bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Normal sensorimotor plasticity in complex regional pain syndrome with fixed posture of the hand
Authors: Morgante Francesca , Naro Antonino , Terranova Carmen , Russo Margherita , Rizzo Vincenzo , Risitano Giovanni , Girlanda Paolo , Quartarone Angelo
Published: November 2016

Background

Movement disorders associated with complex regional pain syndrome type I have been a subject of controversy over the last 10 years regarding their nature and pathophysiology, with an intense debate about the functional (psychogenic) nature of this disorder. The aim of this study was to test sensorimotor plasticity and cortical excitability in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I who developed a fixed posture of the hand.

Methods

Ten patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I in the right upper limb and a fixed posture of the hand (disease duration less than 24 months) and 10 age‐matched healthy subjects were enrolled. The following parameters of corticospinal excitability were recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis muscle of both hands by transcranial magnetic stimulation: resting and active motor thresholds, short‐interval intracortical inhibition and facilitation, cortical silent period, and short‐ and long‐latency afferent inhibition. Sensorimotor plasticity was tested using the paired associative stimulation protocol.

Results

Short‐interval intracortical inhibition and long‐latency afferent inhibition were reduced only in the affected right hand of patients compared with control subjects. Sensorimotor plasticity was comparable to normal subjects, with a preserved topographic specificity.

Conclusions

Our data support the view that motor disorder in complex regional pain syndrome type I is not associated with abnormal sensorimotor plasticity, and it shares pathophysiological abnormalities with functional (psychogenic) dystonia rather than with idiopathic dystonia. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Adaptive Fourier decomposition‐based Dirac type time‐frequency distribution
Authors: Zhang Liming , Qian Tao , Mai Weixiong , Dang Pei
Published: November 2016

The Dirac‐type time‐frequency distribution (TFD), regarded as ideal TFD, has long been desired. It, until the present time, cannot be implemented, due to the fact that there has been no appropriate representation of signals leading to such TFD. Instead, people have been developing other types of TFD, including the Wigner and the windowed Fourier transform types. This paper promotes a practical passage leading to a Dirac‐type TFD. Based on the proposed function decomposition method, viz., adaptive Fourier decomposition, we establish a rigorous and practical Dirac‐type TFD theory. We do follow the route of analytic signal representation of signals founded and developed by Garbo, Ville, Cohen, Boashash, Picinbono, and others. The difference, however, is that our treatment is theoretically throughout and rigorous. To well illustrate the new theory and the related TFD, we include several examples and experiments of which some are in comparison with the most commonly used TFDs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling diffusion of intracellular metabolites in the mouse brain up to very high diffusion‐weighting: Diffusion in long fibers (almost) accounts for non‐monoexponential attenuation
Authors: Palombo Marco , Ligneul Clemence , Valette Julien
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To investigate how intracellular metabolites diffusion measured in vivo up to very high q/b in the mouse brain can be explained in terms of simple geometries.

Methods

10 mice were scanned using our new STE‐LASER sequence, at 11.7 Tesla (T), up to qmax = 1 μm−1 at diffusion time td = 63.2 ms, corresponding to bmax = 60 ms/µm². We model cell fibers as randomly oriented cylinders, with radius a and intracellular diffusivity
, and fit experimental data as a function of q to estimate
and a.

Results

Randomly oriented cylinders account well for measured attenuation, giving fiber radii and
in the expected ranges (0.5–1.5 µm and 0.30–0.45 µm2/ms, respectively). The only exception is N‐acetyl‐aspartate (NAA) (extracted a∼0), which we show to be compatible with a small fraction of the NAA pool being confined in highly restricted compartments (with short T2).

Conclusion

The non‐monoexponential signal attenuation of intracellular metabolites in the mouse brain can be described by diffusion in long and thin cylinders, yielding realistic Dintra and fiber diameters. However, this simple model may require small “corrections” for NAA, in the form of a small fraction of the NAA signal originating from a highly restricted compartment. Magn Reson Med 77:343–350, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Security novel risk assessment framework based on reversible metrics: a case study of DDoS attacks on an E‐commerce web server
Authors: Karoui Kamel
Published: November 2016

Network security management is a complex and costly task. This is due to the diversity and the large number of assets to protect from potential threats. It is difficult for enterprises to ensure complete security of their information technology resources. They need to give priority to critical and vulnerable assets. Thus, for each asset, they assess the risks associated with various threats. Then, depending on risk level, they can decide which asset needs a particular security treatment. In this paper, we propose a novel risk assessment framework based on a set of reversible metrics. It is based on new metrics for the likelihood and impact parameters. These metrics have as a primary objective to solve the problem of weighting the risk factors that lead to different risk values. The proposed metrics are classified and aggregated to provide a unique risk metric. We are using a new bitwise method for aggregating called ‘bit alternation’. This method ensures the reversibility of the likelihood and impact metrics. It has many advantages: unifying metrics, diagnosing the cause of high risks, comparing the values of the risk calculated with different weighting strategies, exchanging standard risk values, etc. To illustrate our method, we have applied it to assess risks of some distributed denial of service attacks for an e‐commerce enterprise that wants to see the level of security of its retail web server. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our results, we have compared them with those obtained by the weighted average method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
System Reliability Optimization Using Gray Wolf Optimizer Algorithm
Authors: Kumar Anuj , Pant Sangeeta , Ram Mangey
Published: November 2016

