bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunoaffinity Knockout of Saponin Glycosides from Asparagus racemosus to Assess Anti‐lipid Peroxidation
Authors: Onlom Churanya , Phrompittayarat Watoo , Putalun Waraporn , Waranuch Neti , Ingkaninan Kornkanok
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Asparagus racemosus Willd (Asparagaceae family), known as Shatavari, is important in Ayurveda and traditional Thai medicines. The saponin glycosides, shatavarin I and IV are major constituents in its roots and may be responsible for their actions including protection against lipid peroxidation and carcinogenesis.

Objective

To develop an immunoaffinity column for isolating compounds with structures related to shatavarin IV from crude extracts of A. racemosus root.

Methodology

The monoclonal antibody recognising shatavarin IV (mAbShavIV) was coupled to an Affi‐Gel Hz gel to isolate compounds with structures related to shatavarin IV from the other components of crude extracts of A. racemosus root. The saponin glycosides in each fraction were analysed by mAbShavIV ELISA and LC–MS/MS.

Results

The pooled wash‐through fractions contained 3% of loaded mAbShavIV reactive saponin glycosides, while eluted fractions released ~ 90% of shatavarin saponin glycosides in a single step. Using thiobarbiturate (TBARs) to measure lipid‐peroxidation, the extract, and the pooled wash‐through fractions showed moderate protection against Cu+‐induced oxidation of human low density lipoprotein (LDL) (IC50 11.3 ± 1.4 and 12.6 ± 0.9 μg/mL, respectively). In contrast, the saponin glycosides eluted from the mAbShavIV‐column had weaker protectant (IC50 29.7 ± 1.8 μg/mL) suggesting that A. racemosus shatavarins do not inhibit carcinogenesis through preventing lipid peroxidation.

Conclusion

The strategy described here demonstrates its utility for isolating a group of related compounds from the rest of the extract with selectivity and recovery rate. Pharmacological efficacy and synergistic effects of the components obtained can be further investigated. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
C18‐COOH Silica: Preparation, Characterisation and Its Application in Purification of Quaternary Ammonium Alkaloids from Coptis chinensis
Authors: Wang Qing , Long Yao , Yao Lin , Ye Mao , Xu Li
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Traditional methods for isolating and purifying quaternary ammonium alkaloids from Coptis chinensis do not discriminate the target alkaloids from co‐extractives. Mixed‐mode analytical chromatography has the potential to improve the separation of analytes in more complex extracts and, when used in a solid‐phase extraction mode, improve the purity of isolated compounds.

Objective

To examine the high‐performance liquid chromatographic separation capabilities of a mixed‐mode, silica‐based adsorbent and its application to the purification of quaternary ammonium alkaloids from Coptis chinensis based on solid‐phase extraction.

Methodology

The C18‐COOH silica was prepared via “thiol‐ene” click chemistry. Its chromatographic performance was firstly investigated. It was employed as the solid‐phase extraction sorbent to purify quaternary ammonium alkaloids.

Results

Hydrophobic, attractive/repulsive electrostatic and ion‐exchange interactions were demonstrated to be the possible retention mechanisms of a C18‐COOH silica stationary phase, which could separate analytes of various properties. In addition, to purify quaternary ammonium alkaloids from Coptis chinensis, the solid‐phase extraction approach based on the C18‐COOH silica provided a slightly higher purification efficiency (6.7%) than an alkaloid‐salt precipitation protocol (5.3%). The method had satisfactory reproducibility, re‐using the same solid‐phase extraction column three times, with relative standard deviations ranging from 1.99% to 8.02% for the six target alkaloids.

Conclusion

A multi‐functionalised silica was synthesised via “click chemistry”. As the high‐performance liquid chromatographic stationary phase, the C18‐COOH silica could be operated in trimodal reversed‐phase/weak cation exchange/hydrophilic interaction mode. The C18‐COOH silica also exhibited potential as solid‐phase extraction sorbent in the purification of quaternary ammonium alkaloids from complex matrices. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
INCORPORATING APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS TO ASSESS AND SUPPORT EDUCATORS’ TREATMENT INTEGRITY
Authors: Collier‐Meek Melissa A. , Sanetti Lisa M. H. , Fallon Lindsay M.
Published: February 2017

For evidence‐based interventions to be effective for students they must be consistently implemented, however, many teachers struggle with treatment integrity and require support. Although many implementation support strategies are research based, there is little empirical guidance about the types of treatment integrity, implementers, and contexts these strategies are best suited to address. To facilitate the data‐driven identification of implementation supports, treatment integrity and the implementation context could be evaluated through an applied behavior analysis (ABA) lens. That is, teachers’ engagement in intervention implementation or competing behaviors could be considered to be occasioned by antecedents (e.g., prompts, setting) and maintained by consequences (e.g., escape intervention, access to attention). This article describes the conceptualization of treatment integrity within an antecedent‐behavior‐consequence framework. The current landscape and limitations of school‐based treatment integrity research are reviewed and the application of ABA technology to address implementer behavior is described. Further, the article provides practical strategies for how school psychologists might apply this conceptualization to support teachers. A case study is provided to illustrate associated research‐based strategies. Last, implications and limitations are described.
INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM THROUGH MUSIC, PROMPTING, AND MODELING
Authors: Dieringer Shannon Titus , Zoder‐Martell Kimberly , Porretta David L. , Bricker Angela , Kabazie Jaclyn
Published: February 2017

