bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time‐varying filter design for semi‐Markov jump linear systems with intermittent transmission
Authors: Yang Ting , Zhang Lixian , Sreeram Victor , Vargas Alessandro N. , Hayat Tasawar , Ahmad Bashir
Published: February 2017

This paper focuses on the filter design problem for semi‐Markov jump linear systems. The system outputs are transmitted to the filter via networks, and it is assumed that the transmission is imperfect with data packet dropouts subject to the Bernoulli random binary distribution. A σ‐error mean square stability criterion is first derived for the underlying systems. On the basis of the criterion, the H∞ performance analysis is conducted. By constructing a time‐varying Lyapunov function, a time‐varying H∞ filter scheme is investigated. Because the presented approach can cover the mode‐dependent and mode‐independent time‐invariant H∞ filter schemes as special cases, the conservatism of the derived results is less than those of the time‐invariant filter schemes. An active suspension system with activator uncertainties is lastly presented to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the derived theoretical results. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global finite‐time stabilization via time‐varying output‐feedback for uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown growth rate
Authors: Li Fengzhong , Liu Yungang
Published: February 2017

This paper considers the global finite‐time output‐feedback stabilization for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems. Comparing with the existing related literature, two essential obstacles exist: On the one hand, the systems in question allow serious parametric unknowns and serious time variations coupling to the unmeasurable states, which is reflected in that the systems have the unmeasurable states dependent growth with the rate being an unknown constant multiplying a known continuous function of time. On the other hand, the systems possess remarkably inherent nonlinearities, whose growth allows to be not only low‐order but especially high‐order with respect to the unmeasurable states. To effectively cope with these obstacles, we established a time‐varying output‐feedback strategy to achieve the finite‐time stabilization for the systems under investigation. First, a time‐varying state‐feedback controller is constructed by adding an integrator method, and by homogeneous domination approach, a time‐varying reduced‐order observer is designed to precisely rebuild the unmeasurable states. Then, by certainty equivalence principle, a desired time‐varying output‐feedback controller is constructed for the systems. It is shown that, as long as the involved time‐varying gain is chosen fast enough to overtake the serious parametric unknowns and the serious time variations, the output‐feedback controller renders that the closed‐loop system states converge to zero in finite time. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Usefulness and effectiveness of herbal medicines in stroke: Narrative review
Authors: Cho Ki‐Ho , Kwon Seungwon
Published: February 2017

Stroke causes various disabilities, reducing the quality of life and motivation for life. It is also one of the major causes of death in the aging population. Therefore, prevention and treatment are crucial. In conventional medicine, thrombolysis and various surgical techniques have been developed and used to treat stroke, but, despite the advancements and benefits, many patients still experience various disabilities. In East Asian countries, herbal prescriptions have been widely used for the treatment and prevention of stroke. Recently, the efficacy of herbal complexes as an adjunct to conventional treatment has been suggested. Numerous reports have been published in various fields from acute stroke management to chronic stroke rehabilitation and stroke prevention. Here, we review the herbal complexes used for acute phase treatment, to recover motor function, and those used for post‐stroke sensory disturbances such as central post‐stroke pain and complex regional pain syndrome. Furthermore, we review the herbal complexes used for post‐stroke psychiatric symptoms such as emotional incontinence, post‐stroke depression, and post‐stroke insomnia, and those used for cognitive dysfunction, dysphagia, and urinary and defecation problems. Furthermore, in most cases, both Western medicines and herbal complexes have been used together. To reflect on this situation, we investigate the safety of herbal complexes combined with anticoagulants. Moreover, we investigate the possibility of using herbal complexes to combat the problems that could occur during conventional treatment such as with antibiotics. Finally, we review the efficacy of herbal complexes for stroke prevention.
Important Treatment Outcomes for Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: A Multisite Qualitative Study
Authors:   For the PROMPT Study Group, Dures Emma , Hewlett Sarah , Lord Jane , Bowen Clive , McHugh Neil , Tillett William
Published: February 2017

Background

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a variable and complex inflammatory condition. Symptoms can compromise physical function, reduce quality of life, and accrue significant health costs. Commonly used patient-reported outcomes largely reflect the professionals’ perspective, however it is not known whether they capture what is important to patients.

Objective

The aim of our study was to identify treatment outcomes important to patients with PsA.

Methods

Eight focus groups that were audio recorded, transcribed, anonymised and analysed using inductive thematic analysis were conducted at five hospital sites. The full data set was analysed by the lead researcher, and subsets analysed by three team members (including patient partners).

Results

Overall, 41 patients sampled for a range of phenotypes and domains of disease activity participated in the study: 20 males; mean age 58 years (range 28–75, standard deviation [SD] 11.4); mean disease duration 9 years (range 0.5–39, SD 8.3); and mean Health Assessment Questionnaire score of 1 (range 0.0–2.5, SD 0.7). Over 60 outcomes were identified and grouped into four themes: (i) symptom alleviation (e.g. pain, fatigue, itchy skin, swelling, and reducing variability); (ii) reduction of disease impact (e.g. tiredness and pain, mobility and dexterity, deteriorating physical fitness, negative emotional responses, and strained relationships and social interactions); (iii) improved prognosis (e.g. slowing down disease progression, maintaining independence, and enhancing quality of life); and (iv) minimisation of treatment harm and burden (e.g. nausea, long-term effects, and administration and monitoring of treatments).

