bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical efficiency and optimal design for stepped cluster studies under linear mixed effects models
Authors: Girling Alan J. , Hemming Karla
Published: January 2016

In stepped cluster designs the intervention is introduced into some (or all) clusters at different times and persists until the end of the study. Instances include traditional parallel cluster designs and the more recent stepped‐wedge designs. We consider the precision offered by such designs under mixed‐effects models with fixed time and random subject and cluster effects (including interactions with time), and explore the optimal choice of uptake times. The results apply both to cross‐sectional studies where new subjects are observed at each time‐point, and longitudinal studies with repeat observations on the same subjects.

The efficiency of the design is expressed in terms of a ‘cluster‐mean correlation’ which carries information about the dependency‐structure of the data, and two design coefficients which reflect the pattern of uptake‐times. In cross‐sectional studies the cluster‐mean correlation combines information about the cluster‐size and the intra‐cluster correlation coefficient. A formula is given for the ‘design effect’ in both cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies.

An algorithm for optimising the choice of uptake times is described and specific results obtained for the best balanced stepped designs. In large studies we show that the best design is a hybrid mixture of parallel and stepped‐wedge components, with the proportion of stepped wedge clusters equal to the cluster‐mean correlation. The impact of prior uncertainty in the cluster‐mean correlation is considered by simulation. Some specific hybrid designs are proposed for consideration when the cluster‐mean correlation cannot be reliably estimated, using a minimax principle to ensure acceptable performance across the whole range of unknown values. © 2016 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A two‐stage approach for dynamic prediction of time‐to‐event distributions
Authors: Huang Xuelin , Yan Fangrong , Ning Jing , Feng Ziding , Choi Sangbum , Cortes Jorge
Published: January 2016

Dynamic prediction uses longitudinal biomarkers for real‐time prediction of an individual patient's prognosis. This is critical for patients with an incurable disease such as cancer. Biomarker trajectories are usually not linear, nor even monotone, and vary greatly across individuals. Therefore, it is difficult to fit them with parametric models. With this consideration, we propose an approach for dynamic prediction that does not need to model the biomarker trajectories. Instead, as a trade‐off, we assume that the biomarker effects on the risk of disease recurrence are smooth functions over time. This approach turns out to be computationally easier. Simulation studies show that the proposed approach achieves stable estimation of biomarker effects over time, has good predictive performance, and is robust against model misspecification. It is a good compromise between two major approaches, namely, (i) joint modeling of longitudinal and survival data and (ii) landmark analysis. The proposed method is applied to patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. At any time following their treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, longitudinally measuredBCR‐ABLgene expression levels are used to predict the risk of disease progression. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Primitive Growth Factor, NME7AB, Is Sufficient to Induce Stable Naïve State Human Pluripotency; Reprogramming in This Novel Growth Factor Confers Superior Differentiation
Authors: Carter M.G. , Smagghe B.J. , Stewart A.K. , Rapley J.A. , Lynch E. , Bernier K.J. , Keating K.W. , Hatziioannou V.M. , Hartman E.J. , Bamdad Cynthia C.
Published: January 2016

Scientists have generated human stem cells that in some respects mimic mouse naïve cells, but their dependence on the addition of several extrinsic agents, and their propensity to develop abnormal karyotype calls into question their resemblance to a naturally occurring “naïve” state in humans. Here, we report that a recombinant, truncated human NME7, referred to as NME7AB here, induces a stable naïve-like state in human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells without the use of inhibitors, transgenes, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), feeder cells, or their conditioned media. Evidence of a naïve state includes reactivation of the second X chromosome in female source cells, increased expression of naïve markers and decreased expression of primed state markers, ability to be clonally expanded and increased differentiation potential. RNA-seq analysis shows vast differences between the parent FGF2 grown, primed state cells, and NME7AB converted cells, but similarities to altered gene expression patterns reported by others generating naïve-like stem cells via the use of biochemical inhibitors. Experiments presented here, in combination with our previous work, suggest a mechanistic model of how human stem cells regulate self-replication: an early naïve state driven by NME7, which cannot itself limit self-replication and a later naïve state regulated by NME1, which limits self-replication when its multimerization state shifts from the active dimer to the inactive hexamer.
Thrombopoietin/TGF-β1 Loop Regulates Megakaryocyte Extracellular Matrix Component Synthesis
Authors: Abbonante Vittorio , Di Buduo Christian A. , Gruppi Cristian , Malara Alessandro , Gianelli Umberto , Celesti Giuseppe , Anselmo Achille , Laghi Luigi , Vercellino Marco , Visai Livia , Iurlo Alessandra , Moratti Remigio , Barosi Giovanni , Rosti Vittorio , Balduini Alessandra
Published: January 2016

