bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘The dissolution of cities’: the Horseshoe settlement in Weimar Berlin
Authors: BARYKINA NATALLIA
Published: August 2017

By considering the material processes by which the Horseshoe housing estate in Berlin came into being as aesthetic vision, constructed environment and inhabited living space, this article focuses on the complex manner by which the ideas of planners and architects ‘migrate’ into actual built forms. I evaluate the roles played by emergent technologies and new building methods as well as the managerial directives of state and civic bureaucracies, assessing how co-operative and competing aesthetic visions and the life practices of inhabitants are involved in the coproduction of Weimar public housing.
Developing multidimensional measures of healthy food access among low-income adults in Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Authors: Flocke Susan A , Ohri-Vachispati Punam , Shon En-Jung , Trapl Erika S , Borawski Elaine , Matlack Kristen , Freedman Darcy A
Published: August 2017

Objective

Access to nutritious foods is key to achieving health promotion goals. While there is evidence that nutritious food access is complex, measures assessing multiple domains of access, including spatial-temporal, economic, social, service delivery and personal, are lacking. The current study evaluates psychometric properties of scales designed to measure perceptions of multiple domains of nutritious food access among low-income populations.

Design

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2015. Eighty-one items were selected or developed to represent five domains of nutritious food access for food shopping overall and specific to shopping at farmers’ markets. Evaluation of the items included exploratory factor analysis within each domain and internal consistency reliability for each of the sub-scales.

Setting

Data were collected in seventeen urban neighbourhoods in Greater Cleveland, Ohio, USA that have high levels of poverty. All participants had access to at least one farmers’ market within 1·6 km (1 mile) of their home to standardize spatial access to nutritious foods.

Subjects

Adults (n 304) receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Results

Each domain included multiple sub-domains: spatial-temporal (four), service delivery (two), economic (two), social (three) and personal (three), for a total of fourteen subdomains. The internal consistency reliability for one of the sub-domains was outstanding (>0·90), seven were excellent (0·80–0·89), five were very good (0·70–0·79) and one scale had poor reliability (0·58).

Conclusions

Multiple sub-domains of nutritious food access can be assessed using short measures that have been tested for internal consistency. These measures are suitable for assessing the complex phenomena of nutritious food access among low-income populations.
Population-attributable risk estimates for factors associated with inappropriate complementary feeding practices in The Gambia
Authors: Issaka Abukari I , Agho Kingsley E , Ezeh Osita K , Renzaho Andre MN
Published: August 2017

Objective

The present cross-sectional study aimed to determine population-attributable risk (PAR) estimates for factors associated with inappropriate complementary feeding practices in The Gambia.

Design

The study examined the first and most recent Demographic and Health Survey of The Gambia (GDHS 2013). The four complementary feeding indicators recommended by the WHO were examined against a set of individual-, household- and community-level factors, using multilevel logistic analysis. PAR estimates were obtained for each factor associated with inappropriate complementary feeding practices in the final multivariate logistic regression model.

Setting

The Gambia.

Subjects

Last-born children (n2362) aged 6–23 months.

Results

Inadequate meal frequency was attributed to 20 % (95 % CI 15·5 %, 24·2 %) of children belonging to the youngest age group (6–11 months) and 9 % (95 % CI 3·2 %, 12·5 %) of children whose mothers were aged less than 20 years at the time of their birth. Inadequate dietary diversity was attributed to 26 % (95 % CI 1·9 %, 37·8 %) of children who were born at home and 20 % (95 % CI 8·3, 29·5 %) of children whose mothers had no access to the radio. Inadequate introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods was attributed to 30 % (95 % CI 7·2 %, 38·9 %) of children from poor households.

Conclusions

Findings of the study suggest the need for community-based public health nutrition interventions to improve the nutritional status of Gambian children, which should focus on sociocultural and economic factors that negatively impact on complementary feeding practices early in infancy (6–11 months).
Association of eating out with bone density in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Yu-Hung , Lin Chao-Cheng , Lin Ching-I , Lin Shyh-Hsiang
Published: August 2017

Objective

The present study analysed data derived from the 2004–2008 Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan, conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, to understand the relationship among eating-out behaviour, related non-nutritional factors and osteopenia in the Taiwanese population.

Design/Setting/Subjects

Data of 1140 adults who had been evaluated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in June 2007 were included. The data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics to determine the association of osteopenia with the frequency of eating out, demographic variables (i.e. age, sex, level of education, marital status and place of birth), BMI, waist circumference and food consumption.

Results

Gender, age, education level, personal income and waist circumference were all factors found to be significantly associated with eating-out frequency and the incidence of osteopenia. Eating-out frequency was negatively associated with the incidence of osteopenia. Individuals with BMI>27 kg/m2had a lower frequency of eating out and a lower incidence of osteopenia. Individuals with a lower monthly income had a significantly greater chance of developing osteopenia. Men living without spouses had significantly higher chances of osteopenia. Ca intake was negatively associated with breakfast eating-out frequency.