Conclusions

Outcomes from treatments that are important to patients, which relate to impacts from PsA and its treatment that range beyond those outcomes commonly measured, were identified. These patient perspectives need to be considered when evaluating treatments.
Provisional Measures before International Courts and Tribunals
Authors: Miles Cameron A.
Published: February 2017

Since the decision of the International Court of Justice in LaGrand (Germany v United States of America), the law of provisional measures has expanded dramatically both in terms of the volume of relevant decisions and the complexity of their reasoning. Provisional Measures before International Courts and Tribunals seeks to describe and evaluate this expansion, and to undertake a comparative analysis of provisional measures jurisprudence in a range of significant international courts and tribunals so as to situate interim relief in the wider procedure of those adjudicative bodies. The result is the first comprehensive examination of the law of provisional measures in over a decade, and the first to compare investor-state arbitration jurisprudence with more traditional inter-state courts and tribunals.
Empire's Guest Workers
Authors: Casey Matthew
Published: February 2017

Haitian seasonal migration to Cuba is central to narratives about race, national development, and US imperialism in the early twentieth-century Caribbean. Filling a major gap in literature, this innovative study reconstructs Haitian guest workers' lived experiences as they moved among the rural and urban areas of Haiti, and the sugar plantations, coffee farms, and cities of eastern Cuba. It offers an unprecedented glimpse into the daily workings of empire, labor, and political economy in Haiti and Cuba. Migrants' efforts to improve their living and working conditions and practice their religions shaped migration policies, economic realities, ideas of race, and Caribbean spirituality in Haiti and Cuba as each experienced US imperialism.
Amount of Water Sufficient to Suppress Thermal Decomposition of Forest Fuel
Authors: Kuznetsov G. V. , Strizhak P. A. , Volkov R. S. , Zhdanova A. O.
Published: February 2017

This study examines how to stop the pyrolysis of fir needles, birch leaves, aspen twigs and their mixture using the minimum volumes of water. The combustion of forest fuels is suppressed by spraying water on their surface. The temperature of thermal decomposition is monitored throughout the layer of forest fuel by thermocouples. A high-speed camera and optical techniques allow us to study water spraying and its interaction with forest fuels. Finally, the study specifies the ranges of the minimum water volumes and the times of ending of the thermal decomposition of forest fuels. When analyzing the energy balance in the thermally decomposing forest fuel, a mathematical expression is formulated to predict the water volume sufficient to suppress thermal decomposition of forest fuel. This expression takes into account the ratio between the heat energy spent on water evaporation in pores of forest fuel and the heat energy of the reacting layer of forest fuel. The obtained dimensionless factor considers the main parameters of water spraying and the properties of forest fuel. This factor enables us to apply the research findings to forest fuel in various regions of the world.
Time-Dependent Creep Analysis for Life Assessment of Cylindrical Vessels Using First Order Shear Deformation Theory
Authors: Kashkoli M. D. , Tahan Kh. N. , Nejad M. Z.
Published: February 2017

In the present study, assuming that the thermo-elastic creep response of the material is governed by Norton's law, an analytical solution has been developed for the purpose of time-dependent creep response for isotropic thick-walled cylindrical pressure vessels. To study the creep response, the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is applied. To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, in the literature, there is no study carried out into FSDT for time-dependent creep response of cylindrical pressure vessels. The novelty of the present work is that it seeks to investigate creep life of the vessels made of 304L austenitic stainless steel (304L SS) using Larson-Miller Parameter (LMP) based on FSDT. Using this analytical solution, stress rates are calculated followed by an iterative method using initial thermo-elastic stresses at zero time. When the stress rates are known, the stresses at any time are obtained and then using LMP, creep life of the vessels are investigated. The Problem is also solved, using the finite element method (FEM), the result of which are compared with those of the analytical solution and good agreement was found. It is found that the temperature gradient distribution has significant influence on the creep life of the cylinder, so that the maximum creep life is located at the outer surface of the cylinder where the minimum value of temperature is located.
The Role of Business Entertainment in Economic Exchanges: A Governance Perspective and Propositions
Authors: Sun Francis , Chen Shih-Fen S.
Published: February 2017

While entertainment activities in private business settings (i.e., business entertainment) are widely seen all over the world, issues about their prevalence have remained unresolved in the literature. This study takes an institutional approach to elucidate (1) the governance role of business entertainment in economic exchanges, (2) the mechanism through which business entertainment plays this role, and (3) the conditions under which business entertainment plays a greater role to facilitate economic exchanges. Our starting point is that economic transactions are governed through a combination of market rules, legal restraints, and social norms. We argue that business entertainment plays a governance role by boosting the power of social norms to regulate the behaviors of economic actors. As such, business entertainment should be more prevalent under the conditions where social fabrics are dense but market and legal infrastructures are underdeveloped. This governance approach provides a common ground to accommodate the positive versus negative views on business entertainment advocated by two camps of researchers in management, economics, and sociology. It also offers useful guidelines for policymakers to regulate, and for executives to manage, this prevalent but often misunderstood business practice.
Proper Specification of Nonproportional Hazards Corrections in Duration Models
Authors: Jin Shuai , Boehmke Frederick J.
Published: February 2017

