bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-scale analysis of hermatypic coral assemblages at Mexican Central Pacific
Authors: Hernández-Zulueta Joicye , Rodríguez-Zaragoza Fabián A. , Araya Rubén , Vargas-Ponce Ofelia , Rodríguez-Troncoso Alma P. , Cupul-Magaña Amílcar L. , Díaz-Pérez Leopoldo , Ríos-Jara Eduardo , Ortiz Marco
Published: February 2017

The Mexican Central Pacific is located in a zone of oceanographic transition between two biogeographic provinces with particular conditions that affect the associated fauna. The objective of this study was to evaluate the variation of hermatypic coral assemblages in this region and to determine their relationship with the heterogeneity of the benthonic habitat and spatial variables. A total of 156 transects were carried out at 41 sites in the years 2010 and 2011. The sampling effort returned 96.7% of the coral richness expected for the area, with a total of 15 species recorded. The results showed that richness, diversity and cover of corals varied only at the site and state scales. However, the composition and coverage of all coral species, as well as the benthonic habitat structure, differed significantly across the study scales (i.e. sites, zones and states). Canonical redundancy analysis showed that variation in the richness, diversity and assemblages of corals was explained by the cover of live corals, articulated calcareous algae, sandy substrate, sponges and fleshy macroalgae. This study suggests that local scale (i.e. site) variation in the coral assemblages of the Mexican Central Pacific is the result of the heterogeneity of the benthonic habitat, while geomorphological and oceanographic characteristics play a greater role at regional scale.
Effect of trampling and digging from shellfishing on Zostera noltei (Zosteraceae) intertidal seagrass beds
Authors: Garmendia Joxe Mikel , Valle Mireia , Borja Ángel , Chust Guillem , Lee Dae-Jin , Germán Rodríguez J. , Franco Javier
Published: February 2017

Seagrass beds are among the most valuable ecosystems in the world but they are also among the ones most affected by human activities, and they have decreased significantly in recent decades. In many areas, such as in the Basque Country (northern Spain), seagrass beds occupy areas that are also of interest for human activities such as recreation and shellfishing. They may therefore face a number of pressures that cause damage or irreversible states. Taking into account the limited distribution of seagrass beds in the Basque Country and the interest in their conservation, an eight-month field experiment focusing on the Zostera noltei growing season was carried out to evaluate the effect of shellfish gathering. We used generalized linear models to assess different intensities of trampling and digging, as the most important pressures of shellfishing applied to Zostera noltei beds. The results indicated that shoot density of Z. noltei was negatively altered by trampling treatments and positively affected (as a recovery) by digging treatments. This finding suggests that shellfishing adversely affects seagrass abundance and is potentially responsible for its low density in the Oka estuary. Our findings are important for management and should be taken into account in seagrass conservation and restoration programmes.
Challenges facing the ministerial formation in Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa: A critical reflection
Authors: Mogashoa Moroka , Makofane Karabo
Published: February 2017

Following the union of the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa (PCSA) and Reformed Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (RPCSA) to form the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) in 1999, it was necessary to consolidate theological education of a united church. This was a wise and bold decision by UPCSA, as a first attempt to integrate the training of both black and white students, but more importantly to give institutional expression to the advancement of unity. University of Pretoria (UP) became a major training centre of the UPCSA. Collaboration in ministerial formation between UPCSA and UP, its partner institution, has been plagued by manifold challenges. The challenges which will come under the spotlight are ecumenism, relationship between the university and the UPCSA, curriculum and spirituality.
Content Analysis of a Facebook Group as a Form of Mentoring for EFL Teachers
Authors: Cinkara Emrah , Arslan Fadime Yalcin
Published: February 2017

Mentoring, a main constituent of teacher education, has taken new shape in recent years, with educators incorporating technology and social media into their practices. This study investigated the use of a Facebook group as a form of informal mentoring among teachers with reference to qualitative and quantitative data collected from the entries, responses and comments of group members. Findings included a list of mentoring topics along with the number of comments and words for each entry. In this way, we were able to analyse quantitatively the contents of each mentoring topic and provide as qualitative evidence clear examples from member comments and exchanges. The findings revealed that EFL teachers shared experiences and knowledge on various topics such as pedagogical knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, content knowledge, resources and career development.
Diversidad lingüístico-cultural e interculturalismo en la escuela andaluza: un análisis de políticas educativas
Authors: Olmos Alcaraz Antonia
Published: February 2017

