bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What's Human Rights Got To Do With It? An Empirical Analysis of Human Rights References in Investment Arbitration
Authors: STEININGER SILVIA
Published: November 2017

This article provides a framework for systematically analyzing the practice, function, and consequences of human rights references in investment arbitration. In recent years, investment arbitration witnessed an enormous increase of references to external sources. References to human rights are especially interesting as they defy the alleged inherent conflict of investment and human rights, as well as the presumed fragmentation of international law. By applying both quantitative and qualitative approaches, I analyze how and why human rights references are employed in investor-state arbitration and, ultimately, whether they are able to remedy the legitimacy crisis of investment arbitration.

The empirical analysis is based on 46 awards, which include explicit references to human rights instruments. In the first part, this article examines which human rights instruments are referenced in investment arbitration and how the disputing parties as well as the tribunal engage in human rights referencing. In the second step, the article identifies two strategic functions of referencing human rights: guidance in the determination of substantive provisions and argumentative practice. This article further argues that, from a comparative law perspective, references may help to overcome the indetermination of investment treaties, provide for the balancing of investment and non-investment concerns, and ensure cross-regime consistency. In the third step, this article elaborates on whether those presumed benefits of referencing human rights can be confirmed on the basis of empirical results. It remains to be seen whether the ‘pick and choose’ approach of human rights references is capable of uncovering this legitimating potential.
A view from the wharf: historical perspectives on the transformation of urban waterfront space in Stockholm during the twentieth century
Authors: VALL NATASHA
Published: November 2017

This article examines the development of Hammarby Lake City in southern Stockholm on a former industrial, waterfront site during the 1990s. The setting may resemble recent global redevelopments of urban waterfronts and docks; however, in it Stockholm needs to be viewed against longer cultural, aesthetic and historical influences. This includes early twentieth-century precedents rooted in civic and residential engagement with the modern and industrial shoreline. In addition, an informal human interaction with the abandoned southern Hammarby harbour evolved during the 1950s through reoccupation by an itinerant community of workers. Such forerunners have often been overlooked in accounts of a late twentieth-century dramatic transformation of industrial waterfronts. The article concludes that there is scope to align the theme of waterfront development more closely to the longer history of the twentieth-century city. This perspective provides a useful counterpoint to the leading view of such spaces as an expression of late capitalism.
Prevalence and temporal trend (2005–2015) of anaemia among children in Northeast Brazil
Authors: Vieira Regina Coeli da Silva , Livramento Aline Roberta Silva do , Calheiros Monique Suiane Cavalcante , Ferreira Carla Mariana Xavier , Santos Tamara Rodrigues dos , Assunção Monica Lopes de , Ferreira Haroldo da Silva
Published: November 2017

Objective

Anaemia is the main nutritional deficiency in Brazil, and a prevention and control programme (National Program for Iron Supplementation) has been developed since 2005. Studies on the temporal evolution of anaemia prevalence contribute to assessment of the effectiveness of the actions undertaken. The present study aimed to identify the prevalence and temporal trend of anaemia in children.

Design

Study based on two cross-sectional household surveys carried out in 2005 and 2015. Anaemia was defined as Hb<11 g/dl (HemoCue®). Trend analysis was performed using the prevalence ratio (PR), calculated by Poisson regression with a robust adjustment of the variance. Differences were significant when P<0·05 in both crude analyses and those adjusted for possible confounding factors (e.g. socio-economic, demographic and health variables).

Setting

Alagoas, Brazil.

Subjects

In total, 666 and 782 children in the first and second Alagoas State Health and Nutrition Survey, respectively (probabilistic samples).

Results

In 2005 and 2015, anaemia prevalence was 45·1 and 27·4 %, respectively (−39·1 %; PR=0·61; 95 % CI 0·52, 0·70). In both surveys, children aged ≤24 months were more affected (P<0·01) than those aged >24 months (67·2 v. 40·7 %; 27·0 v. 19·3 %, respectively).

Conclusions

The prevalence of anaemia reduced significantly in the evaluated period. Thus, it may no longer be a severe public health problem but can instead be considered a problem of moderate magnitude. It remains, however, above the level considered acceptable according to WHO criteria. These results justify the implementation of prevention and control actions.
Noumenal Alienation: Rousseau, Kant and Marx on the Dialectics of Self-Determination
Authors: Forst Rainer
Published: November 2017

This article argues that alienation (asEntfremdung) should be understood as a particular form of individual and social heteronomy that can only be overcome by a dialectical combination of individual and collective autonomy, recovering a deontological sense of normative authority. If we think about alienation in Kantian terms, the main source of alienation is a denial of standing or, in the extreme, losing a sense of oneself as a rational normative authority equal to all others. I call the former kind of alienation, where persons deny others equal standing as a normative authority in moral or political terms, first order noumenal alienation, as there is no proper mutual cognition and recognition of each other in such a social context. I call the latter kind of alienation, where a subject does not consider themselves an equal normative authority – or an ‘end in oneself’ – second order noumenal alienation (again, in a moral and a political form). In this sense, alienation violates the dignity of humans as moral and political lawgivers – a dignity seen by Rousseau, Kant and Marx as inalienable: It can be denied or violated, but it cannot be lost.
Phage-mediated dissemination of virulence factors in pathogenic bacteria facilitated by antibiotic growth promoters in animals: a perspective
Authors: Tamang Migma Dorji , Sunwoo Hoon , Jeon Byeonghwa
Published: November 2017