Parametric and nonparametric duration models assume proportional hazards: The effect of a covariate on the hazard rate stays constant over time. Researchers have developed techniques to test and correct nonproportional hazards, including interacting the covariates with some function of time. Including this interaction term means that the specification now involves time-varying covariates, and the model specification should reflect this feature. However, in situations with no time-varying covariates initially, researchers often continue to model the duration with only time-invariant covariates. This error results in biased estimates, particularly for the covariates interacted with time. We investigate this issue in over forty political science articles and find that of those studies that begin with time-invariant covariates and correct for nonproportional hazards the majority suffer from incorrect model specification. Proper estimation usually produces substantively or statistically different results.
Fetal and neonatal exposure totrans-fatty acids impacts on susceptibility to atherosclerosis in apo E*3 Leiden mice
Authors: Gates Louise , Langley-Evans Simon C. , Kraft Jana , Lock Adam L. , Salter Andrew M.
Published: February 2017

Nutrition during pregnancy can impact on the susceptibility of the offspring to CVD. Postnatal consumption oftrans-fatty acids (TFA), associated with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (PHVO), increases the risk of atherosclerosis, whereas evidence for those TFA associated with ruminant-derived dairy products and meat remain equivocal. In this study, we investigate the impact of maternal consumption of dietary PHVO (P) and ruminant milk fat (R) on the development of atherosclerosis in their offspring, using the transgenic apoE*3 Leiden mouse. Dams were fed either chow (C) or one of three high-fat diets: a diet reflecting the SFA content of a ‘Western’ diet (W) or one enriched with either P or R. Diets were fed during either pregnancy alone or pregnancy and lactation. Weaned offspring were then transferred to an atherogenic diet for 12 weeks. Atherosclerosis was assessed as lipid staining in cross-sections of the aorta. There was a significant effect of maternal diet during pregnancy on development of atherosclerosis (P=0·013) in the offspring with those born of mothers fed R or P during pregnancy displaying smaller lesions that those fed C or W. This was not associated with changes in total or lipoprotein cholesterol. Continuing to feed P during lactation increased atherosclerosis compared with that seen in offspring of dams fed P only during pregnancy (P<0·001). No such effect was seen in those from mothers fed R (P=0·596) or W (P=901). We conclude that dietary TFA have differing effects on cardiovascular risk at different stages of the lifecycle.
An intrinsic definition of the Rees algebra of a module
Authors: Ståhl Gustav Sædén
Published: February 2017

This paper concerns a generalization of the Rees algebra of ideals due to Eisenbud, Huneke and Ulrich that works for any finitely generated module over a noetherian ring. Their definition is in terms of maps to free modules. We give an intrinsic definition using divided powers.
Curiosity killed the cat: no evidence of an association between cat ownership and psychotic symptoms at ages 13 and 18 years in a UK general population cohort
Authors: Solmi F. , Hayes J. F. , Lewis G. , Kirkbride J. B.
Published: February 2017

Background

Congenital or early life infection with Toxoplasma gondii has been implicated in schizophrenia aetiology. Childhood cat ownership has been hypothesized as an intermediary marker of T. gondii infection and, by proxy, as a risk factor for later psychosis. Evidence supporting this hypothesis is, however, limited.

Method

We used birth cohort data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) to investigate whether cat ownership in pregnancy and childhood (ages 4 and 10 years) was associated with psychotic experiences (PEs) in early (age 13, N = 6705) and late (age 18, N = 4676) adolescence, rated from semi-structured interviews. We used logistic regression to examine associations between cat ownership and PEs, adjusting for several sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors, household characteristics and dog ownership. Missing data were handled via multiple imputation.

Results

Cat ownership during pregnancy was not associated with PEs at age 13 years [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–1.35] or 18 years (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.86–1.35). Initial univariable evidence that cat ownership at ages 4 and 10 years was associated with PEs at age 13 years did not persist after multivariable adjustment (4 years: OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.94–1.48; 10 years: OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.92–1.36). There was no evidence that childhood cat ownership was associated with PEs at age 18 years.

