bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency and Circumstances of Falls Reported by Ambulatory Unilateral Lower Limb Prosthesis Users: A Secondary Analysis
Authors: Kim Janis , Major Matthew J. , Hafner Brian , Sawers Andrew
Published: September 2018

Background

More than 50% of lower limb prosthesis (LLP) users report falling at least once a year, placing them at high risk for adverse health outcomes such as decreased mobility and diminished quality of life. Efforts to decrease falls in LLP users have traditionally focused on developing clinical tests to assess fall risk, designing prosthetic components to improve patient safety, and identifying risk factors to recognize potential fallers. Little attention has been directed toward recording, reporting, and characterizing the circumstances of falls in LLP users. Identifying the most common types of falls could help guide and prioritize clinical and research needs.

Objective

To characterize the frequency and circumstances of falls reported by unilateral LLP users.

Design

Secondary analysis of data from 2 cross‐sectional studies.

Setting

Outpatient clinic and research laboratory.

Participants

Ambulatory unilateral transtibial and transfemoral LLP users (N = 66).

Intervention

None.

Outcome

A fall‐type classification framework was developed based on biomechanical theory and published falls terminology. Self‐reported falls and accompanying narrative descriptions of LLP users’ falls in the previous 12 months were analyzed with the framework. Frequencies, estimated proportions, and estimated counts were compared across fall circumstances using 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Thirty‐eight participants (57.6%) reported 90 falls during the previous year. All reported falls were successfully categorized using the proposed framework. Most falls occurred from disruptions to the base of support, intrinsic destabilizing factors, and a diverse set of fall patterns. Walking on level terrain was the most common activity at the time of a fall.

Conclusion

This secondary analysis showed that falls remain frequent in ambulatory LLP users and that clinicians and researchers might wish to prioritize falls owing to disruptions of the base of support that occur while walking. Additional research with a larger sample is required to confirm and expand these results.

Level of Evidence

III
The association of Leptospermum honey with cytokine expression in the sinonasal epithelium of chronic rhinosinusitis patients
Authors: Manji Jamil , Thamboo Andrew , Sunkaraneni Vishnu , Singh Amrit , Tebbutt Scott , Garnis Cathie , Javer Amin
Published: September 2018

Objective

To identify the differences in cytokine expression between sinonasal tissue from patients treated with Leptospermum (Manuka) honey (LH) irrigation versus normal saline irrigation twice‐daily for twelve weeks following sinus surgery (FESS).

Methods

Forty‐six CRS patients were recruited. Sinus tissue biopsies were collected during FESS and then at 5 and 12 weeks postoperatively during the course of treatment. A multi‐plex cytokine assay quantified the abundance of 17 cytokines in biopsied tissue. Cytokine expression fold‐change was analyzed between each time point using a robust linear regression model and compared between the two treatment groups.

Results

Compared to the saline irrigation group, five cytokines were differently expressed (CI = 95%) in sinonasal tissue obtained from subjects in the LH irrigation group during the 12‐week treatment period. Cytokines IL‐6 (P = 0.0400), IL‐8 (P = 0.0398), MCP‐1 (P = 0.0284), and MIP‐1β (P = 0.016) were significantly increased in the LH irrigation group compared to the saline irrigation group. IL‐13 was significantly increased in the saline irrigation group compared to the LH group (P = 0.0086).

Conclusion

LH may potentially act to modulate the expression of IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐13, MCP‐1 and MIP‐1β in sinonasal tissue.
Low vowel variation in three French-speaking countries
Authors: Berns Janine
Published: September 2018

It is commonly noted that standard French is losing the contrast between its two low vowels /a/ and /ɑ/, due to the fronting of the back vowel. The difference in length, which accompanied the qualitative difference of this pair, is affected as well. In mainland France, this tendency can be found to various degrees across the country, and is spreading throughout the speech community. This article further develops the picture of the current status of the low vowel contrast by investigating Belgian and Swiss French, where length is known to play overall a far more prominent role in the vowel inventories than it does in standard French. Are Belgian and Swiss French also affected by the merger of the two low vowels? To what extent can a difference in length and/or timbre still be found? And how do the patterns of contrast neutralisation/preservation relate to the developments in France?
Serum ferritin levels are associated with insulin resistance in Chinese men and post-menopausal women: the Shanghai Changfeng study
Authors: Ma Hui , Lin Huandong , Hu Yu , Li Xiaoming , He Wanyuan , Jin Xuejuan , Gao Jian , Zhao Naiqing , Pan Boshen , Gao Xin
Published: September 2018

Associations between ferritin and insulin sensitivity have been described in recent studies. The possible association showed conflicting results by sex and menopausal status. We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional association of ferritin levels with insulin resistance and β-cell function. A total of 2518 participants (1033 men, 235 pre-menopausal women and 1250 post-menopausal women) were enrolled from the Changfeng Study. A standard interview was conducted, as well as anthropometric measurements and laboratory analyses, for each participant. The serum ferritin level was measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Insulin resistance and β-cell function indices were derived from a homeostasis model assessment. The results showed that the serum ferritin levels were 250·4 (sd 165·2), 94·6 (sd 82·0) and 179·8 (sd 126·6) ng/ml in the men, pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women, respectively. In fully adjusted models (adjusting for age, current smoking, BMI, waist:hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, TAG, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, log urine albumin:creatinine ratio, leucocytes, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase), serum ferritin concentrations are significantly associated with insulin resistance in men and post-menopausal females, and the null association was observed in pre-menopausal females. Interestingly, an increased β-cell function associated with higher ferritin was observed in post-menopausal participants, but not in male participants. In conclusion, these results suggested that elevated serum ferritin levels were associated with surrogate measures of insulin resistance among the middle-aged and elderly male and post-menopausal women, but not in pre-menopausal women.
Age at Arrival and Assimilation During the Age of Mass Migration
Authors: Alexander Rohan , Ward Zachary
Published: September 2018

