bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uterine Sarkome
Authors: Denschlag Dominik , Thiel Falk , Beckmann Matthias
Published: May 2017

Uterine Sarkome und maligne Müller‘sche Mischtumore sind mit 3 % und 9 % aller Uterusmalignome sehr seltene Karzinome der Uterusmuskulatur bzw. des uterinen Bindegewebes. Bei fehlenden spezifischen Symptomen sind ein schnell wachsender Uterus in der Postmenopause und Blutungsstörungen bzw. Postmenopausenblutung verdächtig. Die Primärtherapie besteht in der Regel aus der Hysterektomie mit Adnexektomie.

In der Adjuvanz scheinen Müller‘sche Mischtumore auf eine Systemtherapie anzusprechen. Eine Chemotherapie ist beim Leiomyosarkom nicht und beim undifferenzierten endometrialen Stromasarkom fraglich indiziert. Alternativ kann, vor allem bei Hormon-abhängigen „low-grade“-Tumoren und dem endometrialen Stromasarkom, eine endokrine Therapie mit MPA oder Aromatasehemmern erfolgen. Eine adjuvante Radiatio kommt in der Regel nur beim malignen Müller‘schen Mischtumor zur Verbesserung der lokalen Kontrolle zum Einsatz.

In der Rezidivsituation von uterinen Sarkomen bzw. malignen Müller‘schen Mischtumoren sollte primär die operative Komplettresektion zur Prognoseverbesserung angestrebt werden. In der metastasierten Situation ist beim malignen Müller‘schen Mischtumor, Leiomyosarkom und undifferenzierten endometrialen Stromasarkom eine palliative Chemotherapie indiziert.

In der im August 2015 publizierten S2k-Leitlinie für uterine Sarkome ist erstmals für Deutschland eine Leitlinie für diese heterogene Tumorentität erstellt worden.
Antikoagulation bei Risikopatienten
Authors: Zahn Ralf , Kleemann Thomas , Werner Nicolas , Zeymer Uwe
Published: May 2017

Bei Patienten mit Vorhofflimmern und einem CHA2DS2-VASc-Score ≥ 2 sind zur antithrombotischen Therapie die neueren oralen Antikoagulanzien (NOAK) Mittel der ersten Wahl. Ältere Patienten und Patienten mit Niereninsuffizienz stellen ein Risikokollektiv dar, das im Alltag seltener als möglich mit einer antithrombotischen Therapie versorgt wird. Bei älteren Patienten wird oft die Gefahr einer antithrombotischen Therapie überschätzt. Die NOAK sind gerade bei älteren Menschen effektiv und im Alltag leichter zu handhaben als Vitamin-K-Antagonisten. Bei Niereninsuffizienz muss sehr auf die Zulassungsbestimmungen der einzelnen NOAK geachtet und im Grenzbereich häufiger eine Kontrolle der Nierenfunktionswerte durchgeführt werden. Jedoch scheint es unter den NOAK zu einer langsameren Progredienz der Niereninsuffizienz zu kommen im Vergleich zu den Vitamin-K-Antagonisten. Bei Dialysepatienten ist die Datenlage nicht eindeutig, sodass zurzeit keine eindeutigen Empfehlungen zu einer antithrombotischen Therapie gegeben werden können.
The future of societal impact assessment using peer review: pre-evaluation training, consensus building and inter-reviewer reliability
Authors: Derrick Gemma , Samuel Gabrielle
Published: May 2017

There are strong political reasons underpinning the desire to achieve a high level of inter-reviewer reliability (IRR) within peer review panels. Achieving a high level of IRR is synonymous with an efficient review system, and the wider perception of a fair evaluation process. Therefore, there is an arguable role for a more structured approach to the peer review process during a time when evaluators are effectively novices in practice with the criterion, such as with societal impact. This article explores the consequences of a structured peer review process that aimed to increase inter-reviewer reliability within panels charged with assessing societal impact. Using a series of interviews from evaluators from the UK’s Research Excellence Framework conducted before (pre-evaluation) and then again after the completion of the process (post-evaluation), it explores evaluators’ perceptions about how one tool of a structured evaluation process, pre-evaluation training, influenced their approaches to achieving a consensus within the peer review panel. Building on lessons learnt from studies on achieving inter-reviewer reliability and from consensus building with peer review groups, this article debates the benefits of structured peer review processes in cases when the evaluators are unsure of the criterion (as was the case with the Impact criterion), and therefore the risks of a low IRR are increased. In particular, this article explores how individual approaches to assessing Impact were normalized during group deliberation around Impact and how these relate to evaluators’ perceptions of the advice given during the pre-evaluation training. This article is published as part of a collection on the future of research assessment.
Irradiation- vs. vitrification-induced disordering: The case of 𝜶-quartz and glassy silica
Authors: Krishnan N. M. Anoop , Wang Bu , Le Pape Yann , Sant Gaurav , Bauchy Mathieu
Published: May 2017

