bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of GafChromic® EBT3 intrinsic energy dependence with kilovoltage x rays, 137Cs, and 60Co
Authors: Hammer Cliff G. , Rosen Benjamin Saul , Fagerstrom Jessica M. , Culberson Wesley S. , DeWerd Larry A.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To determine experimentally the intrinsic energy response, kbq, of EBT3 GafChromic® radiochromic film with kilovoltage x rays, 137Cs, and 60Co in therapeutic and diagnostic dose ranges through direct measurement with an accompanying mathematical approach to describe the physical processes involved.

Methods

The EBT3 film was irradiated with known doses using 60Co, 137Cs, and 13 NIST‐matched kilovoltage x‐ray beams. Seven dose levels, ranging from 57 to 7002 mGy, were chosen for this work. Monte Carlo methods were used to convert air‐kerma rates to dose rates to the film active layer for each energy. A total of 738 film dosimeters, each measuring (1.2 × 1.2) cm2, were cut from three film sheets out of the same lot of the latest version of EBT3 film, to allow for multiple dosimeters to be irradiated by each target dose and beam quality as well as unirradiated dosimeters to be used as controls. Net change in optical density in excess of the unirradiated controls was measured using the UWMRRC Laser Densitometry System (LDS). The dosimeter intrinsic energy response, kbq, for each dose level was determined relative to 60Co, as the ratio of dosimeter response to each beam quality relative to the absorbed dose to the film active volume at the same dose level. A simplified, single‐hit mathematical model was used to derive a single‐free‐parameter, β, which is a proportionality constant that is dependent on beam quality and describes the microdosimetric interactions within the active layer of film. The response of β for each beam quality relative to 60Co was also determined.

Results

kbq was determined for a wide range of doses and energies. The results show a unique variation of kbq as a function of energy, and agree well with results from other investigations. There was no measurable dose dependence for kbq within the 500–7002 mGy range outside of the expanded measurement uncertainty of 3.65% (k = 2). For doses less than 500 mGy, the signal‐to‐noise ratio was too low to determine kbq accurately. The single‐free‐parameter, β, fit calculations derived from the single‐hit model show a correlation with kbq that suggests that β, at least in part, characterizes the microdosimetric interactions that determine kbq.

Conclusions

For the beam qualities investigated, a single energy‐dependent kbq correction can be used for doses between 500 and 7002 mGy. Using the single‐hit model with the single‐free‐parameter fit to solve for β shows promise in the determination of the intrinsic energy response of film, with β being the mathematical analog of the measured kbq.
Phase‐sensitive B1 mapping: Effects of relaxation and RF spoiling
Authors: Wen Jie , Sukstanskii Alexander L. , Yablonskiy Dmitriy A.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To develop a phase‐based B1 mapping technique accounting for the effects of imperfect RF spoiling and magnetization relaxation.

Theory and Methods

The technique is based on a multi‐gradient‐echo sequence with 2 successive orthogonal radiofrequency (RF) excitation pulses followed by the train of gradient echoes measurements. We have derived a theoretical expression relating the MR signal phase produced by the 2 successive RF pulses to the B1 field and B0‐related frequency shift. The expression takes into account effects of imperfections of RF spoiling and T1 and
relaxations.

Results

Our computer simulations and experiments revealed that imperfections of RF spoiling cause significant errors in B1 mapping if not accounted for. By accounting for these effects along with effects of magnetization relaxation and frequency shift, we demonstrated the high accuracy of our approach. The technique has been tested on spherical phantoms and a healthy volunteer.

Conclusion

In this paper, we have proposed, implemented, and demonstrated the accuracy of a new phase‐based technique for fast and robust B1 mapping based on the measured MR signal phase, frequency, and relaxation. Because imperfect RF spoiling effects are accounted for, this technique can be applied with short TRs and therefore substantially reduces the scan time. Magn Reson Med 80:101–111, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Sacral neuromodulation and pregnancy: Results of a national survey carried out for the neuro‐urology committee of the French Association of Urology (AFU)
Authors: Roulette Pauline , Castel‐Lacanal Evelyne , Sanson Sylvain , Caremel Romain , Phé Véronique , Bart Stéphane , Duchêne Franck , De Sèze Marianne , Even Alexia , Manunta Andréa , Scheiber‐Nogueira Maria C. , Mouracade Pascal , Loche Catherine‐Marie , Chartier‐Kastler Emmanuel , Ruffion Alain , Karsenty Gilles , Gamé Xavier
Published: November 2017

Aims

To assess the impact of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) on pregnancy and vice‐versa, by identifying women who had received SNM for lower‐urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and had become pregnant.

Methods

A cross‐sectional descriptive study was carried out based on responses to an on‐line questionnaire sent to practitioners listed on the InterStim enCaptureTM National Registry. Questions were related to pre‐pregnancy health and SNM efficacy, deactivation of the device, its impact on LUTS, childbirth, the infant, its reactivation and postpartum effectiveness.