Extracellular matrix (ECM) components initiate crucial biochemical and biomechanical cues that are required for bone marrow homeostasis. In our research, we prove that a peri-cellular matrix composed primarily of type III and type IV collagens, and fibronectin surrounds human megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. The data we collected support the hypothesis that bone marrow megakaryocytes possess a complete mechanism to synthesize the ECM components, and that thrombopoietin is a pivotal regulator of this new function inducing transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) release and consequent activation of the downstream pathways, both in vitro and in vivo. This activation results in a dose dependent increase of ECM component synthesis by megakaryocytes, which is reverted upon incubation with JAK and TGF-β1 receptor specific inhibitors. These data are pivotal for understanding the central role of megakaryocytes in creating their own regulatory niche within the bone marrow environment.
“I'm the Next American Idol”: Cooling Out, Accounts, and Perseverance at Reality Talent Show Auditions
Authors: Wei Junhow
Published: January 2016

Drawing on fieldwork at American Idol auditions, I describe how contestants come to accept their fate after being cut from the competition. I revisit Goffman's metaphor of “cooling the mark out,” especially the cooling out strategy of offering people another chance to qualify for roles at which they failed. Contestants' desires to audition and audition again after failure are driven by meritocratic ideals. They develop accounts in line with these ideals to explain how despite being rejected they are talented and can still excel in the future. This study contributes to literature on “cooling out” by highlighting how people draw on larger systems of meaning—ideologies supporting meritocratic values in the case of Idol contestants—when making sense of their failures.
Validation of automated scoring of science assessments
Authors: Liu Ou Lydia , Rios Joseph A. , Heilman Michael , Gerard Libby , Linn Marcia C.
Published: January 2016

Constructed response items can both measure the coherence of student ideas and serve as reflective experiences to strengthen instruction. We report on new automated scoring technologies that can reduce the cost and complexity of scoring constructed‐response items. This study explored the accuracy of c‐rater‐ML, an automated scoring engine developed by Educational Testing Service, for scoring eight science inquiry items that require students to use evidence to explain complex phenomena. Automated scoring showed satisfactory agreement with human scoring for all test takers as well as specific subgroups. These findings suggest that c‐rater‐ML offers a promising solution to scoring constructed‐response science items and has the potential to increase the use of these items in both instruction and assessment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 53: 215–233, 2016.
Counteressential Conditionals
Authors: Pearce Kenneth L. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: January 2016

Making sense of our reasoning in disputes about necessary truths requires admitting nonvacuous counterpossibles. One class of these is the counteressentials, which ask us to make contrary to fact (and therefore contrary to possibility) suppositions about essences. A popular strategy in accounting for nonvacuous counterpossibles is to extend the standard possible worlds semantics for subjunctive conditionals by the addition of impossible worlds. A conditional A □→ C is then taken to be true if all of the nearest A worlds (whether possible or impossible) are C worlds. I argue that a straightforward extension of the standard possible worlds semantics to impossible worlds does not result in a viable account of counteressentials and propose an alternative covering law semantics for counteressentials.
Can Talent Management Practices Be Considered as a Basis for Sustainable Competitive Advantages in Emerging‐Market Firms? Evidence from Russia
Authors: Latukha Marina O.
Published: January 2016

This study aims to prove the influence of talent management (TM) practices on competitive advantage (CA) in internationalized Russian firms. As a phenomenon, TM is rather new and controversial in the emerging‐market context, and despite the amount of research devoted to TM practices, there is little said about how TM influences CA in emerging‐market firms. This study explores the peculiarities of TM practices in Russian companies and empirically proves a positive relationship between TM practices and CA in the emerging‐market context. The article identifies a number of specific TM practices that influence CA. We argue that succession planning and career development have the greatest impact on CA in Russian firms. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fast‐Expanding “Online” Markets in South Korea and China: Are They Worth Pursuing?
Authors: Kuah Adrian T. H. , Wang Pengji
Published: January 2016

The online shopping craze in South Korea has been ongoing for more than a decade, but in China, online shopping is experiencing tremendous growth, with 64 million additional shoppers per year. Consumers in Asia are among the world's most prolific online shoppers. This study compares the evolution, cycle, and stages of the online shopping markets in South Korea and China. Using the fast‐expanding market model as an initial analytical framework and multiple case approach, we find that Chinese online shopping corresponds to the take‐off stage of a successful cluster, in which significant opportunities are still present in Chinese Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities. Conversely, the South Korean online market is nearing saturation, though major foreign players are still entering this perceived lucrative marketplace. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of practices, capacities and incentives of poultry chain actors in implementation of highly pathogenic avian influenza mitigation measures in Ghana
Authors: Turkson Paa Kobina , Okike Iheanacho
Published: January 2016

The animal health services‐seeking behaviour of animal owners related to prevention and control of animal diseases may influence their decisions as to whether or not to use services provided by the public or private sectors. The specific objective of this paper was to assess the practices, capacities and incentives of actors involved in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) control to provide information for prevention and control in Ghana. Questionnaires were designed based on specific practices, incentives and capacities associated with each mitigation measure that was being assessed. Two peacetime preventive mitigation measures (biosecurity and reporting) and two outbreak containment measures (culling with compensation and movement control) were selected for evaluation. Supply chain actors were characterised based on baseline information. Tables were generated showing proportions of respondents in the various response categories in Likert‐scale type itemised questionnaire. Mean scores (and their standard deviations) for the various actors with regard to mitigation measures were calculated. Pair‐wise comparisons were done using t‐ratio statistic and significance of differences were determined at a Bonferroni adjusted P‐value of 0.0024. The study found statistically significant differences between certain actors for practices (biosecurity, reporting, culling and compensation and movement controls), incentives (reporting and movement control) and capacities (reporting and movement control). The findings provide lessons to help improve education and messages on HPAI and to help provide technical assistance targeted at specific actors to prevent and control future HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in Ghana.
Simplified analysis of balancing challenges in sustainable and smart energy systems with 100% renewable power supply
Authors: Söder Lennart
Published: January 2016

