bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Language of Ethnicity
Authors: Boyer Véronique
Published: August 2019

The 1988 constitution has led to the introduction of ethno-legal categories grounded on the dual premises of exceptionality and territorial administration. This article offers an explanation of why mobilizations based on ethnicity have not petered out despite the evident disengagement of the state, suggesting that it is important to distinguish between two ways of envisioning the articulation of singularity with territory: while the state considers that differences between populations pre-exist prior to territorial delimitation, local populations are convinced that the intention to proceed with demarcation suffices in itself to demonstrate their specificity. Moreover, from their perspective, a territorial claim is important as a way of accessing other rights that they consider equally essential. Our second section examines not only recent declarations of identity but also the observed switching between ethno-legal categories, building on a comparison with religious conversion as a meandering, complex, sometimes paradoxical process. Ethnicity, like religious affiliation, can thus be seen as a language developed at the national level but reappropriated by various populations in the service of local issues and usages. A final section examines particularism, whetherquilombola, traditional or Indian, as the currently dominant norm and form of expression for social protest, while reflecting on the role of outside actors as “institutional hosts” [Houtzager 2004]. It should be noted, moreover, that such standardization of the forms of political involvement no more precludes the replication of the social hierarchies between outsiders and natives, than it prevents social protest from being co-opted by the authorities.
EMBEDDINGS OF FREE TOPOLOGICAL VECTOR SPACES
Authors: LEIDERMAN ARKADY , MORRIS SIDNEY A.
Published: August 2019

It is proved that the free topological vector space $\mathbb{V}([0,1])$ contains an isomorphic copy of the free topological vector space $\mathbb{V}([0,1]^{n})$ for every finite-dimensional cube $[0,1]^{n}$, thereby answering an open question in the literature. We show that this result cannot be extended from the closed unit interval $[0,1]$ to general metrisable spaces. Indeed, we prove that the free topological vector space $\mathbb{V}(X)$ does not even have a vector subspace isomorphic as a topological vector space to $\mathbb{V}(X\oplus X)$, where $X$ is a Cook continuum, which is a one-dimensional compact metric space. This is also shown to be the case for a rigid Bernstein set, which is a zero-dimensional subspace of the real line.
Irregularity in breakfast consumption and daily meal timing patterns in association with body weight status and inflammation
Authors: Guinter Mark A. , Campbell Peter T. , Patel Alpa V. , McCullough Marjorie L.
Published: August 2019

Irregular breakfast consumption and food timing patterns in relation to weight status and inflammation were investigated in a cross-sectional manner among 644 participants in the Cancer Prevention Study-3 Diet Assessment Sub-study. Breakfast consumption, and the individual means and the intra-individual standard deviation (isd) of time at first intake of the day, duration of daily intake window and midpoint of daily intake window were collected via six 24-h recalls and examined in relation to BMI, waist circumference (WC) and inflammation (glycoprotein acetyl (GlycA)). Compared with consuming breakfast on all six recalls, linear regression models showed those who consumed breakfast on 4 or 5 of the days had a 1·29 (95 % CI 0·19, 2·38) and 1·64 (95 % CI 0·12, 3·16) kg/m2 higher BMI; no association was found for consuming breakfast ≤3 d. At 1 h later, the average time of first intake was associated with a 0·44 (95 % CI 0·04, 0·84) kg/m2 higher BMI. A 1-h increase in the isd of first intake was associated with a 1·12 (95 % CI 0·49, 1·75) kg/m2 higher BMI; isd in duration and midpoint of intake window were significant prior to additional adjustment for isd in the first intake. One-hour increases in isd for the first intake time (β: 0·15; 95 % CI 0·04, 0·26) and the midpoint of intake window (β: 0·16; 95 % CI 0·02, 0·31) were associated with higher GlycA. No associations were observed for WC independent of BMI. The results provide evidence that irregularity in breakfast consumption and daily intake timing patterns, particularly early in the day, may be related to weight status and inflammation.
AFRICAN VOICES FROM THE CONGO COAST: LANGUAGES AND THE POLITICS OF IDENTIFICATION IN THE SLAVE SHIPJOVEM MARIA (1850)
Authors: DE ALMEIDA MARCOS ABREU LEITÃO
Published: August 2019

Between 1845 and 1850, the Congo coast became the most important source of slaves for the coffee growing areas in the Brazilian Empire. This essay develops a new methodology to understand the making of the ‘nations’ of 290 Africans found on the slave shipJovem Maria, which boarded slaves in the Congo river and was captured by the Brazilian Navy near Rio de Janeiro in 1850. A close reading of such ‘nations’ reveals a complex overlapping between languages and forms of identification that alters the historian's use of concepts such as ‘ethnolinguistic group’ and ‘Bantu-basedlingua franca’ in the Atlantic world. Building on recent developments in Central African linguistics, the article develops a social history of African languages in the Atlantic that foregrounds how recaptives negotiated commonalities and boundaries in the diaspora by drawing on a political vocabulary indigenous to their nineteenth-century homes in Central Africa.
CEO Turnover and Volatility under Long-Term Employment Contracts
Authors: Cziraki Peter , Groen-Xu Moqi
Published: August 2019

