bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new method to deduce counterexamples in secure routing protocols based on strand space model
Authors: Dong Xuewen , Yang Chao , Sheng Lijie , Wang Chao , Ma Jianfeng
Published: February 2017

Strand space model, an excellent formal analysis method, is still not effective enough when it is used to analyze ad hoc routing protocols. Counterexamples cannot be deduced directly if a protocol is proved insecure by strand space model. Based on backward reasoning and strand space model, an attack analysis method is proposed to find all possible attacks that cause nonexistent routes to be accepted. To begin with, a nonexistent route is assumed to be accepted by a routing protocol. Then, to decrease the complexity of analysis, an adversarial node abstraction process is carried out to make all the intermediate nodes in the nonexistent route turn into normal nodes. Furthermore, a combined analysis of strand space model and cross‐route attack is carried on the route reply phase of the routing protocol. Finally, all possible attacks that lead to the nonexistent route can be deduced after combined analyzing of the route request phase. Then, we take endairA—a classic secure routing protocol in ad hoc networks—as an example to verify the correctness and effectiveness of the new method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Causal knowledge analysis for detecting and modeling multi‐step attacks
Authors: Ahmadian Ramaki Ali , Rasoolzadegan Abbas
Published: February 2017

In order to understand the security level of an organization network, detection methods are important to tackle the probable risks of the attackers' malicious activities. Intrusion detection systems, as detection solutions of the defense in depth concept, are one of the main devices to record and analyze suspicious behaviors. Besides the benefits of these systems for security enhancement, they will bring some challenges and issues for security administrators. A large number of raw alerts generated by the intrusion detection systems clearly reflect the need for a novel proactive alert correlation framework to reduce redundant alerts, correlate security incidents, discover and model multi‐step attack scenarios, and track them. Several alert correlation frameworks have been proposed in the literature, but the majority of them address the alert correlation in the offline settings. In this paper, we propose a three‐phase alert correlation framework, which processes the generated alerts in real time, correlates the alerts with the aid of causal knowledge discovery to automatically extract causal relationships between alerts, constructs the attack scenarios using the Bayesian network concept, and predicts the next goal of the attacks using the creating attack prediction rules. Experimental results show that the scalable proposed framework is efficient enough in learning and detecting known and unknown multi‐step attack scenarios without using any predefined knowledge. The results also show that the proposed framework perfectly estimates complex attacks before they can damage the assets of the network. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Promoting student progressions in science classrooms: A video study
Authors: Jin Hui , Johnson Michele E. , Shin Hyo Jeong , Anderson Charles W.
Published: February 2017

This study was conducted in a large‐scale environmental literacy project. In the project, we developed a Learning Progression Framework (LPF) for matter and energy in social–ecological systems; the LPF contains four achievement levels. Based on the LPF, we designed a Plant Unit to help Levels 2 and 3 students advance to Level 4 of the LPF. In the present study, 12 teachers used the Plant Unit to teach, and their students took an LPF‐based assessment both before and after the teaching intervention. We observed and videotaped 20 lessons from four of those participating teachers. In this article, we report on how teachers’ teaching practice and students’ learning practice in classrooms mediate the intervention's impact on students’ learning outcomes. Regarding teaching practice, we focused on how teachers used discourse strategies to engage students in meaningful learning. Regarding students’ learning practice, we studied epistemological frames that the students used to guide their thinking. The results show that encouraging students to talk about the how and why behind their answers did not always lead to students’ use of productive frames and positive learning gains. We found that one teacher, Ms. S, successfully fostered students’ use of productive frames by using discourse strategies that target the specialized ways of reasoning behind the science content and the rationale for scientific investigations. Ms. S’ students also achieved a learning gain higher than the average learning gain in the intervention. These results suggest that discourse strategies aligned with the LPF play an important role in learning progression‐based interventions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 54: 852–883, 2017
Word learning mechanisms
Authors: He Angela Xiaoxue , Arunachalam Sudha
Published: February 2017

How do children acquire the meanings of words? Many word learning mechanisms have been proposed to guide learners through this challenging task. Despite the availability of rich information in the learner's linguistic and extralinguistic input, the word‐learning task is insurmountable without such mechanisms for filtering through and utilizing that information. Different kinds of words, such as nouns denoting object concepts and verbs denoting event concepts, require to some extent different kinds of information and, therefore, access to different kinds of mechanisms. We review some of these mechanisms to examine the relationship between the input that is available to learners and learners’ intake of that input—that is, the organized, interpreted, and stored representations they form. We discuss how learners segment individual words from the speech stream and identify their grammatical categories, how they identify the concepts denoted by these words, and how they refine their initial representations of word meanings. WIREs Cogn Sci 2017, 8:e1435. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1435

This article is categorized under:

Linguistics > Language Acquisition

Psychology > Language
Stroke screening and health‐related physical fitness testing in medical staff members in Urumqi, China
Authors: Wang Yu‐Shan , Liu Bo , Jiang Yan , Liu Zhong‐Hua , Yao Hua
Published: February 2017

Objective

Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability, and is closely related to a lack of exercise. Currently, most Chinese medical staff members lack exercise and may be at risk for stroke. We sought to determine the risk factors for stroke and study the significance of health‐related physical fitness testing in stroke prevention among Chinese medical staff members.