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate strategies to increase gross motor task completion (GMTC) in physical activity programming for children with autism spectrum disorder in a school setting. A multiple baseline design across five participants was used compare the impact of the presentation of music with lyrical instruction alone and with a teacher modeling and providing verbal prompting for increasing GMTC. Furthermore, the extent to which the GMTC generalized to a novel song following training was also evaluated. All participants engaged in low levels of GMTC during baseline and in the music only conditions. Improvements were found when modeling and prompting were introduced; however, the change was modest. Finally, none of the participants demonstrated generalization to a novel song. In light of the findings, implications for schools to consider physical activity programming will be discussed.
Recent advances in the solution self‐assembly of amphiphilic “rod‐coil” copolymers
Authors: Wu Dongdong , Huang Yinjuan , Xu Fugui , Mai Yiyong , Yan Deyue
Published: February 2017

Solution self‐assembly of amphiphilic “rod‐coil” copolymers, especially linear block copolymers and graft copolymers (also referred to as polymer brushes), has attracted considerable interest, as replacing one of the blocks of a coil‐coil copolymer with a rigid segment results in distinct self‐assembly features compared with those of the coil‐coil copolymer. The unique interplay between microphase separation of the rod and coil blocks with great geometric disparities can lead to the formation of unusual morphologies that are distinctly different from those known for coil‐coil copolymers. This review presents the recent achievements in the controlled self‐assembly of rod‐coil linear block copolymers and graft copolymers in solution, focusing on copolymer systems containing conjugated polymers, liquid crystalline polymers, polypeptides, and polyisocyanates as the rod segments. The discussions concentrate on the principle of controlling over the morphology of rod‐coil copolymer assemblies, as well as their distinctive optical and optoelectronic properties or biocompatibility and stimuli‐responsiveness, which afford the assemblies great potential as functional materials particularly for optical, optoelectronic and biological applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1459–1477
Grignard condensation routes to 1,3‐disilacyclobutane‐containing cyclolinear polycarbosilanes
Authors: Liu Xinxing , Rathore Jitendra S. , Dubois Geraud , Interrante Leonard V.
Published: February 2017

Alkylene‐ and arylene‐bridged cyclolinear polycarbosilanes (CLPCS) with 1,3‐disilacyclobutane (DSCB) rings incorporated in the main chain of the polymer were prepared by polycondensation between corresponding di‐functional DSCB derivatives and di‐Grignard reagents. Well‐defined, low molecular weight (Mn = 3–5K; DP = 17–26), hexylene‐ and phenylene‐bridged CLPCS polymers were obtained without appreciable ring opening of the DSCB rings. Large exothermic peaks were observed in the DSC for these CLPCSs, which indicated, along with the IR spectra, that crosslinking occurred on heating to about 250 °C via the ring opening of the embedded, alternating, DSCB rings. Moreover, PB‐CLPCS undergoes photochemically induced crosslinking on UV irradiation to form crosslinked polycarbosilane network films. The spin‐cast, cured, films of these CLPCSs exhibit relatively low dielectric constants and promising thermal and mechanical properties for applications in electronics, for example, directly UV‐photoimprinted low‐k dielectrics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1547–1557
Comparative proteomic analysis of the influence of gender and acid stimulation on normal human saliva using LC/MS/MS
Authors: Xiao Xiaoping , Liu Yaoran , Guo Zhengguang , Liu Xiaoyan , Sun Haidan , Li Qian , Sun Wei
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Human saliva is an important source for disease biomarker discovery. This study is to investigate the influence of gender and acid stimulation on the normal human salivary proteome.

Experimental design

Unstimulated and acid‐stimulated saliva samples from 5 males and 5 females were labeled with 4‐plex iTRAQ and analyzed by 2‐DLC MS/MS. By bioinformatics analysis the gender and acid stimulation related proteins were defined. According to protein annotation the important proteins were validated by multiple reaction monitor analysis.

Results

A total of 1770 proteins were identified, and 82 proteins in unstimulated saliva were found to be gender‐specific, mainly associated with immune function, metabolism and inflammation. However, no gender‐specific proteins were found in acid‐stimulated saliva. In addition, 182 and 307 differential proteins were found to be acid stimulation‐specific in male samples and female samples, respectively, mainly participated in the process of cellular movement, immune function and inflammatory response. Besides, it was found that acid stimulation caused more significant alteration and played a more important role in the human salivary proteome than gender. Gender‐specific (IGHG2 and TIMP1) and acid stimulation (PERL, ENOA, ACTB, B4E022 and CALL3) related proteins were validated by MRM analysis.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

The results indicate that gender differences exist in the unstimulated salivary proteome, and the influence of acid stimulation on the salivary proteome was more significant than that of gender. The above results may be helpful for salivary proteome research in the future.
Optimization by infusion of multiple reaction monitoring transitions for sensitive quantification of peptides by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Alghanem Bandar , Nikitin Frédéric , Stricker Thomas , Duchoslav Eva , Luban Jeremy , Strambio‐De‐Castillia Caterina , Muller Markus , Lisacek Frédérique , Varesio Emmanuel , Hopfgartner Gérard
Published: February 2017

Rationale

In peptide quantification by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), the optimization of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) parameters is essential for sensitive detection. We have compared different approaches to build MRM assays, based either on flow injection analysis (FIA) of isotopically labelled peptides, or on the knowledge and the prediction of the best settings for MRM transitions and collision energies (CE). In this context, we introduce MRMOptimizer, an open‐source software tool that processes spectra and assists the user in selecting transitions in the FIA workflow.