El texto muestra parte del trabajo realizado a raíz de la participación en diversas investigaciones sobre inmigración y escuela en España. Los objetivos del artículo son: 1). Mostrar la diversidad lingüística de los estudiantes en la escuela en contexto andaluz, producto de los movimientos migratorios internacionales; y 2). Analizar las políticas educativas diseñadas para gestionar dicha diversidad. Los resultados que se exponen –fruto de la realización de cuestionarios, entrevistas y observación participante– indican que, para responder al incremento de la diversidad, las administraciones públicas han diseñado dispositivos para enseñar español al alumnado extranjero y programas para enseñar lenguas como el inglés, francés o alemán, a los que no asisten normalmente los/as alumnos/as inmigrantes, quedando fuera de estas políticas lingüísticas las “lenguas de los/as inmigrantes”. En la discusión se reflexiona sobre el trato diferenciador que se está dando con ello al alumnado, de tal forma que podemos hablar de “distintos tipos de políticas para distintos tipos de alumnado”.
Liderazgo pedagógico en directores nóveles en Chile: Prácticas de observación de clases y retroalimentación a profesores
Authors: Leiva María Verónica , Montecinos Carmen , Aravena Felipe
Published: February 2017

El rol de los directores escolares es clave para movilizar la mejora de los centros escolares. A través de un enfoque cualitativo-longitudinal utilizando la técnica thin-slice, este artículo examinó la calidad de las prácticas asociadas con la observación en el aula y la retroalimentación proporcionada por 10 directores nóveles al final de su primer y su segundo año en el cargo. Los resultados de este estudio señalan que el patrón de observación de los directores nóveles experimenta cambios desde el primer al segundo año en el cargo, desde un foco en los docentes y el contenido hacia un foco en la interacción contenidos-estudiantes. Respecto del tipo de retroalimentación en el año 2 se observa mayor uso de una retroalimentación más descriptiva que evaluativa. Los resultados de esta investigación muestran cómo con más experiencia los directores fortalecen su liderazgo pedagógico. No obstante, las limitaciones observadas el año 1 y el escaso uso de retroalimentación que promueva la metacognición y reflexión en los docentes sugieren que la observación en aula y retroalimentación a los docentes son prácticas a desarrollar por los programas de formación para directores.
Requiring students to justify answer changes during collaborative testing may be necessary for improved academic performance*
Authors: Zhang Niu , Henderson Charles N.R.
Published: February 2017

Objective:

Three hypotheses were tested in a chiropractic education program: (1) Collaborative topic-specific exams during a course would enhance student performance on a noncollaborative final exam administered at the end-of-term, compared to students given traditional (noncollaborative) topic-specific exams during the course. (2) Requiring reasons for answer changes during collaborative topical exams would further enhance final-exam performance. (3) There would be a differential question-type effect on the cumulative final exam, with greater improvement in comprehension question scores compared to simple recall question scores.

Methods:

A total of 223 students participated in the study. Students were assigned to 1 of 2 study cohorts: (1) control – a traditional, noncollaborative, exam format; (2) collaborative exam only (CEO) – a collaborative format, not requiring answer change justification; and (3) collaborative exam with justification (CEJ) – a collaborative exam format, but requiring justification for answer changes.

Results:

Contrary to expectation (hypothesis 1), there was no significant difference between control and CEO final exam scores (p = .566). However, CEJ final exam scores were statistically greater (hypothesis 2) than the control (p = .010) and CEO (p = .011) scores. There was greater collaboration benefit when answering comprehension than recall questions during topic-specific exams (p = .000), but this did not differentially influence study cohort final exam scores (p = .571, hypothesis 3).

Conclusion:

We conclude that test collaboration with the requirement that students explain the reason for making answer changes is a more effective learning tool than simple collaboration that does not require answer change justification.
Relationships among climatological vertical moisture structure, column water vapor, and precipitation over the central Amazon in observations and CMIP5 models
Authors: Lintner Benjamin R. , Adams David K. , Schiro Kathleen A. , Stansfield Alyssa M. , Amorim Rocha Alciélio A. , Neelin J. David
Published: February 2017

Bias and spread in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 simulated vertical specific humidity (q) structure are examined and related to both precipitation and column water vapor (cwv) near Manaus, Brazil, site of the recent Green Ocean Amazon campaign. Simulated seasonal mean q profiles are typically too dry, especially at low levels and during the local dry season, consistent with previously identified surface hydroclimate biases in the Amazon. Multimodel empirical orthogonal function analysis of the models' monthly climatological q profiles indicates two significant modes of ensemble spread in moisture vertical structure, with the leading mode peaked at low levels and the second mode in the lower free troposphere (LFT). While both modes project onto simulated cwv spread, only the first projects on precipitation, suggesting inconsistent sensitivity of simulated rainfall to LFT moisture. Relative to observations, models with high cwv and low‐level moisture errors tend to exhibit high precipitation error.
Influences of various magnetospheric and ionospheric current systems on geomagnetically induced currents around the world
Authors: de Villiers J. S. , Kosch M. , Yamazaki Y. , Lotz S.
Published: February 2017

