bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cationic Interdiffusion at the SOFC Electrolyte/Cathode Interface in La2Mo2O9/La0.8Sr0.2MnO3‐δ
Authors: Ravella Uday K. , Liu Jingjing , Corbel Gwenaël , Skinner Stephen J. , Lacorre Philippe
Published: July 2017

In this work cation diffusion between a La2Mo2O9 (LM) ionic conductor and the conventional Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) cathode material La0.8Sr0.2MnO3‐δ (LSM), was probed using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), and diffusion coefficients of Sr, Mo and Mn cations within both materials evaluated. Diffusion coefficients extracted from samples with a Sr solution deposited on the LM pellets and from a Mo solution deposited on LSM pellets were found to be orders of magnitude higher than the cross‐diffusion through the interface between two dense pellets in direct contact. These differences may be due to uncertainty in determining the interface position, or to a real dependence on the source of the diffusing cation. In the most favorable case, that of pellets in direct contact, extrapolation of diffusion coefficients down to a typical SOFC operating temperature, 800 °C, show that Mo diffusion in LSM (diffusion coefficient ∼ 10−14 cm2.s−1) is much higher than Sr or Mn diffusion in LM, and incompatible with use in a SOFC device, unless an efficient buffer layer is used.
Hierarchical 3D Cobalt‐Doped Fe3O4 Nanospheres@NG Hybrid as an Advanced Anode Material for High‐Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Guo Meng , Balamurugan Jayaraman , Li Xuyang , Kim Nam Hoon , Lee Joong Hee
Published: July 2017

Hierarchical nanostructure, high electrical conductivity, extraordinary specific surface area, and unique porous architecture are essential properties in energy storage and conversion studies. A new type of hierarchical 3D cobalt encapsulated Fe3O4 nanosphere is successfully developed on N‐graphene sheet (Co−Fe3O4 NS@NG) hybrid with unique nanostructure by simple, scalable, and efficient solvothermal technique. When applied as an electrode material for supercapacitors, hierarchical Co−Fe3O4 NS@NG hybrid shows an ultrahigh specific capacitance (775 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1) with exceptional rate capability (475 F g−1 at current density of 50 A g−1), and admirable cycling performance (97.1% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles). Furthermore, the fabricated Co−Fe3O4 NS@NG//CoMnO3@NG asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device exhibits a high energy density of 89.1 Wh kg−1 at power density of 0.901 kW kg−1, and outstanding cycling performance (89.3% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles). Such eminent electrochemical properties of the Co−Fe3O4 NS@NG are due to the high electrical conductivity, ultrahigh surface area, and unique porous architecture. This research first proposes hierarchical Co−Fe3O4 NS@NG hybrid as an ultrafast charge−discharge anode material for the ASC device, that holds great potential for the development of high‐performance energy storage devices.
A new model for concrete edge failure of multiple row anchorages with supplementary reinforcement—Reinforcement failure
Authors: Sharma Akanshu , Eligehausen Rolf , Asmus Jörg
Published: July 2017

The paper presents a new model for predicting the resistance of anchorages with supplementary reinforcement loaded in shear toward and perpendicular to the edge in case of reinforcement failure. The model is based on the evaluation of the results of a comprehensive test program performed on anchorages with multiple anchor rows and supplementary reinforcement, reported in an earlier paper. It is shown that the existing models available in the codes and standards are conservative for low to medium amounts of supplementary reinforcement but tend to be unconservative for high amounts of reinforcement. The new model is able to predict the failure loads corresponding to reinforcement failure under shear loads very well. The approach to incorporate other failure modes into the design model for anchorages with supplementary reinforcement under shear loads toward the edge will be presented in another paper.
A new segmented oversampling method for imbalanced data classification using quasi‐linear SVM
Authors: Zhou Bo , Li Weite , Hu Jinglu
Published: July 2017

Data imbalance occurs on most real‐world classification problems and decreases the performance of classifiers. An oversampling method addresses the imbalance problem by generating synthetic samples to balance the data distribution. However, many of the existing oversampling methods have potential problems in generating wrong and unnecessary synthetic samples, which makes the learning tasks difficult. This paper proposes a new segmented oversampling method for imbalanced data classification. The input space is first partitioned into several linearly separable local partitions along the potential separation boundary by introducing a bottom‐up, minimal‐spanning‐tree‐based clustering method; an oversampling method is then applied within each local linear partition to prevent the generation of wrong and unnecessary synthetic samples; a quasi‐linear support vector machine is finally used to realize the classification by taking advantages of the local linear partitions. Simulation results on different real‐world datasets show that the proposed segmented oversampling method is effective for imbalanced data classifications. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Artful climate change communication: overcoming abstractions, insensibilities, and distances
Authors: Hawkins Harriet , Kanngieser Anja
Published: July 2017