In a power system, the basic physical law states that the total production is always exactly the same as total consumption. This physical law is always fulfilled no matter the type of power plants in the power system. In a power system with large shares of solar and wind power, this means that the other power plants have to fill the gap between actual solar plus wind power and the demand during each second/minute/hour. However, if there are large amounts of solar and wind power, then sometimes the available power from solar and wind exceeds the demand. In a future system based on large shares of solar and wind power, all these different situations have to be handled, and the question is how to analyze this. Three different methods concerning how to analyze systems with large shares of solar and wind power will be presented. The methods are applied to a Swedish case with close to 100% renewable power based on hydro, solar, wind and, bio‐fuelled combined heat and power (CHP). This study shows that there are limited balancing costs for this case. The costs for curtailment of surplus as well as to keep enough capacity to cover a high load combined with low solar and low wind is comparatively small, below 0.3 Eurocent/kWh. However, more detailed studies are needed to quantify the exact cost under different conditions, but this study indicates the size of the challenges. WIREs Energy Environ 2016, 5:401–412. doi: 10.1002/wene.194

This article is categorized under:

Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy Policy and Planning > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy and Development > Systems and Infrastructure
Crossing the barrier: treatment of brain tumors using nanochain particles
Authors: Karathanasis Efstathios , Ghaghada Ketan B.
Published: January 2016

Despite advancements in surgery and radiotherapy, the aggressive forms of brain tumors, such as gliomas, are still uniformly lethal with current therapies offering only palliation complicated by significant toxicities. Gliomas are characteristically diffuse with infiltrating edges, resistant to drugs and nearly inaccessible to systemic therapies due to the brain‐tumor barrier. Currently, aggressive efforts are underway to further understand brain‐tumor's microenvironment and identify brain tumor cell‐specific regulators amenable to pharmacologic interventions. While new potent agents are continuously becoming available, efficient drug delivery to brain tumors remains a limiting factor. To tackle the drug delivery issues, a multicomponent chain‐like nanoparticle has been developed. These nanochains are comprised of iron oxide nanospheres and a drug‐loaded liposome chemically linked into a 100‐nm linear, chain‐like assembly with high precision. The nanochain possesses a unique ability to scavenge the tumor endothelium. By utilizing effective vascular targeting, the nanochains achieve rapid deposition on the vascular bed of glioma sites establishing well‐distributed drug reservoirs on the endothelium of brain tumors. After reaching the target sites, an on‐command, external low‐power radiofrequency field can remotely trigger rapid drug release, due to mechanical disruption of the liposome, facilitating widespread and effective drug delivery into regions harboring brain tumor cells. Integration of the nanochain delivery system with the appropriate combination of complementary drugs has the potential to unfold the field and allow significant expansion of therapies for the disease where success is currently very limited. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016, 8:678–695. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1387

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Nucleocapsid proteins: roles beyond viral RNA packaging
Authors: Ding Binbin , Qin Yali , Chen Mingzhou
Published: January 2016

Viral nucleocapsid proteins (NCs) enwrap the RNA genomes of viruses to form NC–RNA complexes, which act as a template and are essential for viral replication and transcription. Beyond packaging viral RNA, NCs also play important roles in virus replication, transcription, assembly, and budding by interacting with viral and host cellular proteins. Additionally, NCs can inhibit interferon signaling response and function in cell stress response, such as inducing apoptosis. Finally, NCs can be the target of vaccines, benefiting from their conserved gene sequences. Here, we summarize important findings regarding the additional functions of NCs as much more than structural RNA‐binding proteins, with specific emphasis on (1) their association with the viral life cycle, (2) their association with host cells, and (3) as ideal candidates for vaccine development. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:213–226. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1326

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA–Protein Complexes

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

Translation > Translation Regulation
Functionalities of expressed messenger RNAs revealed from mutant phenotypes
Authors: Liao Ben‐Yang , Weng Meng‐Pin
Published: January 2016

Total messenger RNAs mRNAs that are produced from a given gene under a certain set of conditions include both functional and nonfunctional transcripts. The high prevalence of nonfunctional mRNAs that have been detected in cells has raised questions regarding the functional implications of mRNA expression patterns and divergences. Phenotypes that result from the mutagenesis of protein‐coding genes have provided the most straightforward descriptions of gene functions, and such data obtained from model organisms have facilitated investigations of the functionalities of expressed mRNAs. Mutant phenotype data from mouse tissues have revealed various attributes of functional mRNAs, including tissue‐specificity, strength of expression, and evolutionary conservation. In addition, the role that mRNA expression evolution plays in driving morphological evolution has been revealed from studies designed to exploit morphological and physiological phenotypes of mouse mutants. Investigations into yeast essential genes (defined by an absence of colony growth after gene deletion) have further described gene regulatory strategies that reduce protein expression noise by mediating the rates of transcription and translation. In addition to the functional significance of expressed mRNAs as described in the abovementioned findings, the functionalities of other type of RNAs (i.e., noncoding RNAs) remain to be characterized with systematic mutations and phenotyping of the DNA regions that encode these RNA molecules. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:416–427. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1329

