bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the modified agglutination test for the detection ofToxoplasma gondiiin free-range chickens by using cat and mouse bioassay
Authors: DUBEY J. P. , LAURIN E. , KWOWK O. C. H.
Published: December 2015

The modified agglutination test (MAT) is one of the most commonly used tests for the detection of antibodies toToxoplasma gondiiin animal and human sera. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the MAT and bioassay in free-range/backyard (FR) chickens (Gallus domesticus). Previously-publishedT. gondiitest results from 2066 chickens from 19 countries were compiled for the present study. The frequency of isolation ofT. gondiiincreased for MAT titres between 1:5 and 1:160, and ranged from 61 to 75% for antibody titres of 1:160, 1:320, and ⩾1:640. Twenty-three cats fed pooled hearts from a total of 802 FR seronegative (MAT, <1:5) chickens from several countries did not excrete oocysts, indicating a high negative predictive value of MAT because FR chickens would have been exposed to many microbes; cats are the most sensitive indicators ofT. gondiiinfection in tissues and can excrete millions of oocysts after ingesting even a few bradyzoites. Of the 29 cats in this study, six cats, fed hearts pooled from 15–122 FR chickens, excreted oocysts; but these identifications were likely related to misidentification or prozone. Results of the present study support the validity of MAT for the detection ofT. gondiiinfection in chickens.
Cellular immune response in intraventricular experimental neurocysticercosis
Authors: MOURA VANIA B. L. , LIMA SARAH B. , MATOS-SILVA HIDELBERTO , VINAUD MARINA C. , LOYOLA PATRICIA R. A. N. , LINO RUY S.
Published: December 2015

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is considered a neglected parasitic infection of the human central nervous system. Its pathogenesis is due to the host immune response, stage of evolution and location of the parasite. The aim of this study was to evaluate thein situand systemic immune response through cytokines dosage (IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 and IFN-γ) as well as the local inflammatory response of the experimental NCC withTaenia crassiceps. Thein situand systemic cellular and inflammatory immune response were evaluated through the cytokines quantification at 7, 30, 60 and 90 days after inoculation and histopathological analysis. All cysticerci were found within the cerebral ventricles. There was a discrete intensity of inflammatory cells of mixed immune profile, polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells, at the beginning of the infection and predominance of mononuclear cells at the end. The systemic immune response showed a significant increase in all the analysed cytokines and predominance of the Th2 immune profile cytokines at the end of the infection. These results indicate that the location of the cysticerci may lead to ventriculomegaly. The acute phase of the infection showed a mixed Th1/Th17 profile accompanied by high levels of IL-10 while the late phase showed a Th2 immune profile.
Clouds, Mysteries, Socrates and Plato
Authors: Adkins A.W.H.
Published: December 2015

Scholars have observed that in Aristophanes’ Clouds entrance to the phrontisterion is likened to initiation into the mysteries; but there seems to have been no discussion of the effect that such a comparison would be likely to produce upon an audience of the period. In the present paper I wish to explore this question; and also to consider the relevance of Aristophanes’ words to anything Socrates may himself have said or done, and Plato’s attitude to the situation.
Konservat-Lagerstätten:cause and classification
Authors: Allison Peter A.
Published: December 2015

A review of the processes required for exceptional preservation of soft-bodied fossils demonstrates that anoxia does not significantly inhibit decay and emphasizes the importance of early diagenetic mineralization. Early diagenesis is the principal factor amongst the complex processes leading to soft-part preservation. The development of a particular preservational mineral is controlled by rate of burial, amount of organic detritus, and salinity. A new causative classification of soft-bodied fossil biotas is presented based upon fossil mineralogy and mineral paragenesis.
Multi-contact bipedal robotic locomotion
Authors: Zhao Huihua , Hereid Ayonga , Ma Wen-loong , Ames Aaron D.
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a formal framework for achieving multi-contact bipedal robotic walking, and realizes this methodology experimentally on two robotic platforms: AMBER2 and Assume The Robot Is A Sphere (ATRIAS). Inspired by the key feature encoded in human walking—multi-contact behavior—this approach begins with the analysis of human locomotion and uses it to motivate the construction of a hybrid system model representing a multi-contact robotic walking gait. Human-inspired outputs are extracted from reference locomotion data to characterize the human model or the spring-loaded invert pendulum (SLIP) model, and then employed to develop the human-inspired control and an optimization problem that yields stable multi-domain walking. Through a trajectory reconstruction strategy motivated by the process that generates the walking gait, the mathematical constructions are successfully translated to the two physical robots experimentally.
Geometric properties of projective manifolds of small degree
Authors: KWAK SIJONG , PARK JINHYUNG
Published: December 2015

The aim of this paper is to study geometric properties of non-degenerate smooth projective varieties of small degree from a birational point of view. First, using the positivity property of double point divisors and the adjunction mappings, we classify smooth projective varieties in $\mathbb{P}$r of degree d ⩽ r + 2, and consequently, we show that such varieties are simply connected and rationally connected except in a few cases. This is a generalisation of P. Ionescu's work. We also show the finite generation of Cox rings of smooth projective varieties in $\mathbb{P}$r of degree d ⩽ r with counterexamples for d = r + 1, r + 2. On the other hand, we prove that a non-uniruled smooth projective variety in $\mathbb{P}$r of dimension n and degree d ⩽ n(r − n) + 2 is Calabi–Yau, and give an example that shows this bound is also sharp.
Domestic Church: A New Frontier in Ecclesiology
Authors: Bourg Florence Caffrey
Published: December 2015

