bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EVALUATION OF CASSAVA VARIETIES FOR WEED TOLERANCE ABILITY
Authors: DJE BI IRIÉ R. , KOUASSI KOUADIO I. , KOFFI KOUAMÉ K. , KOUAKOU KOUAKOU L. , BAUDOIN JEAN-PIERRE , ZORO BI IRIÉ A.
Published: April 2017

Many types of weeds occur in cassava fields causing enormous yield losses due to competition for nutrients, light and space. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth and yield of four traditional varieties of cassava (Bonoua Blanc, Tambou, Yassé and Six mois) produced in Côte d'Ivoire and select the highest tolerant variety to weed competition. Six treatments were induced by varying the period in which cassava varieties were grown with weeds. Varieties and exposure time to competition with weeds significantly affected the productivity of cassava. The number of leaves per plant (NLP), the number of tuberous roots per plant (NTRP) and the weight of tuberous roots per plant (WTRP) declined with increasing duration of weed presence. After an initial period of weeding, the first four months of grassing proved critical for the four varieties. Despite the presence of weeds, Bonoua Blanc has higher growth and yield than Tambou, Yasse and Six mois. This suggests that Bonoua Blanc was more tolerant to weed competition than the others from planting to harvest, being a suitable variety in intercropping systems.
A three-dimensionally preserved aglaspidid euarthropod with a calcitic cuticle from the Ordovician of China
Authors: SIVETER DEREK J. , FORTEY RICHARD A. , ZHU XUEJIAN , ZHOU ZHIYI
Published: April 2017

Aglaspidid euarthropods are usually preserved as flattened carapaces. We here describe a new species and genus,Gogglops ensifer, from the Ordovician Shaanxi Province, China, which shows the best three-dimensional (3D) preservation yet discovered. We show that the cuticle was originally composed of calcium carbonate, except for the visual surfaces of the eyes which were probably originally organic but have been selectively phosphatized. A review is given of the problems pertaining to the original nature of the aglaspidid cuticle.Gogglopsis probably closely related to certain poorly known aglaspidid genera from Ordovician deposits of the Siberian Platform. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the new genus is closely related toAglaspisitself, and securely nested within the clade Aglaspidida.
Economic History, Historical Analysis, and the “New History of Capitalism”
Authors: Hilt Eric
Published: April 2017

This article presents a critical survey of ten books from the history of capitalism, a newly emerging subfield of history. At their best, the books offer provocative insights and vivid descriptions of some of the darker episodes of our economic past. Yet specious arguments and failures of analytical reasoning sometimes undermine these books' effectiveness as social criticism. I highlight insights from the field of economic history that would strengthen the work of historians of capitalism. I also suggest some opportunities for dialogue, if not collaboration, between the two communities of scholars.
Molecular characterization and transcriptional analysis of the female-enriched chondroitin proteoglycan 2 of Toxocara canis
Authors: Ma G.X. , Zhou R.Q. , Hu L. , Luo Y.L. , Luo Y.F. , Zhu H.H.
Published: April 2017

Toxocara canis is an important but neglected zoonotic parasite, and is the causative agent of human toxocariasis. Chondroitin proteoglycans are biological macromolecules, widely distributed in extracellular matrices, with a great diversity of functions in mammals. However, there is limited information regarding chondroitin proteoglycans in nematode parasites. In the present study, a female-enriched chondroitin proteoglycan 2 gene of T. canis (Tc-cpg-2) was cloned and characterized. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to measure the transcription levels of Tc-cpg-2 among tissues of male and female adult worms. A 485-amino-acid (aa) polypeptide was predicted from a continuous 1458-nuleotide open reading frame and designated as TcCPG2, which contains a 21-aa signal peptide. Conserved domain searching indicated three chitin-binding peritrophin-A (CBM_14) domains in the amino acid sequence of TcCPG2. Multiple alignment with the inferred amino acid sequences of Caenorhabditis elegans and Ascaris suum showed that CBM_14 domains were well conserved among these species. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that TcCPG2 was closely related to the sequence of chondroitin proteoglycan 2 of A. suum. Interestingly, a high level of Tc-cpg-2 was detected in female germline tissues, particularly in the oviduct, suggesting potential roles of this gene in reproduction (e.g. oogenesis and embryogenesis) of adult T. canis. The functional roles of Tc-cpg-2 in reproduction and development in this parasite and related parasitic nematodes warrant further functional studies.
Constructivism, moral realism, and the possibility of Kant's rational religion
Authors: DUNCAN SAMUEL
Published: April 2017

In this article I challenge Kantian constructivism both as an interpretation of Kant's own philosophical commitments and on its own merits as a moral theory, and argue in favour of a moral realist interpretation of Kant. I do so by focusing on Kant's own religious views and the question of whether a Kantian moral theory can be religiously neutral. I show that constructivist readings have severe problems on both fronts, while realist readings of Kant do not. This provides strong evidence that realist forms of Kantian ethics are preferable both as readings of Kant and as approaches to moral theory.
INTRODUCTION OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT FOR MEDICINES IN SLOVAKIA
Authors: Tesar Tomas , Hloska Adam , Wawruch Martin , Lehocka Lubica , Snopkova Miroslava , Masarykova Lucia
Published: April 2017

Objectives: The aim of our study was to describe approaches to health technology assessment (HTA) for medicines in the Slovak healthcare system and the related decision-making processes concerning reimbursement for medicines.

