bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Institutions, crises, and political confidence in seven contemporary democracies. An elite–mass analysis
Authors: Kotze Hennie , Garcia‐Rivero Carlos
Published: February 2017

There is ample consensus in the literature that institutional confidence by the public is needed in democracies and at the same time elites, particularly political elites, need to share this confidence in their guidance of state institutions, if political stability in established democracies and the consolidation of new democracies are desired. The research takes the form of a quantitative analysis based on the World Values Surveys and the elite surveys (parliamentarians) conducted in 2006 (before the financial crisis) and in 2012–2013 (post the crisis when apparently, the worst of the economic crunch had lessened up) in the 7 countries selected. We explore what lies at the base of political confidence in the selected countries. We investigate whether levels of confidence are more strongly based on political attitudes or more specifically influenced by economic attitudes. Countries from different continents, South Africa (Africa); Chile (Latin America); Germany and Sweden (Western Europe); South Korea (Asia); Poland (Eastern Europe); and Turkey (Eurasia) were included in the analysis. Political factors explain a high level of mainly confidence in state institutions, with different percentages of explained variance among the different countries. Capacity of the state to deal with the economy seems to worry elites more than the public. Elites, especially those in government, have in general, a higher level of confidence in state institutions compared to the public. Similarly, the elites also had a noticeable higher level of confidence in civil society than the public in 2006 and 2013 in the majority of the countries in the study.
The quality of government determinants of support for democracy
Authors: Boräng Frida , Nistotskaya Marina , Xezonakis Georgios
Published: February 2017

This paper argues that in addition to “what democracies do,” “how democracies do it” produces an independent source of support for democracy. We argue that a high procedural quality of bureaucracy may promote support for democracy by diminishing the likelihood of the occurrence of cognitive dissonance between democracy as an ideal and the experienced. Furthermore, we expect the beneficial impact of a higher quality of government (QoG) to be more visible in younger democracies. We subject this claim to a multilevel empirical analysis with large n and N and across a considerable time span. The analysis reveals that higher QoG is linked with higher levels of diffuse support, and that this effect is stronger in younger democracies. The data are less supportive with respect to the positive impact of QoG on specific support, calling for further research into the matter.
Democracy, well‐being, and happiness: A 10‐nation study
Authors: Loubser Reinet , Steenekamp Cindy
Published: February 2017

This article explores the association between subjective well‐being (life satisfaction and happiness) and the importance of living in a democracy in 10 countries: Brazil, China, India, Russia, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, and the United States. We examine well‐being as one possible indicator of the likelihood of a society's commitment to democracy. We find that there is indeed a relationship between life satisfaction and the importance of living in a democracy. Countries with high levels of life satisfaction tend to be secure democracies, whereas countries with lower levels of life satisfaction tend to experience more political and economic challenges. We briefly discuss the unique socioeconomic realities and historical trajectories that may be responsible for varied levels of well‐being and diverse sentiments on the importance of democracy. We have deliberately selected a wide range of diverse case studies in order to analyse our results within varied political and socioeconomic contexts.
Trust in parliament
Authors: Holmberg Soren , Lindberg Staffan , Svensson Richard
Published: February 2017

Parliaments are—or should at least be—the central rule‐making institutions in democratic countries. If people do not have faith in the institution making the rules, it is less likely that people live by them. Consequently, it is beneficiary if trust in parliament is high. But it is also a normative good in itself. If the people do not trust the key institution whereby they can exercise “rule by the people over itself,” democracy itself is endangered. Secondly, trust levels should be reasonably even spread among relevant social and political groups in a society because parliament should ideally be a nonpartisan level playing field. However, because the majority in parliament typically chooses and sustains the acting government, one could say that legislatures in parliamentary democracies should not be level playing fields. According to this argument, there should be differences in trust in parliament between groups of individuals with varying political affiliations. Supporters of the majority in parliament should be expected to have higher trust in the legislature compared to citizens who voted for the opposition.

We test our three hypotheses on data from some 80 countries participating in World Value Survey, either in Waves 5 or 6. We find that people in both new and established democracies harbor lower levels of trust than an intuitive interpretation of normative theory would lead us to expect. We also find that the attitudes of tens of thousands of citizens garnered from across 42 new and old democracies suggest that levels of average trust in groups of these societies are not as equally distributed, as a simple reading of democratic theory would have us to believe. In particular, individuals with a stronger interest in politics, and who are winners by the account of the last election, have statistically substantively relevant higher average levels of trust in parliament as an institution than do other citizens. The latter seems to us especially potentially problematic in particular for some of the new democracies where majority‐dominant parties manage to cling on to power over several election cycles. If what we find here were generally applicable also over several election cycles, we would expect the gap between winners and losers to widen and sediment and potentially sow the seeds of anti‐system movements opposed to democracy. Parliament is obviously a partisan creature in the eyes of most citizens in democracies. The level playing field idea does not fly.
Nanostructured polymer blends based on polystyrene‐b‐polybutadiene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) triblock copolymers modified with polystyrene and/or poly(methyl methacrylate) homopolymers
Authors: Martin Loli , Irusta Lourdes , Gonzalez Alba , Tercjak Agnieszka , Kortaberria Galder
Published: February 2017