Conclusions

Eating-out frequency was not associated with an increasing incidence of osteopenia, but affected the Ca intake in the Taiwanese population. Having a balanced selection of food is crucial to reduce the incidence of osteopenia. Improving nutritional knowledge for those under higher risk of osteopenia is necessary to prevent osteopenia and Ca deficiency.
Microstructural Characterization of Solid State Reaction Phase Formed During Sintering of Hexagonal Boron Nitride with Iron
Authors: Furlan Kaline P. , Consoni Deise R. , Leite Breno , Dias Matheus V. G. , Klein Aloisio N.
Published: August 2017

In the development of dry self-lubricating composites, not only solid lubricant particle size and distribution are important, but also the correct selection of the solid lubricant characteristics, which should be stable, i.e. not reactive, during the whole processing. In this work, Fe+9 vol% h-BN composites were produced by uniaxial cold compaction and sintering, for which a reaction between h-BN and iron was detected after sintering at 1,150°C. The reaction phase was characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy and identified by X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The newly formed phase had high hardness when compared with the iron matrix. The resulting composites presented a high friction coefficient and high wear.
Sleep patterning changes in a prenatal stress model of depression
Authors: Sickmann H. M. , Skoven C. , Bastlund J. F. , Dyrby T. B. , Plath N. , Kohlmeier K. A. , Kristensen M. P.
Published: August 2017

Clinical depression is accompanied by changes in sleep patterning, which is controlled in a circadian fashion. It is thus desirable that animal models of depression mirror such diurnally-specific state alterations, along with other behavioral and physiological changes. We previously found several changes in behavior indicative of a depression-like phenotype in offspring of rats subjected to repeated, variable prenatal stress (PNS), including increased locomotor activity during specific periods of the circadian cycle. We, therefore, investigated whether PNS rats also exhibit alterations in sleep/wakefulness behavior around the change from light-to-dark phase. Control and PNS Sprague–Dawley rats were implanted with electrodes for continuous monitoring of electroencephalic activity used to determine behavioral state. The distribution of slow-wave sleep (SWS), rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) and wakefulness was compared for periods before and after lights were turned off, between baseline conditions and after exposure to an acute stressor. Both REMS and SWS amounts were increased in PNS rats relative to control animals in the beginning of the dark phase. REMS changes were due to an increase in REMS bout number, rather than in bout duration. During this circadian time period, we did not find any sex differences in the state changes. These results indicate that PNS affects baseline sleep patterning in both male and female rats around active-phase onset.
Should Chimpanzees Have Standing? The Case for Pursuing Legal Personhood for Non-Human Animals
Authors: Staker Alexia
Published: August 2017

Examples abound of national and international legal developments that indicate growing concern and respect for animals. However, a key barrier remains: animals are not recognized as legal persons and therefore do not have standing to pursue independent legal action. This significantly limits the scope for legal redress when animals’ interests are harmed. This article examines recent attempts in the United States and Europe to establish standing for animals via strategic litigation and the barriers that have so far undermined this project. The article argues that, despite their lack of success to date, cases that seek to establish standing for animals should continue to be pursued. Societal views about the value of animals’ lives are continually evolving such that these cases may soon be successful. Furthermore, even if unsuccessful, these cases help in creating the socio-cultural space required to redefine the human–animal divide and potentially transform animals into rights bearers.
Spent Coffee Grounds as Air-Propelled Abrasive Grit for Weed Control in Organic Production
Authors: Forcella Frank
Published: August 2017

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) represent a significant food waste residue. Value-added uses for this material would be beneficial. Gritty agricultural residues, such as corncob grit, can be employed as abrasive air-propelled agents for organically-compatible and selective shredding of weed seedlings within established crops. SCG were tested and compared with corncob grit for their ability to injure seedlings of two important weeds: waterhemp and velvetleaf. Waterhemp seedlings were controlled completely with as little as 0.5 g of SCG at an air pressure of 690 kPa. Velvetleaf seedlings were much larger than those of waterhemp at the time of grit application, better tolerated SCG abrasion, but still were damaged appreciably by 1 to 2 g of grit. SCG were at least as effective for abrading weed seedlings as corncob grit, whose value for this purpose in organic crops was demonstrated previously.
Variable Tolerance among Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Biotypes to Glyphosate, 2,4-D Amine, and Premix Formulation of Glyphosate plus 2,4-D Choline (Enlist Duo®) Herbicide
Authors: Spaunhorst Douglas J. , Johnson William G.
Published: August 2017

Adoption of soybean that is resistant to 2,4-D will result in more use of glyphosate plus 2,4-D premixes and tank mixtures. Preliminary whole-plant greenhouse assays confirm most Palmer amaranth populations found in Indiana are glyphosate-resistant (GR), and some biotypes exhibit tolerance to 2,4-D amine. Dose–response experiments were conducted to determine the level of glyphosate resistance and 2,4-D amine tolerance in four Palmer amaranth biotypes. A premix formulation of glyphosate plus 2,4-D choline was also evaluated. The R1, R2, and R3 biotypes were 31- to 66-fold more resistant to glyphosate (R:S ratio) than the S1 biotype based on the herbicide dose to cause 90% mortality (LD90). The maximum POST rate of the premix formulation of Enlist Duo®labeled in ‘Enlist®’soybean is 2,195 g ae ha−1. When separated by active ingredient, the maximum POST rate of Enlist Duo®is equivalent to 1,141 and 1,054 g ae ha−1of glyphosate and 2,4-D choline, respectively. In the absence of glyphosate, the maximum rate of 2,4-D (1,054 g ae ha−1) in the premix formulation of Enlist Duo®controlled S1, R2, and R3 biotypes, but failed to control all plants from the R1 biotype. Estimates for LD90showed the R1 biotype was 3-fold more tolerant than the S1 biotype to 2,4-D amine. However, no plants survived the 1,155 g ae ha−1(600 g ae ha−1of glyphosate plus 555 g ae ha−12,4-D) treatment with the premix formulation of glyphosate plus 2,4-D choline. Overall, results from this experiment suggest GR Palmer amaranth that also exhibits increased tolerance to 2,4-D amine will be difficult to control with glyphosate or 2,4-D alone, but can be controlled POST with Enlist Duo®at lower than labeled field rates (1,618 to 2,195 g ae ha−1).
Dynamic plasticity in phototransduction regulates seasonal changes in color perception
Authors: Shimmura Tsuyoshi , Nakayama Tomoya , Shinomiya Ai , Fukamachi Shoji , Yasugi Masaki , Watanabe Eiji , Shimo Takayuki , Senga Takumi , Nishimura Toshiya , Tanaka Minoru , Kamei Yasuhiro , Naruse Kiyoshi , Yoshimura Takashi
Published: August 2017