Conclusions

While pregnant women should continue to avoid handling soiled cat litter, given possible T. gondii exposure, our study strongly indicates that cat ownership in pregnancy or early childhood does not confer an increased risk of later adolescent PEs.
Under the Sign of Mars: Violence in European Civil Wars, 1917–1949
Authors: RODRIGO JAVIER
Published: February 2017

This article explores the comparative history of violence in European civil wars from 1917 to 1949, beginning with the war in Russia and ending with the one in Greece. Its main goal is to prepare a framework for a transnational comparative debate on the category of ‘civil war’ and its historical and analytical elements in order to better understand why internal conflicts are universally assumed to be particularly violent and cruel. Responding to the need for an inclusive approach in determining the nature of civil war, I discuss the theory of violence in connection with civil wars and conclude that if civil wars are, and are perceived as, especially violent, this is due to many and multidirectional elements, including the importance of symbolic conflicts, the juxtaposition of different conflicts within any civil struggle and, in the case of Europe between the world wars, the presence of radicalising elements such as fascism.
‘Only a local affair’? Imagining and enacting locality through London's Boer War carnivals
Authors: GEORGIOU DION
Published: February 2017

This article examines carnivals held in Greater London during the Boer War, as a prism through which to analyse the contemporary construction and enactment of locality in the metropolis. It argues that ideas of locality, class and citizenship were reshaped through advances in transport and communication, more active government and urban and then suburban growth. This was manifest in the carnivals, whereby a national and imperial cause stimulated local initiative and citywide replication, encouraged expressions of local identity but also instigated and exacerbated local rivalries, and illustrated the extent to which class identities were nested in local ones.
Impact of Early Vasopressor Administration on Neurological Outcomes after Prolonged Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Hubble Michael W. , Tyson Clark
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Vasopressors are associated with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), but no long-term benefit has been demonstrated in randomized trials. However, these trials did not control for the timing of vasopressor administration which may influence outcomes. Consequently, the objective of this study was to develop a model describing the likelihood of favorable neurological outcome (cerebral performance category [CPC] 1 or 2) as a function of the public safety answering point call receipt (PSAP)-to-pressor-interval (PPI) in prolonged out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Hypothesis

The likelihood of favorable neurological outcome declines with increasing PPI.

Methods

This investigation was a retrospective study of cardiac arrest using linked data from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) database (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Atlanta, Georgia USA]; American Heart Association [Dallas, Texas USA]; and Emory University Department of Emergency Medicine [Atlanta, Georgia USA]) and the North Carolina (USA) Prehospital Medical Information System. Adult patients suffering a bystander-witnessed, non-traumatic cardiac arrest between January 2012 and June 2014 were included. Logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of neurological outcome as a function of PPI, while controlling for patient age, gender, and race; endotracheal intubation (ETI); shockable rhythm; layperson cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and field hypothermia.

Results

Of the 2,100 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 913 (43.5%) experienced ROSC, 618 (29.4%) survived to hospital admission, 187 (8.9%) survived to hospital discharge, and 155 (7.4%) were discharged with favorable neurological outcomes (CPC 1 or 2). Favorable neurological outcome was less likely with increasing PPI (OR=0.90; P<.01) and increasing age (OR=0.97; P<.01). Compared to patients with non-shockable rhythms, patients with shockable rhythms were more likely to have favorable neurological outcomes (OR=7.61; P<.01) as were patients receiving field hypothermia (OR=2.13; P<.01). Patient gender, non-Caucasian race, layperson CPR, and ETI were not independent predictors of favorable neurological outcome.

Conclusion

In this evaluation, time to vasopressor administration was significantly associated with favorable neurological outcome. Among adult, witnessed, non-traumatic arrests, the odds of hospital discharge with CPC 1 or 2 declined by 10% for every one-minute delay between PSAP call-receipt and vasopressor administration. These retrospective observations support the notion of a time-dependent function of vasopressor effectiveness on favorable neurological outcome. Large, prospective studies are needed to verify this relationship.

HubbleMW, TysonC. Impact of early vasopressor administration on neurological outcomes after prolonged out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017; 32(3):297–304.
Health risk appraisal in older people 7: long-acting benzodiazepine use in community-dwelling older adults in London: is it related to physical or psychological factors?
Authors: Chatterjee Devoshree , Iliffe Steve , Kharicha Kalpa , Harari Danielle , Swift Cameron , Gillman Gerhard , Stuck Andreas E.
Published: February 2017

Aim

To investigate whether the use of long-acting benzodiazepines, in individuals aged 65 and over is mediated by physical or psychological factors.

Background

Long-acting benzodiazepine consumption among older people has implications for mortality, morbidity and cost-effective prescribing. Two models explain benzodiazepine use in this age group, one linked to physical illness and disability and one to psychological factors.

Methods

Secondary analysis of baseline data from a study of 1059 community-dwelling non-disabled people aged 65 years and over recruited from three general practices in London. For this analysis, use of long-acting benzodiazepines was defined as any self-reported use of diazepam or nitrazepam in the last four weeks. Associations between demographic factors, health service use, and physical and psychological characteristics and benzodiazepine use were investigated.