This article is categorized under:

RNA Evolution and Genomics > Computational Analyses of RNA

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development
Farmers' perceptions of the extra‐limital common warthog in the Northern Cape and free state provinces, South Africa
Authors: Swanepoel Monlee , Leslie Alison J. , Hoffman Louwrens C.
Published: January 2016

The common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) has been extra‐limitally introduced onto various farms and reserves in parts of the Northern Cape and Free State provinces of South Africa. Warthogs are considered as a game animal for wildlife tourism and hunting but are a known agricultural pest in their natural range. We investigated the perceptions, attitudes, and actions of farmers and landowners toward the common warthog on their farms. We identified participants using the Snowball technique and interviewed them during semistructured personal interviews, conducted from June to October 2012, using a standardized questionnaire. Most farmers and landowners were of the opinion that warthogs were introduced to the area and considered warthog populations to be increasing. Warthogs were held responsible for causing damage to aspects of the natural and agricultural environment, and respondents were increasingly negative toward warthogs as the levels of perceived damages increased. There were, however, also a number of respondents who regarded and utilized the species as a game animal. The majority of respondents hunted warthogs and utilized their meat for consumption; therefore, the study proposes that scientifically based hunting efforts for meat production be implemented to control population numbers and mitigate negative impacts experienced. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Electrical, Optical, and Structural Properties of SnO2: F Films as a Function of Fluoride Precursor Concentration and Temperature
Authors: Talaty Nari N. , Giolando Dean M.
Published: January 2016

Atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) employing the precursor system of tin tetrachloride, ethyl formate, and 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl trifluoroacetate vapors that were transported to hot glass substrates to deposit fluorine doped tin dioxide thin films. The system is optimized with respect to the substrate deposition temperature and to the amount of fluoride added to the precursor stream and the resultant structural, electrical and optical properties compared. Increasing the substrate temperature from 360 °C to 610 °C resulted in an approximately linear increase in thickness of the tin dioxide films. However, the resistivity decreased from 1.8 × 10–2 Ω·cm at 360 °C to a minimum of 5.9 × 10–4 Ω·cm at 560 °C and increased to 9.4 × 10–4 Ω·cm at 610 °C. While maintaining a substrate temperature of 560 °C different amounts of fluorine precursor was introduced into the carrier stream, from 0 mL·h–1 to 5 mL·h–1, resulting in a decrease in resistivity (ρ) from 5.3 × 10–2 Ω·cm at 0 mL·h–1 to a minimum of 5.9 × 10–4 Ω·cm at 2 mL·h–1 and then increased to 1.0 × 10–3 Ω·cm at 5 mL·h–1. As the amount of fluoride is increased a concommittent increase in carrier concentration results until the point of overdoping the film produces an increase in scattering sites that increases resistivity. Best films were deposited at 560 °C and when the fluoride precursor flow rate was 2 mL·h–1.
Significance of R1 Resection for Advanced Colorectal Liver Metastases in the Era of Modern Effective Chemotherapy
Authors: Laurent Christophe , Adam Jean‐Philippe , Denost Quentin , Smith Denis , Saric Jean , Chiche Laurence
Published: January 2016

Background

The prognosis impact of positive margins after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) in patients treated with modern effective chemotherapy has not been elucidated. The objective was to compare oncologic outcomes after R0 and R1 resections in the era of modern effective chemotherapy.

Methods

Between 1999 and 2010, all consecutive patients undergoing liver resection for CLM were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with extrahepatic metastases, macroscopic residual tumor, treated with combined radiofrequency, or not treated with chemotherapy were excluded. Survival and recurrence after R0 (tumor‐free margin >0 mm) and R1 resections were analyzed.

Results

Among 466 patients undergoing hepatectomy for CLM, 191 were eligible. Of them, 164 (86 %) received preoperative chemotherapy and 105 (55 %) received postoperative chemotherapy. R1 resection (10 %) was comparable in patients treated or not by preoperative chemotherapy. R1 status was associated with more intrahepatic recurrences. Overall survival (OS) (44 vs. 61 %; p = 0.047) and disease‐free survival (DFS) (8 vs. 26 %; p = 0.082) were lower in patients after R1 compared to R0 resection (32 months of median follow‐up). Preoperative chemotherapy and major hepatectomy were prognostic factors of survival, whereas postoperative chemotherapy was a protective factor from recurrences. In patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy, OS and DFS were similar between R1 and R0 resections (40 vs. 55 %, p = 0.104 and 9 vs. 22 %, p = 0.174, respectively).

