bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in mudflat salt‐soils amended with sewage sludge
Authors: Bai Yanchao , Yan Yiyun , Zuo Wengang , Gu Chuanhui , Guan Yongxiang , Wang Xukui , Zhao Haitao , Shan Yuhua , Shao Hongbo , Feng Ke
Published: February 2018

Applying sewage sludge to mudflat salt‐soils can rapidly improve soil physicochemical properties and enhance pollution potential. Nevertheless, the heavy metal distribution in leachate and mudflat salt‐soils with sludge amendment remains unclear. The present work was aimed primarily at investigating the fates of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in mudflat salt‐soils amended by sludge. A leaching column experiment in a greenhouse was conducted to analyze the leaching losses of the metals in the sludge‐amended soils and to evaluate the uptake of these metals by maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings, using a mudflat salt‐soil amended with 0, 30, 75, 150, and 300 g sludge per kg soil. The results indicated that metal concentrations were significantly correlated negatively with pH and positively with dissolved organic carbon concentration in leachate of sludge‐amended soils. The sewage sludge application enhanced metal uptake without inhibiting the growth of maize. The sludge treatments enhanced metal concentrations in top layer (0–20 cm) of soil in the leaching column but did not change metal concentrations in soil layer of 20–40 cm (p > .05). Immobile fraction of Pb and mobile fraction of Cd, Cu, and Zn increased with increasing rates of sludge addition. Long‐term field studies are required for further evaluation of the impacts of recycling sludge on heavy metal behaviors including leaching, accumulation, and dynamic change of metal fractions in mudflat salt‐soils.
The implications of current and future initiatives for libraries
Authors: Naylor Bernard
Published: February 2018

Suggests that, while there may be some confidence and a measure of unanimity about the likely eventual future pattern of research communication, there is much uncertainty about timescales and intermediate scenarios, and contrasts the ‘just in case’ and ‘just in time’ models for library purchasing.
Can dinosaurs evolve? The future of publishers, vendors and librarians
Authors: Cox John
Published: February 2018

Reflects on some of the issues being discussed at conferences around the world. The perspective is that of the subscription agent, but the whole information chain is regarded as going through a period of change which affects not only intermediaries such as subscription agents, but also publishers and libraries.
The view of the industrial scientist concerning the information system
Authors: Scott Elspeth J.
Published: February 2018

Considers how the needs of industry for STM information differ from academic needs, with particular regard to end–user access, networks, security, and costs.
An arbiter for authors?
Authors: Batchelor George
Published: February 2018

Considers whether some of the authors of papers rejected by scientific journals should be permitted to appeal against the editorial decision, and how an arbitration procedure might be established.
Setting up a presence on the World Wide Web
Authors: Powell Andrea
Published: February 2018

There is considerable pressure on most professional and society publishers to create a presence on the World Wide Web, from their members and customers alike. This paper describes the planning that went into the establishment of CAB INTERNATIONAL’S Home Page, focusing on the strategic issues and detailed preparation rather than the physical tasks involved. Although it is technically straightforward to set up a Home Page, many publishers are faced with difficult decisions about how to use the features of the World Wide Web to best advantage and how to develop a real presence in terms of both promotion and publishing activities.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of an Al‐Si alloy reinforced by Al64Cu24Fe12 quasi‐crystalline particles
Authors: Wang Y.F. , Hou H. , Zhao Y.H. , Tian J.Z.
Published: February 2018

In this work, aluminum‐silicon alloy reinforced with Al64Cu24Fe12 quasi‐crystalline particles have been prepared by a traditional casting method with proper heat treatment process. The microstructures of the composites were examined using optical microscopy, scanning, X‐ray and energy dispersive spectrometer. The results indicate that there was no quasi‐crystalline phase remained and a new phase‐β (Al65‐75Si13‐26Fe3‐10) phase formed, which may act as a new reinforcing phase. There are three primary phases in the final composite: eutectic silicon, β‐phase and the α‐aluminum phase. Also the changes of mechanical properties were studied by tensile test and Vickers hardness test. The test results demonstrate that the mechanical properties of the composite is remarkably improved by adding proper amount of quasi‐crystalline particles. After adding 7.70 vol.% quasi‐crystalline particles, the tensile strength and the hardness increased by 70 % and 62 % respectively. However, adding a big amount (10.09 vol.%) of particles to molten aluminum‐silicon alloy will cause the particles aggregation and adhesion, which resulted in the decrease of the mechanical properties.
Efficient photopolymerization of thick pigmented systems using upconversion nanoparticles‐assisted photochemistry
Authors: Li Zhiquan , Chen Hao , Wang Chong , Chen Li , Liu Jingcheng , Liu Ren
Published: February 2018