This article considers how visual and sonic art creates encounters through which audiences can experience climate change. Building on reviews published in WIREs Climate Change on images, films, drama, climate science fiction, and other literary forms, we examine how audio and visual art addresses the enduring problems of climate change communication. We begin with three of these problems: climate change's often abstract nature, the distances in time and space between those who cause climate change and the places its effects are felt, and forms of human–environmental relations that shape how climate is understood. We reflect on how, through a combination of vision and sound, art creates sensory experiences that tackle these challenges. In querying how our artistic examples bring about environmental engagements, we combine an analysis of the representations and narratives of these works with an appreciation of their aesthetic form—in short, how these art pieces activate emotional and experiential responses. While we recognize the limits of what art can do, especially the gallery‐based forms of work we study here, we argue that spending time exploring the encounters that art creates helps us to understand what it brings to the communication of climate change. It also demonstrates how lessons learnt about sensory experience, affect, and emotions might be more widely applied to the analysis of cultural forms—from literature to films—and their role in climate change communication. WIREs Clim Change 2017, 8:e472. doi: 10.1002/wcc.472

This article is categorized under:

Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Humanities and the Creative Arts
Generating short‐term probabilistic wind power scenarios via nonparametric forecast error density estimators
Authors: Staid Andrea , Watson Jean‐Paul , Wets Roger J.‐B. , Woodruff David L.
Published: July 2017

Forecasts of available wind power are critical in key electric power systems operations planning problems, including economic dispatch and unit commitment. Such forecasts are necessarily uncertain, limiting the reliability and cost‐effectiveness of operations planning models based on a single deterministic or “point” forecast. A common approach to address this limitation involves the use of a number of probabilistic scenarios, each specifying a possible trajectory of wind power production, with associated probability. We present and analyze a novel method for generating probabilistic wind power scenarios, leveraging available historical information in the form of forecasted and corresponding observed wind power time series. We estimate nonparametric forecast error densities, specifically using epi‐spline basis functions, allowing us to capture the skewed and nonparametric nature of error densities observed in real‐world data. We then describe a method to generate probabilistic scenarios from these basis functions that allows users to control for the degree to which extreme errors are captured. We compare the performance of our approach to the current state‐of‐the‐art considering publicly available data associated with the Bonneville Power Administration, analyzing aggregate production of a number of wind farms over a large geographic region. Finally, we discuss the advantages of our approach in the context of specific power systems operations planning problems: stochastic unit commitment and economic dispatch. Our methodology is embodied in the joint Sandia–University of California Davis Prescient software package for assessing and analyzing stochastic operations strategies.
Segmentation techniques for the summarization of individual mobility data
Authors: Damiani Maria Luisa , Hachem Fatima
Published: July 2017

Segmentation techniques partition a sequence of data points into a series of disjoint subsequences—segments—based on some criteria. Depending on the context and the nature of data themselves, segments return an approximate representation. The final result is a summarized representation of the sequence. This intuitive mechanism has been extensively studied, for example, for the summarization of time series in order to preserve the ‘shape’ of the sequence while omitting irrelevant details. This survey focuses on the use of segmentation methods for extracting behavioral information from individual mobility data, in particular from spatial trajectories. Such information can then be given a compact representation in the form of summarized trajectories, e.g., semantic trajectories and symbolic trajectories. Two major streams of research are discussed, spanning computational geometry and data mining respectively, that are emblematic of the multiplicity of views. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2017, 7:e1214. doi: 10.1002/widm.1214

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Spatial and Temporal Data Mining

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Data Concepts

Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Algeria
Authors: Bekadja Mohamed Amine , Brahimi Mohamed , Osmani Soufi , Yafour Nabil , Krim Amina , Serradj Faiza , Talhi Souad , Amani Kamila , Bouhass Rachid Amar
Published: July 2017

Introduction:

Algeria is a country of 40.4 million inhabitants and half of which is under 30 years. In Algeria, Health-care insurance covered, 90% of the population. Health care is free and it is supported by the Ministry of Health. 16 university hospitals exist in Algeria and only two (Algiers and Oran) practicing bone marrow transplant. Adult hematologic malignancies account for 10% (about 4000 new cases/year) of the malignancy affecting in most cases young patients under 65 years of age. In 2016, 270 transplants were performed in total (Algiers + Oran), including 149 allografts (related donor transplants: 99%) and 121 autografts. 98% of transplants are done in adults and only 2% in children with cord blood transplants. In summary for the two transplant centers, the predominant types of transplantation performed are allogeneic transplant in 55% and autologous transplant in 45%.

The particularity of EHU1st November in Oran, is the use of non-cryopreserved stem cells. Stem cell was mobilized using G-CSF alone and the grafts were kept in a conventional blood bank refrigerator at +4 °C until reinfusion on day 0. The outcome with non-cryopreserved stem cells are the same as those with cryopreserved stem cells and we conclude that autologous transplant with non cryopreserved hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) is a simple, effective and safe method and the cryopreservation is not necessary in our work conditions in developing countries. The projects are achieving the autograft in all University Hospitals with non cryop- reserved HSC, achieving a center allograft in the east of the country and the development of bone marrow transplantation in children.