Methods

MS/MS spectral libraries with CE voltages from 10 to 70 V are automatically acquired in FIA mode for isotopically labelled peptides. Then MRMOptimizer determines the optimal MRM settings for each peptide. To assess the quantitative performance of our approach, 155 peptides, representing 84 proteins, were analysed by LC/MRM‐MS and the peak areas were compared between: (A) the MRMOptimizer‐based workflow, (B1) the SRMAtlas transitions set used ‘as‐is’; (B2) the same SRMAtlas set with CE parameters optimized by Skyline.

Results

51% of the three most intense transitions per peptide were shown to be common to both A and B1/B2 methods, and displayed similar sensitivity and peak area distributions. The peak areas obtained with MRMOptimizer for transitions sharing either the precursor ion charge state or the fragment ions with the SRMAtlas set at unique transitions were increased 1.8‐ to 2.3‐fold. The gain in sensitivity using MRMOptimizer for transitions with different precursor ion charge state and fragment ions (8% of the total), reaches a ~ 11‐fold increase.

Conclusions

Isotopically labelled peptides can be used to optimize MRM transitions more efficiently in FIA than by searching databases. The MRMOptimizer software is MS independent and enables the post‐acquisition selection of MRM parameters. Coefficients of variation for optimal CE values are lower than those obtained with the SRMAtlas approach (B2) and one additional peptide was detected. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
State synchronization of linear and nonlinear agents in time‐varying networks
Authors: Zhang Meirong , Saberi Ali , Stoorvogel Anton A.
Published: February 2017

This paper studies state synchronization of homogeneous time‐varying networks with diffusive full‐state coupling or partial‐state coupling. In the case of full‐state coupling, linear agents as well as a class of nonlinear time‐varying agents are considered. In the case of partial‐state coupling, we only consider linear agents, but, in contrast with the literature, we do not require the agents in the network to be minimum phase or at most weakly unstable. In both cases, the network is time‐varying in the sense that the network graph switches within an infinite set of graphs with arbitrarily small dwell time. A purely decentralized linear static protocol is designed for agents in the network with full‐state coupling. For partial‐state coupling, a linear dynamic protocol is designed for agents in the network while using additional communication among controller variables using the same network. In both cases, the design is based on a high‐gain methodology. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long-Distance Axonal Growth and Protracted Functional Maturation of Neurons Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells After Intracerebral Transplantation
Authors: Niclis Jonathan C. , Turner Christopher , Durnall Jennifer , McDougal Stuart , Kauhausen Jessica A. , Leaw Bryan , Dottori Mirella , Parish Clare L. , Thompson Lachlan H.
Published: February 2017

The capacity for induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to be differentiated into a wide range of neural cell types makes them an attractive donor source for autologous neural transplantation therapies aimed at brain repair. Translation to the in vivo setting has been difficult, however, with mixed results in a wide variety of preclinical models of brain injury and limited information on the basic in vivo properties of neural grafts generated from human iPS cells. Here we have generated a human iPS cell line constitutively expressing green fluorescent protein as a basis to identify and characterize grafts resulting from transplantation of neural progenitors into the adult rat brain. The results show that the grafts contain a mix of neural cell types, at various stages of differentiation, including neurons that establish extensive patterns of axonal growth and progressively develop functional properties over the course of 1 year after implantation. These findings form an important basis for the design and interpretation of preclinical studies using human stem cells for functional circuit re-construction in animal models of brain injury.
Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Derived Exosomes Promote Survival of Retinal Ganglion Cells Through miRNA-Dependent Mechanisms
Authors: Mead Ben , Tomarev Stanislav
Published: February 2017

The loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and their axons is one of the leading causes of blindness and includes traumatic (optic neuropathy) and degenerative (glaucoma) eye diseases. Although no clinical therapies are in use, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have demonstrated significant neuroprotective and axogenic effects on RGC in both of the aforementioned models. Recent evidence has shown that MSC secrete exosomes, membrane enclosed vesicles (30–100 nm) containing proteins, mRNA and miRNA which can be delivered to nearby cells. The present study aimed to isolate exosomes from bone marrow-derived MSC (BMSC) and test them in a rat optic nerve crush (ONC) model. Treatment of primary retinal cultures with BMSC-exosomes demonstrated significant neuroprotective and neuritogenic effects. Twenty-one days after ONC and weekly intravitreal exosome injections; optical coherence tomography, electroretinography, and immunohistochemistry was performed. BMSC-derived exosomes promoted statistically significant survival of RGC and regeneration of their axons while partially preventing RGC axonal loss and RGC dysfunction. Exosomes successfully delivered their cargo into inner retinal layers and the effects were reliant on miRNA, demonstrated by the diminished therapeutic effects of exosomes derived from BMSC after knockdown of Argonaute-2, a key miRNA effector molecule. This study supports the use of BMSC-derived exosomes as a cell-free therapy for traumatic and degenerative ocular disease.
A novel traffic analysis attack model and base‐station anonymity metrics for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Baroutis Nikolaos , Younis Mohamed
Published: February 2017