Irradiation and vitrification can both result in the disordering of minerals. However, it remains unclear whether these effects are comparable or if the glassy state represents an upper limit for irradiation-induced disordering. By reactive molecular dynamics simulations, we compare the structure of irradiated quartz to that of glassy silica. We show that although they share some degree of similarity, the structure of irradiated quartz and glassy silica differs from each other, both at the short- (<3 Å) and the medium-range (>3 Å and <10 Å). In particular, the atomic network of irradiated quartz is found to comprise coordination defects, edge-sharing units, and large rings, which are absent from glassy silica. These results highlight the different nature of irradiation- and vitrification-induced disordering.
Development of a novel precision instrument for high-resolution simultaneous normal and shear force measurements between small planar samples
Authors: Lundstrom Troy , Clark William , Jalili Nader
Published: May 2017

In the design and development of end effector pads for silicon wafer handling robots, it is imperative that the static friction/adhesion force properties of the pads with respect to a variety of planar surfaces be characterized. In this work, the overall design, calibration, and data acquisition procedure of an instrument developed for performing these measurements on small (<10 mm × 10 mm) planar samples is presented. This device was used to perform adhesion/maximum shear force measurements on polydimethylsiloxane, a silicon wafer, and custom carbon nanotubes forest surfaces. The device was successfully able to measure an effective, mean profile adhesion force of 715 μN between a silicon wafer and a polydimethylsiloxane (2.768 × 10−6 m2) sample. In addition, a nonlinear maximum shear over normal force relationship was also measured between custom carbon nanotubes forest and the silicon wafer surfaces. The maximum shear over a normal force coefficient was found to decrease with increasing initial normal force. Currently, there are numerous devices for measuring normal/shear forces at the nano/micro- and macroscales; however, this device allows for the consistent measurement of these same types of forces on components with surface dimensions ranging from 0.1 mm to 10 mm.
Dewetting and spreading transitions for active matter on random pinning substrates
Authors: Sándor Cs. , Libál A. , Reichhardt C. , Olson Reichhardt C. J.
Published: May 2017

We show that sterically interacting self-propelled disks in the presence of random pinning substrates exhibit transitions among a variety of different states. In particular, from a phase separated cluster state, the disks can spread out and homogeneously cover the substrate in what can be viewed as an example of an active matter wetting transition. We map the location of this transition as a function of activity, disk density, and substrate strength, and we also identify other phases including a cluster state, coexistence between a cluster and a labyrinth wetted phase, and a pinned liquid. Convenient measures of these phases include the cluster size, which dips at the wetting-dewetting transition, and the fraction of sixfold coordinated particles, which drops when dewetting occurs.
Phonon scattering mechanisms dictating the thermal conductivity of lead zirconate titanate (PbZr1−xTixO3) thin films across the compositional phase diagram
Authors: Foley Brian M. , Paisley Elizabeth A. , DiAntonio Christopher , Chavez Tom , Blea-Kirby Mia , Brennecka Geoff , Gaskins John T. , Ihlefeld Jon F. , Hopkins Patrick E.
Published: May 2017

This work represents a thorough investigation of the thermal conductivity (κ) in both thin film and bulk PbZr1–xTixO3 (PZT) across the compositional phase diagram. Given the technological importance of PZT as a superb piezoelectric and ferroelectric material in devices and systems impacting a wide array of industries, this research serves to fill the gap in knowledge regarding the thermal properties. The thermal conductivities of both thin film and bulk PZT are found to vary by a considerable margin as a function of composition x. Additionally, we observe a discontinuity in κ in the vicinity of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB, x = 0.48) where there is a 20%–25% decrease in κ in our thin film data, similar to that found in literature data for bulk PZT. The comparison between bulk and thin film materials highlights the sensitivity of κ to size effects such as film thickness and grain size even in disordered alloy/solid-solution materials. A model for the thermal conductivity of PZT as a function of composition (κ(x)) is presented, which enables the application of the virtual crystal approximation for alloy-type material systems with very different crystals structures, resulting in differing temperature trends for κ. We show that in the case of crystalline solid-solutions where the thermal conductivity of one of the parent materials exhibits glass-like temperature trends the compositional dependence of thermal conductivity is relatively constant for most values of x. This is in stark contrast with the typical trends of thermal conductivity with x in alloys, where the thermal conductivity increases dramatically as the composition of the alloy or solid-solution approaches that of a pure parent materials (i.e., as x = 0 or 1).
Transition operators
Authors: Alcock-Zeilinger J. , Weigert H.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we give a generic algorithm of the transition operators between Hermitian Young projection operators corresponding to equivalent irreducible representations of 𝖲𝖴(N), using the compact expressions of Hermitian Young projection operators derived in the work of Alcock-Zeilinger and Weigert [eprint arXiv:1610.10088 [math-ph]]. We show that the Hermitian Young projection operators together with their transition operators constitute a fully orthogonal basis for the algebra of invariants of V⊗m that exhibits a systematically simplified multiplication table. We discuss the full algebra of invariants over V⊗3 and V⊗4 as explicit examples. In our presentation, we make use of various standard concepts, such as Young projection operators, Clebsch-Gordan operators, and invariants (in birdtrack notation). We tie these perspectives together and use them to shed light on each other.
The N-body problem in spaces with uniformly varying curvature
Authors: Boulter Eric , Diacu Florin , Zhu Shuqiang
Published: May 2017