Methods: Analysis of the Slovak legislative framework related to HTA and the reimbursement process for medicines was performed. Additionally, current practices of the Working Group for Pharmacoeconomics, Clinical Outcomes and Health Technology Assessment of the Slovak Ministry of Health were evaluated.

Results: In Slovakia, there is always at least one treatment available in each determined therapeutic class with no co-payment. HTA is becoming an established method for the evaluation of cost-effectiveness of medicines in Slovak healthcare policy. The majority of decision makers within Slovakia support the idea of increased use of and the quality and efficiency of HTA methods. However, it is crucial to overcome several practical barriers to facilitate progress in the field of HTA in the Slovak Republic.

Conclusions: It can be seen that participation within the European Network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA JA 2 and EUnetHTA JA 3 projects) has significantly improved the quality of the process of HTA in Slovakia. Further legislative activities in this field are required due to the approved strategy for European Union cooperation on HTA.
SECURE INTERNET OF THINGS-BASED CLOUD FRAMEWORK TO CONTROL ZIKA VIRUS OUTBREAK
Authors: Sareen Sanjay , Sood Sandeep K. , Gupta Sunil Kumar
Published: April 2017

Objectives: Zika virus (ZikaV) is currently one of the most important emerging viruses in the world which has caused outbreaks and epidemics and has also been associated with severe clinical manifestations and congenital malformations. Traditional approaches to combat the ZikaV outbreak are not effective for detection and control. The aim of this study is to propose a cloud-based system to prevent and control the spread of Zika virus disease using integration of mobile phones and Internet of Things (IoT).

Methods: A Naive Bayesian Network (NBN) is used to diagnose the possibly infected users, and Google Maps Web service is used to provide the geographic positioning system (GPS)-based risk assessment to prevent the outbreak. It is used to represent each ZikaV infected user, mosquito-dense sites, and breeding sites on the Google map that helps the government healthcare authorities to control such risk-prone areas effectively and efficiently.

Results: The performance and accuracy of the proposed system are evaluated using dataset for 2 million users. Our system provides high accuracy for initial diagnosis of different users according to their symptoms and appropriate GPS-based risk assessment.

Conclusions: The cloud-based proposed system contributed to the accurate NBN-based classification of infected users and accurate identification of risk-prone areas using Google Maps.
PATIENT WEB PORTALS AND PATIENT–PROVIDER RELATIONSHIPS: A SUMMARY PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Caldwell Hannah D. , Minkoff Neil B. , Murthy Kalyani
Published: April 2017

Objectives: Patient Web portals (PWPs) have been gaining traction as a means to collect patient-reported outcomes and maintain quality patient care between office visits. PWPs have the potential to impact patient–provider relationships by rendering additional channels for communication outside of clinic visits and could help in the management of common chronic medical conditions. Studies documenting their effect in primary care settings are limited. This perspective aims to summarize the benefits and drawbacks of using PWPs in the management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and asthma, focusing on communication, disease management, compliance, potential barriers, and the impact on patient–provider dynamic. After a review of these topics, we present potential future directions.

Methods: We conducted an exploratory PubMed search of the literature published from inception through December 2015, and focused our subsequent searches specifically to assess benefits and drawbacks of using PWPs in the management of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and asthma.

Results: Our search revealed several potential benefits of PWP implementation in the management of chronic conditions with regards to patient–provider relationships, such as improved communication, disease management, and compliance. We also noted drawbacks such as potentially unreliable reporting, barriers to use, and increased workload.

Conclusions: PWPs offer opportunities for patients to report symptoms and outcomes in a timely manner and allow for secure online communication with providers. Despite the drawbacks noted, the overall benefits from successful PWP implementation could improve patient–provider relationships and help in the management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and asthma.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS: A SYNTHESIS OF METHODOLOGICAL GUIDANCE
Authors: Mathes Tim , Antoine Sunya-Lee , Prengel Peggy , Bühn Stefanie , Polus Stephanie , Pieper Dawid
Published: April 2017

Objectives: The evaluation of public health interventions poses some challenges. As a consequence, health technology assessment (HTA) methods for public health interventions (PHI) have to be adapted. This study aimed to summarize the available guidance on methods for HTA of PHI.

Methods: We systematically searched for methodological guidance on HTA of PHIs. Our focus was on research synthesis methods to evaluate effectiveness. Relevant information was synthesized narratively in a standardized way.

Results: Only four guidance documents were identified specifically for HTAs of PHI. The approaches used for HTAs of PHIs are broader and more flexible than those for medical interventions. For this reason, there is a tendency to identify the intervention components and context factors that influence the effectiveness and transferability of an intervention rather than to assess its effectiveness in general. The details in the guidance vary without justification. Unjustified heterogeneity between the different guidance approaches is most pronounced for quality assessment, assessment of applicability, and methods to integrate qualitative and quantitative evidence. Descriptions for the assessment of integrity, heterogeneity, sustainability, context factors, and applicability are often vague.