In applications of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), all data packets are directed toward the base‐station (BS) over multi‐hop routes. In addition to data processing, the BS can interface the WSN to remote centers. Therefore, the failure of the BS diminishes the network utility and makes the data inaccessible. An adversary would thus try to uncover the BS's location by analyzing the traffic patterns of the network in order to launch denial of service attacks. For that reason, various countermeasure techniques have been proposed to boost the anonymity of the BS. In this paper, we study the existing traffic analysis models that an adversary could apply to locate the BS and point out shortcomings that make contemporary countermeasures weaker than thought. We further present a novel attack model that increases the adversary's confidence in localizing the BS while significantly reducing the traffic analysis complexity. Additionally, we introduce two novel anonymity metrics that can be used for evaluating the network resilience to attacks and for gauging the performance of countermeasures. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed attack model. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Verbundbrücke bei Elbląg
Authors: Lorenc Wojciech , Kolakowski Thomasz , Hukowicz Andrzej , Seidl Günther
Published: February 2017

Das Konstruktionsprinzip der VFT‐Bauweise mit Walzträgern in Beton (VFT‐WIB) kommt in Europa und vor allem in Deutschland und Polen häufig zum Einsatz. Der Neubau der Brücke südwestlich der Stadt Elbląg in Polen führt das Konstruktionsprinzip weiter. Die Schnittführung der Walzträger wird so gewählt, dass in Feldmitte und im Stützbereich unterschiedliche Stahlsteghöhen entstehen. Diese Idee birgt statisch‐konstruktiv den Vorteil, die Schubkräfte und Biegemomente im Träger effektiv abzutragen. Die Weiterentwicklung wird anhand der Brücke Elbląg beschrieben, konstruktive Details beleuchtet und die Wirtschaftlichkeit der Bauweise diskutiert.
In vitromicrofluidic models of tumor microenvironment to screen transport of drugs and nanoparticles
Authors: Ozcelikkale Altug , Moon Hye‐ran , Linnes Michael , Han Bumsoo
Published: February 2017

Advances in nanotechnology have enabled numerous types of nanoparticles (NPs) to improve drug delivery to tumors. While manyNPsystems have been proposed, their clinical translation has been less than anticipated primarily due to failure of current preclinical evaluation techniques to adequately model the complex interactions between theNPand physiological barriers of tumor microenvironment. This review focuses on microfluidic tumor models for characterization of delivery efficacy and toxicity of cancer nanomedicine. Microfluidics offer significant advantages over traditional macroscale cell cultures by enabling recapitulation of tumor microenvironment through precise control of physiological cues such as hydrostatic pressure, shear stress, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. Microfluidic systems have recently started to be adapted for screening of drugs andNPsunder physiologically relevant settings. So far the two primary application areas of microfluidics in this area have been high‐throughput screening using traditional culture settings such as single cells or multicellular tumor spheroids, and mimicry of tumor microenvironment for study of cancer‐related cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. These microfluidic technologies are also useful in modeling specific steps inNPdelivery to tumor and characterizeNPtransport properties and outcomes by systematic variation of physiological conditions. Ultimately, it will be possible to design drug‐screening platforms uniquely tailored for individual patient physiology using microfluidics. Thesein vitromodels can contribute to development of precision medicine by enabling rapid and patient‐specific evaluation of cancer nanomedicine.WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol2017, 9:e1460. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1460

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Outcomes of Curative‐Intent Surgery and Adjuvant Treatment for Pulmonary Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Authors: Kim Kun Woo , Kim Hong Kwan , Kim Jhingook , Shim Young Mog , Ahn Myung‐Ju , Choi Yoon‐La
Published: February 2017

Background

Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is pathologically classified as non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its clinical behavior is more aggressive than other types of NSCLC. Accordingly, the optimal treatment strategy for LCNEC, including the indication of adjuvant treatment, remains controversial.

Methods

A retrospective review of 139 patients who underwent curative‐intent surgery for LCNEC was performed to investigate clinicopathologic features and survival outcomes and to evaluate whether adjuvant treatment affected survival outcomes.

Results

The mean patient age was 64 years (126 men, 90.6%). Operative procedures included 111 lobectomies (79.8%), 12 pneumonectomies (8.6%), and 2 sublobar resections. Pathologic stage was IA in 31 (22%), IB in 36 (26%), IIA in 34 (24%), IIB in 9 (6%), IIIA in 19 (14%), IIIB in 2 (1.4%), and IV in 4 patients (2.9%). Postoperatively, 50 patients (36%) received adjuvant treatment. The median follow‐up duration was 33 months. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate was 53%, and 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) rate was 39%. In patients with pathologic stage I, there was no significant difference in either OS or DFS according to the addition of adjuvant treatment. However, in patients with pathologic stage II or higher, patients who underwent adjuvant treatment showed significantly better OS (p = 0.023) and DFS (p = 0.038).