Addition of sub-therapeutic antibiotics to the feed of food-producing animals for growth promotion and disease prevention has become a common agricultural practice in many countries. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is a looming concern associated with the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) around the world. In addition, some studies have shown that AGPs may not only affect antibiotic resistance but may also stimulate the dissemination of virulence factors via bacteriophages. Although only a few studies are currently available in the literature regarding this topic, in this article we endeavor to provide a perspective about how AGPs would impact the transmission of virulence factors by horizontal gene transfer via phages in a few pathogenic bacterial species significant to livestock production.
Productivity and profitability of manual and mechanized conservation agriculture (CA) systems in Eastern Zambia
Authors: Mupangwa W. , Mutenje M. , Thierfelder C. , Mwila M. , Malumo H. , Mujeyi A. , Setimela P.
Published: November 2017

Climate variability and declining soil fertility pose a major threat to sustainable agronomic and economic growth in Zambia. The objective of this study was to assess crop yield, land and labor productivity of conservation agriculture (CA) technologies in Eastern Zambia. On-farm trials were run from 2012–2015 and farmers were replicates of a randomized complete block design. The trials compared three CA systems against a conventional practice. Yield and net return ha−1were determined for maize and legume yield (kg ha−1) produced by ridge and furrow tillage, CA dibble stick planting, CA animal traction ripping and direct seeding. The dibble stick, ripline and direct seeding CA systems had 6–18, 12–28 and 8–9% greater maize yield relative to the conventional tillage system, respectively. Rotation of maize with cowpea and soybean significantly increased maize yields in all CA systems. Intercropping maize with cowpea increased land productivity (e.g., the land equivalent ratio for four seasons was 2.01) compared with full rotations under CA. Maize/cowpea intercropping in dibble stick CA produced the greatest net returns (US$312-767 ha−1) compared with dibble stick maize-cowpea rotation (US$204-657), dibble stick maize monoculture (US$108-584) and the conventional practice (US$64-516). The net-return for the animal traction CA systems showed that maize-soybean rotations using the ripper were more profitable than the direct seeder or conventional ridge and furrow systems. Agronomic and economic benefits of CA-based cropping systems highlight the good potential for improved food security and agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers.
Transitions- und Adoleszenzpsychiatrie in Österreich: Eine Pilotuntersuchung zur Sicht von Expert(innen)
Authors: Pollak Eva , Kapusta Nestor D. , Diehm Robert , Plener Paul L. , Skala Katrin
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Ziel der vorliegenden Pilotstudie war die Erhebung der Ausgangslage zur aktuellen Situation der Transitionspsychiatrie in Österreich sowie zu den spezifischen Fragen, Problemen und Veränderungswünschen des Fachpersonals im Zusammenhang mit dem Übergang psychisch erkrankter Adoleszenter in den Behandlungsbereich der Erwachsenen. Methodik: Im Rahmen einer Online-Fragebogenuntersuchung wurden fachkundige KlinikerInnen (N = 86) der Arbeitsfelder Psychiatrie, Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie zu ihren Erfahrungen die Transition von jungen Erwachsenen betreffend befragt. Ergebnisse: Das aktuelle System der Transition wird von 98.8 % der Befragten als ungünstig beurteilt. Ein Großteil (70.9 %) der Stichprobe ist der Meinung, dass der Übergang vom Jugend- zum Erwachsenenbereich von den PatientInnen nicht gut verkraftet werde. Nur 16.3 % geben an, dass an ihrem Arbeitsplatz ein geplantes und geregeltes Prozedere des Überganges vom jugendpsychiatrischen in den Erwachsenenbereich bestehe. 83.7 % plädieren für eine Verbesserung der Zusammenarbeit an der Schnittstelle zwischen der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und der Erwachsenenpsychiatrie. Schlussfolgerungen: Aus Sicht der hier befragten BehandlerInnen finden sich in Österreich, die Transitionspsychiatrie betreffend, deutliche Defizite. Nicht zuletzt aufgrund der Tatsache, dass gerade im Transitionsalter die Weichenstellung für die psychische Konstellation im weiteren Leben erfolgt, besteht die dringende Notwendigkeit, Strukturen zur geregelten Transition im Bereich der Psychiatrie zu etablieren.
Carotidynie: eine seltene Manifestation einer nicht so seltenen Erkrankung
Authors: Adamo Sarah , Gian Vital Domenic , Zinkernagel Annelies S. , Kollias Spyridon , Steiner Urs C.
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung. Wir präsentieren den Fall eines 49-jährigen Patienten mit linksseitiger Carotidynie. Als Ursache fand sich eine Lymphknotentuberkulose. Unter tuberkulostatischer Therapie zeigte sich eine rasche Besserung der Symptome.
Alcohol Involvement in Suicide and Self-Harm
Authors: Larkin Celine , Griffin Eve , Corcoran Paul , McAuliffe Carmel , Perry Ivan J. , Arensman Ella
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Background: Alcohol misuse and alcohol consumption are significant risk factors for suicidal behavior. Aims: This study sought to identify factors associated with alcohol consumption in cases of suicide and nonfatal self-harm presentations. Method: Suicide cases in Cork, Ireland, from September 2008 to June 2012 were identified through the Suicide Support and Information System. Emergency department presentations of self-harm in the years 2007–2013 were obtained from the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland. Results: Alcohol consumption was detected in the toxicology of 44% out of 307 suicide cases. Only younger age was significantly associated with having consumed alcohol among suicides. Alcohol consumption was noted in the case notes in 21% out of 8,145 self-harm presentations. Logistic regression analyses indicated that variables associated with having consumed alcohol in a self-harm presentation included male gender, older age, overdose as a method, not being admitted to a psychiatric ward, and presenting out-of-hours. Limitations: Data was limited to routinely collected variables by the two different monitoring systems. Conclusion: Alcohol consumption commonly precedes suicidal behavior, and several factors differentiated alcohol-related suicidal acts. Self-harm cases, in particular, differ in profile when alcohol is consumed and may require a tailored clinical approach to minimize risk of further nonfatal or fatal self-harm.
Measuring Forgiveness
Authors: Fernández-Capo Maria , Fernández Silvia Recoder , Sanfeliu María Gámiz , Benito Juana Gómez , Worthington Everett L.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Forgiveness is frequently investigated, and many methods of assessment have been used. However, discerning which methods of assessment to use for which purposes has generally not been based on systematic analysis. We searched four databases: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Forgiveness measures were grouped into Forgiveness Scales (i.e., Dispositional Forgiveness, Episodic Forgiveness, and Dyadic Forgiveness) and Other Measures of Forgiveness (i.e., implicit, behavioral, and biological measures). We reviewed original articles that describe the development of 45 measures and compiled psychometric information (including instrument language and availability, original samples, instrument composition, estimated reliabilities of scores, evidence of construct validity, and an evaluation of each measure). Also, our review suggests a nomological network of associations regarding the construct validity of interpreting scores as forgiveness. Those associations inform the concept of forgiveness, describing which and how variables are associated with this construct. We evaluate the level of sophistication of research in forgiveness assessment and offer suggestions to consider when choosing specific instruments to assess dispositional and episodic forgiveness.
Subchronic olanzapine exposure leads to increased expression of myelination-related genes in rat fronto-medial cortex
Authors: Ersland Kari M. , Skrede Silje , Stansberg Christine , Steen Vidar M.
Published: November 2017

Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder with severe and disabling symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, blunted affect and social withdrawal. The neuropathology remains elusive, but disturbances in immunity-related processes, neuronal connectivity and myelination have consistently been linked to schizophrenia. Antipsychotic drugs can be efficient in reducing symptoms, acting primarily on the dopamine system, but additional biological targets are likely to exist. Here we have screened for novel mechanisms of action in an animal model, using adult rats exposed to long-acting olanzapine, achieving stable and clinically relevant antipsychotic drug concentrations. By microarray-based examination of global gene expression in the fronto-medial cortex, at the single gene- and gene-set level, we observed downregulation of two neuropeptide-encoding genes, Vgf and Cort (fold change −1,25 and −1,48, respectively) in response to olanzapine exposure. Furthermore, we demonstrated significant upregulation of five out of ~2000 GO predefined gene sets after olanzapine exposure. Strikingly, all were linked to myelination and oligodendrocyte development; “Ensheathment of neurons”, “Axon ensheathment”, “Myelination”, “Myelin sheath” and “Oligodendrocyte development” (FDR-values < 25). Sixteen of the leading edge genes in these gene sets were analysed independently by qPCR, of which 11 genes displayed significant upregulation, includingPlp1,Mal,MagandCnp(fold change: 1,30, 1,50, 1,30 and 1,15, respectively). Several of the upregulated genes (e.g.MAG,MALandCNP) have previously been reported as downregulated in post-mortem brain samples from schizophrenia patients. Although caution needs to be taken when extrapolating results from animal studies to humans, the data suggest a role for olanzapine in alleviating myelination-related dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Genome-wide haplotype-based association analysis of major depressive disorder in Generation Scotland and UK Biobank
Authors: Howard David M. , Hall Lynsey S. , Hafferty Jonathan D. , Zeng Yanni , Adams Mark J. , Clarke Toni-Kim , Porteous David J. , Nagy Reka , Hayward Caroline , Smith Blair H. , Murray Alison D. , Ryan Niamh M. , Evans Kathryn L. , Haley Chris S. , Deary Ian J. , Thomson Pippa A. , McIntosh Andrew M.
Published: November 2017

Genome-wide association studies using genotype data have had limited success in the identification of variants associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). Haplotype data provide an alternative method for detecting associations between variants in weak linkage disequilibrium with genotyped variants and a given trait of interest. A genome-wide haplotype association study for MDD was undertaken utilising a family-based population cohort, Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study (n = 18,773), as a discovery cohort with UK Biobank used as a population-based replication cohort (n = 25,035). Fine mapping of haplotype boundaries was used to account for overlapping haplotypes potentially tagging the same causal variant. Within the discovery cohort, two haplotypes exceeded genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10−8) for an association with MDD. One of these haplotypes was nominally significant in the replication cohort (P < 0.05) and was located in 6q21, a region which has been previously associated with bipolar disorder, a psychiatric disorder that is phenotypically and genetically correlated with MDD. Several haplotypes with P < 10−7 in the discovery cohort were located within gene coding regions associated with diseases that are comorbid with MDD. Using such haplotypes to highlight regions for sequencing may lead to the identification of the underlying causal variants.
Diffusion of treatment in social networks and mass drug administration
Authors: Chami Goylette F. , Kontoleon Andreas A. , Bulte Erwin , Fenwick Alan , Kabatereine Narcis B. , Tukahebwa Edridah M. , Dunne David W.
Published: November 2017

