Littermate weight may affect the performance of low-birth-weight piglets due to direct competition for access to a functional teat.
Effects of density from various hip prosthesis materials on 6 MV photon beam: a Monte Carlo study
Authors: Abdul Aziz M. Z. , Mohd Kamarulzaman F. N. , Mohd Termizi N. A. S. , Abdul Raof N. , Tajuddin A. A.
Published: February 2017

In radiotherapy planning, computed tomography (CT) images are used to calculate the dose in the patient. However, a high density hip prosthesis can cause streaking artefacts in CT images, which make dose calculations for nearby organs inaccurate. This study aim to quantify the impact of a hip prosthesis on 6 MV photon beam dose distribution using the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. To quantify the radiation dose at the hip prosthesis accurately, image processing techniques were used to generate CT images free from streak artefacts. MATLAB software was used to produce computer-generated phantoms consisting of bone, titanium, stainless steel and CoCrMo. Percentage depth dose (PDD) and beam profile were used to analyse the impact of the hip prosthesis on the dose distribution of the photon beam. PDD showed that the absorbed dose was reduced as the density of the material increased, and the dose was reduced by as much as 49% when the photon beam struck the highest density material (CoCrMo, 8·2g/cm3). However, dose was increased at the tissue-hip prosthesis interface (depths of 4 and 19cm). As the depth increased, the absorbed dose decreased due to attenuation of photons by the tissue and the metal.
Protecting civilians in urban areas: A military perspective on the application of international humanitarian law
Authors: Durhin Nathalie
Published: February 2017

Implementing the principles of international humanitarian law (IHL) represents a real challenge if the protection of civilians in today's urban armed conflicts remains a priority for armed forces. The application of the principle of distinction comes up against the difficulties of obtaining intelligence, in particular in the absence of troops on the ground. The minimalization of collateral damage requires putting in place very precise targeting procedures, and even the adoption of tactics designed to draw out traditional combat from cities. In terms of precautionary measures in attack or against the effects of an attack, these must be adapted to the context of urban combat. Nevertheless, IHL remains an essential instrument that must be analyzed and translated into action in a practical manner in order to conduct military operations that are at the same time effective and legally permissible.
Impulsiveness and Child-to-Parent Violence: The Role of Aggressor’s Sex
Authors: Rico Eva , Rosado Jaime , Cantón-Cortés David
Published: February 2017

The aim of the present study was to analyze the role of minors’ impulsiveness in the perpetration of child-to-parent violence (CPV), controlling for sex, age, interest allocated to studies, and participant´s and parent´s drug consumption habits, as well as to test the moderating role of the aggressor’s sex on impulsiveness. The sample comprised 934 students from high school centers (438 boys and 496 girls), aged between 13 and 21 years. Impulsiveness was assessed through the Barratt’s Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), whereas CPV perpetration was assessed employing the Child-to-Parent Aggression Questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that both attentional (β = .09,p< .05; β = .12,p< .001) and motor impulsiveness (β = .26,p< .001; β = .25,p< .001) were related to the perpetration of CPV. Interaction analyses showed a moderating role of the aggressor’s sex over motor impulsiveness in the case of CPV towards the father (β = .29,p< .05), and over attentional impulsiveness in the case of CPV towards the mother (β = .45,p< .001). Results confirm the idea that minors’ impulsiveness has an effect on the probability of CPV perpetration, which differs according to the sex of the perpetrator.
Associations of coronary and peripheral artery disease with presence, expansion, and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm – a grin without a cat!
Authors: Takagi Hisato , Umemoto Takuya
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Both coronary and peripheral artery disease are representative atherosclerotic diseases, which are also known to be positively associated with presence of abdominal aortic aneurysm. It is still controversial, however, whether coronary and peripheral artery disease are positively associated with expansion and rupture as well as presence of abdominal aortic aneurysm. In the present article, we overviewed epidemiological evidence, i. e. meta-analyses, regarding the associations of coronary and peripheral artery disease with presence, expansion, and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm through a systematic literature search. Our exhaustive search identified seven meta-analyses, which suggest that both coronary and peripheral artery disease are positively associated with presence of abdominal aortic aneurysm, may be negatively associated with expansion of abdominal aortic aneurysm, and might be unassociated with rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Open surgical retrieval of an embolized PFO occluder system
Authors: Frech Andraes , Gorny Olaf , Fraedrich Gustav , Widmann Gerlig , Mair Johannes , Moes Nicolas , Mueller Silvana , Klocker Josef
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Device migration after intervention for persistent foramen ovale occlusion is a rare complication. In case of failure of endovascular device retrieval, open surgical removal is indicated, safe, and reliable.
Competent and Warm?
Authors: Hansen Karolina , Rakić Tamara , Steffens Melanie C.
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Most research on ethnicity has focused on visual cues. However, accents are strong social cues that can match or contradict visual cues. We examined understudied reactions to people whose one cue suggests one ethnicity, whereas the other cue contradicts it. In an experiment conducted in Germany, job candidates spoke with an accent either congruent or incongruent with their (German or Turkish) appearance. Based on ethnolinguistic identity theory, we predicted that accents would be strong cues for categorization and evaluation. Based on expectancy violations theory we expected that incongruent targets would be evaluated more extremely than congruent targets. Both predictions were confirmed: accents strongly influenced perceptions and Turkish-looking German-accented targets were perceived as most competent of all targets (and additionally most warm). The findings show that bringing together visual and auditory information yields a more complete picture of the processes underlying impression formation.
Enhanced expression of ADCY1 underlies aberrant neuronal signalling and behaviour in a syndromic autism model
Authors: Sethna Ferzin , Feng Wei , Ding Qi , Robison Alfred J. , Feng Yue , Wang Hongbing
Published: February 2017