Findings

The prevalence of benzodiazepine use in this sample was 3.3% (35/1059). In univariate analyses, benzodiazepine use was associated with female gender, low income, high consultation rates, physical factors (medication for arthritis or joint pain, polypharmacy, difficulties in instrumental activities of daily living, recent pain) and psychological factors (poor self-perceived health, social isolation, and symptoms of anxiety or agitation). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis only two factors retained statistically significant independent associations with benzodiazepine use: receiving only the state pension (OR=4.0, 95% CI: 1.70, 9.80) and pain in the past four weeks (OR=3.79, 95% CI: 1.36, 10.54).
Sequence variant at 8q24.21 associates with sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Bjornsdottir Gyda , Benonisdottir Stefania , Sveinbjornsson Gardar , Styrkarsdottir Unnur , Thorleifsson Gudmar , Walters G. Bragi , Bjornsson Aron , Olafsson Ingvar H. , Ulfarsson Elfar , Vikingsson Arnor , Hansdottir Ragnheidur , Karlsson Karl O. , Rafnar Thorunn , Jonsdottir Ingileif , Frigge Michael L. , Kong Augustine , Oddsson Asmundur , Masson Gisli , Magnusson Olafur T. , Gudbjartsson Tomas , Stefansson Hreinn , Sulem Patrick , Gudbjartsson Daniel , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Thorgeirsson Thorgeir E. , Stefansson Kari
Published: February 2017

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is common and often debilitating. Microdiscectomy of herniated lumbar discs (LDHsurg) is performed on the most severe cases to resolve the resulting sciatica. Here we perform a genome-wide association study on 4,748 LDHsurg cases and 282,590 population controls and discover 37 highly correlated markers associating with LDHsurg at 8q24.21 (between CCDC26 and GSDMC), represented by rs6651255[C] (OR=0.81; P=5.6 × 10−12) with a stronger effect among younger patients than older. As rs6651255[C] also associates with height, we performed a Mendelian randomization analysis using height polygenic risk scores as instruments to estimate the effect of height on LDHsurg risk, and found that the marker's association with LDHsurg is much greater than predicted by its effect on height. In light of presented findings, we speculate that the effect of rs6651255 on LDHsurg is driven by susceptibility to developing severe and persistent sciatica upon LDH.
Episodic release of CO2 from the high-latitude North Atlantic Ocean during the last 135 kyr
Authors: Ezat Mohamed M. , Rasmussen Tine L. , Hönisch Bärbel , Groeneveld Jeroen , deMenocal Peter
Published: February 2017

Antarctic ice cores document glacial-interglacial and millennial-scale variability in atmospheric pCO2 over the past 800 kyr. The ocean, as the largest active carbon reservoir on this timescale, is thought to have played a dominant role in these pCO2 fluctuations, but it remains unclear how and where in the ocean CO2 was stored during glaciations and released during (de)glacial millennial-scale climate events. The evolution of surface ocean pCO2 in key locations can therefore provide important clues for understanding the ocean’s role in Pleistocene carbon cycling. Here we present a 135-kyr record of shallow subsurface pCO2 and nutrient levels from the Norwegian Sea, an area of intense CO2 uptake from the atmosphere today. Our results suggest that the Norwegian Sea probably acted as a CO2 source towards the end of Heinrich stadials HS1, HS4 and HS11, and may have contributed to the increase in atmospheric pCO2 at these times.
Fluorescence intermittency originates from reclustering in two-dimensional organic semiconductors
Authors: Ruth Anthony , Hayashi Michitoshi , Zapol Peter , Si Jixin , McDonald Matthew P. , Morozov Yurii V. , Kuno Masaru , Jankó Boldizsár
Published: February 2017

Fluorescence intermittency or blinking is observed in nearly all nanoscale fluorophores. It is characterized by universal power-law distributions in on- and off-times as well as 1/f behaviour in corresponding emission power spectral densities. Blinking, previously seen in confined zero- and one-dimensional systems has recently been documented in two-dimensional reduced graphene oxide. Here we show that unexpected blinking during graphene oxide-to-reduced graphene oxide photoreduction is attributed, in large part, to the redistribution of carbon sp2 domains. This reclustering generates fluctuations in the number/size of emissive graphenic nanoclusters wherein multiscale modelling captures essential experimental aspects of reduced graphene oxide’s absorption/emission trajectories, while simultaneously connecting them to the underlying photochemistry responsible for graphene oxide’s reduction. These simulations thus establish causality between currently unexplained, long timescale emission intermittency in a quantum mechanical fluorophore and identifiable chemical reactions that ultimately lead to switching between on and off states.
Mass spectrometric monitoring of interfacial photoelectron transfer and imaging of active crystalline facets of semiconductors
Authors: Zhong Hongying , Zhang Juan , Tang Xuemei , Zhang Wenyang , Jiang Ruowei , Li Rui , Chen Disong , Wang Peng , Yuan Zhiwei
Published: February 2017