Conclusion

In the era of modern effective chemotherapy, R1 resection leads to more intrahepatic recurrences but did not affect OS in selected patient responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Postoperative chemotherapy protects from recurrences whatever the margin resection status.
Passive scalars in turbulent channel flow at high Reynolds number
Authors: Pirozzoli Sergio , Bernardini Matteo , Orlandi Paolo
Published: January 2016

We study passive scalars in turbulent plane channels at computationally high Reynolds number, thus allowing us to observe previously unnoticed effects. The mean scalar profiles are found to obey a generalized logarithmic law which includes a linear correction term in the whole lower half-channel, and they follow a universal parabolic defect profile in the core region. This is consistent with recent findings regarding the mean velocity profiles in channel flow. The scalar variances also exhibit a near universal parabolic distribution in the core flow and hints of a sizeable log layer, unlike the velocity variances. The energy spectra highlight the formation of large scalar-bearing eddies with size proportional to the channel height which are caused by a local production excess over dissipation, and which are clearly visible in the flow visualizations. Close correspondence of the momentum and scalar eddies is observed, with the main difference being that the latter tend to form sharper gradients, which translates into higher scalar dissipation. Another notable Reynolds number effect is the decreased correlation of the passive scalar field with the vertical velocity field, which is traced to the reduced effectiveness of ejection events.
A Note on Reporting of Reservoir 14C Disequilibria and Age Offsets
Authors: Soulet Guillaume , Skinner Luke C , Beaupré Steven R , Galy Valier
Published: January 2016

Reservoir age offsets are widely used to correct marine and speleothem radiocarbon age measurements for various calibration purposes. They also serve as a powerful tracer for carbon cycle dynamics. However, a clear terminology regarding reservoir age offsets is lacking, sometimes leading to miscalculations. This note seeks to provide consistent conventions for reporting reservoir 14C disequilibria useful to a broad range of environmental sciences. This contribution introduces the F14R and δ14R metrics to express the relative 14C disequilibrium between two contemporaneous reservoirs and the R metric as the associated reservoir age offset.
VERNACULAR LIBERALISM, CAPITALISM, AND ANTI-IMPERIALISM IN THE POLITICAL THOUGHT OF DADABHAI NAOROJI
Authors: VISANA VIKRAM
Published: January 2016

Dadabhai Naoroji's ‘drain theory’ of British imperialism described the way in which a colonial government could abscond with the wealth of a dependent country, leaving it impoverished. This theory conceptualized ‘poverty’ as the negation of liberal ‘citizenship’. As such, through an exposition of Naoroji's thought, this article offers an insight into both the origins of the Indian political subject and Indian anti-colonialism. In doing so, it opens up an avenue for investigating how Indian thinkers locally adapted modular concepts of a Western provenance and then reintroduced them into the metropole, contributing to the heterogeneity of the Victorian liberal canon. Finally, Naoroji's imperial critique is compared to that of prominent British anti-imperialists, especially John Hobson, in order to demonstrate that Dadabhai's economic account of empire not only pre-dates Hobson's thesis but that it was more expansive in its criticism and more hopeful about the ‘progress’ of indigenous peoples.
Arrhythmia Secondary to Cold Water Submersion during Helicopter Underwater Escape Training
Authors: Kaur Paven P. , Drummond Sarah E. , Furyk Jeremy
Published: January 2016

A 32-year-old, fit and healthy, Caucasian male presented with a less than 24-hour history of palpitations with the onset following participation in helicopter underwater escape training (HUET). He reported no chest pain, shortness of breath, syncope, or pre-syncope symptoms. On examination, an irregularly irregular pulse was noted at a rate of 120 beats per minute with a blood pressure of 132/84. There was no evidence of congestive cardiac failure. The electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrated atrial fibrillation at 97 beats per minute with a normal axis, normal QRS complexes, and a QTc of 399 ms. Bloods were all within normal limits and a chest x-ray showed no abnormality. The patient was loaded with amiodarone and reverted to sinus rhythm with a normal post-reversion ECG. Five years on, following further HUET, the patient presented with an identical presentation. His ECG showed fast atrial fibrillation at a rate of 115 beats per minute. On this occasion, he was sedated and Direct Current cardioverted with reversal to sinus rhythm after one shock. It was felt that the precipitating factor for this patient’s atrial fibrillation, in both cases, was HUET. The case discussed describes a previously fit and well subject who developed a sustained arrhythmia secondary to cold water submersion. Evidence suggests water submersion can provoke cardiac arrhythmias via the suggested theory of “autonomic conflict.” It has been proposed that a number of unexplained deaths related to water submersion may be secondary to arrhythmogenic syncope.

