bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanochemical unzipping of insulating polyladderene to semiconducting polyacetylene
Authors: Chen Zhixing , Mercer Jaron A. M. , Zhu Xiaolei , Romaniuk Joseph A. H. , Pfattner Raphael , Cegelski Lynette , Martinez Todd J. , Burns Noah Z. , Xia Yan
Published: August 2017

Forcing polymers to be semiconductors

In mechanochemistry, the application of force to a polymer is used to pry open specific chemical bonds. Chen
et al.
leveraged this technique to produce semiconducting blocks of polyacetylene in an insulating precursor. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization tethered together a series of fused four-carbon rings, reminiscent of the unusual ladderane membrane lipids of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria. Subsequently, sonication unzipped these strained rings into alternating C=C double bonds, thereby extending π-conjugation along the polymer backbone.

Science
, this issue p.
475
A low-loss origami plasmonic waveguide
Authors: Vetrone Fiorenzo , Rosei Federico
Published: August 2017

DNA assembles silver and gold nanoparticles for fast and efficient energy transfer
Toward a targeted treatment for addiction
Authors: Creed Meaghan C.
Published: August 2017

Cocaine-induced synaptic plasticity can be reversed in mice with optogenetically
inspired deep brain stimulation
Helicity—invariant even in a viscous fluid
Authors: Moffatt H. Keith
Published: August 2017

Observing and probing writhe and twist in vortex dynamics
Impact of Childhood Malnutrition on Host Defense and Infection
Authors: Ibrahim Marwa K. , Zambruni Mara , Melby Christopher L. , Melby Peter C.
Published: August 2017

The global impact of childhood malnutrition is staggering. The synergism between malnutrition and infection contributes substantially to childhood morbidity and mortality. Anthropometric indicators of malnutrition are associated with the increased risk and severity of infections caused by many pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths. Since childhood malnutrition commonly involves the inadequate intake of protein and calories, with superimposed micronutrient deficiencies, the causal factors involved in impaired host defense are usually not defined. This review focuses on literature related to impaired host defense and the risk of infection in primary childhood malnutrition. Particular attention is given to longitudinal and prospective cohort human studies and studies of experimental animal models that address causal, mechanistic relationships between malnutrition and host defense. Protein and micronutrient deficiencies impact the hematopoietic and lymphoid organs and compromise both innate and adaptive immune functions. Malnutrition-related changes in intestinal microbiota contribute to growth faltering and dysregulated inflammation and immune function. Although substantial progress has been made in understanding the malnutrition-infection synergism, critical gaps in our understanding remain. We highlight the need for mechanistic studies that can lead to targeted interventions to improve host defense and reduce the morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases in this vulnerable population.
Detection of Plasmodium Infection by the illumigene Malaria Assay Compared to Reference Microscopy and Real-Time PCR
Authors: Rypien Candace , Chow Barbara , Chan Wilson W. , Church Deirdre L. , Pillai Dylan R.
Published: August 2017

Malaria is one of the leading causes of infectious disease in travelers returning from the tropics. The diagnosis of malaria is typically performed by examining Giemsa-stained thick and thin peripheral blood smears, which is time consuming, labor intensive, and requires high levels of proficiency. Alternatively, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a new molecular method, which is rapid, sensitive, and requires less capital equipment and technological training. We conducted a retrospective study comparing two formats of a commercial LAMP assay (Meridianillumigene malaria [M] and malaria Plus [MP]) versus reference microscopy on archived blood specimens (n= 140) obtained from unique returning travelers suspected of having malaria. Discrepant results were resolved by either repeat testing or a laboratory developed ultrasensitive real-time PCR method. On initial testing, the Meridianillumigene M and MP kits had sensitivities of 97.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.7 to 99.7%) and 100.0% (95.1 to 100.0%) and specificities of 93.8% (84.8 to 98.3%) and 91.5% (81.3 to 97.2%), respectively, versus reference microscopy. We project a significant cost reduction in low prevalence settings where malaria is not endemic with LAMP-based malaria screening given the excellent negative predictive value achieved with LAMP.
Nonencapsidated 5′ Copy-Back Defective Interfering Genomes Produced by Recombinant Measles Viruses Are Recognized by RIG-I and LGP2 but Not MDA5
Authors: Mura Marie , Combredet Chantal , Najburg Valérie , Sanchez David Raul Y. , Tangy Frédéric , Komarova Anastassia V.
Published: August 2017

Attenuated measles virus (MV) is one of the most effective and safe vaccines available, making it an attractive candidate vector for preventing other infectious diseases. Yet the great capacity of this vaccine still needs to be understood at the molecular level. MV vaccine strains have different type I interferon (IFN)-inducing abilities that partially depend on the presence of 5′ copy-back defective interfering genomes (DI-RNAs). DI-RNAs are pathogen-associated molecular patterns recognized by RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) (RIG-I, MDA5, and LGP2) that activate innate immune signaling and shape the adaptive immune response. In this study, we characterized the DI-RNAs produced by various modified recombinant MVs (rMVs), including vaccine candidates, as well as wild-type MV. All tested rMVs produced 5′ copy-back DI-RNAs that were different in length and nucleotide sequence but still respected the so-called “rule of six.” We correlated the presence of DI-RNAs with a larger stimulation of the IFN-β pathway and compared their immunostimulatory potentials. Importantly, we revealed that encapsidation of DI-RNA molecules within the MV nucleocapsid abolished their immunoactive properties. Furthermore, we identified specific interactions of DI-RNAs with both RIG-I and LGP2 but not MDA5. Our results suggest that DI-RNAs produced by rMV vaccine candidates may indeed strengthen their efficiency by triggering RLR signaling.