Results

Twenty‐seven pregnancies were recorded among 21 women. Six women had had a pregnancy prior to implantation, two of whom had had a c‐section. A total of 18.5% of women had the device disabled prior to conception. The others had their device disabled during the first trimester and did not reactivate it before delivery. Complications were reported in 25.9% of pregnancies: six women had urinary infections, including three of the four treated for chronic retention of urine (CRU), and 1 woman had pain at the stimulation site. There were 24 live births (including one premature birth and four c‐sections), one spontaneous miscarriage and two voluntary interruptions of pregnancy. No neonatal disorders have been reported. Effectiveness of sacral neuromodulation decreased in 20% in postpartum.

Conclusions

In 27 pregnancies established during SNM for LUTS, 18.5% of patients deactivated their case before pregnancy and the others switched it off during the first trimester. Three‐quarters of women with CRU had urinary infection. No adverse effects on fetuses were found. SNM effectiveness deteriorated in 20% cases after childbirth.
TICT excited states of o‐ and p‐N,N‐dimethylamino analogues of GFP chromophore
Authors: Sung Robert , Sung Kuangsen
Published: November 2017

Even though all the p‐N,N‐dimethylaminobenzonitrile (p‐DMABN), cis‐o‐DMABDI, and cis‐p‐DMABDI (the N,N‐dimethylamino analogues of green fluorescence protein chromophore) have the same electron‐donating N,N‐dimethylamino group, unlike the dual fluorescence of p‐DMABN, both cis‐o‐DMABDI and cis‐p‐DMABDI display single fluorescence. To figure out the interesting phenomena, the CAM‐TD‐B3LYP method and the cc‐pVDZ basis set were used to explore geometries, molecular orbitals, electronic transition, dipole moment, and potential energy surfaces of the S1 excited states of cis‐o‐DMABDI and cis‐p‐DMABDI. We found that the S1 excited states of cis‐o‐DMABDI and cis‐p‐DMABDI are 1(π, π*) charge transfer excited states with twisted structures, where the N,N‐dimethylaminobenzene moiety functions as an electron donor, the methyleneimidazolone moiety serves as an electron acceptor, and the electron donor is linked with the electron acceptor by the C─C single bond (P‐bond). The fluorescent emissions of cis‐o‐DMABDI and cis‐p‐DMABDI predicted by the CAM‐TD‐B3LYP/cc‐pVDZ level are quite consistent with the experimental results. For the cis‐o‐DMABDI and cis‐p‐DMABDI, the S1 locally excited state is less stable than the S1 twisted intramolecular charge transfer state, and the S1 LE state is not a stationary point (global minimum). That is why both cis‐o‐DMABDI and cis‐p‐DMABDI display single fluorescence.
Alternative control of Aedes aegypti resistant to pyrethroids: lethal and sublethal effects of monoterpene bioinsecticides
Authors: Silva Indira MA , Martins Gustavo F , Melo Carlisson R , Santana Alisson S , Faro Ruan RN , Blank Arie F , Alves Péricles B , Picanço Marcelo C , Cristaldo Paulo F , Araújo Ana Paula A , Bacci Leandro
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is intensively controlled because it is a vector of viruses that cause numerous diseases, especially in tropical regions. As a consequence of the indiscriminate use of insecticides, populations from different regions have become resistant to pyrethroids. Here, we analyzed the lethal and sublethal effects of essential oil of Aristolochia trilobata and its major compounds on A. aegypti from susceptible and pyrethroid‐resistant populations.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the toxicity of the different compounds and behavioral changes in response to them are dependent on the stage of the insect life cycle. The monoterpene ρ‐cymene caused high mortality in both larvae and adult females of A. aegypti, including those from the pyrethroid‐resistant population. The monoterpenes limonene and linalool caused a sublethal effect in the larvae, triggering changes in the swimming pattern.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potential of the essential oil of A. trilobata and its major compounds ρ‐cymene and limonene for the control of A. aegypti and reveals the importance of analyzing sublethal effects on the population dynamics of the A. aegypti mosquito. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Optical Absorption and Electroabsorption Related to Electronic and Single Dopant Transitions in Holey Elliptical GaAs Quantum Dots
Authors: Vinasco Juan Alejandro , Londoño Mauricio Alejandro , Restrepo Ricardo León , Mora‐Ramos Miguel Eduardo , Feddi El Mustapha , Radu Adrian , Kasapoglu Esin , Morales Alvaro Luis , Duque Carlos Alberto
Published: November 2017

The electron states in a holey elliptically shaped GaAs quantum dot are investigated within the effective mass scheme with the use of the adiabatic approximation and the finite element method. The effects of a donor impurity center and an applied electric field are particularly taken into account. Electron‐impurity energies are reported as functions of both the geometry of the quantum dot and the applied field intensity, whereas temperature effects are also included. The analysis of electron‐impurity intersubband transitions allows the investigation of the light absorption response of the system.
Design considerations in clinical trials with cure rate survival data: A case study in oncology
Authors: Sun Steven , Liu Grace , Lyu Tianmeng , Xue Fubo , Yeh Tzu‐Min , Rao Sudhakar
Published: November 2017

For clinical trials with time‐to‐event as the primary endpoint, the clinical cutoff is often event‐driven and the log‐rank test is the most commonly used statistical method for evaluating treatment effect. However, this method relies on the proportional hazards assumption in that it has the maximal power in this circumstance. In certain disease areas or populations, some patients can be curable and never experience the events despite a long follow‐up. The event accumulation may dry out after a certain period of follow‐up and the treatment effect could be reflected as the combination of improvement of cure rate and the delay of events for those uncurable patients. Study power depends on both cure rate improvement and hazard reduction. In this paper, we illustrate these practical issues using simulation studies and explore sample size recommendations, alternative ways for clinical cutoffs, and efficient testing methods with the highest study power possible.
Adjusting claims as new evidence emerges: Do students incorporate new evidence into their scientific explanations?
Authors: Novak Ann M. , Treagust David F.
Published: November 2017