Morphologies of polymer blends based on polystyrene‐b‐polybutadiene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (SBM) triblock copolymer were predicted, adopting the phase diagram proposed by Stadler and co‐workers for neat SBM block copolymer, and were experimentally proved using atomic force microscopy. All investigated polymer blends based on SBM triblock copolymer modified with polystyrene (PS) and/or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) homopolymers showed the expected nanostructures. For polymer blends of symmetric SBM‐1 triblock copolymer with PS homopolymer, the cylinders in cylinders core−shell morphology and the perforated lamellae morphology were obtained. Moreover, modifying the same SBM‐1 triblock copolymer with both PS and PMMA homopolymers the cylinders at cylinders morphology was reached. The predictions for morphologies of blends based on asymmetric SBM‐2 triblock copolymer were also confirmed experimentally, visualizing a spheres over spheres structure. This work presents an easy way of using PS and/or PMMA homopolymers for preparing nanostructured polymer blends based on SBM triblock copolymers with desired morphologies, similar to those of neat SBM block copolymers. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Corrigendum to ‘Solar cell efficiency tables (version 49)’[Prog. Photovolt: Res. Appl. 2017; 25:3–13]
Authors: Green Martin A.
Published: February 2017

Version 49 of these efficiency tables reported confirmed new solar cell results from July – December 2016. Three errors are corrected and three new results received after the publication cut‐off date are briefly reviewed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of candidate biomarkers for the prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus in the early stages of pregnancy using iTRAQ quantitative proteomics
Authors: Zhao Danqing , Shen Liming , Wei Yan , Xie Jiaming , Chen Shuqiang , Liang Yi , Chen Youjiao , Wu Haorong
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical problems of pregnancy. This study is designed to identify serum biomarkers, which can predict the subsequent development of GDM at early stages.

Experimental design

Maternal blood was obtained prospectively from pregnant women at 12–16 wk of pregnancy. Among these, 30 women were subsequently diagnosed with GDM at 24 to 28 wk and were selected as case studies along with 30 normoglycemic women as controls. Serum samples were analyzed by using iTRAQ analysis.

Results

Thirty three differentially expressed proteins were identified between case and control groups. They were involved in various signaling processes previously implied in GDM. Of which four proteins, i.e. apolipoprotein E, coagulation factor IX, fibrinogen alpha chain, and insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein 5 were successfully verified by ELISA. Combinations of these four proteins, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.985, 80% and 95%, respectively.

Conclusion

The results highlight the roles of complement system, inflammatory and immune response, and blood coagulation in the pathogenesis of GDM. The panel of four candidate proteins could distinguish women subsequently developed with GDM from controls with high sensitivity and specificity.
Study of the optical properties of silver nanoparticle layers and Si‐based nanostructure layers
Authors: Tolmachev Vladimir , Zharova Yuliya
Published: February 2017

Ellipsometric spectra (λ = 250–900 nm) of surface layers were for the first time obtained in three stages of the catalytic etching of silicon, used to fabricate wire‐like nanostructures. Self‐assembled silver particles deposited with chemical method on the silicon surface form a discontinuous layer with its own complex dielectric function ϵ, which is independent of the radiation incidence angle (at 50–70 degrees relative to the normal to the surface) and differs from ϵ of the bulk silver structure. The variation of the imaginary part of the pseudodielectric function, ϵ2, of the layer of silicon nanowire (SiNW) sprouts was studied. At the minimum catalytic etching duration, the thickness of the rough SiNW layer being formed is comparable with the thickness of the layer of preliminarily deposited silver. With increasing etching duration, a low‐refractive SiNW layer is formed with a thickness of 111 nm and void fraction of 33–78%, found in Bruggeman's effective medium approximation. The experimental data obtained with a spectroscopic ellipsometry and their interpretation made it possible to determine specific features of nanostructures at the earliest interval silicon etching time.
Theoretical study of interaction of heteroaromatic compounds with a cluster model of kaolinite tetrahedral surface
Authors: Wang Liang , Wang Xing , Qian Ping , Guo Hong
Published: February 2017

Heteroaromatic hydrocarbons (including thiophene [TH], benzothiophene [BT], and dibenzothiophene [DBT]) do not have apparent functional groups capable of interacting with the silica‐oxide tetrahedral surface of kaolinite. Thus, question remains concerning what would be the driving forces for the adsorption. Here, the Si13O37H22 cluster model for the surface is constructed, and the interactions of the surface with three heteroaromatic compounds are studied at the MP2/6‐31G(d,p)//B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level. The computed properties characterizing the complexes include optimized structural parameters, electron density characteristics (the ρ and ∇2ρ values for CH…O bonds), adsorption energies, vibration frequencies and electrostatic potential maps. The results suggest that the CH…O hydrogen bonding interactions between the heteroaromatic compounds and tetrahedral surface are likely among the important interactions for the adsorption. The order of the stability of the cluster model of kaolinite complexed with the heteroaromatic compounds is found to be 3SiODBT > 3SiOBT > 3SiOTH based on the calculations.
Changes in stable isotope ratios in PDO cheese related to the area of production and green forage availability. The case study of Pecorino Siciliano
Authors: Valenti Bernardo , Biondi Luisa , Campidonico Luca , Bontempo Luana , Luciano Giuseppe , Di Paola Fortunato , Copani Venera , Ziller Luca , Camin Federica
Published: February 2017

Rationale

No study has investigated the variations in stable isotope ratios (SIRs) of bioelements within a Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) cheese and few studies have focused on the dietary background of animals. For traceability purposes, it is important to know how and whether these issues affect SIRs in a PDO cheese.