Methods

A total of 627 subjects from Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, were included in the study and a survey was conducted from 1st January 2016 to 1st February 2016. Stroke screening and health‐related physical fitness testing were completed according to the standard protocol, and the related data were analyzed.

Results

Based on the screening, 27.6% (n = 173) of the subjects were at high risk for stroke. The top risk factors for stroke in these subjects were dyslipidemia, lack of exercise or mild physical activity, being overweight or obese, and high blood pressure. Body weight, body mass index, body fat, visceral fat area, body fat percentage, and basal metabolic rate were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in subjects at high risk for stroke than in subjects who were not at high risk. Lung capacity, step index, grip test, vertical jump, and sit‐up/push‐up index were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in subjects at high risk for stroke than in subjects who were not at high risk.

Conclusions

A large proportion of China's on‐the‐job medical personnel is at high risk for stroke. This may be related to the nature of the profession and warrants more attention from the society. The health‐related physical fitness measurement parameters in subjects at high risk for stroke were significantly different from those in subjects who were not at high risk. Screening and health‐related physical fitness testing in medical staff members may contribute to stroke prevention. More rigorous controlled clinical trials will be needed in the future.
Mechanical technology effect in the treatment of anorectocele using transanal repair of rectocele and full rectal mucosectomy with one circular stapler procedure
Authors: Sardiñas Carlos , Arreaza Dilia Díaz , Osorio Héctor
Published: February 2017

Objective Transanal repair of rectocele and full rectal mucosectomy with one circular stapler is a procedure designed for the treatment of Obstructive Defecation Syndrome by doctor Fco. Sergio Regadas in 2005. We compare the use of multiple instruments and their mechanical technology effect in the treatment of anorectocele.

Patients and methods Female patients complaining about sensation of incomplete evacuation, ages between 40 and 55. The evaluation was made with the function of evacuation protocol: colonic transit time, colon radiology, ecodefecography, anorectal manometry and psychological test. The technique used was transanal repair of rectocele and full rectal mucosectomy with one circular stapler, using staplers CPH-34, CPH-34HV and EEA-3135-HEM, with measurement of the rectal wall resected: vertical length in centimetres, horizontal length in centimetres, weight in grams and volume in cubic centimetres; afterwards histological study of the tissue thickness, and applied the ANOVA and SPSS 12 tests for the statistical analysis.

Results The results obtained by comparing the resections made with the CPH-34, the CPH-34HV and the EEA-3135-HEM in respect of vertical length, horizontal length, weight and volume, were found to have no significant differences; neither in the histological study of the tissue thickness in respect of characteristics and structure.

Conclusion The effect of mechanical technology in the treatment of anorectocele with transanal repair of rectocele and full rectal mucosectomy with one circular stapler procedure using the CPH-34, the CPH-34HV and the EEA-3135-HEM, does not show any difference. Leaving the application of each to the operator competencies.
Validation of a Self-Report Questionnaire Assessing the Bodily and Physiological Sensations of Orgasm
Authors: Dubray Samantha , Gérard Marina , Beaulieu-Prévost Dominic , Courtois Frédérique
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Despite a plethora of research on sexual functioning during the past decades, the field is still lacking standardized measurements specifically characterizing orgasm. Although several validated tools are available to assess sexual function in healthy and clinical populations, items on orgasm are limited to frequency or dichotomous responses. A neurophysiologic model of orgasm developed from previous research in able-bodied and spinally injured populations offers a promising framework for the construction of a new questionnaire.

Aim

To develop and validate a brief self-report measurement of orgasm by the assessment of bodily and physiologic sensations perceived during climax by able-bodied individuals. Although the currently available tool focuses on the phenomenological sensations associated with climax, the goal of this questionnaire was to capture the more specific genital and extragenital sensations associated with orgasm.

Main Outcome Measures

The current Bodily Sensations of Orgasm questionnaire and the Orgasm Rating Scale.

Methods

Data from previous research conducted on individuals with spinal cord injury and the available empirical literature provided a pool of 45 items organized into four categories, which were reviewed by an expert panel. Upon review, a 28-item questionnaire was created and administered to a community sample of 227 participants, including men and women, 18 to 73 years old.

Results

Exploratory factor analyses supported the four-factor model, in which orgasm is comprised of extragenital sensations, genital sensations and spasms, nociceptive sensations, and sweating responses. Overall, a high degree of internal consistency was found for the final 22-item questionnaire (Cronbach α = 0.87), with individual reliability coefficients showing moderate to high internal consistency (r = 0.65–0.79) for each dimension. Overall temporal stability of the measurement was acceptable (r = 0.74). Using the Orgasm Rating Scale, satisfying convergent validity was confirmed, thereby indicating that the two measurements are complementary.