Constructing explanations of complex phenomena is an important part of doing science and it is also an important component of learning science. Students need opportunities to make claims based on available evidence and then use science concepts to justify why evidence supports the claim. But what happens when new evidence emerges for the same phenomenon? The “claim” portion of the claim, evidence, and reasoning explanation framework is viewed as the most accessible to students. When new evidence suggests that students adjust their current thinking however, do students incorporate this new information and modify their claims? This research utilized a time series research design to explore how students modify their claim over four iterations of one explanation, termed an evolving explanation. As new data were collected and analyzed to provide additional evidence, students needed to evaluate their current claim to see if it took into account all available evidence. This research explores that process including the supports that the teacher provided and the challenges that students faced in developing one claim, over time. The findings indicate that many students face challenges adjusting their claims when new, conflicting evidence emerges, even with class discussion, teacher feedback, and written scaffolds. Several possible reasons exist to account for this challenge. Students may (1) ignore new evidence, (2) find “undoing” their initial idea too cognitively demanding, or (3) simply not have any similar experience from which to build. Providing students with experiences of writing evolving explanations reflects what scientists do, while simultaneously preparing students to become more scientifically proficient.
Relative Resistance of the Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candida auris and Other Candida Species to Killing by Ultraviolet Light
Authors: Cadnum Jennifer L. , Shaikh Aaron A. , Piedrahita Christina T. , Jencson Annette L. , Larkin Emily L. , Ghannoum Mahmoud A. , Donskey Curtis J.
Published: November 2017

Mobile ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light room decontamination devices are frequently used as an adjunct to standard cleaning in healthcare facilities, but their efficacy in killing Candida species is not clear. In laboratory testing, the emerging multidrug-resistant Candida auris and 2 other Candida species were significantly less susceptible to killing by UV-C than methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:94–96
SIBSHIP SIZE AND YOUNG WOMEN’S TRANSITIONS TO ADULTHOOD IN INDIA
Authors: Santhya K. G. , Zavier A. J. Francis
Published: November 2017

In India, a substantial proportion of young people are growing up in smaller families with fewer siblings than earlier generations of young people. Studies exploring the associations between declines in sibship size and young people’s life experiences are limited. Drawing on data from a sub-nationally representative study conducted in 2006–08 of over 50,000 youths in India, this paper examines the associations between surviving sibship size and young women’s (age 20–24) transitions to adulthood. Young women who reported no or a single surviving sibling were categorized as those with a small surviving sibship size, and those who reported two or more surviving siblings as those with a large surviving sibship size. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to ascertain the relationship between sibship size and outcome indicators. Analysis was also done separately for low- and high-fertility settings. Small sibship size tended to have a positive influence in many ways on young women’s chances of making successful transitions to adulthood. Young women with fewer siblings were more likely than others to report secondary school completion, participation in vocational skills training programmes, experience of gender egalitarian socialization practices, adherence to gender egalitarian norms, exercise of pre-marital agency and small family size preferences. These associations were more apparent in low- than high-fertility settings.
EVALUATION OF THE HTA CORE MODEL FOR NATIONAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT REPORTS: COMPARATIVE STUDY AND EXPERIENCES FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Kõrge Kristina , Berndt Nadine , Hohmann Juergen , Romano Florence , Hiligsmann Mickael
Published: November 2017

Objectives: The health technology assessment (HTA) Core Model® is a tool for defining and standardizing the elements of HTA analyses within several domains for producing structured reports. This study explored the parallels between the Core Model and a national HTA report. Experiences from various European HTA agencies were also investigated to determine the Core Model's adaptability to national reports.

Methods: A comparison between a national report on Genetic Counseling, produced by the Cellule d'expertise médicale Luxembourg, and the Core Model was performed to identify parallels in terms of relevant and comparable assessment elements (AEs). Semi-structured interviews with five representatives from European HTA agencies were performed to assess their user experiences with the Core Model.

Results: The comparative study revealed that 50 percent of the total number (n = 144) of AEs in the Core Model were relevant for the national report. Of these 144 AEs from the Core Model, 34 (24 percent) were covered in the national report. Some AEs were covered only partly. The interviewees emphasized flexibility in using the Core Model and stated that the most important aspects to be evaluated include characteristics of the disease and technology, clinical effectiveness, economic aspects, and safety.