Ground‐based observations of geomagnetic field (B field) are usually a superposition of signatures from different source current systems in the magnetosphere and ionosphere. Fluctuating B fields generate geoelectric fields (E fields), which drive geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in technological conducting media at the Earth's surface. We introduce a new Fourier integral B field model of east/west directed line current systems over a one‐dimensional multilayered Earth in plane geometry. Derived layered‐Earth profiles, given in the literature, are needed to calculate the surface impedance, and therefore reflection coefficient in the integral. The 2003 Halloween storm measurements were Fourier transformed for B field spectrum Levenberg‐Marquardt least squares inversion over latitude. The inversion modeled strengths of the equatorial electrojets, auroral electrojets, and ring currents were compared to the forward problem computed strength. It is found the optimized and direct results match each other closely and supplement previous established studies about these source currents. Using this model, a data set of current system magnitudes may be used to develop empirical models linking solar wind activity to magnetospheric current systems. In addition, the ground E fields are also calculated directly, which serves as a proxy for computing GIC in conductor‐based networks.
Amplification of a FRET Probe by Lipid–Water Partition for the Detection of Acid Sphingomyelinase in Live Cells
Authors: Pinkert Thomas , Furkert David , Korte Thomas , Herrmann Andreas , Arenz Christoph
Published: February 2017

Real‐time monitoring of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) activity is crucial for investigating its role in lipid‐mediated signaling processes. In this study, we synthesized fluorescent phosphosphingolipids capable of FRET by phosphorodichloridate chemistry. These sphingomyelin analogues are substrates for recombinant human ASM and can be used to monitor ASM activity by fluorescence spectroscopy. Incubation with cell lysates from wild‐type and knock‐out mice further confirmed probe cleavage to be exclusive to ASM. We also systematically exploited the environmental sensitivity of the fluorophores to achieve significant increases in responsiveness. This concept may be transferred to other lipid probes in the future. The ASM activity in live cells was imaged by two‐photon‐excitation microscopy.
50 Years of German Catalysis Meetings: From Twin Roots to a Joint Success Story
Authors: Völter Joachim , Schlögl Robert
Published: February 2017

In this Essay we write about the history of the German Catalysis Society Meeting, the unification of its component clubs, their members, and how those responsible pushed the boundaries of science policy and funding.
Randomized Controlled Trial Demonstrating Cost‐Effective Method of Olfactory Training in Clinical Practice: Essential Oils at Uncontrolled Concentration
Authors: Patel Zara M. , Wise Sarah K. , DelGaudio John M.
Published: February 2017

Objectives

Published data examining the efficacy of olfactory training (OT) has used standardized concentrations of odorants and the Sniffin’ Sticks testing method. Although well‐validated, these methods are costly and time‐intensive for the average otolaryngology practice. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of using essential oils at random concentrations and the University of Pennsylvania Smell Test (UPSIT) for training and testing, and compare this with the existing data on OT.

Study Design

Randomized Clinical TrialMethods: Patients presenting to a tertiary care rhinology center with subjective loss of smell and olfactory loss measured by UPSIT were randomized to OT or control for 6 months. Only patients with loss of smell greater than one‐year duration, and loss associated with post‐infectious and idiopathic etiologies were included. Baseline UPSIT was compared to 6‐month UPSIT. An accepted 10% change or better was used to establish a significant improvement on UPSIT.

Results

43 patients were enrolled. Eight patients were lost to follow‐up, with a total of 35 completing the study. Age ranged from 39–71 with an average of 56. Of 19 patients in the OT group, 6 showed significant improvement (32%), while only two out of 16 patients (13%) in the control group improved. Increasing age and duration of loss were significantly correlated to lack of improvement.

Conclusion

Allowing patients to use random concentrations of essential oils to perform OT is as effective as published data using controlled concentrations of odorants for post‐infectious and idiopathic olfactory loss.

Level of Evidence

1b.
Investigating Photocurable Thiol‐Yne Resins for Biomedical Materials
Authors: Oesterreicher Andreas , Moser Andreas , Edler Matthias , Griesser Heidi , Schlögl Sandra , Pichelmayer Margit , Griesser Thomas
Published: February 2017

This study deals with the investigation of photocurable thiol‐yne resins covering several important aspects for the production of medical devices by UV‐based manufacturing processes. In this context, the performance of different low‐toxic photoinitiators (PIs) and stabilizers are evaluated in thiol‐yne formulations based on di(but‐1‐yn‐4‐yl) carbonate and various multifunctional thiol monomers. Photodifferential scanning calorimetry measurements reveal that the conversion of all resin formulations is mostly independent on the type and concentration of the applied photoinitiator; however, significant differences in their curing speed are observed. It turns out that the migration of an alkyne derivatized photoinitiator is significantly reduced while providing almost similar photoactivity as its nonfunctionalized reference. Moreover, it is found that lauryl gallate and butylated hydroxytoluene lead to significant stabilization without affecting the overall photoreactivity. Notably, the thermomechanical properties of the investigated photopolymers are only slightly affected by water absorption. Using ester free thiols, water absorption can be reduced and hydrolytically stable polymers are realized. These results highlight the versatility of the present thiol‐yne system for the production of medical materials by photopolymerization.