Methods

Thirty‐six Pecorino Siciliano cheese samples were collected in three east‐Sicilian areas in seasons in which green herbage was present or absent in the diet of the animals. The determination of C, N and S SIRs was performed using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled with an elemental analyser. The H and O SIRs were measured using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer equipped with a thermal conversion elemental analyser pyrolysis unit.

Results

The C, N, H, O and S SIRs measured in defatted cheeses were subjected to a multivariate stepwise discriminant analysis to verify if cheeses could be distinguished based on their geographical origin and on the animals' feeding regimen. Sulfur and nitrogen SIRs allowed the best discrimination among the three areas (97.2% correct classification of the cheeses). The discrimination of the feeding system, to check the presence or not of fresh forage in the diet of the animals, correctly classified 86.1% of the cheeses. The C and O SIRs were the most effective parameters.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the variability in C, H, O, N and S SIRs can allow discrimination between cheeses produced in a narrow geographical region within a PDO area. This may lead to the search for new tools in authentication studies such as the creation of specific isoscapes. Moreover, this study confirms that SIR determination can also discriminate cheeses obtained from animals fed in stalls from those produced when animals have access to green forage, with benefit in terms of environmental impact, animal welfare and product quality. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Full‐block multipliers for repeated, slope‐restricted scalar nonlinearities
Authors: Fetzer Matthias , Scherer Carsten W.
Published: February 2017

This paper provides a comprehensive treatment of full‐block multipliers within the integral quadratic constraints framework for stability analysis of feedback systems containing repeated, slope‐restricted scalar nonlinearities. We develop a novel stability result that offers more flexibility in its application because it allows for the inclusion of general Popov and Yakubovich criteria in combination with the well‐established Circle and Zames‐Falb stability tests within integral quadratic constraint theory. A particular focus lies on the formulation of stability criteria in terms of full‐block multipliers, some of which are new, and thus typically involve less conservatism than current methods. Furthermore, a new asymptotically exact parametrization of full‐block Zames‐Falb multipliers is given that allows to exploit the complete potential of this stability test. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomechanical Strain Exacerbates Inflammation on a Progeria‐on‐a‐Chip Model
Authors: Ribas João , Zhang Yu Shrike , Pitrez Patrícia R. , Leijten Jeroen , Miscuglio Mario , Rouwkema Jeroen , Dokmeci Mehmet Remzi , Nissan Xavier , Ferreira Lino , Khademhosseini Ali
Published: February 2017

Organ‐on‐a‐chip platforms seek to recapitulate the complex microenvironment of human organs using miniaturized microfluidic devices. Besides modeling healthy organs, these devices have been used to model diseases, yielding new insights into pathophysiology. Hutchinson‐Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a premature aging disease showing accelerated vascular aging, leading to the death of patients due to cardiovascular diseases. HGPS targets primarily vascular cells, which reside in mechanically active tissues. Here, a progeria‐on‐a‐chip model is developed and the effects of biomechanical strain are examined in the context of vascular aging and disease. Physiological strain induces a contractile phenotype in primary smooth muscle cells (SMCs), while a pathological strain induces a hypertensive phenotype similar to that of angiotensin II treatment. Interestingly, SMCs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells of HGPS donors (HGPS iPS‐SMCs), but not from healthy donors, show an exacerbated inflammatory response to strain. In particular, increased levels of inflammation markers as well as DNA damage are observed. Pharmacological intervention reverses the strain‐induced damage by shifting gene expression profile away from inflammation. The progeria‐on‐a‐chip is a relevant platform to study biomechanics in vascular biology, particularly in the setting of vascular disease and aging, while simultaneously facilitating the discovery of new drugs and/or therapeutic targets.
Recent lab‐on‐chip developments for novel drug discovery
Authors: Khalid Nauman , Kobayashi Isao , Nakajima Mitsutoshi
Published: February 2017

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and micro total analysis systems (μTAS) revolutionized the biochemical and electronic industries, and this miniaturization process became a key driver for many markets. Now, it is a driving force for innovations in life sciences, diagnostics, analytical sciences, and chemistry, which are called ‘lab‐on‐a‐chip, (LOC)’ devices. The use of these devices allows the development of fast, portable, and easy‐to‐use systems with a high level of functional integration for applications such as point‐of‐care diagnostics, forensics, the analysis of biomolecules, environmental or food analysis, and drug development. In this review, we report on the latest developments in fabrication methods and production methodologies to tailor LOC devices. A brief overview of scale‐up strategies is also presented together with their potential applications in drug delivery and discovery. The impact of LOC devices on drug development and discovery has been extensively reviewed in the past. The current research focuses on fast and accurate detection of genomics, cell mutations and analysis, drug delivery, and discovery. The current research also differentiates the LOC devices into new terminology of microengineering, like organ‐on‐a‐chip, stem cells‐on‐a‐chip, human‐on‐a‐chip, and body‐on‐a‐chip. Key challenges will be the transfer of fabricated LOC devices from lab‐scale to industrial large‐scale production. Moreover, extensive toxicological studies are needed to justify the use of microfabricated drug delivery vehicles in biological systems. It will also be challenging to transfer the in vitro findings to suitable and promising in vivo models. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1381. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1381