Photopolymerization of thick pigmented systems still remains challenging due to the light screening effect of the pigments. Here, we present a facile method based on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)‐assisted photochemistry to achieve efficient photopolymerization and improved curing depth of pigmented systems. Under a 980‐nm laser irradiation, UCNPs are able to convert NIR light into UV and visible light to activate photoinitiators for the initiation of polymerization. Influencing factors on photopolymerization were systematically investigated. With optimal parameters, 25.5 mm of photopolymerization depth combined with 70% of maximal double bond conversion was obtained. The peak temperature of 120.4 °C during UCNPs‐assisted photopolymerization is comparable with or lower than that of some reported frontal photopolymerization applied to prepare functional composite polymeric materials. Both indentation hardness and reduced modulus of the photocured materials using UCNPs as internal lamps were higher than those of the reference cured under traditional blue LED light. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 994–1002
Estimation of age effect with change‐points on survival of cancer patients
Authors: Lam K. F. , Xu Jiajun , Xue Hongqi
Published: February 2018

There is a global trend that the average onset age of many human complex diseases is decreasing, and the age of cancer patients becomes more spread out. The age effect on survival is nonlinear in practice and may have one or more important change‐points at which the trend of the effect can be very different before and after these threshold ages. Identification of these change‐points allows clinical researchers to understand the biologic basis for the complex relation between age and prognosis for optimal prognostic decision. This paper considers estimation of the potentially nonlinear age effect for general partly linear survival models to ensure a valid statistical inference on the treatment effect. A simple and efficient sieve maximum likelihood estimation method that can be implemented easily using standard statistical software is proposed. A data‐driven adaptive algorithm to determine the optimal location and the number of knots for the identification of the change‐points is suggested. Simulation studies are performed to study the performance of the proposed method. For illustration purpose, the method is applied to a breast cancer data set from the public domain to investigate the effect of onset age on the disease‐free survival of the patients. The results revealed that the risk is highest among young patients and young postmenopausal patients, probably because of a change in hormonal environment during a certain phase of menopause.
Data‐Driven Modelling of Gas Solubility in Ionic Liquids Using Principal Properties as Orthogonal Descriptors
Authors: Paternò Alessio , Bonaccorso Carmela , Fortuna Cosimo G. , Musumarra Giuseppe , Scirè Salvatore
Published: February 2018

Principal properties for gases and ionic liquids (ILs) were used as descriptors to model gas solubility in ILs by means of data‐driven approaches such as partial least squares (PLS) and orthogonal PLS (OPLS). Satisfactory PLS predictions, spanning above 3 log units, can be easily achieved using a nine parameters equation, while disjoint OPLS models for different gases, namely hydrocarbons, neutral and acidic ones, allow more accurate predictions.
Machine learning for bioinformatics and neuroimaging
Authors: Serra Angela , Galdi Paola , Tagliaferri Roberto
Published: February 2018

Machine Learning (ML) is a well‐known paradigm that refers to the ability of systems to learn a specific task from the data and aims to develop computer algorithms that improve with experience. It involves computational methodologies to address complex real‐world problems and promises to enable computers to assist humans in the analysis of large, complex data sets. ML approaches have been widely applied to biomedical fields and a great body of research is devoted to this topic. The purpose of this article is to present the state‐of‐the art in ML applications to bioinformatics and neuroimaging and motivate research in new trend‐setting directions. We show how ML techniques such as clustering, classification, embedding techniques and network‐based approaches can be successfully employed to tackle various problems such as gene expression clustering, patient classification, brain networks analysis, and identification of biomarkers. We also present a short description of deep learning and multiview learning methodologies applied in these contexts. We discuss some representative methods to provide inspiring examples to illustrate how ML can be used to address these problems and how biomedical data can be characterized through ML. Challenges to be addressed and directions for future research are presented and an extensive bibliography is included.

This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Health Care

Technologies > Computational Intelligence

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Motivation and Emergence of Data Mining

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Key Design Issues in Data Mining
Capital Flows and the Swiss Franc
Authors: Yeşin Pınar
Published: February 2018

The Swiss franc is known to appreciate strongly during financial market turmoil, demonstrating its status as a typical safe haven currency. One possible mechanism behind this appreciation during times of global turmoil is assumed to be higher capital inflows to Switzerland. This paper attempts to find some empirical evidence for this presumption. The analysis reveals that capital flow variables are not necessarily coincident with the movements of the Swiss franc. Interest rate differentials, a traditional determinant of exchange rates, co-move only weakly with Swiss franc movements. However, a robust and stronger link between variables that capture global or regional market uncertainty and movements of the Swiss franc is observed. Specifically, the information channel rather than new cross-border investment is found to be coincident with the Swiss franc. The weak link between capital flows and the exchange rate is confirmed to some extent for some other countries.
Numerical Simulation of Bulging Deformation for Wide-Thick Slab Under Uneven Cooling Conditions
Authors: Wu Chenhui , Ji Cheng , Zhu Miaoyong
Published: February 2018

In the present work, the bulging deformation of a wide-thick slab under uneven cooling conditions was studied using finite element method. The non-uniform solidification was first calculated using a 2D heat transfer model. The thermal material properties were derived based on a microsegregation model, and the water flux distribution was measured and applied to calculate the cooling boundary conditions. Based on the solidification results, a 3D bulging model was established. The 2D heat transfer model was verified by the measured shell thickness and the slab surface temperature, and the 3D bulging model was verified by the calculated maximum bulging deflections using formulas. The bulging deformation behavior of the wide-thick slab under uneven cooling condition was then determined, and the effect of uneven solidification, casting speed, and roll misalignment were investigated.
A randomized study on a 3-month versus a 7-month prednisolone regimen for the initial episode of childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome at a large Saudi center
Authors: Al Talhi AbdulHadi , Al Saran Khalid , Osman ElTayeb Taha , Al Shatri AbdulAziz , Osman Mutawakil , Mirza Khalid
Published: February 2018