We study the role of the contractual time horizon of chief executive officers (CEOs) for CEO turnover and corporate policies. Using hand-collected data on 3,954 fixed-term CEO contracts, we show that remaining time under contract predicts CEO turnover. When contracts are close to expiration, turnover is more likely and is more sensitive to performance. We also show a positive within-CEO relation between remaining time under contract and firm risk. Our results are similar across short and long contracts and are driven neither by firm or CEO survival, nor technological cycles. They are consistent with incentives to take long-term projects with interim volatility.
Contesting global gender equality norms: the case of Turkey
Authors: Bodur Ün Marella
Published: August 2019

Over the past two decades, constructivist International Relations (IR) scholars have produced substantial knowledge on the diffusion and adoption of global norms, emphasising the role of Western norm entrepreneurs in constructing and promoting new norms to passive, generally non-Western, norm takers. An emergent literature on norm dynamics unsettles this narrative of linear progress, highlighting the agency of diverse actors, including the agency of non-Western norm entrepreneurs, in normative change. This article contributes to this recent norm research by exploring the normative agency of local actors in the Turkish context, who have actively engaged in normative contestation over the meaning of gender equality. More specifically, the article reveals the crucial role of a pro-government, conservative women's organisation in subverting global gender equality norms and in promoting a local norm of ‘gender justice’ as an alternative. The article furthers research on norm contestation by analysing the discursive strategies and justifications local norm makers have adopted in the Turkish context upon encountering norms that challenged their normative beliefs and practices. Finally, the article critically engages with postsecular feminism, highlighting the agency of a religiously informed, conservative women's organisation as a non-Western norm entrepreneur.
EMOTIONS IN INCIDENTAL LANGUAGE LEARNING
Authors: Miller Zachary F. , Godfroid Aline
Published: August 2019

We investigated how positive, negative, and neutral mood states influence aspects of second language acquisition, either directly or in interaction with certain personality characteristics (openness, intuition, emotional intelligence, foreign language anxiety, and impulsivity). After completing individual differences questionnaires, 120 participants were randomly assigned to either a Comparison group or one of three emotionally induced treatment groups. They were trained on a semiartificial language under incidental learning conditions. Immediate testing measured participants’ knowledge of the target syntactic forms, while source-attribution data gauged the nature (implicit, explicit, or a combination of both) of their knowledge. Contrary to some previous studies, knowledge gains were chiefly conscious-explicit. Participants exhibited substantial variability in how emotions impacted their learning, with self-reported stress management and premeditation resulting in higher learning in the Negative group. Overall, participants that claimed higher levels of intellect showed the best results.
Engaging “Communities, Groups and Individuals” in the International Mechanisms of the 2003 Intangible Heritage Convention
Authors: Blake Janet
Published: August 2019

The aim of this article is to examine how the requirement in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICHC) to ensure the effective involvement of local communities, groups, and individuals (as well as experts, centers of expertise, and research institutions) in the implementation of the Convention can be put into better effect in its international operation. Although examples exist of international treaties that involve non-governmental and other civil society bodies in their implementation at the international level, mostly with regard to Indigenous peoples, the mechanisms for such involvement are still underdeveloped and not wholly satisfactory. Since it has proved difficult to put community participation at the intergovernmental level into practice within the framework of the ICHC, the author seeks to identify approaches that can be usefully employed in the treaty—in particular, by considering participatory models found in other international treaty frameworks in the heritage and environmental protection law fields.
Proper pertussis vaccination will probably not increase vaccination coverage: a case–control study
Authors: Solano R. , Sanchez-Callejas A. V. , Alvarez-Ibañez M. I. , Sandiumenge-Durán M. , Fernández-San-Martín M. I.
Published: August 2019

Vaccination coverage (VC) against pertussis can increase when management practices and policies at primary care centres (PCCs) are reinforced. From 2011 to 2015, we performed a case–control study to evaluate VC among pertussis patients treated at PCCs in Barcelona, Spain. We recorded pertussis in patients from 8- to 16-year-olds at 52 PCCs. Pertussis cases had laboratory diagnostic and controls were healthy outpatients visiting the same facility for reasons other than cough. DTaP/dTap VC was recorded as either proper vaccination status (five doses recorded) or improper vaccination status (<5 doses recorded). We used a logistic regression model to estimate OR and 95% CI. We included 229 cases and 576 controls. VC was higher in cases (mean 5.01, s.e.: 0.57) than in controls (4.89, s.e.: 0.73). Around 69% of the cases had received DTaP primary immunisation after 2–5 years and 31.4% of cases had the dTap booster immunisation after 7–10 years. The 87% of children 5–9 years were properly vaccinated. We found no protection from becoming ill among properly vaccinated children (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.22–2.85). The highest VC was observed in patients with confirmed pertussis, which was likely due to a more exhaustive follow-up of the VC in these patients. Being properly vaccinated against pertussis will probably not increase VC.
Neural text normalization with adapted decoding and POS features
Authors: Ruzsics T. , Lusetti M. , Göhring A. , Samardžić T. , Stark E.
Published: August 2019

Text normalization is the task of mapping noncanonical language, typical of speech transcription and computer-mediated communication, to a standardized writing. This task is especially important for languages such as Swiss German, with strong regional variation and no written standard. In this paper, we propose a novel solution for normalizing Swiss German WhatsApp messages using the encoder–decoder neural machine translation (NMT) framework. We enhance the performance of a plain character-level NMT model with the integration of a word-level language model and linguistic features in the form of part-of-speech (POS) tags. The two components are intended to improve the performance by addressing two specific issues: the former is intended to improve the fluency of the predicted sequences, whereas the latter aims at resolving cases of word-level ambiguity. Our systematic comparison shows that our proposed solution results in an improvement over a plain NMT system and also over a comparable character-level statistical machine translation system, considered the state of the art in this task till recently. We perform a thorough analysis of the compared systems’ output, showing that our two components produce indeed the intended, complementary improvements.
The Persuasive Use of Emotions
Authors: Dow Jamie
Published: August 2019