Conclusion

The Bodily Sensations of Orgasm questionnaire allows for a brief evaluation of the physical and physiologic sensations associated with orgasm. Findings also suggest perceptual differences between men and women with regard to climax, with women reporting a larger repertoire of climactic sensations during orgasm.
Internet-Based Guided Self-Help for Vaginal Penetration Difficulties: Results of a Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
Authors: Zarski Anna-Carlotta , Berking Matthias , Fackiner Christina , Rosenau Christian , Ebert David Daniel
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Difficulties with vaginal penetration can severely affect a woman's desire to have sexual intercourse, her sexual and general well-being, or her partnership. However, treatment opportunities for vaginismus are scarce.

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of an internet-based guided self-help intervention for vaginismus in a randomized controlled pilot trial.

Methods

Seventy-seven women with vaginismus (primary inclusion criterion = no intercourse ≥ 6 months) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG) and a waitlist control group (WCG). The intervention consisted of 10 sessions involving psychoeducation, relaxation exercises, sensate focus, and gradual exposure with dilators. Participants received written feedback on completed sessions from an eCoach.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was successful sexual intercourse. Secondary outcomes were non-intercourse penetration, fear of coitus, sexual functioning, and dyadic coping. Self-reported assessments were scheduled at baseline, 10 weeks, and 6 months.

Results

More participants (10 of 40, 34.48%) in the IG had intercourse compared with those in the WCG (6 of 37, 20.69%) at least once at 10 weeks or 6 months (odds ratio = 2.02). The difference was not significant (χ2  1 = 1.38, P = .38), but in the IG, there was a significant increase in intercourse penetration from baseline to 6 months (d = 0.65). No such increase was found in the WCG (d = 0.21). There were significant between-group effects concerning non-intercourse penetration (self-insertion of a finger or dilator or insertion by the partner) in favor of the IG. Fear of coitus and dyadic coping significantly decreased in the IG. Overall satisfaction with the training was high.

Conclusion

This randomized controlled trial showed promising effects of an internet-based intervention by increasing participants' ability to have intercourse and non-intercourse penetration while experiencing high treatment satisfaction. The WCG also showed improvement, although participants had vaginismus for an average duration of 6 years. Internet-based interventions could be a treatment modality to complement other methods in stepped care for vaginal penetration difficulties.
Teaching a Student With Autism Spectrum Disorder On-Topic Conversational Responses With an iPad: A Pilot Study - CORRIGENDUM
Authors: Sng Cheong Ying , Carter Mark , Stephenson Jennifer
Published: February 2017

In the abovementioned article by Sng, Carter, & Stephenson, Figure 2 is incorrect. The phase change line from ‘Baseline’ to the ‘Intervention’ is cropped and in the wrong place. These two errors may mislead readers of the article.
Studies of challenge in lower hybrid current drive capability at high density regime in experimental advanced superconducting tokamak
Authors: Ding B. J. , Li M. H. , Li Y. C. , Wang M. , Liu F. K. , Shan J. F. , Li J. G. , Wan B. N. ,   for EAST team and collaborators
Published: February 2017

Aiming at a fusion reactor, two issues must be solved for the lower hybrid current drive (LHCD), namely good lower hybrid wave (LHW)–plasma coupling and effective current drive at high density. For this goal, efforts have been made to improve LHW–plasma coupling and current drive capability at high density in experimental advanced superconducting tokamak (EAST). LHW–plasma coupling is improved by means of local gas puffing and gas puffing from the electron side is taken as a routine way for EAST to operate with LHCD. Studies of high density experiments suggest that low recycling and high lower hybrid (LH) frequency are preferred for LHCD experiments at high density, consistent with previous results in other machines. With the combination of 2.45 GHz and 4.6 GHz LH waves, a repeatable high confinement mode plasma with maximum density up to $4.5\times 10^{19}~\text{m}^{-3}$ was obtained by LHCD in EAST. In addition, in the first stage of LHCD cyclic operation, an alternative candidate for more economical fusion reactors has been demonstrated in EAST and further work will be continued.
Religion and axiality: theological reflections on Robert N. Bellah's Axial Age hypothesis
Authors: Gregersen Niels Henrik
Published: February 2017

The article addresses controversial questions related to Robert N. Bellah's Religion in Human Evolution: From the Paleolithic to the Axial Age (2011), and the sequel, The Axial Age and its Consequences (2012). Discussed is the difference between the macro-historical hypothesis of an axial age and more abstract aspects of axiality. Critical questions are raised about whether Bellah's theory of the emergence of religion in play and ritual does not underestimate the cognitive functions of pre-axial religion. Finally, Bellah's project raises questions as to the creative transitions taking place in post-axial epochs, not least due to the development of canonical traditions in the first centuries ce, and to the emergence of concepts of autonomous individuals in early modernity.
Volkswagen and the High-tech Greenwash
Authors: Lane Eric L.
Published: February 2017