Conclusions

Our findings showed that patients who underwent curative‐intent surgery for LCNEC benefitted from the use of adjuvant treatment especially in pathologic stage II or higher.
“Kicked out”: LGBTQ youths' bathroom experiences and preferences
Authors: Porta Carolyn M. , Gower Amy L. , Mehus Christopher J. , Yu Xiaohui , Saewyc Elizabeth M. , Eisenberg Marla E.
Published: February 2017

Attention toward who can use which gender binary, multi‐stall bathroom has brought to the forefront, once again, the ways in which youth are supported or marginalized. No study has documented sexual and gender minority youths' experiences with and perspectives about bathrooms. We collected qualitative data in 2014–2015. Participants were 25 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth, aged 14–19, in the United States and Canada. Their comments describe first‐ and second‐hand bathroom experiences, identify advocacy efforts, and highlight the roles of peers and adults in making bathrooms safe (or not). Youth emphasized the importance of gender‐neutral bathrooms in fostering a sense of safety and inclusivity. Adult support and gay‐straight alliances (GSAs) were important contributors to a welcoming environment and fostered advocacy efforts for gender‐neutral bathrooms. We encourage purposeful inclusivity of youths' voices when enacting bathroom‐specific policies and legislation that directly influence their health and well‐being.
Seismic wave attenuation in the lithosphere of the North Tanzanian divergence zone (East African rift system)
Authors: Dobrynina A.A. , Albaric J. , Deschamps A. , Perrot J. , Ferdinand R.W. , Déverchère J. , San’kov V.A. , Chechel’nitskii V.V.
Published: February 2017

The seismic effective quality factor (QC) and its frequently dependences or the frequency parameter (n) and attenuation coefficient (δ) for the Earth’s crust and upper mantle of the North Tanzanian divergence zone (East African rift system) were estimated from an analysis of the earthquake coda waves recorded in the SEISMO-TANZ’07 French-Tanzanian seismic experiment. The QC values increase and the n and δ values decrease with increasing frequency and length of the lapse time window. This behavior of the attenuation parameters may be evidence that the degree of heterogeneity of the lithosphere decreases with depth. Comparison of the depth variations in the attenuation coefficient δ and the frequency parameter n with the velocity structure of the region shows that there is a distinct change in the behavior of seismic wave attenuation at velocity discontinuities. The obtained attenuation parameters were compared with the same parameters obtained in our previous studies for other continental rift systems—the Baikal rift system (Eurasia) and the Basin and Range Province (North America).
Afontova Gora II archaeological site: geology and postdepositional deformation (Krasnoyarsk, Siberia)
Authors: Zolnikov I.D. , Deev E.V. , Slavinskiy V.S. , Tsybankov A.A. , Rybin E.P. , Lysenko D.N. , Stasyuk I.V.
Published: February 2017

The Afontova Gora II archaeological site located within two geologically and geomorphically different areas has been studied in terms of geology and Quaternary deposition history. Both areas lie upon alluvial terrace II of the Yensei River. At the time when terrace I alluvium was deposited, aeolian and slope-wash facies accumulated on the surface of terrace II and a slope-wash apron formed on the gently sloping surface of terrace III. It is at these different levels of the Yenisei River bank that the latest Paleolithic Afontov culture of Siberia has been found. At the Late Glacial–Holocene boundary, the slope-wash apron upon terrace III was involved in landsliding and thrust over terrace II, which deformed the subaerial deposits over both terraces II and III. As shown by detailed analysis, the landslide deposits are either strongly deformed to the degree of losing of their primary sedimentary textures and structures or form imbricated blocks with deformed margins but minor deformation in their interior. The preserved textures and structures of sediments inside the imbricated landslide blocks provide stratigraphic and genetic constraints and prove the in situ origin of anthropological, archaeological, and paleontological finds. This division also explains the archaeological sterility and abnormal thickness of the subaerial cover upon the landslide blocks.
Lu–Hf isotope composition of zircon as an indicator of the sources for Paleoproterozoic collisional granites (Sharyzhalgai uplift, Siberian craton)
Authors: Turkina O.M. , Kapitonov I.N.
Published: February 2017