To cope with seasonal changes in the environment, organisms adapt their physiology and behavior. Although color perception varies among seasons, the underlying molecular basis and its physiological significance remain unclear. Here we show that dynamic plasticity in phototransduction regulates seasonal changes in color perception in medaka fish. Medaka are active and exhibit clear phototaxis in conditions simulating summer, but remain at the bottom of the tank and fail to exhibit phototaxis in conditions simulating winter. Mate preference tests using virtual fish created with computer graphics demonstrate that medaka are more attracted to orange-red-colored model fish in summer than in winter. Transcriptome analysis of the eye reveals dynamic seasonal changes in the expression of genes encoding photopigments and their downstream pathways. Behavioral analysis of photopigment-null fish shows significant differences from wild type, suggesting that plasticity in color perception is crucial for the emergence of seasonally regulated behaviors.
Evidence of spontaneous vortex ground state in an iron-based ferromagnetic superconductor
Authors: Jiao Wen-He , Tao Qian , Ren Zhi , Liu Yi , Cao Guang-Han
Published: August 2017

Spontaneous vortex phase (SVP) is an exotic quantum matter in which quantized superconducting vortices form in the absence of external magnetic field. Although being predicted theoretically nearly 40 years ago, its rigorous experimental verification still appears to be lacking. Here we present low-field magnetic measurements on single crystals of the iron-based ferromagnetic superconductor Eu(Fe0.91Rh0.09)2As2 which undergoes a superconducting transition at Tsc = 19.6 K followed by a magnetic transition at Tm = 16.8 K. We observe a characteristic first-order transition from a Meissner state within Tm < T < Tsc to an SVP below Tm, under a magnetic field approaching zero. Additional isothermal magnetization and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements at $$T \ll {T_{{\rm{sc}}}}$$
T
≪

T

sc

confirm that the system is intrinsically in a spontaneous-vortex ground state. The unambiguous demonstration of SVP in the title material lays a solid foundation for future imaging and spectroscopic studies on this intriguing quantum matter.
Probing the potential of mucus permeability to signify preterm birth risk
Authors: Smith-Dupont K. B. , Wagner C. E. , Witten J. , Conroy K. , Rudoltz H. , Pagidas K. , Snegovskikh V. , House M. , Ribbeck K.
Published: August 2017

Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality, and is frequently associated with intra-amniotic infection hypothesized to arise from bacterial ascension across a dysfunctional cervical mucus plug. To study this dysfunction, we assessed the permeability of cervical mucus from non-pregnant ovulating (n = 20) and high- (n = 9) and low-risk (n = 16) pregnant women to probes of varying sizes and surface chemistries. We found that the motion of negatively charged, carboxylated microspheres in mucus from pregnant patients was significantly restricted compared to ovulating patients, but not significantly different between high- and low-risk pregnant women. In contrast, charged peptide probes small enough to avoid steric interactions, but sensitive to the biochemical modifications of mucus components exhibited significantly different transport profiles through mucus from high- and low-risk patients. Thus, although both microstructural rearrangements of the components of mucus as well as biochemical modifications to their adhesiveness may alter the overall permeability of the cervical mucus plug, our findings suggest that the latter mechanism plays a dominant role in the impairment of the function of this barrier during preterm birth. We expect that these probes may be readily adapted to study the mechanisms underlying disease progression on all mucosal epithelia, including those in the mouth, lungs, and gut.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Blood Pressure Traits by Hispanic/Latino Background: the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos
Authors: Sofer Tamar , Wong Quenna , Hartwig Fernando P. , Taylor Kent , Warren Helen R. , Evangelou Evangelos , Cabrera Claudia P. , Levy Daniel , Kramer Holly , Lange Leslie A. , Horta Bernardo L. ,   COGENT-BP consortium, Liang Jingjing , Le Thu H. , Edwards Digna R. Velez , Tayo Bamidele O. , Gaulton Kyle J. , Smith Jennifer A. , Lu Yingchang , Jensen Richard A. , Chen Guanjie , Yanek Lisa R. , Schwander Karen , Tajuddin Salman M. , Kim Wonji , Kayima James , McKenzie Colin A. , Fox Ervin , Nalls Michael A. , Young Hunter J. , Sun Yan , Lane Jacqueline M. , Cechova Sylvia , Zhou Jie , Tang Hua , Fornage Myriam , Musani Solomon K. , Wang Heming , Lee Juyoung , Adeyemo Adebowale , Dreisbach Albert W. , Forrester Terrence , Chu Pei-Lun , Cappola Anne , Evans Michele K. , Morrison Alanna C. , Martin Lisa W. , Wiggins Kerri L. , Hui Qin , Zhao Wei , Jackson Rebecca D. , Ware Erin B. , Faul Jessica D. , Bray Michael , Danny Joshua C. , Mosley Thomas H. , Palmas Walter , Guo Xiuqing , Papanicolaou George J. , Penman Alan D. , Polak Joseph F. , Rice Kenneth , Boerwinkle Eric , Bottinger Erwin P. , Liu Kiang , Risch Neil , Hunt Steven C. , Kooperberg Charles , Zonderman Alan B. , Laurie Cathy C. , Becker Diane M. , Cai Jianwen , Loos Ruth J. F. , Psaty Bruce M. , Weir David R. , Kardia Sharon L. R. , Arnett Donna K , Won Sungho , Edwards Todd L. , Redline Susan , Cooper Richard S. , Rao D. C. , Rotimi Charles , Chadravarti Aravinda , Zhu Xiaofeng , Kerr Kathleen F. , Reiner Alex P. , Franceschini Nora
Published: August 2017

