bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral Language, Representations and Mathematical Understanding: Indigenous Australian Students
Authors: Warren Elizabeth , Young Janelle
Published: February 2017

Abstract
This paper explores the role of oral language and
representations in negotiating mathematical understanding.
The data were gathered from two Indigenous Australian
classrooms in Northern Queensland. The first classroom, a
Year 6/7 consisted of 15 students whose ages range from 10
years to 12 years with eight being Aboriginal, six from
Torres Strait and one from Papua New Guinea. The second
classroom, a Years 4/5/6 classroom consisted of 14 Year
3/4/5 students, with eight being Aboriginal and six of
Torres Strait Island origin. Both teachers had been working
in this context for up to five years and were perceived by
both the school community and local educational consultants
as exemplary teachers of Indigenous Australian students.
Data were gathered from conversations with the two
teachers, and from videos of their lessons especially
designed to illuminate issues they negotiate on a
day-to-day basis when teaching mathematics. The results
indicate that explicit consideration needs to be given to
the careful development of precise mathematical language
and concrete mathematical materials, the use of questioning
in establishing classroom discourse, and the recognition
that many of these classrooms are bilingual.
Regular breakfast consumption is associated with higher blood vitamin status in adolescents: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study
Authors: Mielgo-Ayuso Juan , Valtueña Jara , Cuenca-García Magdalena , Gottrand Fréderic , Breidenassel Christina , Ferrari Marika , Manios Yannis , De Henauw Stefaan , Widhalm Kurt , Kafatos Anthony , Kersting Mathilde , Huybrechts Inge , Moreno Luis A , González-Gross Marcela
Published: February 2017

Objective

The present study aimed to examine the association between different breakfast consumption patterns and vitamin intakes and blood vitamin concentrations in European adolescents.

Design

Breakfast consumption was assessed by a questionnaire. Vitamin intake was calculated from two 24 h recalls. Blood vitamin and total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations were analysed from fasting blood samples.

Setting

The European Commission-funded HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study.

Subjects

Participants were 1058 (52·8 % females) European adolescents (aged 12·5–17·5 years) from ten cities.

Results

Lower vitamin D and vitamin C concentrations were observed in male and female breakfast skippers than in consumers (P<0·05). Female breakfast consumers presented higher holo-transcobalamin and lower tHcy (P<0·05), while males had higher cobalamin concentrations, compared with skippers (P<0·05). Higher vitamin D and total folate intakes were observed in adolescents who consumed breakfast compared with skippers (P<0·05). Likewise, female consumers had higher intakes of vitamin B6and vitamin E than occasional consumers (P<0·05).

Conclusions

Regular breakfast consumption is associated with higher blood vitamin D and cobalamin concentrations in males and with higher vitamin D and holo-transcobalamin and lower tHcy concentrations in females. Moreover, breakfast consumption is associated with high intakes of vitamin D and total folate in both sexes, and with high intakes of vitamin B6and vitamin E in females.
Sea ice, extremophiles and life on extra-terrestrial ocean worlds
Authors: Martin Andrew , McMinn Andrew
Published: February 2017

The primary aim of this review is to highlight that sea-ice microbes would be capable of occupying ice-associated biological niches on Europa and Enceladus. These moons are compelling targets for astrobiological exploration because of the inferred presence of subsurface oceans that have persisted over geological timescales. Although potentially hostile to life in general, Europa and Enceladus may still harbour biologically permissive domains associated with the ice, ocean and seafloor environments. However, validating sources of free energy is challenging, as is qualifying possible metabolic processes or ecosystem dynamics. Here, the capacity for biological adaptation exhibited by microorganisms that inhabit sea ice is reviewed. These ecosystems are among the most relevant Earth-based analogues for considering life on ocean worlds because microorganisms must adapt to multiple physicochemical extremes. In future, these organisms will likely play a significant role in defining the constraints on habitability beyond Earth and developing a mechanistic framework that contrasts the limits of Earth's biosphere with extra-terrestrial environments of interest.
Functional evaluation of treatment of chronic disease: Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale
Authors: Aktürk Ümmühan , Erci Behice , Araz Murat
Published: February 2017

Objective:

This study was conducted for the purpose of adapting the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT–Sp) for the Turkish context and determining its validity and reliability.

Method:

In 2016, a convenience sample of 137 cancer patients from Malatya State Hospital completed a structured questionnaire, which provided demographic characteristics, and the FACIT–Sp–12 for patients with cancer. The obtained data were assessed using Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient (α), Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient (r), factor analysis, Bartlett's test of sphericity, and the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy.

Results:

The result of the KMO test was determined to be 0.827 and that of Bartlett's test 988.692, and both were observed to be significant at a level of p < 0.001. The value of Cronbach's α for the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) was determined to be 0.87, and the α values for the SWBS subgroups ranged from 0.78 to 0.93. Our analysis determined that the factors had initial eigenvalues above 1, and that they accounted for 61.61% of the total variance.