For the past two decades, nature‐inspired optimization algorithms have gained enormous popularity among the researchers. On the other hand, complex system reliability optimization problems, which are nonlinear programming problems in nature, are proved to be non‐deterministic polynomial‐time hard (NP‐hard) from a computational point of view. In this work, few complex reliability optimization problems are solved by using a very recent nature‐inspired metaheuristic called gray wolf optimizer (GWO) algorithm. GWO mimics the chasing, hunting, and the hierarchal behavior of gray wolves. The results obtained by GWO are compared with those of some recent and popular metaheuristic such as the cuckoo search algorithm, particle swarm optimization, ant colony optimization, and simulated annealing. This comparative study shows that the results obtained by GWO are either superior or competitive to the results that have been obtained by these well‐known metaheuristic mentioned earlier. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developing a coherent narrative for conserving freshwater and wetland habitats: experiences in the UK
Authors: Mainstone Chris P.
Published: November 2016

The interface between biodiversity and water management (i.e., conserving freshwater and wetland biodiversity) is a complex area in which to operate. The clash of decision‐making cultures arising from the separate evolution of biodiversity and water legislation and policy creates tensions that are not easily resolved. The complexity of the human pressures and stresses acting on freshwater and wetland ecosystems, and the multiplicity of specialisms and stakeholders required to address them, increase the challenges of working at this interface. There are therefore many people who need to have a common view of what we as a society are trying to achieve for freshwater ecosystems, and how each interested party best contributes to achieving this. There is a critical need for an ecological narrative that cuts through the legislative, operational, and technical complexity, providing a rationale for how biodiversity and water management can work together to achieve their respective objectives. Narratives provide an important function in circumstances where cultural mindsets drive decision making. They encourage decision making to be approached from a more holistic and strategic perspective without attempting to prescribe the outcome at a local level. The concept of natural ecosystem function provides a common language within which biodiversity and water objectives can be framed, and a coherent narrative has been developed in England with this concept at its heart. Allowing water to move through catchments as naturally as possible, in the most natural condition possible, lies at the heart of both biodiversity‐ and water‐based aspirations for freshwater and wetland ecosystems. WIREs Water 2017, 4:e1189. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1189

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems

Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems
Completely Thoracoscopic Diaphragmatic Plication
Authors: Kocher Gregor J. , Zehnder Adrian , Schmid Ralph A.
Published: November 2016

Background

Thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication for diaphragmatic paralysis with consecutive eventration and respiratory compromise is a desirable alternative to standard thoracotomy. Since minimally invasive techniques usually involve suturing of the diaphragm, most surgeons use a video‐assisted approach with a minithoracotomy. Herein we describe our completely thoracoscopic technique for diaphragmatic plication including outcome.

Methods

We present our technique and experience for completely thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication for the treatment of symptomatic diaphragmatic paralysis in six consecutive patients. The surgical technique basically consisted of stapling of the abundant diaphragm and reinforcement of the staple line using a self‐locking thread. Primary outcome measure was the postoperative result (flattened diaphragm) and resolution of symptoms. Secondary outcome was improvement of lung function values 3 months after surgery.

Results

Between June 2015 and March 2016, six patients have been operated for symptomatic diaphragmatic paralysis, with one of them suffering from additional transdiaphragmatic hernia. Flattening of the diaphragm was achieved in all 6 patients with resolution of their pre‐existing symptoms within days after surgery and without any surgical complications. Lung function volumes measured 3 months postoperative improved markedly with an increase in FEV1 as well as FVC of 540 ml (SD ± 193 ml) and 776 ml (SD ± 121 ml), respectively.

Conclusions

In our experience, the presented technique is a safe and simple minimally invasive way to perform a completely thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication with excellent results so far.
Translating crustacean biological responses from CO2 bubbling experiments into population‐level predictions
Authors: Grear Jason S.
Published: November 2016

