bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ameliorative potential of curcumin on cigarette smoke extract induced cognitive impairment in zebrafish
Authors: Thilagavathi Loganathan , Jabeen Sara , Ravishankar Shreyas Belagod , Ahmed Syed Shakeeb , George Thomas , Rishitha Narahari , Muthuraman Arunachalam , Paramakrishnan Nallupillai
Published: March 2018

Curcumin is a major phyto-constituent ofCurcuma longa. It has been reported that it that it showed various pharmacological actions via anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory actions. The present study undergoes the therapeutic evaluation of curcumin in cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure induced cognitive impairment in zebrafish.Methods:The cognitive impairment was induced by exposure to 25 ml of 200 % CSE; 10 minutes/day, for 7 consecutive days. The pre-treatment of curcumin (10 and 20 mg/kg) and montelukast(20 mg/kg) were exposed in 25 ml drug solution (10 minutes/day for 10 consecutive days). The changes of CSE induced cognitive dysfunction were evaluated by using different test methods such as colour recognition test; partition preference test; horizontal compartment test; and T-Maze tests. Further, the CSE exposure induced changes of biochemical parametersi.e.,acetylcholinesterase activity; lipid peroxidation; reduced glutathione; and total protein levels were estimated in the brain of zebrafish. The pre-exposure of curcumin shown to produce the ameliorative effect against CSE induced neurocognitive impairments along with alteration of biochemical changes. Theseresults were comparable to reference controli.e.,montelukast pre-treated group. Therefore, the curcumin can be served as newer medicines for immunological reaction associated neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer and multiple sclerosis due to its potential anti-oxidative; anti-inflammatory; immunomodulatory; and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory actions.

Loss of memory is a major problem in old age population. Curcumin used to treats the various neurological disorders. Curcumin possess the ameliorative potential in toxin induced neurocognitive function.
Standardized microgel beads as elastic cell mechanical probes
Authors: Girardo S. , Träber N. , Wagner K. , Cojoc G. , Herold C. , Goswami R. , Schlüßler R. , Abuhattum S. , Taubenberger A. , Reichel F. , Mokbel D. , Herbig M. , Schürmann M. , Müller P. , Heida T. , Jacobi A. , Thiele J. , Werner C. , Guck J.
Published: March 2018

Cell mechanical measurements are gaining increasing interest in biological and biomedical studies. However, there are no standardized calibration particles available that permit the cross-comparison of different measurement techniques operating at different stresses and time-scales. Here we present the rational design, production, and comprehensive characterization of poly-acylamide (PAAm) microgel beads mimicking biological cells. We produced mono-disperse beads at rates of 20 – 60 kHz by means of a microfluidic droplet generator, where the pre-gel composition was adjusted to tune the beads’ elasticity in the range of cell and tissue relevant mechanical properties. We verified bead homogeneity by optical diffraction tomography and Brillouin microscopy. Consistent elastic behavior of microgel beads at different shear rates was confirmed by AFM-enabled nanoindentation and real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC). The remaining inherent variability in elastic modulus was rationalized using polymer theory and effectively reduced by sorting based on forward-scattering using conventional flow cytometry. Our results show that PAAm microgel beads can be standardized as mechanical probes, to serve not only for validation and calibration of cell mechanical measurements, but also as cell-scale stress sensors.

Significance Statement

Often vastly different cell mechanical properties are reported even for the same cell type when employing different measurement techniques. This discrepancy shows the urgent need for standardized calibration particles to cross-compare and validate techniques. Microgel beads can serve this purpose, but they have to fulfil specific requirements such as homogeneity, sizes and elasticities in the range of the cells, and they have to provide comparable results independent of the method applied. Here we demonstrate the standardized production of polyacrylamide microgel beads with all the features an elastic cell-mimic should have. These can not only be used as method calibration particles, but can also serve as cell-scale sensors to quantify normal and shear stresses exerted by other cells and inside tissues, enabling many new applications.
How to control for confounds in decoding analyses of neuroimaging data
Authors: Snoek Lukas , Miletić Steven , Scholte H. Steven
Published: March 2018

Over the past decade, multivariate pattern analyses and especially decoding analyses have become a popular alternative to traditional mass-univariate analyses in neuroimaging research. However, a fundamental limitation of decoding analyses is that the source of information driving the decoder is ambiguous, which becomes problematic when the to-be-decoded variable is confounded by variables that are not of primary interest. In this study, we use a comprehensive set of simulations and analyses of empirical data to evaluate two techniques that were previously proposed and used to control for confounding variables in decoding analyses: counterbalancing and confound regression. For our empirical analyses, we attempt to decode gender from structural MRI data when controlling for the confound ‘brain size’. We show that both methods introduce strong biases in decoding performance: counterbalancing leads to better performance than expected (i.e., positive bias), which we show in our simulations is due to the subsampling process that tends to remove samples that are hard to classify; confound regression, on the other hand, leads to worse performance than expected (i.e., negative bias), even resulting in significant below-chance performance in some scenarios. In our simulations, we show that below-chance accuracy can be predicted by the variance of the distribution of correlations between the features and the target. Importantly, we show that this negative bias disappears in both the empirical analyses and simulations when the confound regression procedure performed in every fold of the cross-validation routine, yielding plausible model performance. From these results, we conclude that foldwise confound regression is the only method that appropriately controls for confounds, which thus can be used to gain more insight into the exact source(s) of information driving one’s decoding analysis.