We generalize the curved N-body problem to spheres and hyperbolic spheres whose curvature κ varies in time. Unlike in the particular case when the curvature is constant, the equations of motion are non-autonomous. We first briefly consider the analog of the Kepler problem and then investigate homographic orbits for any number of bodies, proving the existence of several such classes of solutions on spheres. Allowing the curvature to vary in time offers some insight into the effect of an expanding universe in the context of the curved N-body problem, when κ satisfies Hubble’s law. The study of these equations also opens the possibility of finding new connections between classical mechanics and general relativity.
Hybrid mode cesium diode thermionic converter
Authors: Rasor Ned S.
Published: May 2017

In the hybrid mode diode thermionic energy converter (HYTEC), a small-current ignited (arc) discharge from a high work function portion of the isothermal emitter surface maintains the plasma and large output current in an adjacent unignited discharge from a low work function emitter portion with nearly zero arc drop. An approximate phenomenological-analytical model of HYTEC, based on similar models of the individual modes of Cs diode operation, accounts quantitatively for features distinguishing experimentally observed characteristics of HYTEC from those of the Cs diode. This degree of agreement suggests practically achievable HYTEC operation with nearly zero arc drop. The emitter temperature 1400 K, at which practical power density and efficiency are achieved experimentally here, permits use of superalloy hot shells in converters rather than the expensive coated refractory metals required before, which is crucial to economic feasibility for terrestrial applications of thermionic energy conversion. Optimization of the operating parameters identified here should permit the performance of HYTEC to be substantially increased even further.
Proposal for demonstration of long-range cluster state entanglement in the presence of photon loss
Authors: Nutz Thomas , Milne Antony , Shadbolt Pete , Rudolph Terry
Published: May 2017

Photonic cluster states are a crucial resource for optical quantum computing. Recently a quantum dot single photon source has been demonstrated to produce strings of single photons in a small linear cluster state. Sources of this kind could produce much larger cluster states, but high photon loss rates make it impossible to characterize the entanglement generated by quantum state tomography. We present a benchmarking method for such sources that can be used to demonstrate useful long-range entanglement with currently available collection/detection efficiencies below 1%. The measurement of the polarization state of single photons in different bases can provide an estimate for the three-qubit correlation function ⟨ZXZ⟩. This value constrains correlations spanning more than three qubits, which in turn provide a lower bound for the localizable entanglement between any two qubits in the large state produced by the source. Finite localizable entanglement can be established by demonstrating ⟨ZXZ⟩>23. This result enables photonic experiments demonstrating computationally useful entanglement with currently available technology.
Generalized synchronization between chimera states
Authors: Andrzejak Ralph G. , Ruzzene Giulia , Malvestio Irene
Published: May 2017

Networks of coupled oscillators in chimera states are characterized by an intriguing interplay of synchronous and asynchronous motion. While chimera states were initially discovered in mathematical model systems, there is growing experimental and conceptual evidence that they manifest themselves also in natural and man-made networks. In real-world systems, however, synchronization and desynchronization are not only important within individual networks but also across different interacting networks. It is therefore essential to investigate if chimera states can be synchronized across networks. To address this open problem, we use the classical setting of ring networks of non-locally coupled identical phase oscillators. We apply diffusive drive-response couplings between pairs of such networks that individually show chimera states when there is no coupling between them. The drive and response networks are either identical or they differ by a variable mismatch in their phase lag parameters. In both cases, already for weak couplings, the coherent domain of the response network aligns its position to the one of the driver networks. For identical networks, a sufficiently strong coupling leads to identical synchronization between the drive and response. For non-identical networks, we use the auxiliary system approach to demonstrate that generalized synchronization is established instead. In this case, the response network continues to show a chimera dynamics which however remains distinct from the one of the driver. Hence, segregated synchronized and desynchronized domains in individual networks congregate in generalized synchronization across networks.
Simultaneous measurement of the HT and DT fusion burn histories in inertial fusion implosions
Authors: Zylstra A. B. , Herrmann H. W. , Kim Y. H. , McEvoy A. M. , Schmitt M. J. , Hale G. , Forrest C. , Glebov V. Yu. , Stoeckl C.
Published: May 2017

Measuring the thermonuclear burn history is an important way to diagnose inertial fusion implosions. Using the gas Cherenkov detectors at the OMEGA laser facility, we measure the HT fusion burn in a H2+T2 gas-fueled implosion for the first time. Using multiple detectors with varied Cherenkov thresholds, we demonstrate a technique for simultaneously measuring both the HT and DT burn histories from an implosion where the total reaction yields are comparable. This new technique will be used to study material mixing and kinetic phenomena in implosions.
Laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition setup for fast synthesis of graphene patterns
Authors: Zhang Chentao , Zhang Jianhuan , Lin Kun , Huang Yuanqing
Published: May 2017