Hypertension prevalence varies between ethnic groups, possibly due to differences in genetic, environmental, and cultural determinants. Hispanic/Latino Americans are a diverse and understudied population. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of blood pressure (BP) traits in 12,278 participants from the Hispanics Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). In the discovery phase we identified eight previously unreported BP loci. In the replication stage, we tested these loci in the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study of admixed Southern Brazilians, the COGENT-BP study of African descent, women of European descent from the Women Health Initiative (WHI), and a sample of European descent from the UK Biobank. No loci met the Bonferroni-adjusted level of statistical significance (0.0024). Two loci had marginal evidence of replication: rs78701042 (NGF) with diastolic BP (P = 0.008 in the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study), and rs7315692 (SLC5A8) with systolic BP (P = 0.007 in European ancestry replication). We investigated whether previously reported loci associated with BP in studies of European, African, and Asian ancestry generalize to Hispanics/Latinos. Overall, 26% of the known associations in studies of individuals of European and Chinese ancestries generalized, while only a single association previously discovered in a people of African descent generalized.
Himalayan glaciers experienced significant mass loss during later phases of little ice age
Authors: Shekhar Mayank , Bhardwaj Anshuman , Singh Shaktiman , Ranhotra Parminder S. , Bhattacharyya Amalava , Pal Ashish K. , Roy Ipsita , Martín-Torres F. Javier , Zorzano María-Paz
Published: August 2017

To date, there is a gap in the data about the state and mass balance of glaciers in the climate-sensitive subtropical regions during the Little Ice Age (LIA). Here, based on an unprecedented tree-ring sampling coverage, we present the longest reconstructed mass balance record for the Western Himalayan glaciers, dating to 1615. Our results confirm that the later phase of LIA was substantially briefer and weaker in the Himalaya than in the Arctic and subarctic regions. Furthermore, analysis of the time-series of the mass-balance against other time-series shows clear evidence of the existence of (i) a significant glacial decay and a significantly weaker magnitude of glaciation during the latter half of the LIA; (ii) a weak regional mass balance dependence on either the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) or the Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) taken in isolation, but a considerable combined influence of both of them during the LIA; and (iii) in addition to anthropogenic climate change, the strong effect from the increased yearly concurrence of extremely high TSI with El Niño over the past five decades, resulting in severe glacial mass loss. The generated mass balance time-series can serve as a source of reliable reconstructed data to the scientific community.
Highly oxidising fluids generated during serpentinite breakdown in subduction zones
Authors: Debret B. , Sverjensky D. A.
Published: August 2017

Subduction zones facilitate chemical exchanges between Earth’s deep interior and volcanism that affects habitability of the surface environment. Lavas erupted at subduction zones are oxidized and release volatile species. These features may reflect a modification of the oxidation state of the sub-arc mantle by hydrous, oxidizing sulfate and/or carbonate-bearing fluids derived from subducting slabs. But the reason that the fluids are oxidizing has been unclear. Here we use theoretical chemical mass transfer calculations to predict the redox state of fluids generated during serpentinite dehydration. Specifically, the breakdown of antigorite to olivine, enstatite, and chlorite generates fluids with high oxygen fugacities, close to the hematite-magnetite buffer, that can contain significant amounts of sulfate. The migration of these fluids from the slab to the mantle wedge could therefore provide the oxidized source for the genesis of primary arc magmas that release gases to the atmosphere during volcanism. Our results also show that the evolution of oxygen fugacity in serpentinite during subduction is sensitive to the amount of sulfides and potentially metal alloys in bulk rock, possibly producing redox heterogeneities in subducting slabs.
Gold nanoparticles approach to detect chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid urothelial coating
Authors: Guelfi Gabriella , Stefanetti Valentina , Zampini Danilo , Oommen Oommen P. , Brecchia Gabriele , Dall’Aglio Cecilia , Arcelli Rolando , Cochetti Giovanni , Boni Andrea , Mearini Ettore
Published: August 2017