HIGHLIGHTS

The interpretation of decoding models is ambiguous when dealing with confounds;

We evaluate two methods, counterbalancing and confound regression, in their ability to control for confounds;

We find that counterbalancing leads to positive bias because it removes hard-to-classify samples;

We find that confound regression leads to negative bias, because it yields data with less signal than expected by chance;

Our simulations demonstrate a tight relationship between model performance in decoding analyses and the sample distribution of the correlation coefficient;

We show that the negative bias observed in confound regression can be remedied by cross-validating the confound regression procedure;
Structural view of the 2A protease from human rhinovirus C15
Authors: Ling Hui , Yang Pan , Hou Hai , Sun Yao
Published: March 2018

The majority of outbreaks of the common cold are caused by rhinoviruses. The 2A protease (2Apro) of human rhinoviruses (HRVs) is known to play important roles in the propagation of the virus and the modulation of host signal pathways to facilitate viral replication. The 2Aprofrom human rhinovirus C15 (HRV-C15) has been expressed inEscherichia coliand purified by affinity chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration chromatography. The crystals diffracted to 2.6 Å resolution. The structure was solved by molecular replacement using the structure of 2Aprofrom coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) as the search model. The structure contains a conserved His–Asp–Cys catalytic triad and a Zn2+-binding site. Comparison with other 2Aprostructures from enteroviruses reveals that the substrate-binding cleft of 2Aprofrom HRV-C15 exhibits a more open conformation, which presumably favours substrate binding.
Crystallization of the rice immune receptor RGA5A_S with the rice blast fungus effector AVR1-CO39 preparedviamixture and tandem strategies
Authors: Guo Liwei , Zhang Yikun , Ma Mengqi , Liu Qiang , Zhang Yanan , Peng Youliang , Liu Junfeng
Published: March 2018

RGA5 is a component of the Pia resistance-protein pair (RGA4/RGA5) fromOryza sativaL.japonica. It acts as an immune receptor that directly recognizes the effector AVR1-CO39 fromMagnaporthe oryzae viaa C-terminal non-LRR domain (RGA5A_S). The interaction between RGA5A_S and AVR1-CO39 relieves the repression of RGA4, leading to effector-independent cell death. To determine the structure of the complex of RGA5A_S and AVR1-CO39 and to understand the details of this interaction, the complex was prepared by fusing the proteins together, by mixing themin vitroor by co-expressing them in one host cell. Samples purifiedviathe first two strategies were crystallized under two different conditions. A mixture of AVR1-CO39 and RGA5A_S (complex I) crystallized in 1.1 Mammonium tartrate dibasic, 0.1 Msodium acetate–HCl pH 4.6, while crystals of the fusion complex RGA5A_S-TEV-AVR1-CO39 (complex II) were grown in 2 MNaCl. The crystal of complex I belonged to space groupP3121, with unit-cell parametersa = b= 66.2,c= 108.8 Å, α = β = 90, γ = 120°. The crystals diffracted to a Bragg spacing of 2.4 Å, and one molecule each of RGA5A_S and AVR1-CO39 were present in the asymmetric unit of the initial model. The crystal of complex II belonged to space groupI4, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 137.4,c= 66.2 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. The crystals diffracted to a Bragg spacing of 2.72 Å, and there were two molecules of RGA5A_S and two molecules of AVR1-CO39 in the asymmetric unit of the initial model. Further structural characterization of the interaction between RGA5A_S and AVR1-CO39 will lead to a better understanding of the mechanism underlying effector recognition by R proteins.
Sustainability in the Pakistani hotel industry: an empirical study
Authors: Sajjad Aymen , Jillani Aleena , Raziq Muhammad Mustafa
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to look at the sustainability practices adopted by the Pakistani hotel industry. Sustainability is a relatively under-researched notion from the perspective of the developing world, and in particular, the research lacks evidence from the Pakistani hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors follow an exploratory multiple case study design to study the sustainability practices adopted by the Pakistani hotel industry. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with the senior hotel managers.

Findings

The results suggest that sustainability is only partially integrated into the business strategy for most of the sample hotels, and a systematic approach to sustainability is currently lacking. Overall, the central focus of the hotels is on developing commercial performance, whereas some fragmented social and environmental sustainability initiatives are implemented on an ad hoc basis.