Conclusions: In the present study, the national report covered an acceptable number of AEs of the Core Model. These results need to be interpreted with caution because only one comparison was performed. The Core Model can be used in a flexible manner, applying only those elements that are relevant from the perspective of the technology assessment and specific country context.
Creators of Worlds: The Deposition of R. Gamliel and the Invention of Yavneh
Authors: Simon-Shoshan Moshe
Published: November 2017

This article will examine the development of Yavneh as a literary and cultural construct from tannaitic sources through the two versions of the story of the deposition of R. Gamliel, in Yerushalmi Berakhot 4:1 and Bavli Berakhot 27b–28a. It will explore the ways in which the talmudic storytellers present a more developed narrative world complete with a social and political culture. It will then analyze the complex relationships between the narrative worlds of the Yerushalmi and Bavli and their respective social and ideological contexts. Based on this analysis, I shall propose a model for understanding the way in which the Yavnehs of both the Bavli and the Yerushalmi functioned in amoraic and postamoraic society to create a nuanced and self-critical rabbinic cultural identity.
תורת ההיגיון ותורת ההכרה במתודולוגיה ההלכתית של יעקוב אלקרקסאני: תרגום עברי של כתאב אלאנואר ואלמראקב, מאמר ד, שערים א–ח, עם מבוא והערות
Authors: רביצקי אבירם
Published: November 2017

המאמר הרביעי בספרו ההלכתי והתאולוגי של יעקוב אלקרקסאני כתאב אלאנואר ואלמראקב (ספר המאורות והמִצפים) מוקדש לדיון ״באופנים ובסיבות אשר בהם יגיע [האדם] אל ידיעת המצוות, והזכרת אופני הפסוק ואופני ההיקש ]אלקיאס], והם שמונה ושישים שערים.״ הכוונה לדיון בדרכי היקש לוגיות ומשפטיות, בדרכי פרשנות המקרא ומתודולוגיה הלכתית, בעקרונות של ניסוח טיעונים פילוסופיים, ובהתמודדות בוויכוחים תאולוגיים. קרקסאני פותח את המאמר הרביעי בציון שלושת מקורות ההלכה: ״הפסוק, וההיקש, וההסכמה.״ לדבריו, עקרונות אלה מוסכמים גם על ידי ״חברינו״ הענניים והקראים, וגם על ידי ״הקדמונים מבין הרבניים״—כוונתו לחכמי המשנה והתלמוד. ואמנם, השערים ט–כא במאמר הרביעי מוקדשים לדיון ביקורתי בשלוש עשרה המידות שהתורה נדרשת בהן—מידות פרשניות והיסקיות שמקורן בספרא. אולם בחלקו הגדול של המאמר הרביעי נידונות, מפנים רבים ומגוונים, תכונות ההיקש כמקור הלכתי—נושא שמבטא את הנטייה הרציונליסטית הקראית המעצימה את ההיגיון ואת החיוב הדתי ליישם את שיקול הדעת בפרשנות המקרא.
Peer effects on self-regulation in adolescence depend on the nature and quality of the peer interaction
Authors: King Kevin M. , McLaughlin Katie A. , Silk Jennifer , Monahan Kathryn C.
Published: November 2017

Adolescence is a critical period for the development of self-regulation, and peer interactions are thought to strongly influence regulation ability. Simple exposure to peers has been found to alter decisions about risky behaviors and increase sensitivity to rewards. The link between peer exposure and self-regulation is likely to vary as a function of the type and quality of peer interaction (e.g., rejection or acceptance). Little is known about how the nature of interactions with peers influences different dimensions of self-regulation. We examined how randomization to acceptance or rejection by online “virtual” peers influenced multiple dimensions of self-regulation in a multisite community sample of 273 adolescents aged 16–17 years. Compared to a neutral condition, exposure to peers produced increases in cold cognitive control, but decreased hot cognitive control. Relative to peer acceptance, peer rejection reduced distress tolerance and increased sensitivity to losses. These findings suggest that different dimensions of adolescent self-regulation are influenced by the nature of the peer context: basic cognitive functions are altered by mere exposure to peers, whereas more complex decision making and emotion regulation processes are influenced primarily by the quality of that exposure.
Patient perception matters in weight management
Authors: Croghan Ivana T. , Huber Jill M. , Hurt Ryan T. , Schroeder Darrell R. , Wieland Mark L. , Rutten Lila J. , Ebbert Jon O.
Published: November 2017

In a survey of 471 patients, we collected self-reported weight and height data and asked about self-perceptions of provider support toward weight loss and other weight management concerns. Multivariable analysis found that respondents with higher body mass index (BMI) were more likely to report that a physician had told them that they were overweight (OR=3.49, 95% CI 2.06–5.89, P<0.001). However, this conversation was less likely to change their personal view of their weight (OR=0.62 per 5 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.45–0.86, P=0.004), or motivate them to lose weight (OR=0.67 per 5 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.50–0.91, P=0.009). Higher BMI was associated with higher weight-loss goals (P<0.001), while anticipated time to achieve those goals was increased (P<0.001). Physician involvement in weight management was important, but the patients’ needs and experiences differed by BMI. Approaches to addressing barriers and identifying resources for weight management should be tailored to individuals by considering BMI.
BAPTISMS BY BLOOD, FIRE, AND WATER A TYPOLOGICAL REREADING OF THEPASSIO S. MARGARETAE
Authors: GROGAN MARIE SCHILLING
Published: November 2017