The rhetorical power of emotions came to philosophers’ attention early on in the Western tradition: emotions can exert a powerful effect on what an audience comes to believe or decides to do. It is has been surprisingly neglected since, despite abundant philosophical literature on the emotions. This paper focuses on the mechanisms and propriety of emotional persuasion. Our central focus is an apparent tension between two claims. (‘PROPRIETY’) Persuasion should succeed by getting people convinced on grounds that contribute to justifying their inclination to favour what the speaker proposes; and (‘ANTI-AUSTERITY’) It is not required that persuasion's methods be dispassionate. They seem in tension, and yet dropping either seems unattractive. In particular, dropping ‘ANTI-AUSTERITY’ could commit us to a position that tends to elevate further in public deliberation the contributions of already privileged voices, and to marginalise the less privileged. This paper highlights what we would need to believe, in order to hold these two claims together. In order for emotions to contribute to (epistemic) justification, I argue, they must be capable themselves of being epistemically justified, and of transmitting that epistemic justification to the beliefs to which they help give rise. This in turn requires that emotions have representational contents, involve the subject's accepting those contents as true, be candidates for epistemic justification, and be such that their contents can properly feature as premises in inferences that justify the subject in believing their conclusions. Such are the striking philosophical implications of some everyday observations about the persuasive use of emotions.
Emotional Intentionality
Authors: Ratcliffe Matthew
Published: August 2019

This paper sketches an account of what distinguishes emotional intentionality from other forms of intentionality. I focus on the ‘two-sided’ structure of emotional experience. Emotions such as being afraid of something and being angry about something involve intentional states with specific contents. However, experiencing an entity, event, or situation in a distinctively emotional way also includes a wider-ranging disturbance of the experiential world within which the object of emotion is encountered. I consider the nature of this disturbance and its relationship to the localized content of an emotional experience.
Evaluation of mesotrione tolerance levels and [14C]mesotrione absorption and translocation in three fine fescue species
Authors: Tate Trent M. , Meyer William A. , McCullough Patrick E. , Yu Jialin
Published: August 2019

Fine fescues (Festucaspp.) are cool-season grasses used in low-maintenance turf areas. Mesotrione is a PRE and early-POST herbicide used during establishment of most cool-season turfgrasses, excluding fine fescues. Currently, efforts are being made to breed for increased tolerance to mesotrione in fine fescues to enhance weed control during establishment. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of foliar and root uptake of [14C]mesotrione with the tolerance of three lines each of Chewings fescue [Festuca rubrassp. commutataGaudin; syn.F. rubrassp.fallax(Thuill.) Nyman], hard fescue [Festuca trachyphylla(Hack.) Hack.], and strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubraL. ssp.rubra) lines. From a rate-titration experiment, the hierarchical rank of species for mesotrione tolerance from highest to lowest was: hard > Chewings > strong creeping red fescue. The hierarchical rank of species for foliar uptake from highest to lowest was: Chewings > strong creeping red > hard fescue. Translocation of foliar-absorbed14C was not associated with differential tolerance levels of the three species. Root absorption was comparable among species, but differences between lines were detected within the species. The most susceptible lines of Chewings and strong creeping red fescue exhibited greater root uptake than lines with greater tolerance. Hard fescue translocated the least amount of root-absorbed radioactivity to shoots, while Chewings and strong creeping red fescues were comparable.
Miocene Range Growth Along the Altyn Tagh Fault: Insights From Apatite Fission Track and (U‐Th)/He Thermochronometry in the Western Danghenan Shan, China
Authors: Yu Jingxing , Zheng Dewen , Pang Jianzhang , Wang Yizhou , Fox Matthew , Vermeesch Pieter , Li Chaopeng , Xiao Lin , Hao Yuqi , Wang Ying
Published: August 2019

The left‐lateral strike‐slip Altyn Tagh fault that defines the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau plays a crucial role in accommodating the Cenozoic deformation related to the growth of plateau. However, the slip history along the fault remains highly debated. Here we report new 14–16 Ma apatite fission track (AFT) and 9–11 Ma apatite (U‐Th)/He (AHe) data in the western Danghenan Shan, north Tibet. Age‐elevation relationships and AFT/AHe age differences suggest a period of rapid exhumation with an average rate of 0.1–0.3 km/Ma from 16 to 9 Ma for this area. Thermal history modeling indicates that this was preceded by accelerated exhumation between the late Oligocene and middle Miocene (~15 Ma). A northward increase in AFT ages and asymmetric topography across the western Danghenan Shan indicate that the uplift and exhumation are mainly controlled by the thrust fault along the southern flank of the western Danghenan Shan. As the thrust fault is a branch of the Altyn Tagh fault, the rapid exhumation probably represents onset of the transition along the Altyn Tagh fault from left‐slip motion to crustal shortening in the Dangnenan Shan region. Our findings show that the middle Miocene deformation is not only recorded in the middle and northern Qilian Shan but also in the southwestern portion of the Qilian Shan, which favors a synchronous middle‐Miocene deformation model for the entire Qilian Shan.
Shale gas reserve evaluation by laboratory pyrolysis and gas holding capacity consistent with field data
Authors: Whitelaw Patrick , Uguna Clement N. , Stevens Lee A. , Meredith Will , Snape Colin E. , Vane Christopher H. , Moss-Hayes Vicky , Carr Andrew D.
Published: August 2019