This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Analytical Methods

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organ, Tissue, and Physiological Models
Bridging the training-practice gap in interprofessional student supervision
Authors: Martin Priya , Kumar Saravana , Abernathy LuJuana
Published: February 2017

Background Workforce recruitment and retention issues are common in highly dispersed regions such as Queensland in Australia. Provision of student placements in these non-metropolitan areas is one way of promoting staff recruitment. However, healthcare professionals in these areas face a number of challenges in accessing training opportunities including student supervision training. Funding was made available to develop and run a series of targeted, evidence-based, interprofessional student supervision workshops in non-metropolitan Queensland.

Methods Workshop participants were health professionals from both public and private health service providers in Queensland. Using a pre-post design, anonymous data were collected through surveys administered before and after workshop participation. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze participant information. Free text responses were categorized using an iterative process to identify prevalent themes.

Results A total of 147 participants attended nine face-to-face workshops and provided data. Allied health participants represented 70% of the population, with the remainder largely from nursing, medicine and dentistry. There was a positive shift in self-reported level of confidence in student supervision following training. Of the participants 143 (97%) reported that they acquired new skills and knowledge from training. A number of enablers of and barriers to translation of learning to practice following interprofessional student supervision training were identified.

Conclusions Targeted interprofessional student supervision training is valuable and can increase participants’ self-reported level of confidence in student supervision. It is recommended that health organizations promote a culture of providing positive student placement experiences in order to maximize future workforce opportunities.
Sample-Selection Biases and the Industrialization Puzzle
Authors: Bodenhorn Howard , Guinnane Timothy W. , Mroz Thomas A.
Published: February 2017

Understanding long-term changes in human well-being is central to understanding the consequences of economic development. An extensive anthropometric literature purports to show that heights in the United States declined between the 1830s and the 1890s, which is when the U.S. economy modernized. Most anthropometric research contends that declining heights reflect the negative health consequences of industrialization and urbanization. This interpretation, however, relies on sources subject to selection bias. Our meta-analysis shows that the declining height during industrialization emerges primarily in selected samples. We also develop a parsimonious diagnostic test that reveals, but does not correct for, selection bias in height samples. When applied to four representative height samples, the diagnostic provides compelling evidence of selection.
A study on some population parameters of mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis L., 1758) in Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea)
Authors: Erdoğan Sağlam Naciye , Demir Sağlam Yeşim , Sağlam Cemil
Published: February 2017

The population parameters of mantis shrimp (Squilla mantis Linnaeus, 1758) were studied regarding age composition, sex ratio, growth, survival and mortality rates, and the exploitation rate in the Aegean coasts of Turkey in 2013. We collected 936 specimens by shrimp gillnets along the coasts of Izmir Province from April to October 2013. The mean condition factor was K = 1.02 for both sexes, while the sex ratio was 58.7% for female and 41.3% male. Mean lengths, mean weight and length–weight relationship were calculated as TL = 12.57 ± 0.07 cm, CL = 3.02 ± 0.02 cm, W = 22.14 ± 0.37 g, W = 0.0098 × L3.02. Age determination was based on indirect ageing through length–frequency data using the Bhattacharya method. The age of the population varied from 0+ to 3+. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated as TL∞ = 19.69 cm, CL∞ = 4.74, W∞ = 79.41 g, k = 0.50 year−1 and t0 = −0.37 year. Mortality and exploitation rates derived as Z = 1.90, M = 1.16, F = 0.74 and E = 0.39, respectively.
Immunodiagnosis of paramphistomosis using monoclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA for detection ofParamphistomum gracilecirculating 16 kDa antigen
Authors: ANURACPREEDA PANAT , TEPSUPORNKUL KULLANID , CHAWENGKIRTTIKUL RUNGLAWAN
Published: February 2017

In this study, we have produced a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) against 16 kDa antigen ofParamphistomum gracile(16 kDaAgPg), and developed an accurate sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (sandwich ELISA) for the detection of circulating 16 kDaAg in the serum and fecal samples from cattle naturally infected withP. gracile. MoAb 1D10 was immobilized on a microtitre plate, and the antigen in the samples was captured and detected with biotinylated rabbit anti-16 kDaAgPg antibody. The lower detection limit of sandwich ELISA was 3·5 pg mL−1, and no cross-reaction with other parasite antigens was evaluated. The reliability of the assay was examined using the serum and fecal samples from cattle naturally infected withP. gracile, Fasciola gigantica, Moniezia benedeni, Trichurissp.,Strongyloidessp., strongylids and non-infected animals. The sandwich ELISA showed the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy at 98·33, 100 and 99·55% (serum samples), and 96·67, 100 and 99·09% (fecal samples). Therefore, this detection method is a rapid and excellent potential assay for the accurate diagnosis of paramphistomosis.
A Descriptive Analysis of Tactical Casualty Care Interventions Performed by Law Enforcement Personnel in the State of Wisconsin, 2010-2015
Authors: Stiles Chad M. , Cook Christopher , Sztajnkrycer Matthew D.
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Based upon military experience, law enforcement has developed guidelines for medical care during high-threat conditions. The purpose of the current study was to provide a descriptive analysis of reported outcomes of law enforcement medical interventions.