A typological reading allows us to see that Margaret's early-medieval Latinpassio, the Mombritius version upon which most later vernacular versions of her popular legend ultimately drew, is a tightly structured figural meditation on the theme of baptism and the sacraments of initiation. Examination of the prayers, the liturgically allusive gestures, and the symbolic elements of the whole narrative reveals a powerful female figure who “presides” over her own ordeal and with her prayers transforms the instruments of torture into baptisms by blood, fire, and water. This narrative's deep structure may offer further insight into Margaret's appeal as a patroness of childbirth.
ALFONSO PECHA'S TREATISE ON THE ORIGINS OF THE GREAT SCHISM: WHAT AN INSIDER “SAW AND HEARD”
Authors: LERNER ROBERT E.
Published: November 2017

TheConscriptioof Alfonso Pecha that treats the origins of the Great Schism of the West has not attracted the attention it deserves. Alfonso Pecha was the confessor and trusted familiar of Cardinal Pedro de Luna at the time of the outbreak of the Schism and was well located to be minutely informed of events surrounding the fateful conclave of April 1378. Hence his detailed narrative, albeit explicitly written to promote the cause of Urban VI, is a very valuable source. Aside from recounting numerous lively conversations and depicting vivid scenes, it contains a report of a hitherto unknown mission in the summer of 1378 to King Charles V of France that probably resulted in emboldening the cardinals to break unanimously with Urban in a new election. Moreover, the Schism narrative constitutes only one of three parts of Alfonso'sConscriptio: the other two seek to prove Urban VI's legitimacy by means of supernatural visions and confirmations from canon law. By the analysis of diverse evidence the conclusion is reached that Alfonso Pecha composed theConscriptioin Genoa in 1386. The work was published by Franz Bliemetzrieder in 1909 on the basis of a single manuscript located in Basel. The present study with appended edition draws on a second complete manuscript copy located in Prague, particularly important for revealing the identity of the dedicatee, a councilor of Giangaleazzo Visconti. It also draws on a small portion of the text from a manuscript in Uppsala.
Job Satisfaction Among Mental Health Workers
Authors: O’Brien William H. , Goetz Paul W. , McCarren Heather , Delaney Eileen , Morrison William F. , Watford Tanya S. , Horan Kristin A.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Work characteristics such as job satisfaction have been associated with mental and physical health outcomes in several cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. However, meta-analytic reviews indicate that nearly all of the reported relationships between these two sets of constructs rely on self-report measures. Thus, the magnitude of the reported relationships may be inaccurate and inflated due to common method variance (mono-method bias) and negative affectivity. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is an objective measure of risk for adverse mental health and physical health outcomes. To our knowledge, there has been no investigation of the relationship between job satisfaction and respiratory sinus arrhythmia. In this investigation, 29 workers in mental health settings who experience higher than average levels of work stress due to the amount and unpredictability of workload completed sociodemographic measures and a job satisfaction measure. RSA was then collected during a resting baseline, a worry induction stressor condition where they were instructed to think about work stressors, and a post-stress recovery condition. RSA reactivity to the stressor was significantly greater for participants with low job satisfaction. The low job satisfaction participants also demonstrated less RSA recovery after the stressor ended. Alternatively, participants with higher job satisfaction reacted less and recovered more completely from the stressor.
Neural Correlates of Empathy for Physical and Psychological Pain
Authors: Flasbeck Vera , Brüne Martin
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Empathy is known as the ability to share and understand someone else’s feelings. Previous research has either addressed the neural correlates of empathy for pain or social exclusion, but no study has examined empathy for physical and psychological (social) pain simultaneously. Forty-seven participants completed our novel “Social Interaction Empathy Task” during electroencephalogram (EEG) recording. Participants had to observe and rate the intensity of physical and psychological pain in social interactions from a first- and third-person perspective. At the behavioral level, subjects did not differentiate between the perspectives and rated physically painful scenarios as more painful than psychologically painful and neutral interactions. Psychologically painful pictures were also rated as more painful than neutral pictures. Analysis of event-related potentials (ERPs) revealed an early and a late response with a higher ERP response to physical and psychological pain compared to neutral interactions. Moreover, a significant difference emerged between the two dimensions of painful interactions. Furthermore, we found that the activity over frontal regions for discrimination of painful interactions was lateralized to the right hemisphere. Moreover, we detected significant correlations with the self-rated perspective taking ability. This suggests the psychological and physical pain qualities are processed differently but both are related to empathic traits. We further suggest that the right hemisphere may be specifically involved in the processing of empathy-related tasks.
Publisher Correction: Invisible Trojan-horse attack
Authors: Sajeed Shihan , Minshull Carter , Jain Nitin , Makarov Vadim
Published: November 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Anomalous Growth Rate of Ag Nanocrystals Revealed by in situ STEM
Authors: Ge Mingyuan , Lu Ming , Chu Yong , Xin Huolin
Published: November 2017

In situ microscopy of colloidal nanocrystal growth offers a unique opportunity to acquire direct and straightforward data for assessing classical growth models. Here, we observe the growth trajectories of individual Ag nanoparticles in solution using in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy. For the first time, we provide experimental evidence of growth rates of Ag nanoparticles in the presence of Pt in solution that are significantly faster than predicted by Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory. We attribute these observed anomalous growth rates to the synergistic effects of the catalytic properties of Pt and the electron beam itself. Transiently reduced Pt atoms serve as active sites for Ag ions to grow, thereby playing a key role in controlling the growth kinetics. Electron beam illumination greatly increases the local concentration of free radicals, thereby strongly influencing particle growth rate and the resulting particle morphology. Through a systematic investigation, we demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing these synergistic effects for controlling the growth rates and particle morphologies at the nanoscale. Our findings not only expand the current scope of crystal growth theory, but may also lead to a broader scientific application of nanocrystal synthesis.
Evaluating the effect of Clostridium difficile conditioned medium on fecal microbiota community structure
Authors: Horvat Sabina , Mahnic Aleksander , Breskvar Martin , Dzeroski Saso , Rupnik Maja
Published: November 2017