Practical implications

This study identifies some practical issues and challenges in relation to sustainability implementation in the Pakistani context. It is suggested that the government, community organizations and the private sector firms need to actively collaborate to promote the sustainability agenda.

Originality/value

This paper extends the extant literature by exploring sustainability implementation in the Pakistani hotel industry. While there is limited sustainability research in the context of the developing world, this study contributes by bridging this gap in the present literature.
Follow the founder: case study of action learning experiment in an MBA program
Authors: Pandey Satyendra C. , Pattnaik Pinaki Nandan , M. Praveen
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper describes the action learning experiment by the name Follow a Founder of a leading university in India. The purpose of the paper is to reflect on the key takeaways that can be drawn from such an action learning experiment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a case study, authors’ experience of leading and conceptualizing the program coupled with interviews of multiple stakeholders, which formed the sources of data.

Findings

The paper suggests the possibility of implementing such a program at other business schools and universities, provided there is a clear mapping of tasks and objectives and learners are given exposure to real time workplace scenarios.

Originality/value

The paper describes a one of its kind experiment at an Indian university when it comes to applying action learning in a taught program.
Google search abuses dominant position to illegally favour Google Shopping: an economic review of the EU decision
Authors: Blanckenburg Korbinian von
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper is concerned with the current decision of the European Commission regarding Google’s comparison shopping service (Google Shopping). In 2017, the Commission has fined Google €2.42 billion for abusing its dominant position as a search engine by giving illegal advantage to Google Shopping. Consequently, Google has to stop its illegal conduct. In particular, the decision requires Google to treat rival comparison shopping services and its own service equally. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the decision from a perspective of two-sided markets. Google Shopping is an integrated service of Google Search and acts as an intermediary between companies, offerings products in the internet and people searching for products in the internet. This complies with the typical conditions of a two-sided market. From the perspective of sellers of goods and services in Europe, Google may be seen as a gatekeeper to the potential customers and thus as an essential facility. In the light of the current decision, this paper provides a possible regulation alternative. It is shown that Google Shopping represents a typical club good, so that welfare-optimising rules must be adhered to. In this context, it should be noted that in the current Google Shopping search results, artificial rivalry is created among sellers so as to ensure maximum willingness to pay for a top listing. The solution proposed in this paper entails a summary score list of all sellers of a particular product, for which a turnover-dependent contribution should be required, instead of a reduced score list, where positions are sold by auctions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses methods of two-sided markets and public good theory.

Findings

It is shown that Google Shopping represents a typical club good, so that welfare-optimising rules must be adhered to. In this context, it should be noted that in the current Google Shopping search results, artificial rivalry is created among sellers so as to ensure maximum willingness to pay for a top listing. The solution proposed in this paper entails a summary score list of all sellers of a particular product, for which a turnover-dependent contribution should be required, instead of a reduced score list, where positions are sold by auctions.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, it is the very first paper about the decision of the European Union (06/2017) concerning Google Shopping.
Bribery and corruption in telecommunications – the case of Nigeria
Authors: Sutherland Ewan
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine issues of bribery, cronyism and nepotism in one of the most corrupt countries in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a single-country case study, drawing on material dating from the mid-1970s, including court cases.

Findings

The corruption is pervasive and systemic, showing severe problems with governance in general, in the sector and against corruption. Nonetheless, two operators, one South African and one Nigerian, have delivered extensive access to mobile networks.

Practical implications

The system of governance requires significant structural reforms, if the burden of corruption is to be reduced.

Originality/value

This paper sheds new and explicit light on the complex history of telecommunications in Nigeria. It adds to the small base of material on corruption in the telecommunications sector. It identifies issues that could usefully be taken up by institutions in Nigeria.
High-speed data provision by mobile networks in the Asia-Pacific region
Authors: Curwen Peter , Whalley Jason
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine in a fully up-to-date manner the position in respect to the licensing and launch of long-term evolution (LTE) in a region that attracts relatively little attention when treated as a whole because the emphasis is usually upon the very large individual markets (China, India and Japan) contained within it. The purpose is also to examine the role of international groups and the extent to which the licensing of LTE can make a difference to the structure of mobile markets in the region.

Design/methodology/approach

The initial step was to compile extensive databases with respect to the licensing and launch of high-speed networks in the region – defined both narrowly and also to encompass countries that are often treated as part of the Middle East – arranged so as to emphasise the status of dominant incumbents. There is a discussion of new entry and its potential to disrupt incumbents.

Findings

For historical reasons, the region contains countries that have strong differences whether defined in terms of economic, social or cultural characteristics, and hence it has not been easy for a network with international aspirations to expand outside its home market nor for, say, European-based operators to gain a foothold. Attempts to introduce competition via new licences has also been problematic because of the strong, and sometimes very large, incumbents already present.

Research limitations/implications

This is necessarily an overview that uses selected data to describe the overall picture because of the substantial number of quite different markets surveyed.

