bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost Efficient Diode Laser Beam Source for Sheet Metal Cutting
Authors: Witte Ulrich , Traub Martin
Published: January 2017

Diode lasers (DL) are widely used in a variety of different fields due to a long life time of up to 300,000 hours, a high electro‐optical efficiency of up to 70 %, a broad wavelength range — highest powers are available around 450 nm and from approximately 790 nm to 1060 nm — and a comparable low price.
FSLA — Laser Processing of Glass and Sapphire
Authors: Liebers René , Gebhardt Mandy
Published: January 2017

Chemically strengthened glass and sapphire have outstanding material properties making them indispensable for use in electronics manufacturing. Application areas are cover glasses of watches, displays of mobile devices, protection windows for cameras, and LED or OLED carriers.

This article reviews a sophisticated laser ablation technique that enables drilling of bore holes with well‐defined geometries and the generation of complex freeform geometries employing an ultrashort pulse laser.
Spatial and temporal trophic transfer dynamics of mercury and methylmercury into zooplankton and phytoplankton of Long Island Sound
Authors: Gosnell Kathleen J. , Balcom Prentiss H. , Tobias Craig R. , Gilhooly William P. , Mason Robert P.
Published: January 2017

The foundation of methylmercury (MeHg) bioaccumulation in aquatic systems is uptake and trophic transfer into phytoplankton and zooplankton. Phytoplankton and zooplankton samples were collected seasonally from Long Island Sound (LIS) and its adjacent shelf waters, located along the northeast coast of the United States. Phytoplankton samples were size fractioned into 0.2–5 μm, 5–20 μm, and seston of > 20 μm. Average phytoplankton MeHg concentrations were 0.01–1.5 pmol g−1 (wet weight), and MeHg bioconcentration factors (logBCF) ranged from 2.5 to 5.5. There was higher MeHg concentration and logBCF values with increasing phytoplankton size. Zooplankton samples were size fractioned into 0.2–0.5 mm, 0.5–1.0 mm, 1.0–2.0 mm, and > 2.0 mm classes and analyzed for Hg and MeHg as well as carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), and sulfur (δ34S) isotopes. The %MeHg in organisms was highest in the > 2.0 mm size class for coastal LIS and shelf species, indicating higher MeHg bioaccumulation with increasing zooplankton sizes. Eastern LIS zooplankton populations yielded higher overall Hg accumulation than western LIS populations, in alignment with phytoplankton fractions. Seasonal differences were evident for plankton %MeHg, although only ELIS displayed an increase in summertime %MeHg throughout the fractions. The results suggest the importance of biodilution in determining plankton MeHg concentrations. The δ13C values infer that zooplankton were opportunistically feeding on food containing variable levels of Hg and MeHg. The δ15N isotopes indicated enrichment characteristic of anthropogenic input in populations at the western end of LIS. The δ34S isotopes signified that organisms were primarily feeding on pelagic plankton.
Ester basestock vaporisation from thin oil films
Authors: Bražinskienė Dalia , Liaščukienė Irma , Stončius Arvydas , Asadauskas Svajus J.
Published: January 2017

Volatile materials, released by lubricants, relate to various engineering, occupational and workmanship aspects. Most tests (flash point, NOACK, TGA etc.) assess thermodynamic evaporation without focusing on prolonged oxidation and hydrolysis, which can also produce volatiles, especially in unsaturated esters. A thin film test was adapted for long‐term (2000 h+) vaporisation studies in dry or humid atmosphere. Rapeseed oil and oleate esters showed initial weight gain due to peroxide formation at 50–130°C. Only afterwards release of volatiles began and approached 5%wt. in rapeseed oil. FTIR demonstrated significant oxidation even in cetane. Antioxidants had only slight effects on rates and tendencies, while 20% relative humidity clearly accelerated vaporisation. Acidity buildup was much faster in oleyl alcohol than in stearyl alcohol despite similar vaporisation trends. Although decomposition appeared much slower than the combined rate of oxypolymerisation and saponification, such film‐based methodology represents a powerful tool to investigate long‐term vaporisation tendencies of lubricants. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amphiphilic Polyoxazoline‐block‐Polypeptoid Copolymers by Sequential One‐Pot Ring‐Opening Polymerizations
Authors: Pan Xianfu , Liu Yaya , Li Zhenjiang , Cui Saide , Gebru Hailemariam , Xu Jiaxi , Xu Songquan , Liu Jiaqi , Guo Kai
Published: January 2017

Amphiphilic block copolymers possess great potential as biomaterials in drug delivery and gene therapy. Herein, pseudopeptidic‐type diblock copolymer of poly(2‐oxazoline)‐block‐polypeptoid (POx‐b‐POI) is presented and synthesized. Poly[2‐(3‐butenyl)‐2‐oxazoline]‐block‐poly(sarcosine) (PBuOx‐b‐PSar) comprising hydrophobic POx segment bearing alkenyl side chain and hydrophilic POI segment of N‐methyl glycine, viz., sarcosine, is prepared by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) through a one‐pot and three‐step route. Diphenyl phosphate initiates ROP of BuOx, and then the living chain end of PBuOx is quenched by ammonia to obtain PBuOx‐ammonium phosphate in situ, the active ammonium group initiates ROP of sarcosine N‐carboxy anhydride. PBuOx‐b‐PSar with controlled molecular weights (4.7–10.8 kg mol−1) and narrow dispersities (ÐM 1.15–1.21) are characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and size‐exclusion chromatography. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy analysis reveal that PBuOx‐b‐PSar self‐assembles into nanostructures of average diameter DH of 37–109 nm in aqueous solution. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide test demonstrates the cytocompatibility (relative cell viability > 80%) of the PBuOx‐b‐PSar. In view of the self‐assembly and biocompatibility, the readily prepared diblock copolymers may hopefully be used in biomedical applications.