This study investigated the location of hyaluronic acid (HA)- and chondroitin sulphate (CS)-coated gold nanoparticles in rabbit bladder and evaluated gene expression of CD44, RHAMM and ICAM-1 receptors involved in HA and CS transport into the cell. Gold nanoparticles were synthesised by reduction of gold salts with HA or CS to form HA-AuNPs and CS-AuNPs. Bladder samples were incubated with CS-AuNPs and HA-AuNPs or without glycosaminoglycans. Transmission electron microscopy, optic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the location of the synthesised AuNPs. Real-time PCR was used to analyse expression of urothelial cell receptors CD44, RHAMM, ICAM-1, after ex vivo administration of CS-AuNPs and HA-AuNPs. We showed that HA-AuNPs and CS-AuNPs were located in the cytoplasm and tight junctions of urothelial umbrella cells; this appearance was absent in untreated bladders. There were no significant differences in gene expression levels for CD44, RHAMM and ICAM-1 receptors in treated versus control bladder tissues. In conclusion, we clearly showed the presence of exogenous GAGs in the bladder surface and the tight junctions between umbrella cells, which is important in the regeneration pathway of the urothelium. The GAGs-AuNPs offer a promising approach to understanding the biophysical properties and imaging of urothelial tissue.
Phenotyping and susceptibility of established porcine cells lines to African Swine Fever Virus infection and viral production
Authors: Sánchez Elena G. , Riera Elena , Nogal Marisa , Gallardo Carmina , Fernández Paloma , Bello-Morales Raquel , López-Guerrero José Antonio , Chitko-McKown Carol G. , Richt Jürgen A. , Revilla Yolanda
Published: August 2017

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly pathogenic, double-stranded DNA virus with a marked tropism for cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage, affecting swine species and provoking severe economic losses and health threats. In the present study, four established porcine cell lines, IPAM-WT, IPAM-CD163, C∆2+ and WSL, were compared to porcine alveolar macrophage (PAM) in terms of surface marker phenotype, susceptibility to ASFV infection and virus production. The virulent ASFV Armenia/07, E70 or the naturally attenuated NHV/P68 strains were used as viral models. Cells expressed only low levels of specific receptors linked to the monocyte/macrophage lineage, with low levels of infection overall, with the exception of WSL, which showed more efficient production of strain NHV/P68 but not of strains E70 and Armenia/07.
Anisotropic resonance modes emerging in an antiferromagnetic superconducting state
Authors: Waßer F. , Lee C. H. , Kihou K. , Steffens P. , Schmalzl K. , Qureshi N. , Braden M.
Published: August 2017

Two strong arguments in favor of magnetically driven unconventional superconductivity arise from the coexistence and closeness of superconducting and magnetically ordered phases on the one hand, and from the emergence of magnetic spin-resonance modes at the superconducting transition on the other hand. Combining these two arguments one may ask about the nature of superconducting spin-resonance modes occurring in an antiferromagnetic state. This problem can be studied in underdoped BaFe2 As2, for which the local coexistence of large moment antiferromagnetism and superconductivity is well established by local probes. However, polarized neutron scattering experiments are required to identify the nature of the resonance modes. In the normal state of Co underdoped BaFe2 As2 the antiferromagnetic order results in broad magnetic gaps opening in all three spin directions that are reminiscent of the magnetic response in the parent compound. In the superconducting state two distinct anisotropic resonance excitations emerge, but in contrast to numerous studies on optimum and over-doped BaFe2 As2 there is no isotropic resonance excitation. The two anisotropic resonance modes appearing within the antiferromagnetic phase are attributed to a band selective superconducting state, in which longitudinal magnetic excitations are gapped by antiferromagnetic order with sizable moment.
Lipidomic dysregulation within the lung parenchyma following whole-thorax lung irradiation: Markers of injury, inflammation and fibrosis detected by MALDI-MSI
Authors: Carter Claire L. , Jones Jace W. , Farese Ann M. , MacVittie Thomas J. , Kane Maureen A.
Published: August 2017

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is a delayed effect of acute radiation exposure that can limit curative cancer treatment therapies and cause lethality following high-dose whole-thorax lung irradiation (WTLI). To date, the exact mechanisms of injury development following insult remain ill-defined and there are no FDA approved pharmaceutical agents or medical countermeasures. Traditionally, RILI development is considered as three phases, the clinically latent period, the intermediate acute pneumonitis phase and the later fibrotic stage. Utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging, we identified a number of lipids that were reflective of disease state or injury. Lipids play central roles in metabolism and cell signaling, and thus reflect the phenotype of the tissue environment, making these molecules pivotal biomarkers in many disease processes. We detected decreases in specific surfactant lipids irrespective of the different pathologies that presented within each sample at 180 days post whole-thorax lung irradiation. We also detected regional increases in ether-linked phospholipids that are the precursors of PAF, and global decreases in lipids that were reflective of severe fibrosis. Taken together our results provide panels of lipids that can differentiate between naïve and irradiated samples, as well as providing potential markers of inflammation and fibrosis.
Comparative secretome analysis of Rhizoctonia solani isolates with different host ranges reveals unique secretomes and cell death inducing effectors
Authors: Anderson Jonathan P. , Sperschneider Jana , Win Joe , Kidd Brendan , Yoshida Kentaro , Hane James , Saunders Diane G. O. , Singh Karam B.
Published: August 2017