Significance of results:

Our study determined that the Turkish version of the FACIT–Sp has validity and reliability and can be used in Turkish society. We believe that the scale can be used safely in determining convenient care and in planning individual educational programs to enhance patients' spiritual well-being.
ISAR imaging of moving satellite based on GO–PO scattering model
Authors: Wang Jiakun , Zhang Min , Wei Pengbo , Jiang Panpan
Published: February 2017

An efficient algorithm is proposed for the radar cross-section (RCS) prediction of complex target with electronically large size, which is a combination of geometrical optics and physical optics (GO–PO) method. The method taking the multiple reflections into account is applied to the electromagnetic scattering analysis of a satellite model. Then RCS curves of entire satellite model and the model without antenna structure are figured out. Based on the simulated echoes, the traditional inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images are discussed. Moreover, an application of motion compensation technique based on the joint time-frequency analysis is presented for ISAR imaging of the moving satellite that has both translational and rotational movements. Numerical results show good performance of GO–PO method in accuracy and efficiency and the great influence of the antenna with corner structures on the scattering characteristic of the satellite.
A SiGe-based fully-integrated 122-GHz FMCW radar sensor in an eWLB package
Authors: Furqan Muhammad , Ahmed Faisal , Feger Reinhard , Aufinger Klaus , Hartner Walter , Stelzer Andreas
Published: February 2017

High-performance SiGe HBTs and advancements in packaging processes have enabled system-in-package (SiP) designs for millimeter-wave applications. This paper presents a 122-GHz bistatic frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar SiP. The intended applications for the SiP are short-range distance and angular position measurements as well as communication links between cooperative radar stations. The chip is realized in a 130-nm SiGe BiCMOS technology and is based on a fully differential frequency-multiplier chain with in phase quadrature phase receiver and a binary phase shift keying modulator in the transmit chain. On-wafer measurement results show a maximum transmit output power of 2.7 dBm and a receiver gain of 11 dB. The chip consumes a DC power of 570 mW at a supply voltage of 3.3 V. The fabricated chip is integrated in an embedded wafer level ball grid array (eWLB) package. Transmit/receive rhombic antenna arrays with eight elements are designed in two eWLB packages with and without backside metal, with a measured peak gain of 11 dBi. The transceiver chip size is 1.8 mm × 2 mm, while the package size is 12 mm × 6 mm, respectively. FMCW measurements have been conducted with a sweep bandwidth of up to 17 GHz and a measured range resolution of 1.5 cm has been demonstrated. 2D positions of multiple targets have been computed using two coherently linked radar stations.
Broadband coupled-line directional couplers with high impedance transformation ratio
Authors: Wincza Krzysztof , Gruszczynski Slawomir
Published: February 2017

A new class of 3-dB impedance transforming directional couplers has been proposed in which the recently published coupled-line couplers, consisting of coupled-line sections having different electrical lengths, have been utilized. The main advantage of the proposed directional couplers is the possibility of obtaining high impedance transformation ratio, thus the known limiting condition of realizable impedance transformation in 3-dB couplers is overcome. Moreover, the proposed directional couplers feature significantly wider operational bandwidths. The theoretical analysis of the proposed impedance-transforming directional couplers has been shown and is fully supported by the measurements of the manufactured model operating in 0.5–1.5 GHz frequency range.
Precautions against the effects of attacks in urban areas
Authors: Jensen Eric Talbot
Published: February 2017

The conduct of hostilities in urban areas is inherently difficult, particularly with respect to the protection of civilians. International humanitarian law places restraints on both attackers and defenders. While much is written about the obligations of attackers with respect to protecting civilians, much less attention has been paid to the defender's obligations. These obligations are routinely referred to as “passive precautions” or “precautions against the effects of attacks” and are codified in Article 58 of Additional Protocol I to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. Article 58 requires parties, “to the maximum extent feasible”, to remove civilians and civilian objects from the vicinity of military objectives, to avoid locating military objectives within or near densely populated areas, and to take other necessary precautions to protect civilians and civilian objects from the dangers resulting from military operations.

Even though they are limited by only requiring those actions which are feasible, the obligations placed on the defender are far from trivial and, if applied in good faith, would certainly provide much needed protections to civilians in armed conflict, particularly in times of urban conflict. However, this ever-increasing urbanization is creating significant pressure on the doctrine of precautions in defence, stretching the “feasibility” standard beyond its capacity to adequately protect civilians. On the other hand, the emergence of advanced technology provides a mechanism for defenders to more easily and more fully comply with their obligations to segregate or protect the civilian population.