Practical implications

It is possible to forecast how certain structural changes will occur – primarily the withdrawal of international groups such as Millicom that prefer to concentrate upon other regions.

Originality/value

The databases that underpin the analysis are author-compiled and entirely original.
Determinants of risk reporting by Portuguese and Spanish non-finance companies
Authors: Oliveira Jonas , Serrasqueiro Rogério , Mota Sara Nunes
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the risk reporting practices extent to which firm’s and corporate governance characteristics explain risk-related disclosures (RRD) motivations across two European Latin countries (Portugal and Spain). Moreover, drawn on elements of agency, legitimacy, resources-based perspectives and institutional theory, this study also intends to assess whether the influence of corporate governance mechanisms on risk reporting is mediated by strategic/institutional legitimacy interests.

Design/methodology/approach

From a sample of 60 non-finance Portuguese and Spanish companies with securities traded on the Euronext Lisbon stock exchange market and on the Madrid stock exchange market, respectively, at December, 2011, the Corporate Governance reports and the “risk/risk management” sections of the Management reports included on consolidated annual reports for 2011 were manually content analysed, according to prior literature. Further, multiple linear regressions were used to assess the potential relationships between corporate governance mechanisms and risk reporting. The paper’s theoretical framework draws on elements of agency, legitimacy, resources-based perspectives and institutional theory. To understand the risk reporting practices of Portuguese and Spanish non-finance listed companies, the paper conducts a content analysis of 60 consolidated annual reports for 2011.

Findings

Results indicate that visible companies, operating in a country with a weaker legal environment, and during periods of financial distress disclose more discretionary RRD, basically to contextualize their negative outcomes. Some corporate governance mechanisms were crucial to improve risk information.

Originality/value

The paper goes beyond prior literature work and assesses whether the theoretical framework grounded on agency, legitimacy, resources-based perspective and institutional theory is suitable in explaining RRD in an under-researched setting (European Latin countries, such as Portugal and Spain, with low agency costs and different corporate governance models). Moreover, the analysis embraces a wider and homogeneous range of internal and external corporate governance mechanisms and uses a period in which both countries were severely affected by a sovereign debt crisis with negative impacts on company’s liquidity and financial risks. A research setting like this has not been studied hitherto.
Network characteristics matter in politics on Facebook: evidence from a US national survey
Authors: Lu Yanqin , Lee Jae Kook , Kim Eunyi
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Facebook has been identified as a primary source of political information by a majority (63 percent) of its users. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Facebook use and political participation, and investigate the mediating effects of the characteristics of one’s Facebook network (i.e. network size, proportion of strong ties, and discussion network heterogeneity).

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on a representative survey of American adults (n=1,032) conducted during the 2012 primary election campaigns from May 3 to May 10. The sample was randomly selected from a representative online panel maintained by a professional research organization. Given this study’s focus on the influence of Facebook use and network characteristics, an online panel is suitable for testing the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show positive associations between Facebook use and both off- and online political participation. Further, the positive association between Facebook use and political participation is mediated by discussion network heterogeneity and the proportion of strong ties in one’s Facebook network, but not the network size.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the roles played by network characteristics of Facebook. The composition of a user’s Facebook network is closely related with what kind of information she encounters and how likely she is to participate in politics. Hence, network characteristics (e.g. Facebook discussion network heterogeneity) arise as important for gaining a nuanced understanding of the relationship between general use of the medium and its political outcomes.
Online investigation of users’ attitudes using automatic question answering
Authors: Zhang Chengzhi , Zhou Qingqing
Published: March 2018

Purpose

With the development of the internet, huge numbers of reviews are generated, disseminated, and shared on e-commerce and social media websites by internet users. These reviews usually indicate users’ opinions about products or services directly, and are thus valuable for efficient marketing. The purpose of this paper is to mine online users’ attitudes from a huge pool of reviews via automatic question answering.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors make use of online reviews to complete an online investigation via automatic question answering (AQA). In the process of AQA, question generation and extraction of corresponding answers are conducted via sentiment computing. In order to verify the performance of AQA for online investigation, online reviews from a well-known travel website, namely Tuniu.com, are used as the experimental data set. Finally, the experimental results from AQA vs a traditional questionnaire are compared.