Many studies of animal responses to ocean acidification focus on uniformly conditioned age cohorts that lack complexities typically found in wild populations. These studies have become the primary data source for predicting higher level ecological effects, but the roles of intraspecific interactions in re‐shaping biological, demographic and evolutionary responses are not commonly considered. To explore this problem, I assessed responses in the mysid Americamysis bahia to bubbling of CO2‐enriched and un‐enriched air into the seawater supply in flow‐through aquariums. I conducted one experiment using isolated age cohorts and a separate experiment using intact populations. The seawater supply was continuously input from Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island, USA). The 28‐day cohort study was maintained without resource or spatial limitations, whereas the 5‐month population study consisted of stage‐structured populations that were allowed to self‐regulate. These differences are common features of experiments and were intentionally retained to demonstrate the effect of methodological approaches on perceptions of effect mechanisms. The CO2 treatment reduced neonate abundance in the cohort experiment (24% reduction due to a mean pH difference of −0.27) but not in the population experiment, where effects were small and were strongest for adult and stage 1 survival (3% change due to a mean pH difference of −0.25). I also found evidence of competition in the population experiment, further complicating relationships with cohort experiments. These results point to limitations of standard cohort tests. Such experiments should be complimented by studies of intact populations where responses may be affected by evolution, acclimation, and competition.
Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of an Internet Support Group for Parents of a Child with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: a Pilot Study
Authors: Martin S. , Roderick M. C. , Lockridge R. , Toledo‐Tamula M. A. , Baldwin A. , Knight P. , Wolters P.
Published: November 2016

This pilot study investigated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an Internet Support Group (ISG) for parents of children with NF1. Eligible parents were recruited by email and completed baseline questionnaires assessing social support, self‐efficacy, depression, and anxiety. The ISG involved eight weekly 90‐min chat sessions and a discussion forum open 24 h/day for 8 weeks. Follow‐up measures were completed immediately post‐intervention and 3 months later. Parents from 33 families (29 mothers, 4 fathers) completed baseline measures. Over half of parents (52 %) rated their child's disease severity as mild, 33 % moderate, and 15 % severe. Among 21 parents who completed post‐intervention measures, ratings of perceived emotional (p = .0008) and informational (p = .0003) support increased. There were no significant changes in self‐efficacy, depression, or anxiety (ps > .05). The mean satisfaction rating was moderately high (7.6/10; range 4–10). Some parents commented that the chat sessions were at inconvenient times, which may have limited participation. Preliminary evidence in this small sample of parents suggests that ISGs may be a feasible and potentially efficacious method of providing support to parents of children with NF1. Having multiple weekly chat sessions held at various days and times may improve accessibility and participation. Clinicians are encouraged to help parents access online support resources.
From Dreams to Reality: The Challenges of Italy's Five Star Movement
Authors: Movarelli Margherita
Published: November 2016

Since its birth in 2009, the Five Star Movement has achieved incredible growth, accompanied by important electoral successes. This has resulted in concrete responsibilities and influential positions in the system. Grillo's movement was born as an anti-system and populist force with interesting peculiarities, and the main challenge it is now facing is to prove itself able to govern and to transform problems into solutions. So far the promised revolution has not taken place: a mixture of inexperience, internal divisions, scandals and contradictions has already damaged the image of the movement, which is facing many challenges and a difficult transition. The evolution of the Five Star Movement shows all the weaknesses of populist movements facing reality. The best strategy to confront them is to ensure that all their contradictions emerge and, at the same time, to regain the citizens’ trust by providing credible solutions to their problems.
Facies Analysis and Depositional Model of Late Permian Raniganj Formation: Study from Raniganj Coal Bed Methane Block
Authors: Sen Souvik , Das Nayani , Maiti Dipanjan
Published: November 2016

The Raniganj Formation (late Permian) forms the uppermost economic coal-bearing unit of the Gondwana succession. The dominant facies interpreted from analysis of cores from the Raniganj formation are classified as Sandstone dominated facies, Sandstone - shale heterolith facies, Shale facies and Coal facies. The natural Gamma response of Raniganj Formation shows predominance of repetitive fining upwards cycles. Integration of core analysis and geophysical log data of the Raniganj formation indicates meandering fluvial environment. The lower part of Raniganj Formation is channel dominated which corresponds to thick amalgamated sand bodies while the upper part represent overbank shows predominance of channel avulsion indicating a gradual change in accommodation space. Five major fining upward depositional sequences, bounded by sub-aerial unconformities (sequence boundaries) have been dentified in Raniganj formation, based on changes in depositional style that are correlated regionally. Each sequence comprises of Low accommodation system tract (LAST) at base and high accommodation system tract (HAST) at top. LAST is characterized by vertically stacked, multistory amalgamated channel sandstone dominated facies, while floodplain dominated facies characterize HAST. The coal seams deposited in LAST are thicker and relatively more continuous than the frequent thin seams of HAST. Such facies distribution study would be helpful for the development strategy for CBM blocks based on production priority.
Parental Divorce and Children’s Schooling in Rural Malawi
Authors: Chae Sophia
Published: November 2016

A growing body of literature has examined the impact of different types of family structures on children’s schooling in sub-Saharan Africa. These studies have investigated how living arrangements, gender of the household head, parental death, and paternal migration are related to schooling. Although many sub-Saharan African countries have high divorce rates, very few studies have explored the impact of parental divorce on children’s schooling. The present study uses three waves of data from the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH) to investigate the effect of parental divorce on children’s schooling and the possible mechanisms driving this relationship. Unlike prior studies, this study uses child-level fixed-effects models to control for selection into divorce. Results show that parental divorce is associated with lower grade attainment and a larger schooling gap, defined as the number of years a child is behind in school (among children currently attending school). Although no association exists between parental divorce and current school attendance, girls affected by divorce are significantly less likely to be attending school. Differences in economic resources, maternal coresidence, or maternal psychological well-being do not explain the relationship between parental divorce and children’s schooling.
Radiation-Independent Distal Locking Screw Insertion using Dual Nail Insertion Handle: Is It a Reliable Method?
Authors: Azim Foda Adel Abdel
Published: November 2016

Background

There are continuous trials to get radiation-independent distal locking to avoid the hazards of radiation exposure.