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by the loss of functional FMRP, is a leading cause of autism. Neurons lacking FMRP show aberrant mRNA translation and intracellular signalling. Here, we identify that, in Fmr1 knockout neurons, type 1 adenylyl cyclase (Adcy1) mRNA translation is enhanced, leading to excessive production of ADCY1 protein and insensitivity to neuronal stimulation. Genetic reduction of Adcy1 normalizes the aberrant ERK1/2- and PI3K-mediated signalling, attenuates excessive protein synthesis and corrects dendritic spine abnormality in Fmr1 knockout mice. Genetic reduction of Adcy1 also ameliorates autism-related symptoms including repetitive behaviour, defective social interaction and audiogenic seizures. Moreover, peripheral administration of NB001, an experimental compound that preferentially suppresses ADCY1 activity over other ADCY subtypes, attenuates the behavioural abnormalities in Fmr1 knockout mice. These results demonstrate a connection between the elevated Adcy1 translation and abnormal ERK1/2 signalling and behavioural symptoms in FXS.
Quantification of re-absorption and re-emission processes to determine photon recycling efficiency in perovskite single crystals
Authors: Fang Yanjun , Wei Haotong , Dong Qingfeng , Huang Jinsong
Published: February 2017

Photon recycling, that is, iterative self-absorption and re-emission by the photoactive layer itself, has been speculated to contribute to the high open-circuit voltage in several types of high efficiency solar cells. For organic–inorganic halide perovskites that have yielded highly efficient photovoltaic devices, however, it remains unclear whether the photon recycling effect is significant enough to improve solar cell efficiency. Here we quantitatively evaluate the re-absorption and re-emission processes to determine photon recycling efficiency in hybrid perovskite with its single crystals by measuring the ratio of the re-emitted photons to the initially excited photons, which is realized by modulating their polarization to differentiate them. The photon recycling efficiencies are revealed to be less than 0.5% in CH3NH3PbI3 and CH3NH3PbBr3 single crystals under excitation intensity close to one sun, highlighting the intrinsically long carrier recombination lifetime instead of the photon-recycling-induced photon propagation as the origin of their long carrier diffusion length.
NMDA-receptor-dependent plasticity in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis triggers long-term anxiolysis
Authors: Glangetas Christelle , Massi Léma , Fois Giulia R. , Jalabert Marion , Girard Delphine , Diana Marco , Yonehara Keisuke , Roska Botond , Xu Chun , Lüthi Andreas , Caille Stéphanie , Georges François
Published: February 2017