Findings

The experimental results show that results between the AQA-based automatic questionnaire and the traditional questionnaire are consistent. Hence, the AQA method is reliable in identifying users’ attitudes. Although this paper takes Chinese tourism reviews as the experimental data, the method is domain and language independent.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to use the AQA method to mine users’ attitudes towards tourism services. Using online reviews may overcome problems with using traditional questionnaires, such as high costs and long cycle for questionnaire design and answering.
Law and Psychology Grows Up, Goes Online, and Replicates
Authors: Irvine Krin , Hoffman David A. , Wilkinson‐Ryan Tess
Published: March 2018

Over the last 30 years, legal scholars have increasingly deployed experimental studies, particularly hypothetical scenarios, to test intuitions about legal reasoning and behavior. That movement has accelerated in the last decade, facilitated in large part by cheap and convenient Internet participant recruiting platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk. The widespread use of online subjects, a practice that dramatically lowers the barriers to entry for experimental research, has been controversial. At the same time, the field of experimental psychology is experiencing a public crisis of confidence widely discussed in terms of the “replication crisis.” At present, law and psychology research is arguably in a new era, in which it is both an accepted feature of the legal landscape and also a target of fresh skepticism. The moment is ripe for taking stock. In this article, we bring an empirical approach to these problems. Using three canonical law and psychology findings, we document the challenges and the feasibility of reproducing results across platforms. We evaluate the extent to which we are able to reproduce the original findings with contemporary subject pools (Amazon Mechanical Turk, other national online platforms, and in‐person labs). We partially replicate all three results, and show marked similarities in subject responses across platforms. In the context of the experiments here, we conclude that meaningful replication requires active intervention in order to keep the materials relevant and sensible. The second aim is to compare Amazon Mechanical Turk subjects to the original samples and to the replication samples. We find, consistent with the weight of recent evidence, that the Amazon Mechanical Turk samples are reasonably appropriate for these kinds of scenario studies. Subjects are highly similar to subjects on other online platforms and in‐person samples, though they differ in their high level of attentiveness. Finally, we review the growing replication literature across disciplines, as well as our firsthand experience, to propose a set of standard practices for the publication of results in law and psychology.
Medicare Secondary Payer and Settlement Delay
Authors: Helland Eric , Klick Jonathan
Published: March 2018

The Medicare Secondary Payer Act of 1980 and its subsequent amendments require that insurers and self‐insured companies report settlements, awards, and judgments that involve a Medicare beneficiary to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The parties then may be required to compensate CMS for its conditional payments. In a simple settlement model, this makes settlement less likely. Also, the reporting delays and uncertainty regarding the size of these conditional payments are likely to further frustrate the settlement process. We provide results, using data from a large insurer, showing that, on average, implementation of the MSP reporting amendments led to a delay in the resolution of disputes involving auto accidents of about six months.
Jury Pool Underrepresentation in the Modern Era: Evidence from Federal Courts
Authors: Rose Mary R. , Casarez Raul S. , Gutierrez Carmen M.
Published: March 2018

Despite a constitutional mandate that jury pools in the United States be representative of their communities, almost no datasets exist that can describe typical levels and patterns of jury representation. We present data from federal courts on the composition of jury pools in 52 areas, representing 764 counties. We also compare current composition estimates to those available 20 years ago from published sources. Results show that, by far, some amount of underrepresentation in jury pools is the norm, and levels of attrition fail all but one proposed method for calculating and defining “not fair and reasonable” amounts of underrepresentation. On average, expected losses range between one and three members of each minority group from jury venires of 40 to 60 people. We find no evidence that the impact of attrition on Latino communities is greater than on African‐American communities and, unlike Latinos, no indicators of African‐American representation levels show improvement over time. We discuss the challenges of addressing racial/ethnic attrition in jury pools, which is evident but, given the repeated small‐group sampling of venires, may be small in effect in any single case.
Research on Cultic Dynamics From Perspective of Internet
Authors: Xue Peng , Fan Baoxiang
Published: March 2018

The paper mainly deals with the question on strategies of network communication applied by destructive cult groups and new tendencies in the mobile era. These cults usually take advantage of the Internet environment to set up and develop online positions, working jointly with offline activities. The author conducts a case study, which is based on the method of content analysis, towards Xin Tang Ren website operated by Falun Gong group to demonstrate its unique communication characteristics. The case study reveals the usual online publicity strategies of Falun Gong and new tendencies applied in the mobile era. In the Internet time, the more open and cross-border thinking should be expected to strenuously create a novel anti-cult path with Chinese characteristics.
Temporal dynamics of circadian phase shifting response to consecutive night shifts in healthcare workers: role of light–dark exposure
Authors: Stone Julia E. , Sletten Tracey L. , Magee Michelle , Ganesan Saranea , Mulhall Megan D. , Collins Allison , Howard Mark , Lockley Steven W. , Rajaratnam Shantha M. W.
Published: March 2018

Key points

Shift work is highly prevalent and is associated with significant adverse health impacts.

There is substantial inter‐individual variability in the way the circadian clock responds to changing shift cycles. The mechanisms underlying this variability are not well understood.

We tested the hypothesis that light–dark exposure is a significant contributor to this variability; when combined with diurnal preference, the relative timing of light exposure accounted for 71% of individual variability in circadian phase response to night shift work.

These results will drive development of personalised approaches to manage circadian disruption among shift workers and other vulnerable populations to potentially reduce the increased risk of disease in these populations.