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Effects of Polymer Additives and Dispersion State on the Mechanical Properties of Cellulose Nanocrystal Films
Authors: Passantino Joshua M. , Haywood Alexander D. , Goswami Joyanta , Davis Virginia A.
Published: January 2017

Films produced from colloidal and nanomaterial dispersions such as aqueous cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) dispersions tend to crack above a critical cracking thickness; this issue limits the ability to produce flow‐aligned CNC films at thicknesses above ≈50 μm. This research explores the effects of adding polyethylene oxide (PEO), flocculation with hydrochloric acid (HCl), and the combination of both methods on film cracking, mechanical properties, and mechanical anisotropy. Most research on CNC polymer composites focuses on composites where the polymer is the majority component. To the authors' knowledge there has been only one investigation of CNC films' mechanical anisotropy and no studies of using HCl flocculation to flocculate CNC dispersions prior to shear casting. PEO addition significantly reduces Young's modulus, tensile strength, and toughness, but enhances the Young's modulus anisotropy. Flocculation results in little property deterioration but nearly eliminates mechanical anisotropy. The combination of both techniques results in similar properties as flocculation alone. These findings highlight the trade‐offs between these two approaches and can be used to help guide further research on obtaining robust shear cast CNC films over a range of thicknesses.

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Electrodiagnosis of reversible conduction failure in Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Chan Yee‐Cheun , Punzalan‐Sotelo Aubrey M. , Kannan Therimadasamy A. , Shahrizaila Nortina , Umapathi Thirugnanam , Goh Eunice J.H. , Fukami Yuki , Wilder‐Smith Einar , Yuki Nobuhiro
Published: January 2017

Introduction: In this study we propose electrodiagnostic criteria for early reversible conduction failure (ERCF) in axonal Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) and apply them to a cohort of GBS patients. Methods: Serial nerve conduction studies (NCS) were retrospectively analyzed in 82 GBS patients from 3 centers. The criteria for the presence of ERCF in a nerve were: (i) a 50% increase in amplitude of distal compound muscle action potentials or sensory nerve action potentials; or (ii) resolution of proximal motor conduction block with an accompanying decrease in distal latencies or compound muscle action potential duration or increase in conduction velocities. Results: Of 82 patients from 3 centers, 37 (45%) had ERCF, 21 (26%) had a contrasting evolution pattern, and 8 (10%) had both. Sixteen patients did not show an amplitude increase of at least 50%. Conclusion: Our proposed criteria identified a group of patients with a characteristic evolution of NCS abnormality that is consistent with ERCF. Muscle Nerve 56: 919–924, 2017
Identification of glyphosate resistance in Salsola tragus in north‐eastern Oregon
Authors: Barroso Judit , Gourlie Jennifer A , Lutcher Larry K , Liu Mingyang , Mallory‐Smith Carol A
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

Farmers in the low‐rainfall region of eastern Oregon rely on repeated applications of non‐selective herbicides, predominately glyphosate, to control Salsola tragus in no‐till fallow systems. Reports of poor glyphosate effectiveness have increased in recent years. Reduced efficacy is often attributed to dust, water stress, or generally poor growing conditions during application. Inadequate control also may be the result of the evolution of glyphosate resistance. Therefore, studies were undertaken to determine if glyphosate‐resistant S. tragus populations occur in Oregon.

RESULTS

Results from dose–response studies confirmed glyphosate resistance in three of 10 Oregon Salsola tragus populations. The ratio I50R/I50S from dose–response curves was, on average, 3.1 for the relative dry biomass per plant and 3.2 for the % of surviving plants per pot in these three populations. Plant mortality at recommended glyphosate doses for the resistant populations was less than 30% 3 weeks after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Glyphosate resistance in S. tragus highlights the imperative need to diversify weed control strategies to preserve the longevity and sustainability of herbicides in semi‐arid cropping systems of the Pacific Northwest. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) nanoparticles functionalized with a mitochondria penetrating peptide
Authors: Selmin Francesca , Magri Giulia , Gennari Chiara G.M. , Marchianò Silvia , Ferri Nicola , Pellegrino Sara
Published: January 2017

The development of mitochondria‐targeting cell permeable vectors represents a promising therapeutic approach for several diseases, such as cancer and oxidative pathologies. Nevertheless, access to mitochondria can be difficult. A new hybrid material composed by poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) functionalized with a 6‐mer mitochondria penetrating peptide (MPP), consisting in alternating arginine and unnatural cyclohexylalanine, was developed. Circular dichroism, FT‐IR and DSC studies indicated that the conjugation of the peptide with the polymer led to the obtainment of a more rigid material with respect to both PLGA and MPP as such. In particular, a conformational rearrangement to a helical structure was observed for MPP. MPP–PLGA conjugates were used for the preparation of nanoparticles that showed no cytotoxicity in MTT assay, suggesting their putative use for future studies on mitochondria targeting. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New Nonparametric EWMA Control Chart for Monitoring Process Variability
Authors: Haq Abdul
Published: January 2017

The exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart is one of a potentially powerful process monitoring tool of the statistical process control. The EWMA chart has now been widely used because of its excellent ability to detect small to moderate shifts in the process parameter(s). In this study, we propose a new nonparametric/distribution‐free EWMA chart for efficiently monitoring the changes in the process variability. We use extensive Monte Carlo simulations to compute the run length profiles of the proposed EWMA chart. For a better performance comparison, the proposed EWMA chart is compared with a recent existing EWMA chart that has already shown to have better performance than the existing control charts. It turns out that the proposed EWMA chart performs substantially and uniformly better than the existing powerful EWMA chart. The working and implementation of the proposed and existing EWMA charts with the help of an illustrative example are also included in this study. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Synthetic CUSUM and Synthetic EWMA Control Charts for Monitoring the Process Mean using Auxiliary Information
Authors: Haq Abdul
Published: January 2017

The cumulative sum (CUSUM) and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts are potentially powerful process monitoring tool because of their excellent speed in detecting small to moderate shifts in the process parameters. These control charts can be further improved by integrating them with the conforming run length control chart, resulting in the synthetic CUSUM (SynCUSUM) and synthetic EWMA (SynEWMA) charts. In this paper, we enhance the detection abilities of the SynCUSUM and SynEWMA charts using the auxiliary information. With suitable assumptions, the proposed control charts encompass the existing SynCUSUM, SynEWMA, CUSUM, and EWMA charts. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations are used to study the run length profiles of the proposed control charts. It turns out that the proposed near‐optimal control charts with the auxiliary information perform uniformly and substantially better than the existing near‐optimal SynCUSUM, SynEWMA, CUSUM, and EWMA charts. The proposed and existing control charts are also illustrated with the help of an example. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioaccumulation of Inorganic Elements in Dreissena polymorpha from the Ebro River, Spain: Could Zebra Mussels Be Used as a Bioindicator of the Impact of Human Activities?
Authors: Benito M. , Mosteo R. , Rubio E. , LaPlante D. , Ormad M. P. , Goñi P.
Published: January 2017

Dreissena polymorpha is among the top 100 most harmful invasive species in aquatic habitats. European Directive 2013/39/UE establishes Environmental Quality Standards for biota because it has been demonstrated that pollutants bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. This study evaluated bioaccumulation of inorganic elements in the soft tissues of D. polymorpha in order to assess the usefulness of zebra mussels as a bioindicator of contaminant presence in superficial waters. Concentrations of 66 elements were measured in order to evaluate their relationship with nearby anthropogenic activity and to the values recommended by Environmental Quality Standards for biota. Bivalves were collected from four sample points along the Ebro River Basin (Spain), where diverse human activities are carried out. Zebra mussels accumulate toxins in soft tissue during their life cycle, including Al, Cr, Fe, Hg, Pb, Th, Cd and U. The highest levels of accumulation corresponded to elements associated with human activity in the area, showing the impact of anthropogenic actions on biota. D. polymorpha not only supplies information about current water quality but also acts as a witness of past water quality by bioconcentrating toxic elements present in the environment and providing relevant results about historical water contamination. In conclusion, D. polymorpha is a harmful and dangerous invasive species, but its pervasiveness means that it can be used as a bioindicator to assess current and past presence of elements in water. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
UKI: universal Kinect‐type controller by ICE Lab
Authors: Paliyawan Pujana , Thawonmas Ruck
Published: January 2017

Universal Kinect‐type‐controller by ICE Lab (UKI, pronounced as ‘You‐key’) was developed to allow users to control any existing application by using body motions as inputs. The middleware works by converting detected motions into keyboard and/or mouse‐click events and sending them to a target application. This paper presents the structure and design of core modules, along with examples from real cases to illustrate how the middleware can be configured to fit a variety of applications. We present our designs for interfaces that decode all configuration details into a human‐interpretable language, and these interfaces significantly promote user experience and eliminate the need for programming skill. The performance of the middleware is evaluated on fighting‐game motion data, and we make the data publicly available so that they can be used in other researches. UKI welcomes its use by everyone without any restrictions on use; for instance, it can be used to promote healthy life through a means of gaming and/or used to conduct serious research on motion systems. The middleware serves as a shortcut in the development of motion applications—coding of an application to detect motions can be replaced with simple clicks on UKI. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulatory elements in molecular networks
Authors: Doane Ashley S. , Elemento Olivier
Published: January 2017

Regulatory elements determine the connectivity of molecular networks and mediate a variety of regulatory processes ranging from DNA looping to transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and posttranslational regulation. This review highlights our current understanding of the different types of regulatory elements found in molecular networks with a focus on DNA regulatory elements. We highlight technical advances and current challenges for the mapping of regulatory elements at the genome‐wide scale, and describe new computational methods to uncover these elements via reconstructing regulatory networks from large genomic datasets. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1374. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1374

This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods

Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Genetic/Genomic Methods

Biological Mechanisms > Regulatory Biology
The Effect of Religiosity on Life Satisfaction in a Secularized Context: Assessing the Relevance of Believing and Belonging
Authors: ten Kate Josje , de Koster Willem , van der Waal Jeroen
Published: January 2017