KaurPP, DrummondSE, FurykJ. Arrhythmia secondary to cold water submersion during helicopter underwater escape training. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(1):108–110.
Quantitative Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Analysis of Catalyst Nanoparticles Using a Partial Cross Section Approach
Authors: MacArthur Katherine E. , Slater Thomas J. A. , Haigh Sarah J. , Ozkaya Dogan , Nellist Peter D. , Lozano-Perez Sergio
Published: January 2016

The new generation of energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) detectors with higher count rates than ever before, paves the way for a new approach to quantitative elemental analysis in the scanning transmission electron microscope. Here we demonstrate a method of calculating partial cross sections for use in quantifying EDX data, beneficial especially because of the simplicity of its implementation. Applying this approach to acid-leached PtCo catalyst nanoparticles leads to quantitative determination of the Pt surface enrichment.
Ancient origin and maternal inheritance of blue cuckoo eggs
Authors: Fossøy Frode , Sorenson Michael D , Liang Wei , Ekrem Torbjørn , Moksnes Arne , Møller Anders P , Rutila Jarkko , Røskaft Eivin , Takasu Fugo , Yang Canchao , Stokke Bård G
Published: January 2016

Maternal inheritance via the female-specific W chromosome was long ago proposed as a potential solution to the evolutionary enigma of co-existing host-specific races (or ‘gentes’) in avian brood parasites. Here we report the first unambiguous evidence for maternal inheritance of egg colouration in the brood-parasitic common cuckooCuculus canorus. Females laying blue eggs belong to an ancient (∼2.6 Myr) maternal lineage, as evidenced by both mitochondrial and W-linked DNA, but are indistinguishable at nuclear DNA from other common cuckoos. Hence, cuckoo host races with blue eggs are distinguished only by maternally inherited components of the genome, which maintain host-specific adaptation despite interbreeding among males and females reared by different hosts. A mitochondrial phylogeny suggests that blue eggs originated in Asia and then expanded westwards as female cuckoos laying blue eggs interbred with the existing European population, introducing an adaptive trait that expanded the range of potential hosts.
Two-dimensional honeycomb network through sequence-controlled self-assembly of oligopeptides
Authors: Abb Sabine , Harnau Ludger , Gutzler Rico , Rauschenbach Stephan , Kern Klaus
Published: January 2016

The sequence of a peptide programs its self-assembly and hence the expression of specific properties through non-covalent interactions. A large variety of peptide nanostructures has been designed employing different aspects of these non-covalent interactions, such as dispersive interactions, hydrogen bonding or ionic interactions. Here we demonstrate the sequence-controlled fabrication of molecular nanostructures using peptides as bio-organic building blocks for two-dimensional (2D) self-assembly. Scanning tunnelling microscopy reveals changes from compact or linear assemblies (angiotensin I) to long-range ordered, chiral honeycomb networks (angiotensin II) as a result of removal of steric hindrance by sequence modification. Guided by our observations, molecular dynamic simulations yield atomistic models for the elucidation of interpeptide-binding motifs. This new approach to 2D self-assembly on surfaces grants insight at the atomic level that will enable the use of oligo- and polypeptides as large, multi-functional bio-organic building blocks, and opens a new route towards rationally designed, bio-inspired surfaces.
Manipulation of charge transfer and transport in plasmonic-ferroelectric hybrids for photoelectrochemical applications
Authors: Wang Zhijie , Cao Dawei , Wen Liaoyong , Xu Rui , Obergfell Manuel , Mi Yan , Zhan Zhibing , Nasori Nasori , Demsar Jure , Lei Yong
Published: January 2016

Utilizing plasmonic nanostructures for efficient and flexible conversion of solar energy into electricity or fuel presents a new paradigm in photovoltaics and photoelectrochemistry research. In a conventional photoelectrochemical cell, consisting of a plasmonic structure in contact with a semiconductor, the type of photoelectrochemical reaction is determined by the band bending at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface. The nature of the reaction is thus hard to tune. Here instead of using a semiconductor, we employed a ferroelectric material, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT). By depositing gold nanoparticle arrays and PZT films on ITO substrates, and studying the photocurrent as well as the femtosecond transient absorbance in different configurations, we demonstrate an effective charge transfer between the nanoparticle array and PZT. Most importantly, we show that the photocurrent can be tuned by nearly an order of magnitude when changing the ferroelectric polarization in PZT, demonstrating a versatile and tunable system for energy harvesting.
Large Scale Synthesis of NiCo Layered Double Hydroxides for Superior Asymmetric Electrochemical Capacitor
Authors: Li Ruchun , Hu Zhaoxia , Shao Xiaofeng , Cheng Pengpeng , Li Shoushou , Yu Wendan , Lin Worong , Yuan Dingsheng
Published: January 2016

We report a new environmentally-friendly synthetic strategy for large-scale preparation of 16 nm-ultrathin NiCo based layered double hydroxides (LDH). The Ni50Co50-LDH electrode exhibited excellent specific capacitance of 1537 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and 1181 F g−1 even at current density as high as 10 A g−1, which 50% cobalt doped enhances the electrical conductivity and porous and ultrathin structure is helpful with electrolyte diffusion to improve the material utilization. An asymmetric ultracapacitor was assembled with the N-doped graphitic ordered mesoporous carbon as negative electrode and the NiCo LDH as positive electrode. The device achieves a high energy density of 33.7 Wh kg−1 (at power density of 551 W kg−1) with a 1.5 V operating voltage.
Non-periodic oscillatory deformation of an actomyosin microdroplet encapsulated within a lipid interface
Authors: Nishigami Yukinori , Ito Hiroaki , Sonobe Seiji , Ichikawa Masatoshi
Published: January 2016