Night shift workers show highly variable rates of circadian adaptation. This study examined the relationship between light exposure patterns and the magnitude of circadian phase resetting in response to night shift work. In 21 participants (nursing and medical staff in an intensive care unit) circadian phase was measured using 6‐sulphatoxymelatonin at baseline (day/evening shifts or days off) and after 3–4 consecutive night shifts. Daily light exposure was examined relative to individual circadian phase to quantify light intensity in the phase delay and phase advance portions of the light phase response curve (PRC). There was substantial inter‐individual variability in the direction and magnitude of phase shift after three or four consecutive night shifts (mean phase delay −1:08 ± 1:31 h; range −3:43 h delay to +3:07 h phase advance). The relative difference in the distribution of light relative to the PRC combined with diurnal preference accounted for 71% of the variability in phase shift. Regression analysis incorporating these factors estimated phase shift to within ±60 min in 85% of participants. No participants met criteria for partial adaptation to night work after three or four consecutive night shifts. Our findings provide evidence that the phase resetting that does occur is based on individual light exposure patterns relative to an individual's baseline circadian phase. Thus, a ‘one size fits all’ approach to promoting adaptation to shift work using light therapy, implemented without knowledge of circadian phase, may not be efficacious for all individuals.
Toward accurate composition analysis of GaN and AlGaN using atom probe tomography
Authors: Morris Richard. J. H. , Cuduvally Ramya , Melkonyan Davit , Fleischmann Claudia , Zhao Ming , Arnoldi Laurent , van der Heide Paul , Vandervorst Wilfried
Published: March 2018

With scaling of semiconductor devices showing no signs of abating and three-dimensional structures now being developed, new metrologies to meet these demands are being sought. Atom probe tomography offers the potential to meet these challenges, and here, the authors present an in-depth study focused on finding useable conditions for accurate stoichiometric analysis of GaN and AlGaN. By varying the laser energy/power, changes in the average tip field were induced, and the resulting impact on the measured stoichiometry was investigated. A strong variation in the GaN stoichiometry as a function of the average tip field was found, although a range of conditions that enable accurate stoichiometry were determined. Moreover, the stoichiometric variation as a function of tip field was highly reproducible across instruments and laser wavelengths. However, for AlGaN, the N concentration was always underestimated. To try and establish the underlying cause of the N underestimation, potential loss mechanisms which include N2 sublimation, N2 neutral generation from molecular ion dissociation, and differences in the field of evaporation between the matrix elements and multihits were considered and are reported herein.
Surface morphology control of Nb thin films by biased target ion beam deposition
Authors: Kittiwatanakul Salinporn , Anuniwat Nattawut , Dao Nam , Wolf Stuart A. , Lu Jiwei
Published: March 2018

One of the many challenges for niobium (Nb) based superconducting devices is the concurrent improvement over the surface morphology without undermining superconducting properties. In this work, the authors demonstrated the modification to the surface morphology of 10–100 nm Nb thin films deposited by bias target ion beam deposition (BTIBD). Target current (IT) and target bias (VT) were the main parameters explored and were found to be critical to the control over crystallinity and surface morphology of Nb films. The optimized growth conditions yielded a ∼50 nm thick Nb film with the root-mean-square roughness of 0.4 nm, which was an order of magnitude smoother than that of Nb films by sputtering process. The critical temperature for superconductivity was close to the value of the bulk Nb (∼9.3 K) with a very homogeneous transition (the superconducting transition width ΔTc of 0.1 K). The quality of Nb film was evident in the presence of a very thin proximity layer (∼0.75 nm). The experimental results demonstrated that the preparation of smooth Nb films with expected superconductivity by BTIBD could serve as a base electrode for the in situ magnetic layer or insulating layer for superconducting electronic devices.
Saturation of charge-induced water alignment at model membrane surfaces
Authors: Dreier Lisa B. , Nagata Yuki , Lutz Helmut , Gonella Grazia , Hunger Johannes , Backus Ellen H. G. , Bonn Mischa
Published: March 2018

Interfacial water alignment at charged membranes saturates via two different mechanisms upon increasing the charge density.
The photoreactive free radical in eumelanin
Authors: Mostert Albertus B. , Rienecker Shermiyah B. , Noble Christopher , Hanson Graeme R. , Meredith Paul
Published: March 2018

We demonstrate experimentally for the first time the presence of two free radicals in the pigment eumelanin.
Integrase-Mediated Recombination of the
bel-1
Gene Cassette Encoding the Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase BEL-1
Authors: Bouheraoua Nacim , Poirel Laurent , Bourreau Baptiste , Bonnin Rémy , Laroche Laurent , Naas Thierry , Nordmann Patrice
Published: March 2018