IMPORTANCE
Having been administered to hundreds of millions of children, the live attenuated measles virus (MV) vaccine is the safest and most widely used human vaccine, providing high protection with long-term memory. Additionally, recombinant MVs carrying heterologous antigens are promising vectors for new vaccines. The great capacity of this vaccine still needs to be elucidated at the molecular level. Here we document that recombinant MVs produce defective interfering genomes that have high immunostimulatory properties via their binding to RIG-I and LGP2 proteins, both of which are cytosolic nonself RNA sensors of innate immunity. Defective interfering genome production during viral replication should be considered of great importance due to the immunostimulatory properties of these genomes as intrinsic adjuvants produced by the vector that increase recognition by the innate immune system.
Presence of a Shared 5′-Leader Sequence in Ancestral Human and Mammalian Retroviruses and Its Transduction into Feline Leukemia Virus
Authors: Kawasaki Junna , Kawamura Maki , Ohsato Yoshiharu , Ito Jumpei , Nishigaki Kazuo
Published: August 2017

Recombination events induce significant genetic changes, and this process can result in virus genetic diversity or in the generation of novel pathogenicity. We discovered a new recombinant feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
gag
gene harboring an unrelated insertion, termed the X region, which was derived from
Felis catus
endogenous gammaretrovirus 4 (FcERV-gamma4). The identified FcERV-gamma4 proviruses have lost their coding capabilities, but some can express their viral RNA in feline tissues. Although the X-region-carrying recombinant FeLVs appeared to be replication-defective viruses, they were detected in 6.4% of tested FeLV-infected cats. All isolated recombinant FeLV clones commonly incorporated a middle part of the FcERV-gamma4 5′-leader region as an X region. Surprisingly, a sequence corresponding to the portion contained in all X regions is also present in at least 13 endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) observed in the cat, human, primate, and pig genomes. We termed this shared genetic feature the commonly shared (CS) sequence. Despite our phylogenetic analysis indicating that all CS-sequence-carrying ERVs are classified as gammaretroviruses, no obvious closeness was revealed among these ERVs. However, the Shannon entropy in the CS sequence was lower than that in other parts of the provirus genome. Notably, the CS sequence of human endogenous retrovirus T had 73.8% similarity with that of FcERV-gamma4, and specific signals were detected in the human genome by Southern blot analysis using a probe for the FcERV-gamma4 CS sequence. Our results provide an interesting evolutionary history for CS-sequence circulation among several distinct ancestral viruses and a novel recombined virus over a prolonged period.

IMPORTANCE
Recombination among ERVs or modern viral genomes causes a rapid evolution of retroviruses, and this phenomenon can result in the serious situation of viral disease reemergence. We identified a novel recombinant FeLV
gag
gene that contains an unrelated sequence, termed the X region. This region originated from the 5′ leader of FcERV-gamma4, a replication-incompetent feline ERV. Surprisingly, a sequence corresponding to the X region is also present in the 5′ portion of other ERVs, including human endogenous retroviruses. Scattered copies of the ERVs carrying the unique genetic feature, here named the commonly shared (CS) sequence, were found in each host genome, suggesting that ancestral viruses may have captured and maintained the CS sequence. More recently, a novel recombinant FeLV hijacked the CS sequence from inactivated FcERV-gamma4 as the X region. Therefore, tracing the CS sequences can provide unique models for not only the modern reservoir of new recombinant viruses but also the genetic features shared among ancient retroviruses.
Asymmetric Trimeric Ring Structure of the Nucleocapsid Protein of Tospovirus
Authors: Komoda Keisuke , Narita Masanori , Yamashita Keitaro , Tanaka Isao , Yao Min
Published: August 2017

Tomato spotted wilt virus
(TSWV), belonging to the genus
Tospovirus
of the family
Bunyaviridae
, causes significant economic damage to several vegetables and ornamental plants worldwide. Similar to those of all other negative-strand RNA viruses, the nucleocapsid (N) protein plays very important roles in its viral life cycle. N proteins protect genomic RNAs by encapsidation and form a viral ribonucleoprotein complex (vRNP) with some RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. Here we show the crystal structure of the N protein from TSWV. Protomers of TSWV N proteins consist of three parts: the N arm, C arm, and core domain. Unlike N proteins of other negative-strand RNA viruses, the TSWV N protein forms an asymmetric trimeric ring. To form the trimeric ring, the N and C arms of the N protein interact with the core domains of two adjacent N proteins. By solving the crystal structures of the TSWV N protein with nucleic acids, we showed that an inner cleft of the asymmetric trimeric ring is an RNA-binding site. These characteristics are similar to those of N proteins of other viruses of the family
Bunyaviridae
. Based on these observations, we discuss possibilities of a TSWV encapsidation model.