Conclusion:

Currently in Algeria, the number of transplantation is insufficient and the development of new transplant centers is essential. In the future, we hope to implement the National Society of Bone Marrow transplant and also the National recipient registry and Donor registry in Algeria.
Integrated one-dimensional dynamic analysis methodology for space launch vehicles reflecting liquid components
Authors: Kim J.B. , Sim J.S. , Lee S.G. , Shin S.J. , Park J.H. , Kim Y.
Published: July 2017

In this paper, structural modelling and dynamic analysis methods reflecting the characteristics of a liquid propellant were developed for a pogo analysis. The pogo phenomenon results from the complex interaction between the vehicle structural vibration in the longitudinal direction and the propulsion system. Thus, for an accurate vibration analysis of a liquid propellant launch vehicle, both the consumption of the liquid propellant and the change in the stiffness reflecting the nonlinear hydroelastic effect were simultaneously considered. A complete vehicle structure, including the liquid propellant tanks, was analytically modelled while focusing on pogo. In addition, a feasible liquid propellant tank modelling method was established to obtain an one-dimensional complete vehicle model. With these methods, comparative studies of the hydroelastic effect were conducted. Evaluations of the dynamic analysis of a reference vehicle were also conducted during the first burning stage. The numerical results obtained with the present orthotropic model and the dynamic analysis method were found to be in good agreement with the natural vibration characteristics according to previous analyses and experiments. Additionally, the reference vehicle showed the estimated occurrence of pogo in the first structural mode when compared with the frequencies of the propellant feeding system. In conclusion, the present structural modelling and modal analysis procedures can be effectively used to analyse dynamic characteristics of liquid propellant launch vehicles. These techniques are also capable of identifying the occurrence of pogo and providing design criteria related to pogo instability.
A Role for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Clinical Sepsis Pathways: a Prospective Interventional Study
Authors: Burston John , Adhikari Suman , Hayen Andrew , Doolan Heather , Kelly Melissa L. , Fu Kathy , Jensen Tomas O. , Konecny Pamela
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of early infectious diseases (ID) antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) intervention on inpatient sepsis antibiotic management.

DESIGN

Interventional, nonrandomized, controlled study.

SETTING

Tertiary-care referral hospital, Sydney, Australia.

PATIENTS

Consecutive, adult, non–intensive care unit (non-ICU) inpatients triggering an institutional clinical sepsis pathway from May to August 2015.

INTERVENTION

All patients reviewed by an ID Fellow within 24 hours of sepsis pathway trigger underwent case review and clinic file documentation of recommendations. Those not reviewed by an ID Fellow were considered controls and received standard sepsis pathway care. The primary outcome was antibiotic appropriateness 48 hours after sepsis trigger.

RESULTS

In total, 164 patients triggered the sepsis pathway: 6 patients were excluded (previous sepsis trigger); 158 patients were eligible; 106 had ID intervention; and 52 were control cases. Of these 158 patients, 91 (58%) had sepsis, and 15 of these 158 (9.5%) had severe sepsis. Initial antibiotic appropriateness, assessable in 152 of 158 patients, was appropriate in 80 (53%) of these 152 patients and inappropriate in 72 (47%) of these patients. In the intervention arm, 93% of ID Fellow recommendations were followed or partially followed, including 53% of cases in which antibiotics were de-escalated. ID Fellow intervention improved antibiotic appropriateness at 48 hours by 24% (adjusted risk ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.47; P=.035). The appropriateness agreement among 3 blinded ID staff opinions was 95%. Differences in intervention and control group mortality (13% vs 17%) and median length of stay (13 vs 17.5 days) were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Sepsis overdiagnosis and delayed antibiotic optimization may reduce sepsis pathway effectiveness. Early ID AMS improved antibiotic management of non-ICU inpatients with suspected sepsis, predominantly by de-escalation. Further studies are needed to evaluate clinical outcomes.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1032–1038
Aquinas on Physical Impairment: Human Nature and Original Sin
Authors: Cross Richard
Published: July 2017

Medieval accounts of disability by and large (though not universally) defend what is now labeled the “religio-moral” construction of disability: seeing an individual's disability as a punishment for that individual's sin.1Unsurprisingly, such models are not much in favor among contemporary disability theorists for a number of reasons, among which we might include the unacceptable thought that an individual with disabilities somehow deserves those disabilities. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) accepts some version of this theory, but one rather different from the standard one (or at least, from what is now generally understood as the religio-moral model). Aquinas sees physical impairments—things that constitute a subclass of what he labels “bodily defects”—fundamentally as punishments for original sin. He is (generally) very careful to distance his account of defects from notions of individual punishment. (When he is not, it is because of pressure from Scriptural sources—though as we shall see below he believes that by and large the Bible, too, explicitly rejects the view that disability could be a punishment for individual sin.) So whatever we think of punishment models more generally, Aquinas's certainly removes one of the least appealing aspects of such models as typically understood. And Aquinas is careful, too, to associate many features of the human condition—not just those identified as a certain subclass of defects – with corporate punishment for original sin. To this extent, his account of physical impairments tends to normalize such impairments, and to de-emphasize their distance from other features of post-lapsarian human existence. While I doubt that what Aquinas says about bodily defects would satisfy many contemporary disability theorists, it seems to me that parts of his accout—and not least this normalization strategy—may appeal to more theologically-inflected accounts of the human condition.
Temporal dynamics of tidal mudflat fish assemblages in north-eastern Brazil: short and medium-term variations
Authors: Garcia Adna Ferreira Silva , Pessanha André Luiz Machado
Published: July 2017