Information, behaviors, and technologies spread when people interact. Understanding these interactions is critical for achieving the greatest diffusion of public interventions. Yet, little is known about the performance of starting points (seed nodes) for diffusion. We track routine mass drug administration—the large-scale distribution of deworming drugs—in Uganda. We observe friendship networks, socioeconomic factors, and treatment delivery outcomes for 16,357 individuals in 3491 households of 17 rural villages. Each village has two community medicine distributors (CMDs), who are the seed nodes and responsible for administering treatments. Here, we show that CMDs with tightly knit (clustered) friendship connections achieve the greatest reach and speed of treatment coverage. Importantly, we demonstrate that clustering predicts diffusion through social networks when spreading relies on contact with seed nodes while centrality is unrelated to diffusion. Clustering should be considered when selecting seed nodes for large-scale treatment campaigns.
Publisher Correction: Infused-liquid-switchable porous nanofibrous membranes for multiphase liquid separation
Authors: Wang Yang , Di Jiancheng , Wang Li , Li Xu , Wang Ning , Wang Baixian , Tian Ye , Jiang Lei , Yu Jihong
Published: November 2017

In Table 1 of this Article, the third row in the furthest right column contains a typographical error and should read ‘NH’, rather than ‘NM’, corresponding to n-hexane as the infused liquid.
Bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals and personal care product chemicals in fish exposed to wastewater effluent in an urban wetland
Authors: Muir Derek , Simmons Denina , Wang Xiaowa , Peart Tom , Villella Maria , Miller Jason , Sherry Jim
Published: November 2017

The bioaccumulation of a broad range of pharmaceuticals and personal care product chemicals (PPCPs) was studied in Cootes Paradise Marsh (CPM), an urban wetland that receives tertiary treated municipal waste waters as well as urban storm runoff. We measured PPCPs in caged and wild goldfish, as well as wild carp, and compared observed bioaccumulation factors (BAFP) using concentrations in surface waters and fish blood plasma, with modeled BAFs. Thirty-two PPCPs were detected in water from the central CPM site (CPM3) while 64 PPCPs were found at higher concentrations at a site immediately downstream of the effluent outflow (CPM1). Following a 3-week deployment, 15 PPCPs were detected in the plasma of caged goldfish at CPM1, and 14 at CPM3, compared to only 3 in goldfish caged at a reference site. The highest BAFP in goldfish were for the antidepressant Σfluoxetine averaging 386 L/kg in caged and 906 L/kg in wild goldfish, respectively. In carp, ΣDiazepam (diazepam and oxazepam) had the highest BAFP (927 L/kg). This study identified a broader range of PPCPs in fish and surface waters than previously reported. However, modeled BAFs did not show good agreement with observed whole body or plasma BAFs, demonstrating that more work is needed to better explain bioaccumulation of PPCPs.
Design and Synthesis of an Artificial Perpendicular Hard Ferrimagnet with High Thermal and Magnetic Field Stabilities
Authors: Lu Jun , Mao Siwei , Zhao Xupeng , Wang Xiaolei , Liu Jian , Xia Jianbai , Xiong Peng , Zhao Jianhua
Published: November 2017

It is of great fundamental and practical interest to develop effective means of modulating the magnetic hystereses of magnetic materials and their heterostructures. A notable example is the exchange bias (EB) effect between an antiferromagnet or ferrimagnet and a ferromagnet, which has been widely employed to manipulate magnetic anisotropy in spintronic devices and artificial magnets. Here, we report the design, synthesis and characterization of a synthetic perpendicularly-magnetized ferrimagnet based on [Mn2.9Ga/Co2MnSi]n superlattices, which attains thermal stability above 400 K and a coercive field up to 45 kOe through a mechanism of magnetic compensation. The structure is incorporated into a prototype Heusler alloy and MgO barrier based magnetic tunnel junction, which demonstrates high dynamic range linear field responses and an unusual in-plane EB effect. With increasing temperature, the coercive field reaches beyond 70 kOe at 400 K in this device due to the increasing degree of magnetic moment compensation in the superlattice. The results demonstrate that the compensation mechanism can be utilized to achieve simultaneous thermal robustness and high coercivity in realistic spintronic devices.
Reconstructing ice-margin retreat using delta morphostratigraphy
Authors: Dietrich Pierre , Ghienne Jean-François , Normandeau Alexandre , Lajeunesse Patrick
Published: November 2017