Patients and Methods

Thirty cases of diaphyseal tibial fractures were fixed with locked intramedullary nail. A new dual nail insertion handle was used for insertion of the locking screws from distal to proximal position.

Results

Success rate was much improved with extra reaming. Failure rate was 20%.

Conclusion

This technique is not reliable enough to replace the classic radiation-dependent free-hand technique. Further development of this idea is needed to get a perfect radiation-independent distal locking technique.
Insight and the Enlightenment: WhyEinsichtin Chapter Six of Hegel’sPhenomenology of Spirit?
Authors: Reid Jeffrey
Published: November 2016

Hegel uses the termEinsicht(‘insight’) throughout several key subsections of Chapter Six of thePhenomenology of Spirit(notably in ‘Faith and Pure Insight’ and ‘The Struggle of the Enlightenment with Superstition’). Nowhere else in his work does the term enjoy such a sustained treatment. Commentators generally accept Hegel’s use of the term in thePhenomenologyas simply referring to the type of counter-religious reasoning found in the French Enlightenment. I show how Hegel derives the term, through the lens of Kant’s essay, ‘What Does It Mean to Orient Oneself in Thinking?’ from thePantheismusstreit, the philosophical debate between Mendelssohn and Jacobi about knowledge of God. TheAufklärungprovenance ofEinsichtshows how a deep complicity between faith and reason, in the form of immediate knowing, leads beyond the Terror to a happier outcome in the Morality section. Finally, passing reference toEinsichtin theVorbegriffof theEncyclopaedia Logicconfirms its role in the ethical and political vocation of Hegel’s Science.
Improvement of Hand Hygiene Quality and Compliance Using Bioburden Measurement and Online Feedback in Germany
Authors: Günther Frank , Rudolph Kai , Frank Uwe , Mutters Nico T.
Published: November 2016

To improve compliance with hand hygiene, a novel method with inclusion of an online reporting system was developed, comprising measurement of total hand bioburden, anonymous online feedback, and onsite training. The intervention significantly improved both compliance and quality of hand hygiene and reduced Staphylococcus aureus incidence.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1–4
Status of the Prevention of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in International Settings: A Survey of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Research Network
Authors: Safdar Nasia , Sengupta Sharmila , Musuuza Jackson S. , Juthani-Mehta Manisha , Drees Marci , Abbo Lilian M , Milstone Aaron M. , Furuno Jon P. , Varman Meera , Anderson Deverick J. , Morgan Daniel J. , Miller Loren G. , Snyder Graham M. ,   the SHEA Research Committee
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

To examine self-reported practices and policies to reduce infection and transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) in healthcare settings outside the United States.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

PARTICIPANTS

International members of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Network.

METHODS

Electronic survey of infection control and prevention practices, capabilities, and barriers outside the United States and Canada. Participants were stratified according to their country’s economic development status as defined by the World Bank as low-income, lower-middle-income, upper-middle-income, and high-income.

RESULTS

A total of 76 respondents (33%) of 229 SHEA members outside the United States and Canada completed the survey questionnaire, representing 30 countries. Forty (53%) were high-, 33 (43%) were middle-, and 1 (1%) was a low-income country. Country data were missing for 2 respondents (3%). Of the 76 respondents, 64 (84%) reported having a formal or informal antibiotic stewardship program at their institution. High-income countries were more likely than middle-income countries to have existing MDRO policies (39/64 [61%] vs 25/64 [39%],P=.003) and to place patients with MDRO in contact precautions (40/72 [56%] vs 31/72 [44%],P=.05). Major barriers to preventing MDRO transmission included constrained resources (infrastructure, supplies, and trained staff) and challenges in changing provider behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

In this survey, a substantial proportion of institutions reported encountering barriers to implementing key MDRO prevention strategies. Interventions to address capacity building internationally are urgently needed. Data on the infection prevention practices of low income countries are needed.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol.2016:1–8
The impact of affect on organizational justice perceptions: A test of the affect infusion model
Authors: Mao Yina , Wong Chi-Sum , Tao Xiangnan , Jiang Chunyan
Published: November 2016