Exploration for shale gas occurs in onshore basins, with two approaches used to predict the maximum gas in place (GIP) in the absence of production data. The first estimates adsorbed plus free gas held within pore space, and the second measures gas yields from laboratory pyrolysis experiments on core samples. Here we show the use of sequential high-pressure water pyrolysis (HPWP) to replicate petroleum generation and expulsion in uplifted onshore basins. Compared to anhydrous pyrolysis where oil expulsion is limited, gas yields are much lower, and the gas at high maturity is dry, consistent with actual shales. Gas yields from HPWP of UK Bowland Shales are comparable with those from degassed cores, with the ca. 1% porosity sufficient to accommodate the gas generated. Extrapolating our findings to the whole Bowland Shale, the maximum GIP equate to potentially economically recoverable reserves of less than 10 years of current UK gas consumption.
PAX8 activates metabolic genes via enhancer elements in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Bleu Melusine , Gaulis Swann , Lopes Rui , Sprouffske Kathleen , Apfel Verena , Holwerda Sjoerd , Pregnolato Marco , Yildiz Umut , Cordoʹ Valentina , Dost Antonella F. M. , Knehr Judith , Carbone Walter , Lohmann Felix , Lin Charles Y. , Bradner James E. , Kauffmann Audrey , Tordella Luca , Roma Guglielmo , Galli Giorgio G.
Published: August 2019

Transcription factor networks shape the gene expression programs responsible for normal cell identity and pathogenic state. Using Core Regulatory Circuitry analysis (CRC), we identify PAX8 as a candidate oncogene in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) cells. Validation of large-scale functional genomic screens confirms that PAX8 silencing leads to decreased proliferation of RCC cell lines. Epigenomic analyses of PAX8-dependent cistrome demonstrate that PAX8 largely occupies active enhancer elements controlling genes involved in various metabolic pathways. We selected the ferroxidase Ceruloplasmin (CP) as an exemplary gene to dissect PAX8 molecular functions. PAX8 recruits histone acetylation activity at bound enhancers looping onto the CP promoter. Importantly, CP expression correlates with sensitivity to PAX8 silencing and identifies a subset of RCC cases with poor survival. Our data identifies PAX8 as a candidate oncogene in RCC and provides a potential biomarker to monitor its activity.
Mesenchyme-free expansion and transplantation of adult alveolar progenitor cells: steps toward cell-based regenerative therapies
Authors: Weiner Aaron I. , Jackson Sergio R. , Zhao Gan , Quansah Kwaku K. , Farshchian Joseph N. , Neupauer Katherine M. , Littauer Elizabeth Q. , Paris Andrew J. , Liberti Derek C. , Scott Worthen G. , Morrisey Edward E. , Vaughan Andrew E.
Published: August 2019

Alveolar type-2 (AT2) cells are necessary for the lung’s regenerative response to epithelial insults such as influenza. However, current methods to expand these cells rely on mesenchymal co-culture, complicating the possibility of transplantation following acute injury. Here we developed several mesenchyme-free culture conditions that promote growth of murine AT2 organoids. Transplanting dissociated AT2 organoids into influenza-infected mice demonstrated that organoids engraft and either proliferate as AT2 cells or unexpectedly adopt a basal cell-like fate associated with maladaptive regeneration. Alternatively, transplanted primary AT2 cells also robustly engraft, maintaining their AT2 lineage while replenishing the alveolar type-1 (AT1) cell population in the epithelium. Importantly, pulse oximetry revealed significant increase in blood-oxygen saturation in primary AT2 recipients, indicating that transplanted cells also confer increased pulmonary function after influenza. We further demonstrated that both acid installation and bleomycin injury models are also amenable to AT2 transplantation. These studies provide additional methods to study AT2 progenitor potential, while serving as proof-of-principle for adoptive transfer of alveolar progenitors in potential therapeutic applications.
Evolutionary characteristics of intergenic transcribed regions indicate rare novel genes and widespread noisy transcription in the Poaceae
Authors: Lloyd John P. , Bowman Megan J. , Azodi Christina B. , Sowers Rosalie P. , Moghe Gaurav D. , Childs Kevin L. , Shiu Shin-Han
Published: August 2019

Extensive transcriptional activity occurring in intergenic regions of genomes has raised the question whether intergenic transcription represents the activity of novel genes or noisy expression. To address this, we evaluated cross-species and post-duplication sequence and expression conservation of intergenic transcribed regions (ITRs) in four Poaceae species. Among 43,301 ITRs across the four species, 34,460 (80%) are species-specific. ITRs found across species tend to be more divergent in expression and have more recent duplicates compared to annotated genes. To assess if ITRs are functional (under selection), machine learning models were established inOryza sativa(rice) that could accurately distinguish between phenotype genes and pseudogenes (area under curve-receiver operating characteristic = 0.94). Based on the models, 584 (8%) and 4391 (61%) rice ITRs are classified as likely functional and nonfunctional with high confidence, respectively. ITRs with conserved expression and ancient retained duplicates, features that were not part of the model, are frequently classified as likely-functional, suggesting these characteristics could serve as pragmatic rules of thumb for identifying candidate sequences likely to be under selection. This study also provides a framework to identify novel genes using comparative transcriptomic data to improve genome annotation that is fundamental for connecting genotype to phenotype in crop and model systems.
Early functional alterations in membrane properties and neuronal degeneration are hallmarks of progressive hearing loss in NOD mice
Authors: Lee Jeong Han , Park Seojin , Perez-Flores Maria C. , Wang Wenying , Kim Hyo Jeong , Izu Leighton , Gratton Michael Anne , Chiamvimonvat Nipavan , Yamoah Ebenezer N.
Published: August 2019