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is typically associated with disturbed gut microbiota and changes related to decreased colonization resistance against C. difficile are well described. However, nothing is known about possible effects of C. difficile on gut microbiota restoration during or after CDI. In this study, we have mimicked such a situation by using C. difficile conditioned medium of six different C. difficile strains belonging to PCR ribotypes 027 and 014/020 for cultivation of fecal microbiota. A marked decrease of microbial diversity was observed in conditioned medium of both tested ribotypes. The majority of differences occurred within the phylum Firmicutes, with a general decrease of gut commensals with putative protective functions (i.e. Lactobacillus, Clostridium_XIVa) and an increase in opportunistic pathogens (i.e. Enterococcus). Bacterial populations in conditioned medium differed between the two C. difficile ribotypes, 027 and 014/020 and are likely associated with nutrient availability. Fecal microbiota cultivated in medium conditioned by E. coli, Salmonella Enteritidis or Staphylococcus epidermidis grouped together and was clearly different from microbiota cultivated in C. difficile conditioned medium suggesting that C. difficile effects are specific. Our results show that the changes observed in microbiota of CDI patients are partially directly influenced by C. difficile.
Pseudotrichonympha leei, Pseudotrichonympha lifesoni, and Pseudotrichonympha pearti, new species of parabasalian flagellates and the description of a rotating subcellular structure
Authors: del Campo Javier , James Erick R. , Hirakawa Yoshihisa , Fiorito Rebecca , Kolisko Martin , Irwin Nicholas A. T. , Mathur Varsha , Boscaro Vittorio , Hehenberger Elisabeth , Karnkowska Anna , Scheffrahn Rudolf H. , Keeling Patrick J.
Published: November 2017

Pseudotrichonympha is a large and structurally complex genus of parabasalian protists that play a key role in the digestion of lignocellulose in the termite hindgut. Like many termite symbionts, it has a conspicuous body plan that makes genus-level identification relatively easy, but species-level diversity of Pseudotrichonympha is understudied. Molecular surveys have suggested the diversity is much greater than the current number of described species, and that many “species” described in multiple hosts are in fact different, but gene sequences from formally described species remain a rarity. Here we describe three new species from Coptotermes and Prorhinotermes hosts, including small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) sequences from single cells. Based on host identification by morphology and DNA barcoding, as well as the morphology and phylogenetic position of each symbiont, all three represent new Pseudotrichonympha species: P. leei, P. lifesoni, and P. pearti. Pseudotrichonympha leei and P. lifesoni, both from Coptotermes, are closely related to other Coptotermes symbionts including the type species, P. hertwigi. Pseudotrichonympha pearti is the outlier of the trio, more distantly related to P. leei and P. lifesoni than they are to one another, and contains unique features, including an unusual rotating intracellular structure of unknown function.
Molecular variation of tomato yellow leaf curl virus in the insect vector Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Yang Xiuling , Wang Bi , Luan Junbo , Xie Yan , Liu Shusheng , Zhou Xueping
Published: November 2017

Insect vectors play significant roles in geminivirus spread and evolution in nature. To date little is known about the population dynamics of begomoviruses in their insect vector Bemisia tabaci. In this study we analyzed the genetic variation of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in its host plant, Solanum lycopersicum, in its transmission vector B. tabaci raised on TYLCV-infected S. lycopersicum plants, and in B. tabaci after being transferred from S. lycopersicum to Gossypium hirsutum. We found that the levels of variability of TYLCV remained stable in S. lycopersicum plants, but increased significantly in both invasive and indigenous species of B. tabaci. We also presented evidence that the elevated mutation frequencies in TYLCV populations from vector whiteflies were caused mainly by mutations that occurred at several distinct sites within the TYLCV genome. Simultaneous introduction of mutations in the hot spots did not affect the ability of TYLCV to be transmitted by B. tabaci, but reduced its pathogenicity in both S. lycopersicum and Nicotiana benthamiana. Our findings provide new information on population variability of TYLCV in its insect vector, extending the knowledge of the influence of insect vector on plant virus population dynamics.
Quantum algorithm for preparing the ground state of a system via resonance transition
Authors: Wang Hefeng
Published: November 2017

Preparing the ground state of a system is an important task in physics. We propose a quantum algorithm for preparing the ground state of a physical system that can be simulated on a quantum computer. The system is coupled to an ancillary qubit, by introducing a resonance mechanism between the ancilla qubit and the system, and combined with measurements performed on the ancilla qubit, the system can be evolved to monotonically converge to its ground state through an iterative procedure. We have simulated the application of this algorithm for the Afflect-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki model, whose ground state can be used as resource state in one-way quantum computation.
Alpha-helicoidal HEAT-like Repeat Proteins (αRep) Selected as Interactors of HIV-1 Nucleocapsid Negatively Interfere with Viral Genome Packaging and Virus Maturation
Authors: Hadpech Sudarat , Nangola Sawitree , Chupradit Koollawat , Fanhchaksai Kanda , Furnon Wilhelm , Urvoas Agathe , Valerio-Lepiniec Marie , Minard Philippe , Boulanger Pierre , Hong Saw-See , Tayapiwatana Chatchai
Published: November 2017