Background and objectives:

The standard International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC) regimen of prednisolone of 2 months duration for the treatment of the initial episode of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome (INS) was associated with a high relapse rate. The long prednisolone protocols were introduced in order to reduce the relapse rate and steroid toxicities. The main objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a 3 months protocol of prednisolone versus a 7 months protocol for the first episode of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Design and setting:

The study took place in the Pediatric Nephrology Department of King Saud Medical City, Riyadh which is a large referral center all over Saudi Arabia. The study was a randomized control trial using 2 groups. Group A received the 3 months protocol and Group B received the 7 months protocol.

Patients and methods:

All children with a confirmed diagnosis of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome were included. The patients were randomized by simple randomization using sealed envelopes into two groups; group A comprised of 60 children using the daily regimen prednisolone 60mg/m2 OD X 1 A months then 40mg/m2 on alternate day for 1 A months (total = 3 months) and group B also comprised of 60 children using the 7 months protocol, Prednisolone 60mg/m2 OD x 1 month then 40mg/m2 EOD x 2 months then 30mg/m2 EOD for 2 months then 20mg/m2 EOD for 2 months. The efficacy and safety of these two prednisolone regimens were recorded. The follow-up period was two years. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS progress version 16 (Chicago, USA) P < .05 was taken as a significant result. Consort guidelines for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were followed. The hospital ethical committee approved the study. The parents gave an informed consent.

Results:

Group B protocol was found to be significantly better than the group A protocol in both years of follow-up. The mean time of first relapse was significantly better in group B than in group A (P < .0001). The relapse rate reduced significantly in group B vs group A in both the first year (P = .0031) as well as in the second year (P = .00002). The cumulative dose of steroids was significantly less in group B vs group A both in the first year of follow-up (P = .0039) as well as in the second year (P = .0026). The incidence of frequently relapsers was significantly less (P = .049) in group B as compared to group A. The risk of relapse was better in group B as compared to group A (RR 0.8039; 95% CI 0.6566 to 0.9843 significance (P = .0346). The side effects of corticosteroids were significantly less in group B protocol as compared to group A.

Conclusion:

We concluded that the long 7 months protocol was significantly better than the 3 months prednisolone regimen in both efficacy and safety for the initial episode of childhood INS.
Complementation with Verbs of Choice in English
Authors: Duffley Patrick , Abida Rafika
Published: February 2018

This study addresses both the practical question of what forms of complementation are found with verbs expressing the notion of choice in English and the theoretical question of explaining the control and temporal effects found with these verbs. The explanation proposed is based on an approach in which syntax is taken to be driven by semantics. Semantics is defined in terms of the meaning-content associated with the linguistic forms occurring in the constructions examined, namely the to-infinitive, the gerund-participle, and the lexical content of the different verbs of choice themselves, together with the semantic value of the complement’s function with respect to the main verb. Although it does not utilize a corpus in the strict sense of the word, nor employ statistical argumentation, the study is based mainly on an examination of attested usage in Canadian English as reflected by Canadian websites accessed in the fall of 2006.
Temporal modifiers and the Rogers-Aliant dispute
Authors: Katz E. Graham , Shaer Benjamin
Published: February 2018

In this article, we discuss a recent dispute between two Canadian companies, Rogers and Aliant, which went before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. This involved an apparently ambiguous provision in an agreement between these companies, the interpretation of which was widely seen to hinge on the placement of a single comma in this provision, although the dispute was ultimately resolved by reference to the unambiguous French version of this provision. We provide a syntactic and semantic analysis of the linguistic facts of the dispute, rejecting Aliant’s argument (and the CRTC’s original conclusion) that the placement of the comma provided robust evidence of the intended meaning of the disputed provision and showing how two temporal expressions in this provision, thereafter and prior, contribute to the meaning advanced by Rogers. We also demonstrate the essential equivalence of this meaning to that of the French version of the agreement.
Postface: Differentiating and Differentiated Views on Linguistic Representation
Authors: Auer Peter
Published: February 2018

This special issue of the Canadian Journal of Linguistics/Revue canadienne de linguistique is devoted to the intriguing notion of représentation linguistique, an idea that developed in French (socio-)linguistics some ten years ago (cf. Jodelet 1993), following earlier work by Anne-Marie Houdebine (1982).