Conclusions: The heterogeneity in approaches indicates that there is currently no consensus on methods to deal with the challenges of the PHI evaluations. A possible explanation for this may be that the methods are not sufficiently developed, and advantages and disadvantages of a certain method in relation to the research question (e.g., broad/focused) have not yet been sufficiently evaluated.
Lost and Found? Jewish Historians, Jewish History, and Narrativization of Order in East European Cities
Authors: Ury Scott
Published: April 2017

This article argues that the long-standing turn to “the Jewish community” as a central organizing principle in works dedicated to Jewish history in east European cities has helped create and institutionalize a specific communal model of Jewish urban history, one that prioritizes narratives of Jewish communal order over explorations of the chaos and fluidity that characterize many other studies of the modern city. The article begins by discussing the central place of “the community” in foundational works of Jewish history, continues by examining the critical role played by communal record books (pinkasim) in the construction of east European Jewish history, and then analyzes several works that embraced and reinforced the communal model of Jewish urban history. The article concludes by examining two key archival collections and discussing the various ways that the source material amassed in them illustrates how scholars like Jacob Shatzky and Israel Klausner used historical research and writing as a means to narrativize, domesticate, and make sense of the intersection between Jews and cities.
From Berlin to Ben Shemen: The Lehmann Brothers between Expressionism and Zionism
Authors: Hirsh-Ratzkovsky Roni
Published: April 2017

The following article deals with the story of two German Jewish brothers, Alfred Lemm and Siegfried Lehmann. The first—a forgotten journalist and writer, the second—a doctor and educator, the founder of the Ben Shemen Youth Village in Mandate Palestine. Through the specific story of the two brothers, the article traces the path of messianic antiurban ideas prevalent in expressionist avant-garde circles in pre–World War I Europe, to the circles of German Jewish Zionism and from them to Palestine-Israel. Though German expressionism was itself an urban intellectual phenomenon, expressionist prose often exemplified antiurban and antimodern sentiments, as in the case of Lemm's prose. According to Lemm, redemption from the ills of modern society shall be found in withdrawal from the modern city and return to physical and metaphysical “roots.” Lemm's antiurban attitude influenced his brother Siegfried and found its full manifestation in the founding of the Ben Shemen Youth Village in 1927.
The Shtetl and Its Afterlife: Agnon in Jerusalem
Authors: Ezrahi Sidra DeKoven
Published: April 2017

This essay looks at both Buczacz, the Galician hometown of Shmuel Yosef Halevi Czaczkes, and Jerusalem, the adopted city/town of the writer who became S. Y. Agnon, modern Israel's most prominent Hebrew writer and only Nobel Prize winner. Like Jerusalem, the generic shtetl proved over time to be primordial, protean, and portable as a point of reference in Jewish culture and memory. Juxtaposing the “shtetl” as monolithic space with the “city” as heterogeneous space in sociological as well as artistic representations, I argue for a reading of several of S. Y. Agnon's major fictions that render Buczacz and Jerusalem as mirror images of each other. Finally, I gesture towards the ethical and political implications of this move for Agnon's readers and the citizens of Jerusalem.
A Heretic from a Good Family? A New Look at Why Levi b. Abraham b. Ḥayim Was Hounded
Authors: Marvin Tamar Ron
Published: April 2017

Levi b. Abraham b. Ḥayim, a popularizer of rationalist philosophy active around 1300 in Occitania, was identified as a transgressor by proponents of a ban on the study of philosophy. The nature of Levi's transgressive activities and the reasons why he was targeted have remained elusive, though a consensus view suggests that his socioeconomic standing and genuinely radical ideas contributed to his being singled out. In fact, a careful reassessment of the extant sources demonstrates that Levi, as an established member of the elite class, was an inadvertent target, identified in the course of a misunderstanding between Solomon Ibn Adret and his confidant in Perpignan, Crescas Vidal. No more radical than others and one of many popularizers of rationalism, Levi became a convenient exemplar and test case for ban proponents. They struggled to define the nature of Levi's potentially dangerous effects on his students, however, and Levi remained an equivocal figure even to his detractors. Though vilified and forced out of the home of his patron, Levi was accorded basic respect and often defended; he was never subject to excommunication, censure, or any type of halakhic prosecution.
Does the Incredible Years reduce child externalizing problems through improved parenting? The role of child negative affectivity and serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotype
Authors: Weeland Joyce , Chhangur Rabia R. , Jaffee Sara R. , Van Der Giessen Danielle , Matthys Walter , Orobio De Castro Bram , Overbeek Geertjan
Published: April 2017