We present geochemical characteristics of rocks and results of local dating and Lu–Hf isotopic analysis of zircons from two plutons of Paleoproterozoic collisional granitoids in the northwest of the Sharyzhalgai uplift. The rocks of the Alar pluton in the Bulun terrane correspond in major- and trace-element composition to I-type potassic granites. The Alar granites formed at ~780 °C and <5–8 kbar through melting of predominantly graywacke (volcanosedimentary) source rocks with the contribution of melt from plagiogneisses of tonalite–trondhjemite complex. The age and Lu–Hf isotopic similarity between inherited zircon core (3.3–3.0 and 2.85–2.6 Ga) in these granites and zircons from the Paleo- and Mesoarchean rocks of the Bulun terrane suggests that the latter are the most likely crustal sources of the granites. The more radiogenic isotope composition of the Paleoproterozoic (1.85 Ga) magmatic zircons from the granites as compared with the Archean crustal rocks of the Bulun terrane testifies to the contribution of juvenile material to the granite formation. Highly ferroan granodiorites and granites of the Shumikha pluton in the Onot terrane are enriched in HFSE and correspond to A-type granites. They probably derived by the melting of crustal sources of intermediate–felsic (tonalitic) and mafic composition at ≥860 °C. The Hf isotope composition of magmatic (1.86 Ga) and inherited (ca. 2.5 Ga) zircons indicates that the granites formed from ancient crustal source (model Hf age is ≥3.0 Ga) with the contribution of Neoarchean juvenile, probably mafic material.
Barite mineralization in the Deryugin Basin of the Okhotsk Sea: Active processes and formation conditions
Authors: Astakhov A.S. , Ivin V.V. , Karnaukh V.N. , Koptev A.A. , Li B.Ya. , Sukhoveev E.N.
Published: February 2017

The paper reports on seafloor terrains mapped to a high resolution, the structure of shallow-water sediments, and the extent of barite mineralization in the Deryugin Basin, Okhotsk Sea. The data were collected by different methods of remote sounding of the bottom and a Comanche submersible in the area of the Barite Ridge deposit. The sedimentary cover, including Holocene sediments, is strongly deformed in this area and in some other areas of the basin. Several small mud volcanoes and new barite build-ups along the ridge axis are evidence of active fluid venting. Precipitated barite forms columns (chimneys) or grows over older layered barite build-ups. The research confirms the hypothesis of Ba supply by deep cold hydrotherms.
The Noion-Tologoi polymetallic deposit: formation conditions and petrogeochemical peculiarities of rocks and ores (eastern Transbaikalia)
Authors: Abramov B.N.
Published: February 2017

The Noion-Tologoi polymetallic deposit corresponds to the Akatui type of polymetallic deposits of eastern Transbaikalia. These deposits are associated with volcanoplutonic rocks of the Akatui complex. In element contents the polymetallic ores of the Noion-Tologoi deposit are similar to ores of volcanohydrothermal (VHMS type) deposits of southern Siberia. The orebodies are tabular, stockwork- and vein-like. They are localized in fault zones. The ores contain, on the average, 4.9% Pb, 6.8% Zn, and 272 ppm Ag. The most common ore minerals are pyrite, galena, arsenopyrite, and sphalerite. The δ18O (SMOW) values in the ore quartz range from –3.9 to +10.6‰. The isotopic composition of oxygen in the fluid (at 250–275 °C) varies from –12.80 to +2.79‰, indicating the participation of meteoric waters in mineralization. The enclosing rocks are volcanoterrigenous deposits of the Mulino Group (J2–3) and syenite porphyry of the Akatui complex (J2–3). In geochemical characteristics the syenite porphyry is similar to adakite intrusions. The Rb–Sr isotopic age of syenite porphyry is 150 ± 9 Ma. The initial ratio of strontium isotopes in these rocks is (87Sr/86Sr)0 = 0.70698 ± 0.0004, which indicates their mantle–crustal source.
BREAKING THE COHERENCE BARRIER: A NEW THEORY FOR COMPRESSED SENSING
Authors: ADCOCK BEN , HANSEN ANDERS C. , POON CLARICE , ROMAN BOGDAN
Published: February 2017

This paper presents a framework for compressed sensing that bridges a gap between existing theory and the current use of compressed sensing in many real-world applications. In doing so, it also introduces a new sampling method that yields substantially improved recovery over existing techniques. In many applications of compressed sensing, including medical imaging, the standard principles of incoherence and sparsity are lacking. Whilst compressed sensing is often used successfully in such applications, it is done largely without mathematical explanation. The framework introduced in this paper provides such a justification. It does so by replacing these standard principles with three more general concepts: asymptotic sparsity, asymptotic incoherence and multilevel random subsampling. Moreover, not only does this work provide such a theoretical justification, it explains several key phenomena witnessed in practice. In particular, and unlike the standard theory, this work demonstrates the dependence of optimal sampling strategies on both the incoherence structure of the sampling operator and on the structure of the signal to be recovered. Another key consequence of this framework is the introduction of a new structured sampling method that exploits these phenomena to achieve significant improvements over current state-of-the-art techniques.
Surgical management of nasal stenosis following chemoradiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Wilmot V V , Hathorn I
Published: February 2017

Background:

Nasal stenosis is a rare but significant complication of chemoradiation treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It can cause distressing obstructive symptoms for the patient and potentially interfere with monitoring for recurrence. Quality-of-life indicators are known to be very poor in this group of patients; however, there is very little evidence in the literature as to management of this complication.

Methods:

This paper presents an endoscopic day-case surgical procedure to address total posterior nasal stenosis, as conducted in three patients, which involves division of adhesions and removal of the posterior septum and posterior inferior turbinates, without the need for packing or stenting.

Results:

In this series, there was resolution of obstructive symptoms and no recurrence of stenosis during follow up (up to 20 months).