How individuals form justice perceptions has been a fundamental question for organizational justice research. While most researchers have treated justice perceptions as a result of deliberate cognitive processes, a limited number of studies have examined the role of affect in forming justice perceptions. Using the affect infusion model, we investigate the predictive role of affect in forming justice perceptions and consider two moderating contextual factors: personal relevance and group context. Two experimental studies, with a student sample and an employee sample, were conducted. Results confirm that participants in positive affective states perceived higher distributive and procedural justice than those in negative affective states. Moreover, personal relevance moderates the relationships between affect and both distributive and procedural justice perceptions, and the relationship is enhanced as the level of personal relevance increases. The results also suggest that group context constrains the influence of an individual participant’s affect on procedural justice.
AMS Radiocarbon Dates of Pyroclastic-Flow Deposits on the Southern Slope of the Kuju Volcanic Group, Kyushu, Japan
Authors: Okuno Mitsuru , Nagaoka Shinji , Saito-Kokubu Yoko , Nakamura Toshio , Kobayashi Tetsuo
Published: November 2016

The Kuju volcanic group, located in central Kyushu, Japan, consists of small stratovolcanoes and lava domes. To refine the eruptive history of the group, we conducted accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating of charcoal fragments from three pyroclastic-flow (PF) deposits on the southern slope. The obtained 14C dates are consistent with the geomorphology, stratigraphy, and thermoluminescence (TL) ages. The Handa PF deposits, which are products of the largest eruption of the group, were dated to ~53.5 ka BP. The Shirani and Muro PF deposits, which are block-and-ash flows, were dated to 44 to >50 cal ka BP and 35–39 cal ka BP, respectively. These ages can be correlated with TL ages for lava domes. This study demonstrates that the lava domes and associated PF deposits formed after the Handa eruption.
A post-weaning fish oil dietary intervention reverses adverse metabolic outcomes and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 expression in postnatal overfed rats
Authors: Dai Yanyan , Yang Fan , Zhou Nan , Sha Lijun , Zhou Shanshan , Wang Junle , Li Xiaonan
Published: November 2016

Early life is considered a critical period for determining long-term metabolic health. Postnatal over-nutrition may alter glucocorticoid (GC) metabolism and increase the risk of developing obesity and metabolic disorders in adulthood. Our aim was to assess the effects of the dose and timing of a fish oil diet on obesity and the expression of GC-activated enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD1) in postnatal overfed rats. Litter sizes were adjusted to three (small litter (SL)) or ten (normal litter) rats on postnatal day 3 to induce overfeeding or normal feeding. The SL rats were divided into three groups after weaning: high-dose fish oil (HFO), low-dose fish oil (LFO) and standard-diet groups. After 10 weeks, the HFO diet reduced body weight gain (16 %,P<0·05), improved glucose intolerance and decreased hyperlipaemia levels (P<0·05) in SL rats, but the LFO diet did not have any effect on the same rats. Moreover, we chose postnatal week 3 (W3), 6 (W6) and 8 (W8) as the intervention time points at which to begin the 10-week HFO diet, and found that the HFO diet improved glucose utilisation and lipid metabolism at all time points. However, body weight of SL rats was reversed to normal levels by the post-weaning intervention (461 (sem9·1)v. 450 (sem2·0)). 11β-HSD1 mRNA expression in the adipose tissue (49 (sem7·5)v. 161 (sem18·3),P<0·05) and hepatic tissue (11 (sem0·9)v. 16 (sem1·5),P<0·05) was decreased by the HFO diet at W3, but not at W6 or W8 (P>0·05). In conclusion, the post-weaning HFO diet could reverse adverse outcomes and decrease tissue GC activity in postnatal overfed rats.
Autecology, feeding preferences and reproductive biology ofChorthippus(Glyptobothrus)vagans(Eversmann, 1848) (Orthoptera: Gomphocerinae) in Mediterranean ecosystems
Authors: Cárdenas A.M. , Gallardo P. , Moyano L. , Presa J.J.
Published: November 2016

Chorthippus vagansis a common species of Gomphocerinae (Orthoptera) on the Iberian Peninsula. It is endangered in Central Europe where information about its ecological requirements is available; however, aspects of its biology are almost unknown in Mediterranean ecosystems, where it is widespread and common. The focus of this study was to determine howC. vagansadjusts its biology to environmental features of this ecosystem and to interpret how it may be affected by the ecological changes related to the re-vegetation programme linked to the construction of the Breña dam (SW Spain). The research parameters included the autoecology, feeding response and some aspects of reproduction of this species in the Southern Iberian Peninsula. To determine the local distribution and phenology ofC. vagans, monthly samplings were conducted (2007–2010) in 12 sampling plots. For the food selection tests, ten nymphs and ten adults were placed individually in insectaries under controlled conditions. Grasses (Loliumsp.) and shrubs (Cistussp.) were suppliedad libitumin two types of tests, monospecific and mixed diet. The reproductive biology was analysed by both observations of anatomical structures (integument, bristles, tibial spines, tarsal claws and mandibles) and ovarian dissections of 29 females and in laboratory rearing experiments with 15 pairs of adults. The results indicate thatC. vagansshows an extended activity period which peaks at the end of summer. It is a polyphagous grasshopper, although adults show a slight preference for grasses. In addition, it is a univoltine species with spring–summer breeding activity.
WOMEN AS DIVINERS AND AS CHRISTIAN CONVERTS IN RURAL SOUTH AFRICA, c. 1880–1963
Authors: REDDING SEAN
Published: November 2016