In their preface, Philippe Hambye and Anne Catherine Simon discuss one of the major tenets of this approach, namely the idea that représentation linguistique, in addition to being concerned with how language is represented in the human mind — and thus very much in line with the cognitive turn of linguistics — also implies that as a cognitive entity, language has no self-contained status in the sense of post-structualist, generative grammar. Rather, the way in which we language users look upon language is always socially contextualised. Whatever we know, in the largest sense of the word, about language and varieties of language is inextricably linked to the situations and social groups, the speakers and geographical regions, the linguistic genres and social styles that constitute it. Linguistic representations, understood as everyday knowledge of language, are therefore normatively organised. They have to do with how someone of a certain type (incumbent to a certain social category) is supposed to, or can be expected to speak, given certain typified circumstances, and what it means for him or her to speak in this way.
Second Language Phonology as Redeployment of LI Phonological Knowledge
Authors: Archibald John
Published: February 2018

This article presents research showing that second language (L2) learners do not have deficient representations and they are capable of acquiring structures that are absent from their first language (L1). The Redeployment Hypothesis—which claims that L2 phonologies include novel representations created via redeployment of L1 phonological components—is consistent with data from several domains, including acquisition of phonological features, syllable structure, moraic structure, and metrical structure. Moreover, it is shown that input prominence plays a role in L2 acquisition, and that language learners are sensitive to robust phonetic cues. Finally, studies done on interlingual homographs and homophones argue for non-selective access to the bilingual lexicon, suggesting that the language processing capacity is always engaged.
Dialect Topography of Québec City English
Authors: Chambers J.K. , Heisler Troy
Published: February 2018

Québec City has had an anglophone community for 250 years. A representative sample of this community was surveyed using the methods known as Dialect Topography. The analysis establishes the distinctiveness of Québec City English but at the same time shows that it is firmly planted in the Canadian English speech community. It is shown that there are significant correlations with three social factors: (1) Language Use Index, which allows a calculation of the extent of each respondent’s use of English in the francophone setting; (2) age, the principal correlate of changes in progress; and (3) Regionality Index, which separates indigènes, the natives of the region, from interlopers, recent arrivals. Although the results show that the distinctiveness may be threatened by the persistence of interloper variants, in most respects Québec City English favours the same variants as the rest of Canada, albeit with different frequencies and often with a unique historical development.
Functional Categories in the Lexicon
Authors: Lumsden John S.
Published: February 2018

Stowell (1981) demonstrates that nominal phrases in VP or PP are subject to certain constraints which are not pertinent in the domain of NP or AP. Nominal phrases in VP or PP are obligatory and they must be realized in a position which is adjacent to the head of the phrase (i.e., in a phrase marker; “V° NP” or “P° NP”). In contrast, nominal phrases in NP or AP are optional and do not have to be adjacent to the head. There is a systematic exception to this generalization in the lexically determined class of nouns known as Bare NP adverbs (cf. Larson 1985). Nominal phrases headed by one of this class of nouns appear optionally in VP and they are not required to be adjacent to the verb.
Long and Short Verb Movement in Second Language Acquisition
Authors: White Lydia
Published: February 2018

Current linguistic theory offers a highly detailed account of what linguistic competence consists of, as well as an indication of how that competence is acquired by L1 learners, via an innate Universal Grammar (UG). In second language (L2) acquisition, a major issue is the nature of the L2 learner’s competence and the degree to which it is similar to or different from the competence attained by native speakers. A theory of linguistic competence is essential to our understanding of what L2 competence might consist of, and should inform L2 acquisition research (Gregg 1989). In this paper, I will adopt certain recent proposals concerning verb movement and the functional categories Agreement and Tense (Chomsky 1989; Pollock 1989), and investigate whether these proposals can provide a suitable explanation of the linguistic behaviour of French learners of English.
Maintaining standing stones benefits biodiversity in lowland heathland
Authors: Shepheard-Walwyn Emma , Bhagwat Shonil A.
Published: February 2018

The exploitation of natural resources by people generally has detrimental effects on nature but in some cases anthropogenic activities can result in changes to the natural environment that produce new habitats and increase biodiversity. Understanding and supporting such cultural aspects of land use is an important part of effective conservation strategies. The UK has a range of cultural landscapes that contribute to the landscape matrix and are often important for biodiversity. However, little research has been conducted on the relationship between various types of cultural landscapes or their effects on biodiversity. We examined the interaction between semi-natural sacred sites and lowland heathland in Cornwall, and the contribution these sites make to the overall biodiversity within the habitat. We found that semi-natural sacred sites had significantly higher levels of biodiversity compared to surrounding heathland; the existence and use of the sites created new and important habitats for rare and threatened heathland species; and the spiritual and cultural use of the sites aids the management of heathland. Promoting the use of semi-natural sacred sites could therefore contribute to biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, the cultural and spiritual importance of such sites potentially increases the availability of volunteer resources for their management. We highlight the importance of an integrated management approach for achieving effective biodiversity conservation in areas containing multiple types of cultural landscapes.
Introduction
Authors: ANSARI SARAH
Published: February 2018