The positive relationship between religiosity and life satisfaction is well-established. This relationship is, however, likely to vary across cultural contexts and different religious affiliations. Furthermore, research is needed to uncover why religion is relevant for life satisfaction. Addressing these issues, we investigate what dimensions of being religious play a role in the life satisfaction of individuals with different religious affiliations, including the understudied Muslim category, in the highly secularized Dutch context. We examine ‘believing', which captures how religion provides meaning and a coherent worldview, and ‘belonging', which comprises both cultural benefits of being embedded in a congregation with a shared framework of meaning and structural benefits due to more social ties. Analyses of the NEtherlands Longitudinal Lifecourse Study ( n = 5312) first indicate that Muslims display significantly lower life satisfaction than the non-religious, which appears to be due to their underprivileged social position rather than intra-religious factors of believing and belonging. Second, we find that Catholics experience significant life satisfaction benefits compared to those who are not religious, and that only belonging plays a role in this association. Next to the beneficial effect of the structural aspect of belonging, which revolves around social ties, a cultural aspect of religious belonging appears to be salient, suggesting that an important life satisfaction advantage of religious communities lies in their ability to foster a sense of solidarity and commitment through a shared framework of meaning. We make several recommendations for further research based on these findings.
The Earth's Inner Core
Authors: Tkalčić Hrvoje
Published: January 2017

The inner core is a planet within a planet: a hot sphere with a mass of one hundred quintillion tons of iron and nickel that lies more than 5000 kilometres beneath our feet. It plays a crucial role in driving outer core fluid motion and the geodynamo, which generates the Earth's magnetic field. This book is the first to provide a comprehensive review of past and contemporary research on the Earth's inner core from a seismological perspective. Chapters cover the collection, processing and interpretation of seismological data, as well as our current knowledge of the structure, anisotropy, attenuation, rotational dynamics, and boundary of the inner core. Reviewing the latest research and suggesting new seismological techniques and future avenues, it is an essential resource for both seismologists and non-seismologists interested in this fascinating field of research. It will also form a useful resource for courses in seismology and deep Earth processes.
Impact of Hurricane Exposure on Reproductive Health Outcomes, Florida, 2004
Authors: Grabich Shannon C. , Robinson Whitney R. , Konrad Charles E. , Horney Jennifer A.
Published: January 2017

Objective

Prenatal hurricane exposure may be an increasingly important contributor to poor reproductive health outcomes. In the current literature, mixed associations have been suggested between hurricane exposure and reproductive health outcomes. This may be due, in part, to residual confounding. We assessed the association between hurricane exposure and reproductive health outcomes by using a difference-in-difference analysis technique to control for confounding in a cohort of Florida pregnancies.

Methods

We implemented a difference-in-difference analysis to evaluate hurricane weather and reproductive health outcomes including low birth weight, fetal death, and birth rate. The study population for analysis included all Florida pregnancies conceived before or during the 2003 and 2004 hurricane season. Reproductive health data were extracted from vital statistics records from the Florida Department of Health. In 2004, 4 hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne) made landfall in rapid succession; whereas in 2003, no hurricanes made landfall in Florida.

Results

Overall models using the difference-in-difference analysis showed no association between exposure to hurricane weather and reproductive health.

Conclusions

The inconsistency of the literature on hurricane exposure and reproductive health may be in part due to biases inherent in pre-post or regression-based county-level comparisons. We found no associations between hurricane exposure and reproductive health. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:407–411)
Experimental and numerical investigation of flames stabilised behind rotating cylinders: interaction of flames with a moving wall
Authors: Xavier P. , Ghani A. , Mejia D. , Miguel-Brebion M. , Bauerheim M. , Selle L. , Poinsot T.
Published: January 2017

Steady methane/air laminar premixed flames stabilised on a cylindrical bluff body subjected to a continuous rotation are analysed using joint direct numerical simulations (DNS) and experiments. DNS are carried out using a 19 species scheme for methane/air combustion and a lumped model to predict the cylinder temperature. Rotation of the cylinder induces a symmetry breaking of the flow, and leads to two distinct flame branches in the wake of the cylinder. DNS are validated against experiments in terms of flame topologies and velocity fields. DNS are then used to analyse flame structures and thermal effects. The location and structure of the two flames are differently modified by rotation and heat transfer: a superadiabatic flame branch stabilises close to the hot cylinder and burns preheated fresh gases while a subadiabatic branch is quenched over a large zone and anchors far downstream of the cylinder. Local flame structures are shown to be controlled to first order by the local enthalpy defect or excess due to heat transfer between the cylinder and the flow. An analysis of the local wall heat flux around the cylinder shows that, for low rotation speeds, the superadiabatic flame branch contributes to wall heat fluxes that considerably exceed typical values found for classical flame/wall interactions. However, for high rotation speeds, fluxes decrease because the cylinder is surrounded by a layer of burned gases that dilute incoming reactants and shield it from the flame.
Viscous and inviscid simulations of the start-up vortex
Authors: Luchini Paolo , Tognaccini Renato
Published: January 2017

Inviscid, unsteady simulations of the roll up of the start-up vortex issuing from a semi-infinite plate are compared with previous simulations of the viscous flow. The inviscid equations were solved by a lumped-vortex method, the two-dimensional, incompressible Navier–Stokes equations in the vorticity–streamfunction formulation modelled the viscous problem. The purpose is to verify whether the irregular behaviour found by the inviscid solution well approximates the unstable evolution of the viscous spiral vortex in the limit of infinitely large time (or equivalently Reynolds number).
Cultural intelligence and employees’ creative performance: The moderating role of team conflict in interorganizational teams
Authors: Hu Nan , Wu Jianlin , Gu Jibao
Published: January 2017