IMPORTANCE
Tospoviruses cause significant crop losses throughout the world. Particularly, TSWV has an extremely wide host range (>1,000 plant species, including dicots and monocots), and worldwide losses are estimated to be in excess of $1 billion annually. Despite such importance, no proteins of tospoviruses have been elucidated so far. Among TSWV-encoded proteins, the N protein is required for assembling the viral genomic RNA into the viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP), which is involved in various steps of the life cycle of these viruses, such as RNA replication, virus particle formation, and cell-to-cell movement. This study revealed the structure of the N protein, with or without nucleic acids, of TSWV as the first virus of the genus
Tospovirus
, so it completed our view of the N proteins of the family
Bunyaviridae
.
Protective Efficacy of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies with Incomplete Neutralization Activity against Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Julg Boris , Sok Devin , Schmidt Stephen D. , Abbink Peter , Newman Ruchi M. , Broge Thomas , Linde Caitlyn , Nkolola Joseph , Le Khoa , Su David , Torabi Julia , Pack Melissa , Pegu Amarendra , Allen Todd M. , Mascola John R. , Burton Dennis R. , Barouch Dan H.
Published: August 2017

HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) have been shown to occasionally display unusual virus neutralization profiles with nonsigmoidal slopes and plateaus at <100% neutralization against a variety of viruses. The significance of incomplete neutralization for the ability of bnAbs to mediate protective effects
in vi
vo, however, is undetermined. In the current study, we selected two bnAbs, PGT121 and 3BNC117, as they incompletely neutralize the clade C simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) stock (SHIV-327c) at 85% and 70%, respectively, and performed a protection study in rhesus macaques. The animals were intravenously (i.v.) administered PGT121 or 3BNC117 at 10 and 2 mg/kg of body weight before being rectally challenged with a single high dose of SHIV-327c. PGT121 protected 6 out of 7 monkeys, while 6 out of 7 3BNC117-pretreated animals became infected, although with significantly delayed plasma viremia compared to the control animals. These data suggest that complete neutralization is not imperative for bnAbs to prevent infection but that with increasing levels of incomplete neutralization the sterilizing activity diminishes.

IMPORTANCE
Multiple antibodies have been identified that potently neutralize a broad range of circulating HIV strains. However, not every virus-antibody combination results in complete neutralization of the input virus, suggesting that a fraction of virus particles are resistant to antibody neutralization despite high antibody concentrations. This observation of “incomplete neutralization” is associated with nonsigmoidal neutralization curves plateauing below 100% neutralization, but the significance of the phenomenon for the ability of neutralizing antibodies to mediate protective effects
in vivo
is undetermined. In this study, we show that the broadly neutralizing antibody PGT121, which neutralized only up to 85% of the SHIV-327c challenge stock
in vitro
, protected 6 out of 7 rhesus macaques against infection while the antibody 3BNC117, which neutralized up to 70% of SHIV-327c
in vitro
, did not prevent, though it significantly delayed, establishment of infection, suggesting that with increasing levels of incomplete neutralization the ability of a bnAb to mediate sterilizing protection diminishes.
Bilateral choroidal neovascular membrane in a young patient with Sorsby fundus dystrophy: the value of prompt treatment
Authors: Menassa Nardine , Burgula Sreekala , Empeslidis Theodoros , Tsaousis Konstantinos T
Published: August 2017

A 45-year-old man had developed a choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) in his left eye at the age of 38 years and had received six intravitreal ranibizumab injections with resulting visual acuities of 6/60 in the affected eye and 6/4 in the unaffected right eye (Snellen charts). Family history and genetic testing revealed tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) gene positive Sorsby fundus dystrophy (SFD). The patient has been under regular follow-up since. At the age of 45 years, he presented with subretinal fluid accumulation in his right eye suggestive of CNVM and received six intravitreal ranibizumab injections, which maintained visual acuity of 6/7.5 in his right eye. Although SFD is a rare condition, it should be suspected and ruled out in young patients presenting with suspicious fundoscopic findings and subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography. Early intervention can possibly delay macular fibrosis and loss of vision secondary to SFD associated with CNVM.
A cross sectional study of the relationship between the exposure of pregnant women to military attacks in 2014 in Gaza and the load of heavy metal contaminants in the hair of mothers and newborns
Authors: Manduca Paola , Diab Safwat Y , Qouta Samir R , Albarqouni Nabil MA , Punamaki Raiija-Leena
Published: August 2017

Objective

Metal contamination of humans in war areas has rarely been investigated. Weaponry’s heavy metals become environmentally stable war remnants and accumulate in living things. They also pose health risks in terms of prenatal intake, with potential long term risks for reproductive and children’s health. We studied the contribution of military attacks to the load of 23 metals in the hair of Palestinian women in the Gaza Strip, who were pregnant at the time of the military attacks in 2014, and their newborns. We compared the metal load in the mothers with values for adult hair from outside the war area (RHS) as the reference. We investigated heavy metals trans-passing in utero, and assessed if the heavy metal intake could derive from sources unrelated to the war.