We estimate the effect of age at arrival for immigrant outcomes with a new dataset of arrivals linked to the 1940 U.S. Census. Using within-family variation, we find that arriving at an older age, or having more childhood exposure to the European environment, led to a more negative wage gap relative to the native born. Infant arrivals had a positive wage gap relative to natives, in contrast to a negative gap for teenage arrivals. Therefore, a key determinant of immigrant outcomes during the Age of Mass Migration was the country of residence during critical periods of childhood development.
Capital Shares and Income Inequality: Evidence from the Long Run
Authors: Bengtsson Erik , Waldenström Daniel
Published: September 2018

This article studies the long-run relationship between the capital share in national income and top personal income shares. Using a newly constructed historical cross-country database on capital shares and top income data, we find evidence on a strong, positive link that has grown stronger over the past century. The connection is stronger in Anglo-Saxon countries, in the very top of the distribution, when top capital incomes predominate, when using distributed top national income shares, and when considering gross of depreciation capital shares. Out of-sample predictions of top shares using capital shares indicates several cases of over- or underestimation.
SOX Section 404 and Corporate Innovation
Authors: Gao Huasheng , Zhang Jin
Published: September 2018

This paper exploits a quasi-natural experiment to investigate the relation between the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002 and corporate innovation: firms with a public float under $75 million can delay compliance with Section 404 of the act. We find a significant decrease in the number of patents and patent citations for firms that are subject to Section 404 compliance relative to firms that are not. This relation is more pronounced when firms are financially constrained and when firms face high litigation risk. Overall, our evidence suggests that SOX imparts real costs to the economy by decreasing corporate innovativeness.
Getting Paid to Hedge: Why Don’t Investors Pay a Premium to Hedge Downturns?
Authors: Kapadia Nishad , Ostdiek Barbara Bennett , Weston James P. , Zekhnini Morad
Published: September 2018

Stocks that hedge sustained market downturns should have low expected returns, but they do not. We use ex ante firm characteristics and covariances to construct a tradable safe minus risky (SMR) portfolio that hedges market downturns out of sample. Although downturns (peaks to troughs in market index levels at the business-cycle frequency) predict significant declines in gross domestic product growth, SMR has significant positive average returns and 4-factor alphas (both around 0.8% per month). Risk-based models do not explain SMR’s returns, but mispricing does. Risky stocks are overpriced when sentiment is high, resulting in subsequent returns of -0.9% per month.
State Ownership and Debt Choice: Evidence from Privatization
Authors: Boubakri Narjess , Saffar Walid
Published: September 2018

Using a large sample of privatized firms, we find that state ownership is significantly positively associated with the use of bank debt financing, suggesting that privatized firms benefit from the soft budget constraint associated with state ownership. We further find that the relation is more pronounced in countries with high government ownership of banks, high corruption in bank lending, a left-oriented government, and a collectivist national culture, which provides additional support for the soft-budget-constraint view. Finally, in external validity tests, we find that state ownership affects other aspects of debt structure, such as debt maturity and debt security.
Optimal design and evaluation of a dexterous 4 DoFs haptic device based on delta architecture
Authors: Préault Célestin , Saafi Houssem , Laribi Med Amine , Zeghloul Said
Published: September 2018

This paper introduces a novel kinematic of a four degrees of freedom (DoFs) device based on Delta architecture. This new device is expected to be used as a haptic device for tele-operation applications. The challenging task was to obtain orientation DoFs from the Delta structure. A fourth leg is added to the Delta structure to convert translations into rotations and to provide translation of the handle. The fourth leg is linked to the base and to the moving platform by two universal joints. The architecture as well as the kinematic model of the new structure, called 4haptic, are presented. Comparisons in terms of kinematic behavior between the 4haptic device and the existing device developed based on spherical parallel manipulator architecture are presented. The results prove the improved behavior of the 4haptic device offering a singularity-free useful workspace, which makes it a suitable candidate to tele-operated system for Minimally Invasive Surgery. The dimensions of the 4haptic device, having the smallest workspace containing a prespecified region in space, are identified based on an optimal dimensional synthesis method.
Sleep Biomarkers, Health Comorbidities, and Neurocognition in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Considine Ciaran M. , Parker Hillary A. , Briggs Jeralee , Quasney Erin E. , Larson Eric R. , Smith Heather , Shollenbarger Skyler G. , Abeare Christopher A.
Published: September 2018