Temporal variations over short and medium time scales play an important role in fish assemblage dynamics, but have been poorly investigated in tropical estuaries. This study evaluates the hypothesis that fishes co-occurring on a tidal mudflat have different patterns of temporal segregation at short- and medium-term scales that optimize resource use and habitat partitioning. A total of 6222 individuals and 66 fish species were caught during different hours covering the entire 24 h cycle, tidal regimes and the wet and dry seasons. Biomass and species richness, and to a lesser extent CPUE and evenness, showed statistically significant interactions across short- and medium-term scales. Biomass was higher during the dry season and its oscillation along tidal cycles revealed distinct patterns over the photoperiod in each season. A similar complex pattern was also observed for species richness, which showed distinct temporal patterns between high and low tides over the photoperiod in each season. Overall, shorter-term variations on fish assemblage attributes were correlated mainly with photoperiod and, to a lesser extent, tidal regime. Medium-term variations in fish abundance and species richness, in contrast, could result from seasonality in recruitment patterns and higher availability of allochthonous food resources during the wet period.
Seasonal work and welfare in an early industrial town: Newcastle upon Tyne, 1600–1700
Authors: BURN ANDY
Published: July 2017

The port of Newcastle upon Tyne in north-east England was transformed in the seventeenth century by the rapid expansion of its coal trade, which demanded an influx of industrial transport workers known as ‘keelmen’. This article assesses wages, perks and the seasonal distribution of income for this growing group of workers, estimating that their real income rose until about 1680, before tailing off again. They were comparatively well paid, but their work was inconsistent and seasonal. The number of days' work available was crucial to welfare in Newcastle, as were a series of formal and informal measures intended to relieve winter poverty and maintain a year-round workforce. Combining quantitative and qualitative evidence, this article offers a north-eastern industrial perspective on English living standards debates that still tend to be dominated by south-eastern building and agricultural labourers.
Not only peasants: the myth of continuity in the irrigation communities of Valencia, Spain, in the medieval and early modern periods
Authors: GUINOT ENRIC , ESQUILACHE FERRAN
Published: July 2017

The Horta of Valencia is a large irrigated area managed by eight communities of landowners. Traditionally, it was considered that these communities were composed of peasants, that they were self-managed and self-governed, and that they had remained immutable over time. However, the historical evidence shows that this is not true for pre-modern times. This article examines a possible Islamic origin of these institutions, the rupture caused by the Christian conquest of Valencia in the thirteenth century, the structure of the communities, and the social diversity of their members within the framework of feudalism. We conclude that irrigation communities cannot be used as examples of institutional continuity or of self-regulated and autonomous social organisations.
Mistress or maid: the structure of women's work in Sweden, 1550–1800
Authors: LINDSTRÖM JONAS , JANSSON KARIN HASSAN , FIEBRANZ ROSEMARIE , JACOBSSON BENNY , ÅGREN MARIA
Published: July 2017

Based on the verb-oriented method and a unique collection of observations from court records, this article shows that both men and women did almost all categories of work in early modern Sweden. On the level of concrete tasks, however, there was both difference and similarity between the genders. Marital status exerted a strong influence on women's sustenance activities, creating a clear distinction between unmarried and ever-married women. These patterns were probably the effect of a labour legislation that forced young people without independent means to offer their bodies and time to masters and mistresses.
The effects of ambient temperature and heatwaves on dailyCampylobactercases in Adelaide, Australia, 1990–2012
Authors: MILAZZO A. , GILES L. C. , ZHANG Y. , KOEHLER A. P. , HILLER J. E. , BI P.
Published: July 2017

Campylobacterspp. is a commonly reported food-borne disease with major consequences for morbidity. In conjunction with predicted increases in temperature, proliferation in the survival of microorganisms in hotter environments is expected. This is likely to lead, in turn, to an increase in contamination of food and water and a rise in numbers of cases of infectious gastroenteritis. This study assessed the relationship ofCampylobacterspp. with temperature and heatwaves, in Adelaide, South Australia.

We estimated the effect of (i) maximum temperature and (ii) heatwaves on dailyCampylobactercases during the warm seasons (1 October to 31 March) from 1990 to 2012 using Poisson regression models.