In several ways, the revelations that Volkswagen used software to cheat on vehicle emissions tests echo common threads of greenwashing cases against car manufacturers. However, in one significant respect, the Volkswagen scandal is much more than just another example of greenwashing. That is, the German automaker's use of software to deceive brings a novel technological aspect to greenwashing. This article discusses the Volkswagen scandal in the context of automobile greenwashing cases and highlights this newhigh-tech greenwashing.
Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among 28,000 employees
Authors: Scheerbaum Martin , Langenbach Constantin , Scheerbaum Petra , Heidemann Franziska , Rieß Henrik C. , Heigel Hagen , Debus Sebastian E. , Behrendt Christian-Alexander
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Germany. The knowledge of causal risk factors and their distribution is of utmost importance to design screening programs. Probands and methods: In this cross-sectional study design we used STROBE criteria to achieve the highest comparability possible. Anthropometric measures (height and weight), total cholesterol, glucose level, and blood pressure were measured. Probands’ history was collected by using a standardized questionnaire. The data was age- and gender-adjusted for the working population 16 to 70 years of age, derived from the micro census, the 1 %-sample census of the German statistical office. For each study year weight factors were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was conducted regarding the cardiovascular risk factors: smoking, arterial hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity. Results: Between 2006 and 2015 a total of 28,293 employees took part in the ongoing company screenings. The mean age was 42.3 years for both sexes (median: 43 years). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.6 kg/m2 (men: 26.5 kg/m2, women: 24.7 kg/m2). A history of hypertension was present in 16 % of the employees (men: 17.8 %, women: 13.8 %). Of the respondents 2 % suffered from diabetes (men: 2.4 %, women: 1.6 %). Lipid-lowering drugs were taken by 2.8 % of all employees (3.6 % men and 1.9 % women). 23.3 % of the men and women indicated to be active smokers. In the regression analysis obesity was associated with a four times higher risk of hypertension and a three times higher risk of elevated glucose levels, thus manifesting as main contributor for vascular diseases. Meanwhile the risk for obesity was 140 % higher in probands who are former smokers. Conclusions: We regard obesity as the number one cardiovascular risk which should be assessed by various medical, legislative, and socio-economic actions to limit future mortality and health-care costs in Germany.
Familial associations of lymphoma and myeloma with autoimmune diseases
Authors: Hemminki K , Försti A , Sundquist K , Sundquist J , Li X
Published: February 2017

Many B-cell neoplasms are associated with autoimmune diseases (AIDs) but most evidence is based on a personal rather than a family history of AIDs. Here we calculated risks for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and multiple myeloma (MM) when family members were diagnosed with any of 44 different AIDs, or, independently, risk for AIDs when family members were diagnosed with a neoplasm. A total of 64 418 neoplasms and 531 155 AIDs were identified from Swedish nationwide health care records. NHL was associated with a family history of five AIDs, all increasing the risk, HL was associated with one AID increasing and three AIDs decreasing the risk while MM had no association. A family history of NHL was associated with eight, HL with seven and MM with seven different AIDs, nine increasing and 13 decreasing the risk. The present family data on B-cell neoplasms and AIDs show an approximately equal number of associations for risk increase and risk decrease, suggesting that inherited genes or gene-environment interactions may increase the risk or be protective. These results differed from published data on personal history of AID, which only report increased risks, often vastly higher and for different AIDs compared with the present data.
Acute myeloid leukemia targets for bispecific antibodies
Authors: Hoseini S S , Cheung N K
Published: February 2017

Despite substantial gains in our understanding of the genomics of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), patient survival remains unsatisfactory especially among the older age group. T cell-based therapy of lymphoblastic leukemia is rapidly advancing; however, its application in AML is still lagging behind. Bispecific antibodies can redirect polyclonal effector cells to engage chosen targets on leukemia blasts. When the effector cells are natural-killer cells, both antibody-dependent and antibody-independent mechanisms could be exploited. When the effectors are T cells, direct tumor cytotoxicity can be engaged followed by a potential vaccination effect. In this review, we summarize the AML-associated tumor targets and the bispecific antibodies that have been studied. The potentials and limitations of each of these systems will be discussed.
The role of the extracellular matrix in primary myelofibrosis
Authors: Leiva O , Ng S K , Chitalia S , Balduini A , Matsuura S , Ravid K
Published: February 2017

Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that arises from clonal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and leads to progressive bone marrow (BM) fibrosis. While cellular mutations involved in the development of PMF have been heavily investigated, noteworthy is the important role the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays in the progression of BM fibrosis. This review surveys ECM proteins contributors of PMF, and highlights how better understanding of the control of the ECM within the BM niche may lead to combined therapeutic options in PMF.
Establishment of Imaging Spectroscopy of Nuclear Gamma-Rays based on Geometrical Optics
Authors: Tanimori Toru , Mizumura Yoshitaka , Takada Atsushi , Miyamoto Shohei , Takemura Taito , Kishimoto Tetsuro , Komura Shotaro , Kubo Hidetoshi , Kurosawa Shunsuke , Matsuoka Yoshihiro , Miuchi Kentaro , Mizumoto Tetsuya , Nakamasu Yuma , Nakamura Kiseki , Parker Joseph D. , Sawano Tatsuya , Sonoda Shinya , Tomono Dai , Yoshikawa Kei
Published: February 2017