Monitoring of interfacial electron transfer (ET) in situ is important to understand the ET mechanism and designing efficient photocatalysts. We describe herein a mass spectrometric approach to investigate the ultrafast transfer of photoelectrons that are generated by ultraviolet irradiation on surfaces of semiconductor nanoparticles or crystalline facets. The mass spectrometric approach can not only untargetedly detect various intermediates but also monitor their reactivity through associative or dissociative photoelectron capture dissociation, as well as electron detachment dissociation of adsorbed molecules. Proton-coupled electron transfer and proton-uncoupled electron transfer with radical initiated polymerization or hydroxyl radical abstraction have been unambiguously demonstrated with the mass spectrometric approach. Active crystalline facets of titanium dioxide for photocatalytic degradation of juglone and organochlorine dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane are visualized with mass spectrometry imaging based on ion scanning and spectral reconstruction. This work provides a new technique for studying photo-electric properties of various materials.
Correction: Corrigendum: SIKs control osteocyte responses to parathyroid hormone
Authors: Wein Marc N. , Liang Yanke , Goransson Olga , Sundberg Thomas B. , Wang Jinhua , Williams Elizabeth A. , O’Meara Maureen J. , Govea Nicolas , Beqo Belinda , Nishimori Shigeki , Nagano Kenichi , Brooks Daniel J. , Martins Janaina S. , Corbin Braden , Anselmo Anthony , Sadreyev Ruslan , Wu Joy Y. , Sakamoto Kei , Foretz Marc , Xavier Ramnik J. , Baron Roland , Bouxsein Mary L. , Gardella Thomas J. , Divieti-Pajevic Paola , Gray Nathanael S. , Kronenberg Henry M.
Published: February 2017

Nature Communications 7: Article number: 13176 (2017); Published 19 October 2016; Updated 22 February 2017 In this article, there are errors in the labelling of the y axis in Fig. 1b. The labels '50', '100' 'and ‘150’ should have been ‘500’, '1,000' and ‘1,500’, respectively. The correct version of this figure appears as Fig.
Effects of grazing on spatiotemporal variations in community structure and ecosystem function on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Su Rina , Cheng Junhui , Chen Dima , Bai Yongfei , Jin Hua , Chao Lumengqiqige , Wang Zhijun , Li Junqing
Published: February 2017

Grasslands worldwide are suffering from overgrazing, which greatly alters plant community structure and ecosystem functioning. However, the general effects of grazing on community structure and ecosystem function at spatial and temporal scales has rarely been examined synchronously in the same grassland. Here, during 2011–2013, we investigated community structure (cover, height, and species richness) and aboveground biomass (AGB) using 250 paired field sites (grazed vs. fenced) across three vegetation types (meadow, typical, and desert steppes) on the Inner Mongolian Plateau. Grazing, vegetation type, and year all had significant effects on cover, height, species richness, and AGB, although the primary factor influencing variations in these variables was vegetation type. Spatially, grazing significantly reduced the measured variables in meadow and typical steppes, whereas no changes were observed in desert steppe. Temporally, both linear and quadratic relationships were detected between growing season precipitation and cover, height, richness, or AGB, although specific relationships varied among observation years and grazing treatments. In each vegetation type, the observed community properties were significantly correlated with each other, and the shape of the relationship was unaffected by grazing treatment. These findings indicate that vegetation type is the most important factor to be considered in grazing management for this semi-arid grassland.
Novel Liver-targeted conjugates of Glycogen Phosphorylase Inhibitor PSN-357 for the Treatment of Diabetes: Design, Synthesis, Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacological Evaluations
Authors: Zhang Liying , Song Chengjun , Miao Guangxin , Zhao Lianzhi , Yan Zhiwei , Li Jing , Wang Youde
Published: February 2017

PSN-357, an effective glycogen phosphorylase (GP) inhibitor for the treatment for type 2 diabetics, is hampered in its clinical use by the poor selectivity between the GP isoforms in liver and in skeletal muscle. In this study, by the introduction of cholic acid, 9 novel potent and liver-targeted conjugates of PSN-357 were obtained. Among these conjugates, conjugate 6 exhibited slight GP inhibitory activity (IC50 = 31.17 μM), good cellular efficacy (IC50 = 13.39 μM) and suitable stability under various conditions. The distribution and pharmacokinetic studies revealed that conjugate 6 could redistribute from plasma to liver resulting in a considerable higher exposure of PSN-357 metabolizing from 6 in liver (AUCliver/AUCplasma ratio was 18.74) vs that of PSN-357 (AUCliver/AUCplasma ratio was 10.06). In the in vivo animal study of hypoglycemia under the same dose of 50 mg/kg, conjugate 6 exhibited a small but significant hypoglycemic effects in longer-acting manners, that the hypoglycemic effects of 6 is somewhat weaker than PSN-357 from administration up to 6 h, and then became higher than PSN-357 for the rest time of the test. Those results indicate that the liver-targeted glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor may hold utility in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Correction: Corrigendum: Nonautophagic cytoplasmic vacuolation death induction in human PC-3M prostate cancer by curcumin through reactive oxygen species -mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Lee Wei-Jiunn , Chien Ming-Hsien , Chow Jyh-Ming , Chang Junn-Liang , Wen Yu-Ching , Lin Yung-Wei , Cheng Chao-Wen , Lai Gi-Ming , Hsiao Michael , Lee Liang-Ming
Published: February 2017