There was no evidence of a substantive effect of maximum temperature per 1 °C rise (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0·995, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0·993–0·997) nor heatwaves (IRR 0·906, 95% CI 0·800–1·026) onCampylobactercases. In relation to heatwave intensity, which is the daily maximum temperature during a heatwave, notifications decreased by 19% within a temperature range of 39–40·9 °C (IRR 0·811, 95% CI 0·692–0·952). We found little evidence of an increase in risk and lack of association betweenCampylobactercases and temperature or heatwaves in the warm seasons. Heatwave intensity may play a role in that notifications decreased with higher temperatures. Further examination of the role of behavioural and environmental factors in an effort to reduce the risk of increasedCampylobactercases is warranted.
Resveratrol has dose-dependent effects on DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial activity of ovine secondary follicles cultured in vitro
Authors: Macedo T.J.S. , Barros V.R.P. , Monte A.P.O. , Gouveia B.B. , Bezerra M.É.S. , Cavalcante A.Y.P. , Barberino R.S. , Menezes V.G. , Matos M.H.T.
Published: July 2017

The worldwide consumption of red wine, nuts and grapes has resulted in increased human exposure to resveratrol, which could affect reproductive function. However, the effect of resveratrol on in vitro culture of early-stage ovarian follicles has never been investigated. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effect of resveratrol on sheep secondary follicle morphology, growth, DNA fragmentation, intracellular levels of glutathione (GSH) and active mitochondria. Secondary follicles were isolated from the ovaries and cultured for 18 days in supplemented α-MEM+ (control medium) or in control medium containing resveratrol (2, 10 or 30 µM). The parameters analyzed were morphology, antrum formation, follicle diameter, DNA fragmentation, GSH levels and mitochondrial activity. After 18 days, all resveratrol groups significantly decreased the percentages of morphologically normal follicles compared with the control group (α-MEM+). Antrum formation was higher in both α-MEM+ and 2 µM resveratrol groups than in the 10 µM resveratrol group. In addition, 30 µM resveratrol increased the percentage of oocytes with DNA damage compared with the control. Oocytes from follicles treated with 10 or 30 µM resveratrol significantly decreased intracellular GSH levels compared with the 2 µM resveratrol group. Moreover, follicles in α-MEM+ (control) showed more active mitochondria than those in 10 or 30 µM resveratrol. In conclusion, ovine isolated secondary follicles are able to grow to the antral stage after in vitro culture in medium containing 2 µM resveratrol, maintaining the same rates of DNA damage, GSH levels and mitochondrial function as the control medium. However, the addition of 30 µM resveratrol increased DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress through decreasing mitochondrial activity.
Morphofunctional evaluation of the testis, duration of spermatogenesis and spermatogenic efficiency in the Japanese fancy mouse (Mus musculus molossinus)
Authors: Costa Guilherme M.J. , Leal Marcelo C. , França Luiz R.
Published: July 2017

Japanese fancy mouse, mini mouse or pet mouse are common names used to refer to strains of mice that present with different colour varieties and coat types. Although many genetic studies that involve spotting phenotype based on the coat have been performed in these mice, there are no reports of quantitative data in the literature regarding testis structure and spermatogenic efficiency. Hence, in this study we researched testis function and spermatogenesis in the adult Japanese fancy mouse. The following values of 68 ± 6 mg and 0.94 ± 0.1% were obtained as mean testis weight and gonadosomatic index, respectively. In comparison with other investigated mice strains, the fancy mouse Leydig cell individual size was much smaller, resulting in higher numbers of these cells per gram of testis. As found for laboratory mice strains, as a result of the development of the acrosomic system, 12 stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle have been described in this study. The combined frequencies of pre-meiotic and post-meiotic stages were respectively 24% and 64% and very similar to the laboratory mice. The more differentiated germ cell types marked at 1 h or 9 days after tritiated thymidine administration were preleptotene/leptotene and pachytene spermatocytes at the same stage (VIII). The mean duration of one spermatogenic cycle was 8.8 ± 0.01 days and the total length of spermatogenesis lasted 37.8 ± 0.01 days (4.5 cycles). A high number of germ cell apoptosis was evident during meiosis, resulting in lower Sertoli cell and spermatogenic efficiencies, when compared with laboratory mice strains.
Developmental competence of Dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) oocytes selected using brilliant cresyl blue staining
Authors: Fathi Mohamed , Ashry Mohamed , Salama Ali , Badr Magdy R.
Published: July 2017

The objectives of the present studies were to investigate the developmental capacity of dromedary camel oocytes selected by brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining and to investigate the expression of select transcripts in germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes. These transcripts included BMP15 and GDF9 as important transcripts for folliculogenesis and oocyte development, Zar1 and Mater as maternal transcripts required for embryonic development, Cyclin B1 and CDK1 as cell cycle regulators and Oct4 and STAT3 as transcription factors. Dromedary camel oocytes were retrieved from ovaries collected at a local slaughterhouse. After exposure to BCB staining, cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) from BCB+, BCB− and control (selected based on morphological criteria) groups were subjected toin vitromaturation,in vitrofertilization andin vitroculture. For gene expression studies, after BCB staining cumulus cells were stripped off and the completely denuded GV stage oocytes were used for RT-PCR analysis of selected transcripts. BCB+ oocytes showed higher maturation, and fertilization rates compared with BCB− and control groups. Indices of early embryonic development, namely, cleavage at 48 hours post insemination (hpi), and development to morula at day 5 and day 7 blastocyst rates were also significantly higher in the BCB+ group. RT-PCR revealed a higher expression of BMP15, GDF9, Zar1, Mater, Cyclin B1, CDK1, OCT4 and STAT3 in good quality oocytes that stained positively for BCB (BCB+). Collectively, results provide novel information about the use of BCB screening for selecting good quality oocytes to improvein vitroembryo production in the dromedary camel.
Acetylation and methylation profiles of H3K27 in porcine embryos cultured in vitro
Authors: Marinho Luciana Simões Rafagnin , Rissi Vitor Braga , Lindquist Andressa Guidugli , Seneda Marcelo Marcondes , Bordignon Vilceu
Published: July 2017