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Local radial basis function interpolation method to simulate 2D fractional‐time convection‐diffusion‐reaction equations with error analysis
Authors: Shivanian Elyas
Published: February 2017

In this article, a kind of meshless local radial point interpolation (MLRPI) method is proposed to two‐dimensional fractional‐time convection‐diffusion‐reaction equations and satisfactory agreements are archived. This method is based on meshless methods and benefits from collocation ideas but it does not belong to the traditional global meshless collocation methods. In MLRPI method, it does not need any kind of integration locally or globally over small quadrature domains which is essential in the finite element method and those meshless methods based on Galerkin weak form. Also, it is not needed to determine shape parameter which plays important role in collocation method based on the radial basis functions (Kansa's method). Therefore, computational costs of this kind of MLRPI method is less expensive. The stability and convergence of this meshless approach are discussed and theoretically proven. It is proved that the present meshless formulation is very effective for modeling and simulation of fractional differential equations. Furthermore, the numerical studies on sensitivity analysis and convergence analysis show the stability and reliable rates of convergence. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 974–994, 2017
Acute recapitulation of the hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia characteristic of metabolic syndrome suppresses gonadotropins
Authors: Chosich Justin , Bradford Andrew P. , Allshouse Amanda A. , Reusch Jane E. B. , Santoro Nanette , Schauer Irene E.
Published: February 2017

Objective

To determine the effect of lipid/heparin versus saline infusion, with or without concurrent euglycemic hyperinsulinemia, on serum follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Obesity is associated with hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and relative hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. It was hypothesized that acutely elevated fatty acids and insulin would impair gonadotropin secretion.

Methods

Regularly cycling women and men without obesity underwent a crossover 6‐hour infusion study over four visits. Participants received infusions of saline‐control, lipid/heparin, insulin, and lipid/heparin plus insulin. Serum FSH and LH were measured by immunoassay.

Results

In women (n = 10), infusion of lipid plus insulin significantly reduced LH, from 4.6 IU/L (3.7‐5.4) (mean [95% confidence interval]) to 3.3 IU/L (2.3‐4.4); P = 0.03, and FSH, from 3.9 IU/L (3.2‐4.6) to 3.1 IU/L (2.3‐3.8); P = 0.03, compared to saline‐control. Similarly, in men (n = 10), LH, 3.3 IU/L (2.4‐4.1), and FSH, 2.1 IU/L (1.4‐2.8), were significantly reduced after the combined infusion (2.2 [1.3‐3.1] IU/L and 1.5 [0.8‐2.1] IU/L; P = 0.03, P = 0.02, respectively). Neither lipid nor insulin alone significantly impacted gonadotropin levels compared to saline‐control.

Conclusions

Hyperinsulinemia combined with elevated lipids acutely suppresses LH and FSH, providing a possible mechanism underlying the relative hypogonadotropic hypogonadism of obesity. Effects of insulin on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis may be dependent on the concomitant metabolic environment.
Cell wall proteome analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana mature stems
Authors: Duruflé Harold , Clemente Hélène San , Balliau Thierry , Zivy Michel , Dunand Christophe , Jamet Elisabeth
Published: February 2017

Plant stems carry flowers necessary for species propagation and need to be adapted to mechanical disturbance and environmental factors. The stem cell walls are different from other organs and can modify their rigidity or viscoelastic properties for the integrity and the robustness required to withstand mechanical impacts and environmental stresses. Plant cell wall is composed of complex polysaccharide networks also containing cell wall proteins (CWPs) crucial to perceive and limit the environmental effects. The CWPs are fundamental players in cell wall remodeling processes, and today, only 86 have been identified from the mature stems of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. With a destructive method, this study has enlarged its coverage to 302 CWPs. This new proteome is mainly composed of 27.5% proteins acting on polysaccharides, 16% proteases, 11.6% oxido‐reductases, 11% possibly related to lipid metabolism and 11% of proteins with interacting domains with proteins or polysaccharides. Compared to stem cell wall proteomes already available (Brachypodium distachyon, Sacharum officinarum, Linum usitatissimum, Medicago sativa), that of A. thaliana stems has a higher proportion of proteins acting on polysaccharides and of proteases, but a lower proportion of oxido‐reductases.
The meta‐analytical paradigm in an in silico hybrid: Pathways and networks perturbed during exposure to varying degrees of hypobaric hypoxia
Authors: Paul Subhojit , Bhargava Kalpana , Ahmad Yasmin
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Computational biology has opened a gateway to omics data analysis and shifted the focus from molecules to systemic molecular networks in the domain of hypobaric hypoxia (HH). Yet there are no meta‐analytical investigations circumventing constraints such as organism (rat/human), HH exposure conditions (acute/chronic), and the tissues that can be investigated simultaneously in the realm of wet lab experiments.

Experimental design

We analyzed 154 differentially expressed proteins upon HH exposure using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) tool, without the constraint of using a single organism or tissue type, to determine the most significant pathways and networks that are perturbed across a range of HH conditions.