The paleogeographic reconstruction of the successive inland positions of a retreating ice sheet is generally constrained by mapping moraines. However, deltaic complexes constructed by sediment-charged meltwater can also provide a record of the retreating ice-margin positions. Here, we examine a serie of ice-contact, ice-distal glaciofluvial and paraglacial depositional systems that developed along the Québec North Shore (eastern Canada) in the context of falling relative sea level during the northward retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS). Ice-contact depositional systems formed when the LIS was stillstanding along the Québec North Shore. Subsequent inland retreat of the ice margin generated glacial meltwaters feeding sediment to glaciofluvial deltas, leading to their rapid progradation. The retreat of the ice margin from drainage basins was marked by the onset of paraglacial processes such as the shutdown of delta progradation, severe fluvial entrenchment, and deposition of shallow-marine strata. Four end-member scenarios describe the spatial and stratigraphic distribution of these three depositional systems (ice-contact deposits, ice-distal glaciofluvial deltas, and paraglacial suites). They reflect both the inherited drainage basin physiography and the retreat pattern of the ice margin. Applied to twenty deltaic complexes, these end-members allowed us to refine the model of LIS-margin retreat over southeastern Québec.
Alternative substrate-bound conformation of bacterial solute-binding protein involved in the import of mammalian host glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Oiki Sayoko , Kamochi Reiko , Mikami Bunzo , Murata Kousaku , Hashimoto Wataru
Published: November 2017

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), constituted by repeating uronate and amino sugar units, are major components of mammalian extracellular matrices. Some indigenous and pathogenic bacteria target GAGs for colonization to and/or infection of host mammalian cells. In Gram-negative pathogenic Streptobacillus moniliformis, the solute-binding protein (Smon0123)-dependent ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter incorporates unsaturated GAG disaccharides into the cytoplasm after depolymerization by polysaccharide lyase. Smon0123, composed of N and C domains, adopts either a substrate-free open or a substrate-bound closed form by approaching two domains at 47° in comparison with the open form. Here we show an alternative 39°-closed conformation of Smon0123 bound to unsaturated chondroitin disaccharide sulfated at the C-4 and C-6 positions of N-acetyl-d-galactosamine residue (CΔ4S6S). In CΔ4S6S-bound Smon0123, Arg204 and Lys210 around the two sulfate groups were located at different positions from those at other substrate-bound 47°-closed conformations. Therefore, the two sulfate groups in CΔ4S6S shifted substrate-binding residue arrangements, causing dynamic conformational change. Smon0123 showed less affinity with CΔ4S6S than with non-sulfated and monosulfated substrates. ATPase activity of the Smon0123-dependent ABC transporter in the presence of CΔ4S6S was lower than that in the presence of other unsaturated chondroitin disaccharides, suggesting that CΔ4S6S-bound Smon0123 was unpreferable for docking with the ABC transporter.
Chitosan coated cotton cloth supported zero-valent nanoparticles: Simple but economically viable, efficient and easily retrievable catalysts
Authors: Ali Fayaz , Khan Sher Bahadar , Kamal Tahseen , Alamry Khalid A. , Asiri Abdullah M. , Sobahi Tariq R. A.
Published: November 2017

A simple, economically viable and fast method has been utilized for the preparation of highly active metal nanoparticles (MNPs) in coating layer of chitosan (CH) over cellulose microfibers of cotton cloth (CC). 2 wt% of CH solution was used for the coating of CC strips (CC-CH), and were kept in aqueous solutions of metal salts to adsorb metal ions. The CC-CH templated with metal ions were then treated with aqueous solution of NaBH4 to reduce the metal ions into zero-valent metal nanoparticles (M0). The CC-CH strips loaded with M0 were characterized by XRD, XPS, ATR-FTIR, FE-SEM and TGA, which indicates the successful synthesis of MNPs by this method. The M0/CC-CH strips were used as an efficient catalyst for the model reduction reaction of nitrophenol and toxic organic dyes. Among all the prepaped samples, Fe/CC-CH showed good catalytic activity for 4-NP and Rh-B dye reduction in the presence of NaBH4 with rate constants of 0.2937 min−1 and 0.3804 min−1, respectively. Moreover Fe/CC-CH has good catalytic reduction ability for MO and MB having rate constants equal to 0.1698 and 0.2802 min−1, respectively. Beside the good catalytic ability, it could be easily recoverable as compared to other available techniques. The recovery was completed by simply pulling the strip from the reaction matrix after completion of the reaction and can be used several times.
Influence of Spatial and Chromatic Noise on Luminance Discrimination
Authors: Miquilini Leticia , Walker Natalie A. , Odigie Erika A. , Guimarães Diego Leite , Salomão Railson Cruz , Lacerda Eliza Maria Costa Brito , Cortes Maria Izabel Tentes , de Lima Silveira Luiz Carlos , Fitzgerald Malinda E. C. , Ventura Dora Fix , Souza Givago Silva
Published: November 2017

Pseudoisochromatic figures are designed to base discrimination of a chromatic target from a background solely on the chromatic differences. This is accomplished by the introduction of luminance and spatial noise thereby eliminating these two dimensions as cues. The inverse rationale could also be applied to luminance discrimination, if spatial and chromatic noise are used to mask those cues. In this current study estimate of luminance contrast thresholds were conducted using a novel stimulus, based on the use of chromatic and spatial noise to mask the use of these cues in a luminance discrimination task. This was accomplished by presenting stimuli composed of a mosaic of circles colored randomly. A Landolt-C target differed from the background only by the luminance. The luminance contrast thresholds were estimated for different chromatic noise saturation conditions and compared to luminance contrast thresholds estimated using the same target in a non-mosaic stimulus. Moreover, the influence of the chromatic content in the noise on the luminance contrast threshold was also investigated. Luminance contrast threshold was dependent on the chromaticity noise strength. It was 10-fold higher than thresholds estimated from non-mosaic stimulus, but they were independent of colour space location in which the noise was modulated. The present study introduces a new method to investigate luminance vision intended for both basic science and clinical applications.
Type I interferons drive inflammasome-independent emergency monocytopoiesis during endotoxemia
Authors: Lasseaux Corentin , Fourmaux Marie-Pierre , Chamaillard Mathias , Poulin Lionel Franz
Published: November 2017