Scientific Reports 5: Article number: 10420; published online: 27 May 2015; updated on: 22 February 2017 In this Article, Gi-Ming Lai is incorrectly listed as being affiliated with ‘Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan’.
Core-shell nanoparticle arrays double the strength of steel
Authors: Seol J.-B. , Na S.-H. , Gault B. , Kim J.-E. , Han J.-C. , Park C.-G. , Raabe D.
Published: February 2017

Manipulating structure, defects and composition of a material at the atomic scale for enhancing its physical or mechanical properties is referred to as nanostructuring. Here, by combining advanced microscopy techniques, we unveil how formation of highly regular nano-arrays of nanoparticles doubles the strength of an Fe-based alloy, doped with Ti, Mo, and V, from 500 MPa to 1 GPa, upon prolonged heat treatment. The nanoparticles form at moving heterophase interfaces during cooling from the high-temperature face-centered cubic austenite to the body-centered cubic ferrite phase. We observe MoC and TiC nanoparticles at early precipitation stages as well as core-shell nanoparticles with a Ti-C rich core and a Mo-V rich shell at later precipitation stages. The core-shell structure hampers particle coarsening, enhancing the material’s strength. Designing such highly organized metallic core-shell nanoparticle arrays provides a new pathway for developing a wide range of stable nano-architectured engineering metallic alloys with drastically enhanced properties.
Quantum State Reduction by Matter-Phase-Related Measurements in Optical Lattices
Authors: Kozlowski Wojciech , Caballero-Benitez Santiago F. , Mekhov Igor B.
Published: February 2017

A many-body atomic system coupled to quantized light is subject to weak measurement. Instead of coupling light to the on-site density, we consider the quantum backaction due to the measurement of matter-phase-related variables such as global phase coherence. We show how this unconventional approach opens up new opportunities to affect system evolution. We demonstrate how this can lead to a new class of final states different from those possible with dissipative state preparation or conventional projective measurements. These states are characterised by a combination of Hamiltonian and measurement properties thus extending the measurement postulate for the case of strong competition with the system’s own evolution.
Rheb1 deletion in myeloid cells aggravates OVA-induced allergic inflammation in mice
Authors: Li Kai , Zhang Yue , Liang Kang Yan , Xu Song , Zhou Xue Juan , Tan Kang , Lin Jun , Bai Xiao Chun , Yang Cui Lan
Published: February 2017

The small GTPase ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb) is a downstream target of tuberous sclerosis complex 1/2 (TSC1/2) and an upstream activator of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), the emerging essential modulator of M1/M2 balance in macrophages. However, the role and regulatory mechanisms of Rheb in macrophage polarization and allergic asthma are not known. In the present study, we utilized a mouse model with myeloid cell-specific deletion of the Rheb1 gene and an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma model to investigate the role of Rheb1 in allergic asthma and macrophage polarization. Increased activity of Rheb1 and mTORC1 was observed in myeloid cells of C57BL/6 mice with OVA-induced asthma. In an OVA-induced asthma model, Rheb1-KO mice demonstrated a more serious inflammatory response, more mucus production, enhanced airway hyper-responsiveness, and greater eosinophil numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). They also showed increased numbers of bone marrow macrophages and BALF myeloid cells, elevated M2 polarization and reduced M1 polarization of macrophages. Thus, we have established that Rheb1 is critical for the polarization of macrophages and inhibition of allergic asthma. Deletion of Rheb1 enhances M2 polarization but decreases M1 polarization in alveolar macrophages, leading to the aggravation of OVA-induced allergic asthma.
Beta phase synchronization in the frontal-temporal-cerebellar network during auditory-to-motor rhythm learning
Authors: Edagawa Kouki , Kawasaki Masahiro
Published: February 2017

Rhythm is an essential element of dancing and music. To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying how rhythm is learned, we recorded electroencephalographic (EEG) data during a rhythm-reproducing task that asked participants to memorize an auditory stimulus and reproduce it via tapping. Based on the behavioral results, we divided the participants into Learning and No-learning groups. EEG analysis showed that error-related negativity (ERN) in the Learning group was larger than in the No-learning group. Time-frequency analysis of the EEG data showed that the beta power in right and left temporal area at the late learning stage was smaller than at the early learning stage in the Learning group. Additionally, the beta power in the temporal and cerebellar areas in the Learning group when learning to reproduce the rhythm were larger than in the No Learning group. Moreover, phase synchronization between frontal and temporal regions and between temporal and cerebellar regions at late stages of learning were larger than at early stages. These results indicate that the frontal-temporal-cerebellar beta neural circuits might be related to auditory-motor rhythm learning.
Phosphodiesterase 4D polymorphisms associate with the short-term outcome in ischemic stroke
Authors: Song Yan-li , Wang Chun-juan , Wu Yi-ping , Lin Jie , Wang Peng-lian , Du Wan-liang , Liu Li , Lin Jin-xi , Wang Yi-long , Wang Yong-jun , Liu Gai-fen
Published: February 2017