This essay traces the revival of the concept of domestic church from Vatican II to the present. It identifies areas of preliminary consensus, as well as unresolved issues, which surface explicitly or implicitly in discussion of domestic church. Using Rahner's thought, the potential significance of domestic churches in ecclesiology is examined in more depth.
X.—On the Quantum Mechanism in the Atom
Authors: Whittaker E. T.
Published: December 2015

It is now well established experimentally that when an atom is caused to emit radiation of frequency v by collision with an electron, the amount U of the kinetic energy of the electron which is absorbed by the atom is given by the equation

where h denotes Planck's quantum of Action : an electron whose kinetic energy before the encounter is less than hv is incapable of stimulating the atom to emit the radiation, and is merely repelled from the atom without any loss of energy.
Antipsychotic induced priapism in a man with an intellectual disability
Authors: Anjum Rubina , Roy Ashok , Marston Geoff
Published: December 2015

Priapism is a rare urological emergency, which can be associated with the use of psychotropic medication. The authors were able to find only one brief report of this condition in people with an intellectual disability. A case is reported in a man with moderate intellectual disability, who was receiving antipsychotic medication to manage extreme challenging behaviour. We discuss the condition and its implications for pharmacological treatments of behavioural disturbance in susceptible individuals.
Classroom Management in Primary Schools: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Wilks Ray
Published: December 2015

A considerable body of classroom management research has attempted to examine teacher and student variables believed to correlate with student academic achievement. However, only some of these variables are alterable by the school. Knowledge of these alterable variables may assist schools to make informed decisions about managing primary school classrooms to maximise student achievement. Evidence suggests that students' activity (level of academic engaged time and academic learning time) may be causally intermediate between the teacher's implementation of the curriculum (including a teacher's managerial skills, discipline procedures, and instructional methods) and the student's learning. This paper reviews the literature related to a number of alterable teacher and student variables that impact on a student's academic achievement. Existing difficulties of, and future directions for, classroom management research are discussed.
The Roles of Temptation Strength and Self-efficacy in Predicting Smoking Cessation Attempts
Authors: Zentner Lucila , Borland Ron
Published: December 2015

This paper examines the predictive value of self-efficacy and strength of temptations in determining whether a person will try to give up smoking, and successfully do so for at least one day. Participants were 62 smokers calling a quit-smoking telephone service. They were assessed by self-report questionnaires by telephone. Fifty-six per cent had made an attempt to stop smoking within 3 weeks. Measures of self-efficacy to quit smoking and strength of temptations to smoke were not closely related. Multivariate analyses revealed that after intention to quit entered the equation, self-efficacy was inversely related to making a quit attempt, as was temptation strength and extent of addiction. This study extends previous work that showed self-efficacy has a complex relationship with making quit attempts by showing that self-efficacy operates quite differently from strength of temptations. This may be because measures of self-efficacy, when made in the context of intention to act, contain a motivational component as well as an assessment of skills to resist temptations.
Assessment of the severity of Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone in 2014–2015
Authors: WONG J. Y. , ZHANG W. , KARGBO D. , HAQUE U. , HU W. , WU P. , KAMARA A. , CHEN Y. , KARGBO B. , GLASS G. E. , YANG R. , COWLING B. J. , LIU C.
Published: December 2015

The current Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa is unprecedented in scale, and Sierra Leone is the most severely affected country. The case fatality risk (CFR) and hospitalization fatality risk (HFR) were used to characterize the severity of infections in confirmed and probable EVD cases in Sierra Leone. Proportional hazards regression models were used to investigate factors associated with the risk of death in EVD cases. In total, there were 17 318 EVD cases reported in Sierra Leone from 23 May 2014 to 31 January 2015. Of the probable and confirmed EVD cases with a reported final outcome, a total of 2536 deaths and 886 recoveries were reported. CFR and HFR estimates were 74·2% [95% credibility interval (CrI) 72·6–75·5] and 68·9% (95% CrI 66·2–71·6), respectively. Risks of death were higher in the youngest (0–4 years) and oldest (⩾60 years) age groups, and in the calendar month of October 2014. Sex and occupational status did not significantly affect the mortality of EVD. The CFR and HFR estimates of EVD were very high in Sierra Leone.
High burden of RSV hospitalization in very young children: a data linkage study
Authors: HOMAIRA N. , OEI J.-L. , MALLITT K-A. , ABDEL-LATIF M. E. , HILDER L. , BAJUK B. , LUI K. , FERSON M. , NURKIC A. , CHAMBERS G. M. , RAWLINSON W. , SNELLING T. , JAFFE A.
Published: December 2015