Since the discovery of nuclear gamma-rays, its imaging has been limited to pseudo imaging, such as Compton Camera (CC) and coded mask. Pseudo imaging does not keep physical information (intensity, or brightness in Optics) along a ray, and thus is capable of no more than qualitative imaging of bright objects. To attain quantitative imaging, cameras that realize geometrical optics is essential, which would be, for nuclear MeV gammas, only possible via complete reconstruction of the Compton process. Recently we have revealed that “Electron Tracking Compton Camera” (ETCC) provides a well-defined Point Spread Function (PSF). The information of an incoming gamma is kept along a ray with the PSF and that is equivalent to geometrical optics. Here we present an imaging-spectroscopic measurement with the ETCC. Our results highlight the intrinsic difficulty with CCs in performing accurate imaging, and show that the ETCC surmounts this problem. The imaging capability also helps the ETCC suppress the noise level dramatically by ~3 orders of magnitude without a shielding structure. Furthermore, full reconstruction of Compton process with the ETCC provides spectra free of Compton edges. These results mark the first proper imaging of nuclear gammas based on the genuine geometrical optics.
Successful post-exposure prophylaxis of Ebola infected non-human primates using Ebola glycoprotein-specific equine IgG
Authors: Pyankov Oleg V. , Setoh Yin Xiang , Bodnev Sergey A. , Edmonds Judith H. , Pyankova Olga G. , Pyankov Stepan A. , Pali Gabor , Belford Shane , Lu Louis , La Mylinh , Lovrecz George , Volchkova Valentina A. , Chappell Keith J. , Watterson Daniel , Marsh Glenn , Young Paul R. , Agafonov Alexander A. , Farmer Jillann F. , Volchkov Victor E. , Suhrbier Andreas , Khromykh Alexander A.
Published: February 2017

Herein we describe production of purified equine IgG obtained from horses immunized with plasmid DNA followed by boosting with Kunjin replicon virus-like particles both encoding a modified Ebola glycoprotein. Administration of the equine IgG over 5 days to cynomolgus macaques infected 24 hours previously with a lethal dose of Ebola virus suppressed viral loads by more than 5 logs and protected animals from mortality. Animals generated their own Ebola glycoprotein-specific IgG responses 9–15 days after infection, with circulating virus undetectable by day 15–17. Such equine IgG may find utility as a post-exposure prophylactic for Ebola infection and provides a low cost, scalable alternative to monoclonal antibodies, with extensive human safety data and WHO-standardized international manufacturing capability available in both high and low income countries.
Multi-Shell Nano-CarboScavengers for Petroleum Spill Remediation
Authors: Daza Enrique A. , Misra Santosh K. , Scott John , Tripathi Indu , Promisel Christine , Sharma Brajendra K. , Topczewski Jacek , Chaudhuri Santanu , Pan Dipanjan
Published: February 2017

Increasingly frequent petroleum contamination in water bodies continues to threaten our ecosystem, which lacks efficient and safe remediation tactics both on macro and nanoscales. Current nanomaterial and dispersant remediation methods neglect to investigate their adverse environmental and biological impact, which can lead to a synergistic chemical imbalance. In response to this rising threat, a highly efficient, environmentally friendly and biocompatible nano-dispersant has been developed comprising a multi-shelled nanoparticle termed ‘Nano-CarboScavengers’ (NCS) with native properties for facile recovery via booms and mesh tools. NCS treated different forms of petroleum oil (raw and distillate form) with considerable efficiency (80% and 91%, respectively) utilizing sequestration and dispersion abilities in tandem with a ~10:1 (oil: NCS; w/w) loading capacity. In extreme contrast with chemical dispersants, the NCS was found to be remarkably benign in in vitro and in vivo assays. Additionally, the carbonaceous nature of NCS broke down by human myeloperoxidase and horseradish peroxidase enzymes, revealing that incidental biological uptake can enzymatically digest the sugar based core.
Assessment of the efficacy of two novel DNA vaccine formulations against highly pathogenic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus
Authors: Du Luping , Pang Fengjiao , Yu Zhengyu , Xu Xiangwei , Fan Baochao , Huang Kehe , He Kongwang , Li Bin
Published: February 2017

Since May 2006, a highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (HP-PRRSV) has emerged and prevailed in mainland China, affecting over 2 million pigs. Commercial PRRSV killed and modified live vaccines cannot provide complete protection against HP-PRRSV due to genetic variation. Development of more effective vaccines against the emerging HP-PRRSV is urgently required. In our previous studies, two formulations of DNA vaccines (pcDNA3.1-PoIFN-λ1-SynORF5 and BPEI/PLGA-SynORF5) based on the HP-PRRSV were constructed and shown to induce enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immune response induced by these novel formulations in piglets. PcDNA3.1-PoIFN-λ1-SynORF5 and BPEI/PLGA-SynORF5 vaccines induced significantly enhanced GP5-specific antibody and PRRSV-specific neutralizing antibody in pigs compared with the pcDNA3.1-SynORF5 parental construct. Though IFN-γ levels and lymphocyte proliferation responses induced by the two DNA vaccine formulations were comparable to that induced by the pcDNA3.1-SynORF5 construct, each of the novel formulations provided efficient protection against challenge with HP-PRRSV. Non-severe clinical signs and rectal temperatures were observed in pigs immunized with BPEI/PLGA-SynORF5 compared with other groups. Thus, these novel DNA constructs may represent promising candidate vaccines against emerging HP-PRRSV.
Platelet activating factor-induced expression of p21 is correlated with histone acetylation
Authors: Damiani Elisabetta , Puebla-Osorio Nahum , Lege Bree M. , Liu Jingwei , Neelapu Sattva S. , Ullrich Stephen E.
Published: February 2017

Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated keratinocytes secrete the lipid mediator of inflammation, platelet-activating factor (PAF). PAF plays an essential role in UV-induced immune suppression and skin cancer induction. Dermal mast cell migration from the skin to the draining lymph nodes plays a prominent role in activating systemic immune suppression. UV-induced PAF activates mast cell migration by up-regulating mast cell CXCR4 surface expression. Recent findings indicate that PAF up-regulates CXCR4 expression via histone acetylation. UV-induced PAF also activates cell cycle arrest and disrupts DNA repair, in part by increasing p21 expression. Do epigenetic alterations play a role in p21 up-regulation? Here we show that PAF increases Acetyl-CREB-binding protein (CBP/p300) histone acetyltransferase expression in a time and dose-dependent fashion. Partial deletion of the HAT domain in the CBP gene, blocked these effects. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that PAF-treatment activated the acetylation of the p21 promoter. PAF-treatment had no effect on other acetylating enzymes (GCN5L2, PCAF) indicating it is not a global activator of histone acetylation. This study provides further evidence that PAF activates epigenetic mechanisms to affect important cellular processes, and we suggest this bioactive lipid can serve as a link between the environment and the epigenome.
Order of magnitude enhancement of monolayer MoS2 photoluminescence due to near-field energy influx from nanocrystal films
Authors: Guo Tianle , Sampat Siddharth , Zhang Kehao , Robinson Joshua A. , Rupich Sara M. , Chabal Yves J. , Gartstein Yuri N. , Malko Anton V.
Published: February 2017

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) like MoS2are promising candidates for various optoelectronic applications. The typical photoluminescence (PL) of monolayer MoS2is however known to suffer very low quantum yields. We demonstrate a 10-fold increase of MoS2excitonic PL enabled by nonradiative energy transfer (NRET) from adjacent nanocrystal quantum dot (NQD) films. The understanding of this effect is facilitated by our application of transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy to monitor the energy influx into the monolayer MoS2in the process of ET from photoexcited CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals. In contrast to PL spectroscopy, TA can detect even non-emissive excitons, and we register an order of magnitude enhancement of the MoS2excitonic TA signatures in hybrids with NQDs. The appearance of ET-induced nanosecond-scale kinetics in TA features is consistent with PL dynamics of energy-accepting MoS2and PL quenching data of the energy-donating NQDs. The observed enhancement is attributed to the reduction of recombination losses for excitons gradually transferred into MoS2under quasi-resonant conditions as compared with their direct photoproduction. The TA and PL data clearly illustrate the efficacy of MoS2and likely other TMDC materials as energy acceptors and the possibility of their practical utilization in NRET-coupled hybrid nanostructures.
The formation of multivesicular bodies in activated blastocysts is influenced by autophagy and FGF signaling in mice
Authors: Shin Hyejin , Bang Soyoung , Kim Jiyeon , Jun Jin Hyun , Song Haengseok , Lim Hyunjung Jade
Published: February 2017

Dormant blastocysts during delayed implantation undergo autophagic activation, which is an adaptive response to prolonged survival in utero during less favorable environment. We observed that multivesicular bodies (MVBs) accumulate in the trophectoderm of dormant blastocysts upon activation for implantation. Since autophagosomes are shown to fuse with MVBs and efficient autophagic degradation requires functional MVBs, we examined if MVB formation in activated blastocysts are associated with protracted autophagic state during dormancy. We show here that autophagic activation during dormancy is one precondition for MVB formation in activated blastocysts. Furthermore, the blockade of FGF signaling with PD173074 partially interferes with MVB formation in these blastocysts, suggesting the involvement of FGFR signaling in this process. We believe that MVB formation in activated blastocysts after dormancy is a potential mechanism of clearing subcellular debris accumulated during prolonged autophagy.
Synergistic effect of Indium and Gallium co-doping on growth behavior and physical properties of hydrothermally grown ZnO nanorods
Authors: Lim Jun Hyung , Lee Seung Muk , Kim Hyun-Suk , Kim Hyun You , Park Jozeph , Jung Seung-Boo , Park Geun Chul , Kim Jungho , Joo Jinho
Published: February 2017

We synthesized ZnO nanorods (NRs) using simple hydrothermal method, with the simultaneous incorporation of gallium (Ga) and indium (In), in addition, investigated the co-doping effect on the morphology, microstructure, electronic structure, and electrical/optical properties. The growth behavior of the doped NRs was affected by the nuclei density and polarity of the (001) plane. The c-axis parameter of the co-doped NRs was similar to that of undoped NRs due to the compensated lattice distortion caused by the presence of dopants that are both larger (In3+) and smaller (Ga3+) than the host Zn2+ cations. Red shifts in the ultraviolet emission peaks were observed in all doped NRs, owing to the combined effects of NR size, band gap renormalization, and the presence of stacking faults created by the dopant-induced lattice distortions. In addition, the NR/p-GaN diodes using co-doped NRs exhibited superior electrical conductivity compared to the other specimens due to the increase in the charge carrier density of NRs and the relatively large effective contact area of (001) planes. The simultaneous doping of In and Ga is therefore anticipated to provide a broader range of optical, physical, and electrical properties of ZnO NRs for a variety of opto-electronic applications.
Fluorescent RAFT polymers bearing a nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) ligand at the α-chain-end for the site-specific labeling of histidine-tagged proteins
Authors: Duret Damien , Haftek-Terreau Zofia , Carretier Matthieu , Ladavière Catherine , Charreyre Marie-Thérèse , Favier Arnaud
Published: February 2017