Recently, an increasing number of organizations conduct collaborative innovation by establishing interorganizational teams comprising employees from different organizations. Given that employees face immense challenges because of organizational culture differences in interorganizational teams, this study focused considerably on cultural intelligence in the interorganizational context. This cultural intelligence refers to the ability of individuals to deal effectively with organizational culture differences. Our research particularly explored the effect of employees’ cultural intelligence on their creative performance and the moderating effects of two types of team conflicts through hierarchical linear modeling. The sample was obtained from 54 interorganizational teams that included 275 employees. Results confirmed a positive relationship between employees’ cultural intelligence and their creative performance and the positive relationship will be stronger in higher relationship conflicts and lower task conflicts. The theoretical and practical implications of this study were also discussed.
“White-Collar Crime”
Authors: Reurink Arjan
Published: January 2017

Despite the ubiquity of illegality in today’s financial markets and the questions this raises with regard to the social legitimacy of today’s financial industry, systematic scrutiny of the phenomenon of financial crime is lacking in the field of sociology. One field of research in which the illegal dimensions of capitalist dynamics have long taken center stage is the field of white-collar crime research. This article makes available to economic sociologists an overview of the most important conceptual insights generated in the white-collar crime literature. In doing so, its aim is to provide economic sociologists with some orientation for future research on financial crime. Building on the insights generated inwccliterature, the article concludes by suggesting a number of promising avenues for future sociological research on the phenomenon of illegality in financial markets.
A new SIMS zircon U–Pb date from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation: age constraint on the Weng'an biota
Authors: ZHOU CHUANMING , LI XIAN-HUA , XIAO SHUHAI , LAN ZHONGWU , OUYANG QING , GUAN CHENGGUO , CHEN ZHE
Published: January 2017

As a well-known phosphatized Lagerstätte, the Ediacaran Weng'an biota in central Guizhou Province of South China contains diverse acanthomorphic acritarchs, algal thalli, tubular microfossils as well as various spheroidal fossils. These fossils provide crucial palaeontological evidence for the radiation of multicellular eukaryotes after the termination of the Neoproterozoic global glaciation. While the Weng'an biota is generally considered as early Ediacaran in age on the basis of phosphorite Pb–Pb isochron ages ranging from 572 Ma to 599 Ma, the reliability and accuracy of these age data have been questioned and some geologists have proposed that the Weng'an biota may be younger than 580 Ma instead. Here we report a SIMS zircon U–Pb age of 609 ± 5 Ma for a tuffaceous bed immediately above the upper phosphorite unit in the Doushantuo Formation at Zhangcunping, Yichang, South China. Litho-, bio- and chemostratigraphic correlations suggest that the upper phosphorite unit at Zhangcunping can be well correlated with the upper phosphorite unit at Weng'an, which is the main horizon of the Weng'an biota. We therefore conclude that the Weng'an biota could be as old as 609 ± 5 Ma.
Toward a Post-Humanist Organicism
Authors: Watkins Holly
Published: January 2017

Recent critiques of organicism in music studies have assumed that such features as part–whole integration and end-oriented development are essential to comparisons between music and the organic realm. Yet if what is thought to constitute organicism varies with perspectives on organisms in general, then perhaps it is time to take a different view of organicism’s historical legacy. What if the problem is not with the impression that music presents a semblance of the organic, but with the models of the organism brought in to give content to that semblance? In light of novel accounts of organic life currently being formulated by both scientists and thinkers affiliated with post-humanism, I propose to imagine an organicism that dispenses with humanistic conceits and prompts creative reflection on the points of connection between music and organic processes. To that end, this essay first dismantles conventional notions of wholeness and development before going on to consider aspects of the Western musical tradition through the twin lenses of self-organization and the systems theory of German sociologist Niklas Luhmann. In sum, the essay seeks to conserve affinities between music and the organic domain intuited by nineteenth-century listeners while transposing organicism into a register more in tune with contemporary scientific and philosophical thought. By adding new nodes to a critical network established over two centuries ago, this article argues that a post-humanist organicism challenges us to think afresh about what our bodies, our sociality, and our creativity share with non-human entities and ecologies.
Osteoarthritis: toward a comprehensive understanding of pathological mechanism
Authors: Chen Di , Shen Jie , Zhao Weiwei , Wang Tingyu , Han Lin , Hamilton John L , Im Hee-Jeong
Published: January 2017

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease and a major cause of pain and disability in adult individuals. The etiology of OA includes joint injury, obesity, aging, and heredity. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of OA initiation and progression remain poorly understood and, currently, there are no interventions available to restore degraded cartilage or decelerate disease progression. The diathrodial joint is a complicated organ and its function is to bear weight, perform physical activity and exhibit a joint-specific range of motion during movement. During OA development, the entire joint organ is affected, including articular cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial tissue and meniscus. A full understanding of the pathological mechanism of OA development relies on the discovery of the interplaying mechanisms among different OA symptoms, including articular cartilage degradation, osteophyte formation, subchondral sclerosis and synovial hyperplasia, and the signaling pathway(s) controlling these pathological processes.
ATPase activity tightly regulates RecA nucleofilaments to promote homologous recombination
Authors: Zhao Bailin , Zhang Dapeng , Li Chengmin , Yuan Zheng , Yu Fangzhi , Zhong Shangwei , Jiang Guibin , Yang Yun-Gui , Le X Chris , Weinfeld Michael , Zhu Ping , Wang Hailin
Published: January 2017