Presbycusis or age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most common sensory deficit in the human population. A substantial component of the etiology stems from pathological changes in sensory and non-sensory cells in the cochlea. Using a non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model, we have characterized changes in both hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons that may be relevant for early signs of age-related hearing loss (ARHL). We demonstrate that hair cell loss is preceded by, or in parallel with altered primary auditory neuron functions, and latent neurite retraction at the hair cell-auditory neuron synapse. The results were observed first in afferent inner hair cell synapse of type I neurites, followed by type II neuronal cell-body degeneration. Reduced membrane excitability and loss of postsynaptic densities were some of the inaugural events before any outward manifestation of hair bundle disarray and hair cell loss. We have identified profound alterations in type I neuronal membrane properties, including a reduction in membrane input resistance, prolonged action potential latency, and a decrease in membrane excitability. The resting membrane potential of aging type I neurons in the NOD, ARHL model, was significantly hyperpolarized, and analyses of the underlying membrane conductance showed a significant increase in K+ currents. We propose that attempts to alleviate some forms of ARHL should include early targeted primary latent neural degeneration for effective positive outcomes.
Prediction of Treatment Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer via Early Changes in Tumor Heterogeneity Captured by DCE-MRI Registration
Authors: Jahani Nariman , Cohen Eric , Hsieh Meng-Kang , Weinstein Susan P. , Pantalone Lauren , Hylton Nola , Newitt David , Davatzikos Christos , Kontos Despina
Published: August 2019

We analyzed DCE-MR images from 132 women with locally advanced breast cancer from the I-SPY1 trial to evaluate changes of intra-tumor heterogeneity for augmenting early prediction of pathologic complete response (pCR) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Utilizing image registration, voxel-wise changes including tumor deformations and changes in DCE-MRI kinetic features were computed to characterize heterogeneous changes within the tumor. Using five-fold cross-validation, logistic regression and Cox regression were performed to model pCR and RFS, respectively. The extracted imaging features were evaluated in augmenting established predictors, including functional tumor volume (FTV) and histopathologic and demographic factors, using the area under the curve (AUC) and the C-statistic as performance measures. The extracted voxel-wise features were also compared to analogous conventional aggregated features to evaluate the potential advantage of voxel-wise analysis. Voxel-wise features improved prediction of pCR (AUC = 0.78 (±0.03) vs 0.71 (±0.04), p < 0.05 and RFS (C-statistic = 0.76 ( ± 0.05), vs 0.63 ( ± 0.01)), p < 0.05, while models based on analogous aggregate imaging features did not show appreciable performance changes (p > 0.05). Furthermore, all selected voxel-wise features demonstrated significant association with outcome (p < 0.05). Thus, precise measures of voxel-wise changes in tumor heterogeneity extracted from registered DCE-MRI scans can improve early prediction of neoadjuvant treatment outcomes in locally advanced breast cancer.
Investigating appropriate molecular and chemical methods for ingredient identity testing of plant-based protein powder dietary supplements
Authors: Faller Adam C. , Arunachalam Thirugnanasambandam , Shanmughanandhan Dhivya , Kesanakurti Prasad , Shehata Hanan R. , Ragupathy Subramanyam , Newmaster Steven G.
Published: August 2019

Plant-based protein powders are rapidly growing in popularity, and outdated quality assurance tools expose vulnerabilities to adulteration via different methods of “protein spiking”. Adequate diagnostic tools are urgently needed to be able to authenticate protein source ingredients and screen for potential adulterants. We explored the application of three diagnostic tools for ingredient identification: targeted PCR with Sanger sequencing, NGS, and LC-MS/MS. We collected 33 samples of common commercial products from the plant-based protein powder market and sought to identify botanical components using the three technologies. We found success in detection with all approaches, with at least one main protein source being identified by at least one approach in all samples. The investigation uncovered challenges to data collection or result interpretation with each technology including but not limited to amplification biases with PCR technologies, potential influence of DNA degradation, and issues with protein solubility during isolation. Ultimately, each platform demonstrated utility along with certain caveats, which epitomized the importance of orthogonality of testing.
Tree-ring correlations suggest links between moderate earthquakes and distant rockfalls in the Patagonian Cordillera
Authors: Stoffel M. , Ballesteros Cánovas J. A. , Luckman B. H. , Casteller A. , Villalba R.
Published: August 2019