Linked administrative population data were used to estimate the burden of childhood respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalization in an Australian cohort aged <5 years. RSV-coded hospitalizations data were extracted for all children aged <5 years born in New South Wales (NSW), Australia between 2001 and 2010. Incidence was calculated as the total number of new episodes of RSV hospitalization divided by the child-years at risk. Mean cost per episode of RSV hospitalization was estimated using public hospital cost weights. The cohort comprised of 870 314 children. The population-based incidence/1000 child-years of RSV hospitalization for children aged <5 years was 4·9 with a rate of 25·6 in children aged <3 months. The incidence of RSV hospitalization (per 1000 child-years) was 11·0 for Indigenous children, 81·5 for children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), 10·2 for preterm children with gestational age (GA) 32–36 weeks, 27·0 for children with GA 28–31 weeks, 39·0 for children with GA <28 weeks and 6·7 for term children with low birthweight. RSV hospitalization was associated with an average annual cost of more than AUD 9 million in NSW. RSV was associated with a substantial burden of childhood hospitalization specifically in children aged <3 months and in Indigenous children and children born preterm or with BPD.
Richard Hooker and the EuropeanIUS Commune
Authors: Helmholz Richard
Published: December 2015

Placing Richard Hooker (d 1600) within the history of European thought has never been easy. The work of this Elizabethan defender of the English Church seems to defy exact categorisation. Publication in the Folger Library Edition of Hooker's complete works has, however, made knowledge about him easier to acquire than it once was, and in particular it makes possible a more accurate assessment of a question of interest to readers of this Journal. How much did he know about theius commune, the amalgam of Roman and canon laws that governed practice in the tribunals of the Church? More than that, because the Folger Edition includes all Hooker's surviving writing—even his sermons and autograph notes—it is possible to discover more about the ways in which Hooker made use of the legal sources at his disposal, including those from the Roman and canon laws.
Seed storage behaviour of four Sahelian and Sudanian tree species (Boscia senegalensis, Butyrospermum parkii, Cordyla pinnata and Saba senegalensis)
Authors: Danthu P. , Guèye A. , Boye A. , Bauwens D. , Sarr A.
Published: December 2015

Seeds of four African tree species from the Sahelian zone (Boscia senegalensis) and the Sudanian zone (Butyrospermum parkii, Cordyla pinnata and Saba senegalensis) lose viability after moisture contents drop below 22 and 30%, depending on the species. Seed longevity in wet and airtight storage does not exceed a few months. Temperatures close to zero elicit symptoms of chilling injury leading to rapid seed death. The optimum storage temperature is 15°C. These results allow the four species to be classified as recalcitrant seed species. Boscia senegalensis is therefore an exception in arid zones where most species have orthodox seeds.
Inattention and Hyperactivity-Impulsivity: Psychobiological and Evolutionary Underpinnings of ADHD
Authors: Stein Dan J. , Fan Jin , Fossella John , Russell Vivienne A.
Published: December 2015

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a prevalent and disabling disorder that is characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, impairment in executive functions, structural and functional abnormalities in frontal-striatal circuitry, associations with particular catecholamine gene variants, and responsiveness to dopaminergic and noradrenergic agents. There is a growing integration of findings from basic and clinical studies, of data from different methods (eg, genetics and imaging), and of empirical data with hypotheses drawn from evolutionary thinking. Here we briefly summarize work on the cognitive-affective neuroscience of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Language-switch costs and dual-response costs in bimodal bilingual language production
Authors: KAUFMANN EMILY , PHILIPP ANDREA M.
Published: December 2015

In communication, different forms of language combinations are possible for bimodal bilinguals, who use a spoken and a signed language. They can either switch from one language to another (language switching) or produce a word and a sign simultaneously (language blending). The present study examines language control mechanisms in language switching and simultaneous bimodal language production, comparing single-response (German or German Sign Language) and dual-response trials (Blend of the German word and the German Sign Language sign). There were three pure blocks, one for each Target-response (German, German Sign Language, Blend), as well as mixed blocks, in which participants switched between all three Target-responses. We observed language mixing costs, switch costs and dual-response costs. Further, the data pattern showed a specific dual-response advantage for switching into a Blend (i.e., a dual-response trial), indicating the specific nature of a blended response in bimodal bilingual language production.
Development and calibration of a dietary nitrate and nitrite database in the NIH–AARP Diet and Health Study
Authors: Inoue-Choi Maki , Virk-Baker Mandeep K , Aschebrook-Kilfoy Briseis , Cross Amanda J , Subar Amy F , Thompson Frances E , Sinha Rashmi , Ward Mary H
Published: December 2015

Objective

Nitrate and nitrite are probable human carcinogens when ingested under conditions that increase the formation ofN-nitroso compounds. There have been limited efforts to develop US databases of dietary nitrate and nitrite for standard FFQ. Here we describe the development of a dietary nitrate and nitrite database and its calibration.

Design

We analysed data from a calibration study of 1942 members of the NIH–AARP (NIH–AARP, National Institutes of Health–AARP) Diet and Health Study who reported all foods and beverages consumed on the preceding day in two non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls (24HR) and completed an FFQ. Based on a literature review, we developed a database of nitrate and nitrite contents for foods reported on these 24HR and for food category line items on the FFQ. We calculated daily nitrate and nitrite intakes for both instruments, and used a measurement error model to compute correlation coefficients and attenuation factors for the FFQ-based intake estimates using 24HR-based values as reference data.

Results

FFQ-based median nitrate intake was 68·9 and 74·1 mg/d, and nitrite intake was 1·3 and 1·0 mg/d, in men and women, respectively. These values were similar to 24HR-based intake estimates. Energy-adjusted correlation coefficients between FFQ- and 24HR-based values for men and women respectively were 0·59 and 0·57 for nitrate and 0·59 and 0·58 for nitrite; energy-adjusted attenuation factors were 0·59 and 0·57 for nitrate and 0·47 and 0·38 for nitrite.