Design

Cross sectional study.

Participants and setting

Cross sectional convenience sample of 502 mothers delivering in the Gaza Strip and their newborns.

Main outcome measured

Measure of the load of heavy metals in mother and newborn hair by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Comparison of metal loads with the reference RHS, between groups with different exposures to attacks and house/agriculture chemicals, and between mothers and newborns. Data for birth registry and for exposures to war and other known risk factors were obtained at interview with the mothers. Photographic documentation of damage from military attacks was obtained.

Results

The whole cross sectional convenience sample had a significantly higher load of heavy metals than the reference RHS. Women exposed to military attacks had a significantly higher load of heavy metals than those not exposed; the load in newborns correlated positively with the mothers’ load. No significant difference was found between users/non-users of house/agriculture chemicals. No other known confounder was identified.

Conclusions

High heavy metal loads in mothers, reflected in those of their newborns, were associated with exposure to military attacks, posing a risk of immediate and long term negative outcomes for pregnancy and child health. Surveillance, biomonitoring and further research are recommended. Implications for general and public health are discussed.
Death talk and relief of death-related distress in patients with advanced cancer
Authors: An Ekaterina , Wennberg Erica , Nissim Rinat , Lo Christopher , Hales Sarah , Rodin Gary
Published: August 2017

Objectives

The circumstances of advanced cancer heighten the need for affected individuals to communicate mortality-related concerns, although there may be obstacles to such communication. Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully(CALM) is a supportive-expressive therapy designed to address such barriers and to facilitate communication of mortality-related concerns in patients and caregivers facing advanced disease. This study explores death-related distress in patients with advanced cancer and the perceived influence of CALM therapy on overcoming barriers to communication of this distress.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted with a subset of patients with advanced cancer (n=17) participating in a CALM phase III trial at a large urban regional cancer centre. Interviews were transcribed, and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Death-related distress was experienced in terms of three key themes: diffuse and overwhelming fear, fear of uncertainty and fear of suffering. The perceived barriers to communicating such distress were as follows: reluctance of loved ones to discuss mortality-related issues and the participants´ own reluctance to discuss death-related concerns to protect their loved ones or themselves from distress. CALM therapists were perceived to facilitate discussions on dying and death in sessions and to support patients´ communication of death-related distress with healthcare providers and loved ones.

Conclusions

Patients with advanced cancer perceive barriers to effective communication of death distress to be related to their own reluctance, as well as reluctance of their loved ones to address such fears. CALM therapy may help patients with advanced cancer to overcome obstacles to communication and to alleviate death-related distress.

Trial registration number

NCT01506492.
A concept map of death-related anxieties in patients with advanced cancer
Authors: Vehling Sigrun , Malfitano Carmine , Shnall Joanna , Watt Sarah , Panday Tania , Chiu Aubrey , Rydall Anne , Zimmermann Camilla , Hales Sarah , Rodin Gary , Lo Christopher
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Fear of death and dying is common in patients with advanced cancer, but can be difficult to address in clinical conversations. We aimed to show that the experience of death anxiety may be deconstructed into a network of specific concerns and to provide a map of their interconnections to aid clinical exploration.

Methods

We studied a sample of 382 patients with advanced cancer recruited from outpatient clinics at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada. Patients completed the 15-item Death and Dying Distress Scale (DADDS). We used item ratings to estimate a regularised partial correlation network of death and dying-related concerns. We calculated node closeness-centrality, clustering and global network characteristics.

Results

Death-related anxieties were highly frequent, each associated with at least moderate distress in 22%–55% of patients. Distress about ‘Running out of time’ was a central concern in the network. The network was organised into two areas: one about more practical fears concerning the process of dying and another about more psychosocial or existential concerns including relational problems, uncertainty about the future and missed opportunities. Both areas were yet closely connected by bridges which, for example, linked fear of suffering and a prolonged death to fear of burdening others.

Conclusions

Patients with advanced cancer may have many interconnected death-related fears that can be patterned in individual ways. The bridging links between more practical and more psychosocial concerns emphasise that the alleviation of death anxiety may require interventions that integrate symptom management, advance care planning and psychological treatment approaches.
Tumour front inflammation and necrosis are independent prognostic predictors in high-grade urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Hodgson Anjelica , Xu Bin , Satkunasivam Raj , Downes Michelle R
Published: August 2017

Aims

Inflammation and necrosis have been associated with prognosis in multiple epithelial malignancies. Our objective was to evaluate inflammation and necrosis in a cohort of patients with high-grade urothelial carcinomas of the bladder to determine their association with pathological parameters and their prognostic effect on relapse-free and disease-specific survival.