Integrons are genetic elements that can acquire and rearrange gene cassettes. The
bla
BEL-1
gene encodes an extended-spectrum β-lactamase, BEL-1, that is present at the second position of the variable region of class 1 integrons identified in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. The mobility of the
bel-1
gene cassette was analyzed under physiological conditions and with the integrase gene being overexpressed. Cassette mobility in
Escherichia coli
was detected by excision/integration into the recipient integron In
3
on the conjugative plasmid R388 with the overproduced integrase. Despite several antibiotic pressures, the
bel-1
cassette remained at the second position in the integron, highlighting its stability in
P. aeruginosa
. Overexpression of the integrase gene in
E. coli
induced
bel-1
cassette recombination. However, cassettes containing two genes (
bla
BEL-1
and
smr2
or
bla
BEL-1
and
aacA4
) were excised, suggesting that the
bel-1
cassette
attC
site was defective. We show that
bel-1
is a stable gene cassette under physiological growth conditions, irrespective of the selective antibiotic pressure, that may be mobilized upon overexpression of the integrase gene.
Evaluation of the
In Vitro
Activity of Eravacycline against a Broad Spectrum of Recent Clinical Anaerobic Isolates
Authors: Snydman David R. , McDermott Laura A. , Jacobus Nilda V. , Kerstein Kathryn , Grossman Trudy H. , Sutcliffe Joyce A.
Published: March 2018

The novel fluorocycline antibiotic eravacycline is in development for use in the treatment of serious infections caused by susceptible and multidrug-resistant (MDR) aerobic and anaerobic Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. Eravacycline and 11 comparator antibiotics were tested against recent anaerobic clinical isolates, including MDR
Bacteroides
spp. and
Clostridium difficile
. Eravacycline was potent
in vitro
against all the isolates tested, including strains with tetracycline-specific resistance determinants and MDR anaerobic pathogens resistant to carbapenems and/or β-lactam–β-lactamase inhibitor combinations.
On the Enigma of Glutathione-Dependent Styrene Degradation in Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2
Authors: Heine Thomas , Zimmerling Juliane , Ballmann Anne , Kleeberg Sebastian Bruno , Rückert Christian , Busche Tobias , Winkler Anika , Kalinowski Jörn , Poetsch Ansgar , Scholtissek Anika , Oelschlägel Michel , Schmidt Gert , Tischler Dirk
Published: March 2018

Among bacteria, only a single styrene-specific degradation pathway has been reported so far. It comprises the activity of styrene monooxygenase, styrene oxide isomerase, and phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase, yielding phenylacetic acid as the central metabolite. The alternative route comprises ring-hydroxylating enzymes and yields vinyl catechol as central metabolite, which undergoesmeta-cleavage. This was reported to be unspecific and also allows the degradation of benzene derivatives. However, some bacteria had been described to degrade styrene but do not employ one of those routes or only parts of them. Here, we describe a novel “hybrid” degradation pathway for styrene located on a plasmid of foreign origin. As putatively also unspecific, it allows metabolizing chemically analogous compounds (e.g., halogenated and/or alkylated styrene derivatives).Gordonia rubripertinctaCWB2 was isolated with styrene as the sole source of carbon and energy. It employs an assembled route of the styrene side-chain degradation and isoprene degradation pathways that also funnels into phenylacetic acid as the central metabolite. Metabolites, enzyme activity, genome, transcriptome, and proteome data reinforce this observation and allow us to understand this biotechnologically relevant pathway, which can be used for the production of ibuprofen.

IMPORTANCEThe degradation of xenobiotics by bacteria is not only important for bioremediation but also because the involved enzymes are potential catalysts in biotechnological applications. This study reveals a novel degradation pathway for the hazardous organic compound styrene inGordonia rubripertinctaCWB2. This study provides an impressive illustration of horizontal gene transfer, which enables novel metabolic capabilities. This study presents glutathione-dependent styrene metabolization in an (actino-)bacterium. Further, the genomic background of the ability of strain CWB2 to produce ibuprofen is demonstrated.
Draft Genome Sequence of the First New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase (NDM-1)-Producing Escherichia coli Strain Isolated in Peru
Authors: Tamariz Jesus , Llanos Carlos , Seas Carlos , Montenegro Paola , Lagos Jose , Fernandes Miriam R. , Cerdeira Louise , Lincopan Nilton
Published: March 2018

We present here the draft genome sequence of the first New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1)-producing
Escherichia coli
strain, belonging to sequence type 155 (ST155), isolated in Peru. Assembly of this draft genome resulted in 5,061,184 bp, revealing a clinically significant resistome for β-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, phenicols, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, and fluoroquinolones.
Genome Sequence of the Amphotericin B-Resistant Candida duobushaemulonii Strain B09383
Authors: Chow Nancy A. , Gade Lalitha , Batra Dhwani , Rowe Lori A. , Juieng Phalasy , Loparev Vladimir N. , Litvintseva Anastasia P.
Published: March 2018