Emergency monocytopoiesis is an inflammation-driven hematological process that supplies the periphery with monocytes and subsequently with macrophages and monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Yet, the regulatory mechanisms by which early bone marrow myeloid progenitors commit to monocyte-derived phagocytes during endotoxemia remains elusive. Herein, we show that type I interferons signaling promotes the differentiation of monocyte-derived phagocytes at the level of their progenitors during a mouse model of endotoxemia. In this model, we characterized early changes in the numbers of conventional dendritic cells, monocyte-derived antigen-presenting cells and their respective precursors. While loss of caspase-1/11 failed to impair a shift toward monocytopoiesis, we observed sustained type-I-IFN-dependent monocyte progenitors differentiation in the bone marrow correlated to an accumulation of Mo-APCs in the spleen. Importantly, IFN-alpha and -beta were found to efficiently generate the development of monocyte-derived antigen-presenting cells while having no impact on the precursor activity of conventional dendritic cells. Consistently, the LPS-driven decrease of conventional dendritic cells and their direct precursor occurred independently of type-I-IFN signaling in vivo. Our characterization of early changes in mononuclear phagocytes and their dependency on type I IFN signaling during sepsis opens the way to the development of treatments for limiting the immunosuppressive state associated with sepsis.
Single electron-photon pair creation from a single polarization-entangled photon pair
Authors: Kuroyama Kazuyuki , Larsson Marcus , Matsuo Sadashige , Fujita Takafumi , Valentin Sascha R. , Ludwig Arne , Wieck Andreas D. , Oiwa Akira , Tarucha Seigo
Published: November 2017

Quantum entanglement between different forms of qubits is an indication of the universality of quantum mechanics. Entanglement transfer between light and matter, especially photon and spin, has long been studied as the central concept, but it remains technically challenging for single photons and spins. In this paper, we show paired generation of a single electron in a GaAs quantum dot and a single photon from a single polarization-entangled photon pair. We measure temporal coincidence between the single photo-electron detection and the single photon detection. Considering a single photon polarization is converted to an electron spin via an optical selection rule, the present result indicates the capability of photon to spin entanglement transfer. This may be useful to explore the physics of entanglement transfer and also for applications to quantum teleportation based quantum communication.
Impact of remotely generated eddies on plume dispersion at abyssal mining sites in the Pacific
Authors: Aleynik Dmitry , Inall Mark E. , Dale Andrew , Vink Annemiek
Published: November 2017

Proposed harvesting of polymetallic nodules in the Central Tropical Pacific will generate plumes of suspended sediment which are anticipated to be ecologically harmful. While the deep sea is low in energy, it also can be highly turbulent, since the vertical density gradient which suppresses turbulence is weak. The ability to predict the impact of deep plumes is limited by scarcity of in-situ observations. Our observations show that the low-energy environment more than four kilometres below the surface ultimately becomes an order of magnitude more energetic for periods of weeks in response to the passage of mesoscale eddies. The source of these eddies is remote in time and space, here identified as the Central American Gap Winds. Abyssal current variability is controlled by comparable contributions from tides, surface winds and passing eddies. During eddy-induced elevated flow periods mining-related plumes, potentially supplemented by natural sediment resuspension, are expected to spread and disperse more widely and rapidly. Predictions are given of the timing, location and scales of impact.
A simple method to assess group difference in RT-qPCR reference gene selection using GeNorm: The case of the placental sex
Authors: St-Pierre Joey , Grégoire Jean-Charles , Vaillancourt Cathy
Published: November 2017

Normalization with proper reference genes is a crucial step in obtaining accurate mRNA expression levels in RT-qPCR experiments. GeNorm and NormFinder are two commonly used software packages that help in selecting the best reference genes, based on their expression stability. However, GeNorm does not take into account a group variable, such as sample sex, in its calculation. We demonstrate a simple calculation step to assess the variability of such parameters by multiplying the GeNorm M value with the difference of Cq values between groups. To test this, we used 28 reference gene candidates, to analyze 20 placental samples (10 of each sex), and by using HPRT1 (lower Cq values in male placentas (P = 0.017)), as a target gene. Our calculation demonstrates that the RPL30 – GAPDH reference gene combination is the better option to assess small placental sex differences in mRNA level, versus the selection obtained from GeNorm or NormFinder. The HPRT1 normalized mRNA expression level is different between placental sexes, using RPL30 and GAPDH as reference genes (P = 0.01), but not when using genes suggested by GeNorm or NormFinder. These results indicate that the proposed calculation is appropriate to assess small variations in mRNA expression between 2 groups.
A numerical treatment of radiative nanofluid 3D flow containing gyrotactic microorganism with anisotropic slip, binary chemical reaction and activation energy
Authors: Lu Dianchen , Ramzan M. , Ullah Naeem , Chung Jae Dong , Farooq Umer
Published: November 2017