Methods

This was a descriptive analysis of a convenience sample of cases submitted to the Wisconsin Tactical Medicine Initiative (Wisconsin USA), after the provision of successful patient care, between January 2010 and December 2015. The study was reviewed by the Mayo Foundation Institutional Review Board (Rochester, Minnesota USA) and deemed exempt.

Results

Nineteen agencies submitted information during the study period. Of the 56 episodes of care reported, four (7.1%) cases involved care provided to injured officers while 52 (92.9%) involved care to injured civilians, including suspects. In at least two cases, on-going threats existed during the provision of medical care to an injured civilian. Law enforcement rendered care prior to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrival in all but two cases.

Conclusions

The current case series demonstrates the life-saving potential for law enforcement personnel trained and equipped under current Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)/ Committee on Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC) tactical casualty care guidelines. Although originally developed to save the lives of wounded combat personnel, in the civilian sector, the training appears more likely to save victims rather than law enforcement personnel.

StilesCM,CookC,SztajnkrycerMD.A descriptive analysis of tactical casualty care interventions performed by law enforcement personnel in the State of Wisconsin, 2010-2015.Prehosp Disaster Med.2017;32(3):284–288.
Classifying news versus opinions in newspapers: Linguistic features for domain independence
Authors: KRÜGER K. R. , LUKOWIAK A. , SONNTAG J. , WARZECHA S. , STEDE M.
Published: February 2017

Newspaper text can be broadly divided in the classes ‘opinion’ (editorials, commentary, letters to the editor) and ‘neutral’ (reports). We describe a classification system for performing this separation, which uses a set of linguistically motivated features. Working with various English newspaper corpora, we demonstrate that it significantly outperforms bag-of-lemma and PoS-tag models. We conclude that the linguistic features constitute the best method for achieving robustness against change of newspaper or domain.
The Role of Distress Disclosure Tendencies in the Experience and	Expression of Laboratory-Induced Sadness
Authors: Kahn Jeffrey H. , Cox Daniel W. , Bakker A. Myfanwy , O’Loughlin Julia I. , Kotlarczyk Agnieszka M.
Published: February 2017

Abstract. The benefits of talking with others about unpleasant emotions have been thoroughly investigated, but individual differences in distress disclosure tendencies have not been adequately integrated within theoretical models of emotion. The purpose of this laboratory research was to determine whether distress disclosure tendencies stem from differences in emotional reactivity or differences in emotion regulation. After completing measures of distress disclosure tendencies, social desirability, and positive and negative affect, 84 participants (74% women) were video recorded while viewing a sadness-inducing film clip. Participants completed post-film measures of affect and were then interviewed about their reactions to the film; these interviews were audio recorded for later coding and computerized text analysis. Distress disclosure tendencies were not predictive of the subjective experience of emotion, but they were positively related to facial expressions of sadness and happiness. Distress disclosure tendencies also predicted judges’ ratings of the verbal disclosure of emotion during the interview, but self-reported disclosure and use of positive and negative emotion words were not associated with distress disclosure tendencies. The authors present implications of this research for integrating individual differences in distress disclosure with models of emotion.
Scientists Spot Organic Molecules on Ceres
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: February 2017

The presence of organic material on Ceres raises new questions about its internal evolution and potential for hosting past or present life.
Overlooked Data Source Improves Quake Intensity Maps
Authors: Derouin Sarah
Published: February 2017

A new approach may fine-tune estimates of the range of shaking from earthquakes and help define areas of potential damage.
Development of spinal deformities in the tight-skin mouse
Authors: Li Bing , Urban Jill PG , Yu Jing
Published: February 2017