Fluorescent polymer probes bearing a nitrilotriacetic acid ligand at the α−chain-end selectively labeled histidine-tagged recombinant proteins.
Alumina-supported sub-nanometer Pt10 clusters: amorphization and role of the support material in a highly active CO oxidation catalyst
Authors: Yin Chunrong , Negreiros Fabio R. , Barcaro Giovanni , Beniya Atsushi , Sementa Luca , Tyo Eric C. , Bartling Stephan , Meiwes-Broer Karl-Heinz , Seifert Sönke , Hirata Hirohito , Isomura Noritake , Nigam Sandeep , Majumder Chiranjib , Watanabe Yoshihide , Fortunelli Alessandro , Vajda Stefan
Published: February 2017

Bridging the support gap in heterogeneous ultrananocatalysis.
Understanding enzymatic degradation of single-walled carbon nanotubes triggered by functionalization using molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Chen Ming , Zeng Guangming , Xu Piao , Zhang Yi , Jiang Danni , Zhou Shuang
Published: February 2017

Interactions of SWCNTs with their degrading enzymes (horseradish peroxidase and lactoperoxidase) during biodegradation.
The evolving role of ubiquitin modification in endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation
Authors: Preston G. Michael , Brodsky Jeffrey L.
Published: February 2017

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves as a warehouse for factors that augment and control the biogenesis of nascent proteins entering the secretory pathway. In turn, this compartment also harbors the machinery that responds to the presence of misfolded proteins by targeting them for proteolysis via a process known as ER-associated degradation (ERAD). During ERAD, substrates are selected, modified with ubiquitin, removed from the ER, and then degraded by the cytoplasmic 26S proteasome. While integral membrane proteins can directly access the ubiquitination machinery that resides in the cytoplasm or on the cytoplasmic face of the ER membrane, soluble ERAD substrates within the lumen must be retrotranslocated from this compartment. In either case, nearly all ERAD substrates are tagged with a polyubiquitin chain, a modification that represents a commitment step to degrade aberrant proteins. However, increasing evidence indicates that the polyubiquitin chain on ERAD substrates can be further modified, serves to recruit ERAD-requiring factors, and may regulate the ERAD machinery. Amino acid side chains other than lysine on ERAD substrates can also be modified with ubiquitin, and post-translational modifications that affect substrate ubiquitination have been observed. Here, we summarize these data and provide an overview of questions driving this field of research.
From the research laboratory to the database: the Caenorhabditis elegans kinome in UniProtKB
Authors: Zaru Rossana , Magrane Michele , O'Donovan Claire ,   the UniProt Consortium
Published: February 2017

Protein kinases form one of the largest protein families and are found in all species, from viruses to humans. They catalyze the reversible phosphorylation of proteins, often modifying their activity and localization. They are implicated in virtually all cellular processes and are one of the most intensively studied protein families. In recent years, they have become key therapeutic targets in drug development as natural mutations affecting kinase genes are the cause of many diseases. The vast amount of data contained in the primary literature and across a variety of biological data collections highlights the need for a repository where this information is stored in a concise and easily accessible manner. The UniProt Knowledgebase meets this need by providing the scientific community with a comprehensive, high-quality and freely accessible resource of protein sequence and functional information. Here, we describe the expert curation process for kinases, focusing on the Caenorhabditis elegans kinome. The C. elegans kinome is composed of 438 kinases and almost half of them have been functionally characterized, highlighting that C. elegans is a valuable and versatile model organism to understand the role of kinases in biological processes.
Co-sensitization of ZnO solar cells by organic dyes
Authors: Giannouli M. , Tziogkidou G. , Leftheriotis G.
Published: February 2017

We investigated the co-sensitization properties of organic dyes with complementary absorption spectra. Binary and ternary blends of organic dye molecules were used to sensitize nanostructured ZnO Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) devices. It was observed that the co-sensitization process can be optimized in order to increase device performance considerably. Sequential co-sensitization was used in order to enhance the performance of the DSSCs compared to co-sensitization using dye blends. In the case of sequential sensitization, the order of sensitization was found to play a significant role in increasing the efficiency of the device by enhancing the incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) and dye loading of the device. The energy conversion efficiency (n) of co-sensitized ZnO cells was found to be considerably higher than the efficiency of cells sensitized with a single dye, due to the broader absorption spectrum of the co-sensitized cells, as confirmed by incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) measurements. An increase in efficiency of up to 53% was noted for the most successful ternary blend as compared with the most efficient of the single dyes used in the blend. Sequential co-sensitization of DSSCs yielded even higher efficiency values. DSSCs sensitized sequentially had efficiency over 4 times greater than those of the cells sensitized with any of the single dyes, mainly due to optimized light harvesting and improved dye loading.
Iterated function system quasiarcs
Authors: Iseli Annina , Wildrick Kevin
Published: February 2017