A numerical investigation of steady three dimensional nanofluid flow carrying effects of gyrotactic microorganism with anisotropic slip condition along a moving plate near a stagnation point is conducted. Additionally, influences of Arrhenius activation energy, joule heating accompanying binary chemical reaction and viscous dissipation are also taken into account. A system of nonlinear differential equations obtained from boundary layer partial differential equations is found by utilization of apposite transformations. RK fourth and fifth order technique of Maple software is engaged to acquire the solution of the mathematical model governing the presented fluid flow. A Comparison with previously done study is also made and a good agreement is achieved with existing results; hence reliable results are being presented. Evaluations are carried out for involved parameters graphically against velocity, temperature, concentration fields, microorganism distribution, density number, local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers. It is detected that microorganism distribution exhibit diminishing behavior for rising values of bio-convection Lewis and Peclet numbers.
Simultaneous multi-slice inverse imaging of the human brain
Authors: Hsu Yi-Cheng , Chu Ying-Hua , Tsai Shang-Yueh , Kuo Wen-Jui , Chang Chun-Yuan , Lin Fa-Hsuan
Published: November 2017

Ultrafast functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can measure blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signals with high sensitivity and specificity. Here we propose a novel method: simultaneous multi-slice inverse imaging (SMS-InI) — a combination of simultaneous multi-slice excitation, simultaneous echo refocusing (SER), blipped controlled aliasing in parallel imaging echo-planar imaging (EPI), and regularized image reconstruction. Using a 32-channel head coil array on a 3 T scanner, SMS-InI achieves nominal isotropic 5-mm spatial resolution and 10 Hz sampling rate at the whole-brain level. Compared with traditional inverse imaging, we found that SMS-InI has higher spatial resolution with lower signal leakage and higher time-domain signal-to-noise ratio with the optimized regularization parameter in the reconstruction. SMS-InI achieved higher effective resolution and higher detection power in detecting visual cortex activity than InI. SMS-InI also detected subcortical fMRI signals with the similar sensitivity and localization accuracy like EPI. The spatiotemporal resolution of SMS-InI was used to reveal that presenting visual stimuli with 0.2 s latency between left and right visual hemifield led to 0.2 s relative hemodynamic response latency between the left and right visual cortices. Together, these results indicate that SMS-InI is a useful tool in measuring cortical and subcortical hemodynamic responses with high spatiotemporal resolution.
Integrating Clinical and Multiple Omics Data for Prognostic Assessment across Human Cancers
Authors: Zhu Bin , Song Nan , Shen Ronglai , Arora Arshi , Machiela Mitchell J. , Song Lei , Landi Maria Teresa , Ghosh Debashis , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Baladandayuthapani Veera , Zhao Hongyu
Published: November 2017

Multiple omic profiles have been generated for many cancer types; however, comprehensive assessment of their prognostic values across cancers is limited. We conducted a pan-cancer prognostic assessment and presented a multi-omic kernel machine learning method to systematically quantify the prognostic values of high-throughput genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic profiles individually, integratively, and in combination with clinical factors for 3,382 samples across 14 cancer types. We found that the prognostic performance varied substantially across cancer types. mRNA and miRNA expression profile frequently performed the best, followed by DNA methylation profile. Germline susceptibility variants displayed low prognostic performance consistently across cancer types. The integration of omic profiles with clinical variables can lead to substantially improved prognostic performance over the use of clinical variables alone in half of cancer types examined. Moreover, we showed that the kernel machine learning method consistently outperformed existing prognostic signatures, suggesting that including a large number of omic biomarkers may provide substantial improvement in prognostic assessment. Our study provides a comprehensive portrait of omic architecture for tumor prognosis across cancers, and highlights the prognostic value of genome-wide omic biomarker aggregation, which may facilitate refined prognostic assessment in the era of precision oncology.
Assessment of Concordance between 22C3 and SP142 Immunohistochemistry Assays regarding PD-L1 Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Xu Haipeng , Lin Gen , Huang Cheng , Zhu Weifeng , Miao Qian , Fan Xirong , Wu Biao , Zheng Xiaobing , Lin Xiandong , Jiang Kan , Hu Dan , Li Chao
Published: November 2017

Different anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies bind different epitopes. However, whether the results from the SP142 and 22C3 immunochemistry (IHC) assays can be interchanged to determine patient eligibility for immunotherapy remains largely unknown. Histologic sections from 135 tumor samples were probed with both 22C3 and SP142 antibodies. The concordance of PD-L1 expression determined by the two assays was assessed. Additionally, we evaluated the association of PD-L1 expression detected by different assays with clinicopathological features and prognosis. In total, 105 (77.78%) of 135 samples evaluated by the 22C3-IHC platform produced the same results with the SP142-IHC platform (Kappa value: 0.481, p < 0.001). In addition, 69 (51.11%) of 135 samples evaluated by the SP142-IHC platform produced the same results with the 22C3-IHC platform (Kappa value: 0.324, p < 0.001). PD-L1 expression based on the 22C3-IHC assay was significantly correlated with smoking status, whereas that based on the SP142-IHC assay was correlated with smoking status, sex, and histology. Compared to the SP142-IHC assay, the 22C3-IHC assay usually resulted in an underestimation of PD-L1 expression in tumor cells and immune cells. Thus, the results from the two assays cannot be interchanged. Our data also suggest that the use of different reagents may account for inconsistencies in the literature regarding the association between PD-L1 expression and clinicopathological features.
Integrated mRNA and microRNA transcriptome analysis reveals miRNA regulation in response to PVA in potato
Authors: Li Yanlin , Hu Xinxi , Chen Jiren , Wang Wanxing , Xiong Xingyao , He Changzheng
Published: November 2017