In a randomized controlled trial, the Observational Randomized Controlled Trial of Childhood Differential Susceptibility (ORCHIDS study), we tested whether observed parental affect and observed and reported parenting behavior are mechanisms of change underlying the effects of the behavioral parent training program the Incredible Years (IY). Furthermore, we tested whether some children are more susceptible to these change mechanisms because of their temperamental negative affectivity and/or serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotype. Participants were 387 Dutch children between 4 and 8 years of age (Mage = 6.31,SD= 1.33; 55.3% boys) and their parents. Results showed that although IY was successful in improving parenting behavior and increasing parental positive affect, these effects did not explain the significant decreases in child externalizing problems. We therefore found no evidence for changes in parenting behavior or parental affect being the putative mechanisms of IY effectiveness. Furthermore, intervention effects on child externalizing behavior were not moderated by child negative affectivity or5-HTTLPRgenotype. However, child5-HTTLPRgenotype did moderate intervention effects on negative parenting behavior. This suggests that in research on behavioral parent training programs, “what works for which parents” might also be an important question.
Local Response of Sialoliths to Lithotripsy: Cues on Fragmentation Outcome
Authors: Nolasco Pedro , dos Anjos Ana J. , Dias José , Coelho Paulo V. , Coelho Carla , Evaristo Manuel , Cavaleiro Albano , Maurício António , Pereira Manuel F. C. , Infante Virgínia , Alves de Matos António P. , Martins Raúl C. , Carvalho Patricia A.
Published: April 2017

Lithotripsy methods show relatively low efficiency in the fragmentation of sialoliths compared with the success rates achieved in the destruction of renal calculi. However, the information available on the mechanical behavior of sialoliths is limited and their apparently tougher response is not fully understood. This work evaluates the hardness and Young’s modulus of sialoliths at different scales and analyzes specific damage patterns induced in these calcified structures by ultrasonic vibrations, pneumoballistic impacts, shock waves, and laser ablation. A clear correlation between local mechanical properties and ultrastructure/chemistry has been established: sialoliths are composite materials consisting of hard and soft components of mineralized and organic nature, respectively. Ultrasonic and pneumoballistic reverberations damage preferentially highly mineralized regions, leaving relatively unaffected the surrounding organic matter. In contrast, shock waves leach the organic component and lead to erosion of the overall structure. Laser ablation destroys homogeneously the irradiated zones regardless of the mineralized/organic nature of the underlying ultrastructure; however, damage is less extensive than with mechanical methods. Overall, the present results show that composition and internal structure are key features behind sialoliths’ comminution behavior and that the organic matter contributes to reduce the therapeutic efficiency of lithotripsy methods.
Pattern Center and Distortion Determined from Faint, Diffuse Electron Diffraction Rings from Amorphous Materials
Authors: Lábár János L. , Das Partha P.
Published: April 2017

Diffuse rings from amorphous materials sit on a steep background resulting in a monotonically decreasing intensity over scattering vector length, frequently with no clear local maximum that could be used to determine the center of the ring. The novelty of the method reported here is that it successful processes such weak patterns. It is based on separating the angular dependence of the positions of the maxima on the azimuthal angle in the measured two-dimensional pattern for a manually preselected peak. Both pattern center and elliptical distortion are simultaneously refined from this angular dependence. Both steps are based on nonlinear least square fitting, using the Levenberg–Marquardt method. It can be successfully applied to any amorphous patterns provided they were recorded with experimental conditions that facilitate dividing them into sectors with acceptable statistics. Patterns with the center shifted to the camera corner (recording a quadrant of a ring) can also be reliably evaluated, keeping precalibrated values of the elliptical distortion fixed during the fit. Finally, the limited number of counts in any pattern is overcome by cumulating many patterns (from equivalent areas) into a single pattern. Eliminating false effects is facilitated by masking out unwanted parts of any recorded pattern from processing.
A path already travelled in domestic orders? From fragmentation to constitutionalisation in the global legal order
Authors: Murray Colin R.G. , O'Donoghue Aoife
Published: April 2017

Theories of fragmentation and constitutionalisation have long been presented as antagonistic accounts of the global legal order. Fragmentation theorists posit a non-hierarchical order explained in terms of the relationships between general and specialised areas of international law. Constitutionalisation’s adherents, by contrast, identify the global legal order’s ongoing transformation from horizontal and consent-based roots towards a hierarchal structure grounded upon fundamental principles. The proliferation of international tribunals has long been recognised as a factor muddying the picture of constitutionalisation and pointing towards fragmentation within international law. We argue, however, that this proliferation enhances the global order’s potential for constitutionalisation. The current state of fragmentation within the uncodified global order is comparable to long periods when the UK’s uncodified constitution exhibited the hallmarks of fragmented development. We bridge these supposedly rival explanations for the development of legal orders by re-evaluating the role played by competing courts in the UK’s constitutionalisation process, reassessing developments familiar to common-law historians through the prism of fragmentation theory. The UK example indicates that fragmentation is not, of itself, an insurmountable obstacle to constitutionalisation within the global order and may even mark a stage within this process. We employ lessons derived from this comparison to evaluate current flashpoints in relations between international tribunals, including the European Court of Justice’s Opinion 2/13 which has for now stymied the EU’s efforts to accede to the European Convention on Human Rights.
H.L.A. Hart's secondary rules: what do ‘officials’ really think?
Authors: Howarth David , Stark Shona Wilson
Published: April 2017