An automatic setup based on the laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition method has been developed for the rapid synthesis of graphene patterns. The key components of this setup include a laser beam control and focusing unit, a laser spot monitoring unit, and a vacuum and flow control unit. A laser beam with precision control of laser power is focused on the surface of a nickel foil substrate by the laser beam control and focusing unit for localized heating. A rapid heating and cooling process at the localized region is induced by the relative movement between the focalized laser spot and the nickel foil substrate, which causes the decomposing of gaseous hydrocarbon and the out-diffusing of excess carbon atoms to form graphene patterns on the laser scanning path. All the fabrication parameters that affect the quality and number of graphene layers, such as laser power, laser spot size, laser scanning speed, pressure of vacuum chamber, and flow rates of gases, can be precisely controlled and monitored during the preparation of graphene patterns. A simulation of temperature distribution was carried out via the finite element method, providing a scientific guidance for the regulation of temperature distribution during experiments. A multi-layer graphene ribbon with few defects was synthesized to verify its performance of the rapid growth of high-quality graphene patterns. Furthermore, this setup has potential applications in other laser-based graphene synthesis and processing.
Remote microwave monitoring of magnetization switching in CoFeB/Ta/CoFeB spin logic device
Authors: Morgunov R. , L'vova G. , Talantsev A. , Koplak O. , Petit-Watelot S. , Devaux X. , Migot S. , Lu Y. , Mangin S.
Published: May 2017

Stable magnetic states of the MgO/CoFeB/Ta/CoFeB/MgO/Ta spin valve as well as transitions between the states were detected by microwave magnetoresistance (MMR) measured in the cavity of an electron spin resonance spectrometer. Advantages of this experimental technique are the possibility to study the orientation dependence of the MMR, the absence of the additional contact/sample interfaces, the wireless control of the spin valves, and the compatibility of the MMR measurements with ferromagnetic resonance experiments. The magnetic field dependence of the first derivation of the microwave absorption allows one to judge about the negative magnetoresistance of the layers and positive interlayer giant magnetoresistance. The obtained experimental results could be used for engineering of the microwave high sensitive sensors available for remote identification of the stable magnetic and logic states of the spin valves needful in medical spintronics to detect biological objects labeled with nanoparticles.
Scaling equation for the elastic modulus of nanoporous gold with “fixed” network connectivity
Authors: Liu Ling-Zhi , Jin Hai-Jun
Published: May 2017

We report that in a Pt-doped nanoporous Au(Ag), while the network connectivity was maintained constant, the elastic modulus (E) varied with relative density (φ) in a power-law relation, E∝φn, with an exponent of n = 2.2 ± 0.1, which agreed well with the classical Gibson-Ashby scaling equation (n = 2). It testifies that the mechanical response of np metals can be well described by the classical scaling equations, providing that the network connectivity and the size effects are taken into account properly. We also demonstrate that the coarsening-induced reduction in the network connectivity can be suppressed by enhancing the relative density of the nanoporous structure.
Fabrication of amorphous micro-ring arrays in crystalline silicon using ultrashort laser pulses
Authors: Fuentes-Edfuf Yasser , Garcia-Lechuga Mario , Puerto Daniel , Florian Camilo , Garcia-Leis Adianez , Sanchez-Cortes Santiago , Solis Javier , Siegel Jan
Published: May 2017

We demonstrate a simple way to fabricate amorphous micro-rings in crystalline silicon using direct laser writing. This method is based on the fact that the phase of a thin surface layer can be changed into the amorphous phase by irradiation with a few ultrashort laser pulses (800 nm wavelength and 100 fs duration). Surface-depressed amorphous rings with a central crystalline disk can be fabricated without the need for beam shaping, featuring attractive optical, topographical, and electrical properties. The underlying formation mechanism and phase change pathway have been investigated by means of fs-resolved microscopy, identifying fluence-dependent melting and solidification dynamics of the material as the responsible mechanism. We demonstrate that the lateral dimensions of the rings can be scaled and that the rings can be stitched together, forming extended arrays of structures not limited to annular shapes. This technique and the resulting structures may find applications in a variety of fields such as optics, nanoelectronics, and mechatronics.
Preparation and Photophysical Properties of All-trans Acceptor–π-Donor (Acceptor) Compounds Possessing Obvious Solvatochromic Effects
Authors: Pan Yu-Lu , Cai Zhi-Bin , Bai Li , Li Sheng-Li , Tian Yu-Peng
Published: May 2017

A series of all-trans acceptor–π-donor (acceptor) compounds (BAQ, SFQ, BLQ, and XJQ) were conveniently synthesised and characterised by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Their photophysical properties, including linear absorption, one-photon excited fluorescence, two-photon absorption, and two-photon excited fluorescence, were systematically investigated. All the compounds show obvious solvatochromic effects, such as significant bathochromic shifts of the emission spectra and larger Stokes shifts in more polar solvents. Under excitation from a femtosecond Ti : sapphire laser with a pulse width of 140 fs, they all exhibit strong two-photon excited fluorescence, and the two-photon absorption cross-sections in THF are 851 (BAQ), 216 (SFQ), 561 (BLQ), and 447 (XJQ) GM respectively. A combination of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) approaches was used to investigate the relationships between the structures and the photophysical properties of these compounds. The results show that they may have a potential application as polarity-sensitive two-photon fluorescent probes.
Female peer mentors early in college increase women’s positive academic experiences and retention in engineering
Authors: Dennehy Tara C. , Dasgupta Nilanjana
Published: May 2017