Homologous recombination (HR), catalyzed in an evolutionarily conserved manner by active RecA/Rad51 nucleofilaments, maintains genomic integrity and promotes biological evolution and diversity. The structures of RecA/Rad51 nucleofilaments provide information critical for the entire HR process. By exploiting a unique capillary electrophoresis-laser-induced fluorescence polarization assay, we have discovered an active form of RecA nucleofilament, stimulated by ATP hydrolysis, that contains mainly unbound nucleotide sites. This finding was confirmed by a nuclease protection assay and electron microscopy (EM) imaging. We further found that these RecA-unsaturated filaments promote strand exchangein vitroand HRin vivo. RecA mutants (P67D and P67E), which only form RecA-unsaturated nucleofilaments, were able to mediate HRin vitroandin vivo, but mutants favoring the formation of the saturated nucleofilaments failed to support HR. We thus present a new model for RecA-mediated HR in which RecA utilizes its intrinsic DNA binding-dependent ATPase activity to remodel the nucleofilaments to a less saturated form and thereby promote HR.
GWAS meta-analysis reveals novel loci and genetic correlates for general cognitive function: a report from the COGENT consortium
Authors: Trampush J W , Yang M L Z , Yu J , Knowles E , Davies G , Liewald D C , Starr J M , Djurovic S , Melle I , Sundet K , Christoforou A , Reinvang I , DeRosse P , Lundervold A J , Steen V M , Espeseth T , Räikkönen K , Widen E , Palotie A , Eriksson J G , Giegling I , Konte B , Roussos P , Giakoumaki S , Burdick K E , Payton A , Ollier W , Horan M , Chiba-Falek O , Attix D K , Need A C , Cirulli E T , Voineskos A N , Stefanis N C , Avramopoulos D , Hatzimanolis A , Arking D E , Smyrnis N , Bilder R M , Freimer N A , Cannon T D , London E , Poldrack R A , Sabb F W , Congdon E , Conley E D , Scult M A , Dickinson D , Straub R E , Donohoe G , Morris D , Corvin A , Gill M , Hariri A R , Weinberger D R , Pendleton N , Bitsios P , Rujescu D , Lahti J , Le Hellard S , Keller M C , Andreassen O A , Deary I J , Glahn D C , Malhotra A K , Lencz T
Published: January 2017

The complex nature of human cognition has resulted in cognitive genomics lagging behind many other fields in terms of gene discovery using genome-wide association study (GWAS) methods. In an attempt to overcome these barriers, the current study utilized GWAS meta-analysis to examine the association of common genetic variation (~8M single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with minor allele frequency ⩾1%) to general cognitive function in a sample of 35 298 healthy individuals of European ancestry across 24 cohorts in the Cognitive Genomics Consortium (COGENT). In addition, we utilized individual SNP lookups and polygenic score analyses to identify genetic overlap with other relevant neurobehavioral phenotypes. Our primary GWAS meta-analysis identified two novel SNP loci (top SNPs: rs76114856 in the CENPO gene on chromosome 2 and rs6669072 near LOC105378853 on chromosome 1) associated with cognitive performance at the genome-wide significance level (P<5 × 10−8). Gene-based analysis identified an additional three Bonferroni-corrected significant loci at chromosomes 17q21.31, 17p13.1 and 1p13.3. Altogether, common variation across the genome resulted in a conservatively estimated SNP heritability of 21.5% (s.e.=0.01%) for general cognitive function. Integration with prior GWAS of cognitive performance and educational attainment yielded several additional significant loci. Finally, we found robust polygenic correlations between cognitive performance and educational attainment, several psychiatric disorders, birth length/weight and smoking behavior, as well as a novel genetic association to the personality trait of openness. These data provide new insight into the genetics of neurocognitive function with relevance to understanding the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric illness.
Weakening of annual temperature cycle over the Tibetan Plateau since the 1870s
Authors: Duan Jianping , Esper Jan , Büntgen Ulf , Li Lun , Xoplaki Elena , Zhang Huan , Wang Lily , Fang Yongjie , Luterbacher Jürg
Published: January 2017

The annual cycle of extra-tropical surface air temperature is an important component of the Earth’s climate system. Over the past decades, a reduced amplitude of this mode has been observed in some regions. Although attributed to anthropogenic forcing, it remains unclear when dampening of the annual cycle started. Here we use a residual series of tree-ring width and maximum latewood density from the Tibetan Plateau >4,000 m asl to reconstruct changes in temperature seasonality over the past three centuries. The new proxy evidence suggests that the onset of a decrease in summer-to-winter temperature difference over the Tibetan Plateau occurred in the 1870s. Our results imply that the influence of anthropogenic forcing on temperature seasonality might have started in the late nineteenth century, and that future human influence may further contribute to a weakening of the annual temperature cycle, with subsequent effects on ecosystem functioning and productivity.
A signature motif in LIM proteins mediates binding to checkpoint proteins and increases tumour radiosensitivity
Authors: Xu Xiaojie , Fan Zhongyi , Liang Chaoyang , Li Ling , Wang Lili , Liang Yingchun , Wu Jun , Chang Shaohong , Yan Zhifeng , Lv Zhaohui , Fu Jing , Liu Yang , Jin Shuai , Wang Tao , Hong Tian , Dong Yishan , Ding Lihua , Cheng Long , Liu Rui , Fu Shenbo , Jiao Shunchang , Ye Qinong
Published: January 2017