Results

We found acute phase response signaling, farsenoid X receptor/retinoid X receptor activation, liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor activation, clathrin‐mediated endocytosis signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, production of nitric oxide and ROS in macrophages, and integrin signaling to be the most significant universally perturbed pathways. Unique protein–function relationships have also been highlighted.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

This meta‐analysis provides a list of specific pathways and networks across two model organisms that are perturbed due to HH exposure irrespective of its duration/intensity. Thus, it will be a map of important pathways and proteins to look at when exploring effects of HH exposure irrespective of tissue/organism chosen, particularly in the context of prophylactic/therapeutic targets.
Software‐defined satellite cloud RAN
Authors: Ahmed Toufik , Dubois Emmanuel , Dupé Jean‐Baptiste , Ferrús Ramon , Gélard Patrick , Kuhn Nicolas
Published: February 2017

This paper provides an assessment study on the virtualization of a Digital Video Broadcasting ‐ Satellite ‐ Second Generation (DVB‐S2)/ Digital Video Broadcasting ‐ Return Channel Satellite ‐ Second Generation (DVB‐RCS2) satellite ground infrastructure and proposes a framework, named Satellite Cloud Radio Access Network (SatCloudRAN), that aims to ease the integration of satellite components in forthcoming 5G systems. Special attention is given to the design of SatCloudRAN by considering the split and placement of virtualized and nonvirtualized functions while taking into account the characteristics of the transport links connecting both type of functions. We assess how virtualization and softwarization technologies, namely, network function virtualization and software‐defined networking, can deliver part of the satellite gateway functionalities as virtual network functions and achieve a flexible and programmable control and management of satellite infrastructure. Under the network function virtualization paradigm, building virtual network function blocks that compose a satellite gateway have been identified, and their interaction exhibited. This paper also gives insights on how the SatCloudRAN approach can allow operators to provide software‐defined networking‐based (1) bandwidth on demand, (2) dynamic Quality of Service, and (3) satellite gateway diversity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An ultralightweight RFID authentication protocol based on Feistel cipher structure
Authors: Mustapha Bensalah , Djeddou Mustapha , Drouiche Karim
Published: February 2017

Radio‐frequency identification (RFID) is a technology for automated identification of objects and people. RFID raises two main concerns: security and privacy. RFID tags are likely to proliferate into billions, and nowadays, security and privacy of RFID systems are to be continuously improved. In this context, we propose a new ultralightweight RFID mutual authentication protocol based on the Feistel cipher structure. This structure is based on substitutions and random permutations which create confusion and diffusion in the transmitted messages. The main contribution of this work is the application of Feistel cipher structure to design a low‐cost authentication protocol for RFID tags involving simple lightweight operations in the tag. Security analysis shows that the proposed protocol achieves the functionalities of mutual authentication, resists to various attacks, and presents a scalable security level. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Causative factors and phenomenology of depression in EPILEPSY—A review
Authors: Saha Rahul , Mohapatra Satyakam , Kar Sujit , Tekkalaki Bheemsain , Anand K.
Published: February 2017

It is a known fact that depression is the one of the leading causes of years lived with disability and the fourth leading cause of disability-adjusted life-years worldwide. Depression is often under-recognized among patients of epilepsy due to lack of awareness of depressive symptoms. Due to improper management of depression in epileptic patients, it can interfere with treatment outcomes and hence can impair the quality of life. Undermanaged depression in epilepsy is generally associated with work absenteeism and direct medical costs. Electronic JR_liographic databases like PubMed and Google Scholar were searched using the format “(depression, epilepsy and symptoms)”. Cross-linked searches were made taking the lead from key articles. Recent articles and those exploring the etiological factors & symptomatic presentation of depression were focused upon. The main purpose of this review was to study the causative association between epilepsy and depression and to discuss the varied symptomatic presentation.
Erectile Dysfunction in Heme-Deficient Nitric Oxide–Unresponsive Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Knock-In Mice
Authors: Decaluwé Kelly , Pauwels Bart , Boydens Charlotte , Thoonen Robrecht , Buys Emmanuel S. , Brouckaert Peter , Van de Voorde Johan
Published: February 2017

Introduction

The nitric oxide (NO), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway is the leading pathway in penile erection.

Aim

To assess erectile function in a mouse model in which sGC is deficient in heme (apo-sGC) and unresponsive to NO.

Methods

Mutant mice (sGCβ1ki/ki) that express an sGC enzyme that retains basal activity but fails to respond to NO because of heme deficiency (apo-sGC) were used. Isolated corpora cavernosa from sGCβ1ki/ki and wild-type mice were mounted in vitro for isometric tension recordings in response to sGC-dependent and -independent vasorelaxant agents. In addition, the erectile effects of some of these agents were tested in vivo at intracavernosal injection.

Main Outcome Measures

In vitro and in vivo recordings of erectile responses in sGCβ1ki/ki and wild-type mice after stimulation with sGC-dependent and -independent vasorelaxant agents.