Earthquakes with magnitudes M > 7 can trigger large landslides and rockfalls at epicenter distances of up to 400 km, whereas moderate shaking (M = 5–7) is generally thought to result in abundant co-seismic mass movements in the vicinity of the epicenter. Although one might anticipate that large magnitude earthquakes off the Chilean coast would result in abundant rockfall in the Patagonian Cordillera, only limited research has explored this hypothesis. Here, we use tree-ring records from 63 cross-sections of century-old (103.9 ± 40.1 yr) Nothofagus pumilio trees to develop a calendar-dated record of small rockfall events (101–102 m3) on a talus slope located next to Monte Fitz Roy (El Chaltén, Argentina; 49°4′S, 72°57′W). The resulting rockfall record is used to infer that subduction zone seismicity at the Triple Junction and intraplate shaking around Lago Argentino almost systematically caused rockfall activity at this site, even if seismicity occurred at large distances (up to 300 km away) and with moderate intensity (M = 5–7). About one third of the rockfalls are triggered by factors other than earthquakes, predominantly in spring when freeze-thaw cycles occur frequently at the site. Despite the fact that seismicity is not the only trigger of rockfall activity at Cerro Crestón, at the foot of Monte Vespignani, we conclude that, in regions where topographic amplification plays a role, small rockfalls can be triggered by earthquakes of moderate intensity at large distances from the epicenter.
Long-tailed macaques extract statistical information from repeated types of events to make rational decisions under uncertainty
Authors: Placì Sarah , Padberg Marie , Rakoczy Hannes , Fischer Julia
Published: August 2019

Human children and apes seem to be intuitive statisticians when making predictions from populations of objects to randomly drawn samples, whereas monkeys seem not to be. Statistical reasoning can also be investigated in tasks in which the probabilities of different possibilities must be inferred from relative frequencies of events, but little is known about the performance of nonhuman primates in such tasks. In the current study, we investigated whether long-tailed macaques extract statistical information from repeated types of events to make predictions under uncertainty. In each experiment, monkeys first experienced the probability of rewards associated with different factors separately. In a subsequent test trial, monkeys could then choose between the different factors presented simultaneously. In Experiment 1, we tested whether long-tailed macaques relied on probabilities and not on a comparison of absolute quantities to make predictions. In Experiment 2 and 3 we varied the nature of the predictive factors and the complexity of the covariation structure between rewards and factors. Results indicate that long-tailed macaques extract statistical information from repeated types of events to make predictions and rational decisions under uncertainty, in more or less complex scenarios. These findings suggest that the presentation format affects the monkeys’ statistical reasoning abilities.
Observation of angle-dependent mode conversion and mode hopping in 2D annular antidot lattice
Authors: Porwal Nikita , De Anulekha , Mondal Sucheta , Dutta Koustuv , Choudhury Samiran , Sinha Jaivardhan , Barman Anjan , Datta P. K.
Published: August 2019

We report spin-wave excitations in annular antidot lattice fabricated from 15 nm-thin Ni80Fe20 film. The nanodots of 170 nm diameters are embedded in the 350 nm (diameter) antidot lattice to form the annular antidot lattice, which is arranged in a square lattice with edge-to-edge separation of 120 nm. A strong anisotropy in the spin-wave modes are observed with the change in orientation angle (ϕ) of the in-plane bias magnetic field by using Time-resolved Magneto-optic Kerr microscope. A flattened four-fold rotational symmetry, mode hopping and mode conversion leading to mode quenching for three prominent spin-wave modes are observed in this lattice with the variation of the bias field orientation. Micromagnetic simulations enable us to successfully reproduce the measured evolution of frequencies with the orientation of bias magnetic field, as well as to identify the spatial profiles of the modes. The magnetostatic field analysis, suggest the existence of magnetostatic coupling between the dot and antidot in annular antidot sample. Further local excitations of some selective spin-wave modes using numerical simulations showed the anisotropic spin-wave propagation through the lattice.
S1P2 contributes to microglial activation and M1 polarization following cerebral ischemia through ERK1/2 and JNK
Authors: Sapkota Arjun , Gaire Bhakta Prasad , Kang Min-Gu , Choi Ji Woong
Published: August 2019

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) signaling has emerged as a drug target in cerebral ischemia. Among S1P receptors, S1P2 was recently identified to mediate ischemic brain injury. But, pathogenic mechanisms are not fully identified, particularly in view of microglial activation, a core pathogenesis in cerebral ischemia. Here, we addressed whether microglial activation is the pathogenesis of S1P2-mediated brain injury in mice challenged with transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). To suppress S1P2 activity, its specific antagonist, JTE013 was given orally to mice immediately after reperfusion. JTE013 administration reduced the number of activated microglia and reversed their morphology from amoeboid to ramified microglia in post-ischemic brain after tMCAO challenge, along with attenuated microglial proliferation. Moreover, JTE013 administration attenuated M1 polarization in post-ischemic brain. This S1P2-directed M1 polarization appeared to occur in activated microglia, which was evidenced upon JTE013 exposure in vivo as suppressed M1-relevant NF-κB activation in activated microglia of post-ischemic brain. Moreover, JTE013 exposure or S1P2 knockdown reduced expression levels of M1 markers in vitro in lipopolysaccharide-driven M1 microglia. Additionally, suppressing S1P2 activity attenuated activation of M1-relevant ERK1/2 and JNK in post-ischemic brain or lipopolysaccharide-driven M1 microglia. Overall, our study demonstrated that S1P2 regulated microglial activation and M1 polarization in post-ischemic brain.
Upregulation of miR-17-92 cluster is associated with progression and lymph node metastasis in oesophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Plum Patrick Sven , Warnecke-Eberz Ute , Drebber Uta , Chon Seung-Hun , Alakus Hakan , Hölscher Arnulf Heinrich , Quaas Alexander , Bruns Christiane Josephine , Gockel Ines , Lorenz Dietmar , Metzger Ralf , Bollschweiler Elfriede
Published: August 2019