We consider a class of iterated function systems (IFSs) of contracting similarities of Rn\mathbb {R}^n, introduced by Hutchinson, for which the invariant set possesses a natural Hölder continuous parameterization by the unit interval. When such an invariant set is homeomorphic to an interval, we give necessary conditions in terms of the similarities alone for it to possess a quasisymmetric (and as a corollary, bi-Hölder) parameterization. We also give a related necessary condition for the invariant set of such an IFS to be homeomorphic to an interval.
Durable Sustained Virologic Response After Oral Directly Acting Antiviral Therapy Despite Immunosuppressive Treatment
Authors: Hahn Katherine J. , Kohli Anita , Sims Zayani , Kottilil Shyamasundaran
Published: February 2017

Treatment for hepatitis C has evolved from interferon-based therapy to all oral, directly acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. The influence of immunosuppression on maintaining sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients who have been treated with these directly acting agents is unknown. In this study, we report sustained hepatitis C virus (HCV) suppression in 3 patients undergoing various immunosuppressive treatments after achieving SVR with DAA therapy. Three patients, who were enrolled in 1 of 2 single-center National Institutes of Health clinical trials, achieved SVR12. Each patient had undergone between 6 and 24 weeks of DAA therapy with or without ribavirin. Immunosuppression was varied among the 3 patients. Therapy included adalimumab, carboplatin/irinotecan, or capecitabine. In all 3 cases, patients maintained HCV RNA levels below detection after immunosuppression. All patients had undetectable viral load and normalized liver-related enzymes during immunosuppressive therapy. This report suggests that SVR as a result of novel DAA therapy is durable and likely not affected by immunosuppressive therapy. Larger studies are required to confirm these results, but findings are promising for the treatment of large numbers of HCV-infected patients who may require subsequent immunosuppressive or immunomodulating therapies.
CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA NEAR NUCLEAR PLANTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: THE EVOLUTION OF A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO STUDYING RARE DISEASE IN SMALL GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
Authors: BERAL VALERIE
Published: February 2017

A cluster of childhood leukemia in a village near a nuclear plant in northern England prompted further studies of cancer in the vicinity of other nuclear plants in the United Kingdom. These studies demonstrated that the risk of childhood leukemia was increased near certain other nuclear plants. Although the reasons for the increase are still unclear, the scientific debate stimulated by these findings has clarified some of the special methodological problems encountered when studying rare diseases in small areas. Firefly, unless a specific hypothesis is defined in advance, the relevance of a single geographic cluster of disease can rarely be interpreted. Even when a prior hypothesis exists, the small number of cases which generally occur in a small area make the findings highly sensitive to reporting, diagnostic, or classification errors. The statistical power of such investigations is also usually low and only marked increases in risk can be detected. Furthermore, conventional statistical tests may be inappropriate if the underlying spatial distribution of the disease is not random; and little is known about the background distribution of disease in small areas. Investigations of specific hypotheses about defined sources of environmental contamination, especially if they can be replicated, are more likely to result in conclusive findings than are in-depth studies of individual clusters.
SYSTEMATICS OF THE GENERA OF THE ORDER ASCOGLOSSA (GASTROPODA)
Authors: MARCUS EVELINE d. B.-R.
Published: February 2017

List of the genera of Ascoglossa with their distinctive characters. The type species of Cylindrobulla, C. beaui Fischer, 1856, is maintained in the Cephalaspidea Diaphanacea, together with two further species, as subfamily Cylindrobullinae, by reason of their radula. The genus Ascobulla Marcus, 1972, remains in the Ascoglossa, suborder Volvatellacea, family Volvatellidae. The Acochlidiacea Ganitus Marcus, 1953, and Paraganitus Challis, 1968, have ascoglossan teeth. They have no ascus and shed the worn teeth. Their nerve ring lies in front of the pharynx. Therefore they are retained in the Acochlidiacea.

Two new genera are introduced: Roburnella, type species Lobiger wilsoni Tate, 1889, and Pattyclaya, type species Elysia arena Carlson & Hoff, 1977; and two new species: Elysia pagenstecheri for Actaeon viridis Pagenstecher, 1863, and Placida babai for Placida dendritica Baba, 1955, from Japan, whose tooth is different from the European dendritica (Alder & Hancock, 1843). The genus type of Costasiella, C. virescens Pruvot-Fol, 1951, is described in detail, and the species belonging to the genus are compared.

The characters considered as generic in the diagnoses of Stiliger and Ercolania occur in such varied combinations, that a generic separation is not feasible. Hence, I synonymize Ercolania to Stiliger. Bosellia differs from the elysiids in wanting parapodia and in number of chromosomes. I assign it to the family Boselliidae.

Platyhedyle denudata Salvani-Plawen, 1973, with its suborder Platyhedylacea Rankin, 1979, is transferred from the Acochlidiacea to the Ascoglossa.