Methods

A retrospective cohort that underwent radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinomas (n=235) was evaluated for invasive front and central inflammation using the Klintrup-Makinen assessment method. Necrosis was scored using a four-point scale. The relationship of inflammation and necrosis with stage, nodal status, carcinoma in situ, tumour size, margin status and vascular space invasion and the impact on relapse-free and disease-specific survival were calculated using appropriate statistical tests.

Results

On multivariate analysis, invasive front inflammation (p=0.003) and necrosis (p=0.000) were independent predictors of relapse-free survival. Both invasive front inflammation (p=0.009) and necrosis (p=0.002) again were independent predictors of disease-specific survival. For pathological features, low invasive front inflammation was associated with lymphovascular space invasion (p=0.008), a positive soft tissue margin (p=0.028) and carcinoma in situ (p=0.042). Necrosis was statistically associated with tumours >3â€‰cm in size (p=0.013) and carcinoma in situ (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Necrosis and invasive front inflammation are additional histological variables with independent prognostic relevance in high-grade urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.
Sofia intermediate catheter and the SNAKE technique: safety and efficacy of the Sofia catheter without guidewire or microcatheter construct
Authors: Heit Jeremy J , Wong Johnny HY , Mofaff Adrienne M , Telischak Nicholas A , Dodd Robert L , Marks Michael P , Do Huy M
Published: August 2017

Background

Neurointerventional surgeries (NIS) benefit from supportive endovascular constructs. Sofia is a soft-tipped, flexible, braided single lumen intermediate catheter designed for NIS. Sofia advancement from the cervical to the intracranial circulation without a luminal guidewire or microcatheter construct has not been described.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the new Sofia Non-wire Advancement techniKE (SNAKE) for advancement of the Sofia into the cerebral circulation.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent NIS using Sofia were identified. Patient information, SNAKE use, and patient outcome were determined from electronic medical records. Sofia advancement to the cavernous internal carotid artery or the V2/V3 segment junction of the vertebral artery was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes included arterial vasospasm and arterial dissection.

Results

263 Patients (181 females, 69%) who underwent a total of 305 NIS using Sofia were identified. SNAKE (SNAKE+) was used in 187 procedures (61%). Two hundred and ninety-three procedures (96%) were technically successful, which included 184 SNAKE+ NIS and 109 SNAKE− NIS. Primary outcome was achieved in all SNAKE+ procedures, but not in five SNAKE− procedures (2%). No arterial dissections were identified among 305 interventions. In the intracranial circulation, a single SNAKE+ patient (0.5%) had non-flow limiting arterial vasospasm involving the petrous internal carotid. Three SNAKE+ patients (1.6%) and one SNAKE− patient (0.8%) demonstrated external carotid artery branch artery vasospasm during dural arteriovenous fistula or facial arteriovenous malformation treatment.

Conclusion

SNAKE is a safe and effective technique for Sofia advancement. Sofia is a highly effective and safe intermediate catheter for a variety of NIS.
Rabbit aneurysm models mimic histologic wall types identified in human intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Wang Shunli , Dai Daying , Kolumam Parameswaran Praveen , Kadirvel Ramanathan , Ding Yong-Hong , Robertson Anne M , Kallmes David F
Published: August 2017

Background

Semiquantitative scales correlate histopathologic findings in the walls of human aneurysms with rupture status.

Objective

To apply a semiquantitative scale to the rabbit elastase-induced aneurysm model to determine whether rabbit histologic types mimic the full range of histologic subtypes of humans.

Materials and methods

Twenty-seven elastase-induced female rabbit aneurysms were studied, harvested at 2 weeks (n=5) and 12 weeks (n=22). Paraffin-embedded sections received hematoxylin-eosin and Verhoeff-Van Gieson staining. Immunohistochemistry was performed for α-smooth muscle actin and CD31 for endothelial cells. A semiquantitative scale was used for scoring based on human aneurysm tissue, divided into four subtypes according to cellular and extracellular matrix findings: type A, linear organized smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and intact endothelium; type B, thickened wall with disorganized, proliferating SMCs; type C, thick, collagenized and hypocellular wall with or without organizing thrombosis, and type D, extremely thin, hypocellular wall. Separate scoring was performed of the aneurysm neck and proximal and distal zones.

Results

Findings compatible with all subtypes of human aneurysm tissue were identified. Types A and C were found in 13 (48%) and 11 (41%) of 27 aneurysms and in the proximal and distal wall at both time points. Type B was found in 16 aneurysms (59%), exclusively at the neck at both time points; type D, in 14 aneurysms (52%), exclusively at proximal and distal zones of 12-week aneurysms.