This special issue of the JRAS, guest-edited by Heidi Pauwels University of Washington and Anne Murphy University of British Columbia, brings together an extremely interesting set of articles that collectively explore vernacular perspectives on the emperor Aurangzeb/Alamgir drawn from outside the Persianate heartland of Mughal India. Its beginnings lay in an innovative interdisciplinary panel at the 2014 European Conference on South Asian Studies (ECSAS) held in Zurich in July 2014, which was organised by Heidi and Monika Boehm-Tettelbach (Horstmann). Drawing on vernacular literature, as opposed to more mainstream Persian sources, their authors seek, in various ways, to complicate past and present-day assumptions about the nature of Aurangzeb's rule, how he interacted with his subjects, both Muslim and non-Muslim, and how his subjects in turn viewed him. Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707 as Alamgir) continues to divide opinion sharply, as reactions to Audrey Truschke's 2017 study Aurangzeb: The Life and Legacy of India's Most Controversial King (Stanford University Press) have recently underlined. Aurangzeb remains a firm fixture in South Asia's twenty-first century ‘culture wars’. By drawing on less-commonly referenced vernacular sources, and hence offering access to less state-centric views of Aurangzeb, this special issue makes a welcome — and very opportune — case for more rounded and nuanced understandings of the emperor and the India in which he lived.
Positive Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D and Liver Enzymes Levels in Healthy Individuals: A Population-Based Study from Iran
Authors: Nikniaz Leila , Shirmohammadi Masood , Tabrizi Jafar Sadegh , Sadeghi Bazargani Homayoun , Farahbakhsh Mostafa
Published: February 2018

Objective: The relationship between serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and within normal range liver enzymes in a population-based study in the northwest of Iran was investigated. Method: This cross-sectional study was comprised of 700 apparently healthy Iranian adults (287 men & 413 women) who participated in the major lifestyle promotion project (LPP) conducted in East Azarbaijan-Iran in 2015. The ultraviolet method and chemiluminescent immunoassay technology were respectively used for determination of the serum levels of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D. The one-way ANOVA and the linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results: There were not significant differences in mean ALT and AST levels regarding different serum 25-hydroxy- vitamin D status. In the unadjusted model, serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D was significantly associated with ALT (p = 0.008). The participants in the fourth quartile of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D had significantly higher level of ALT compared with participants in the first quartile (p = 0.002). After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and dietary vitamin D, this association remained significant. For AST, in the unadjusted model, the association between serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and AST was marginally significant (p = 0.08). The participants in the third quartile of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D had significantly higher levels of AST compared with participants in the first quartile (p = 0.01). Conclusion: According to results, there was a positive association between 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and ALT in individuals without liver diseases. Additional prospective studies were needed to confirm this observation and also elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Cytomegalovirus-specific T-cells are associated with immune senescence, but not with systemic inflammation, in people living with HIV
Authors: Ballegaard Vibe , Brændstrup Peter , Pedersen Karin Kaereby , Kirkby Nikolai , Stryhn Anette , Ryder Lars P. , Gerstoft Jan , Nielsen Susanne Dam
Published: February 2018

In people living with HIV (PLWHIV), coinfection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been associated with inflammation, immunological ageing, and increased risk of severe non-AIDS related comorbidity. The effect of CMV-specific immune responses on systemic inflammation, immune activation and T-cell senescence was evaluated in 53 PLWHIV treated with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Activated-, terminally differentiated-, naïve-, and senescent T-cells were assessed by flow cytometry, and plasma levels of CMV IgG, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and soluble-CD14 were measured. In PLWHIV, expression of interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ was measured by intracellular-cytokine-staining after stimulation of T-cells with CMV-pp65, CMV-IE1, and CMV-gB. Increased CMV-specific T-cell responses were associated with a higher ratio of terminally differentiated/naïve CD8+ T-cells and with increased proportions of senescent CD8+ T-cells, but not with systemic inflammation or sCD14. Increased CMV-specific CD4+ T-cell responses were associated with increased proportions of activated CD8+ T-cells. In PLWHIV with expansion of CMV-specific T-cells or increased T-cell senescence, CMV-specific polyfunctionality was maintained. That the magnitude of the CMV-specific T-cell response was associated with a senescent immune phenotype, suggests that a dysregulated immune response against CMV may contribute to the immunological ageing often described in PLWHIV despite stable cART.
Interleukin-10 produced by myeloid-derived suppressor cells is critical for the induction of Tregs and attenuation of rheumatoid inflammation in mice
Authors: Park Min-Jung , Lee Sung-Hee , Kim Eun-Kyung , Lee Eun-Jung , Baek Jin-Ah , Park Sung-Hwan , Kwok Seung-Ki , Cho Mi-La
Published: February 2018