This article argues that rural South African women's importance as spiritual actors in the period from the late nineteenth through the mid-twentieth centuries stemmed from their ability to embrace hybrid spiritual identities that corresponded closely to the lived reality of African rural life, and that by embracing those identities, women expanded their roles as social healers. Professing a belief in Christianity did not prevent individuals from practicing as diviners, nor did it prevent Christians from consulting diviners to determine the causes of death or misfortune. Similarly, young women who converted to Christianity often maintained close ties to non-Christian families and bridged spiritual lives on the mission stations with life in their families. Over this time period, women became cultural mediators who borrowed, adopted, and combined spiritual beliefs to provide more complete answers to problems faced by rural African families in South Africa.
THE IRON AGE IN WEST CENTRAL AFRICA: RADIOCARBON DATES FROM CORISCO ISLAND (EQUATORIAL GUINEA)
Authors: SÁNCHEZ-ELIPE LORENTE MANUEL , GONZÁLEZ-RUIBAL ALFREDO , JORDÁ PARDO JESÚS F. , MARÍN SUÁREZ CARLOS
Published: November 2016

Over the last few decades the number of radiocarbon dates available for West Central Africa has increased substantially, even though it is still meagre compared with other areas of the continent. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the Iron Age of this area we present and analyze a total of 22 radiocarbon dates obtained from sites from the island of Corisco (Equatorial Guinea). By comparing them with those from Equatorial Guinea, southern Cameroon, and coastal Gabon and Congo we intend to clarify the picture of the West Central African Iron Age and propose a more accurate archaeological sequence.
BIRTH ORDER AND ANDROPHILIC MALE-TO-FEMALE TRANSSEXUALISM IN BRAZIL
Authors: Vanderlaan Doug P. , Blanchard Ray , Zucker Kenneth J. , Massuda Raffael , Fontanari Anna Martha Vaitses , Borba André Oliveira , Costa Angelo Bradelli , Schneider Maiko Abel , Mueller Andressa , Soll Bianca Machado Borba , Schwarz Karine , Da Silva Dhiordan Cardoso , Lobato Maria Inês Rodrigues
Published: November 2016

Previous research has indicated that biological older brothers increase the odds of androphilia in males. This finding has been termed thefraternal birth order effect. Thematernal immune hypothesissuggests that this effect reflects the progressive immunization of some mothers to male-specific antigens involved in fetal male brain masculinization. Exposure to these antigens, as a result of carrying earlier-born sons, is hypothesized to produce maternal immune responses towards later-born sons, thus leading to female-typical neural development of brain regions underlying sexual orientation. Because this hypothesis posits mechanisms that have the potential to be active in any situation where a mother gestates repeated male fetuses, a key prediction is that the fraternal birth order effect should be observable in diverse populations. The present study assessed the association between sexual orientation and birth order in androphilic male-to-female transsexuals in Brazil, a previously unexamined population. Male-to-female transsexuals who reported attraction to males were recruited from a specialty gender identity service in southern Brazil (n=118) and a comparison group of gynephilic non-transsexual men (n=143) was recruited at the same hospital. Logistic regression showed that the transsexual group had significantly more older brothers and other siblings. These effects were independent of one another and consistent with previous studies of birth order and male sexual orientation. The presence of the fraternal birth order effect in the present sample provides further evidence of the ubiquity of this effect and, therefore, lends support to the maternal immune hypothesis as an explanation of androphilic sexual orientation in some male-to-female transsexuals.
Reasoning about multi-stage programs
Authors: INOUE JUN , TAHA WALID
Published: November 2016

We settle three basic questions that naturally arise when verifying code generators written in multi-stage functional programming languages. First, does adding staging to a language compromise any equalities that hold in the base language? Unfortunately it does, and more care is needed to reason about terms with free variables. Second, staging annotations, as the name “annotations” suggests, are often thought to be orthogonal to the behavior of a program, but when is this formally guaranteed to be true? We give termination conditions that characterize when this guarantee holds. Finally, do multi-stage languages satisfy useful, standard extensional properties, for example, that functions agreeing on all arguments are equivalent? We provide a sound and complete notion of applicative bisimulation, which establishes such properties or, in principle, any valid program equivalence. These results yield important insights into staging and allow us to prove the correctness of quite complicated multi-stage programs.
REST regulation of gene networks in adult neural stem cells
Authors: Mukherjee Shradha , Brulet Rebecca , Zhang Ling , Hsieh Jenny
Published: November 2016