Significance

The scarcity of women in the American science and engineering workforce is a well-recognized problem. However, field-tested interventions outside artificial laboratory settings are few. We provide evidence from a multiyear field experiment demonstrating that women in engineering who were assigned a female (but not male) peer mentor experienced more belonging, motivation, and confidence in engineering, better retention in engineering majors, and greater engineering career aspirations. Female mentors promoted aspirations to pursue engineering careers by protecting women’s belonging and confidence. Greater belonging and confidence were also associated with more engineering retention. Notably, grades were not associated with year 1 retention. The benefits of mentoring endured beyond the intervention, for 2 y of college, the time of greatest attrition from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors.
Angular measurements of the dynein ring reveal a stepping mechanism dependent on a flexible stalk
Authors: Lippert Lisa G. , Dadosh Tali , Hadden Jodi A. , Karnawat Vishakha , Diroll Benjamin T. , Murray Christopher B. , Holzbaur Erika L. F. , Schulten Klaus , Reck-Peterson Samara L. , Goldman Yale E.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Cytoplasmic dynein is a complex intracellular molecular motor primarily responsible for many crucial retrograde transport functions within cells. Its mechanism is distinct from the mechanism of other transport motors and remains poorly understood. This work examines the structural dynamics of actively translocating dynein motors in single-molecule detail to reveal a previously unknown role of stalk flexibility in dynein stepping. By integrating these findings with previously published structural information, we present a unified model of the dynein translocation mechanism. A detailed understanding of this mechanism provides insight into how dynein is able to navigate around obstacles in vivo. The experimental techniques presented here may be broadly applicable to the study of rotational motions in other molecular systems.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of word retrieval in speech production revealed by cortical high-frequency band activity
Authors: Riès Stephanie K. , Dhillon Rummit K. , Clarke Alex , King-Stephens David , Laxer Kenneth D. , Weber Peter B. , Kuperman Rachel A. , Auguste Kurtis I. , Brunner Peter , Schalk Gerwin , Lin Jack J. , Parvizi Josef , Crone Nathan E. , Dronkers Nina F. , Knight Robert T.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Word retrieval is essential to language production, relying on the activation of conceptual and word representations in memory followed by the selection of the correct word. The detailed spatiotemporal cortical dynamics of this core language process are not well-known. By using direct cortical recordings, we show that the activation of concepts or word representations and their selection co-occur in time and engage widespread brain networks and overlapping brain regions. In contrast with modular brain models of language production, our data do not support a clear division of labor between brain regions during these early stages of language production. Rather, we suggest that overlapping brain mechanisms optimize word retrieval.
Solitary bees reduce investment in communication compared with their social relatives
Authors: Wittwer Bernadette , Hefetz Abraham , Simon Tovit , Murphy Li E. K. , Elgar Mark A. , Pierce Naomi E. , Kocher Sarah D.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Communication is central to group living: Individuals use signals to identify each other and coordinate tasks. Surprisingly, little is known about how these communication systems change as social behavior evolves, particularly during the transition between solitary and group living. This study shows that, as sociality is gained and lost in halictid bees, convergent changes arise in the sensory systems and chemical signals of these groups. Solitary species show a repeated reduction of hair-like sensilla on the antennae, and social and solitary forms of the same species differ in their chemical signals. These results suggest that changes in group complexity are closely linked to changes in communication and that social bees invest more in these systems than their solitary counterparts.
Spatial evolutionary games with weak selection
Authors: Nanda Mridu , Durrett Richard
Published: May 2017

Significance

Game theory, which was invented to study strategic and economic decisions of humans, has for many years been used in ecology and more recently in cancer modeling. In the applications to ecology and cancer, the system is not homogeneously mixing, so it is important to understand how space changes the outcome of evolutionary games. Here, we present rules that can be used to determine the behavior of a wide class of three-strategy games. In short, the behavior can be predicted from the behavior of the replicator equation for a modified equation. This theory will be useful for a number of applications.
Mechanistic insight into the nucleus–vacuole junction based on the Vac8p–Nvj1p crystal structure
Authors: Jeong Hanbin , Park Jumi , Kim Hye-In , Lee Miriam , Ko Young-Joon , Lee Sanghwa , Jun Youngsoo , Lee Changwook
Published: May 2017

Significance

Organelle contact sites are specialized intracellular zones called membrane contact sites (MCS), in which two distinct suborganelles are closely apposed in eukaryotic cells. The nucleus–vacuole junction (NVJ) is the first identified interorganellar MCS in the budding yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, and its formation depends on the nuclear membrane protein Nvj1p and vacuolar membrane protein Vac8p. We present the crystal structure of Vac8p–Nvj1p complex at 2.4-Å resolution. Based on the structure, we propose a molecular mechanism in which Vac8p competitively recognizes Nvj1p or Atg13p and present a model showing how Vac8p facilitates NVJ formation, mediates piecemeal microautophagy of the nucleus, and participates in the cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting pathway.
Evolutionary steps involving counterion displacement in a tunicate opsin
Authors: Kojima Keiichi , Yamashita Takahiro , Imamoto Yasushi , Kusakabe Takehiro G. , Tsuda Motoyuki , Shichida Yoshinori
Published: May 2017