For the customary obligation of “precautions against the effects of attacks” to maintain its effectiveness, particularly in urban areas of conflict, the understanding of feasibility and what is “practicable” in current urbanized armed conflicts will have to expand, increasing the practical responsibilities on the defender, including through the use of modern technology. Moreover, imposing criminal responsibility when appropriate and feasible precautions are not taken will rectify the perceived imbalance between the responsibilities of the attacker and those of the defender.
Temperament and Behavioral Problems of Preschool Children with Headache - A Controlled Study
Authors: Correia Luciana Leonetti , Linhares Maria Beatriz Martins
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to compare differences in temperament and emotional and behavioral problems in a community sample of young children who experience headaches to those without such complaints. The whole sample was comprised 75 non-referred, preschool-aged children (3–5 years old), including 22 with headache complaints and 53 without headaches (control group). The children’s headache symptoms were assessed with a questionnaire that was given to the mothers. Rothbart’s Children’s Behavior Questionnaire was used to assess temperament, and the Child Behavior Checklist 1 ½–5 was used to assess emotional and behavioral problems. Compared with the control group, children with headache complaints showed more discomfort, which is the amount of negative affect induced by the sensory qualities of stimulation, including intensity, rate, or complexity of light, movement, sound, texture, or a combination of these modes of stimuli. These children also had higher scores for externalizing and internalizing emotional and behavioral problems compared to children without headaches. These findings show that the preschool-aged children with headaches presented more emotional and behavioral problems than the control group.
Expressed and Perceived Criticism, Family Warmth, and Symptoms in Schizophrenia
Authors: Medina-Pradas Cristina , Navarro J. Blas , Pousa Esther , Montero M. Isabel , Obiols Jordi E.
Published: February 2017

Criticism directed by caregivers towards a family member with schizophrenia, both from the perspective of the patient and of the caregiver, predicts relapse, although both perspectives differ. This study aims to verify if the same applies to a Mediterranean sample, where criticism is not the main attitude of high expressed emotion families. The Camberwell Family Interview was applied to assess the family’s perspective, and the Perceived Criticism and the Family Emotional Involvement and Criticism Scales were used to assess the patients’ perspective, in 21 dyads. The association between both perspectives and psychotic symptoms was also examined. Results replicated those of previous studies in other countries, revealing that the perspectives on Criticism of patients and families do not match. The fact that family members also presented positive attitudes towards the patient did not cushion the patient’s perceived criticism. Thus, it seems that families considered to be critical may not be perceived as such by the patients. Furthermore, only the warmth from the family’s perspective correlated with the symptoms: positive affect proved to be more relevant than negative affect. Therefore, the patients’ subjective assessments and family warmth should be included in clinical and research proposals.
Differences in Psychosocial Risk Variables for HIV as a Function of Sexual Experience
Authors: Ramiro María Teresa , Sillero Lidia Jiménez , Bermúdez María Paz
Published: February 2017

The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in psychosocial risk variables for HIV as a function of sexual experience in an adolescent population. The study sample consisted of 846 adolescents of both sexes aged between 14 and 19 years. Participants responded to several questionnaires that assessed four psychosocial variables related to risk sexual behavior for HIV infection: 1) perception of peer group norms, 2) condom use self-efficacy, 3) attitudes towards condom use and 4) parental communication about sexuality, STIs, HIV and pregnancy. Participants in both groups with sexual experience (with and without penetration) reported better communication with their mothers on sexuality and scored higher in positive attitudes towards condom use than those in the group without sexual experience. The sexual experience with penetration group perceived more negative peer group norms related to safe sexual behavior than the group without sexual experience; the group without sexual experience had a higher perception of condom use self-efficacy than the sexual experience with penetration group.
Perceived Self-efficacy during an Emergency Situation Reduces Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms
Authors: Saccinto Elisa , Vallès Lola , Hilterman Ed , Roiha Malin , Pietrantoni Luca , Pérez-Testor Carles
Published: February 2017

This study investigates if perceived self-efficacy during an emergency situation has a protective role in the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms among Italian and Spanish survivors of several emergency situations. We explored the impact of self-efficacy in a multiple regression model including other predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms, such as emergency prevention knowledge; trust in emergency services; risk perception of becoming a victim of an emergency situation; and conscious and active behaviors in comparison with no conscious and no active behavior during the emergency. We carried out a retrospective study recruiting 214 participants who reported their experience as victims of one specific emergency event. Results showed that survivors who perceived themselves as more self-efficacious during the traumatic event had less posttraumatic stress symptoms. In contrast, female gender, more self-threat perception and higher trauma severity were associated with more symptoms. Findings contribute to better understand human behavior in emergency situations and evidence the protective role of perceived self-efficacy beliefs among survivors of emergency situations.
Verification of Ingroup Identity as a Longitudinal Mediator between Intergroup Contact and Outgroup Evaluation
Authors: Gómez Angel , Eller Anja , Vázquez Alexandra
Published: February 2017

Almost six decades of research have consistently demonstrated that intergroup contact is one of the most powerful ways of improving intergroup attitudes. At least two important limitations, however, still compel researchers to continue work in this area: the issue of long-term effects of contact, and the processes underlying such effects. This report makes a theoretical and empirical contribution with regard to these two aspects introducing a new mediator of the effects of contact: verification of qualities of typical ingroup members that may or may not characterize individual group members (e.g. verification of ingroup identities). One hundred and forty-two high school students participated in a two-wave longitudinal study with 12 weeks’ lag in Spain. Cross-sectional and longitudinal mediational analyses using multiple imputation data showed that intergroup contact improves general outgroup evaluation through increasing verification of ingroup identities. This research demonstrates the relevance of considering verification of ingroup identity as a mediator for the positive effects of intergroup contact.
Using Learning Potential to Evaluate Children with Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Robles-Bello Mª Auxiliadora , Calero García Mª Dolores
Published: February 2017