Rhizoctonia solani is a fungal pathogen causing substantial damage to many of the worlds’ largest food crops including wheat, rice, maize and soybean. Despite impacting global food security, little is known about the pathogenicity mechanisms employed by R. solani. To enable prediction of effectors possessing either broad efficacy or host specificity, a combined secretome was constructed from a monocot specific isolate, a dicot specific isolate and broad host range isolate infecting both monocot and dicot hosts. Secretome analysis suggested R. solani employs largely different virulence mechanisms to well-studied pathogens, despite in many instances infecting the same host plants. Furthermore, the secretome of the broad host range AG8 isolate may be shaped by maintaining functions for saprophytic life stages while minimising opportunities for host plant recognition. Analysis of possible co-evolution with host plants and in-planta up-regulation in particular, aided identification of effectors including xylanase and inhibitor I9 domain containing proteins able to induce cell death in-planta. The inhibitor I9 domain was more abundant in the secretomes of a wide range of necrotising fungi relative to biotrophs. These findings provide novel targets for further dissection of the virulence mechanisms and potential avenues to control this under-characterised but important pathogen.
Near-source high-rate GPS, strong motion and InSAR observations to image the 2015 Lefkada (Greece) Earthquake rupture history
Authors: Avallone Antonio , Cirella Antonella , Cheloni Daniele , Tolomei Cristiano , Theodoulidis Nikos , Piatanesi Alessio , Briole Pierre , Ganas Athanassios
Published: August 2017

The 2015/11/17 Lefkada (Greece) earthquake ruptured a segment of the Cephalonia Transform Fault (CTF) where probably the penultimate major event was in 1948. Using near-source strong motion and high sampling rate GPS data and Sentinel-1A SAR images on two tracks, we performed the inversion for the geometry, slip distribution and rupture history of the causative fault with a three-step self-consistent procedure, in which every step provided input parameters for the next one. Our preferred model results in a ~70° ESE-dipping and ~13° N-striking fault plane, with a strike-slip mechanism (rake ~169°) in agreement with the CTF tectonic regime. This model shows a bilateral propagation spanning ~9 s with the activation of three main slip patches, characterized by rise time and peak slip velocity in the ranges 2.5–3.5 s and 1.4–2.4 m/s, respectively, corresponding to 1.2–1.8 m of slip which is mainly concentrated in the shallower (<10 km) southern half of the causative fault. The inferred slip distribution and the resulting seismic moment (M0 = 1.05 × 1019N m) suggest a magnitude ofMw6.6. Our best solution suggests that the occurrence of large (Mw > 6) earthquakes to the northern and to the southern boundaries of the 2015 causative fault cannot be excluded.
Developing cost-effective seismic mineral exploration methods using a landstreamer and a drophammer
Authors: Malehmir Alireza , Maries Georgiana , Bäckström Emma , Schön Monika , Marsden Paul
Published: August 2017

To be fully embraced into mineral exploration, seismic data require to be acquired fast, cheaper and with minimum environmental impacts addressing also the often brown-field highly noisy environment where these surveys are employed. Since 2013 and through a number of case studies, we have been testing a newly developed for urban environment, digital-based 240 m long, seismic landstreamer for mine planning and mineral exploration purposes. Here, we present a pilot study examining the potential of the streamer for deep targeting a known, down to approximately 850 m depth, iron-oxide mineralization in the Bergslagen mineral district of central Sweden. Combined streamer (100-3C-MEMS (micro-electromechanical system), 2–4 m spacing) and 75 wireless recorders (mixed 10 Hz and MEMS, 10 m spacing) were used. A Bobcat-mounted drophammer, 500 kg, was used to generate the seismic signal. Within 4 days, approximately 3.5 km of seismic data using 2–10 m source and receiver spacing were acquired. Reflection data processing results clearly image the mineralization as a set of strong high-amplitude reflections and likely slightly extending beyond the known 850 m depth. This is encouraging and suggests such a cost-effective exploration method can be used in the area and elsewhere to delineate similar depth range iron-oxide deposits.
High-fat diet increases pain behaviors in rats with or without obesity
Authors: Song Zongbin , Xie Wenrui , Chen Sisi , Strong Judith A. , Print Mason S. , Wang Joy I. , Shareef Aleeya F. , Ulrich-Lai Yvonne M. , Zhang Jun-Ming
Published: August 2017

Obesity is associated with increased risk for chronic pain. Basic mechanisms for this association are poorly understood. Using a milder version of a radicular pain model, local inflammation of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), we observed marked increases in mechanical and cold allodynia in rats of both sexes that were maintained on a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks prior to DRG inflammation. Notably, this increase in pain-related behaviors occurred in both Long-Evans and Sprague-Dawley rats despite the fact that the 6-week HFD exposure induced obesity (e.g., increased insulin, leptin, weight, and percent body fat) in the Long-Evans, but not Sprague-Dawley, strains. This suggested that HFD, rather than obesity per se, increased pain behaviors. Increased pain behaviors were observed even after a much shorter (1 week) exposure to the HFD but the effect was smaller. HFD also increased behavioral responses and paw swelling to paw injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant, a model of peripheral inflammatory pain. No change was detected in plasma cytokine levels in HFD rats. However, increased macrophage infiltration of the DRG was observed in response to the HFD, absent any pain model. The results suggest that HFD can increase pain even when it does not cause obesity.
Voice cues are used in a similar way by blind and sighted adults when assessing women’s body size
Authors: Pisanski Katarzyna , Feinberg David , Oleszkiewicz Anna , Sorokowska Agnieszka
Published: August 2017