It has been demonstrated that phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) genetic polymorphism is associated with ischemic stroke. However, the association between PDE4D gene and prognosis after ischemic stroke remains unknown. We consecutively enrolled ischemic stroke patients admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital from October 2009 to December 2013. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data upon admission were collected. All patients were followed up 3 months after stroke onset. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the associations of genetic polymorphisms with 3-month outcome after ischemic stroke and different subtypes, under various genetic models. A total of 1447 patients were enrolled, and 3-month follow-up data were obtained from 1388 (95.92%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that SNP87 of PDE4D gene was associated with increased risk of unfavorable outcome after total ischemic stroke (OR = 1.47, 95%CI 1.12–1.93), as well as stroke due to large-artery atherosclerosis (OR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.04–2.11) and small-artery occlusion (OR = 1.76, 95%CI 1.05–2.96) under a recessive model. No association between SNP83 genotype and poor outcome was found. Overall, this study demonstrated that the TT genotype of SNP87 in PDE4D was associated with increased risk of poor outcome after total ischemic stroke, large-artery atherosclerosis and small-artery occlusion, in a Chinese population.
Characterisation of urinary WFDC12 in small nocturnal basal primates, mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.)
Authors: Unsworth Jennifer , Loxley Grace M. , Davidson Amanda , Hurst Jane L. , Gómez-Baena Guadalupe , Mundy Nicholas I. , Beynon Robert J. , Zimmermann Elke , Radespiel Ute
Published: February 2017

Mouse lemurs are basal primates that rely on chemo- and acoustic signalling for social interactions in their dispersed social systems. We examined the urinary protein content of two mouse lemurs species, within and outside the breeding season, to assess candidates used in species discrimination, reproductive or competitive communication. Urine from Microcebus murinus and Microcebus lehilahytsara contain a predominant 10 kDa protein, expressed in both species by some, but not all, males during the breeding season, but at very low levels by females. Mass spectrometry of the intact proteins confirmed the protein mass and revealed a 30 Da mass difference between proteins from the two species. Tandem mass spectrometry after digestion with three proteases and sequencing de novo defined the complete protein sequence and located an Ala/Thr difference between the two species that explained the 30 Da mass difference. The protein (mature form: 87 amino acids) is an atypical member of the whey acidic protein family (WFDC12). Seasonal excretion of this protein, species difference and male-specific expression during the breeding season suggest that it may have a function in intra- and/or intersexual chemical signalling in the context of reproduction, and could be a cue for sexual selection and species recognition.
Methylated-antibody affinity purification to improve proteomic identification of plant RNA polymerase Pol V complex and the interacting proteins
Authors: Qin Guochen , Ma Jun , Chen Xiaomei , Chu Zhaoqing , She Yi-Min
Published: February 2017

Affinity purification followed by enzymatic digestion and mass spectrometry has been widely utilized for the sensitive detection of interacting proteins and protein complexes in various organisms. In plants, the method is technically challenging due to the low abundance proteins, non-specific binding and difficulties of eluting interacting proteins from antibody beads. In this report, we describe a strategy to modify antibodies by reductive methylation of lysines without affecting their binding properties, followed by on-bead digestion of bound proteins with endoproteinase Lys-C. By this method, the antibody remains intact and does not interfere with the downstream identification of interacting proteins. Non-specific binding proteins were excluded using 14N/15N-metabolic labeling of wild-type and the transgenic plant counterparts. The method was employed to identify 12 co-immunoprecipitated protein subunits in Pol V complex and to discover 17 potential interacting protein targets in Arabidopsis. Our results demonstrated that the modification of antibodies by reductive dimethylation can improve the reliability and sensitivity of identifying low-abundance proteins through on-bead digestion and mass spectrometry. We also show that coupling this technique with chemical crosslinking enables in-depth characterization of endogenous protein complexes and the protein-protein interaction networks including mapping the surface topology and post-translational modifications of interacting proteins.
AidP, a novel N-Acyl homoserine lactonase gene from Antarctic Planococcus sp.
Authors: See-Too Wah Seng , Ee Robson , Lim Yan-Lue , Convey Peter , Pearce David A. , Yin Wai-Fong , Chan Kok-Gan
Published: February 2017

Planococcus is a Gram-positive halotolerant bacterial genus in the phylum Firmicutes, commonly found in various habitats in Antarctica. Quorum quenching (QQ) is the disruption of bacterial cell-to-cell communication (known as quorum sensing), which has previously been described in mesophilic bacteria. This study demonstrated the QQ activity of a psychrotolerant strain, Planococcus versutus strain L10.15T, isolated from a soil sample obtained near an elephant seal wallow in Antarctica. Whole genome analysis of this bacterial strain revealed the presence of an N-acyl homoserine lactonase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes the ester bond of the homoserine lactone of N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHLs). Heterologous gene expression in E. coli confirmed its functions for hydrolysis of AHLs, and the gene was designated as aidP (autoinducer degrading gene from Planococcus sp.). The low temperature activity of this enzyme suggested that it is a novel and uncharacterized class of AHL lactonase. This study is the first report on QQ activity of bacteria isolated from the polar regions.