Objectives:Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cognitive impairment but the relationships between specific biomarkers and neurocognitive domains remain unclear. The present study examined the influence of common health comorbidities on these relationships. Adults with suspected OSA (N=60; 53% male; M age=52 years;SD=14) underwent neuropsychological evaluation before baseline polysomnography (PSG). Apneic syndrome severity, hypoxic strain, and sleep architecture disturbance were assessed through PSG.Methods:Depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, CESD), pain, and medical comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index) were measuredviaquestionnaires. Processing speed, attention, vigilance, memory, executive functioning, and motor dexterity were evaluated with cognitive testing. A winnowing approach identified 9 potential moderation models comprised of a correlated PSG variable, comorbid health factor, and cognitive performance.Results:Regression analyses identified one significant moderation model: average blood oxygen saturation (AVO2) and depression predicting recall memory, accounting for 31% of the performance variance,p<.001. Depression was a significant predictor of recall memory,p<.001, but AVO2 was not a significant predictor. The interaction between depression and AVO2 was significant, accounting for an additional 10% of the variance,p<.001. The relationship between low AVO2 and low recall memory performance emerged when depression severity ratings approached a previously established clinical cutoff score (CESD=16).Conclusions:This study examined sleep biomarkers with specific neurocognitive functions among individuals with suspected OSA. Findings revealed that depression burden uniquely influence this pathophysiological relationship, which may aid clinical management. (JINS, 2018,28, 864–875)
Impact of diabetes mellitus on early outcome of carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Dimic Andreja , Markovic Miroslav , Vasic Dragan , Dragas Marko , Zlatanovic Petar , Mitrovic Aleksandar , Davidovic Lazar
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Background: Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of ischaemic stroke in the general population but its impact on early outcome after the carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is controversial with conflicting results. Patients and methods: This prospective study includes 902 consecutive CEAs. Patients were divided into non-diabetic and diabetic groups and subsequently analysed. Early outcomes in terms of 30-day stroke and death rates were then analysed and compared. Results: There were 606 non-diabetic patients. Among 296 diabetic patients, 83 were insulin-dependent. The cumulative TIA/stroke rate was statistically higher in the diabetic group (2.6 vs. 5.7 %, P = 0.02). Stroke was more frequent in the diabetic group (2.0 vs. 4.4 %, P = 0.04) comparedto TIA (0.7 vs. 1.4 %, P = 0.45). Mortality was statistically more frequent in diabetic patients (0.2 vs. 1.7 %, P = 0.01). The 30-day stroke/death rate (2.6 vs. 5.7 %, P = 0.02) was also statistically higher in the diabetic group. Factors that were identified to increase risk of death and stroke in multivariate analysis were: use of insulin for blood glucose control (OR = 2.47, 95 % CI 1.61–4.68, P = 0.01), higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol value (OR = 1.52, 95 % CI 1.15–2.22, P < 0.01), presence of coronary disease (OR = 2.04, 95 % CI 1.40–3.31, P = 0.03), peripheral artery disease (OR = 2.14, 95 % CI 1.34–3.65, P = 0.02), complicated plaque (OR = 1.77, 95 % CI 1.11–3.68, P = 0.03), contralateral carotid artery occlusion (OR = 2.37, 95 % CI 1.25–4.74, P = 0.02), shunt use (OR = 3.46, 95 % CI 1.18–7.10, P < 0.01), and among diabetic patients higher HbA1c levels (OR = 1.28, 95 % CI 1.05–1.66, P = 0.03). Clamp toleration was associated with lower risk of death and stroke rates (OR = 0.43, 95 % CI 0.23–0.76, P < 0.01). Conclusions: In our study, perioperative neurological complications and mortality were statistically higher in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients during CEA. Further research will have to show whether other treatment modalities of carotid artery stenosis and better glycaemia and dyslipidaemia controlling in diabetics can reduce this risk.
Akademisierung der psychiatrischen Pflege
Authors: Holzke Martin , Scheydt Stefan
Published: September 2018

Zusammenfassung. Die Akademisierung der Pflege in Deutschland wird aktuell durch eine stetig zunehmende Anzahl von Studiengängen und Studienplätzen vorangetrieben. Während die Akademisierung der Pflege international bereits seit einiger Zeit etabliert ist (Moers & Schaeffer, 1993), stellt man sich in Deutschland immer noch bzw. immer wieder die Frage, ob eine Akademisierung der Pflege notwendig ist oder ob das hierzulande etablierte berufliche Ausbildungssystem der Pflege nicht zumindest genauso geeignet ist, professionell Pflegende adäquat zu qualifizieren. Der derzeit kleinste gemeinsame Nenner in dieser Diskussion scheinen die vom Wissenschaftsrat proklamierten 10 bis 20 Prozent eines Ausbildungsjahrgangs zu sein, die akademisch qualifiziert sein sollten (Wissenschaftsrat, 2012).
Männer und Frauen im akutpsychiatrischen Setting
Authors: Nienaber André
Published: September 2018

Zusammenfassung. Ist es vertretbar, zwei weibliche Pflegefachpersonen im Nachtdienst auf einer psychiatrischen Akutstation einzusetzen? Welche Rolle spielt das Geschlecht im Hinblick auf die Tätigkeit in der Psychiatrie? Anders herum gefragt könnte es auch heißen: „Gewährleistet die Anwesenheit einer männlichen Pflegefachperson eine höhere Sicherheit?“ Wenn dem so wäre, für wen gilt diese Sicherheit? Diese Fragen stellten sich in einer Teamsitzung auf einer psychiatrischen Akut-Station mit Blick auf die Dienstplangestaltung für den kommenden Monat, in dem einige Nächte aufgrund von Urlaub mit zwei weiblichen Pflegenden zu besetzen sind.
Die Leistungs- und Verhaltensbeurteilung in Arbeitszeugnissen
Authors: Sende Cynthia Christine , Moser Klaus , Galais Nathalie
Published: September 2018