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are heterogenous populations of immature myeloid progenitor cells with immunoregulatory function. MDSCs play critical roles in controlling the processes of autoimmunity but their roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are controversial. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether MDSCs have therapeutic impact in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), an animal model of RA. We also examined the mechanisms underlying the anti-arthritic effect of MDSCs. In vitro treatment with MDSCs repressed IL-17 but increased FOXP3 in CD4+ T cells in mice. In vivo infusion of MDSCs markedly ameliorated inflammatory arthritis. Th17 cells and Th1 cells were decreased while Tregs were increased in the spleens of MDSCs-treated mice. MDSCs profoundly inhibited T cell proliferation. Addition of anti-IL-10 almost completely blocked the anti-proliferative effects of MDSCs on T cells. Anti-IL-10 blocked the expansion of Tregs by MDSCs. However, infusion of MDSCs from IL-10 KO mice failed to suppress inflammatory arthritis. MDSCs could reciprocally regulate Th17/Treg cells and suppress CIA via IL-10, suggesting that MDSCs might be a promising therapeutic strategy for T cell mediated autoimmune diseases including RA.
Solid-state tunable photoluminescence in gadolinium-organic frameworks: effects of the Eu3+ content and co-doping with Tb3+
Authors: do Nascimento Jarley Fagner Silva , de Araújo Antonio Marcos Urbano , Kulesza Joanna , de Farias Monteiro Arthur Felipe , Júnior Severino Alves , Barros Bráulio Silva
Published: February 2018

Tunable photoluminescence was observed as a function of the excitation wavelength.
Reaction-based bi-signaling chemodosimeter probe for selective detection of hydrogen sulfide and cellular studies
Authors: Guria Uday Narayan , Maiti Kalipada , Ali Syed Samim , Samanta Sandip Kumar , Mandal Debasish , Sarkar Ripon , Datta Pallab , Ghosh Asim Kumar , Mahapatra Ajit Kumar
Published: February 2018

A new quinoline-indolium-based chemical probe (DPQI) was synthesized and characterized for selective detection of hydrogen sulphide (H2S).
Cross-coupling reactivity of 1,1-dichloroalkenes under palladium catalysis: domino synthesis of diarylalkynes
Authors: Maddali L. N. Rao , Meka Suresh
Published: February 2018

An efficient synthesis of diarylalkynes was achieved from the domino cross-coupling reaction of 1,1-dichloroalkenes with triarylbismuth reagents under palladium-catalyzed conditions.
Supramolecular self-assemblies for bacterial cell agglutination driven by directional charge-transfer interactions
Authors: Wu Dan , Shen Jie , Bai Hongzhen , Yu Guocan
Published: February 2018

Two supramolecular amphiphiles are fabricated through directional charge-transfer interactions, which self-assemble into nanofibers and nanoribbons. Due to the existence of galactose on their surface, these self-assemblies act as a cell glue to agglutinate E. coli, benefiting from multivalent interactions.
Data analytics approach for train timetable performance measures using automatic train supervision data
Authors: Liu Fengbo , Xu Ruihua , Fan Wei , Jiang Zhibin
Published: February 2018

Motivated by the practical requirements for timetable evaluation in China and the fact that massive train record data are collected but remain largely underused, this study presents a data analytics approach for train timetable performance measures using automatic train supervision data. A data preparation process with data cleaning and matching methods is developed for further analysis. The data analysis consists of three components: a waiting time assessment method that uses visual headway mismatching degree to estimate the effect on waiting time; a process time estimation method that introduces spatiotemporal distribution and statistical techniques to mine the data and identify practical characteristics of dwell time and running time; and an arrival punctuality examination method which checks on‐time arrival performance. The proposed data analytics approach is demonstrated through a case study of Shanghai Metro. Major findings on timetable performance, involving three aspects of timetable parameters, are presented. The relevant data analytics framework and findings have operational and planning implications for urban rail transit authorities and operators with regard to evaluating timetable parameters and improving the service quality.
Welche hämato-onkologischen Medikamente sind im Alter entbehrlich oder ungeeignet?
Authors: Goede Valentin , Hallek Michael
Published: February 2018

There is a vast amount of drugs and therapeutic regimens available today to treat hemato-oncological diseases. This offers new opportunities to close known gaps of undertreatment in older individuals with cancer, but also increases the risk of overtreatment in this patient group. Currently available criteria (drug listings) for potentially inadequate prescribing in the elderly are not matured enough to serve hemato-oncologists as a guidance when trying to identify unnecessary or inappropriate cancer medication in routine clinical practice. In some clinical situations (e. g., decision-making for adjuvant treatment), online tools that allow for a rough prediction of remaining life expectancy (without or with cancer) as well as chemotherapy toxicity could help to detect risks of overtreatment in individual patients, however. Avoiding chemotherapy in distinct therapeutic situations has become possible for some hematological and solid tumors due to a growing number of novel targeted (i. e. non-cytostatic) drugs. This development appears of particular benefit for elderly patients. The present review discusses tools that generally could support the identification of overtreatment in older patients with such diseases. Drug examples are presented for some common hemato-oncological entities.
Britisch-Kurzhaar-Kater mit rezidivierendem Fibrosarkom
Authors: Danowski Klaus
Published: February 2018