Methylation and acetylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27) regulate chromatin structure and gene expression during early embryo development. While H3K27 acetylation (H3K27ac) is associated with active gene expression, H3K27 methylation (H3K27me) is linked to transcriptional repression. The aim of this study was to assess the profile of H3K27 acetylation and methylation (mono-, di- and trimethyl) during oocyte maturation and early development in vitro of porcine embryos. Oocytes/embryos were fixed at different developmental stages from germinal vesicle to day 8 blastocysts and submitted to an immunocytochemistry protocol to identify the presence and quantify the immunofluorescence intensity of H3K27ac, H3K27me1, H3K27me2 and H3K27me3. A strong fluorescent signal for H3K27ac was observed in all developmental stages. H3K27me1 and H3K27me2 were detected in oocytes, but the fluorescent signal decreased through the cleavage stages and rose again at the blastocyst stage. H3K27me3 was detected in oocytes, in only one pronucleus in zygotes, cleaved-stage embryos and blastocysts. The nuclear fluorescence signal for H3K27me3 increased from the 2-cell stage to 4-cell stage embryos, decreased at the 8-cell and morula stages and increased again in blastocysts. Different patterns of the H3K27me3 mark were observed at the blastocyst stage. Our results suggest that changes in the H3K27 methylation status regulate early porcine embryo development as previously shown in other species.
The challenge of addressing consumption pollutants with fiscal policy
Authors: Galinato Gregmar I. , Islam Asif
Published: July 2017

The authors develop a theoretical model that elucidates the relationship between the quality of governance, the composition of government spending and pollution as a by-product of the consumption process. In particular, they determine the impact of government spending that alleviates market failure such as subsidies to the poor which reduce credit market failure and environmental regulations to correct for pollution externality. It is found that a shift in government spending towards goods that alleviate market failure has countervailing effects – consumption pollution rises due to increases in income, but consumption pollution also falls due to increasing environmental regulations. Conditional on the government adopting a democratic regime, the effect through environmental regulations outweighs the effect through income leading to lower consumption pollution. The authors estimate an empirical model and find that the results support their theoretical predictions.
IS LABOR'S LOSS CAPITAL'S GAIN? GROSS VERSUS NET LABOR SHARES
Authors: Bridgman Benjamin
Published: July 2017

US labor share has been falling since the 1970s. I show that it has not fallen as much once items that do not add to capital, depreciation and production taxes, are netted out. Recent net labor share is within its historical range, whereas gross share is at its lowest level. This effect holds for other high-income economies. The overall picture is no longer one of unprecedented, globally declining labor share. Using gross share as a proxy for net share can give misleading results. US gross share and inequality are correlated, whereas net share, the correct measure, is not.
THE MISSPECIFICATION OF EXPECTATIONS IN NEW KEYNESIAN MODELS: A DSGE-VAR APPROACH
Authors: Cole Stephen J. , Milani Fabio
Published: July 2017

This paper tests the ability of New Keynesian models to match the data regarding a key channel for monetary transmission: the dynamic interactions between macroeconomic variables and their corresponding expectations. We exploit survey expectations data and adopt a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE)-VAR approach to assess the extent and sources of model misspecification. The results point to serious misspecification in the expectations-formation side of the DSGE model. The rational expectations hypothesis is primarily responsible for the model's failure to capture the co-movements between observed macroeconomic expectations and realizations. Alternative models of expectations formation help partially reconcile the New Keynesian model with the data.
R-Spondin chromosome rearrangements drive Wnt-dependent tumour initiation and maintenance in the intestine
Authors: Han Teng , Schatoff Emma M. , Murphy Charles , Zafra Maria Paz , Wilkinson John E. , Elemento Olivier , Dow Lukas E.
Published: July 2017