Significance

The visible light sensitivity of animal opsins is attributed to a protonated Schiff base linkage to retinal, which is stabilized by a negatively charged counterion. Glu113 and Glu181 serve as the counterion in vertebrate- and invertebrate-type opsins, respectively. Ascidian opsin, the sole invertebrate opsin found in the vertebrate visual opsin group, contains Glu113 and Glu181, which act as synergistic double counterions. Deleting either counterion changes the ascidian opsin’s molecular properties to resemble those of either vertebrate- or invertebrate-type opsins. These results strongly suggest that counterion position regulates opsin molecular properties beyond spectral tuning. Moreover, ascidian opsin is an apparent evolutionary intermediate leading to vertebrate visual opsin, which has acquired the high G protein activation efficiency optimized for the vertebrate vision.
Confined catalysis under two-dimensional materials
Authors: Li Haobo , Xiao Jianping , Fu Qiang , Bao Xinhe
Published: May 2017

Significance

Small spaces in nanoreactors may have big implications in chemistry, because the chemical nature of molecules and reactions within the nanospaces can be changed significantly due to the nanoconfinement effect. Two-dimensional (2D) nanoreactor formed under 2D materials can provide a well-defined model system to explore the confined catalysis. We demonstrate a general tendency for weakened surface adsorption under the confinement of graphene overlayer, illustrating the feasible modulation of surface reactions by placing a 2D cover on top of the surface. The developed concept “catalysis under cover” can be applied to reactions between two opposite 2D walls interacting with each other through van der Waals force, which helps to design high-performance nanocatalysts interfacing with 2D material overlayers.
Healthy offspring from freeze-dried mouse spermatozoa held on the International Space Station for 9 months
Authors: Wakayama Sayaka , Kamada Yuko , Yamanaka Kaori , Kohda Takashi , Suzuki Hiromi , Shimazu Toru , Tada Motoki N. , Osada Ikuko , Nagamatsu Aiko , Kamimura Satoshi , Nagatomo Hiroaki , Mizutani Eiji , Ishino Fumitoshi , Yano Sachiko , Wakayama Teruhiko
Published: May 2017

Significance

Radiation on the International Space Station (ISS) is more than 100 times stronger than at the Earth’s surface, and at levels that can cause DNA damage in somatic cell nuclei. The damage to offspring caused by this irradiation in germ cells has not been examined, however. Here we preserved mouse spermatozoa on the ISS for 9 mo. Although sperm DNA was slightly damaged during space preservation, it could be repaired by the oocyte cytoplasm and did not impair the birth rate or normality of the offspring. Our results demonstrate that generating human or domestic animal offspring from space-preserved spermatozoa is a possibility, which should be useful when the “space age” arrives.
Thoracic vertebral count and thoracolumbar transition inAustralopithecus afarensis
Authors: Ward Carol V. , Nalley Thierra K. , Spoor Fred , Tafforeau Paul , Alemseged Zeresenay
Published: May 2017

Significance

The discovery of a 3.3 million-year-old partial skeleton ofAustralopithecus afarensis, from Dikika, Ethiopia, preserved all seven cervical (neck) vertebrae and provided the only known evidence for the presence of 12 thoracic (rib-bearing) vertebrae in hominins prior to 60,000 years ago. This skeleton has seven cervical and only 12 thoracic vertebrae like humans, rather than 13 like African apes. However, the anatomical transition from thoracic to lumbar (lower back) vertebral form occurs at the 11th thoracic segment. This distinctive pattern of vertebral segmentation, rare in modern apes and humans, is also seen in the three other early hominins for which this area is known, with the Dikika skeleton providing the earliest and most complete example.
RNA editing of
SLC22A3
drives early tumor invasion and metastasis in familial esophageal cancer
Authors: Fu Li , Qin Yan-Ru , Ming Xiao-Yan , Zuo Xian-Bo , Diao Yu-Wen , Zhang Li-Yi , Ai Jiaoyu , Liu Bei-Lei , Huang Tu-Xiong , Cao Ting-Ting , Tan Bin-Bin , Xiang Di , Zeng Chui-Mian , Gong Jing , Zhang Qiangfeng , Dong Sui-Sui , Chen Juan , Liu Haibo , Wu Jian-Lin , Qi Robert Z. , Xie Dan , Wang Li-Dong , Guan Xin-Yuan
Published: May 2017