Tight-skin (TSK) mice are commonly used as an animal model to study the pathogenesis of Marfan syndrome (MFS), but little is known of their skeletal phenotype and in particular of the development of the spinal deformities, common in MFS. Here we examined growth of the axial skeletons of TSK and wild-type(B6) mice during their period of rapid growth. The whole bodies of mice, 4–12 weeks of age, were scanned after sacrifice, by micro-computed tomography (microCT). We reconstructed three-dimensional models of the spine and ribs, and measured vertebral body heights and rib lengths using the Mac-based image-processing software “OsiriX”. Although the TSK mice were smaller than the B6 mice at 4 weeks, they experienced an early growth spurt and by 8 weeks the height, but not the width, of the vertebral body was significantly greater in the TSK mice than the B6 mice. Measurement of the angles of scoliotic and kyphotic curves post-mortem in the mice was problematic, hence we measured changes that develop in skeletal elements in these disorders. As a marker of kyphosis, we measured anterior wedging of the vertebral bodies; as a marker for scoliosis we measured asymmetries in rib length. We found, unlike in the B6 mice where the pattern was diffuse, wedging in TSK mice was directly related to spinal level and peaked steeply at the thoracolumbar junction. There was also significant asymmetry in length of the ribs in the TSK mice, but not in the B6 mice. The TSK mice thus appear to exhibit spinal deformities seen in MFS and could be a useful model for gaining understanding of the mechanisms of development of scoliosis and kyphosis in this disorder.
Limited options for low-global-warming-potential refrigerants
Authors: McLinden Mark O. , Brown J. Steven , Brignoli Riccardo , Kazakov Andrei F. , Domanski Piotr A.
Published: February 2017

Hydrofluorocarbons, currently used as refrigerants in air-conditioning systems, are potent greenhouse gases, and their contribution to climate change is projected to increase. Future use of the hydrofluorocarbons will be phased down and, thus replacement fluids must be found. Here we show that only a few pure fluids possess the combination of chemical, environmental, thermodynamic, and safety properties necessary for a refrigerant and that these fluids are at least slightly flammable. We search for replacements by applying screening criteria to a comprehensive chemical database. For the fluids passing the thermodynamic and environmental screens (critical temperature and global warming potential), we simulate performance in small air-conditioning systems, including optimization of the heat exchangers. We show that the efficiency-versus-capacity trade-off that exists in an ideal analysis disappears when a more realistic system is considered. The maximum efficiency occurs at a relatively high volumetric refrigeration capacity, but there are few fluids in this range.
Platelets prime hematopoietic–vascular niche to drive angiocrine-mediated liver regeneration
Authors: Shido Koji , Chavez Deebly , Cao Zhongwei , Ko Jane L , Rafii Shahin , Ding Bi-Sen
Published: February 2017

In mammals, the livers regenerate after chemical injury or resection of hepatic lobe by hepatectomy. How liver regeneration is initiated after mass loss remains to be defined. Here we report that following liver injury, activated platelets deploy SDF-1 and VEGF-A to stimulate CXCR7+ liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) and VEGFR1+ myeloid cell, orchestrating hepatic regeneration. After carbon tetrachloride injection or hepatectomy, platelets and CD11b+VEGFR1+ myeloid cells were recruited to LSECs, and liver regeneration in both models was impaired in thrombopoietin-deficient (Thpo−/−) mice repressing production of circulating platelets. This impeded regeneration phenotype was recapitulated in mice with either conditional ablation of Cxcr7 in LSEC (Cxcr7iΔ/iΔ) or Vegfr1 in myeloid cell (Vegfr1lysM/lysM). Both Vegfr1lysM/lysM and Cxcr7iΔ/iΔ mice exhibited suppressed expression of hepatocyte growth factor and Wnt2, two crucial trophogenic angiocrine factors instigating hepatocyte propagation. Of note, administration of recombinant thrombopoietin restored the prohibited liver regeneration in the tested genetic models. As such, our data suggest that platelets and myeloid cells jointly activate the vascular niche to produce pro-regenerative endothelial paracrine/angiocrine factors. Modulating this ‘hematopoietic–vascular niche’ might help to develop regenerative therapy strategy for hepatic disorders.
Modulated self-reversed magnetic hysteresis in iron oxides
Authors: Ma Ji , Chen Kezheng
Published: February 2017

The steadfast rule of a ferromagnetic hysteresis loop claims its saturation positioned within the first and third quadrants, whereas its saturation positioned in the second and fourth quadrants (named as self-reversed magnetic hysteresis) is usually taken as an experimental artifact and is always intentionally ignored. In this report, a new insight in this unique hysteresis phenomenon and its modulation were discussed in depth. Different iron oxides (magnetite, maghemite and hematite) with varying dimensions were soaked in FeCl3 aqueous solution and absorbed Fe3+ cations due to their negative enough surface zeta potentials. These iron oxides@Fe3+ core-shell products exhibit well pronounced self-reversed magnetic hysteresis which concurrently have typical diamagnetic characteristics and essential ferromagnetic features. The presence of pre-magnetized Fe3+ shell and its negatively magnetic exchange coupling with post-magnetized iron-oxide core is the root cause for the observed phenomena. More strikingly, this self-reversed magnetic hysteresis can be readily modulated by changing the core size or by simply controlling Fe3+ concentration in aqueous solution. It is anticipated that this work will shed new light on the development of spintronics, magnetic recording and other magnetically-relevant fields.
Immunologic treatment failure among HIV-infected adult patients in Jiangsu province, China
Authors: Qiu Tao , Ding Ping , Fu Gengfeng , Huan Xiping , Xu Xiaoqin , Zhang Zhi , Liu Xiaoyan , Yang Haitao , Mandel Jeff , Wei Chongyi , McFarland Willi , Yan Hongjing
Published: February 2017