Conclusions

The wall of elastase-induced rabbit aneurysm demonstrates histologic findings similar to the four categories of human cerebral aneurysms based on cellular and extracellular wall content.
A year of challenges and progress
Authors: Gibbens Nigel
Published: August 2017

In his latest update for Veterinary Record, Nigel Gibbens, the UK's Chief Veterinary Officer, looks back at the past year and discusses the UK's achievements and the challenges that it faces.
No foot, no horse
Authors: Stevenson Karis
Published: August 2017

As a recipient of the Worshipful Company of Farriers’ equine veterinary studies award, Edinburgh vet student Karis Stevenson got the opportunity to learn firsthand what farriers do. She spent a week with Stephen Newman near Paisley. Here, she gives a snapshot of what she learnt
At the forefront: evidence of the applicability of using environmental DNA to quantify the abundance of fish populations in natural lentic waters with additional sampling considerations
Authors: Klobucar Stephen L. , Rodgers Torrey W. , Budy Phaedra
Published: August 2017

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling has proven to be a valuable tool for detecting species in aquatic ecosystems. Within this rapidly evolving field, a promising application is the ability to obtain quantitative estimates of relative species abundance based on eDNA concentration rather than traditionally labor-intensive methods. We investigated the relationship between eDNA concentration and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) abundance in five well-studied natural lakes; additionally, we examined the effects of different temporal (e.g., season) and spatial (e.g., depth) scales on eDNA concentration. Concentrations of eDNA were linearly correlated with char population estimates ([Formula: see text] = 0.78) and exponentially correlated with char densities ([Formula: see text] = 0.96 by area; 0.82 by volume). Across lakes, eDNA concentrations were greater and more homogeneous in the water column during mixis; however, when stratified, eDNA concentrations were greater in the hypolimnion. Overall, our findings demonstrate that eDNA techniques can produce effective estimates of relative fish abundance in natural lakes. These findings can guide future studies to improve and expand eDNA methods while informing research and management using rapid and minimally invasive sampling.
Introduction to big bang nucleosynthesis and modern cosmology
Authors: Mathews Grant J. , Kusakabe Motohiko , Kajino Toshitaka
Published: August 2017

Primordial nucleosynthesis remains as one of the pillars of modern cosmology. It is the testing ground upon which many cosmological models must ultimately rest. It is our only probe of the universe during the important radiation-dominated epoch in the first few minutes of cosmic expansion. This paper reviews the basic equations of space-time, cosmology, and big bang nucleosynthesis. We also summarize the current state of observational constraints on primordial abundances along with the key nuclear reactions and their uncertainties. We summarize which nuclear measurements are most crucial during the big bang. We also review various cosmological models and their constraints. In particular, we analyze the constraints that big bang nucleosynthesis places upon the possible time variation of fundamental constants, along with constraints on the nature and origin of dark matter and dark energy, long-lived supersymmetric particles, gravity waves, and the primordial magnetic field.
LOGISTIC MODEL FOR STOCK MARKET BUBBLES AND ANTI-BUBBLES
Authors: LYNCH CHRISTOPHER , MESTEL BENJAMIN
Published: August 2017

Log-periodic power laws often occur as signatures of impending criticality of hierarchical systems in the physical sciences. It has been proposed that similar signatures may be apparent in the price evolution of financial markets as bubbles and the associated crashes develop. The features of such market bubbles have been extensively studied over the past 20 years, and models derived from an initial discrete scale invariance assumption have been developed and tested against the wealth of financial data with varying degrees of success. In this paper, the equations that form the basis for the standard log-periodic power law model and its higher extensions are compared to a logistic model derived from the solution of the Schröder equation for the renormalization group with nonlinear scaling function. Results for the S&P 500 and Nikkei 225 indices studied previously in the literature are presented and compared to established models, including a discussion of the apparent frequency shifting observed in the S&P 500 index in the 1980s. In the particular case of the Nikkei 225 anti-bubble between 1990 and 2003, the logistic model appears to provide a better description of the large-scale observed features over the whole 13-year period, particularly near the end of the anti-bubble.
Effect of iron doping on structural and optical properties of TiO2thin film by sol–gel routed spin coating technique
Authors: Lourduraj Stephen , Williams Rayar Victor
Published: August 2017

Thin films of iron (Fe)-doped titanium dioxide (Fe:TiO[Formula: see text] were prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique and further calcined at 450[Formula: see text]C. The structural and optical properties of Fe-doped TiO2thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis) and atomic force microscopic (AFM) techniques. The XRD results confirm the nanostructured TiO2thin films having crystalline nature with anatase phase. The characterization results show that the calcined thin films having high crystallinity and the effect of iron substitution lead to decreased crystallinity. The SEM investigations of Fe-doped TiO2films also gave evidence that the films were continuous spherical shaped particles with a nanometric range of grain size and film was porous in nature. AFM analysis establishes that the uniformity of the TiO2thin film with average roughness values. The optical measurements show that the films having high transparency in the visible region and the optical band gap energy of Fe-doped TiO2film with iron (Fe) decrease with increase in iron content. These important requirements for the Fe:TiO2films are to be used as window layers in solar cells.
Social Image and Economic Behavior in the Field: Identifying, Understanding, and Shaping Social Pressure
Authors: Bursztyn Leonardo , Jensen Robert
Published: August 2017