Zusammenfassung. Die Analyse von Arbeitszeugnissen ist eine in der Forschung bisher vernachlässigte Personalauswahlmethode. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht die aktuelle Praxis der Zeugniserstellung in Deutschland. Im Fokus stehen zwei häufig von Personalern geäußerte Kritikpunkte: (1) die inflationäre Vergabe sehr positiver Beurteilungen und (2) der Einsatz so genannter „Zeugnistechniken“ zur Urteilskommunikation. Die Analyse von 800 Zeugnissen ergibt, dass Arbeitszeugnisse trotz des über die letzten Jahre zu beobachtenden Trends hin zu positiveren Beurteilungen nicht unterschiedslos positiv ausfallen. Zudem zeigt sich, dass die meisten der in der Ratgeberliteratur diskutierten Zeugnistechniken tatsächlich in einem nennenswerten Umfang und zielorientiert eingesetzt werden. Beispielsweise fallen im Sinne der so genannten „Knappheitstechnik“ die Beurteilungen in kürzeren Zeugnissen negativer aus. Die Nennung von individuellen Erfolgsbeispielen geht dagegen mit positiveren Zeugnisnoten einher. Des Weiteren gibt es Hinweise, dass die Änderung der Reihenfolge der Nennung von Vorgesetzten und Kollegen sowie das Auslassen bestimmter Komponenten bewusst zur Kommunikation eines negativen Urteils eingesetzt werden.
The Accumulation of Slip Deficit in Subduction Zones in the Absence of Mechanical Coupling: Implications for the Behavior of Megathrust Earthquakes
Authors: Herman Matthew W. , Furlong Kevin P. , Govers Rob
Published: September 2018

The distribution of slip during subduction megathrust earthquakes depends on the slip deficit that accumulates on the plate interface prior to the event. We develop 3‐D finite element models of subduction zones to investigate how locked zones restrict surrounding regions on the plate boundary from sliding. What is new is that we quantify the slip around asperities on the megathrust. The models show plate interface slip increasing from zero at the edge of a locked zone to the relative plate motion over a distance of ~200 km along the megathrust. This area of reduced slip accumulates a seismic moment deficit up to 10 times larger than the moment deficit in the asperity alone. Updip of locked areas, slip at the trench can be reduced by more than 50% of the plate motion. Despite large displacements of the upper plate near the trench, this region moves as a semirigid block. Rupture models of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, its tsunami characteristics, and geophysical observations near the trench can be interpreted to reflect the consequences of slip deficit accumulated on a low friction interface updip of the seismogenic zone. Neighboring asperities affect plate interface slip in a nonlinear way. Multiple asperities have overlapping pseudo‐coupled regions that may restrict the magnitude of coseismic slip in single‐asperity ruptures. Once an earthquake has a rupture length greater than ~250 km, it may recover the entire accumulated slip deficit. This is consistent with the magnitude of coseismic slip in several recent great megathrust earthquakes.
Deep‐Water Carbonate Ion Concentrations in the Western Tropical Pacific Since the Mid‐Pleistocene: A Major Perturbation During the Mid‐Brunhes
Authors: Qin B. , Li T. , Xiong Z. , Algeo T. J. , Jia Q.
Published: September 2018

We present a new deep‐water carbonate ion concentration ([CO32−]) record, reconstructed from the “size‐normalized weight” of the planktonic foraminifer Neogloboquadrina dutertrei in core MD06‐3047B, representing a middepth site (2.5 km) in the western tropical Pacific since 700 ka. On glacial‐interglacial time scales, deep‐water [CO32−] exhibits an inverse relationship with global sea‐level elevations, consistent with the “coral reef hypothesis” that the deep Pacific carbonate system responded to variations in shelf‐carbonate production through the past 700 kyr. On longer time scales, a decoupling between deep‐water [CO32−] and δ13C around the globe can be explained by a combination of continental weathering and nutrient inputs. During the mid‐Brunhes interval (~600–200 ka), [CO32−] reached a maximum of ~100 μmol kg−1 at the marine isotope stage (MIS) 12/11 boundary, followed by a steep decrease to a minimum of ~40 μmol kg−1 during middle MIS 11, representing the largest‐amplitude change in [CO32−] over the past 700 kyr. The [CO32−] maximum records the largest deglacial oceanic carbon release since 700 ka, and the [CO32−] minimum was a response to a global increase in pelagic carbonate production. From MIS 3 to 2 and from early to middle MIS 13, [CO32−] showed rising trends opposite to those at water depths greater than 3.4 km, implying enhanced Pacific stratification during these intervals. These findings provide new insights into the Pleistocene evolution of the carbonate system in the Pacific Ocean.
A Dynamical Reconstruction of the Global Monthly Mean Oxygen Isotopic Composition of Seawater
Authors: Breitkreuz Charlotte , Paul André , Kurahashi‐Nakamura Takasumi , Losch Martin , Schulz Michael
Published: September 2018

We present a dynamically consistent gridded data set of the global, monthly mean oxygen isotope ratio of seawater (
). The data set was created from an optimized simulation of an ocean general circulation model constrained by global monthly
data collected from 1950 to 2011 and climatological salinity and temperature data collected from 1951 to 1980. The optimization was obtained using the adjoint method for variational data assimilation, which yields a simulation that is consistent with the observational data and the physical laws embedded in the model. Our data set performs equally well as a previous data set in terms of model‐data misfit but brings an improvement in terms of the seasonal cycle and physical consistency. As a result the data set does not show any sharp transitions between water masses or in areas where the data coverage is low. The data assimilation method shows high potential for interpolating sparse data sets in a physically meaningful way. Comparatively big errors, however, are found in our data set in the surface levels in the Arctic Ocean mainly because the influence of isotopically highly depleted precipitation is not preserved in the sea ice model, and the low model resolution of about 285 km horizontally. The data set is publicly available, and it is anticipated to be useful for a large range of applications in (paleo‐) oceanographic studies.
Tidally Induced Overflow of the Faroese Channels Bottom Water Over the Wyville Thomson Ridge
Authors: Vlasenko Vasiliy , Stashchuk Nataliya
Published: September 2018