Significance

Familial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) often shows early onset and worse prognosis. Little is known about the genetic basis underlying the pathogenesis of familial ESCC. To identify the genetic alterations associated with familial ESCC susceptibility, we compared the gene-expression profiles of familial and sporadic ESCCs. We found that A-to-I RNA editing–mediated downregulation of
SLC22A3
is almost exclusively present in familial ESCC and may serve as a potential biomarker for familial ESCC patients. Molecular mechanism study further revealed that a single mutation at the RNA level could change the protein structure of SLC22A3, leading to a loss of inhibitory capability for the metastasis-promoting protein ACTN4. Our findings provide insights that may lead to more effective clinical management of individuals at high risk of familial ESCC with
SLC22A3
deregulation.
cGAS is essential for cellular senescence
Authors: Yang Hui , Wang Hanze , Ren Junyao , Chen Qi , Chen Zhijian J.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Cellular senescence is important for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of senescence is linked to many human diseases, such as cancer, premature aging, and age-related diseases. Although DNA damage response has been linked to senescence, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here we show that cGAS is essential for the senescence phenotypes, including expression of inflammatory genes. This finding reveals a molecular mechanism of cellular senescence and suggests that modulation of cGAS activity may be a new strategy to treat senescence-associated human diseases that potentially include cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and aging.
Syringe-injectable mesh electronics integrate seamlessly with minimal chronic immune response in the brain
Authors: Zhou Tao , Hong Guosong , Fu Tian-Ming , Yang Xiao , Schuhmann Thomas G. , Viveros Robert D. , Lieber Charles M.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Seamless integration of electrical probes within neural tissue could substantially enhance their impact and open up new opportunities in neuroscience research through electronic therapeutics. This paper describes systematic studies of brain tissue behavior following implantation of a design for probes that can be precisely targeted to specific brain regions by syringe injection as in many biological species and have an ultraflexible open mesh structure similar to brain tissue itself. Studies of the chronic tissue response postimplantation demonstrate that these tissue-like probes do not elicit inflammation or scarring, in contrast to more conventional probes. Moreover, neurons were found to penetrate through the probes’ open mesh structure, thus demonstrating an unprecedented level of integration and compatibility with the brain circuitry.
Quantitative regulation of histone variant H2A.Z during cell cycle by ubiquitin proteasome system and SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases
Authors: Takahashi Daisuke , Orihara Yuki , Kitagawa Saho , Kusakabe Masayuki , Shintani Takahiro , Oma Yukako , Harata Masahiko
Published: May 2017

Quantitative control of histones and histone variants during cell cycle is relevant to their epigenetic functions. We found that the level of yeast histone variant H2A.Z in the G2/M-phase is actively kept low by the ubiquitin proteasome system and SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases. Overexpression of H2A.Z induced defects in mitotic progression, suggesting functional importance of this quantitative control.
The transcription factor Gli3 promotes B cell development in fetal liver through repression of Shh
Authors: Solanki Anisha , Lau Ching-In , Saldaña José Ignacio , Ross Susan , Crompton Tessa
Published: May 2017

Before birth, B cells develop in the fetal liver (FL). In this study, we show that Gli3 activity in the FL stroma is required for B cell development. In the Gli3-deficient FL, B cell development was reduced at multiple stages, whereas the Sonic hedgehog (Hh [Shh])–deficient FL showed increased B cell development, and Gli3 functioned to repress Shh transcription. Use of a transgenic Hh-reporter mouse showed that Shh signals directly to developing B cells and that Hh pathway activation was increased in developing B cells from Gli3-deficient FLs. RNA sequencing confirmed that Hh-mediated transcription is increased in B-lineage cells from Gli3-deficient FL and showed that these cells expressed reduced levels of B-lineage transcription factors and B cell receptor (BCR)/pre-BCR–signaling genes. Expression of the master regulators of B cell development Ebf1 and Pax5 was reduced in developing B cells from Gli3-deficient FL but increased in Shh-deficient FL, and in vitro Shh treatment or neutralization reduced or increased their expression, respectively.
Reply to “Tolerogenic insulin peptide therapy precipitates type 1 diabetes”
Authors: Daniel Carolin , Weigmann Benno , von Boehmer Harald
Published: May 2017

In this issue of JEM, Bergman et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20160471) challenge the data published in our previous JEM paper on the preventive effect of tolerogenic vaccination with a strong agonist insulin mimetope in type 1 diabetes. Here, we provide a response to these data and suggest that appropriate subimmunogenic conditions are required to induce Foxp3+ regulatory T cell conversion.
Hyperferritinemia and inflammation
Authors: Kernan Kate F , Carcillo Joseph A
Published: May 2017

Understanding of ferritin biology has traditionally centered on its role in iron storage and homeostasis, with low ferritin levels indicative of deficiency and high levels indicative of primary or secondary hemochromatosis. However, further work has shown that iron, redox biology and inflammation are inexorably linked. During infection, increased ferritin levels represent an important host defense mechanism that deprives bacterial growth of iron and protects immune cell function. It may also be protective, limiting the production of free radicals and mediating immunomodulation. Additionally, hyperferritinemia is a key acute-phase reactants, used by clinicians as an indication for therapeutic intervention, aimed at controlling inflammation in high-risk patients. One school of thought maintains that hyperferritinemia is an ‘innocent bystander’ biomarker of uncontrolled inflammation that can be used to gauge effectiveness of intervention. Other schools of thought maintain that ferritin induction could be a protective negative regulatory loop. Others maintain that ferritin is a key mediator of immune dysregulation, especially in extreme hyperferritinemia, via direct immune-suppressive and pro-inflammatory effects. There is a clear need for further investigation of the role of ferritin in uncontrolled inflammatory conditions both as a biomarker and mediator of disease because its occurrence identifies patients with high mortality risk and its resolution predicts their improved survival.
Is ‘Assisted Reproduction’ Reproduction?
Authors: Piotrowska Monika
Published: May 2017