Defining the genetic drivers of cancer progression is a key in understanding disease biology and developing effective targeted therapies. Chromosome rearrangements are a common feature of human malignancies, but whether they represent bona fide cancer drivers and therapeutically actionable targets, requires functional testing. Here, we describe the generation of transgenic, inducible CRISPR-based mouse systems to engineer and study recurrent colon cancer-associated EIF3E–RSPO2 and PTPRK–RSPO3 chromosome rearrangements in vivo. We show that both Rspo2 and Rspo3 fusion events are sufficient to initiate hyperplasia and tumour development in vivo, without additional cooperating genetic events. Rspo-fusion tumours are entirely Wnt-dependent, as treatment with an inhibitor of Wnt secretion, LGK974, drives rapid tumour clearance from the intestinal mucosa without effects on normal intestinal crypts. Altogether, our study provides direct evidence that endogenous Rspo2 and Rspo3 chromosome rearrangements can initiate and maintain tumour development, and indicate a viable therapeutic window for LGK974 treatment of RSPO-fusion cancers.
The endothelial transcription factor ERG mediates Angiopoietin-1-dependent control of Notch signalling and vascular stability
Authors: Shah A. V. , Birdsey G. M. , Peghaire C. , Pitulescu M. E. , Dufton N. P. , Yang Y. , Weinberg I. , Osuna Almagro L. , Payne L. , Mason J. C. , Gerhardt H. , Adams R. H. , Randi A. M.
Published: July 2017

Notch and Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1)/Tie2 pathways are crucial for vascular maturation and stability. Here we identify the transcription factor ERG as a key regulator of endothelial Notch signalling. We show that ERG controls the balance between Notch ligands by driving Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) while repressing Jagged1 (Jag1) expression. In vivo, this regulation occurs selectively in the maturing plexus of the mouse developing retina, where Ang1/Tie2 signalling is active. We find that ERG mediates Ang1-dependent regulation of Notch ligands and is required for the stabilizing effects of Ang1 in vivo. We show that Ang1 induces ERG phosphorylation in a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt-dependent manner, resulting in ERG enrichment at Dll4 promoter and multiple enhancers. Finally, we demonstrate that ERG directly interacts with Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and β-catenin and is required for Ang1-dependent β-catenin recruitment at the Dll4 locus. We propose that ERG coordinates Ang1, β-catenin and Notch signalling to promote vascular stability.
Innate scavenger receptor-A regulates adaptive T helper cell responses to pathogen infection
Authors: Xu Zhipeng , Xu Lei , Li Wei , Jin Xin , Song Xian , Chen Xiaojun , Zhu Jifeng , Zhou Sha , Li Yong , Zhang Weiwei , Dong Xiaoxiao , Yang Xiaowei , Liu Feng , Bai Hui , Chen Qi , Su Chuan
Published: July 2017

The pattern recognition receptor (PRR) scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) has an important function in the pathogenesis of non-infectious diseases and in innate immune responses to pathogen infections. However, little is known about the role of SR-A in the host adaptive immune responses to pathogen infection. Here we show with mouse models of helminthSchistosoma japonicuminfection and heat-inactivatedMycobacterium tuberculosisstimulation that SR-A is regulated by pathogens and suppresses IRF5 nuclear translocation by direct interaction. Reduced abundance of nuclear IRF5 shifts macrophage polarization from M1 towards M2, which subsequently switches T-helper responses from type 1 to type 2. Our study identifies a role for SR-A as an innate PRR in regulating adaptive immune responses.
Erratum: Speckle-modulating optical coherence tomography in living mice and humans
Authors: Liba Orly , Lew Matthew D. , SoRelle Elliott D. , Dutta Rebecca , Sen Debasish , Moshfeghi Darius M. , Chu Steven , de la Zerda Adam
Published: July 2017

Nature Communications 8: Article number: 15845 (2017); Published: 20 June 2017; Updated: 11 July 2017 An incorrect version of the Supplementary Information was inadvertently published with this Article which included incorrect figure references in Supplementary Table 4. The Article has now been updated to include the correct version of the Supplementary Information.
Mother’s Pre-pregnancy BMI and Placental Candidate miRNAs: Findings from the ENVIRONAGE Birth Cohort
Authors: Tsamou Maria , Martens Dries S. , Winckelmans Ellen , Madhloum Narjes , Cox Bianca , Gyselaers Wilfried , Nawrot Tim S. , Vrijens Karen
Published: July 2017

There is increasing evidence that the predisposition for development of chronic diseases arises at the earliest times of life. In this context, maternal pre-pregnancy weight might modify fetal metabolism and the child’s predisposition to develop disease later in life. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and miRNA alterations in placental tissue at birth. In 211 mother-newborn pairs from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, we assessed placental expression of seven miRNAs important in crucial cellular processes implicated in adipogenesis and/or obesity. Multiple linear regression models were used to address the associations between pre-pregnancy BMI and placental candidate miRNA expression. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI averaged (±SD) 23.9 (±4.1) kg/m2. In newborn girls (not in boys) placental miR-20a, miR-34a and miR-222 expression was lower with higher maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. In addition, the association between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and placental expression of these miRNAs in girls was modified by gestational weight gain. The lower expression of these miRNAs in placenta in association with pre-pregnancy BMI, was only evident in mothers with low weight gain (<14 kg). The placental expression of miR-20a, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-210 and miR-222 may provide a sex-specific basis for epigenetic effects of pre-pregnancy BMI.
A connection from stratospheric ozone to El Niño-Southern Oscillation
Authors: Manatsa Desmond , Mukwada Geoffrey
Published: July 2017