Humans’ ability to gauge another person’s body size from their voice alone may serve multiple functions ranging from threat assessment to speaker normalization. However, how this ability is acquired remains unknown. In two experiments we tested whether sighted, congenitally blind and late blind adults could accurately judge the relative heights of women from paired voice stimuli, and importantly, whether errors in size estimation varied with task difficulty across gr﻿oups. Both blind (n = 56) and sighted (n = 61) listeners correctly judged women’s relative heights on approximately 70% of low difficulty trials, corroborating previous findings for judging men’s he﻿ights. However, accuracy dropped to chance levels for intermediate difficulty trials and to 25% for high difficulty trials, regardless of the listener’s sightedness, duration of vision loss, sex, or age. Thus, blind adults estimated women’s height with the same degree of accuracy, but also the same pattern of errors, as did sighted controls. Our findings provide further evidence that visual experience is not necessary for accurate body size estimation. Rather, both blind and sighted listeners appear to follow a general rule, mapping low auditory frequencies to largeness across a range of contexts. This sound-size mapping emerges without visual experience, and is likely very important for humans.
Protective immunity differs between routes of administration of attenuated malaria parasites independent of parasite liver load
Authors: Haeberlein Simone , Chevalley-Maurel Séverine , Ozir-Fazalalikhan Arifa , Koppejan Hester , Winkel Beatrice M. F. , Ramesar Jai , Khan Shahid M. , Sauerwein Robert W. , Roestenberg Meta , Janse Chris J. , Smits Hermelijn H. , Franke-Fayard Blandine
Published: August 2017

In humans and murine models of malaria, intradermal immunization (ID-I) with genetically attenuated sporozoites that arrest in liver induces lower protective immunity than intravenous immunization (IV-I). It is unclear whether this difference is caused by fewer sporozoites migrating into the liver or by suboptimal hepatic and injection site-dependent immune responses. We therefore developed a Plasmodium yoelii immunization/boost/challenge model to examine parasite liver loads as well as hepatic and lymph node immune responses in protected and unprotected ID-I and IV-I animals. Despite introducing the same numbers of genetically attenuated parasites in the liver, ID-I resulted in lower sterile protection (53–68%) than IV-I (93–95%). Unprotected mice developed less sporozoite-specific CD8+ and CD4+ effector T-cell responses than protected mice. After immunization, ID-I mice showed more interleukin-10-producing B and T cells in livers and skin-draining lymph nodes, but fewer hepatic CD8 memory T cells and CD8+ dendritic cells compared to IV-I mice. Our results indicate that the lower protection efficacy obtained by intradermal sporozoite administration is not linked to low hepatic parasite numbers as presumed before, but correlates with a shift towards regulatory immune responses. Overcoming these immune suppressive responses is important not only for live-attenuated malaria vaccines but also for other live vaccines administered in the skin.
Interleukin-17A is involved in mechanical hyperalgesia but not in the severity of murine antigen-induced arthritis
Authors: Ebbinghaus Matthias , Natura Gabriel , Segond von Banchet Gisela , Hensellek Susanne , Böttcher Martin , Hoffmann Birgit , Salah Firas Subhi , Gajda Mieczyslaw , Kamradt Thomas , Schaible Hans-Georg
Published: August 2017

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is considered an important pro-inflammatory cytokine but its importance in joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unclear. It has also been reported that IL-17A may induce pain but it is unclear whether pro-inflammatory and pro-nociceptive effects are linked. Here we studied in wild type (WT) and IL-17A knockout (IL-17AKO) mice inflammation and hyperalgesia in antigen-induced arthritis (AIA). We found that the severity and time course of AIA were indistinguishable in WT and IL-17AKO mice. Furthermore, the reduction of inflammation by sympathectomy, usually observed in WT mice, was preserved in IL-17AKO mice. Both findings suggest that IL-17A is redundant in AIA pathology. However, in the course of AIA IL-17AKO mice showed less mechanical hyperalgesia than WT mice indicating that IL-17A contributes to pain even if it is not crucial for arthritis pathology. In support for a role of IL-17A and other members of the IL-17 family in the generation of pain we found that sensory neurones in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) express all IL-17 receptor subtypes. Furthermore, in isolated DRG neurones most IL-17 isoforms increased tetrodotoxin- (TTX-) resistant sodium currents which indicate a role of IL-17 members in inflammation-evoked sensitization of sensory nociceptive neurones.
Physico-chemical characterization of Antheraea mylitta silk mats for wound healing applications
Authors: Darshan G. H. , Kong Dexu , Gautrot Julien , Vootla Shyamkumar
Published: August 2017