Conclusion:

This endoscopic procedure performed to manage total nasal stenosis differs from those previously described in the literature, as post-operative stenting or packing is not required, and removal of the posterior aspect of the septum is performed routinely.
Two new species of Cossura (Cossuridae, Annelida) from the terminal lobes of the Congo River deep-sea fan
Authors: Zhadan Anna
Published: February 2017

Two new species of Cossura Webster & Benedict, 1887 were found in material collected during sampling from the terminal lobes of the Congo deep-sea fan. They were described using light and scanning electron microscopy. Cossura platypus sp. nov. has 15–17 thoracic chaetigers, a prostomium longer than it is wide, with a widely rounded anterior margin, an abruptly expanded posterior prostomial ring the same length as the peristomium, without a mid-ventral notch, a branchial filament attached to the midlength of chaetiger 3, and a pygidium with three anal cirri. Cossura platypus sp. nov. is similar to C. brunnea Fauchald, 1972 but differs in the shape of the prostomium, which is widely rounded anteriorly in C. platypus sp. nov. and is broadly triangular in C. brunnea; furthermore, C. platypus sp. nov.is uniformly pale, whereas C. brunnea has dark pigmentation. Cossura candida Hartman, 1955 differs from C. platypus sp. nov. in the conical shape of the prostomium and 24–35 thoracic chaetigers. Cossura flabelligera sp. nov. has 16–19 thoracic chaetigers, a conical prostomium, and a branchial filament arising from the posterior part of chaetiger 2; the entire body, including the chaetae, is covered by a thick mucous sheath similar to the tunic of flabelligerids. Cossura flabelligera sp. nov. resembles C. longocirrata Webster & Benedict, 1887 in the position of the branchial filament, the shape of the prostomium, and the number of thoracic chaetigers; it differs in having a thick mucous sheath. This character seems to be unique for the Cossuridae.
Genetic and environmental influences on last-year major depression in adulthood: a highly heritable stable liability but strong environmental effects on 1-year prevalence
Authors: Kendler K. S. , Gardner C. O.
Published: February 2017

Background

This study seeks to clarify the contribution of temporally stable and occasion-specific genetic and environmental influences on risk for major depression (MD).

Method

Our sample was 2153 members of female–female twin pairs from the Virginia Twin Registry. We examined four personal interview waves conducted over an 8-year period with MD in the last year defined by DSM-IV criteria. We fitted a structural equation model to the data using classic Mx. The model included genetic and environmental risk factors for a latent, stable vulnerability to MD and for episodes in each of the four waves.

Results

The best-fit model was simple and included genetic and unique environmental influences on the latent liability to MD and unique wave-specific environmental effects. The path from latent liability to MD in the last year was constant over time, moderate in magnitude (+0.65) and weaker than the impact of occasion-specific environmental effects (+0.76). Heritability of the latent stable liability to MD was much higher (78%) than that estimated for last-year MD (32%). Of the total unique environmental influences on MD, 13% reflected enduring consequences of earlier environmental insults, 17% diagnostic error and 70% wave-specific short-lived environmental stressors.

Conclusions

Both genetic influences on MD and MD heritability are stable over middle adulthood. However, the largest influence on last-year MD is short-lived environmental effects. As predicted by genetic theory, the heritability of MD is increased substantially by measurement at multiple time points largely through the reduction of the effects of measurement error and short-term environmental risk factors.
Mental health-related stigma and pathways to care for people at risk of psychotic disorders or experiencing first-episode psychosis: a systematic review
Authors: Gronholm P. C. , Thornicroft G. , Laurens K. R. , Evans-Lacko S.
Published: February 2017

Background

Stigma associated with mental illness can delay or prevent help-seeking and service contact. Stigma-related influences on pathways to care in the early stages of psychotic disorders have not been systematically examined.

Method

This review systematically assessed findings from qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research studies on the relationship between stigma and pathways to care (i.e. processes associated with help-seeking and health service contact) among people experiencing first-episode psychosis or at clinically defined increased risk of developing psychotic disorder. Forty studies were identified through searches of electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts) from 1996 to 2016, supplemented by reference searches and expert consultations. Data synthesis involved thematic analysis of qualitative findings, narrative synthesis of quantitative findings, and a meta-synthesis combining these results.

Results

The meta-synthesis identified six themes in relation to stigma on pathways to care among the target population: ‘sense of difference’, ‘characterizing difference negatively’, ‘negative reactions (anticipated and experienced)’, ‘strategies’, ‘lack of knowledge and understanding’, and ‘service-related factors’. This synthesis constitutes a comprehensive overview of the current evidence regarding stigma and pathways to care at early stages of psychotic disorders, and illustrates the complex manner in which stigma-related processes can influence help-seeking and service contact among first-episode psychosis and at-risk groups.