Results

NO-induced responses were abolished in sGCβ1ki/ki mice in vitro and in vivo. The ability of the heme-dependent, NO-independent sGC stimulator BAY 41-2272 to relax the corpora cavernosa was markedly attenuated in sGCβ1ki/ki mice. In contrast, the relaxation response to the heme- and NO-independent sGC activator BAY 58-2667 was significantly enhanced in sGCβ1ki/ki mice. The relaxing effect of sGC-independent vasorelaxant agents was similar in wild-type and sGCβ1ki/ki mice, illustrating that the observed alterations in vasorelaxation are limited to NO-sGC-cGMP–mediated processes.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that sGC is the sole target of NO in erectile physiology. Furthermore, this study provides indirect evidence that, in addition to sGCα1β1, sGCα2β1 is important for erectile function. In addition, the significant relaxation observed in sGCβ1ki/ki mice with the cumulative addition of the sGC activator BAY 58-2667 indicates that sGC activators might offer value in treating erectile dysfunction.
Microdroplet fusion mass spectrometry: accelerated kinetics of acid-induced chlorophyll demetallation
Authors: Lee Jae Kyoo , Nam Hong Gil , Zare Richard N.
Published: February 2017

Kinetics of acid-induced chlorophyll demetallation was recorded in microdroplets by fusing a stream of microdroplets containing 40 µM chlorophyll a or b dissolved in methanol with a stream of aqueous microdroplets containing 35 mM hydrochloric acid (pH = 1·46). The kinetics of the demetallation of chlorophyll in the fused microdroplets (14 ± 6 µm diameter; 84 ± 18 m s−1 velocity) was recorded by controlling the traveling distance of the fused microdroplets between the fusion region and the inlet of a mass spectrometer. The rate of acid-induced chlorophyll demetallation was about 960 ± 120 times faster in the charged microdroplets compared with that reported in bulk solution. If no voltage was applied to the sprayed microdroplets, then the acceleration factor was about 580 ± 90, suggesting that the applied voltage is not a major factor determining the acceleration. Chlorophyll a was more rapidly demetallated than chlorophyll b by a factor of ~26 in bulk solution and ~5 in charged microdroplets. The demetallation kinetics was second order in the H+ concentration, but the acceleration factor of microdroplets compared with bulk solution appeared to be unchanged in going from pH = 1·3 to 7·0. The water:methanol ratio of the fused microdroplets was varied from 7:3 to 3:7 causing an increase in the reaction rate of chlorophyll a demetallation by 20%. This observation demonstrates that the solvent composition, which has different evaporation rates, does not significantly affect the acceleration. We believe that a major portion of the acceleration can be attributed to confinement effects involving surface reactions rather than either to evaporation of solvents or to the introduction of charges to the microdroplets.
Bacterial bile salt hydrolase: an intestinal microbiome target for enhanced animal health
Authors: Geng Wenjing , Lin Jun
Published: February 2017

To effectively mitigate antimicrobial resistance in the agricultural ecosystem, there is an increasing pressure to reduce and eliminate the use of in-feed antibiotics for growth promotion and disease prevention in food animals. However, limiting antibiotic use could compromise animal production efficiency and health. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop effective alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). Increasing evidence has shown that the growth-promoting effect of AGPs was highly correlated with the reduced activity of bile salt hydrolase (BSH), an intestinal bacterial enzyme that has a negative impact on host fat digestion and energy harvest; consistent with this finding, the population ofLactobacillusspecies, the major intestinal BSH-producer, was significantly reduced in response to AGP use. Thus, BSH is a key mechanistic microbiome target for developing novel alternatives to AGPs. Despite recent significant progress in the characterization of diverse BSH enzymes, research on BSH is still in its infancy. This review is focused on the function of BSH and its significant impacts on host physiology in human beings, laboratory animals and food animals. The gaps in BSH-based translational microbiome research for enhanced animal health are also identified and discussed.
Future Prospects for Climate Engineering within the EU Legal Order
Authors: Fleurke Floor
Published: February 2017

This article explores the prospects for the EU to develop a coherent policy regarding climate engineering (CE). To this end, we explore the most significant legal parameters derived from EU law from which such a future EU policy would have to arise. Obviously, in view of the principle of conferral, it must first be established if the EU enjoys competences to initiate a discrete policy on climate engineering. The mere fact that the EU presides over a plethora of climate mitigation and adaptation instruments is not sufficient to conclude that it likewise has competence to initiate a policy of intentional environmental change. Rather, precisely because climate engineering is such a different response to climate change than anything undertaken before, we must establish whether that difference is of a nature so as to rule out a future EU policy on climate engineering.
Regulating Solar Radiation Management
Authors: Gullberg Anne Therese , Hovi Jon
Published: February 2017