Tumour radiotherapy resistance involves the cell cycle pathway. CDC25 phosphatases are key cell cycle regulators. However, how CDC25 activity is precisely controlled remains largely unknown. Here, we show that LIM domain-containing proteins, such as FHL1, increase inhibitory CDC25 phosphorylation by forming a complex with CHK2 and CDC25, and sequester CDC25 in the cytoplasm by forming another complex with 14-3-3 and CDC25, resulting in increased radioresistance in cancer cells. FHL1 expression, induced by ionizing irradiation in a SP1- and MLL1-dependent manner, positively correlates with radioresistance in cancer patients. We identify a cell-penetrating 11 amino-acid motif within LIM domains (eLIM) that is sufficient for binding CHK2 and CDC25, reducing the CHK2–CDC25 and CDC25–14-3-3 interaction and enhancing CDC25 activity and cancer radiosensitivity accompanied by mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis. Our results provide novel insight into molecular mechanisms underlying CDC25 activity regulation. LIM protein inhibition or use of eLIM may be new strategies for improving tumour radiosensitivity.
Caloric restriction improves health and survival of rhesus monkeys
Authors: Mattison Julie A. , Colman Ricki J. , Beasley T. Mark , Allison David B. , Kemnitz Joseph W. , Roth George S. , Ingram Donald K. , Weindruch Richard , de Cabo Rafael , Anderson Rozalyn M.
Published: January 2017

Caloric restriction (CR) without malnutrition extends lifespan and delays the onset of age-related disorders in most species but its impact in nonhuman primates has been controversial. In the late 1980s two parallel studies were initiated to determine the effect of CR in rhesus monkeys. The University of Wisconsin study reported a significant positive impact of CR on survival, but the National Institute on Aging study detected no significant survival effect. Here we present a direct comparison of longitudinal data from both studies including survival, bodyweight, food intake, fasting glucose levels and age-related morbidity. We describe differences in study design that could contribute to differences in outcomes, and we report species specificity in the impact of CR in terms of optimal onset and diet. Taken together these data confirm that health benefits of CR are conserved in monkeys and suggest that CR mechanisms are likely translatable to human health.
Interfacial superconductivity in a bi-collinear antiferromagnetically ordered FeTe monolayer on a topological insulator
Authors: Manna S. , Kamlapure A. , Cornils L. , Hänke T. , Hedegaard E. M. J. , Bremholm M. , Iversen B. B. , Hofmann Ph. , Wiebe J. , Wiesendanger R.
Published: January 2017

The discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in Fe-based compounds triggered numerous investigations on the interplay between superconductivity and magnetism, and on the enhancement of transition temperatures through interface effects. It is widely believed that the emergence of optimal superconductivity is intimately linked to the suppression of long-range antiferromagnetic (AFM) order, although the exact microscopic picture remains elusive because of the lack of atomically resolved data. Here we present spin-polarized scanning tunnelling spectroscopy of ultrathin FeTe1−xSex (x=0, 0.5) films on bulk topological insulators. Surprisingly, we find an energy gap at the Fermi level, indicating superconducting correlations up to Tc∼6 K for one unit cell FeTe grown on Bi2Te3, in contrast to the non-superconducting bulk FeTe. The gap spatially coexists with bi-collinear AFM order. This finding opens perspectives for theoretical studies of competing orders in Fe-based superconductors and for experimental investigations of exotic phases in superconducting layers on topological insulators.
Thermal engineering of FAPbI3 perovskite material via radiative thermal annealing and in situ XRD
Authors: Pool Vanessa L. , Dou Benjia , Van Campen Douglas G. , Klein-Stockert Talysa R. , Barnes Frank S. , Shaheen Sean E. , Ahmad Md I. , van Hest Maikel F. A. M. , Toney Michael F.
Published: January 2017

Lead halide perovskites have emerged as successful optoelectronic materials with high photovoltaic power conversion efficiencies and low material cost. However, substantial challenges remain in the scalability, stability and fundamental understanding of the materials. Here we present the application of radiative thermal annealing, an easily scalable processing method for synthesizing formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite solar absorbers. Devices fabricated from films formed via radiative thermal annealing have equivalent efficiencies to those annealed using a conventional hotplate. By coupling results from in situ X-ray diffraction using a radiative thermal annealing system with device performances, we mapped the processing phase space of FAPbI3 and corresponding device efficiencies. Our map of processing-structure-performance space suggests the commonly used FAPbI3 annealing time, 10 min at 170 °C, can be significantly reduced to 40 s at 170 °C without affecting the photovoltaic performance. The Johnson-Mehl-Avrami model was used to determine the activation energy for decomposition of FAPbI3 into PbI2.
Dynamical importance of van der Waals saddle and excited potential surface in C(1D)+D2 complex-forming reaction
Authors: Shen Zhitao , Ma Haitao , Zhang Chunfang , Fu Mingkai , Wu Yanan , Bian Wensheng , Cao Jianwei
Published: January 2017