Active force generation in living organisms, which is mainly involved in actin cytoskeleton and myosin molecular motors, plays a crucial role in various biological processes. Although the contractile properties of actomyosin have been extensively investigated, their dynamic contribution to a deformable membrane remains unclear because of the cellular complexities and the difficulties associated with in vitro reconstitution. Here, by overcoming these experimental difficulties, we demonstrate the dynamic deformation of a reconstituted lipid interface coupled with self-organized structure of contractile actomyosin. Therein, the lipid interface repeatedly oscillates without any remarkable periods. The oscillatory deformation of the interface is caused by the aster-like three-dimensional hierarchical structure of actomyosin inside the droplet, which is revealed that the oscillation occurs stochastically as a Poisson process.
Assembling carbon quantum dots to a layered carbon for high-density supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Chen Guanxiong , Wu Shuilin , Hui Liwei , Zhao Yuan , Ye Jianglin , Tan Ziqi , Zeng Wencong , Tao Zhuchen , Yang Lihua , Zhu Yanwu
Published: January 2016

It is found that carbon quantum dots (CQDs) self-assemble to a layer structure at ice crystals-water interface with freeze- drying. Such layers interconnect with each other, forming a free-standing CQD assembly, which has an interlayer distance of about 0.366 nm, due to the existence of curved carbon rings other than hexagons in the assembly. CQDs are fabricated by rupturing C60 by KOH activation with a production yield of ~15 wt.%. The CQDs obtained have an average height of 1.14 nm and an average lateral size of 7.48 nm and are highly soluble in water. By packaging annealed CQD assembly to high density (1.23 g cm−3) electrodes in supercapacitors, a high volumetric capacitance of 157.4 F cm−3 and a high areal capacitance of 0.66 F cm−2 (normalized to the loading area of electrodes) are demonstrated in 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte with a good rate capability.
Quinary wurtzite Zn-Ga-Ge-N-O solid solutions and their photocatalytic properties under visible light irradiation
Authors: Xie Yinghao , Wu Fangfang , Sun Xiaoqin , Chen Hongmei , Lv Meilin , Ni Shuang , Liu Gang , Xu Xiaoxiang
Published: January 2016

Wurtzite solid solutions between GaN and ZnO highlight an intriguing paradigm for water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen using solar energy. However, large composition discrepancy often occurs inside the compound owing to the volatile nature of Zn, thereby prescribing rigorous terms on synthetic conditions. Here we demonstrate the merits of constituting quinary Zn-Ga-Ge-N-O solid solutions by introducing Ge into the wurtzite framework. The presence of Ge not only mitigates the vaporization of Zn but also strongly promotes particle crystallization. Synthetic details for these quinary compounds were systematically explored and their photocatalytic properties were thoroughly investigated. Proper starting molar ratios of Zn/Ga/Ge are of primary importance for single phase formation, high particle crystallinity and good photocatalytic performance. Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen and oxygen production from water were achieved for these quinary solid solutions which is strongly correlated with Ge content in the structure. Apparent quantum efficiency for optimized sample approaches 1.01% for hydrogen production and 1.14% for oxygen production. Theoretical calculation reveals the critical role of Zn for the band gap reduction in these solid solutions and their superior photocatalytic acitivity can be understood by the preservation of Zn in the structure as well as a good crystallinity after introducing Ge.
A Novel Naturally Occurring Class I 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-Phosphate Synthase from Janibacter sp. Confers High Glyphosate Tolerance to Rice
Authors: Yi Shu-yuan , Cui Ying , Zhao Yan , Liu Zi-duo , Lin Yong-jun , Zhou Fei
Published: January 2016

As glyphosate is a broad spectrum herbicide extensively used in agriculture worldwide, identification of new aroA genes with high level of glyphosate tolerance is essential for the development and breeding of transgenic glyphosate-tolerant crops. In this study, an aroA gene was cloned from a Janibacter sp. strain isolated from marine sediment (designated as aroAJ. sp). The purified aroAJ. sp enzyme has a Km value of 30 μM for PEP and 83 μM for S3P and a significantly higher Ki value for glyphosate (373 μM) than aroAE. coli. AroAJ. sp is characterized as a novel and naturally occurring class I aroA enzyme with glyphosate tolerance. Furthermore, we show that aroAJ. sp can be used as an effective selectable marker in both japonica and indica rice cultivar. Transgenic rice lines were tested by herbicide bioassay and it was confirmed that they could tolerate up to 3360 g/ha glyphosate, a dosage four-fold that of the recommended agricultural application level. To our knowledge, it is the first report of a naturally occurring novel class I aroA gene which can be efficiently utilized to study and develop transgenic glyphosate-tolerant crops and can facilitate a more economical and simplified weed control system.
Spike processing with a graphene excitable laser
Authors: Shastri Bhavin J. , Nahmias Mitchell A. , Tait Alexander N. , Rodriguez Alejandro W. , Wu Ben , Prucnal Paul R.
Published: January 2016