Adult hippocampal neural stem cells generate newborn neurons throughout life due to their ability to self-renew and exist as quiescent neural progenitors (QNPs) before differentiating into transit-amplifying progenitors (TAPs) and newborn neurons. The mechanisms that control adult neural stem cell self-renewal are still largely unknown. Conditional knockout of REST (repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor) results in precocious activation of QNPs and reduced neurogenesis over time. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms by which REST regulates adult neural stem cells, we perform chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and RNA-sequencing to identify direct REST target genes. We find REST regulates both QNPs and TAPs, and importantly, ribosome biogenesis, cell cycle and neuronal genes in the process. Furthermore, overexpression of individual REST target ribosome biogenesis or cell cycle genes is sufficient to induce activation of QNPs. Our data define novel REST targets to maintain the quiescent neural stem cell state.
Cryo-EM study of start codon selection during archaeal translation initiation
Authors: Coureux Pierre-Damien , Lazennec-Schurdevin Christine , Monestier Auriane , Larquet Eric , Cladière Lionel , Klaholz Bruno P. , Schmitt Emmanuelle , Mechulam Yves
Published: November 2016

Eukaryotic and archaeal translation initiation complexes have a common structural core comprising e/aIF1, e/aIF1A, the ternary complex (TC, e/aIF2-GTP-Met-tRNAiMet) and mRNA bound to the small ribosomal subunit. e/aIF2 plays a crucial role in this process but how this factor controls start codon selection remains unclear. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of the full archaeal 30S initiation complex showing two conformational states of the TC. In the first state, the TC is bound to the ribosome in a relaxed conformation with the tRNA oriented out of the P site. In the second state, the tRNA is accommodated within the peptidyl (P) site and the TC becomes constrained. This constraint is compensated by codon/anticodon base pairing, whereas in the absence of a start codon, aIF2 contributes to swing out the tRNA. This spring force concept highlights a mechanism of codon/anticodon probing by the initiator tRNA directly assisted by aIF2.
New porous water ice metastable at atmospheric pressure obtained by emptying a hydrogen-filled ice
Authors: del Rosso Leonardo , Celli Milva , Ulivi Lorenzo
Published: November 2016

The properties of some forms of water ice reserve still intriguing surprises. Besides the several stable or metastable phases of pure ice, solid mixtures of water with gases are precursors of other ices, as in some cases they may be emptied, leaving a metastable hydrogen-bound water structure. We present here the first characterization of a new form of ice, obtained from the crystalline solid compound of water and molecular hydrogen called C0-structure filled ice. By means of Raman spectroscopy, we measure the hydrogen release at different temperatures and succeed in rapidly removing all the hydrogen molecules, obtaining a new form of ice (ice XVII). Its structure is determined by means of neutron diffraction measurements. Of paramount interest is that the emptied crystal can adsorb again hydrogen and release it repeatedly, showing a temperature-dependent hysteresis.
ROCK signalling induced gene expression changes in mouse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Rath Nicola , Kalna Gabriela , Clark William , Olson Michael F.
Published: November 2016

The RhoA and RhoC GTPases act via the ROCK1 and ROCK2 kinases to promote actomyosin contraction, resulting in directly induced changes in cytoskeleton structures and altered gene transcription via several possible indirect routes. Elevated activation of the Rho/ROCK pathway has been reported in several diseases and pathological conditions, including disorders of the central nervous system, cardiovascular dysfunctions and cancer. To determine how increased ROCK signalling affected gene expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, we transduced mouse PDAC cell lines with retroviral constructs encoding fusion proteins that enable conditional activation of ROCK1 or ROCK2, and subsequently performed RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) using the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. We describe how gene expression datasets were generated and validated by comparing data obtained by RNA-Seq with RT-qPCR results. Activation of ROCK1 or ROCK2 signalling induced significant changes in gene expression that could be used to determine how actomyosin contractility influences gene transcription in pancreatic cancer.
Stathmin-like 4 is critical for the maintenance of neural progenitor cells in dorsal midbrain of zebrafish larvae
Authors: Lin Meng-Ju , Lee Shyh-Jye
Published: November 2016

A delicate balance between proliferating and differentiating signals is necessary to ensure proper growth and neuronal specification. By studying the developing zebrafish brain, we observed a specific and dynamic expression of a microtubule destabilizer gene, stathmin-like 4 (stmn4), in the dorsal midbrain region. The expression of stmn4 was mutually exclusive to a pan-neuronal marker, elavl3 that indicates its role in regulating neurogenesis. We showed the knockdown or overexpression of stmn4 resulted in premature neuronal differentiation in dorsal midbrain. We also generated stmn4 maternal-zygotic knockout zebrafish by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Unexpectedly, only less than 10% of stmn4 mutants showed similar phenotypes observed in that of stmn4 morphants. It might be due to the complementation of the increased stmn1b expression observed in stmn4 mutants. In addition, time-lapse recordings revealed the changes in cellular proliferation and differentiation in stmn4 morphants. Stmn4 morphants displayed a longer G2 phase that could be rescued by Cdc25a. Furthermore, the inhibition of Wnt could reduce stmn4 transcripts. These results suggest that the Wnt-mediated Stmn4 homeostasis is crucial for preventing dorsal midbrain from premature differentiation via the G2 phase control during the neural keel stage.
HepaCAM associates with connexin 43 and enhances its localization in cellular junctions
Authors: Wu Meihui , Moh Mei Chung , Schwarz Herbert
Published: November 2016