This article presents research on a learning potential assessment that was administered to 32 preschool children with typical development, and 32 with specific language impairment receiving treatment at CADIT: the Children’s Center for Early Intervention and Development. The study’s main objective was to examine whether the language-impaired group’s cognitive profile could improve by applying learning potential methodology. Its second aim was to demonstrate the effectiveness of mediation in both groups. The results revealed significant differences between the two groups at pretest on most subscales. As for the second objective, we observed differences between pretest and posttest scores in both groups. In the second group, all differences were significant except in the case of classification and auditory memory, while in the first group, the differences between pretest and posttest scores were significant on all sub-scales but visual memory.
Interprofessional enhanced skills training in periodontology: a qualitative study of one London pilot
Authors: Radcliffe Eloise , Ghotane Swapnil G , Harrison Victoria , Gallagher Jennifer E
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVES/AIMS:

Health Education England (HEE) London developed an innovative 2-year pilot educational and training initiative for enhancing skills in periodontology for dentists and dental hygienists/therapists in 2011. This study explores the perceptions and experiences of those involved in initiating, designing, delivering and participating in this interprofessional approach to training.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of key stakeholders including course participants (dentists and dental hygienists and/or therapists), education and training commissioners, and providers towards the end of the 2-year programme. Interviews, based on a topic guide informed by health services and policy literature, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed based on framework methodology, using QSR NVivo 9 software to manage the data.

RESULTS:

Twenty-two people were interviewed. Although certain challenges were identified in designing, and teaching, a course bringing together different professional backgrounds and level of skills, the experiences of all key stakeholders were overwhelmingly positive relating to the concept. There was evidence of ‘creative interprofessional learning’, which led to ‘enhancing team working’, ‘enabling role recognition’ and ‘equipping participants for delivery of new models of care’. Recommendations emerged with regard to future training and wider health policy, and systems that will enable participants on future enhanced skills courses in periodontology to apply these skills in clinical practice.

CONCLUSION:

The interprofessional approach to enhanced skills training in periodontology represents an important creative innovation to build capacity within the oral health workforce. This qualitative study has provided a useful insight into the benefits and tensions of an interprofessional model of training from the perspectives of different groups of key stakeholders and suggests its application to other areas of dentistry.
Roles of the intestinal microbiota in pathogen protection
Authors: Ubeda Carles , Djukovic Ana , Isaac Sandrine
Published: February 2017

Hundreds of commensal bacterial species inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. This diverse microbial ecosystem plays a crucial role in the prevention and resolution of infectious diseases. In this review we will describe the major mechanisms by which the intestinal microbiota confers protection against infections, focusing on those caused by intestinal bacterial pathogens. These mechanisms include both non‐immune‐ and immune‐cell‐mediated pathways, notably through bacterial production of inhibitory molecules and nutrient deprivation by the former and innate lymphoid cell‐, myeloid cell‐ or lymphocyte‐dependent stimulation by the latter. Finally, we will discuss novel therapeutic approaches based on commensal microbes and their products, which could potentially be used to combat infections.
Quantum lock-in force sensing using optical clock Doppler velocimetry
Authors: Shaniv Ravid , Ozeri Roee
Published: February 2017

Force sensors are at the heart of different technologies such as atomic force microscopy or inertial sensing. These sensors often rely on the measurement of the displacement amplitude of mechanical oscillators under applied force. The best sensitivity is typically achieved when the force is alternating at the mechanical resonance frequency of the oscillator, thus increasing its response by the mechanical quality factor. The measurement of low-frequency forces, that are below resonance, is a more difficult task as the resulting oscillation amplitudes are significantly lower. Here we use a single-trapped 88Sr+ ion as a force sensor. The ion is electrically driven at a frequency much lower than the trap resonance frequency. We measure small amplitude of motion by measuring the periodic Doppler shift of an atomic optical clock transition, enhanced using the quantum lock-in technique. We report frequency force detection sensitivity as low as 2.8 × 10−20 NHz−1/2.
Control of finite critical behaviour in a small-scale social system
Authors: Daniels Bryan C. , Krakauer David C. , Flack Jessica C.
Published: February 2017

Many adaptive systems sit near a tipping or critical point. For systems near a critical point small changes to component behaviour can induce large-scale changes in aggregate structure and function. Criticality can be adaptive when the environment is changing, but entails reduced robustness through sensitivity. This tradeoff can be resolved when criticality can be tuned. We address the control of finite measures of criticality using data on fight sizes from an animal society model system (Macaca nemestrina, n=48). We find that a heterogeneous, socially organized system, like homogeneous, spatial systems (flocks and schools), sits near a critical point; the contributions individuals make to collective phenomena can be quantified; there is heterogeneity in these contributions; and distance from the critical point (DFC) can be controlled through biologically plausible mechanisms exploiting heterogeneity. We propose two alternative hypotheses for why a system decreases the distance from the critical point.
P113 is a merozoite surface protein that binds the N terminus of Plasmodium falciparum RH5
Authors: Galaway Francis , Drought Laura G. , Fala Maria , Cross Nadia , Kemp Alison C. , Rayner Julian C. , Wright Gavin J.
Published: February 2017