Conclusions

Our findings can serve as a foundation for future research in the area, and inform early intervention efforts and approaches to mitigate stigma-related concerns that currently influence recognition of early difficulties and contribute to delayed help-seeking and access to care.
Law and moral agency inDe libero arbitrioI
Authors: WELTY IVAN
Published: February 2017

Augustine's account of postlapsarian human moral agency in Book I ofDe libero arbitriois analysed more fully than heretofore. Consideration is given to Augustine's Stoic antecedents and, following a suggestion by R. J. O'Connell, a comparison with Kant's moral philosophy is developed. The result is a more nuanced understanding of Augustine's account of moral agency in the early period. Whether that account persists into Augustine's later work is left an open question.
Crafting and Promoting International Crimes: A Controversy among Professionals of Core-Crimes and Anti-Corruption
Authors: CHRISTENSEN MIKKEL JARLE
Published: February 2017

The emergence of new international criminal courts in the 1990s intensified an existing professional contest to define international crimes. This ongoing competition concerned which crimes should be termed international and consequently become the subject of international institution-building and prosecution. The article draws upon Pierre Bourdieu's analytical tool of the ‘field’ in order to investigate how legal professionals located in different fields of practice have crafted and promoted specific crimes as international, in successive phases. The focus of the analysis is on two stages of this development. The first is the protracted emergence of a field of ‘core crimes’ centred on a specific set of crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The second is an emergent contestation of this focus on ‘core crimes’ embedded in the careers of legal professionals engaged in the field of anti-corruption. By adapting the impactful narratives developed around core crimes, this second phase of contestation becomes a new frontline in the wider endeavour to define the role of criminal law in a larger international space of governance and politics.
The retina visual cycle is driven by cis retinol oxidation in the outer segments of cones
Authors: SATO SHINYA , FREDERIKSEN RIKARD , CORNWALL M. CARTER , KEFALOV VLADIMIR J.
Published: February 2017

Vertebrate rod and cone photoreceptors require continuous supply of chromophore for regenerating their visual pigments after photoactivation. Cones, which mediate our daytime vision, demand a particularly rapid supply of 11-cis retinal chromophore in order to maintain their function in bright light. An important contribution to this process is thought to be the chromophore precursor 11-cis retinol, which is supplied to cones from Müller cells in the retina and subsequently oxidized to 11-cis retinal as part of the retina visual cycle. However, the molecular identity of the cis retinol oxidase in cones remains unclear. Here, as a first step in characterizing this enzymatic reaction, we sought to determine the subcellular localization of this activity in salamander red cones. We found that the onset of dark adaptation of isolated salamander red cones was substantially faster when exposing directly their outer vs. their inner segment to 9-cis retinol, an analogue of 11-cis retinol. In contrast, this difference was not observed when treating the outer vs. inner segment with 9-cis retinal, a chromophore analogue which can directly support pigment regeneration. These results suggest, surprisingly, that the cis-retinol oxidation occurs in the outer segments of cone photoreceptors. Confirming this notion, pigment regeneration with exogenously added 9-cis retinol was directly observed in the truncated outer segments of cones, but not in rods. We conclude that the enzymatic machinery required for the oxidation of recycled cis retinol as part of the retina visual cycle is present in the outer segments of cones.
COERCION, FRAUD, AND WHAT IS WRONG WITH BLACKMAIL
Authors: Galoob Stephen
Published: February 2017

Several theorists argue that blackmail is morally wrong because the blackmail proposal is coercive. These coercion-based views are promising but incomplete. A full explanation of blackmail's immorality must address both the blackmail proposal and the blackmail agreement. I defend what I call the complex account, on which blackmail is morally wrong because blackmail proposals are coercive and blackmail agreements are fraudulent. The complex account avoids difficulties that beset other coercion-based views and provides a stronger case for why blackmail should be criminalized.
Effects of hospital palliative care on health, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality across intensive and non-intensive-care units: A systematic review and metaanalysis
Authors: Liu Xibei , Dawod Yaser , Wonnaparhown Alex , Shafi Amaan , Doo Loomee , Yoo Ji Won , Ko Eunjeong , Choi Youn Seon
Published: February 2017

Objective:

Hospital palliative care has been shown to improve quality of life and optimize hospital utilization for seriously ill patients who need intensive care. The present review examined whether hospital palliative care in intensive care (ICU) and non-ICU settings will influence hospital length of stay and in-hospital mortality.

Method:

A systematic search of CINAHL/EBSCO, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, MEDLINE/Ovid, PubMed, and the Web of Science through 12 October 2016 identified 16 studies that examined the effects of hospital palliative care and reported on hospital length of stay and in-hospital death. Random-effects pooled odds ratios and mean differences with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Heterogeneity was measured by theI2test. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was utilized to assess the overall quality of the evidence.

Results:

Of the reviewed 932 articles found in our search, we reviewed the full text of 76 eligible articles and excluded 60 of those, which resulted in a final total of 16 studies for analysis. Five studies were duplicated with regard to outcomes. A total of 18,330 and 9,452 patients were analyzed for hospital length of stay and in-hospital mortality from 11 and 10 studies, respectively. Hospital palliative care increased mean hospital length of stay by 0.19 days (pooled mean difference = 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI95%] = –2.22–2.61 days;p= 0.87;I2= 95.88%) and reduced in-hospital mortality by 34% (pooled odds ratio = 0.66;CI95%= 0.52–0.84; p < 0.01;I2= 48.82%). The overall quality of evidence for both hospital length of stay and in-hospital mortality was rated as very low and low, respectively.

Significance of results:

Hospital palliative care was associated with a 34% reduction of in-hospital mortality but had no correlation with hospital length of stay.