Many people care about how they are perceived by those around them. Several recent field experiments in economics have found that such social image concerns can have powerful effects on a range of behaviors. In this article, we first review this recent literature aimed at identifying social image concerns or social pressure. We then highlight and discuss two important areas that have been comparatively less well explored in this literature: understanding social pressure, including the underlying mechanisms, and whether such pressure can be shaped or influenced.
Mobile Money
Authors: Suri Tavneet
Published: August 2017

This review provides an overview of the operations and impacts of mobile money in the developing world. Over the past decade, mobile money has become a ubiquitous tool in some developing economies, allowing individuals to digitally transact money without formal bank accounts. The impacts, where documented, have been sizeable: For example, poverty decreased by two percentage points in Kenya. However, adoption still lags in many economies and, even where there is universal adoption, product innovation over the rails of these digital accounts has been slow. The review concludes by discussing what the future of mobile money in developing economies may look like and, thus, where the most exciting opportunities for research may be.
Globalization and Labor Market Dynamics
Authors: McLaren John
Published: August 2017

Historically, the trade research field has usually ignored dynamic adjustment of workers, but a recent wave of work has developed a rich set of theoretical and empirical tools to analyze this factor. Empirical approaches have ranged from reduced-form regressions to the structural estimation of underlying parameters, which is necessary to understand welfare effects. A major distinction is that between models that do and those that do not allow for unobserved heterogeneity across workers; these models are useful for different purposes. Consistent findings across methods and countries indicate that costs of switching sectors and occupations are high and that both switching costs and option value are crucial in computing the welfare effects of globalization for workers.
The Economics of Nonmarital Childbearing and the Marriage Premium for Children
Authors: Kearney Melissa S. , Levine Phillip B.
Published: August 2017

A large body of literature exists on the impact of family structure on children's outcomes, typically focusing on average effects. In this review, we build on this with an economic framework that has heterogeneous predictions regarding the potential benefit for children of married parents. We propose that the gains due to marriage from a child's perspective depend on a mother's own level of resources, the additional net resources that her partner brings, and the outcome-specific returns to resources. Data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics are consistent with the heterogeneous predictions of this framework. In terms of high school completion or avoiding poverty at age 25, the so-called marriage premium for children is highest for children of mothers with high school degrees and mothers in their early to mid-20s. For the more advanced outcomes of college completion or high income at age 25, the marriage premium monotonically increases with observed maternal age and education.
Global Liquidity: A Selective Review
Authors: Cohen Benjamin H. , Domanski Dietrich , Fender Ingo , Shin Hyun Song
Published: August 2017

Global liquidity is a catch-all term that is used to denote the combination of easier financing conditions, capital inflows, and exchange rate appreciation. An approach based on the activities of internationally active financial institutions sheds light on the conceptual underpinnings and the economic mechanisms involved in the transmission of global liquidity. The analysis highlights the role of international funding currencies, especially the US dollar. The analysis also motivates a set of global liquidity indicators based on the size and currency composition of balance sheets.
Tony Atkinson on Poverty, Inequality, and Public Policy: The Work and Life of a Great Economist
Authors: Atkinson Anthony Barnes , Stern Nicholas
Published: August 2017

We are very sad to report that Professor Sir Tony Atkinson died on the first of January, 2017, at the age of 72. Tony Atkinson was an extraordinarily distinguished academic whose works changed our understanding of poverty, inequality, mobility, public policy, and economic growth. His publications, from his first book in 1969 to his last in 2015, showed how he approached his work throughout his career: define the issues, examine the facts, analyze what forces shaped the outcomes, and ask what we can or should do in the way of policy. His longtime friend, Professor Lord Nicholas Stern, interviewed Sir Tony about his life and work on August 17, 2016, in Oxford.
Architecture, Function, and Assembly of the Mouse Visual System
Authors: Seabrook Tania A. , Burbridge Timothy J. , Crair Michael C. , Huberman Andrew D.
Published: August 2017

Vision is the sense humans rely on most to navigate the world, make decisions, and perform complex tasks. Understanding how humans see thus represents one of the most fundamental and important goals of neuroscience. The use of the mouse as a model for parsing how vision works at a fundamental level started approximately a decade ago, ushered in by the mouse's convenient size, relatively low cost, and, above all, amenability to genetic perturbations. In the course of that effort, a large cadre of new and powerful tools for in vivo labeling, monitoring, and manipulation of neurons were applied to this species. As a consequence, a significant body of work now exists on the architecture, function, and development of mouse central visual pathways. Excitingly, much of that work includes causal testing of the role of specific cell types and circuits in visual perception and behavior—something rare to find in studies of the visual system of other species. Indeed, one could argue that more information is now available about the mouse visual system than any other sensory system, in any species, including humans. As such, the mouse visual system has become a platform for multilevel analysis of the mammalian central nervous system generally. Here we review the mouse visual system structure, function, and development literature and comment on the similarities and differences between the visual system of this and other model species. We also make it a point to highlight the aspects of mouse visual circuitry that remain opaque and that are in need of additional experimentation to enrich our understanding of how vision works on a broad scale.
Propagation of Tau Aggregates and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Goedert Michel , Eisenberg David S. , Crowther R. Anthony
Published: August 2017