Conclusions

The performance of the FFQ in assessing dietary nitrate and nitrite intakes is comparable to that for many other macro- and micronutrients.
Institutions and economic history: a critique of professor McCloskey
Authors: GREIF AVNER , MOKYR JOEL
Published: December 2015

Professor McCloskey makes many telling and insightful points in her survey and criticism of what she terms the new institutional economics; yet there are a number of shortcomings to her paper. One is that she has bundled together a variety of quite disparate approaches to the role institutions play, and refers to them as ‘neo-institutionalist’. We unbundle these different strands, and show that an undifferentiated critique is unwarranted. A second argument made by her is that an institutional approach cannot explain either the Industrial Revolution or what she calls ‘the Great Enrichment’. We show that this conclusion is unwarranted and results from an overly narrow definition of institutions.
What's the Matter with Palm Beach County?
Authors: Uslaner Eric M.
Published: December 2015

American Jews voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama in 2012 despite strong Republican efforts to win their votes. Republicans charged that Obama was not sufficiently supportive of Israel and that Mitt Romney was closer to Jewish opinions on this salient issue. Republicans miscalculated. For most American Jews, Israel was not a key voting issue. American Jews were also closer to Obama on Middle East issues than they were to Republicans. There was also a cultural chasm between American Jews and the Tea Party, reflective of long-standing tensions between Jews and evangelicals. Using surveys of the Jewish vote and the full electorate, I show that this cultural divide was more salient for Jews than for other white voters — and that there is at least preliminary evidence that this cultural divide may be important for other minority groups.
“Rahmatan lil-'alamin” (A mercy to all creation): Islamic voices in the debate on humanitarian principles
Authors: Mohamed Abdulfatah Said , Ofteringer Ronald
Published: December 2015

This article documents the work of Islamic charities and NGOs from diverse backgrounds to develop sets of principles guiding their humanitarian and charitable work, in the framework of the dialogue and cooperation among Islamic NGOs and charities as well as between Islamic and Western humanitarian agencies. The authors look at draft documents that resulted from these processes, and the way these relate to the core principles of humanitarian action. They further follow how the dialogue and cooperation between humanitarian organizations from different backgrounds and origins has influenced the orientation of this debate on humanitarian principles from theory and identity to concrete and shared challenges and concerns.
tDCS of Medial Prefrontal Cortex Does Not Enhance Interpersonal	Trust
Authors: Colzato Lorenza S. , Sellaro Roberta , van den Wildenberg Wery P. M. , Hommel Bernhard
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Interpersonal trust is an essential ingredient of many social relationships. Previous research has suggested that the medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC) may be a critical component in mediating the degree to which people trust others. Here we assessed the role of the mPFC in modulating interpersonal trust by means of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Participants (n = 60) were randomly and equally assigned to receive anodal, cathodal, or sham stimulation while performing the Trust Game, an index of interpersonal trust that assesses the money units one participant (the trustor) transfers to another (the trustee). Results showed that neither anodal stimulation (brain stimulation that increases cortical excitability of the area being stimulated) nor cathodal stimulation (brain stimulation that decreases cortical excitability) affected the degree of interpersonal trust as compared to sham stimulation. We conclude that noninvasive electrical stimulation over the mPFC does not modulate the degree to which people trust others.
Marine Applications for a Promising New Spectroscopic Method
Authors: Friedrichs Gernot , Schneider Anke , Bange Hermann
Published: December 2015

International Workshop: Applications and Perspectives of Cavity Enhanced Optical Detection Techniques in Ocean Sciences; Kiel, Germany, 20–21 April 2015
Antarctic Sediment Plume Disrupts Deep-Water Community
Authors: Kelleher Shannon
Published: December 2015

Increased sedimentation from a melting glacier inhibits filter feeders in an Antarctic fjord.
LSD1 is essential for oocyte meiotic progression by regulating CDC25B expression in mice
Authors: Kim Jeesun , Singh Anup Kumar , Takata Yoko , Lin Kevin , Shen Jianjun , Lu Yue , Kerenyi Marc A. , Orkin Stuart H. , Chen Taiping
Published: December 2015

Mammalian oocytes are arrested at prophase I until puberty when hormonal signals induce the resumption of meiosis I and progression to meiosis II. Meiotic progression is controlled by CDK1 activity and is accompanied by dynamic epigenetic changes. Although the signalling pathways regulating CDK1 activity are well defined, the functional significance of epigenetic changes remains largely unknown. Here we show that LSD1, a lysine demethylase, regulates histone H3 lysine 4 di-methylation (H3K4me2) in mouse oocytes and is essential for meiotic progression. Conditional deletion of Lsd1 in growing oocytes results in precocious resumption of meiosis and spindle and chromosomal abnormalities. Consequently, most Lsd1-null oocytes fail to complete meiosis I and undergo apoptosis. Mechanistically, upregulation of CDC25B, a phosphatase that activates CDK1, is responsible for precocious meiotic resumption and also contributes to subsequent spindle and chromosomal defects. Our findings uncover a functional link between LSD1 and the major signalling pathway governing meiotic progression.
Ankyrin-mediated self-protection during cell invasion by the bacterial predator Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
Authors: Lambert Carey , Cadby Ian T. , Till Rob , Bui Nhat Khai , Lerner Thomas R. , Hughes William S. , Lee David J. , Alderwick Luke J. , Vollmer Waldemar , Sockett R. Elizabeth , Lovering Andrew L.
Published: December 2015