Anxiety is controlled by multiple neuronal circuits that share robust and reciprocal connections with the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a key structure controlling negative emotional states. However, it remains unknown how the BNST integrates diverse inputs to modulate anxiety. In this study, we evaluated the contribution of infralimbic cortex (ILCx) and ventral subiculum/CA1 (vSUB/CA1) inputs in regulating BNST activity at the single-cell level. Using trans-synaptic tracing from single-electroporated neurons and in vivo recordings, we show that vSUB/CA1 stimulation promotes opposite forms of in vivo plasticity at the single-cell level in the anteromedial part of the BNST (amBNST). We find that an NMDA-receptor-dependent homosynaptic long-term potentiation is instrumental for anxiolysis. These findings suggest that the vSUB/CA1-driven LTP in the amBNST is involved in eliciting an appropriate response to anxiogenic context and dysfunction of this compensatory mechanism may underlie pathologic anxiety states.
Membrane cholesterol access into a G-protein-coupled receptor
Authors: Guixà-González Ramon , Albasanz José L. , Rodriguez-Espigares Ismael , Pastor Manuel , Sanz Ferran , Martí-Solano Maria , Manna Moutusi , Martinez-Seara Hector , Hildebrand Peter W. , Martín Mairena , Selent Jana
Published: February 2017

Cholesterol is a key component of cell membranes with a proven modulatory role on the function and ligand-binding properties of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Crystal structures of prototypical GPCRs such as the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) have confirmed that cholesterol finds stable binding sites at the receptor surface suggesting an allosteric role of this lipid. Here we combine experimental and computational approaches to show that cholesterol can spontaneously enter the A2AR-binding pocket from the membrane milieu using the same portal gate previously suggested for opsin ligands. We confirm the presence of cholesterol inside the receptor by chemical modification of the A2AR interior in a biotinylation assay. Overall, we show that cholesterol’s impact on A2AR-binding affinity goes beyond pure allosteric modulation and unveils a new interaction mode between cholesterol and the A2AR that could potentially apply to other GPCRs.
Place cells are more strongly tied to landmarks in deep than in superficial CA1
Authors: Geiller Tristan , Fattahi Mohammad , Choi June-Seek , Royer Sébastien
Published: February 2017

Environmental cues affect place cells responses, but whether this information is integrated versus segregated in distinct hippocampal cell populations is unclear. Here, we show that, in mice running on a treadmill enriched with visual-tactile landmarks, place cells are more strongly controlled by landmark-associated sensory inputs in deeper regions of CA1 pyramidal layer (CA1d). Many cells in CA1d display several firing fields correlated with landmarks, mapping positions slightly before or within the landmarks. Supporting direct involvement of sensory inputs, their firing fields show instantaneous responses to landmark manipulations, persist through change of context, and encode landmark identity and saliency. In contrast, cells located superficially in the pyramidal layer have single firing fields, are context specific and respond with slow dynamics to landmark manipulations. These findings suggest parallel and anatomically segregated circuits within CA1 pyramidal layer, with variable ties to landmarks, allowing flexible representation of spatial and non-spatial information.
Candidate Gene Association Studies of Anthracycline-induced Cardiotoxicity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Leong Siew Lian , Chaiyakunapruk Nathorn , Lee Shaun Wen Huey
Published: February 2017

Anthracyclines play an important role in the management of patients with cancer but the development of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (ACT) remains a significant concern for most clinicians. Recently, genetic approach has been used to identify patients at increased risk of ACT. This systematic review assessed the association between genomic markers and ACT. A systematic literature search was performed in Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Studies, CINAHL Plus, AMED, EMBASE and HuGE Navigator from inception until May 2016. Twenty-eight studies examining the association of genetic variants and ACT were identified. These studies examined 84 different genes and 147 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Meta-analyses showed 3 risk variants significantly increased the risk for ACT; namely ABCC2 rs8187710 (pooled odds ratio: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.36–3.54), CYBA rs4673 (1.55; 1.05–2.30) and RAC2 rs13058338 (1.79; 1.27–2.52). The current evidence remains unclear on the potential role of pharmacogenomic screening prior to anthracycline therapy. Further research is needed to improve the diagnostic and prognostic role in predicting ACT.
Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase Expression in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Modulates Cancer Cell Growth and Migration
Authors: Parascandolo Alessia , Rappa Francesca , Cappello Francesco , Kim Jaehyup , Cantu David A. , Chen Herbert , Mazzoccoli Gianluigi , Hematti Peiman , Castellone Maria Domenica , Salvatore Marco , Laukkanen Mikko O.
Published: February 2017