A new generation of artificial proteins, derived from alpha-helicoidal HEAT-like repeat protein scaffolds (αRep), was previously characterized as an effective source of intracellular interfering proteins. In this work, a phage-displayed library of αRep was screened on a region of HIV-1 Gag polyprotein encompassing the C-terminal domain of the capsid, the SP1 linker and the nucleocapsid. This region is known to be essential for the late steps of HIV-1 life cycle, Gag oligomerization, viral genome packaging and the last cleavage step of Gag, leading to mature, infectious virions. Two strong αRep binders were isolated from the screen, αRep4E3 (32 kDa; 7 internal repeats) and αRep9A8 (28 kDa; 6 internal repeats). Their antiviral activity against HIV-1 was evaluated in VLP-producer cells and in human SupT1 cells challenged with HIV-1. Both αRep4E3 and αRep9A8 showed a modest but significant antiviral effects in all bioassays and cell systems tested. They did not prevent the proviral integration reaction, but negatively interfered with late steps of the HIV-1 life cycle: αRep4E3 blocked the viral genome packaging, whereas αRep9A8 altered both virus maturation and genome packaging. Interestingly, SupT1 cells stably expressing αRep9A8 acquired long-term resistance to HIV-1, implying that αRep proteins can act as antiviral restriction-like factors.
Greatly enhanced light emission of MoS2 using photonic crystal heterojunction
Authors: Liu Jiang-Tao , Tong Hong , Wu Zhen-Hua , Huang Jin-Bao , Zhou Yun-Song
Published: November 2017

We present theoretical study on developing a one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystal heterojunction (h-PhC) that consists of a monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) structure. By employing the transfer matrix method, we obtained the analytical solution of the light absorption and emission of two-dimensional materials in 1D h-PhC. Simultaneously enhancing the light absorption and emission of the medium in multiple frequency ranges is easy as h-PhC has more modes of photon localization than the common photonic crystal. Our numerical results demonstrate that the proposed 1D h-PhC can simultaneously enhance the light absorption and emission of MoS2 and enhance the photoluminescence spectrum of MoS2 by 2–3 orders of magnitude.
Combined inhibition of MEK and nuclear ERK translocation has synergistic antitumor activity in melanoma cells
Authors: Arafeh Rand , Flores Karen , Keren-Paz Alona , Maik-Rachline Galia , Gutkind Naomi , Rosenberg Steven , Seger Rony , Samuels Yardena
Published: November 2017

Genetic alterations in BRAF, NRAS and NF1 that activate the ERK cascade, account for over 80% of metastatic melanomas. However, ERK cascade inhibitors have been proven beneficial almost exclusively for BRAF mutant melanomas. One of the hallmarks of the ERK cascade is the nuclear translocation of ERK1/2, which is important mainly for the induction of proliferation. This translocation can be inhibited by the NTS-derived peptide (EPE) that blocks the ERK1/2-importin7 interaction, inhibits the nuclear translocation of ERK1/2, and arrests active ERK1/2 in the cytoplasm. In this study, we found that the EPE peptide significantly reduced the viability of not only BRAF, but also several NRAS and NF1 mutant melanomas. Importantly, combination of the EPE peptide and trametinib showed synergy in reducing the viability of some NRAS mutant melanomas, an effect driven by the partial preservation of negative feedback loops. The same combination significantly reduced the viability of other melanoma cells, including those resistant to mono-treatment with EPE peptide and ERK cascade inhibitors. Our study indicates that targeting the nuclear translocation of ERK1/2, in combination with MEK inhibitors can be used for the treatment of different mutant melanomas.
A large and distinct skin impression on the cast of a sauropod dinosaur footprint from Early Cretaceous floodplain deposits, Korea
Authors: Paik In Sung , Kim Hyun Joo , Lee Hoil , Kim Seongyeong
Published: November 2017

The occurrence and features of skin impressions in a sauropod footprint, the largest (>50 cm in diameter) reported to date for this taxon, from the Lower Cretaceous Haman Formation (Albian) in Korea are described, and its preservation and paleoenvironmental implications are interpreted. The skin impression-bearing deposits are floodplain sediments formed by sheetflood processes. The large impression is preserved in silty mudstone with microbial lenses and wisps overlying a planar- to cross-laminated and fine-grained sandstone to siltstone bed. The paleoenvironment of the skin impression-bearing deposits is interpreted as a saline sandflat to mudflat where microbial mats can form around lakes or ponds under semi-arid paleoclimatic conditions with alternating wetting and drying intervals. These paleoenvironmental conditions would have permitted the distinct preservation of skin impressions in a dinosaur footprint. The observations here suggest that some sauropod dinosaurs in the Cretaceous had a well-developed polygonal skin texture covering nearly the whole of their foot pads, as seen in modern elephants, which would increase stability when walking on muddy and wet ground.
The E. coli dicarboxylic acid transporters DauA act as a signal transducer by interacting with the DctA uptake system
Authors: Karinou Eleni , Hoskisson Paul A. , Strecker Alexander , Unden Gottfried , Javelle Arnaud
Published: November 2017