The impact of H.L.A. Hart'sThe Concept of Lawon modern legal thinking is undisputed. But does it reflect the reality of the way British institutions work? InConcept,Hart argued, amongst other things, that one of two ‘minimum conditions necessary and sufficient for the existence of a legal system’ was that ‘its rules of recognition specifying the criteria of legal validity and its rules of change and adjudication must be effectively accepted as common public standards of official behaviour by its officials’. In this paper, we begin the process of testing that statement empirically. Specifically, we ask whether non-judicial UK officials have a uniform view of what the rules of recognition, change and adjudication are, and whether they uniformly take an internal point of view towards them (i.e. whether they accept the rules and do not merely obey them). By way of a pilot study, thirty non-judicial UK officials were interviewed. Those officials comprised currently serving and retired senior civil servants, senior military officials, chief constables and local authority chief executives. The findings of the pilot study are presented in this paper. They allow us to deduce that Hart's statement might well be an inaccurate and incomplete description of the modern British constitution, and to comment on the implications of that conclusion.
“Stop My Pain, but Don’t Send Me to School!” A Pediatric Case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and School Absenteeism
Authors: Psihogios Alexandra M. , Baber Kari
Published: April 2017

The present case is an 11-year-old, Caucasian boy (“Leo”) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who demonstrated significant functional impairment with school and was referred to behavioral health for stress management by his gastroenterologist. We conceptualized Leo’s IBS from a biopsychosocial perspective, in which biological (e.g., abdominal pain), psychological (e.g., fear of bowel incontinence), and environmental (e.g., inadvertent reinforcement of school absenteeism) factors interacted and resulted in symptoms and impairment. In conjunction with medical interventions, we aimed to improve his coping with IBS symptoms and increase his school attendance through the implementation of a family based cognitive–behavioral intervention involving coping skills training, contingency management, and exposure. Over the course of the intervention, Leo continued to demonstrate difficulties with school attendance and participation, as well as poor engagement with behavioral and cognitive coping strategies. His mother attempted to reduce reinforcement of school absenteeism but continued to acquiesce to his requests to stay home from school. The challenges of this case highlight potential areas of need that may have been inadequately addressed by our original case conceptualization and intervention plan, including consideration of an underlying anxiety disorder, maternal barriers to contingency management, time restraints–low dose of treatment, and strengthening our partnership with medical and school stakeholders.
Inducement of apoptosis by cucurbitacin E, a tetracyclic triterpenes, through death receptor 5 in human cervical cancer cell lines
Authors: Cheng Ya-Min , Shen Ching-Ju , Chang Chi-Chang , Chou Cheng-Yang , Tsai Ching-Chou , Hsu Yi-Chiang
Published: April 2017

Cervical cancer is the most common malignancy in women, for which conization or hysterectomy are the main therapy. Curcubitacin E (Cu E) is a natural compound-based drug which from the Guadi (climbing stem of Cucumic melo L). Previously shown to be an anti-tumor as well as a potent chemopreventive agent against several types of tumors. The present study, investigated anti-proliferation and apoptosis induced by Cu E in cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and Ca Ski). The results indicate that the cytotoxicity is associated with accumulation in apoptosis but not necrosis. Cu E produced apoptosis as well as the up-regulation the expression of death receptor 5 (DR5). In addition, the DR5 gene activation in apoptosis, both effects increased proportionally with the dose of Cu E; however, mitosis delay was also dependant on the amount of Cu E treatment in the cancer cells. These results indicate that Cu E may delay cancer cell growth by apoptosis via upregulation of DR5 gene expression.
A metallic molybdenum dioxide with high stability for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Qiqi , Li Xinshi , Ma Qiang , Zhang Qing , Bai Hua , Yi Wencai , Liu Jingyao , Han Jing , Xi Guangcheng
Published: April 2017

Compared with noble metals, semiconductors with surface plasmon resonance effect are another type of SERS substrate materials. The main obstacles so far are that the semiconducting materials are often unstable and easy to be further oxidized or decomposed by laser irradiating or contacting with corrosive substances. Here, we report that metallic MoO2 can be used as a SERS substrate to detect trace amounts of highly risk chemicals including bisphenol A (BPA), dichloropheno (DCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and so on. The minimum detectable concentration was 10−7 M and the maximum enhancement factor is up to 3.75 × 106. To the best of our knowledge, it may be the best among the metal oxides and even reaches or approaches to Au/Ag. The MoO2 shows an unexpected high oxidation resistance, which can even withstand 300 °C in air without further oxidation. The MoO2 material also can resist long etching of strong acid and alkali.
Structure and function of the divalent anion/Na+ symporter from Vibrio cholerae and a humanized variant
Authors: Nie Rongxin , Stark Steven , Symersky Jindrich , Kaplan Ronald S. , Lu Min
Published: April 2017