Ein 2-jähriger BKH-Kater mit rezidivierendem Fibrosarkom wird vorgestellt. Die Anamnese berichtet von einem Eosinophilen Granulom. Eine vererbte Tuberkulinische Belastung und seine konstitutionelle Veranlagung als Phosphor-Typ machen ihn sehr anfällig für Impfungen und Unterdrückungen. Ein noch bestehender Hautausschlag erleichtert den Einstieg in die Krebsbehandlung. Nacheinander werden der Hautausschlag, Aphten und eine Zahnfleischentzündung mit Mercurius und Luesinum, das Fibrosarkom mit Silicea, eine Hypothyreose mit Tuberkulinum und Graphites, Haarausfall mit Sulfur behandelt. Die vollständige Remission gelingt. Seine Nachbeobachtungszeit beträgt 7 Jahre.
Zur Rolle organisationaler Variablen bei der Implementierung sektorenübergreifender psychiatrischer Versorgung und stationsäquivalenter Behandlung in Deutschland
Authors: Klode Christian , Steinert Tilman , Blume Andreas , Brückner-Bozetti Peter , Senkal Aysin , Lingenfelder Michael
Published: February 2018

Anliegen Erörterung von organisationalen Treibern einer sektorenübergreifenden und aufsuchenden psychiatrischen Versorgung.

Methode Systematische Literaturrecherche in elektronischen Datenbanken und zusätzliche Handsuche.

Ergebnisse Die Treibervariablen werden größtenteils adressiert, wenige davon wurden evaluiert, komplexe Ursachen-Wirkungs-Modelle fehlen fast gänzlich.

Schlussfolgerungen Integration der vorgeschlagenen Treibervariablen in ein Evaluationssystem zur Abschätzung von Organisations- und Personalentwicklungseffekten.
Pulse measurement of the hot spot current in a NbTiN superconducting filament
Authors: Harrabi K. , Mekki A. , Kunwar S. , Maneval J. P.
Published: February 2018

We have studied the voltage response of superconducting NbTiN filaments to a step-pulse of over-critical current I > Ic. The current induces the destruction of the Cooper pairs and initiates different mechanisms of dissipation depending on the bath temperature T. For the sample investigated, and for T above a certain T*, not far from Tc, the resistance manifests itself in the form of a phase-slip center, which turns into a normal hot spot (HS) as the step-pulse is given larger amplitudes. However, at all temperatures below T*, the destruction of superconductivity still occurs at Ic(T), but leads directly to an ever-growing HS. By lowering the current amplitude during the pulse, one can produce a steady HS and thus define a threshold HS current Ih(T). That is achieved by combining two levels of current, the first and larger one to initiate an HS, the second one to search for constant voltage response. The double diagram of the functions Ic(T) and Ih(T) was plotted in the T-range Tc/2 < T < Tc, and their crossing found at T* = (8.07 ± 0.07) K.
Improving the performance of galloping micro-power generators by passively manipulating the trailing edge
Authors: Noel J. , Yadav R. , Li G. , Daqaq M. F.
Published: February 2018

Recent trends in distributed sensing networks have generated significant interest in the design of scalable micro-power generators. One such device exploits the galloping oscillations of a prism to harness energy from a moving fluid. Performance of galloping harvester's depends on the flow patterns around the prism, which, in turn, depend on its geometry and the Reynolds number of the flow. In this letter, we demonstrate that the useful range of the galloping instability can be extended by attaching a rigid splitter plate to the rear face of the prism. The plate provides a secondary flow reattachment point, which serves to improve the oscillation amplitude and power output of the generator. Experimental results demonstrate as much as 67% power enhancement for some prism geometries and a significant reduction in the cut-in wind speed of the generator.
Tunneling-percolation model of multicomponent nanocomposites
Authors: Kale Sohan , Karimi Pouyan , Sabet Fereshteh A. , Jasiuk Iwona , Ostoja-Starzewski Martin
Published: February 2018

Using a mixture of different types of fillers has been experimentally shown to improve the electrical conductivity of polymer nanocomposites beyond the weighted average due to synergistic effects. In this study, we develop a critical path analysis-based tunneling-percolation model for multicomponent systems of nanocomposites with ellipsoidal fillers. The nature of the interaction between different filler components is controlled by a key modeling parameter capturing the tunneling interactions between fillers. This generalization allows us to examine scenarios where the nature of a given type of filler can be varied continuously from an insulating-type to a conductive-type. The percolation behavior of two-component systems with a combination of prolate, oblate, and spherical fillers is investigated using Monte Carlo simulations for different relative volume fractions and nature of interactions while keeping the total volume fraction fixed. The simulation results are shown to be in semi-quantitative agreement with predictions made by the second-virial-approximation-based theories. Our results suggest that for multicomponent systems with well-dispersed fillers, the synergistic effects are linked directly with the nature of interactions between different filler types. Moreover, addition of prolate fillers to oblate or spherical fillers should generally improve the electrical conductivity of multicomponent nanocomposites.
Redistribution of phosphorus during Ni0.9Pt0.1-based silicide formation on phosphorus implanted Si substrates
Authors: Lemang M. , Rodriguez Ph. , Nemouchi F. , Juhel M. , Grégoire M. , Mangelinck D.
Published: February 2018