Invasion of erythrocytes by Plasmodium falciparum merozoites is necessary for malaria pathogenesis and is therefore a primary target for vaccine development. RH5 is a leading subunit vaccine candidate because anti-RH5 antibodies inhibit parasite growth and the interaction with its erythrocyte receptor basigin is essential for invasion. RH5 is secreted, complexes with other parasite proteins including CyRPA and RIPR, and contains a conserved N-terminal region (RH5Nt) of unknown function that is cleaved from the native protein. Here, we identify P113 as a merozoite surface protein that directly interacts with RH5Nt. Using recombinant proteins and a sensitive protein interaction assay, we establish the binding interdependencies of all the other known RH5 complex components and conclude that the RH5Nt-P113 interaction provides a releasable mechanism for anchoring RH5 to the merozoite surface. We exploit these findings to design a chemically synthesized peptide corresponding to RH5Nt, which could contribute to a cost-effective malaria vaccine.
Astrocyte deletion of Bmal1 alters daily locomotor activity and cognitive functions via GABA signalling
Authors: Barca-Mayo Olga , Pons-Espinal Meritxell , Follert Philipp , Armirotti Andrea , Berdondini Luca , De Pietri Tonelli Davide
Published: February 2017

Circadian rhythms are controlled by a network of clock neurons in the central pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Core clock genes, such as Bmal1, are expressed in SCN neurons and in other brain cells, such as astrocytes. However, the role of astrocytic clock genes in controlling rhythmic behaviour is unknown. Here we show that ablation of Bmal1 in GLAST-positive astrocytes alters circadian locomotor behaviour and cognition in mice. Specifically, deletion of astrocytic Bmal1 has an impact on the neuronal clock through GABA signalling. Importantly, pharmacological modulation of GABAA-receptor signalling completely rescues the behavioural phenotypes. Our results reveal a crucial role of astrocytic Bmal1 for the coordination of neuronal clocks and propose a new cellular target, astrocytes, for neuropharmacology of transient or chronic perturbation of circadian rhythms, where alteration of astrocytic clock genes might contribute to the impairment of the neurobehavioural outputs such as cognition.
Observation of solid–solid transitions in 3D crystals of colloidal superballs
Authors: Meijer Janne-Mieke , Pal Antara , Ouhajji Samia , Lekkerkerker Henk N. W. , Philipse Albert P. , Petukhov Andrei V.
Published: February 2017

Self-organization in anisotropic colloidal suspensions leads to a fascinating range of crystal and liquid crystal phases induced by shape alone. Simulations predict the phase behaviour of a plethora of shapes while experimental realization often lags behind. Here, we present the experimental phase behaviour of superball particles with a shape in between that of a sphere and a cube. In particular, we observe the formation of a plastic crystal phase with translational order and orientational disorder, and the subsequent transformation into rhombohedral crystals. Moreover, we uncover that the phase behaviour is richer than predicted, as we find two distinct rhombohedral crystals with different stacking variants, namely hollow-site and bridge-site stacking. In addition, for slightly softer interactions we observe a solid–solid transition between the two. Our investigation brings us one step closer to ultimately controlling the experimental self-assembly of superballs into functional materials, such as photonic crystals.
Ancient hybridization fuels rapid cichlid fish adaptive radiations
Authors: Meier Joana I. , Marques David A. , Mwaiko Salome , Wagner Catherine E. , Excoffier Laurent , Seehausen Ole
Published: February 2017

Understanding why some evolutionary lineages generate exceptionally high species diversity is an important goal in evolutionary biology. Haplochromine cichlid fishes of Africa’s Lake Victoria region encompass >700 diverse species that all evolved in the last 150,000 years. How this ‘Lake Victoria Region Superflock’ could evolve on such rapid timescales is an enduring question. Here, we demonstrate that hybridization between two divergent lineages facilitated this process by providing genetic variation that subsequently became recombined and sorted into many new species. Notably, the hybridization event generated exceptional allelic variation at an opsin gene known to be involved in adaptation and speciation. More generally, differentiation between new species is accentuated around variants that were fixed differences between the parental lineages, and that now appear in many new combinations in the radiation species. We conclude that hybridization between divergent lineages, when coincident with ecological opportunity, may facilitate rapid and extensive adaptive radiation.
Half-metre sea-level fluctuations on centennial timescales from mid-Holocene corals of Southeast Asia
Authors: Meltzner Aron J. , Switzer Adam D. , Horton Benjamin P. , Ashe Erica , Qiu Qiang , Hill David F. , Bradley Sarah L. , Kopp Robert E. , Hill Emma M. , Majewski Jędrzej M. , Natawidjaja Danny H. , Suwargadi Bambang W.
Published: February 2017