Tumor stroma-secreted growth factors, cytokines, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) influence tumor development from early stages to the metastasis phase. Previous studies have demonstrated downregulation of ROS-producing extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) in thyroid cancer cell lines although according to recent data, the expression of SOD3 at physiological levels stimulates normal and cancer cell proliferation. Therefore, to analyze the expression of SOD3 in tumor stroma, we characterized stromal cells from the thyroid. We report mutually exclusive desmoplasia and inflammation in papillary and follicular thyroid cancers and the presence of multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) in non-carcinogenic thyroids and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). The phenotypic and differentiation characteristics of Thyroid MSCs and PTC MSCs were comparable with bone marrow MSCs. A molecular level analysis showed increased FIBROBLAST ACTIVATING PROTEIN, COLLAGEN 1 TYPE A1, TENASCIN, and SOD3 expression in PTC MSCs compared to Thyroid MSCs, suggesting the presence of MSCs with a fibrotic fingerprint in papillary thyroid cancer tumors and the autocrine-paracrine conversion of SOD3 expression, which was enhanced by cancer cells. Stromal SOD3 had a stimulatory effect on cancer cell growth and an inhibitory effect on cancer cell migration, thus indicating that SOD3 might be a novel player in thyroid tumor stroma.
Flucrypyrim, a novel uterine relaxant, has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo
Authors: Li Zhongtang , Wang Limei , Cong Yue , Guo Lin , Lin Xiaohui , Yu Zuyin , Wu Xingan , Dong Junxing , Yang Rifang , Cong Yuwen
Published: February 2017

Consequences of primary dsysmenorrhea (PD) can be severe. Increased prostaglandin production leads to uterine contraction and insufficient blood flow to the endometrium causing ischemia and pain symptoms. Protein tyrosine kinase/phosphatase activities contribute to the modulation of uterine contraction. In our previous study, we found the synthetic β-methoxyacrylates compound Fluacrypyrim (FAPM), significantly increased protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) activity, resulting in dephosphorylation of tyrosine kinases. In the present study, we found that FAPM near completely inhibited prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)-, oxytocin-, acetylcholine-, and high K+-induced uterine contractions in rats in vitro, and decreased rat myometrial myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation induced by PGF2α. A structure–activity relationship assay indicated that the β-methoxyacrylates structure of FAPM is crucial for the inhibition of PGF2α-induced uterine contractions. FAPM caused a concentration-dependent parallel rightward shift of the concentration–response curve induced by oxytocin, dose-dependently reduced the number of abdominal constrictions and increased the latency time in PGF2α- and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice in vivo. Furthermore, FAPM considerably inhibited the development of Carr-induced rat paw edemas and thexylene-induced mouse ear edemas. Taken together, our results indicate that FAPM exerts antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo with considerable potential as a novel uterine relaxant.
The genetic and environmental aetiology of spatial, mathematics and general anxiety
Authors: Malanchini Margherita , Rimfeld Kaili , Shakeshaft Nicholas G. , Rodic Maja , Schofield Kerry , Selzam Saskia , Dale Philip S. , Petrill Stephen A. , Kovas Yulia
Published: February 2017