Novel materials and devices in photonics have the potential to revolutionize optical information processing, beyond conventional binary-logic approaches. Laser systems offer a rich repertoire of useful dynamical behaviors, including the excitable dynamics also found in the time-resolved “spiking” of neurons. Spiking reconciles the expressiveness and efficiency of analog processing with the robustness and scalability of digital processing. We demonstrate a unified platform for spike processing with a graphene-coupled laser system. We show that this platform can simultaneously exhibit logic-level restoration, cascadability and input-output isolation—fundamental challenges in optical information processing. We also implement low-level spike-processing tasks that are critical for higher level processing: temporal pattern detection and stable recurrent memory. We study these properties in the context of a fiber laser system and also propose and simulate an analogous integrated device. The addition of graphene leads to a number of advantages which stem from its unique properties, including high absorption and fast carrier relaxation. These could lead to significant speed and efficiency improvements in unconventional laser processing devices and ongoing research on graphene microfabrication promises compatibility with integrated laser platforms.
Strongly-motivated positive affects induce faster responses to local than global information of visual stimuli: an approach using large-size Navon letters
Authors: Noguchi Yasuki , Tomoike Kouta
Published: January 2016

Recent studies argue that strongly-motivated positive emotions (e.g. desire) narrow a scope of attention. This argument is mainly based on an observation that, while humans normally respond faster to global than local information of a visual stimulus (global advantage), positive affects eliminated the global advantage by selectively speeding responses to local (but not global) information. In other words, narrowing of attentional scope was indirectly evidenced by the elimination of global advantage (the same speed of processing between global and local information). No study has directly shown that strongly-motivated positive affects induce faster responses to local than global information while excluding a bias for global information (global advantage) in a baseline (emotionally-neutral) condition. In the present study, we addressed this issue by eliminating the global advantage in a baseline (neutral) state. Induction of positive affects under this state resulted in faster responses to local than global information. Our results provided direct evidence that positive affects in high motivational intensity narrow a scope of attention.
Highly hydrophilic poly(vinylidene fluoride)/meso-titania hybrid mesoporous membrane for photocatalytic membrane reactor in water
Authors: Wang Meng , Yang Guang , Jin Peng , Tang Hao , Wang Huanhuan , Chen Yong
Published: January 2016

The high hydrophobicity of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane remains an obstacle to be applied in some purification processes of water or wastewater. Herein, a highly hydrophilic hybrid mesoporous titania membrane composed of mesoporous anatase titania (meso-TiO2) materials inside the three-dimensional (3D) macropores of PVDF membrane was successfully prepared by using the dual-templated synthesis method combined with solvent extraction and applied as the photocatalytic membrane reactor for the photodegredation of organic dye in water. The structure and the properties of as-prepared hybrid membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption–desorption and contact angle measurements. It was found that the hydrophilicity of PVDF membrane can be significantly improved by filling mesoporous TiO2 inside the 3D macropores of PVDF membrane. Moreover, such a PVDF/meso-TiO2 hybrid membrane exhibits promising photocatalytic degradation of dye in water due to the existence of mesoporous anatase TiO2 materials inside PVDF membrane. This study provides a new strategy to simultaneously introduce hydrophilicity and some desirable properties into PVDF and other hydrophobic membranes.
Mutant p53 determines pancreatic cancer poor prognosis to pancreatectomy through upregulation of cavin-1 in patients with preoperative serum CA19-9 ≥ 1,000 U/mL
Authors: Xiang Jin-Feng , Wang Wen-Quan , Liu Liang , Xu Hua-Xiang , Wu Chun-Tao , Yang Jing-Xuan , Qi Zi-Hao , Wang Ya-Qi , Xu Jin , Liu Chen , Long Jiang , Ni Quan-Xing , Li Min , Yu Xian-Jun
Published: January 2016

Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and preoperative CA19-9 ≥ 1,000 U/mL that does not decrease postresection have the worst prognosis, but the mechanism is unclear. Here, we elucidated the relationship between this signature and driver-gene mutations and the cavins/caveolin-1 axis. Four major driver-genes (KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A/p16, and SMAD4/DPC4) that are associated with PDAC and five critical molecules (cavin-1/-2/-3/-4 and caveolin-1) in the cavins/caveolin-1 axis were screened by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissue microarrays. Additionally, six pancreatic cancer cell lines and a spleen subcapsular inoculation nude mouse model were also used. Overexpression of mutant p53 was the major mutational event in patients with the CA19-9 signature. Cavin-1 was also overexpressed and mutant p53 correlated directly with high cavin-1 expression in pancreatic cancer cell lines and tumor specimens (P < 0.01). Furthermore, mutant p53R172H upregulated cavin-1 and promoted invasiveness and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Finally, combination of mutant p53 and high cavin-1 density indicated the shortest survival for patients with PDAC after resection (P < 0.001). Mutant p53-driven upregulation of cavin-1 represents the major mechanism of poor outcome for PDAC patients with the CA19-9 signature after resection, indicating that inhibition of cavin-1 may improve the long-term efficacy of pancreatectomy.