The occurrence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) and depth of tumour infiltration are significant prognostic factors in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC), however no reliable prognostic biomarkers have been established so far. Aim of this study was to characterize microRNAs (miRs) of OAC patients, who primarily underwent oesophagectomy, in order to identify specific alterations during tumour progression and LNM. MicroRNA array-based quantification analysis of 754 miRs, including tumour specimens of 12 patients with pT2 OAC from three different centres (detection group), was performed. We identified miR-17, miR-19a/b, miR-20a, and miR-106a, showing the best predictive power for LNM. These miRs were validated by quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR) in 43 patients with different tumour stages (pT1: n = 21; pT2: n = 12 and pT3: n = 10) (training group) (p < 0.05), demonstrating that increasing levels of identified miRs were associated with advanced depth of tumour infiltration. These findings were verified in another independent group of 46 pT2 OAC patients (validation group). Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the miR-panel confirmed these results except for miR-19a (p < 0.05 each). Logistic regression analysis identified miR-17 and miR-20a (p = 0.025 and p = 0.022, respectively) to be independent variables for prediction of LNM. The mathematical prediction model was used in the validation group, and the estimated prognosis was compared to the actual postsurgical follow-up. This comprehensive data demonstrated the importance of miR-17-92 cluster and miR-106a for progression as well as LNM in OAC indicating that those might be feasible prognostic biomarkers.
Why digital medicine depends on interoperability
Authors: Lehne Moritz , Sass Julian , Essenwanger Andrea , Schepers Josef , Thun Sylvia
Published: August 2019

Digital data are anticipated to transform medicine. However, most of today’s medical data lack interoperability: hidden in isolated databases, incompatible systems and proprietary software, the data are difficult to exchange, analyze, and interpret. This slows down medical progress, as technologies that rely on these data – artificial intelligence, big data or mobile applications – cannot be used to their full potential. In this article, we argue that interoperability is a prerequisite for the digital innovations envisioned for future medicine. We focus on four areas where interoperable data and IT systems are particularly important: (1) artificial intelligence and big data; (2) medical communication; (3) research; and (4) international cooperation. We discuss how interoperability can facilitate digital transformation in these areas to improve the health and well-being of patients worldwide.
Development of a unique reversible fluorescent probe for tracking endogenous sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde fluctuation in vivo
Authors: Ma Yanyan , Gao Wenjie , Zhu Linlin , Zhao Yuping , Lin Weiying
Published: August 2019

A FRET-based reversible fluorescent probe for sensing SO2 and FA was designed. The probe was first used for imaging endogenous SO2 and FA in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we first found that the interaction of SO2 and FA can reduce the cytotoxicity.
Synthesis of a crystallochromic indolizine dye by a base- and catalyst-free photochemical route
Authors: Dohmen Christoph , Ihmels Heiko , Kreienmeier Rouven , Patrick Brian O.
Published: August 2019

Irradiation of 2-benzoyl-N-benzylpyridinium derivatives and dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate resulted in the formation of inolizine derivatives, one which was found to be the first example of a crystallochromic indolizine.
Step-by-step real time monitoring of a catalytic amination reaction
Authors: Thomas Gilian T. , Janusson Eric , Zijlstra Harmen S. , McIndoe J. Scott
Published: August 2019

The multiple reaction monitoring mode of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer is used to examine the Buchwald–Hartwig amination reaction in real-time using sequential addition of reagents to probe the individual steps in the cycle.
Mechanistic insights into the gold(i)-catalyzed annulation of propiolates with isoxazoles: a DFT study
Authors: Ogunlana Abosede Adejoke , Bao Xiaoguang
Published: August 2019

The detailed mechanisms of gold(i)-catalyzed annulations of propiolates with substituted and unsubstituted isoxazoles were investigated by DFT calculations.
Understanding chemical interaction between phosphonate-derivative molecules and a silver surface cluster in SERS: a combined experimental and computational approach
Authors: Emonds-Alt Gauthier , Mignolet Benoit , Malherbe Cedric , Monbaliu Jean-Christophe M. , Remacle Francoise , Eppe Gauthier
Published: August 2019

This joint experimental-theoretical SERS study provides new insights on the adsorption mode of phosphonate-derivative molecules on silver nanoparticles.
Ultrafast nonadiabatic dynamics probed by nitrogen K-edge absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Northey T. , Norell J. , Fouda A. E. A. , Besley N. A. , Odelius M. , Penfold T. J.
Published: August 2019

Quantum dynamics simulations are used to simulate the ultrafast X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure (XANES) spectra of photoexcited pyrazine including two strongly coupled electronically excited states and four normal mode degrees of freedom.
Fully coupled (J > 0) time-dependent wave-packet calculations using hyperspherical coordinates for the H + O2 reaction on the CHIPR potential energy surface
Authors: Ghosh Sandip , Sharma Rahul , Adhikari Satrajit , Varandas António J. C.
Published: August 2019

ICS calculation by time dependent wavepacket approach for H + O2 reaction using non-zero J values.
Arsenene monolayer as an outstanding anode material for (Li/Na/Mg)-ion batteries: density functional theory
Authors: Benzidi Hind , Lakhal Marwan , Garara Mourad , Abdellaoui Mustapha , Benyoussef Abdelilah , El kenz Abdallah , Mounkachi Omar
Published: August 2019