HepaCAM (GlialCAM) is frequently deleted in carcinomas, and reintroduction of hepaCAM into transformed cell lines reduces cellular growth and induces senescence. Mutations in HEPACAM give rise to the neurodegenerative disease megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC) since mutated hepaCAM prevents shuttling of MLC1 protein to astrocytic junctions in the plasma membrane. Here we identify that hepaCAM associates with connexin 43, a main component of gap junctions, and enhances connexin 43 localization to the plasma membrane at cellular junctions. HepaCAM also increases the levels of connexin 43, not by enhancing its transcription but by stabilizing connexin 43 protein. In the absence of hepaCAM, connexin 43 undergoes a faster degradation via the lysosomal pathway while proteasomal degradation seems not to be involved. Mutations in hepaCAM that cause MLC, or neutralization of hepaCAM by antibodies disrupt its association with connexin 43 at cellular junctions. By discovering the requirement of hepaCAM for localizing connexin 43, a well-established tumor suppressor, to cellular junctions and stabilizing it there, this study suggests a mechanism by which deletion of hepaCAM may support tumor progression.
Comparative analyses of longevity and senescence reveal variable survival benefits of living in zoos across mammals
Authors: Tidière Morgane , Gaillard Jean-Michel , Berger Vérane , Müller Dennis W. H. , Bingaman Lackey Laurie , Gimenez Olivier , Clauss Marcus , Lemaître Jean-François
Published: November 2016

While it is commonly believed that animals live longer in zoos than in the wild, this assumption has rarely been tested. We compared four survival metrics (longevity, baseline mortality, onset of senescence and rate of senescence) between both sexes of free-ranging and zoo populations of more than 50 mammal species. We found that mammals from zoo populations generally lived longer than their wild counterparts (84% of species). The effect was most notable in species with a faster pace of life (i.e. a short life span, high reproductive rate and high mortality in the wild) because zoos evidently offer protection against a number of relevant conditions like predation, intraspecific competition and diseases. Species with a slower pace of life (i.e. a long life span, low reproduction rate and low mortality in the wild) benefit less from captivity in terms of longevity; in such species, there is probably less potential for a reduction in mortality. These findings provide a first general explanation about the different magnitude of zoo environment benefits among mammalian species, and thereby highlight the effort that is needed to improve captive conditions for slow-living species that are particularly susceptible to extinction in the wild.
Disaster declarations associated with bushfires, floods and storms in New South Wales, Australia between 2004 and 2014
Authors: Sewell T. , Stephens R. E. , Dominey-Howes D. , Bruce E. , Perkins-Kirkpatrick S.
Published: November 2016

Australia regularly experiences disasters triggered by natural hazards and New South Wales (NSW) the most populous State is no exception. To date, no publically available spatial and temporal analyses of disaster declarations triggered by hazards (specifically, bushfires, floods and storms) in NSW have been undertaken and no studies have explored the relationship between disaster occurrence and socio-economic disadvantage. We source, collate and analyse data about bushfire, flood and storm disaster declarations between 2004 and 2014. Floods resulted in the most frequent type of disaster declaration. The greatest number of disaster declarations occurred in 2012–2013. Whilst no significant Spearman’s correlation exists between bushfire, flood and storm disaster declarations and the strength of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phase, we observe that bushfire disaster declarations were much more common during El Niño, and flood disaster declarations were five times more common during La Niña phases. We identify a spatial cluster or ‘hot spot’ of disaster declarations in the northeast of the State that is also spatially coincident with 43% of the most socio-economically disadvantaged Local Government Areas in NSW. The results have implications for disaster risk management in the State.
A Shorter Route to Antibody Binders via Quantitative in vitro Bead-Display Screening and Consensus Analysis
Authors: Mankowska Sylwia A. , Gatti-Lafranconi Pietro , Chodorge Matthieu , Sridharan Sudharsan , Minter Ralph R. , Hollfelder Florian
Published: November 2016

Affinity panning of large libraries is a powerful tool to identify protein binders. However, panning rounds are followed by the tedious re-screening of the clones obtained to evaluate binders precisely. In a first application of Bead Surface Display (BeSD) we show successfulin vitroaffinity selections based on flow cytometric analysis that allows fine quantitative discrimination between binders. Subsequent consensus analysis of the resulting sequences enables identification of clones that bind tighter than those arising directly from the experimental selection output. This is demonstrated by evolution of an anti-Fas receptor single-chain variable fragment (scFv) that was improved 98-foldvsthe parental clone. Four rounds of quantitative screening by fluorescence-activated cell sorting of an error-prone library based on fine discrimination between binders in BeSD were followed by analysis of 200 full-length output sequences that suggested a new consensus design with aKd∼140 pM. This approach shortens the time and effort to obtain high affinity reagents and its cell-free nature transcends limitations inherent in previousin vivodisplay systems.