Climate engineering in general and solar radiation management (SRM) in particular raise profound and complex political, legal, social, and ethical questions that go well beyond technical feasibility issues. We consider three such questions. First, can existing EU decision-making processes accommodate sufficient public engagement to ensure legitimate decisions on SRM? Second, does politics influence the choice of legislative procedure for SRM regulation? Third, does the choice of legislative procedure influence the likelihood of SRM implementation? Three main conclusions emerge from our analysis. First, existing EU decision-making processes can – given certain conditions – accommodate considerable public engagement and hence ensure legitimate decisions on SRM. Second, politics matters; indeed, the EU's choice of legislative procedure concerning SRM may well become subject to political negotiations. Finally, the choice of legislative procedure may substantially influence the likelihood of SRM implementation.
Causal Inference in Law: An Epidemiological Perspective
Authors: Siegerink Bob , Hollander Wouter den , Zeegers Maurice , Middelburg Rutger
Published: February 2017

Causal inference lies at the heart of many legal questions. Yet in the context of complicated disease litigation, in particular, the causal inquiry is beset with difficulties due to gaps in scientific knowledge concerning the precise biological processes underlying such diseases. Civil courts across the globe, faced with increased litigation on such matters, struggle to adhere to their judicial fact-finding and decision-making role in the face of such scientific uncertainty. An important difficulty in drawing evidentially sound causal inferences is the binary format of the traditional legal test for factual causation, being the ‘but for’ test, which is based on thecondicio-sine-qua-nonprinciple. To the question ‘would the damage have occurred in the absence of the defendant's wrongful behaviour’ the ‘but for’ test requires a simple yes or no answer. This is increasingly deemed unsatisfactory in cases in which, given the state of science, true causation cannot possibly be determined with certainty.
Economic Analysis of the Risks Associated with Seeking a Preliminary Injunction
Authors: Rozek Richard P.
Published: February 2017

An issue that may arise for both the plaintiff and defendant in a patent dispute involving pharmaceutical technology concerns the risks associated with selling an allegedly infringing product prior to the dispute being resolved. The plaintiff has the option to seek a preliminary injunction. Deciding whether to grant an injunction involves fact specific analysis. The economic components in such an analysis, which are addressed in this report, are: assessing whether the plaintiff will suffer irreparable harm without an injunction, measuring the balance of harms to the plaintiff and defendant, and evaluating whether the public interest will be served by an injunction.
Another Step towards a Definition of ‘Implementing Measures’?
Authors: Buchanan Camilla , Bolzonello Luca
Published: February 2017

Case T-397/13, Tilly Sabco v Commission, Judgment of the General Court (Fifth Chamber) of 14 January 2016, ECLI:EU:T:2016:8

Article 263 TFEU allows applicants to challenge regulatory acts which are of direct concern to them and do not entail implementing measures. In this judgment the General Court held effectively that the implementing measure cannot be hypothetical but must follow-on naturally from the underlying regulatory act. This note discusses the significance of this seemingly new element in the meaning of ‘entail implementing measures’ and its potential consequences.
Tackling Unanswered Questions on What Shapes Earth
Authors: Stern Robert , Gerya Taras , Tackley Paul
Published: February 2017

Origin and Evolution of Plate Tectonics; Ascona, Switzerland, 18–22 July 2016
Initiative Aims to Help Cut Losses from Extreme Weather Events
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: February 2017

A new alliance aims to integrate social and behavioral science into meteorological research and practice to help build resilience to natural disasters.
Soil microorganisms can overcome respiration inhibition by coupling intra- and extracellular metabolism: 13C metabolic tracing reveals the mechanisms
Authors: K Bore Ezekiel , Apostel Carolin , Halicki Sara , Kuzyakov Yakov , Dippold Michaela A
Published: February 2017

CO2 release from soil is commonly used to estimate toxicity of various substances on microorganisms. However, the mechanisms underlying persistent CO2 release from soil exposed to toxicants inhibiting microbial respiration, for example, sodium azide (NaN3) or heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Cu), remain unclear. To unravel these mechanisms, NaN3-amended soil was incubated with position-specifically 13C-labeled glucose and 13C was quantified in CO2, bulk soil, microbial biomass and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). High 13C recovery from C-1 in CO2 indicates that glucose was predominantly metabolized via the pentose phosphate pathway irrespective of inhibition. Although NaN3 prevented 13C incorporation into PLFA and decreased total CO2 release, 13C in CO2 increased by 12% compared with control soils due to an increased use of glucose for energy production. The allocation of glucose-derived carbon towards extracellular compounds, demonstrated by a fivefold higher 13C recovery in bulk soil than in microbial biomass, suggests the synthesis of redox active substances for extracellular disposal of electrons to bypass inhibited electron transport chains within the cells. PLFA content doubled within 10 days of inhibition, demonstrating recovery of the microbial community. This growth was largely based on recycling of cost-intensive biomass compounds, for example, alkyl chains, from microbial necromass. The bypass of intracellular toxicity by extracellular electron transport permits the fast recovery of the microbial community. Such efficient strategies to overcome exposure to respiration-inhibiting toxicants may be exclusive to habitats containing redox-sensitive substances. Therefore, the toxic effects of respiration inhibitors on microorganisms are much less intensive in soils than in pure cultures.
Subjective craving and event-related brain response to olfactory and visual chocolate cues in binge-eating and healthy individuals
Authors: Wolz I. , Sauvaget A. , Granero R. , Mestre-Bach G. , Baño M. , Martín-Romera V. , Veciana de las Heras M. , Jiménez-Murcia S. , Jansen A. , Roefs A. , Fernández-Aranda F.
Published: February 2017