Predatory Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus are natural antimicrobial organisms, killing other bacteria by whole-cell invasion. Self-protection against prey-metabolizing enzymes is important for the evolution of predation. Initial prey entry involves the predator’s peptidoglycan DD-endopeptidases, which decrosslink cell walls and prevent wasteful entry by a second predator. Here we identify and characterize a self-protection protein from B. bacteriovorus, Bd3460, which displays an ankyrin-based fold common to intracellular pathogens of eukaryotes. Co-crystal structures reveal Bd3460 complexation of dual targets, binding a conserved epitope of each of the Bd3459 and Bd0816 endopeptidases. Complexation inhibits endopeptidase activity and cell wall decrosslinking in vitro. Self-protection is vital — ΔBd3460 Bdellovibrio deleteriously decrosslink self-peptidoglycan upon invasion, adopt a round morphology, and lose predatory capacity and cellular integrity. Our analysis provides the first mechanistic examination of self-protection in Bdellovibrio, documents protection-multiplicity for products of two different genomic loci, and reveals an important evolutionary adaptation to an invasive predatory bacterial lifestyle.
Crystal structure of FadD32, an enzyme essential for mycolic acid biosynthesis in mycobacteria
Authors: Li Wenjuan , Gu Shoujin , Fleming Joy , Bi Lijun
Published: December 2015

Fatty acid degradation protein D32 (FadD32), an enzyme required for mycolic acid biosynthesis and essential for mycobacterial growth, has recently been identified as a valid and promising target for anti-tuberculosis drug development. Here we report the crystal structures of Mycobacterium smegmatis FadD32 in the apo and ATP-bound states at 2.4 Å and 2.25 Å resolution, respectively. FadD32 consists of two globular domains connected by a flexible linker. ATP binds in a cleft at the interface between the N- and C-terminal domains and its binding induces significant local conformational changes in FadD32. The binding sites of meromycolic acid and phosphopantetheine are identified by structural comparison with other members of the adenylating enzyme superfamily. These results will improve our understanding of the catalytic mechanism of FadD32 and help in the design of inhibitors of this essential enzyme.
High Frequency of Imprinted Methylation Errors in Human Preimplantation Embryos
Authors: White Carlee R. , Denomme Michelle M. , Tekpetey Francis R. , Feyles Valter , Power Stephen G. A. , Mann Mellissa R. W.
Published: December 2015

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) represent the best chance for infertile couples to conceive, although increased risks for morbidities exist, including imprinting disorders. This increased risk could arise from ARTs disrupting genomic imprints during gametogenesis or preimplantation. The few studies examining ART effects on genomic imprinting primarily assessed poor quality human embryos. Here, we examined day 3 and blastocyst stage, good to high quality, donated human embryos for imprinted SNRPN, KCNQ1OT1 and H19 methylation. Seventy-six percent day 3 embryos and 50% blastocysts exhibited perturbed imprinted methylation, demonstrating that extended culture did not pose greater risk for imprinting errors than short culture. Comparison of embryos with normal and abnormal methylation didn’t reveal any confounding factors. Notably, two embryos from male factor infertility patients using donor sperm harboured aberrant methylation, suggesting errors in these embryos cannot be explained by infertility alone. Overall, these results indicate that ART human preimplantation embryos possess a high frequency of imprinted methylation errors.
Phosphor-free white-light emitters using in-situ GaN nanostructures grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Min Daehong , Park Donghwy , Jang Jongjin , Lee Kyuseung , Nam Okhyun
Published: December 2015

Realization of phosphor-free white-light emitters is becoming an important milestone on the road to achieve high quality and reliability in high-power white-light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, most of reported methods have not been applied to practical use because of their difficulties and complexity. In this study we demonstrated a novel and practical growth method for phosphor-free white-light emitters without any external processing, using only in-situ high-density GaN nanostructures that were formed by overgrowth on a silicon nitride (SiNx) interlayer deposited by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The nano-sized facets produced variations in the InGaN thickness and the indium concentration when an InGaN/GaN double heterostructure was monolithically grown on them, leading to white-color light emission. It is important to note that the in-situ SiNx interlayer not only facilitated the GaN nano-facet structure, but also blocked the propagation of dislocations.
Modeling the Transitions between Collective and Solitary Migration Phenotypes in Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Huang Bin , Jolly Mohit Kumar , Lu Mingyang , Tsarfaty Ilan , Ben-Jacob Eshel , Onuchic Jose’ N
Published: December 2015