Sea-level rise is a global problem, yet to forecast future changes, we must understand how and why relative sea level (RSL) varied in the past, on local to global scales. In East and Southeast Asia, details of Holocene RSL are poorly understood. Here we present two independent high-resolution RSL proxy records from Belitung Island on the Sunda Shelf. These records capture spatial variations in glacial isostatic adjustment and paleotidal range, yet both reveal a RSL history between 6850 and 6500 cal years BP that includes two 0.6 m fluctuations, with rates of RSL change reaching 13±4 mm per year (2σ). Observations along the south coast of China, although of a lower resolution, reveal fluctuations similar in amplitude and timing to those on the Sunda Shelf. The consistency of the Southeast Asian records, from sites 2,600 km apart, suggests that the records reflect regional changes in RSL that are unprecedented in modern times.
IFI16 is required for DNA sensing in human macrophages by promoting production and function of cGAMP
Authors: Jønsson K. L. , Laustsen A. , Krapp C. , Skipper K. A. , Thavachelvam K. , Hotter D. , Egedal J. H. , Kjolby M. , Mohammadi P. , Prabakaran T. , Sørensen L. K. , Sun C. , Jensen S. B. , Holm C. K. , Lebbink R. J. , Johannsen M. , Nyegaard M. , Mikkelsen J. G. , Kirchhoff F. , Paludan S. R. , Jakobsen M. R.
Published: February 2017

Innate immune activation by macrophages is an essential part of host defence against infection. Cytosolic recognition of microbial DNA in macrophages leads to induction of interferons and cytokines through activation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Other host factors, including interferon-gamma inducible factor 16 (IFI16), have been proposed to contribute to immune activation by DNA. However, their relation to the cGAS-STING pathway is not clear. Here, we show that IFI16 functions in the cGAS-STING pathway on two distinct levels. Depletion of IFI16 in macrophages impairs cGAMP production on DNA stimulation, whereas overexpression of IFI16 amplifies the function of cGAS. Furthermore, IFI16 is vital for the downstream signalling stimulated by cGAMP, facilitating recruitment and activation of TANK-binding kinase 1 in STING complex. Collectively, our results suggest that IFI16 is essential for efficient sensing and signalling upon DNA challenge in macrophages to promote interferons and antiviral responses.
Mismatch between marine plankton range movements and the velocity of climate change
Authors: Chivers William J. , Walne Anthony W. , Hays Graeme C.
Published: February 2017

The response of marine plankton to climate change is of critical importance to the oceanic food web and fish stocks. We use a 60-year ocean basin-wide data set comprising >148,000 samples to reveal huge differences in range changes associated with climate change across 35 plankton taxa. While the range of dinoflagellates and copepods tended to closely track the velocity of climate change (the rate of isotherm movement), the range of the diatoms moved much more slowly. Differences in range shifts were up to 900 km in a recent warming period, with average velocities of range movement between 7 km per decade northwards for taxa exhibiting niche plasticity and 99 km per decade for taxa exhibiting niche conservatism. The differing responses of taxa to global warming will cause spatial restructuring of the plankton ecosystem with likely consequences for grazing pressures on phytoplankton and hence for biogeochemical cycling, higher trophic levels and biodiversity.
Ubiquitous strong electron–phonon coupling at the interface of FeSe/SrTiO3
Authors: Zhang Chaofan , Liu Zhongkai , Chen Zhuoyu , Xie Yanwu , He Ruihua , Tang Shujie , He Junfeng , Li Wei , Jia Tao , Rebec Slavko N. , Ma Eric Yue , Yan Hao , Hashimoto Makoto , Lu Donghui , Mo Sung-Kwan , Hikita Yasuyuki , Moore Robert G. , Hwang Harold Y. , Lee Dunghai , Shen Zhixun
Published: February 2017

The observation of replica bands in single-unit-cell FeSe on SrTiO3 (STO)(001) by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) has led to the conjecture that the coupling between FeSe electrons and the STO phonons are responsible for the enhancement of Tc over other FeSe-based superconductors. However the recent observation of a similar superconducting gap in single-unit-cell FeSe/STO(110) raised the question of whether a similar mechanism applies. Here we report the ARPES study of the electronic structure of FeSe/STO(110). Similar to the results in FeSe/STO(001), clear replica bands are observed. We also present a comparative study of STO(001) and STO(110) bare surfaces, and observe similar replica bands separated by approximately the same energy, indicating this coupling is a generic feature of the STO surfaces and interfaces. Our findings suggest that the large superconducting gaps observed in FeSe films grown on different STO surface terminations are likely enhanced by a common mechanism.
Responses of the cutworm Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to two Bt corn hybrids expressing Cry1Ab
Authors: Yinghua Shu , Yan Du , Jin Chen , Jiaxi Wei , Jianwu Wang
Published: February 2017