High-sugar/high-fat foods are related to binge-eating behaviour and especially people with low inhibitory control may encounter elevated difficulties to resist their intake. Incentive sensitization to food-related cues might lead to increased motivated attention towards these stimuli and to cue-induced craving. To investigate the combined influence of olfactory and visual stimuli on craving, inhibitory control and motivated attention, 20 healthy controls and 19 individuals with binge-eating viewed chocolate and neutral pictures, primed by chocolate or neutral odours. Subjective craving and electroencephalogram activity were recorded during the task. N2 and Late Positive Potential (LPP) amplitudes were analysed. Patients reported higher craving than controls. Subjective craving, N2 and LPP amplitudes were higher for chocolate versus neutral pictures. Patients showed a higher relative increase in N2 amplitudes to chocolate versus neutral pictures than controls. Chocolate images induced significant increases in craving, motivated attention and measures of cognitive control. Chocolate odour might potentiate the craving response to visual stimuli, especially in patients with binge-eating.
New perspectives on corpora amylacea in the human brain
Authors: Augé Elisabet , Cabezón Itsaso , Pelegrí Carme , Vilaplana Jordi
Published: February 2017

Corpora amylaceaare structures of unknown origin and function that appear with age in human brains and are profuse in selected brain areas in several neurodegenerative conditions. They are constituted of glucose polymers and may contain waste elements derived from different cell types. As we previously found on particular polyglucosan bodies in mouse brain, we report here thatcorpora amylaceapresent some neo-epitopes that can be recognized by natural antibodies, a certain kind of antibodies that are involved in tissue homeostasis. We hypothesize thatcorpora amylacea, and probably some other polyglucosan bodies, are waste containers in which deleterious or residual products are isolated to be later eliminated through the action of the innate immune system. In any case, the presence of neo-epitopes on these structures and the existence of natural antibodies directed against them could become a new focal point for the study of both age-related and degenerative brain processes.
Nanomaterials for sample pretreatment prior to capillary electrophoretic analysis
Authors: Adam Vojtech , Vaculovicova Marketa
Published: February 2017

Nanomaterials are, in analytical science, used for a broad range of purposes, covering the area of sample pretreatment as well as separation, detection and identification of target molecules.
Second sphere ligand modifications enable a recyclable catalyst for oxidant-free alcohol oxidation to carboxylates
Authors: Dahl Eric W. , Louis-Goff Thomas , Szymczak Nathaniel K.
Published: February 2017

Ruthenium–terpyridine complexes appended with secondary amines impart hydride stability and recyclability toward catalytic dehydrogenative alcohol oxidation to carboxylates.
Strain enhanced lithium adsorption and diffusion on silicene
Authors: Wang Xiao , Luo Youhua , Yan Ting , Cao Wei , Zhang Meng
Published: February 2017

Strain enhances Li binding and facilitates Li diffusion through silicene.
Formation criteria of high efficiency perovskite solar cells under ambient conditions
Authors: Aranda Clara , Cristobal Cesar , Shooshtari Leyla , Li Cheng , Huettner Sven , Guerrero Antonio
Published: February 2017

Environmental water affects the crystallization dynamics and presence of defects in the perovskite films.
Biomass-derived solvents as effective media for cross-coupling reactions and C–H functionalization processes
Authors: Santoro Stefano , Ferlin Francesco , Luciani Lorenzo , Ackermann Lutz , Vaccaro Luigi
Published: February 2017

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are indispensable tools in molecular syntheses with numerous applications in academia and for the practitioners in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Getting oriented with antibodies
Authors: Klontz Erik H. , Sundberg Eric J.
Published: February 2017

Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative bacterium capable of causing deadly invasive disease. Two recently developed vaccines against N. meningitidis serogroup B include recombinant factor H binding protein (fHbp), a surface protein that meningococci use to evade the host immune system. Many anti-fHbp monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) produced against fHbp fail to trigger complement-mediated bacteriolysis when used alone in vitro, but are highly synergistic and bactericidal when used in combination. This opened the door to defining the structural basis by which mAbs activate complement synergistically when binding to different epitopes on the same antigen, a story that is told by Malito et al. in a recent issue of the Biochemical Journal. Using two separate crystal structures of fHbp bound to Fabs from synergistic mAbs, they were able to model the structure of both full length antibodies bound simultaneously to fHbp. This revealed that the bound antibodies orient their Fc domains 115–130 Å apart, a distance that is compatible with multivalent C1q binding. The need for a precise orientation of Fc domains in order to efficiently activate effector functions is an emerging theme across multiple fields, and its implications could have broad impacts on vaccinology and immunotherapy.