Cellular plasticity during cancer metastasis is a major clinical challenge. Two key cellular plasticity mechanisms —Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and Mesenchymal-to-Amoeboid Transition (MAT) – have been carefully investigated individually, yet a comprehensive understanding of their interconnections remains elusive. Previously, we have modeled the dynamics of the core regulatory circuits for both EMT (miR-200/ZEB/miR-34/SNAIL) and MAT (Rac1/RhoA). We now extend our previous work to study the coupling between these two core circuits by considering the two microRNAs (miR-200 and miR-34) as external signals to the core MAT circuit. We show that this coupled circuit enables four different stable steady states (phenotypes) that correspond to hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M), mesenchymal (M), amoeboid (A) and hybrid amoeboid/mesenchymal (A/M) phenotypes. Our model recapitulates the metastasis-suppressing role of the microRNAs even in the presence of EMT-inducing signals like Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF). It also enables mapping the microRNA levels to the transitions among various cell migration phenotypes. Finally, it offers a mechanistic understanding for the observed phenotypic transitions among different cell migration phenotypes, specifically the Collective-to-Amoeboid Transition (CAT).
LON is the master protease that protects against protein aggregation in human mitochondria through direct degradation of misfolded proteins
Authors: Bezawork-Geleta Ayenachew , Brodie Erica J. , Dougan David A. , Truscott Kaye N.
Published: December 2015

Maintenance of mitochondrial protein homeostasis is critical for proper cellular function. Under normal conditions resident molecular chaperones and proteases maintain protein homeostasis within the organelle. Under conditions of stress however, misfolded proteins accumulate leading to the activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). While molecular chaperone assisted refolding of proteins in mammalian mitochondria has been well documented, the contribution of AAA+ proteases to the maintenance of protein homeostasis in this organelle remains unclear. To address this gap in knowledge we examined the contribution of human mitochondrial matrix proteases, LONM and CLPXP, to the turnover of OTC-∆, a folding incompetent mutant of ornithine transcarbamylase, known to activate UPRmt. Contrary to a model whereby CLPXP is believed to degrade misfolded proteins, we found that LONM and not CLPXP is responsible for the turnover of OTC-∆ in human mitochondria. To analyse the conformational state of proteins that are recognised by LONM, we examined the turnover of unfolded and aggregated forms of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and OTC. This analysis revealed that LONM specifically recognises and degrades unfolded, but not aggregated proteins. Since LONM is not upregulated by UPRmt, this pathway may preferentially act to promote chaperone mediated refolding of proteins.
Conserved targeting information in mammalian and fungal peroxisomal tail-anchored proteins
Authors: Buentzel Judith , Vilardi Fabio , Lotz-Havla Amelie , Gärtner Jutta , Thoms Sven
Published: December 2015

The targeting signals and mechanisms of soluble peroxisomal proteins are well understood, whereas less is known about the signals and targeting routes of peroxisomal membrane proteins (PMP). Pex15 and PEX26, tail-anchored proteins in yeast and mammals, respectively, exert a similar cellular function in the recruitment of AAA peroxins at the peroxisomal membrane. But despite their common role, Pex15 and PEX26 are neither homologs nor they are known to follow similar targeting principles. Here we show that Pex15 targets to peroxisomes in mammalian cells and PEX26 reaches peroxisomes when expressed in yeast cells. In both proteins C-terminal targeting information is sufficient for correct sorting to the peroxisomal membrane. In yeast, PEX26 follows the pathway that also ensures correct targeting of Pex15: PEX26 enters the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in a GET-dependent and Pex19-independent manner. Like in yeast, PEX26 enters the ER in mammalian cells, however, independently of GET/TRC40. These data show that conserved targeting information is employed in yeast and higher eukaryotes during the biogenesis of peroxisomal tail-anchored proteins.
Biogenic mixing induced by intermediate Reynolds number swimming in stratified fluids
Authors: Wang Shiyan , Ardekani Arezoo M.
Published: December 2015

We study fully resolved motion of interacting swimmers in density stratified fluids using an archetypal swimming model called “squirmer”. The intermediate Reynolds number regime is particularly important, because the vast majority of organisms in the aphotic ocean (i.e. regions that are 200 m beneath the sea surface) are small (mm-cm) and their motion is governed by the balance of inertial and viscous forces. Our study shows that the mixing efficiency and the diapycnal eddy diffusivity, a measure of vertical mass flux, within a suspension of squirmers increases with Reynolds number. The mixing efficiency is in the range of O(0.0001–0.04) when the swimming Reynolds number is in the range of O(0.1–100). The values of diapycnal eddy diffusivity and Cox number are two orders of magnitude larger for vertically swimming cells compared to horizontally swimming cells. For a suspension of squirmers in a decaying isotropic turbulence, we find that the diapycnal eddy diffusivity enhances due to the strong viscous dissipation generated by squirmers as well as the interaction of squirmers with the background turbulence.
Metagenomic sequencing of bile from gallstone patients to identify different microbial community patterns and novel biliary bacteria
Authors: Shen Hongzhang , Ye Fuqiang , Xie Lu , Yang Jianfeng , Li Zhen , Xu Peisong , Meng Fei , Li Lei , Chen Ying , Bo Xiaochen , Ni Ming , Zhang Xiaofeng
Published: December 2015