An overflow of dense cold water from the Faroese Channels across the Wyville Thomson Ridge (WTR) into the Rockall Trough was recorded during the 136th cruise of the RRS James Cook in June 2016. This event happened in the eastern part of the ridge. The remotely operated vehicle ISIS deployed for a collection of coral samples recorded an abrupt drop in temperature at 500‐m depth. Specifically, the water temperature decreased from 8.73 to 6.74 °C and salinity from 35.26 to 35.16. This rapid drop happened over 20 min, with the fastest rate of water temperature decrease of 1.10 °C occurring just over 1 min 50 s. The numerical modeling conducted to reproduce the event has shown that a massive overflow took place in the WTR section, which is close to the Darwin Mounds. The overflow has led to resuspension of bottom sediments; the remotely operated vehicle sampling program in the area of the Darwin Mounds terminated due to low visibility. The numerical experiments have shown that tidally induced overflows over the WTR can occur periodically under spring tidal conditions. The model allowed us to identify two places in the eastern part of the WTR where the tidally driven overflows more realistically can happen.
Biexcitons in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides tuned by magnetic fields
Authors: Stevens Christopher. E. , Paul Jagannath , Cox Timothy , Sahoo Prasana K. , Gutiérrez Humberto R. , Turkowski Volodymyr , Semenov Dimitry , McGill Steven A. , Kapetanakis Myron D. , Perakis Ilias E. , Hilton David J. , Karaiskaj Denis
Published: September 2018

We present time-integrated four-wave mixing measurements on monolayer MoSe2 in magnetic fields up to 25 T. The experimental data together with time-dependent density function theory calculations provide interesting insights into the biexciton formation and dynamics. In the presence of magnetic fields the coherence at negative and positive time delays is dominated by intervalley biexcitons. We demonstrate that magnetic fields can serve as a control to enhance the biexciton formation and help search for more exotic states of matter, including the creation of multiple exciton complexes and excitonic condensates.
Influence of surface atomic structure demonstrated on oxygen incorporation mechanism at a model perovskite oxide
Authors: Riva Michele , Kubicek Markus , Hao Xianfeng , Franceschi Giada , Gerhold Stefan , Schmid Michael , Hutter Herbert , Fleig Juergen , Franchini Cesare , Yildiz Bilge , Diebold Ulrike
Published: September 2018

Perovskite oxide surfaces catalyze oxygen exchange reactions that are crucial for fuel cells, electrolyzers, and thermochemical fuel synthesis. Here, by bridging the gap between surface analysis with atomic resolution and oxygen exchange kinetics measurements, we demonstrate how the exact surface atomic structure can determine the reactivity for oxygen exchange reactions on a model perovskite oxide. Two precisely controlled surface reconstructions with (4 × 1) and (2 × 5) symmetry on 0.5 wt.% Nb-doped SrTiO3(110) were subjected to isotopically labeled oxygen exchange at 450 °C. The oxygen incorporation rate is three times higher on the (4 × 1) surface phase compared to the (2 × 5). Common models of surface reactivity based on the availability of oxygen vacancies or on the ease of electron transfer cannot account for this difference. We propose a structure-driven oxygen exchange mechanism, relying on the flexibility of the surface coordination polyhedra that transform upon dissociation of oxygen molecules.
Efficient generation of neutral and charged biexcitons in encapsulated WSe2 monolayers
Authors: Ye Ziliang , Waldecker Lutz , Ma Eric Yue , Rhodes Daniel , Antony Abhinandan , Kim Bumho , Zhang Xiao-Xiao , Deng Minda , Jiang Yuxuan , Lu Zhengguang , Smirnov Dmitry , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Hone James , Heinz Tony F.
Published: September 2018

Higher-order correlated excitonic states arise from the mutual interactions of excitons, which generally requires a significant exciton density and therefore high excitation levels. Here, we report the emergence of two biexcitons species, one neutral and one charged, in monolayer tungsten diselenide under moderate continuous-wave excitation. The efficient formation of biexcitons is facilitated by the long lifetime of the dark exciton state associated with a spin-forbidden transition, as well as improved sample quality from encapsulation between hexagonal boron nitride layers. From studies of the polarization and magnetic field dependence of the neutral biexciton, we conclude that this species is composed of a bright and a dark excitons residing in opposite valleys in momentum space. Our observations demonstrate that the distinctive features associated with biexciton states can be accessed at low light intensities and excitation densities.
Rapid functional genetics of the oligodendrocyte lineage using pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Lager Angela M. , Corradin Olivia G. , Cregg Jared M. , Elitt Matthew S. , Shick H. Elizabeth , Clayton Benjamin L. L. , Allan Kevin C. , Olsen Hannah E. , Madhavan Mayur , Tesar Paul J.
Published: September 2018