A pathway from the natively unfolded microtubule-associated protein Tau to a highly structured amyloid fibril underlies human Tauopathies. This ordered assembly causes disease and represents the gain of toxic function. In recent years, evidence has accumulated to suggest that Tau inclusions form first in a small number of brain cells, from where they propagate to other regions, resulting in neurodegeneration and disease. Propagation of pathology is often called prion-like, which refers to the capacity of an assembled protein to induce the same abnormal conformation in a protein of the same kind, initiating a self-amplifying cascade. In addition, prion-like encompasses the release of protein aggregates from brain cells and their uptake by neighboring cells. In mice, the intracerebral injection of Tau inclusions induces the ordered assembly of monomeric Tau, followed by its spreading to distant brain regions. Conformational differences between Tau aggregates from transgenic mouse brain and in vitro assembled recombinant protein account for the greater seeding potency of brain aggregates. Short fibrils constitute the major species of seed-competent Tau in the brains of transgenic mice. The existence of multiple human Tauopathies with distinct fibril morphologies has led to the suggestion that different molecular conformers (or strains) of aggregated Tau exist.
Replay Comes of Age
Authors: Foster David J.
Published: August 2017

Hippocampal place cells take part in sequenced patterns of reactivation after behavioral experience, known as replay. Since replay was first reported, nearly 20 years ago, many new results have been found, necessitating revision of the original interpretations. We review some of these results with a focus on the phenomenology of replay.
Serum Butyrylcholinesterase Activity: A Biomarker for Parkinson’s Disease and Related Dementia
Authors: Dong Mei-Xue , Xu Xiao-Min , Hu Ling , Liu Yang , Huang Yuan-Jun , Wei You-Dong
Published: August 2017

Objective. This study aim to determine changes of serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity in PD patients and related dementia. Patients and Methods. Consecutive PD patients and healthy controls were included and clinical data were collected. Fast serum BChE activity was determined and compared between healthy controls and PD patients. Independent risk factors were performed for BChE activity, PD, and related dementia. The relationship between BChE activity and disease severity was also evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained to explore serum BChE activity in distinguishing PD patients and related dementia. Results. Serum BChE activity mainly independently correlated with gender, albumin, triglyceride, body mass index, and PD. Serum BChE activity decreased in PD patients compared with healthy controls. Based on the ROC curve, the optimal cut-off point was 6864.08 IU/L for distinguishing PD patients, and the sensitivity and specificity values were 61.8% and 72.1%. It inversely correlated with Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale score. BChE activity decreased in PD-related dementia compared with those without dementia. The sensitivity and specificity values were 70.6% and 76.3%, respectively, with an optimal cut-off point of 6550.00 IU/L. Conclusions. Serum BChE activity can be regarded as a biomarker for PD and related dementia.
The Effect of Patient-Specific Instrumentation Incorporating an Extramedullary Tibial Guide on Operative Efficiency for Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Kwon Oh-Ryong , Kang Kyoung-Tak , Son Juhyun , Suh Dong-Suk , Heo Dong Beom , Koh Yong-Gon
Published: August 2017

This retrospective study was to determine if patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) leads to shortened surgical time through increased operating room efficiency according to different tibial PSI designs. 166 patients underwent primary TKA and were categorized into three groups as follows: PSI without extramedullary (EM) tibial guide (group 1, n=48), PSI with EM tibial guide (group 2, n=68), and conventional instrumentation (CI) group (group 3, n=50). Four factors were compared between groups, namely, operative room time, thickness of bone resection, tibial slope, and rotation of the component. The mean surgical time was significantly shorter in the PSI with EM tibial guide group (group 2, 63.9±13.6 min) compared to the CI group (group 3, 82.8±24.9 min) (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the PSI without EM tibial guide group (group 1, 75.3±18.8 min). This study suggests that PSI incorporating an EM tibial guide may lead to high operative efficiency in TKA compared to CI. This trial is registered with KCT0002384.
Method Research of Coal Mine Roof Strain Detection Based on the Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor with Thermodynamic Couple Numerical Condition
Authors: Jian Zhang , Chuan Lu , De-Shu Lin
Published: August 2017

In order to solve the problem that the measure precision of coal roof rock strain amount detection using traditional electric sensor is insufficient, a kind of High Sensitive Surface-Pasted Fiber Bragg Grating Strain Sensor based on rock bolting is designed for substitution. Furthermore, a kind of Reference Grating Zero-Strain method based on sensitivity matrix coefficient is proposed for solving FBG strain-temperature cross-sensitivity problem and realizing the better separation relevant to strain and temperature. It is proved that the sensitivity and measurement precision and anti-interference ability of FBG strain sensors are better than traditional electricity class sensors, being able to realize the real-time and online detection for coal roof surrounding rock strain.