Candida duobushaemulonii
is a drug-resistant yeast that can cause invasive candidiasis. Here, we report the first genome sequence of
C. duobushaemulonii
, isolate B09383, generated using PacBio sequencing technology. The estimated genome size was 12.5 Mb with a GC content of 46.84%.
Escherichia coli H-Genotyping PCR: a Complete and Practical Platform for Molecular H Typing
Authors: Banjo Masaya , Iguchi Atsushi , Seto Kazuko , Kikuchi Taisei , Harada Tetsuya , Scheutz Flemming , Iyoda Sunao , Matsumoto Masakado , Unno Yuri , Nakajima Hiroshi , Kariya Hideaki , Hozumi Nodoka , Kameyama Yoshihiko , Noda Makiko , Kadokura Yukiko , Obara Atsumi , Harada Seiya , Hama Natsuki , Nomoto Ryohei , Kurazono Takayuki , Tsunomori Yoshie , Hoshi Toshinobu , Kitahashi Tomoko , Kimata Keiko , Isobe Junko Junko , Ojima Hiroko , Takaki Yumika , Aoki Junko , Yamamoto Kazunari , Taoka Yukihiro , Nagata Akihiro , Iwasaki Satomi , Tsuru Nami , Yoshino Shuji , Ohtsuka Hitoshi , Kameyama Mitsuhiro , Obane Noriko , Ogawa Atsuko , Matsumoto Yuko
Published: March 2018

In
Escherichia coli
, more than 180 O groups and 53 H types have been recognized. The O:H serotyping of
E. coli
strains is an effective method for identifying strains with pathogenic potential and classifying them into clonal groups. In particular, the serotyping of Shiga toxin-producing
E. coli
(STEC) strains provides valuable information to evaluate the routes, sources, and prevalence of agents in outbreak investigations and surveillance. Here, we present a complete and practical PCR-based H-typing system,
E. coli
H-genotyping PCR, consisting of 10 multiplex PCR kits with 51 single PCR primer pairs. Primers were designed based on a detailed comparative analysis of sequences from all H-antigen (flagellin)-encoding genes,
fliC
and its homologs. The specificity of this system was confirmed by using all H type reference strains. Additionally, 362 serotyped wild strains were also used to evaluate its practicality. All 277 H-type-identified isolates gave PCR products that corresponded to the results of serological H typing. Moreover, 76 nonmotile and nine untypeable strains could be successfully subtyped into any H type by the PCR system. The
E. coli
H-genotyping PCR developed here allows broader, rapid, and low-cost subtyping of H types and will assist epidemiological studies as well as surveillance of pathogenic
E. coli
.
Control of HIV-1 Pathogenesis in Viremic Nonprogressors Is Independent of Gag-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses
Authors: Salgado Maria , Garcia-Minambres Albert , Dalmau Judith , Jiménez-Moyano Esther , Viciana Pompeyo , Alejos Belén , Clotet Bonaventura , Prado Julia G. , Martinez-Picado Javier
Published: March 2018

Viremic nonprogressors (VNPs) constitute a very scarce group of untreated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals who maintain stable CD4
+
T cell counts despite high levels of HIV-1 replication. The specific factors associated with this atypical control of the HIV infection have been poorly described. Since specific T cell responses seem to be one of the main causes of HIV-1 control in elite controllers, we studied whether HIV-1 Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses could also modulate disease control in VNPs. We characterized the immune responses from four VNPs compared to those of five standard progressors (SPs) during the first years of HIV-1 infection. We observed no differences in the breadth and frequency of Gag-specific cellular responses. Furthermore, we obtained 217 HIV-1
Gag
clonal sequences in which the viral variability of Gag increased over 3 years of infection for synonymous and nonsynonymous mutations in both VNPs and SPs. VNPs evolution rates in
gag
were comparable to SPs. This observation is in line with a similar accumulation of CTL putative escape mutations in Gag epitopes targeted by CTL responses. Altogether, the absence of viral pathogenesis in VNP individuals seems to be independent of HIV-Gag-specific CTL responses. This novel information guides to the study of alternative mechanism of HIV-1 pathogenesis control.

IMPORTANCE
Control of HIV infection has been widely studied in elite controllers or long-term nonprogressor models. However, there is a less-known group of individuals, termed viremic nonprogressors (VNPs), who maintain stable CD4
+
T cell counts despite high plasma viremia. The mechanisms involved in this remarkable control of HIV-1 pathogenesis clearly have implications for the development of new drugs and vaccines. We show here for the first time that VNPs have immune responses and HIV-gag evolution similar to those of standard progressors. Remarkably, we demonstrate that the mechanism of pathogenesis control in these individuals differs from some elite controllers that are reported to have improved immune control. This is noteworthy since it opens the door to new, as-yet-unknown mechanisms for HIV control. Our novel results advance the understanding of mechanisms involved in viremic nonprogression and suggest that there are alternative mechanisms to the adaptive immune responses for an effective control of viral pathogenesis.