Despite the high worldwide prevalence of gallstone disease, the role of the biliary microbiota in gallstone pathogenesis remains obscure. Next-generation sequencing offers advantages for systematically understanding the human microbiota; however, there have been few such investigations of the biliary microbiome. Here, we performed whole-metagenome shotgun (WMS) sequencing and 16S rRNA sequencing on bile samples from 15 Chinese patients with gallstone disease. Microbial communities of most individuals were clustered into two types, according to the relative enrichment of different intestinal bacterial species. In the bile samples, oral cavity/respiratory tract inhabitants were more prevalent than intestinal inhabitants and existed in both community types. Unexpectedly, the two types were not associated with fever status or surgical history and many bacteria were patient-specific. We identified 13 novel biliary bacteria based on WMS sequencing, as well as genes encoding putative proteins related to gallstone formation and bile resistance (e.g., β-glucuronidase and multidrug efflux pumps). Bile samples from gallstone patients had reduced microbial diversity compared to healthy faecal samples. Patient samples were enriched in pathways related to oxidative stress and flagellar assembly, whereas carbohydrate metabolic pathways showed varying behaviours. As the first biliary WMS survey, our study reveals the complexity and specificity of biliary microecology.
CD11chi Dendritic Cells Regulate Ly-6Chi Monocyte Differentiation to Preserve Immune-privileged CNS in Lethal Neuroinflammation
Authors: Kim Jin Hyoung , Choi Jin Young , Kim Seong Bum , Uyangaa Erdenebelig , Patil Ajit Mahadev , Han Young Woo , Park Sang-Youel , Lee John Hwa , Kim Koanhoi , Eo Seong Kug
Published: December 2015

Although the roles of dendritic cells (DCs) in adaptive defense have been defined well, the contribution of DCs to T cell-independent innate defense and subsequent neuroimmunopathology in immune-privileged CNS upon infection with neurotropic viruses has not been completely defined. Notably, DC roles in regulating innate CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocyte functions during neuroinflammation have not yet been addressed. Using selective ablation of CD11chiPDCA-1int/lo DCs without alteration in CD11cintPDCA-1hi plasmacytoid DC number, we found that CD11chi DCs are essential to control neuroinflammation caused by infection with neurotropic Japanese encephalitis virus, through early and increased infiltration of CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocytes and higher expression of CC chemokines. More interestingly, selective CD11chi DC ablation provided altered differentiation and function of infiltrated CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocytes in the CNS through Flt3-L and GM-CSF, which was closely associated with severely enhanced neuroinflammation. Furthermore, CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocytes generated in CD11chi DC-ablated environment had a deleterious rather than protective role during neuroinflammation and were more quickly recruited into inflamed CNS, depending on CCR2, thereby exacerbating neuroinflammation via enhanced supply of virus from the periphery. Therefore, our data demonstrate that CD11chi DCs provide a critical and unexpected role to preserve the immune-privileged CNS in lethal neuroinflammation via regulating the differentiation, function and trafficking of CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocytes.
Characteristics of the shark fisheries of Fiji
Authors: Glaus Kerstin B. J. , Adrian-Kalchhauser Irene , Burkhardt-Holm Patricia , White William T. , Brunnschweiler Juerg M.
Published: December 2015

Limited information is available on artisanal and subsistence shark fisheries across the Pacific. The aim of this study was to investigate Fiji’s inshore fisheries which catch sharks. In January and February 2013, 253 semi-directive interviews were conducted in 117 villages and at local harbours on Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Ovalau and a number of islands of the Mamanuca and Yasawa archipelagos. Of the 253 interviewees, 81.4% reported to presently catch sharks and 17.4% declared that they did not presently catch any sharks. Of the 206 fishers that reported to catch sharks, 18.4% targeted sharks and 81.6% caught sharks as bycatch. When targeted, primary use of sharks was for consumption or for sale. Sharks caught as bycatch were frequently released (69.6%), consumed (64.9%) or shared amongst the community (26.8%). Fishers’ identification based on an identification poster and DNA barcoding revealed that at least 12 species of elasmobranchs, 11 shark and one ray species (Rhynchobatus australiae) were caught. This study, which is the first focused exploration of the shark catch in Fiji’s inshore fisheries, suggests that the country’s artisanal shark fisheries are small but have the potential to develop into larger and possibly more targeted fisheries.
Loss of CARD9-mediated innate activation attenuates severe influenza pneumonia without compromising host viral immunity
Authors: Uematsu Takayuki , Iizasa Ei’ichi , Kobayashi Noritada , Yoshida Hiroki , Hara Hiromitsu
Published: December 2015

Influenza virus (IFV) infection is a common cause of severe viral pneumonia associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is difficult to control with general immunosuppressive therapy including corticosteroids due to the unfavorable effect on viral replication. Studies have suggested that the excessive activation of the innate immunity by IFV is responsible for severe pathologies. In this study, we focused on CARD9, a signaling adaptor known to regulate innate immune activation through multiple innate sensor proteins and investigated its role in anti-IFV defense and lung pathogenesis in a mouse model recapitulating severe influenza pneumonia with ARDS. We found that influenza pneumonia was dramatically attenuated in Card9-deficient mice, which showed improved mortality with reduced inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the infected lungs. However, viral clearance, type-I interferon production and the development of anti-viral B and T cell immunity were not compromised by CARD9 deficiency. Syk or CARD9-deficient DCs but not macrophages showed impaired cytokine but not type-I interferon production in response to IFV in vitro, indicating a possible role for the Syk-CARD9 pathway in DCs in excessive inflammation of IFV-infected lungs. Therefore, inhibition of this pathway is an ideal therapeutic target for severe influenza pneumonia without affecting viral clearance.
Screening cell mechanotype by parallel microfiltration
Authors: Qi Dongping , Kaur Gill Navjot , Santiskulvong Chintda , Sifuentes Joshua , Dorigo Oliver , Rao Jianyu , Taylor-Harding Barbie , Ruprecht Wiedemeyer W. , Rowat Amy C.
Published: December 2015