Arsenene, a single-layer arsenic nanosheet with a honeycomb structure, has recently attracted increasing attention due to its numerous exceptional properties.
Orientational order in the splay nematic ground state
Authors: Mandle Richard J. , Mertelj Alenka
Published: August 2019

We measure the degree of orientational order in the recently discovered splay-nematic liquid crystal (NS) phase by X-ray scattering techniques. We find the NS phase to be more ordered than the classical nematic phase, although still nematic-like.
The key to the yellow-to-cyan tuning in the green fluorescent protein family is polarisation
Authors: Nifosì Riccardo , Mennucci Benedetta , Filippi Claudia
Published: August 2019

Within a QM/MM approach, correctly predicting the tuning of the excitation energy of the chromophore in the GFP family requires to account for state-specific induction and for the coupling of the MM polarisation to the chromophore transition density.
Structural and electronic properties of small lithium peroxide clusters in view of the charge process in Li–O2 batteries
Authors: Hou Binpeng , Lei Xueling , Gan Zuoliang , Zhong Shuying , Liu Gang , Ouyang Chuying
Published: August 2019

Calculated reaction energy diagram for the decomposition of the lithium peroxide dimer.
How calcium ion binding induces the conformational transition of the calmodulin N-terminal domain—an atomic level characterization
Authors: Zhao Likun , Lai Luhua , Zhang Zhuqing
Published: August 2019

The Ca2+binding and triggering conformation transition of nCaM were detected in unbiased molecular dynamics simulations.
CO2 adsorption on hydroxylated In2O3(110)
Authors: Posada-Borbón Alvaro , Grönbeck Henrik
Published: August 2019

Co-adsorption of H2 modifies CO2 activation on In2O3(110).
Monitoring the electronic, thermal and optical properties of two-dimensional MoO2 under strain via vibrational spectroscopies: a first-principles investigation
Authors: Ersan Fatih , Sarikurt Sevil
Published: August 2019

This study presents the electronic, mechanical, thermal, vibrational and optical properties of the MoO2 monolayer under the effect of biaxial and uniaxial compressive/tensile strain, using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory.
Comprehensively understanding the steric hindrance effect on the coordination sphere of Pb2+ ions and photophysical nature of two luminescent Pb(ii)-coordination polymers
Authors: Wu Xiao-Shuo , Tang Yue-Rou , Liu Jian-Lan , Wang Lifeng , Ren Xiao-Ming
Published: August 2019

Two luminescent Pb(ii)-coordination polymers show different coordination geometry of lead(ii) ions and distinct photophysical properties.
Catalytic hydrogenation of dihydrolevoglucosenone to levoglucosanol with a hydrotalcite/mixed oxide copper catalyst
Authors: De bruyn Mario , Sener Canan , Petrolini Davi D. , McClelland Daniel J. , He Jiayue , Ball Madelyn R. , Liu Yifei , Martins Leandro , Dumesic James A. , Huber George W. , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: August 2019

Levoglucosanol (LGOL) is a critical intermediate for the bio-based production of hexane-1,2,5,6-tetrol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, and 1,6-hexanediol.
Zwitterionic-surfactant modified LAPONITE®s for removal of ions (Cs+, Sr2+ and Co2+) from aqueous solutions as a sustainable recovery method for radionuclides from aqueous wastes
Authors: Thiebault Thomas , Brendlé Jocelyne , Augé Grégoire , Limousy Lionel
Published: August 2019

A green and efficient adsorbent for the recovery and further storage of radionuclides was developed by the intercalation of a biodegradable amphoteric surfacant onto synthetic clay minerals.
Preparation of mesoporous CoNiO2 hexagonal nanoparticles for asymmetric supercapacitors via a hydrothermal microwave carbon bath process
Authors: Fan Changchun , Zhang Xiao , Chen Long , Fu Haihai , Li Hongling , Hou Juan , Yu Feng , Li Haoquan , Shi Yulin , Guo Xuhong
Published: August 2019

Mesoporous CoNiO2 hexagonal nanoparticles prepared via a hydrothermal microwave carbon bath process instead of the conventional calcination method have excellent pseudocapacitance properties.
Amplified fluorescence by carbon nanotube (CNT)-assisted surface plasmon coupled emission (SPCE) and its biosensing application
Authors: Xie Kai-Xin , Jia Shu-Shu , Zhang Jin-Hua , Wang Huan , Wang Qiang
Published: August 2019

The enhancement of SPCE by CNT assistance was investigated, and this strategy used an immunosensor to detect IgG.
Molecularly imprinted polymers fabricated by Pickering emulsion polymerization for the selective adsorption and separation of quercetin from Spina Gleditsiae
Authors: Sun Yanhua , Zhang Yange , Ju Zhiyu , Niu Liangfeng , Gong Zhaoxiang , Xu Zhihong
Published: August 2019

Hydroxyapatite-stabilized Pickering emulsions and their application in the extraction of quercetin.
Folate-modified hydroxyapatite nanorods induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through a mitochondrial-dependent pathway
Authors: Wang Huiping , He Libang , Zhang Peng , Zhang Jie , Chen Zhenhua , Ren Xiuli , Mei Xifan
Published: August 2019

The targeted delivery of therapeutic drugs into cancer cells is a facile method to improve therapeutic efficacy.