We use reanalysis and observational data to link the lower stratospheric ozone regulation of the ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) component of solar energy to ENSO modulation. Results indicate that during ENSO extremes, the Walker Circulation (WC) and Brewer Dobson Circulation are related to lower stratospheric ozone alterations east of the date line over the Pacific. These in turn are linked to upper tropospheric anomalous dipole temperature patterns on either side of the equator. The ensuing changes in geopotential height values do not only drive equatorial zonal wind anomalies in the upper troposphere that are reversed at the equatorial surface, but also impact on the intensity of the South Pacific High circulation. When the WC is enhanced, a La Nina type of circulation is indentified but if the circulation cell is inverted, the anomalous circulation results in an El Nino. Though the anomalous lower stratospheric ozone peaks during austral summer it is significant throughout the ENSO lifecycle. Hence, ENSO structure and variability are mainly linked to the lower stratospheric ozone instigated internal dynamics of the Pacific atmosphere. The ENSO forcing most likely originates from the ozone related regulation of the incoming solar UV-B radiation rather than the Pacific Ocean surface.
A New Solution Concept for the Ultimatum Game leading to the Golden Ratio
Authors: Schuster Stefan
Published: July 2017

The Ultimatum Game is a paradigmatic two-player game. A proposer can offer a certain fraction of some valuable good. A responder can accept the offer or reject it, implying that the two players receive nothing. The only subgame-perfect Nash equilibrium is to only offer an infinitesimal amount and to accept this. However, this equilibrium is not in agreement with experimental observations, which show varying accepted offers around 40%. While some authors suggest that the fairest split of 50% vs. 50% would be explainable on theoretical grounds or by computer simulation, a few authors (including myself) have recently suggested that the Golden Ratio, about 0.618 vs. about 0.382, would be the solution, in striking agreement with observations. Here we propose a solution concept, based on an optimality approach and epistemic arguments, leading to that suggested solution. The optimality principle is explained both in an axiomatic way and by bargaining arguments, and the relation to Fibonacci numbers is outlined. Our presentation complements the Economic Harmony theory proposed by R. Suleiman and is based on infinite continued fractions. The results are likely to be important for the theory of fair salaries, justice theory and the predictive value of game theory.
Ash production by attrition in volcanic conduits and plumes
Authors: Jones T. J. , Russell J. K.
Published: July 2017

Tephra deposits result from explosive volcanic eruption and serve as indirect probes into fragmentation processes operating in subsurface volcanic conduits. Primary magmatic fragmentation creates a population of pyroclasts through volatile-driven decompression during conduit ascent. In this study, we explore the role that secondary fragmentation, specifically attrition, has in transforming primary pyroclasts upon transport in volcanic conduits and plumes. We utilize total grain size distributions from a suite of natural and experimentally produced tephra to show that attrition is likely to occur in all explosive volcanic eruptions. Our experimental results indicate that fine ash production and surface area generation is fast (<15 min) thereby rapidly raising the fractal dimension of tephra deposits. Furthermore, a new metric, the Entropy of Information, is introduced to quantify the degree of attrition (secondary fragmentation) from grain size data. Attrition elevates fine ash production which, in turn, has consequences for eruption column stability, tephra dispersal, aggregation, volcanic lightening generation, and has concomitant effects on aviation safety and Earth’s climate.
Subcortical volume and white matter integrity abnormalities in major depressive disorder: findings from UK Biobank imaging data
Authors: Shen Xueyi , Reus Lianne M. , Cox Simon R. , Adams Mark J. , Liewald David C. , Bastin Mark E. , Smith Daniel J. , Deary Ian J. , Whalley Heather C. , McIntosh Andrew M.
Published: July 2017

Previous reports of altered grey and white matter structure in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) have been inconsistent. Recent meta-analyses have, however, reported reduced hippocampal grey matter volume in MDD and reduced white matter integrity in several brain regions. The use of different diagnostic criteria, scanners and imaging sequences may, however, obscure further anatomical differences. In this study, we tested for differences in subcortical grey matter volume (n = 1157) and white matter integrity (n = 1089) between depressed individuals and controls in the subset of 8590 UK Biobank Imaging study participants who had undergone depression assessments. Whilst we found no significant differences in subcortical volumes, significant reductions were found in depressed individuals versus controls in global white matter integrity, as measured by fractional anisotropy (FA) (β = −0.182, p = 0.005). We also found reductions in FA in association/commissural fibres (β = −0.184, pcorrected = 0.010) and thalamic radiations (β = −0.159, pcorrected = 0.020). Tract-specific FA reductions were also found in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus (β = −0.194, pcorrected = 0.025), superior thalamic radiation (β = −0.224, pcorrected = 0.009) and forceps major (β = −0.193, pcorrected = 0.025) in depression (all betas standardised). Our findings provide further evidence for disrupted white matter integrity in MDD.