The Slc26A/SulP family of ions transporter is ubiquitous and widpsread in all kingdon of life. In E. coli, we have demonstrated that the Slc26 protein DauA is a C4-dicarboxilic acids (C4-diC) transporter active at acidic pH. The main C4-diC transporter active at pH7 is DctA and is induced by C4-diC via the DcuS/R two component system. DctA interacts with DcuS, the membrane embedded histidine kinase, to transfers DcuS to the responsive state, i.e. in the absence of DctA, DcuS is permanently “on”, but its activity is C4-diC-dependent when in complex with DctA. Using phenotypic characterization, transport assays and protein expression studies, we show that at pH7 full DctA production depends on the presence of DauA. A Bacterial Two Hybrid system indicates that DauA and the sensor complex DctA/DcuS physically interact at the membrane. Pull down experiments completed by co-purification study prove that DauA and DctA interact physically at the membrane. These data open a completely new aspect of the C4-diC metabolism in E. coli and reveals how the bacterial Slc26A uptake systems participate in multiple cellular functions. This constitutes a new example of a bacterial transporter that acts as a processor in a transduction pathway.
Transport and Association of Ions in Lithium Battery Electrolytes Based on Glycol Ether Mixed with Halogen-Free Orthoborate Ionic Liquid
Authors: Shah Faiz Ullah , Gnezdilov Oleg I. , Gusain Rashi , Filippov Andrei
Published: November 2017

Ion transport behaviour of halogen-free hybrid electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries based on phosphonium bis(salicylato)borate [P4,4,4,8][BScB] ionic liquid mixed with diethylene glycol dibutyl ether (DEGDBE) is investigated. The Li[BScB] salt is dissolved at different concentrations in the range from 0.15 mol kg−1to 1.0 mol kg−1in a mixture of [P4,4,4,8][BScB] and DEGDBE in 1:5 molar ratio. The ion transport properties of the resulting electrolytes are investigated using viscosity, electrical impedance spectroscopy and pulsed-Field Gradient (PFG) NMR. The apparent transfer numbers of ions are calculated from the diffusion coefficients measured by using PFG NMR. PFG NMR data suggested ion association upon addition of Li salt to the [P4,4,4,8][BScB] in DEGDBE solution. This is further confirmed by liquid state7Li and11B NMR, and FTIR spectroscopic techniques, which suggest strong interactions between the lithium cation and oxygen atoms of the [BScB]−anion in the hybrid electrolytes.
Detectability of Breast Tumor by a Hand-held Impulse-Radar Detector: Performance Evaluation and Pilot Clinical Study
Authors: Song Hang , Sasada Shinsuke , Kadoya Takayuki , Okada Morihito , Arihiro Koji , Xiao Xia , Kikkawa Takamaro
Published: November 2017

In this report, a hand-held impulse-radar breast cancer detector is presented and the detectability of malignant breast tumors is demonstrated in the clinical test at Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan. The core functional parts of the detector consist of 65-nm technology complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuits covering the ultrawideband width from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz, which enable the generation and transmission of Gaussian monocycle pulse (GMP) with the pulse width of 160 ps and single port eight throw (SP8T) switching matrices for controlling the combination of 4 × 4 cross-shaped dome antenna array. The detector is designed to be placed on the breast with the patient in the supine position. The detectability of malignant tumors is confirmed in excised breast tissues after total mastectomy surgery. The three-dimensional positions of the tumors in the imaging results are consistent with the results of histopathology analysis. The clinical tests are conducted by a clinical doctor for five patients at the hospital. The malignant tumors include invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The final confocal imaging results are consistent with those of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), demonstrating the feasibility of the hand-held impulse-radar detector for malignant breast tumors.
Activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response promotes longevity and dopamine neuron survival in Parkinson’s disease models
Authors: Cooper Jason F. , Machiela Emily , Dues Dylan J. , Spielbauer Katie K. , Senchuk Megan M. , Van Raamsdonk Jeremy M.
Published: November 2017

While the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is incompletely understood, mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a crucial role in disease pathogenesis. Here, we examined the relationship between mitochondrial function and dopamine neuron dysfunction and death using C. elegans mutants for three mitochondria-related genes implicated in monogenic PD (pdr-1/PRKN, pink-1/PINK1 and djr-1.1/DJ-1). We found that pdr-1 and pink-1 mutants exhibit deficits in dopamine-dependent behaviors, but no loss of dopamine neurons, while djr-1.1 mutants showed an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. In examining mitochondrial morphology and function, we found that djr-1.1 mutants exhibit increased mitochondrial fragmentation leading to decreased rate of oxidative phosphorylation and ATP levels. pdr-1 and pink-1 mutants show an accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria with age, which leads to activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mitoUPR). Preventing the upregulation of the mitoUPR with a deletion in atfs-1 results in decreased lifespan and dopamine neuronal loss in pdr-1 and pink-1 mutants but not in wild-type worms. Overall, our results suggest that mutations in pdr-1 and pink-1 cause the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, which activates the mitoUPR to mitigate the detrimental effect of these mutations on dopamine neuron survival.