To examine the responses of the secondary lepidopteran pest Spodoptera litura to two Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn hybrids [5422Bt1 (Event Bt11), 5422CBCL (MON810)] expressing Cry1Ab, larval bioassays with Cry1Ab toxin, corn leaves or kernels and bagging on corn plants were conducted. The results showed that larvae displayed a similar performance when fed kernels, but not leaves of 5422Bt1, 5422CBCL and their near-isogenic non-Bt corn (5422). Significantly higher Cry1Ab amounts were detected in larvae fed leaves than kernels of both Bt hybrids, with different molecular weights of protein band in plants (72 and 90 kDa for 5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL, respectively), gut contents (65 kDa), feces (50 kDa), which indicated that larvae had lower ingestion, higher degradation and excretion of Cry1Ab when fed kernels not leaves of both Bt hybrids. Significantly higher levels of cadherin-like receptors and alkaline phosphatase transcripts were detected in larvae fed leaves than kernels of two Bt hybrids. Catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in larvae fed 5422Bt1 leaves were significantly higher than that of 5422 treatments. Therefore, S. litura had low susceptibility to 5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL when larvae fed kernels not leaves of Bt corn. Additionally, S. litura presented a much stronger tolerance to 5422CBCL than 5422Bt1.
Correction: Corrigendum: Neuronal basis of perceptual learning in striate cortex
Authors: Ren Zhen , Zhou Jiawei , Yao Zhimo , Wang Zhengchun , Yuan Nini , Xu Guangwei , Wang Xuan , Zhang Bing , Hess Robert F. , Zhou Yifeng
Published: February 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 24769; published online: 20 April 2016; updated: 10 February 2017. The Acknowledgements section in this Article is incomplete: ‘The authors thank Dr. Jiabo Tan, Mr. Shuya Han for valuable help in behavioral experiments. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 81261120562 to YZ and NSFC 81500754 to JZ) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Grants (MOP-53346, CCI-125686 & MT-10818 to RFH).
The combination of the functionalities of feedback circuits is determinant for the attractors’ number and size in pathway-like Boolean networks
Authors: Azpeitia Eugenio , Muñoz Stalin , González-Tokman Daniel , Martínez-Sánchez Mariana Esther , Weinstein Nathan , Naldi Aurélien , Álvarez-Buylla Elena R. , Rosenblueth David A. , Mendoza Luis
Published: February 2017

Molecular regulation was initially assumed to follow both a unidirectional and a hierarchical organization forming pathways. Regulatory processes, however, form highly interlinked networks with non-hierarchical and non-unidirectional structures that contain statistically overrepresented circuits or motifs. Here, we analyze the behavior of pathways containing non-unidirectional (i.e. bidirectional) and non-hierarchical interactions that create motifs. In comparison with unidirectional and hierarchical pathways, our pathways have a high diversity of behaviors, characterized by the size and number of attractors. Motifs have been studied individually showing that feedback circuit motifs regulate the number and size of attractors. It is less clear what happens in molecular networks that usually contain multiple feedbacks. Here, we find that the way feedback circuits couple to each other (i.e., the combination of the functionalities of feedback circuits) regulate both the number and size of the attractors. We show that the different expected results of epistasis analysis (a method to infer regulatory interactions) are produced by many non-hierarchical and non-unidirectional structures. Thus, these structures cannot be correctly inferred by epistasis analysis. Finally, we show that the combinations of functionalities, combined with other network properties, allow for a better characterization of regulatory structures.
Effect of lithographically-induced strain relaxation on the magnetic domain configuration in microfabricated epitaxially grown Fe81Ga19
Authors: Beardsley R. P. , Parkes D. E. , Zemen J. , Bowe S. , Edmonds K. W. , Reardon C. , Maccherozzi F. , Isakov I. , Warburton P. A. , Campion R. P. , Gallagher B. L. , Cavill S. A. , Rushforth A. W.
Published: February 2017

We investigate the role of lithographically-induced strain relaxation in a micron-scaled device fabricated from epitaxial thin films of the magnetostrictive alloy Fe81Ga19. The strain relaxation due to lithographic patterning induces a magnetic anisotropy that competes with the magnetocrystalline and shape induced anisotropies to play a crucial role in stabilising a flux-closing domain pattern. We use magnetic imaging, micromagnetic calculations and linear elastic modelling to investigate a region close to the edges of an etched structure. This highly-strained edge region has a significant influence on the magnetic domain configuration due to an induced magnetic anisotropy resulting from the inverse magnetostriction effect. We investigate the competition between the strain-induced and shape-induced anisotropy energies, and the resultant stable domain configurations, as the width of the bar is reduced to the nanoscale range. Understanding this behaviour will be important when designing hybrid magneto-electric spintronic devices based on highly magnetostrictive materials.
Stable Cretaceous sex chromosomes enable molecular sexing in softshell turtles (Testudines: Trionychidae)
Authors: Rovatsos Michail , Praschag Peter , Fritz Uwe , Kratochvšl Lukáš
Published: February 2017