Oligodendrocyte dysfunction underlies many neurological disorders, but rapid assessment of mutation-specific effects in these cells has been impractical. To enable functional genetics in oligodendrocytes, here we report a highly efficient method for generating oligodendrocytes and their progenitors from mouse embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, independent of mouse strain or mutational status. We demonstrate that this approach, when combined with genome engineering, provides a powerful platform for the expeditious study of genotype–phenotype relationships in oligodendrocytes.
Less absorbed solar energy and more internal heat for Jupiter
Authors: Li Liming , Jiang X. , West R. A. , Gierasch P. J. , Perez-Hoyos S. , Sanchez-Lavega A. , Fletcher L. N. , Fortney J. J. , Knowles B. , Porco C. C. , Baines K. H. , Fry P. M. , Mallama A. , Achterberg R. K. , Simon A. A. , Nixon C. A. , Orton G. S. , Dyudina U. A. , Ewald S. P. , Schmude R. W.
Published: September 2018

The radiant energy budget and internal heat are fundamental properties of giant planets, but precise determination of these properties remains a challenge. Here, we report measurements of Jupiter’s radiant energy budget and internal heat based on Cassini multi-instrument observations. Our findings reveal that Jupiter’s Bond albedo and internal heat, 0.503 ± 0.012 and 7.485 ± 0.160 W m−2 respectively, are significantly larger than 0.343 ± 0.032 and 5.444 ± 0.425 Wm−2, the previous best estimates. The new results help constrain and improve the current evolutionary theories and models for Jupiter. Furthermore, the significant wavelength dependency of Jupiter’s albedo implies that the radiant energy budgets and internal heat of the other giant planets in our solar system should be re-examined. Finally, the data sets of Jupiter’s characteristics of reflective solar spectral irradiance provide an observational basis for the models of giant exoplanets.
Lithiophilic-lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer for a highly stable lithium metal anode
Authors: Zhang Huimin , Liao Xiaobin , Guan Yuepeng , Xiang Yu , Li Meng , Zhang Wenfeng , Zhu Xiayu , Ming Hai , Lu Lin , Qiu Jingyi , Huang Yaqin , Cao Gaoping , Yang Yusheng , Mai Liqiang , Zhao Yan , Zhang Hao
Published: September 2018

The long-standing issue of lithium dendrite growth during repeated deposition or dissolution processes hinders the practical use of lithium-metal anodes for high-energy density batteries. Here, we demonstrate a promising lithiophilic–lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer strategy in which the bottom lithiophilic zinc oxide/carbon nanotube sublayer tightly anchors the whole layer onto the lithium foil, facilitating the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interphase, and prevents the formation of an intermediate mossy lithium corrosion layer. Together with the top lithiophobic carbon nanotube sublayer, this gradient interfacial layer can effectively suppress dendrite growth and ensure ultralong-term stable lithium stripping/plating. This strategy is further demonstrated to provide substantially improved cycle performance in copper current collector, 10 cm2 pouch cell and lithium–sulfur batteries, which, coupled with a simple fabrication process and wide applicability in various materials for lithium-metal protection, makes the lithiophilic–lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer a favored strategy for next-generation lithium-metal batteries.
Identifying weak interdomain interactions that stabilize the supertertiary structure of the N-terminal tandem PDZ domains of PSD-95
Authors: Yanez Orozco Inna S. , Mindlin Frank A. , Ma Junyan , Wang Bo , Levesque Brie , Spencer Matheu , Rezaei Adariani Soheila , Hamilton George , Ding Feng , Bowen Mark E. , Sanabria Hugo
Published: September 2018

Previous studies of the N-terminal PDZ tandem from PSD-95 produced divergent models and failed to identify interdomain contacts stabilizing the structure. We used ensemble and single-molecule FRET along with replica-exchange molecular dynamics to fully characterize the energy landscape. Simulations and experiments identified two conformations: an open-like conformation with a small contact interface stabilized by salt bridges, and a closed-like conformation with a larger contact interface stabilized by surface-exposed hydrophobic residues. Both interfaces were confirmed experimentally. Proximity of interdomain contacts to the binding pockets may explain the observed coupling between conformation and binding. The low-energy barrier between conformations allows submillisecond dynamics, which were time-averaged in previous NMR and FRET studies. Moreover, the small contact interfaces were likely overridden by lattice contacts as crystal structures were rarely sampled in simulations. Our hybrid approach can identify transient interdomain interactions, which are abundant in multidomain proteins yet often obscured by dynamic averaging.
Cloning of the wheat Yr15 resistance gene sheds light on the plant tandem kinase-pseudokinase family
Authors: Klymiuk Valentina , Yaniv Elitsur , Huang Lin , Raats Dina , Fatiukha Andrii , Chen Shisheng , Feng Lihua , Frenkel Zeev , Krugman Tamar , Lidzbarsky Gabriel , Chang Wei , Jääskeläinen Marko J. , Schudoma Christian , Paulin Lars , Laine Pia , Bariana Harbans , Sela Hanan , Saleem Kamran , Sørensen Chris Khadgi , Hovmøller Mogens S. , Distelfeld Assaf , Chalhoub Boulos , Dubcovsky Jorge , Korol Abraham B. , Schulman Alan H. , Fahima Tzion
Published: September 2018

Yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is a devastating fungal disease threatening much of global wheat production. Race-specific resistance (R)-genes are used to control rust diseases, but the rapid emergence of virulent Pst races has prompted the search for a more durable resistance. Here, we report the cloning of Yr15, a broad-spectrum R-gene derived from wild emmer wheat, which encodes a putative kinase-pseudokinase protein, designated as wheat tandem kinase 1, comprising a unique R-gene structure in wheat. The existence of a similar gene architecture in 92 putative proteins across the plant kingdom, including the barley RPG1 and a candidate for Ug8, suggests that they are members of a distinct family of plant proteins, termed here tandem kinase-pseudokinases (TKPs). The presence of kinase-pseudokinase structure in both plant TKPs and the animal Janus kinases sheds light on the molecular evolution of immune responses across these two kingdoms.
Age structure landscapes emerge from the equilibrium between aging and rejuvenation in bacterial populations
Authors: Proenca Audrey M. , Rang Camilla Ulla , Buetz Christen , Shi Chao , Chao Lin
Published: September 2018