Phosphorus diffusion and its distribution during the solid-state reactions between Ni0.9Pt0.1 and implanted Si substrates are studied. Silicidation is achieved through a first rapid thermal annealing followed by a selective etching and a direct surface annealing. The redistribution of phosphorus in silicide layers is investigated after the first annealing for different temperatures and after the second annealing. Phosphorus concentration profiles obtained thanks to time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and atom probe tomography characterizations for partial and total reactions of the deposited 7 nm thick Ni0.9Pt0.1 film are presented. Phosphorus segregation is observed at the Ni0.9Pt0.1 surface and at Ni2Si interfaces during Ni2Si formation and at the NiSi surface and the NiSi/Si interface after NiSi formation. The phosphorus is evidenced in low concentrations in the Ni2Si and NiSi layers. Once NiSi is formed, a bump in the phosphorus concentration is highlighted in the NiSi layer before the NiSi/Si interface. Based on these profiles, a model for the phosphorus redistribution is proposed to match this bump to the former Ni2Si/Si interface. It also aims to bind the phosphorus segregation and its low concentration in different silicides to a low solubility of phosphorus in Ni2Si and in NiSi and a fast diffusion of phosphorus at their grain boundaries. This model is also substantiated by a simulation using a finite difference method in one dimension.
Investigating the Resonance in Nitric Acid and the Nitrate Anion Based on a Modern Bonding Analysis
Authors: Fugel Malte , Kleemiss Florian , Malaspina Lorraine A. , Pal Rumpa , Spackman Peter R. , Jayatilaka Dylan , Grabowsky Simon
Published: February 2018

The nitrate anion, NO3−, is often regarded as a textbook example for the very fundamental concept of resonance. Usually, three equivalent resonance structures with one N–O double bond and two N–O single bonds are considered. Consequently, each of the three N–O bonds should have a partial double bond character. In this study, we analyse the resonance in NO3− in comparison with the related species HNO3 and FNO3 by applying a combination of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), a natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, the electron localizability indicator (ELI), and valence bond (VB) calculations. Despite the fundamental importance of nitrate salts and nitric acid for the environment, chemistry, and industry, a bonding analysis is absent from the literature so far. The classical resonance structures are clearly reflected by the bond analysis tools, but are not the only contributions to the bonding situation. The resonance in HNO3 and FNO3 is greatly perturbed by the hydrogen and fluorine atoms. In addition to theoretical calculations, experimental electron density and wave function refinements were carried out on a KNO3 crystal.
Group size in social-ecological systems
Authors: Casari Marco , Tagliapietra Claudio
Published: February 2018

Significance

What is the size of human groups for successful cooperation? Theoretically, the larger the group, the more difficult it is to sustain cooperation. We studied hundreds of villages in the Alps that harvested common property resources for almost six centuries. In the field, the average size of successful villages was around 176 individuals, although the variance was considerable. Overall, however, this average remained stable over time despite a doubling of the region’s population. Multiple social and ecological factors could, in principle, drive group size. Here, we report the predominance of social factors, such as group heterogeneity, over ecological ones, such as managing forest instead of pasture land.
PI(4,5)P2 controls plasma membrane PI4P and PS levels via ORP5/8 recruitment to ER–PM contact sites
Authors: Sohn Mira , Korzeniowski Marek , Zewe James P. , Wills Rachel C. , Hammond Gerald R.V. , Humpolickova Jana , Vrzal Lukas , Chalupska Dominika , Veverka Vaclav , Fairn Gregory D. , Boura Evzen , Balla Tamas
Published: February 2018

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) is a critically important regulatory lipid of the plasma membrane (PM); however, little is known about how cells regulate PM PI(4,5)P2 levels. Here, we show that the phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P)/phosphatidylserine (PS) transfer activity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–resident ORP5 and ORP8 is regulated by both PM PI4P and PI(4,5)P2. Dynamic control of ORP5/8 recruitment to the PM occurs through interactions with the N-terminal Pleckstrin homology domains and adjacent basic residues of ORP5/8 with both PI4P and PI(4,5)P2. Although ORP5 activity requires normal levels of these inositides, ORP8 is called on only when PI(4,5)P2 levels are increased. Regulation of the ORP5/8 attachment to the PM by both phosphoinositides provides a powerful means to determine the relative flux of PI4P toward the ER for PS transport and Sac1-mediated dephosphorylation and PIP 5-kinase–mediated conversion to PI(4,5)P2. Using this rheostat, cells can maintain PI(4,5)P2 levels by adjusting the availability of PI4P in the PM.
Laura Lackner: Passing on the scientific baton
Authors: O’Donnell Marie Anne
Published: February 2018

Lackner investigates the tethering processes that position mitochondria.
1. The idea of the Hellenistic
Authors: Thonemann Peter
Published: February 2018

The word ‘Hellenistic’ is used to refer to a historical epoch, a geographical region, and a range of cultural phenomena seen as characteristic of this region and period. There is a wealth of documentary evidence from bureaucratic and literary papyri to gold, silver, and bronze coins. ‘The idea of the Hellenistic’ explains that most modern histories of the Hellenistic period begin in 323 bc, with the death of Alexander the Great, and finish in 30 bc, with Octavian’s incorporation of Ptolemaic Egypt into the Roman Empire. The Hellenistic world was a relatively narrow temperate zone of western Afro-Eurasia between the 25th and 45th parallels, stretching from the Adriatic and Libya in the west to the Himalayas in the east.