The National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program was implemented in Jiangsu Province, China in 2005. We conducted a retrospective, open cohort study to determine treatment failure rates and associated risk factors. Data were obtained from the national web-based antiretroviral treatment database. WHO criteria were used to define immunologic treatment failure. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to determine treatment failure rates and Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to identify risk factors. A total of 5,083 (87.8%) having at least one CD4 cell count measure were included from 2005 to 2013. Overall, 30.4% had immunologic treatment failure with cumulative treatment failure rates increasing to 50.5% at month 60 and 64.1% at month 90. Factors predicting treatment failure included being treated in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention system (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.14–2.50, p = 0.009) or jail hospital (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08–1.34, p = 0.001), and having a baseline CD4 count >350 cells/uL (HR 2.37, 95% CI 1.94–2.89. p < 0.001). Immunologic treatment failure was moderate to substantial among treated HIV patients. Providing second-line regimens and shifting treatment providers to professional hospitals should be considered to consolidate gains in averting morbidity and mortality.
The impact of esophagogastric varices on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hsieh Wei-Yao , Chen Ping-Hsien , Lin I-Yen , Su Chien-Wei , Chao Yee- , Huo Teh-Ia , Huang Yi-Hsiang , Hou Ming-Chih , Lin Han-Chieh , Wu Jaw-Ching
Published: February 2017

Whether or not esophagogastric varices (EGV) could determine the outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. A total of 990 treatment-naive HCC patients who received an esophagogastroduodenoscopy at the time of HCC diagnosis were retrospectively enrolled. The factors in terms of prognosis were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards model and propensity score matching analysis. Among the enrolled patients, 480 (48.5%) patients had EGV. Patients with EGV had a significantly lower cumulative 5-year survival rate than those without EGV (24.9% versus 46.4%, p < 0.001). It was confirmed by a multivariate analysis and propensity score matching analysis. Stratified by tumor stage, the patients with EGV had lower survival rates than the patients without EGVs in all Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stages except stage D. Moreover, the patients with EGV had lower survival rates than those without EGV, both by curative or non-curative treatment modalities. In conclusion, EGV was an independent risk factor predicting poor prognosis for the patients with HCC by multivariate analysis, propensity score matching analysis, and subgroup analysis.
Ge nanopillar solar cells epitaxially grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Kim Youngjo , Lam Nguyen Dinh , Kim Kangho , Park Won-Kyu , Lee Jaejin
Published: February 2017

Radial junction solar cells with vertically aligned wire arrays have been widely studied to improve the power conversion efficiency. In this work, we report the first Ge nanopillar solar cell. Nanopillar arrays are selectively patterned on p-type Ge (100) substrates using nanosphere lithography and deep reactive ion etching processes. Nanoscale radial and planar junctions are realized by an n-type Ge emitter layer which is epitaxially grown by MOCVD using isobutylgermane. In situ epitaxial surface passivation is employed using an InGaP layer to avoid high surface recombination rates and Fermi level pinning. High quality n-ohmic contact is realized by protecting the top contact area during the nanopillar patterning. The short circuit current density and the power conversion efficiency of the Ge nanopillar solar cell are demonstrated to be improved up to 18 and 30%, respectively, compared to those of the Ge solar cell with a planar surface.
Ecology and genetics affect relative invasion success of two Echium species in southern Australia
Authors: Zhu Xiaocheng , Weston Paul A. , Skoneczny Dominik , Gopurenko David , Meyer Lucie , Lepschi Brendan J. , Callaway Ragan M. , Gurr Geoff M. , Weston Leslie A.
Published: February 2017

Echium plantagineum and E. vulgare are congeneric exotics first introduced to Australia in the early 1800 s. There, E. plantagineum is now highly invasive, whereas E. vulgare has a limited distribution. Studies were conducted to evaluate distribution, ecology, genetics and secondary chemistry to shed light on factors associated with their respective invasive success. When sampled across geographically diverse locales, E. plantagineum was widespread and exhibited a small genome size (1 C = 0.34 pg), an annual life cycle, and greater genetic diversity as assessed by DNA sequence analysis. It was found frequently in areas with temperature extremes and low rainfall. In contrast, E. vulgare exhibited a larger genome size (1 C = 0.43 pg), a perennial lifecycle, less chloroplast genetic diversity, and occurred in areas with lower temperatures and higher rainfall. Twelve chloroplast haplotypes of E. plantagineum were evident and incidence aligned well with reported historical introduction events. In contrast, E. vulgare exhibited two haplotypes and was found only sporadically at higher elevations. Echium plantagineum possessed significantly higher levels of numerous pyrrolizidine alkaloids involved in plant defence. We conclude that elevated genetic diversity, tolerance to environmental stress and capacity for producing defensive secondary metabolites have contributed to the successful invasion of E. plantagineum in Australia.
Association between ABO Blood Group and Risk of Congenital Heart Disease: A 6-year large cohort study
Authors: Zu Bailing , You Guoling , Fu Qihua , Wang Jing
Published: February 2017