Encouraged by recent advances in revealing significant effects of van der Waals wells on reaction dynamics, many people assume that van der Waals wells are inevitable in chemical reactions. Here we find that the weak long-range forces cause van der Waals saddles in the prototypical C(1D)+D2 complex-forming reaction that have very different dynamical effects from van der Waals wells at low collision energies. Accurate quantum dynamics calculations on our highly accurate ab initio potential energy surfaces with van der Waals saddles yield cross-sections in close agreement with crossed-beam experiments, whereas the same calculations on an earlier surface with van der Waals wells produce much smaller cross-sections at low energies. Further trajectory calculations reveal that the van der Waals saddle leads to a torsion then sideways insertion reaction mechanism, whereas the well suppresses reactivity. Quantum diffraction oscillations and sharp resonances are also predicted based on our ground- and excited-state potential energy surfaces.
Pten is necessary for the quiescence and maintenance of adult muscle stem cells
Authors: Yue Feng , Bi Pengpeng , Wang Chao , Shan Tizhong , Nie Yaohui , Ratliff Timothy L. , Gavin Timothy P. , Kuang Shihuan
Published: January 2017

Satellite cells (SCs) are myogenic stem cells required for regeneration of adult skeletal muscles. A proper balance among quiescence, activation and differentiation is essential for long-term maintenance of SCs and their regenerative function. Here we show a function of Pten (phosphatase and tensin homologue) in quiescent SCs. Deletion of Pten in quiescent SCs leads to their spontaneous activation and premature differentiation without proliferation, resulting in depletion of SC pool and regenerative failure. However, prior to depletion, Pten-null activated SCs can transiently proliferate upon injury and regenerate injured muscles, but continually decline during regeneration, suggesting an inability to return to quiescence. Mechanistically, Pten deletion increases Akt phosphorylation, which induces cytoplasmic translocation of FoxO1 and suppression of Notch signalling. Accordingly, constitutive activation of Notch1 prevents SC depletion despite Pten deletion. Our findings delineate a critical function of Pten in maintaining SC quiescence and reveal an interaction between Pten and Notch signalling.
Rapid adaptation drives invasion of airway donor microbiota by Pseudomonas after lung transplantation
Authors: Beaume M. , Köhler T. , Greub G. , Manuel O. , Aubert J-D. , Baerlocher L. , Farinelli L. , Buckling A. , van Delden C. ,   The Swiss Transplant Cohort Study, Achermann Rita , Amico Patrizia , Baumann Philippe , Beldi Guido , Benden Christian , Berger Christoph , Binet Isabelle , Bochud Pierre-Yves , Boely Elsa , Bucher Heiner , Bühler Leo , Carell Thierry , Catana Emmanuelle , Chalandon Yves , Geest Sabina de , Rougemont Olivier de , Dickenmann Michael , Duchosal Michel , Fehr Thomas , Ferrari-Lacraz Sylvie , Garzoni Christian , Soccal Paola Gasche , Giostra Emiliano , Golshayan Déla , Good Daniel , Hadaya Karine , Halter Jörg , Heim Dominik , Hess Christoph , Hillinger Sven , Hirsch Hans H. , Hofbauer Günther , Huynh-Do Uyen , Immer Franz , Klaghofer Richard , Koller Michael , Laesser Bettina , Lehmann Roger , Lovis Christian , Marti Hans-Peter , Martin Pierre Yves , Martinolli Luca , Meylan Pascal , Mohacsi Paul , Morard Isabelle , Morel Philippe , Mueller Ulrike , Mueller Nicolas J , Mueller-McKenna Helen , Müller Antonia , Müller Thomas , Müllhaupt Beat , Nadal David , Pascual Manuel , Passweg Jakob , Ziegler Chantal Piot , Rick Juliane , Roosnek Eddy , Rosselet Anne , Rothlin Silvia , Ruschitzka Frank , Schanz Urs , Schaub Stefan , Seiler Christian , Stampf Susanne , Steiger Jürg , Stirnimann Guido , Toso Christian , Tsinalis Dimitri , Venetz Jean-Pierre , Villard Jean , Wick Madeleine , Wilhelm Markus , Yerly Patrick
Published: January 2017

In cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, chronic airway infection by Pseudomonas leads to progressive lung destruction ultimately requiring lung transplantation (LT). Following LT, CF-adapted Pseudomonas strains, potentially originating from the sinuses, may seed the allograft leading to infections and reduced allograft survival. We investigated whether CF-adapted Pseudomonas populations invade the donor microbiota and adapt to the non-CF allograft. We collected sequential Pseudomonas isolates and airway samples from a CF-lung transplant recipient during two years, and followed the dynamics of the microbiota and Pseudomonas populations. We show that Pseudomonas invaded the host microbiota within three days post-LT, in association with a reduction in richness and diversity. A dominant mucoid and hypermutator mutL lineage was replaced after 11 days by non-mucoid strains. Despite antibiotic therapy, Pseudomonas dominated the allograft microbiota until day 95. We observed positive selection of pre-LT variants and the appearance of novel mutations. Phenotypic adaptation resulted in increased biofilm formation and swimming motility capacities. Pseudomonas was replaced after 95 days by a microbiota dominated by Actinobacillus. In conclusion, mucoid Pseudomonas adapted to the CF-lung remained able to invade the allograft. Selection of both pre-existing non-mucoid subpopulations and of novel phenotypic traits suggests rapid adaptation of Pseudomonas to the non-CF allograft.