The physiological asymmetry between daughters of a mother bacterium is produced by the inheritance of either old poles, carrying non-genetic damage, or newly synthesized poles. However, as bacteria display long-term growth stability leading to physiological immortality, there is controversy on whether asymmetry corresponds to aging. Here we show that deterministic age structure landscapes emerge from physiologically immortal bacterial lineages. Through single-cell microscopy and microfluidic techniques, we demonstrate that aging and rejuvenating bacterial lineages reach two distinct states of growth equilibria. These equilibria display stabilizing properties, which we quantified according to the compensatory trajectories of continuous lineages throughout generations. Finally, we show that the physiological asymmetry between aging and rejuvenating lineages produces complex age structure landscapes, resulting in a deterministic phenotypic heterogeneity that is neither an artifact of starvation nor a product of extrinsic damage. These findings indicate that physiological immortality and cellular aging can both be manifested in single celled organisms.
Converting organosulfur compounds to inorganic polysulfides against resistant bacterial infections
Authors: Xu Zhuobin , Qiu Zhiyue , Liu Qi , Huang Yixin , Li Dandan , Shen Xinggui , Fan Kelong , Xi Juqun , Gu Yunhao , Tang Yan , Jiang Jing , Xu Jialei , He Jinzhi , Gao Xingfa , Liu Yuan , Koo Hyun , Yan Xiyun , Gao Lizeng
Published: September 2018

The use of natural substance to ward off microbial infections has a long history. However, the large-scale production of natural extracts often reduces antibacterial potency, thus limiting practical applications. Here we present a strategy for converting natural organosulfur compounds into nano-iron sulfides that exhibit enhanced antibacterial activity. We show that compared to garlic-derived organosulfur compounds nano-iron sulfides exhibit an over 500-fold increase in antibacterial efficacy to kill several pathogenic and drug-resistant bacteria. Furthermore, our analysis reveals that hydrogen polysulfanes released from nano-iron sulfides possess potent bactericidal activity and the release of polysulfanes can be accelerated by the enzyme-like activity of nano-iron sulfides. Finally, we demonstrate that topical applications of nano-iron sulfides can effectively disrupt pathogenic biofilms on human teeth and accelerate infected-wound healing. Together, our approach to convert organosulfur compounds into inorganic polysulfides potentially provides an antibacterial alternative to combat bacterial infections.
A small molecule targeting myoferlin exerts promising anti-tumor effects on breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Tao , Li Jingjie , He Yuan , Yang Feifei , Hao Yun , Jin Wangrui , Wu Jing , Sun Zhenliang , Li Yunqi , Chen Yihua , Yi Zhengfang , Liu Mingyao
Published: September 2018

Breast cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in women when it reaches the metastatic stage. Here, we screen a library of small molecules for inhibitors of breast cancer cell invasion, and use structure/activity relationship studies to develop a series of small molecules with improved activity. We find WJ460 as one of the lead compounds exerting anti-metastatic activity in the nanomolar range in breast cancer cells. Proteomic and biochemical studies identify myoferlin (MYOF) as the direct target of WJ460. In parallel, loss of MYOF or pharmacological inhibition of MYOF by WJ460 reduces breast cancer extravasation into the lung parenchyma in an experimental metastasis mouse model, which reveals an essential role of MYOF in breast cancer progression. Our findings suggest that MYOF can be explored as a molecular target in breast cancer metastasis and that targeting MYOF by WJ460 may be a promising therapeutic strategy in MYOF-driven cancers.
Triboelectric microplasma powered by mechanical stimuli
Authors: Cheng Jia , Ding Wenbo , Zi Yunlong , Lu Yijia , Ji Linhong , Liu Fan , Wu Changsheng , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: September 2018

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) naturally have the capability of high voltage output to breakdown gas easily. Here we present a concept of triboelectric microplasma by integrating TENGs with the plasma source so that atmospheric-pressure plasma can be powered only by mechanical stimuli. Four classical atmospheric-pressure microplasma sources are successfully demonstrated, including dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), atmospheric-pressure non-equilibrium plasma jets (APNP-J), corona discharge, and microspark discharge. For these types of microplasma, analysis of electric characteristics, optical emission spectra, COMSOL simulation and equivalent circuit model are carried out to explain transient process of different discharge. The triboelectric microplasma has been applied to patterned luminescence and surface treatment successfully as a first-step evaluation as well as to prove the system feasibility. This work offers a promising, facile, portable and safe supplement to traditional plasma sources, and will enrich the diversity of plasma applications based on the reach of existing technologies.
Negatively charged nanoporous membrane for a dendrite-free alkaline zinc-based flow battery with long cycle life
Authors: Yuan Zhizhang , Liu Xiaoqi , Xu Wenbin , Duan Yinqi , Zhang Huamin , Li Xianfeng
Published: September 2018