With an increasing number of ways to ‘assist’ reproduction, some bioethicists have started to wonder what it takes to become a genetic parent. It is widely agreed that sharing genes is not enough to substantiate the parent–offspring relation, but what is? Without a better understanding of the concept of reproduction (and what it means to say that an organism has reproduced), our thinking about parent–offspring relations and the ethical issues surrounding them risk being unprincipled. Here, I address that problem by offering a principled account of reproduction—the Overlap, Development and Persistence account—which I believe best captures the meaning of ‘genetic parenthood’.
Genotype by Environment Interaction: The Greatest Obstacle in Precise Determination of Rice Sheath Blight Resistance in the Field
Authors: Zeng Yuxiang , Shi Junsheng , Ji Zhijuan , Wen Zhihua , Liang Yan , Yang Changdeng
Published: May 2017

Rice sheath blight (SB) is the most serious rice disease in China. Resistance of rice to SB is a quantitative trait that is easily influenced by the environment; however, the extent of environmental influence on SB field resistance is still poorly understood. To identify rice genotype by environment interactions for SB resistance, 211 rice genotypes originating from 15 countries were planted and evaluated for SB field resistance in six different environments between 2012 and 2016 after inoculation with the SB pathogen isolate ZJ03. In addition, 65 rice genotypes were evaluated for SB field resistance in another four environments between 2013 and 2016 using ZJ03. Variations in SB field resistance were observed in different genotypes in different environments using objective and subjective rating methods. Two-way analysis of variance indicated that the interaction between the genotype and environment had a highly significant effect on SB field resistance. This analysis indicated that the environment had more of an influence than the genotype itself on SB field resistance, and the genotype by environment interaction was the greatest obstacle in obtaining a precise determination of SB field resistance in rice. The most resistant genotype, GD66, is a good candidate for genetic studies and breeding.
Auditory Processing Disorder: What Does It Mean and What Can Be Done?
Authors: Bartlett Krista , Kelley Elissa , Purdy Julie , Stein Martin T.
Published: May 2017

CASE: Julian, an 11-year-old boy in the sixth grade with a compliant disposition and a positive attitude, has had a significant decline in his academic performance over the last 2 years. He spends much of his time in the nurse's office with headaches and fatigue. He reports that he cannot concentrate or follow along in class. Vision and hearing screenings were normal.

Julian's teachers report that although he has no behavior problem, he is inattentive and does not put forth the effort she feels he is capable of giving. He does not seem to be listening, and he is distracted by everyone around him. He often claims that he did not hear or understand the things that teachers explained several times. When teachers talk to him directly, he starts an assignment and usually finishes his work on time. Teachers observe that he has “attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) like tendencies.” A recent psychoeducational evaluation qualified Julian for special education services under specific learning disability in the area of auditory processing. An individual education plan will be developed within the next 2 weeks.

Key indicators used to make this determination included the following: average standard scores on nonverbal tests of cognitive development, a below-average score in overall auditory processing (with particularly low scores in auditory reasoning and auditory memory), average scores in the areas of general memory and attention/concentration, and below-average composite scores in reading and written expression.

Following a review of the assessment report, Julian's parents remain concerned about the possibility of ADHD. Prior to the special education assessment, the school provided the Vanderbilt Assessment Scales for Julian's parents to share with his doctors; it revealed elevated scores in ADHD symptoms (predominantly inattentive subtype). Julian's parents would like to learn about options for treatment that might improve his attention.
Association Between Surgeon-Specific Features and Number of Stages, Flaps, and Grafts in Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Retrospective Observational Study of 59 Early-, Mid-, and Advanced-Career Mohs Surgeons
Authors: Alhaddad Marwan , Zade John , Nabatian Adam , Kriegel David , Khorasani Hooman
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

There is limited data available to correlate Mohs surgeons' behavior and years of experience. Moreover, the recent standardization of Mohs surgery training programs may allow for the prediction of future trends in Mohs micrographic surgery surgery based on the current behavior of recently trained Mohs surgeons.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand the relationship between surgeon-specific characteristics and the number of Mohs micrographic surgery total cases, stages per case, number of grafts, and number of flaps performed by each surgeon.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Procedure data of 59 early-career, mid-career, and advanced-career Mohs surgeons were obtained from the website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were identified in the number of stages per case between the 3 groups. Two-proportion testing between advanced-career surgeons and early-career surgeons indicated a statistically significant difference in the number of surgeons performing flaps or grafts (p < .05). Similarly, a statistically significant difference was noticed between mid-career surgeons and early-career surgeons (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

The result of this study showed that more years of experience was significantly associated with reported utilization of flaps or grafts in practice. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between years in practice and number of stages per case.