ABO blood group, except its direct clinical implications for transfusion and organ transplantation, is generally accepted as an effect factor for coronary heart disease, but the associations between ABO blood group and congenital heart disease (CHD) are not coherent by previous reports. In this study, we evaluated the the potential relationship between ABO blood group and CHD risk. In 39,042 consecutive inpatients (19,795 CHD VS 19,247 controls), we used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the roles of ABO blood group, gender, and RH for CHD. The associations between ABO blood group and CHD subgroups, were further evaluated using stratification analysis, adjusted by gender. A blood group demonstrated decreased risk for isolated CHD (OR 0.82; 95% CI, 0.78–0.87) in individuals with A blood group in the overall cohort analysis, and the finding was consistently replicated in independent subgroup analysis. ABO blood group may have a role for CHD, and this novel finding provides ABO blood group as a possible marker for CHD, but more studies need to be done.
Mitochondrial Dysregulation Secondary to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Autosomal Dominant Tubulointerstitial Kidney Disease – UMOD (ADTKD-UMOD)
Authors: Kemter Elisabeth , Fröhlich Thomas , Arnold Georg J. , Wolf Eckhard , Wanke Rüdiger
Published: February 2017

‘Autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease – UMOD’ (ADTKD-UMOD) is caused by impaired maturation and secretion of mutant uromodulin (UMOD) in thick ascending limb of Henle loop (TAL) cells, resulting in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR). To gain insight into pathophysiology, we analysed proteome profiles of TAL-enriched outer renal medulla samples from ADTKD-UMOD and control mice by quantitative LC-MS/MS. In total, 212 differentially abundant proteins were identified. Numerous ER proteins, including BiP (HSPA5), phosphorylated eIF2α (EIF2S1), ATF4, ATF6 and CHOP (DDIT3), were increased abundant, consistent with UPR. The abundance of hypoxia-inducible proteins with stress survival functions, i.e. HYOU1, TXNDC5 and ERO1L, was also increased. TAL cells in ADTKD-UMOD showed a decreased proportion of mitochondria and reduced abundance of multiple mitochondrial proteins, associated with disturbed post-translational processing and activation of the mitochondrial transcription factor NRF1. Impaired fission of organelles, as suggested by reduced abundance of FIS1, may be another reason for disturbed biogenesis of mitochondria and peroxisomes. Reduced amounts of numerous proteins of the OXPHOS and citrate cycle pathways, and activation of the LKB1-AMPK-pathway, a sensor pathway of cellular energy deficits, suggest impaired energy homeostasis. In conclusion, our study revealed secondary mitochondrial dysfunction in ADTKD-UMOD.
High-resolution 3D imaging of whole organ after clearing: taking a new look at the zebrafish testis
Authors: Frétaud Maxence , Rivière Laurie , Job Élodie De , Gay Stéphanie , Lareyre Jean-Jacques , Joly Jean-Stéphane , Affaticati Pierre , Thermes Violette
Published: February 2017

Zebrafish testis has become a powerful model for reproductive biology of teleostean fishes and other vertebrates and encompasses multiple applications in applied and basic research. Many studies have focused on 2D images, which is time consuming and implies extrapolation of results. Three-dimensional imaging of whole organs recently became an important challenge to better understand their architecture and allow cell enumeration. Several protocols have thus been developed to enhance sample transparency, a limiting step for imaging large biological samples. However, none of these methods has been applied to the zebrafish testis. We tested five clearing protocols to determine if some of them could be applied with only small modifications to the testis. We compared clearing efficiency at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. CUBIC and PACT were suitable for an efficient transparency, an optimal optical penetration, the GFP fluorescence preservation and avoiding meaningful tissue deformation. Finally, we succeeded in whole testis 3D capture at a cellular resolution with both CUBIC and PACT, which will be valuable in a standard workflow to investigate the 3D architecture of the testis and its cellular content. This paves the way for further development of high content phenotyping studies in several fields including development, genetic or toxicology.
Resetting predator baselines in coral reef ecosystems
Authors: Bradley Darcy , Conklin Eric , Papastamatiou Yannis P. , McCauley Douglas J. , Pollock Kydd , Pollock Amanda , Kendall Bruce E. , Gaines Steven D. , Caselle Jennifer E.
Published: February 2017

What did coral reef ecosystems look like before human impacts became pervasive? Early efforts to reconstruct baselines resulted in the controversial suggestion that pristine coral reefs have inverted trophic pyramids, with disproportionally large top predator biomass. The validity of the coral reef inverted trophic pyramid has been questioned, but until now, was not resolved empirically. We use data from an eight-year tag-recapture program with spatially explicit, capture-recapture models to re-examine the population size and density of a key top predator at Palmyra atoll, the same location that inspired the idea of inverted trophic biomass pyramids in coral reef ecosystems. Given that animal movement is suspected to have significantly biased early biomass estimates of highly mobile top predators, we focused our reassessment on the most mobile and most abundant predator at Palmyra, the grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos). We estimated a density of 21.3 (95% CI 17.8, 24.7) grey reef sharks/km2, which is an order of magnitude lower than the estimates that suggested an inverted trophic pyramid. Our results indicate that the trophic structure of an unexploited reef fish community is not inverted, and that even healthy top predator populations may be considerably smaller, and more precarious, than previously thought.