Integral membrane proteins of the divalent anion/Na+ symporter (DASS) family translocate dicarboxylate, tricarboxylate or sulphate across cell membranes, typically by utilizing the preexisting Na+ gradient. The molecular determinants for substrate recognition by DASS remain obscure, largely owing to the absence of any substrate-bound DASS structure. Here we present 2.8-Å resolution X-ray structures of VcINDY, a DASS from Vibrio cholerae that catalyses the co-transport of Na+ and succinate. These structures portray the Na+-bound VcINDY in complexes with succinate and citrate, elucidating the binding sites for substrate and two Na+ ions. Furthermore, we report the structures of a humanized variant of VcINDY in complexes with succinate and citrate, which predict how a human citrate-transporting DASS may interact with its bound substrate. Our findings provide insights into metabolite transport by DASS, establishing a molecular basis for future studies on the regulation of this transport process.
LPP is a Src substrate required for invadopodia formation and efficient breast cancer lung metastasis
Authors: Ngan Elaine , Stoletov Konstantin , Smith Harvey W. , Common Jessica , Muller William J. , Lewis John D. , Siegel Peter M.
Published: April 2017

We have previously shown that lipoma preferred partner (LPP) mediates TGFβ-induced breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Herein, we demonstrate that diminished LPP expression reduces circulating tumour cell numbers, impairs cancer cell extravasation and diminishes lung metastasis. LPP localizes to invadopodia, along with Tks5/actin, at sites of matrix degradation and at the tips of extravasating breast cancer cells as revealed by intravital imaging of the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Invadopodia formation, breast cancer cell extravasation and metastasis require an intact LPP LIM domain and the ability of LPP to interact with α-actinin. Finally, we show that Src-mediated LPP phosphorylation at specific tyrosine residues (Y245/301/302) is critical for invadopodia formation, breast cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Together, these data define a previously unknown function for LPP in the formation of invadopodia and reveal a requirement for LPP in mediating the metastatic ability of breast cancer cells.
Volumetric chemical imaging by stimulated Raman projection microscopy and tomography
Authors: Chen Xueli , Zhang Chi , Lin Peng , Huang Kai-Chih , Liang Jimin , Tian Jie , Cheng Ji-Xin
Published: April 2017

Volumetric imaging allows global understanding of three-dimensional (3D) complex systems. Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy and optical projection tomography have been reported to image 3D volumes with high resolutions and at high speeds. Such methods, however, usually rely on fluorescent labels for chemical targeting, which could perturb the biological functionality in living systems. We demonstrate Bessel-beam-based stimulated Raman projection (SRP) microscopy and tomography for label-free volumetric chemical imaging. Our SRP microscope enables fast quantitation of chemicals in a 3D volume through a two-dimensional lateral scan. Furthermore, combining SRP and sample rotation, we demonstrate the SRP tomography that can reconstruct the 3D distribution of chemical compositions with optical spatial resolution at a higher speed than the Gaussian-beam-based stimulated Raman scattering sectioning imaging can. We explore the potential of our SRP technology by mapping polymer particles in 3D volumes and lipid droplets in adipose cells.
Time-reversal symmetry breaking hidden order in Sr2(Ir,Rh)O4
Authors: Jeong Jaehong , Sidis Yvan , Louat Alex , Brouet Véronique , Bourges Philippe
Published: April 2017

Layered 5d transition iridium oxides, Sr2(Ir,Rh)O4, are described as unconventional Mott insulators with strong spin-orbit coupling. The undoped compound, Sr2IrO4, is a nearly ideal two-dimensional pseudospin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet, similarly to the insulating parent compound of high-temperature superconducting copper oxides. Using polarized neutron diffraction, we here report a hidden magnetic order in pure and doped Sr2(Ir,Rh)O4, distinct from the usual antiferromagnetic pseudospin ordering. We find that time-reversal symmetry is broken while the lattice translation invariance is preserved in the hidden order phase. The onset temperature matches that of the odd-parity hidden order recently highlighted using optical second-harmonic generation experiments. The novel magnetic order and broken symmetries can be explained by the loop-current model, previously predicted for the copper oxide superconductors.
Platinum-nickel alloy excavated nano-multipods with hexagonal close-packed structure and superior activity towards hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Cao Zhenming , Chen Qiaoli , Zhang Jiawei , Li Huiqi , Jiang Yaqi , Shen Shouyu , Fu Gang , Lu Bang-an , Xie Zhaoxiong , Zheng Lansun
Published: April 2017

Crystal phase regulations may endow materials with enhanced or new functionalities. However, syntheses of noble metal-based allomorphic nanomaterials are extremely difficult, and only a few successful examples have been found. Herein, we report the discovery of hexagonal close-packed Pt–Ni alloy, despite the fact that Pt–Ni alloys are typically crystallized in face-centred cubic structures. The hexagonal close-packed Pt–Ni alloy nano-multipods are synthesized via a facile one-pot solvothermal route, where the branches of nano-multipods take the shape of excavated hexagonal prisms assembled by six nanosheets of 2.5 nm thickness. The hexagonal close-packed Pt–Ni excavated nano-multipods exhibit superior catalytic property towards the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte. The overpotential is only 65 mV versus reversible hydrogen electrode at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, and the mass current density reaches 3.03 mA μgPt−1 at −70 mV versus reversible hydrogen electrode, which outperforms currently reported catalysts to the best of our knowledge.
CRB3 downregulation confers breast cancer stem cell traits through TAZ/β-catenin
Authors: Li P , Wang Y , Mao X , Jiang Y , Liu J , Li J , Wang J , Wang R , She J , Zhang J , Yang J , Liu Y , Liu P
Published: April 2017