Alkaline zinc-based flow batteries are regarded to be among the best choices for electric energy storage. Nevertheless, application is challenged by the issue of zinc dendrite/accumulation. Here, we report a negatively charged nanoporous membrane for a dendrite-free alkaline zinc-based flow battery with long cycle life. Free of zinc dendrite/accumulation, stable performance is afforded for ∼240 cycles at current densities ranging from 80 to 160 mA cm−2 using the negatively charged nanoporous membrane. Furthermore, 8 h and 7 h plating/stripping processes at 40 mA cm−2 yield an average energy efficiency of 91.92% and an areal discharge capacity above 130 mAh cm−2. A peak power density of 1056 mW cm−2 is achieved at 1040 mA cm−2. This study may provide an effective way to address the issue of zinc dendrite/accumulation for zinc-based batteries and accelerate the advancement of these batteries.
Seed-mediated atomic-scale reconstruction of silver manganate nanoplates for oxygen reduction towards high-energy aluminum-air flow batteries
Authors: Ryu Jaechan , Jang Haeseong , Park Joohyuk , Yoo Youngshin , Park Minjoon , Cho Jaephil
Published: September 2018

Aluminum–air batteries are promising candidates for next-generation high-energy-density storage, but the inherent limitations hinder their practical use. Here, we show that silver nanoparticle-mediated silver manganate nanoplates are a highly active and chemically stable catalyst for oxygen reduction in alkaline media. By means of atomic-resolved transmission electron microscopy, we find that the formation of stripe patterns on the surface of a silver manganate nanoplate originates from the zigzag atomic arrangement of silver and manganese, creating a high concentration of dislocations in the crystal lattice. This structure can provide high electrical conductivity with low electrode resistance and abundant active sites for ion adsorption. The catalyst exhibits outstanding performance in a flow-based aluminum–air battery, demonstrating high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities of ~2552 Wh kgAl−1 and ~6890 Wh lAl−1 at 100 mA cm−2, as well as high stability during a mechanical recharging process.
Finding any Waldo with zero-shot invariant and efficient visual search
Authors: Zhang Mengmi , Feng Jiashi , Ma Keng Teck , Lim Joo Hwee , Zhao Qi , Kreiman Gabriel
Published: September 2018

Searching for a target object in a cluttered scene constitutes a fundamental challenge in daily vision. Visual search must be selective enough to discriminate the target from distractors, invariant to changes in the appearance of the target, efficient to avoid exhaustive exploration of the image, and must generalize to locate novel target objects with zero-shot training. Previous work on visual search has focused on searching for perfect matches of a target after extensive category-specific training. Here, we show for the first time that humans can efficiently and invariantly search for natural objects in complex scenes. To gain insight into the mechanisms that guide visual search, we propose a biologically inspired computational model that can locate targets without exhaustive sampling and which can generalize to novel objects. The model provides an approximation to the mechanisms integrating bottom-up and top-down signals during search in natural scenes.
Copper-catalyzed methylative difunctionalization of alkenes
Authors: Bao Xu , Yokoe Takayuki , Ha Tu M. , Wang Qian , Zhu Jieping
Published: September 2018

Trifluoromethylative difunctionalization and hydrofunctionalization of unactivated alkenes have been developed into powerful synthetic methodologies. On the other hand, methylative difunctionalization of olefins remains an unexplored research field. We report in this paper the Cu-catalyzed alkoxy methylation, azido methylation of alkenes using dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as methyl sources. Using functionalized alkenes bearing a tethered nucleophile (alcohol, carboxylic acid, and sulfonamide), methylative cycloetherification, lactonization, and cycloamination processes are subsequently developed for the construction of important heterocycles such as 2,2-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans, tetrahydropyrans, γ-lactones, and pyrrolidines with concurrent generation of a quaternary carbon center. The results of control experiments suggest that the 1,2-alkoxy methylation of alkenes goes through a radical-cation crossover mechanism, whereas the 1,2-azido methylation proceeds via a radical addition and Cu-mediated azide transfer process.
The language profile of formal thought disorder
Authors: Çokal Derya , Sevilla Gabriel , Jones William Stephen , Zimmerer Vitor , Deamer Felicity , Douglas Maggie , Spencer Helen , Turkington Douglas , Ferrier Nicol , Varley Rosemary , Watson Stuart , Hinzen Wolfram
Published: September 2018

Formal thought disorder (FTD) is clinically manifested as disorganized speech, but there have been only few investigations of its linguistic properties. We examined how disturbance of thought may relate to the referential function of language as expressed in the use of noun phrases (NPs) and the complexity of sentence structures. We used a comic strip description task to elicit language samples from 30 participants with schizophrenia (SZ), 15 with moderate or severe FTD (SZ + FTD), and 15 minimal or no FTD (SZ−FTD), as well as 15 first-degree relatives of people with SZ (FDRs) and 15 neurotypical controls (NC). We predicted that anomalies in the normal referential use of NPs, sub-divided into definite and indefinite NPs, would identify FTD; and also that FTD would also be linked to reduced linguistic complexity as specifically measured by the number of embedded clauses and of grammatical dependents. Participants with SZ + FTD produced more referential anomalies than NC and produced the fewest definite NPs, while FDRs produced the most and thus also differed from NC. When referential anomalies were classed according to the NP type in which they occurred, the SZ + FTD group produced more anomalies in definite NPs than NC. Syntactic errors did not distinguish groups, but the SZ + FTD group exhibited significantly less syntactic complexity than non-SZ groups. Exploratory regression analyses suggested that production of definite NPs distinguished the two SZ groups. These results demonstrate that FTD can be identified in specific grammatical patterns which provide new targets for detection, intervention, and neurobiological studies.