Cell mechanical phenotype or ‘mechanotype’ is emerging as a valuable label-free biomarker. For example, marked changes in the viscoelastic characteristics of cells occur during malignant transformation and cancer progression. Here we describe a simple and scalable technique to measure cell mechanotype: this parallel microfiltration assay enables multiple samples to be simultaneously measured by driving cell suspensions through porous membranes. To validate the method, we compare the filtration of untransformed and HRasV12-transformed murine ovary cells and find significantly increased deformability of the transformed cells. Inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human ovarian cancer cells by overexpression of key transcription factors (Snail, Slug, Zeb1) or by acquiring drug resistance produces a similar increase in deformability. Mechanistically, we show that EMT-mediated changes in epithelial (loss of E-Cadherin) and mesenchymal markers (vimentin induction) correlate with altered mechanotype. Our results demonstrate a method to screen cell mechanotype that has potential for broader clinical application.
Crossover from a heavy fermion to intermediate valence state in noncentrosymmetric Yb2Ni12(P,As)7
Authors: Jiang W. B. , Yang L. , Guo C. Y. , Hu Z. , Lee J. M. , Smidman M. , Wang Y. F. , Shang T. , Cheng Z. W. , Gao F. , Ishii H. , Tsuei K. D. , Liao Y. F. , Lu X. , Tjeng L. H. , Chen J. M. , Yuan H. Q.
Published: December 2015

We report measurements of the physical properties and electronic structure of the hexagonal compounds Yb2Ni12Pn7(Pn = P, As) by measuring the electrical resistivity, magnetization, specific heat and partial fluorescence yield x-ray absorption spectroscopy (PFY-XAS). These demonstrate a crossover upon reducing the unit cell volume, from an intermediate valence state in Yb2Ni12As7to a heavy-fermion paramagnetic state in Yb2Ni12P7, where the Yb is nearly trivalent. Application of pressure to Yb2Ni12P7suppressesTFL, the temperature below which Fermi liquid behavior is recovered, suggesting the presence of a quantum critical point (QCP) under pressure. However, while there is little change in the Yb valence of Yb2Ni12P7up to 30 GPa, there is a strong increase for Yb2Ni12As7under pressure, before a near constant value is reached. These results indicate that any magnetic QCP in this system is well separated from strong valence fluctuations. The pressure dependence of the valence and lattice parameters of Yb2Ni12As7are compared and at 1 GPa, there is an anomaly in the unit cell volume as well as a change in the slope of the Yb valence, indicating a correlation between structural and electronic changes.
Discovery of a Novel Inhibitor of the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Shp2
Authors: Chen Chuan , Cao Mengmeng , Zhu Siyu , Wang Cuicui , Liang Fan , Yan Leilei , Luo Duqiang
Published: December 2015

Shp2 is a ubiquitously expressed protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) related to adult acute myelogenous leukemia and human solid tumors. In this report, we describe identification of a potent Shp2 inhibitor, Fumosorinone (Fumos) from entomogenous fungi, which shows selective inhibition of Shp2 over other tested PTPs. Using a surface plasmon resonance analysis, we further confirmed the physical interaction between Shp2 and Fumos. Fumos inhibits Shp2-dependent activation of the Ras/ERK signal pathway downstream of EGFR and interrupts EGF-induced Gab1-Shp2 association. As expected, Fumos shows little effects on the Shp2-independent ERK1/2 activation induced by PMA or oncogenic Ras. Furthermore, Fumos down-regulates Src activation, inhibits phosphorylation of Paxillin and prevents tumor cell invasion. These results suggest that Fumos can inhibit Shp2-dependent cell signaling in human cells and has a potential for treatment of Shp2-associated diseases.
Preventive effects of vitamin D treatment on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Zhang Zongmei , Yu Xiaoting , Fang Xia , Liang Aibin , Yu Zhang , Gu Pan , Zeng Yu , He Jian , Zhu Hailong , Li Shuai , Fan Desheng , Han Fei , Zhang Lanjing , Yi Xianghua
Published: December 2015

Patients with pulmonary fibrosis often have low vitamin D levels, the effects of which are largely unknown. We here report that early vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced the severity of pulmonary fibrosis and inflammatory cell accumulationin in the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model on supplementary days 14, 21 and 28 (P < 0.001). Vitamin D supplementation also prevented some ultrastructural changes in response to bleomycin administration, including basement membrane thickening, interstitial fibrin deposition and microvilli flattening or disappearance on days 14, 21 and 28 and lamellar body swelling or vacuolation on days 21 and 28. The bleomycin group had rising hydroxyproline level on days 14, 21 and 28, whereas the vitamin D treatment group showed consistently lower hydroxyproline level but still higher than that of the control group (P < 0.001). Our immunohistochemistry and densitometry analyses showed less staining for α-smooth muscle actin, a myofibroblast marker, in the vitamin D group compared to the bleomycin group (P < 0.001). Thus, vitamin D treatment could prevent bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by delaying or suppressing ultrastructural changes, as well as attenuating hydroxyproline accumulation and inhibiting myofibroblastic proliferation. These data further our understanding of the roles of vitamin D in pulmonary fibrogenesis and in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.