In the field of plastic reconstructive surgery, development of new innovative matrices for skin repair is in demand. The ideal biomaterial should promote attachment, proliferation and growth of cells. Additionally, it should degrade in an appropriate time period without releasing harmful substances, not exerting a pathological immune response. The materials used should display optimized mechanical properties to sustain cell growth and limit scaffold contraction. Wound healing is a biological process directed towards restoration of tissue that has suffered an injury. An important phase of wound healing is the generation of a basal epithelium wholly replacing the epidermis of the wound. Wild silk from Antheraea mylitta meets these demands to a large extent. To evaluate the effects of the treatment, Antheraea mylitta and Bombyx mori samples were characterized by SEM-EDX, FT-IR, XRD and TGA-DSC techniques. Preliminary cell growth behavior was carried out by culturing epidermal cells and proliferation was quantified via viability assay. Moreover, Antheraea mylitta possesses excellent cell-adhesive capability, effectively promoting cell attachment and proliferation. Antheraea mylitta serves as a delivery vehicle for cells. With all these unique features, it is expected that Antheraea mylitta mat will have wide utility in the areas of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
New insights about functional and cross-reactive properties of antibodies generated against recombinant TbpBs of Haemophilus parasuis
Authors: Barasuol Bibiana Martins , Guizzo João Antônio , Fegan Jamie Elisabeth , Martínez-Martínez Sonia , Rodríguez-Ferri Elías Fernando , Gutiérrez-Martín César Bernardo , Kreutz Luiz Carlos , Schryvers Anthony Bernard , Frandoloso Rafael
Published: August 2017

Vaccines have become fundamental in the control and elimination of Glässer Disease, a systemic disease of pigs caused by Haemophilus parasuis. The classic vaccines available for prevention of this infection were developed without a robust knowledge about host immunological mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrated the presence of cross-reactive epitopes on both the N-lobe and C-lobe of variants of transferrin binding protein B (TbpBs) expressed on the surface of 6 virulent serovars of H. parasuis. Antibodies against TbpB-derived antigens were capable of increasing the phagocytic capacity of neutrophils and were also capable of blocking porcine transferrin from binding to TbpB. Surprisingly, none of the pig or mice antisera from animals immunized with TbpB-derived antigens mixed with Montanide IMS 2215 VG PR adjuvant were able to activate the classical complement pathway (CCP). In contrast, antisera from mice immunized with TbpB-derived antigens adjuvanted with Freund’s adjuvants or Montanide Gel 01 were able to activate the CCP and kill H. parasuis. Our results demonstrate that the type of adjuvant can modulate the functional response induced by TbpB-derived antigens. Based on these results, we propose that a properly formulated TbpB-based vaccine may elicit a functional protective antibody response with broad cross-reactivity against heterologous strains of H. parasuis.
Prolonged fasting elicits increased hepatic triglyceride accumulation in rats born to dexamethasone-treated mothers
Authors: Pantaleão Lucas Carminatti , Murata Gilson , Teixeira Caio Jordão , Payolla Tanyara Baliani , Santos-Silva Junia Carolina , Duque-Guimaraes Daniella Esteves , Sodré Frhancielly S. , Lellis-Santos Camilo , Vieira Juliana Camargo , de Souza Dailson Nogueira , Gomes Patrícia Rodrigues , Rodrigues Sandra Campos , Anhe Gabriel Forato , Bordin Silvana
Published: August 2017

We investigated the effect of dexamethasone during the last week of pregnancy on glucose and lipid metabolism in male offspring. Twelve-week old offspring were evaluated after fasting for 12-hours (physiological) and 60-hours (prolonged). Physiological fasting resulted in glucose intolerance, decreased glucose clearance after pyruvate load and increased PEPCK expression in rats born to dexamethasone-treated mothers (DEX). Prolonged fasting resulted in increased glucose tolerance and increased glucose clearance after pyruvate load in DEX. These modulations were accompanied by accumulation of hepatic triglycerides (TG). Sixty-hour fasted DEX also showed increased citrate synthase (CS) activity, ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) content, and pyruvate kinase 2 (pkm2), glucose transporter 1 (slc2a1) and lactate dehydrogenase-a (ldha) expressions. Hepatic AKT2 was increased in 60-hour fasted DEX, in parallel with reduced miRNAs targeting the AKT2 gene. Altogether, we show that metabolic programming by prenatal dexamethasone is characterized by an unexpected hepatic TG accumulation during prolonged fasting. The underlying mechanism may depend on increased hepatic glycolytic flux due to increased pkm2 expression and consequent conversion of pyruvate to non-esterified fatty acid synthesis due to increased CS activity and ACLY levels. Upregulation of AKT2 due to reduced miRNAs may serve as a permanent mechanism leading to increased pkm2 expression.
A Deep Learning-Based Radiomics Model for Prediction of Survival in Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Lao Jiangwei , Chen Yinsheng , Li Zhi-Cheng , Li Qihua , Zhang Ji , Liu Jing , Zhai Guangtao
Published: August 2017

Traditional radiomics models mainly rely on explicitly-designed handcrafted features from medical images. This paper aimed to investigate if deep features extracted via transfer learning can generate radiomics signatures for prediction of overall survival (OS) in patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). This study comprised a discovery data set of 75 patients and an independent validation data set of 37 patients. A total of 1403 handcrafted features and 98304 deep features were extracted from preoperative multi-modality MR images. After feature selection, a six-deep-feature signature was constructed by using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model. A radiomics nomogram was further presented by combining the signature and clinical risk factors such as age and Karnofsky Performance Score. Compared with traditional risk factors, the proposed signature achieved better performance for prediction of OS (C-index = 0.710, 95% CI: 0.588, 0.932) and significant stratification of patients into prognostically distinct groups (P < 0.001, HR = 5.128, 95% CI: 2.029, 12.960). The combined model achieved improved predictive performance (C-index = 0.739). Our study demonstrates that transfer learning-based deep features are able to generate prognostic imaging signature for OS prediction and patient stratification for GBM, indicating the potential of deep imaging feature-based biomarker in preoperative care of GBM patients.