Turtles demonstrate variability in sex determination ranging from environmental sex determination (ESD) to highly differentiated sex chromosomes. However, the evolutionary dynamics of sex determining systems in this group is not well known. Differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes were identified in two species of the softshell turtles (Trionychidae) from the subfamily Trionychinae and Z-specific genes were identified in a single species. We tested Z-specificity of a subset of these genes by quantitative PCR comparing copy gene numbers in male and female genomes in 10 species covering the phylogenetic diversity of trionychids. We demonstrated that differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes are conserved across the whole family and that they were already present in the common ancestor of the extant trionychids. As the sister lineage,Carettochelys insculpta, possess ESD, we can date the origin of the sex chromosomes in trionychids between 200 Mya (split of Trionychidae and Carettochelyidae) and 120 Mya (basal splitting of the recent trionychids). The results support the evolutionary stability of differentiated sex chromosomes in some lineages of ectothermic vertebrates. Moreover, our approach determining sex-linkage of protein coding genes can be used as a reliable technique of molecular sexing across trionychids useful for effective breeding strategy in conservation projects of endangered species.
Impact of Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate on Newborn Leukocyte Telomere Length
Authors: Liu Han , Zhou Guangdi , Chen Qian , Ouyang Fengxiu , Little Julian , Zhang Jun , Chen Dan
Published: February 2017

The newborn setting of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) likely has important implications for telomere dynamics over the lifespan. However, its determinants are poorly understood. Hormones play an important role during pregnancy and delivery. We hypothesized that exposure to hormones may impact the fetal telomere biology system. To test this hypothesis, cortisol, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured in cord blood of 821 newborns from a prospective study. After accounting for the effects of potential determinants of newborn LTL, a 10-fold increase in DHEAS concentration was associated with a 0.021 increase in T/S ratio of newborn LTL (95% confidence interval: 0.009–0.034, P = 0.0008). For newborns who fell in the lowest quartile of DHEAS level, the mean newborn LTL was estimated to be approximately 2.0% shorter than the newborns in the highest DHEAS concentration quartile (P = 0.0014). However, no association was found between newborn LTL and cortisol or estradiol. As expected, newborns with higher ROS level (ROS > 260 mol/L) had lower LTL compared to that with lower ROS level (ROS ≤ 260 mol/L) (P = 0.007). There was also an inverse relationship between DHEAS and ROS (P < 1×10−4). Our findings suggest that exposure to DHEAS may exert a “programming” effect on the newborn telomere biology system.
Dimerisation induced formation of the active site and the identification of three metal sites in EAL-phosphodiesterases
Authors: Bellini Dom , Horrell Sam , Hutchin Andrew , Phippen Curtis W. , Strange Richard W. , Cai Yuming , Wagner Armin , Webb Jeremy S. , Tews Ivo , Walsh Martin A.
Published: February 2017

The bacterial second messenger cyclic di-3′,5′-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a key regulator of bacterial motility and virulence. As high levels of c-di-GMP are associated with the biofilm lifestyle, c-di-GMP hydrolysing phosphodiesterases (PDEs) have been identified as key targets to aid development of novel strategies to treat chronic infection by exploiting biofilm dispersal. We have studied the EAL signature motif-containing phosphodiesterase domains from the Pseudomonas aeruginosa proteins PA3825 (PA3825EAL) and PA1727 (MucREAL). Different dimerisation interfaces allow us to identify interface independent principles of enzyme regulation. Unlike previously characterised two-metal binding EAL-phosphodiesterases, PA3825EAL in complex with pGpG provides a model for a third metal site. The third metal is positioned to stabilise the negative charge of the 5′-phosphate, and thus three metals could be required for catalysis in analogy to other nucleases. This newly uncovered variation in metal coordination may provide a further level of bacterial PDE regulation.
Performance comparison of next-generation sequencing platforms for determining HIV-1 coreceptor use
Authors: Raymond Stéphanie , Nicot Florence , Jeanne Nicolas , Delfour Olivier , Carcenac Romain , Lefebvre Caroline , Cazabat Michelle , Sauné Karine , Delobel Pierre , Izopet Jacques
Published: February 2017

The coreceptor used by HIV-1 must be determined before a CCR5 antagonist, part of the arsenal of antiretroviral drugs, is prescribed because viruses that enter cells using the CXCR4 coreceptor are responsible for treatment failure. HIV-1 tropism is also correlated with disease progression and so must be determined for virological studies. Tropism can be determined by next-generation sequencing (NGS), but not all of these new technologies have been fully validated for use in clinical practice. The Illumina NGS technology is used in many laboratories but its ability to predict HIV-1 tropism has not been evaluated while the 454 GS-Junior (Roche) is used for routine diagnosis. The genotypic prediction of HIV-1 tropism is based on sequencing the V3 region and interpreting the results with an appropriate algorithm. We compared the performances of the MiSeq (Illumina) and 454 GS-Junior (Roche) systems with a reference phenotypic assay. We used clinical samples for the NGS tropism predictions and assessed their ability to quantify CXCR4-using variants. The data show that the Illumina platform can be used to detect minor CXCR4-using variants in clinical practice but technical optimization are needed to improve quantification.