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth most important crop worldwide. Potato virus A (PVA) is one of the most harmful viruses infecting potatoes. However, the molecular mechanisms governing the responses to PVA infection in potato at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels are not well understood. In this study, we performed both mRNA and small RNA sequencing in potato leaves to identify the genes and miRNAs involved in the response to PVA infection. A total of 2,062 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 201 miRNAs (DEMs) were identified, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG analysis revealed that these DEGs were involved in the transduction of pathogen signals, transcriptional reprogramming, induction of hormone signaling, activation of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, and changes in secondary metabolism. Small RNA sequencing revealed 58 miRNA-mRNA interactions related to PVA infection. Some of the miRNAs (stu-miR482d-3p, stu-miR397-5p, etc) which target PR genes showed negative correlations between the DEMs and DEGs. Eight of the DEGs and three DEMs with their target genes were further validated by quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR). Overall, this study provides a transcriptome-wide insight into the molecular basis of resistance to PVA infection in potato leaves and potenital candidate genes for improving resistance cultivars.
Enhanced CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cell development by amodiaquine through activation of nuclear receptor 4A
Authors: Won Hee Yeon , Shin Ji Hyun , Oh Sera , Jeong Hana , Hwang Eun Sook
Published: November 2017

CD4+T cells play key roles in the regulation of immune responses against pathogenic infectious antigens via development into effector T helper and induced regulatory T (iTreg) cells. Particularly, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+iTreg cells are crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis and controlling inflammatory diseases. Anti-inflammatory drugs that enhance iTreg cell generation would be effective at preventing and treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we examined whether anti-malarial and anti-arthritic amodiaquine (AQ) could affect iTreg cell development. Despite the anti-proliferative activity of AQ, AQ only moderately decreased iTreg cell proliferation but substantially increased IL-2 production by iTreg cells. Furthermore, AQ dose-dependently increased iTreg cell development and significantly upregulated iTreg cell markers including CD25. Interestingly, CD25 expression was decreased at later stages of iTreg cell development but was sustained in the presence of AQ, which was independent of IL-2 signaling pathway. AQ directly increased CD25 gene transcription by enhancing the DNA-binding and transcriptional activity of nuclear receptor 4 A. Most importantly,in vivoadministration of AQ attenuated inflammatory colitis, resulted in the increased iTreg cells and decreased inflammatory cytokines. The ability of anti-malarial AQ to potentiate iTreg cell development makes it a promising drug for preventing and treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Mitochondrial DNA Mutations Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Uyghur Population
Authors: Jiang Wenxi , Li Ronghui , Zhang Yongbiao , Wang Panpan , Wu Tingting , Lin Jinming , Yu Jun , Gu Mingliang
Published: November 2017

A hospital-based case-control study was conducted to investigate potential association between mitochondrial DNA and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Chinese Uyghur population. We sequenced mitochondrial DNA from 210 Uyghur individuals including 88 T2DM patients and 122 controls. Using haplogroup classification and association test, we found that haplogroup H (odds ratio [OR] = 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20–1.64; P = 0.0005138) and D4 (odds ratio = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.22–1.77; P = 0.001064) were associated with an increased risk of T2DM in Chinese Uyghur population. Two markers of haplogroup D4 and H, MT-ATP8 m.8414 T > G (p.Leu17Phe) and m.2706 G > A encoding 16S rRNA in mitochondria, were predicted to affect the structure of MT-ATP8 and 16S RNA, respectively, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of T2DM. Our study provides a new clue for mitochondrial DNA in the etiology of T2DM in Chinese Uyghur population.
Relativistic inverse Compton scattering of photons from the early universe
Authors: Malu Siddharth , Datta Abhirup , Colafrancesco Sergio , Marchegiani Paolo , Subrahmanyan Ravi , Narasimha D. , Wieringa Mark H.
Published: November 2017

Electrons at relativistic speeds, diffusing in magnetic fields, cause copious emission at radio frequencies in both clusters of galaxies and radio galaxies through non-thermal radiation emission called synchrotron. However, the total power radiated through this mechanism is ill constrained, as the lower limit of the electron energy distribution, or low–energy cutoffs, for radio emission in galaxy clusters and radio galaxies, have not yet been determined. This lower limit, parametrized by the lower limit of the electron momentum – pmin – is critical for estimating the total energetics of non-thermal electrons produced by cluster mergers or injected by radio galaxy jets, which impacts the formation of large–scale structure in the universe, as well as the evolution of local structures inside galaxy clusters. The total pressure due to the relativistic, non–thermal population of electrons can be measured using the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich Effect, and is critically dependent on pmin, making the measurement of this non–thermal pressure a promising technique to estimate the electron low–energy cutoff. We present here the first unambiguous detection of this Sunyaev-Zel’dovich Effect for a non–thermal population of electrons in a radio galaxy jet/lobe, located at a significant distance away from the center of the Bullet cluster of galaxies.