Individuals differ in their level of general anxiety as well as in their level of anxiety towards specific activities, such as mathematics and spatial tasks. Both specific anxieties correlate moderately with general anxiety, but the aetiology of their association remains unexplored. Moreover, the factor structure of spatial anxiety is to date unknown. The present study investigated the factor structure of spatial anxiety, its aetiology, and the origins of its association with general and mathematics anxiety in a sample of 1,464 19-21-year-old twin pairs from the UK representative Twins Early Development Study. Participants reported their general, mathematics and spatial anxiety as part of an online battery of tests. We found that spatial anxiety is a multifactorial construct, including two components: navigation anxiety and rotation/visualization anxiety. All anxiety measures were moderately heritable (30% to 41%), and non-shared environmental factors explained the remaining variance. Multivariate genetic analysis showed that, although some genetic and environmental factors contributed to all anxiety measures, a substantial portion of genetic and non-shared environmental influences were specific to each anxiety construct. This suggests that anxiety is a multifactorial construct phenotypically and aetiologically, highlighting the importance of studying anxiety within specific contexts.
Shared mechanism for emotion processing in adolescents with and without autism
Authors: Ioannou Christina , Zein Marwa El , Wyart Valentin , Scheid Isabelle , Amsellem Frédérique , Delorme Richard , Chevallier Coralie , Grèzes Julie
Published: February 2017

Although, the quest to understand emotional processing in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has led to an impressive number of studies, the picture that emerges from this research remains inconsistent. Some studies find that Typically Developing (TD) individuals outperform those with ASD in emotion recognition tasks, others find no such difference. In this paper, we move beyond focusing on potential group differences in behaviour to answer what we believe is a more pressing question: do individuals with ASD use the samemechanismsto process emotional cues? To this end, we rely on model-based analyses of participants’ accuracy during an emotion categorisation task in which displays of anger and fear are paired with directvs. averted gaze. Behavioural data of 20 ASD and 20 TD adolescents revealed that the ASD group displayed lower overall performance. Yet, gaze direction had a similar impact on emotion categorisation in both groups,i.e. improved accuracy for salient combinations (anger-direct, fear-averted). Critically, computational modelling of participants’ behaviour reveals that the same mechanism,i.e. increased perceptual sensitivity, underlies the contextual impact of gaze in both groups. We discuss the specific experimental conditions that may favour emotion processing and the automatic integration of contextual information in ASD.
Beads-Milling of Waste Si Sawdust into High-Performance Nanoflakes for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Kasukabe Takatoshi , Nishihara Hirotomo , Kimura Katsuya , Matsumoto Taketoshi , Kobayashi Hikaru , Okai Makoto , Kyotani Takashi
Published: February 2017

Nowadays, ca. 176,640 tons/year of silicon (Si) (>4N) is manufactured for Si wafers used for semiconductor industry. The production of the highly pure Si wafers inevitably includes very high-temperature steps at 1400–2000 °C, which is energy-consuming and environmentally unfriendly. Inefficiently, ca. 45–55% of such costly Si is lost simply as sawdust in the cutting process. In this work, we develop a cost-effective way to recycle Si sawdust as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries. By a beads-milling process, nanoflakes with extremely small thickness (15–17 nm) and large diameter (0.2–1 μm) are obtained. The nanoflake framework is transformed into a high-performance porous structure, named wrinkled structure, through a self-organization induced by lithiation/delithiation cycling. Under capacity restriction up to 1200 mAh g−1, the best sample can retain the constant capacity over 800 cycles with a reasonably high coulombic efficiency (98–99.8%).
Ultrasmall Fe2O3 nanoparticles/MoS2 nanosheets composite as high-performance anode material for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Qu Bin , Sun Yue , Liu Lianlian , Li Chunyan , Yu Changjian , Zhang Xitian , Chen Yujin
Published: February 2017

Coupling ultrasmall Fe2O3 particles (~4.0 nm) with the MoS2 nanosheets is achieved by a facile method for high-performance anode material for Li-ion battery. MoS2 nanosheets in the composite can serve as scaffolds, efficiently buffering the large volume change of Fe2O3 during charge/discharge process, whereas the ultrasmall Fe2O3 nanoparticles mainly provide the specific capacity. Due to bigger surface area and larger pore volume as well as strong coupling between Fe2O3 particles and MoS2 nanosheets, the composite exhibits superior electrochemical properties to MoS2, Fe2O3 and the physical mixture Fe2O3+MoS2. Typically, after 140 cycles the reversible capacity of the composite does not decay, but increases from 829 mA h g−1 to 864 mA h g−1 at a high current density of 2 A g−1. Thus, the present facile strategy could open a way for development of cost-efficient anode material with high-performance for large-scale energy conversion and storage systems.