The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory depicts a special population within the cancer mass that self-renew and sustain the cancer, even if the other cells were eliminated by therapies. How CSCs acquire these unique traits is still unclear. Crumbs homolog 3 (CRB3), a member of the CRB polarity complex, has been reported to act as a tumor suppressor. Here, we detected significantly lower or negative CRB3 expression in human breast cancer tissues. Knockdown of CRB3 generated non-tumorigenic, immortalized breast epithelial cell line MCF 10A with CSC properties. Simultaneously, we found that CRB3 downregulation induced the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and activated TAZ (transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif) and β-catenin. Significantly, the activation of TAZ and β-catenin sufficed in conferring MCF 10A cells with CSC properties. This study demonstrates that cell polarity proteins may serve as a switch of the differentiated vs multipotent states in breast cancers.
Genome editing in the mushroom-forming basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea, optimized by a high-throughput transformation system
Authors: Sugano Shigeo S. , Suzuki Hiroko , Shimokita Eisuke , Chiba Hirofumi , Noji Sumihare , Osakabe Yuriko , Osakabe Keishi
Published: April 2017

Mushroom-forming basidiomycetes produce a wide range of metabolites and have great value not only as food but also as an important global natural resource. Here, we demonstrate CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in the model species Coprinopsis cinerea. Using a high-throughput reporter assay with cryopreserved protoplasts, we identified a novel promoter, CcDED1
pro
, with seven times stronger activity in this assay than the conventional promoter GPD2. To develop highly efficient genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 in C. cinerea, we used the CcDED1
pro
to express Cas9 and a U6-snRNA promoter from C. cinerea to express gRNA. Finally, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated GFP mutagenesis was performed in a stable GFP expression line. Individual genome-edited lines were isolated, and loss of GFP function was detected in hyphae and fruiting body primordia. This novel method of high-throughput CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing using cryopreserved protoplasts should be a powerful tool in the study of edible mushrooms.
Cation and voltage dependence of lidocaine inhibition of the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated HCN1 channel
Authors: Putrenko Igor , Yip Raymond , Schwarz Stephan K. W. , Accili Eric A.
Published: April 2017

Lidocaine is known to inhibit the hyperpolarization-activated mixed cation current (Ih) in cardiac myocytes and neurons, as well in cells transfected with cloned Hyperpolarization-activated Cyclic Nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels. However, the molecular mechanism of Ih inhibition by this drug has been limitedly explored. Here, we show that inhibition of Ih by lidocaine, recorded from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the HCN1 channel, reached a steady state within one minute and was reversible. Lidocaine inhibition of Ih was greater at less negative voltages and smaller current amplitudes whereas the voltage-dependence of Ih activation was unchanged. Lidocaine inhibition of Ih measured at −130 mV (a voltage at which Ih is fully activated) was reduced, and Ih amplitude was increased, when the concentration of extracellular potassium was raised to 60 mM from 5.4 mM. By contrast, neither Ih inhibition by the drug nor Ih amplitude at +30 mV (following a test voltage-pulse to −130 mV) were affected by this rise in extracellular potassium. Together, these data indicate that lidocaine inhibition of Ih involves a mechanism which is antagonized by hyperpolarizing voltages and current flow.
Repeated inoculation of cattle rumen with bison rumen contents alters the rumen microbiome and improves nitrogen digestibility in cattle
Authors: Ribeiro Gabriel O. , Oss Daniela B. , He Zhixiong , Gruninger Robert J. , Elekwachi Chijioke , Forster Robert J. , Yang WenZhu , Beauchemin Karen A. , McAllister Tim A.
Published: April 2017

Future growth in demand for meat and milk, and the socioeconomic and environmental challenges that farmers face, represent a “grand challenge for humanity”. Improving the digestibility of crop residues such as straw could enhance the sustainability of ruminant production systems. Here, we investigated if transfer of rumen contents from bison to cattle could alter the rumen microbiome and enhance total tract digestibility of a barley straw-based diet. Beef heifers were adapted to the diet for 28 days prior to the experiment. After 46 days, ~70 percent of rumen contents were removed from each heifer and replaced with mixed rumen contents collected immediately after slaughter from 32 bison. This procedure was repeated 14 days later. Intake, chewing activity, total tract digestibility, ruminal passage rate, ruminal fermentation, and the bacterial and protozoal communities were examined before the first and after the second transfer. Overall, inoculation with bison rumen contents successfully altered the cattle rumen microbiome and metabolism, and increased protein digestibility and nitrogen retention, but did not alter fiber digestibility.
Host-probiotic interaction: new insight into the role of the endocannabinoid system by in vivo and ex vivo approaches
Authors: Gioacchini Giorgia , Rossi Giacomo , Carnevali Oliana
Published: April 2017

The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in regulating inflammation in several chronic or anomalous gut inflammatory diseases. In vivo and ex vivo studies showed that 30 days treatment with a probiotic mix activated the endocannabinoid system in zebrafish. These results highlight the potential of this probiotic mixture to regulate immune cell function, by inducing gene expression of toll-like receptors and other immune related molecules. Furthermore, TUNEL assay showed a decrease in the number of apoptotic cells, and this finding was supported by a reduction in pro-apoptotic factors and an increase in anti-apoptotic molecules. The results presented here strengthen the molecular mechanisms activated by probiotic mix controlling immune response and inflammation.
The paradox of a long grounding during West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat in Ross Sea
Authors: Bart Philip J. , Krogmeier Benjamin J. , Bart Manon P. , Tulaczyk Slawek
Published: April 2017

Marine geological data show that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) advanced to the eastern Ross Sea shelf edge during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and eventually retreated ~1000 km to the current grounding-line position on the inner shelf. During the early deglacial, the WAIS deposited a voluminous stack of overlapping grounding zone wedges (GZWs) on the outer shelf of the Whales Deep Basin. The large sediment volume of the GZW cluster suggests that the grounding-line position of the paleo-Bindschadler Ice Stream was relatively stationary for a significant time interval. We used an upper bound estimate of paleo-sediment flux to investigate the lower bound duration over which the ice stream would have deposited sediment to account for the GZW volume. Our calculations show that the cluster represents more than three millennia of ice-stream sedimentation. This long duration grounding was probably facilitated by rapid GZW growth. The subsequent punctuated large-distance (~200 km) grounding-line retreat may have been a highly non-linear ice sheet response to relatively continuous external forcing such as gradual climate warming or sea-level rise. These findings indicate that reliable predictions of future WAIS retreat may require incorporation of realistic calculations of sediment erosion, transport and deposition.
Three-stage anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and horse manure
Authors: Zhang Jingxin , Loh Kai-Chee , Lee Jonathan , Wang Chi-Hwa , Dai Yanjun , Wah Tong Yen
Published: April 2017

A novel compact three-stage anaerobic digester (HM3) was developed to combine the advantages of high solids anaerobic digestion (AD) and wet AD for co-digestion of food waste and horse manure. By having three separate chambers in the three-stage anaerobic digester, three different functional zones were created for high-solids hydrolysis, acidogenesis and wet methanogenesis. The results showed that the functionalized partitioning in HM3 significantly accelerated the solubilization of solid organic matters and the formation of volatile fatty acids, resulting in an increase of 11~23% in methane yield. VS reduction in the HM3 presents the highest rate of 71% compared to the controls. Pyrosequencing analysis indicated that different microbial communities in terms of hydrolyzing bacteria, acidogenic bacteria and methanogenic archaea were selectively enriched in the three separate chambers of the HM3. Moreover, the abundance of the methanogenic archaea was increased by 0.8~1.28 times compared to controls.
Kanglaite sensitizes colorectal cancer cells to Taxol via NF-κΒ inhibition and connexin 43 upregulation
Authors: Wang Yijia , Zhang Chunze , Zhang Shiwu , Zhao Zhenying , Wang Jiawen , Song Jiali , Wang Yue , Liu Jun , Hou Shaobin
Published: April 2017

Taxol, a first-line anti-tumour drug, has low effectiveness against colorectal cancer. Combination with other agents is an effective strategy to enhance Taxol cytotoxicity. Kanglaite injection is an extract from Coix lacryma-jobi seed and is usually combined with other agents to treat cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment effect of Taxol combined with Kanglaite on colorectal cancer cell lines. Kanglaite pretreatment followed by Taxol treatment was found to show the best synergism among all combination strategies. This combination also resulted in the smallest tumour volume in a Balb/c mice model. Kanglaite inhibited the expression of nuclear factor (NF)-κΒ and upregulated that of connexin 43, both of which sensitized cancer cells to Taxol. Moreover, Kanglaite increased many cellular variations caused by Taxol, including tubulin polymerization, caspase-3 cleavage, and upregulated expression of survivin and cyclin B1. These results suggest that Kanglaite pretreatment may increase the effect of Taxol on colorectal cancer.
Novel 1.5 GPa-strength with 50%-ductility by transformation-induced plasticity of non-recrystallized austenite in duplex steels
Authors: Sohn Seok Su , Song Hyejin , Jo Min Chul , Song Taejin , Kim Hyoung Seop , Lee Sunghak
Published: April 2017

Needs for steel designs of ultra-high strength and excellent ductility have been an important issue in worldwide automotive industries to achieve energy conservation, improvement of safety, and crashworthiness qualities. Because of various drawbacks in existing 1.5-GPa-grade steels, new development of formable cold-rolled ultra-high-strength steels is essentially needed. Here we show a plausible method to achieve ultra-high strengths of 1.0~1.5 GPa together with excellent ductility above 50% by actively utilizing non-recrystallization region and TRansformation-Induced Plasticity (TRIP) mechanism in a cold-rolled and annealed Fe-Mn-Al-C-based steel. We adopt a duplex microstructure composed of austenite and ultra-fine ferrite in order to overcome low-yield-strength characteristics of austenite. Persistent elongation up to 50% as well as ultra-high yield strength over 1.4 GPa are attributed to well-balanced mechanical stability of non-crystallized austenite with critical strain for TRIP. Our results demonstrate how the non-recrystallized austenite can be a metamorphosis in 1.5-GPa-grade steel sheet design.