bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deterministic gathering with crash faults
Authors: Pelc Andrzej
Published: February 2018

A team consisting of an unknown number of mobile agents, starting from different nodes of an unknown network, have to meet at the same node and terminate. This problem is known as gathering. We study deterministic gathering algorithms under the assumption that agents are subject to crash faults which can occur at any time. Two fault scenarios are considered. A motion fault immobilizes the agent at a node or inside an edge but leaves intact its memory at the time when the fault occurred. A more severe total fault immobilizes the agent as well, but also erases its entire memory. Of course, we cannot require faulty agents to gather. Thus the gathering problem for fault prone agents calls for all fault‐free agents to gather at a single node, and terminate.
Care and consequences of traumatic brain injury in Neolithic Sweden: A case study of ante mortem skull trauma and brain injury addressed through the bioarchaeology of care
Authors: Tornberg Anna , Jacobsson Lars
Published: February 2018

A number of papers have provided insight into frequencies of violence‐related trauma, especially skull trauma, in Northern European skeletal assemblages dating to the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Although the cases are often well described, they lack further discussion about the consequences of skull trauma for the injured individual and the implications for the surrounding society, especially considering severe skull trauma leading to traumatic brain injuries. In this paper, we address questions of trauma and care for one individual associated with the Swedish–Norwegian Battle Axe Culture who suffered from 2 severe ante mortem skull traumas probably leading to brain injuries. These questions are addressed using the Web‐based application and analytic tool Index of Care. We found that daily care, both short term with basic needs such as nutrition and grooming and long term with cognitive impairments, was available in the Neolithic society. Considering the frequent number of ante mortem skull trauma in the Neolithic and Bronze Age skeletal assemblages, traumatic brain injury was probably a common phenomenon. We argue that the care provided was a necessity for survival and maintenance of a socially sustainable society.
Microstructures and mechanical properties of thermoplastic composites based on polyarylate/nylon6 islands‐in‐sea fibers
Authors: Won Jong Sung , Lim Sung Chan , Park Jinho , Hahm Wan‐Gyu , Park Jong Kyoo , Lee Seung Goo , Jeong Young Gyu
Published: February 2018

Polyarylate (PAR) fiber‐reinforced nylon6 composites are manufactured by molding uniaxially‐aligned islands‐in‐sea fibers at different temperature (190–210°C), pressure (0.69–6.89 MPa), and time (1–10 min). For the purpose, the islands‐in‐sea fibers, in which 74 PAR islands act as reinforcing microfibers and nylon6 sea part serves as a semicrystalline matrix in the thermoplastic composites, are prepared by a conjugate melt‐spinning. The tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of the thermoplastic composites are investigated by taking into account their microstructural and morphological features, which are influenced by the molding conditions, as examined by differential scanning calorimetry, 2D‐X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, micro‐CT, and polarized optical microscopy (POM) analyses. The thermoplastic composite manufactured at 200°C and 2.07 MPa for 3 min is found to have maximum tensile strength of ∼630 MPa and initial modulus of ∼70 GPa owing to multiple synergistic effects such as high crystallinity of nylon6 matrix, good alignment of PAR microfibers, interfacial crystallization of nylon6 on the reinforcing PAR microfibers, and low porosity. The findings of this study indicate that PAR/nylon6 inland‐in‐sea fibers can be utilized effectively for manufacturing high performance thermoplastic composites for sports, automotive, and protective applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E484–E492, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Enhancing decision‐making about adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer following EndoPredict testing
Authors: Fallowfield Lesley , Matthews Lucy , May Shirley , Jenkins Valerie , Bloomfield David
Published: February 2018

Objective

Chemotherapy side‐effects can be substantial. There is increasing recognition that some oestrogen receptor positive (ER +ve), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2 −ve) patients with breast cancer derive no benefit from chemotherapy and experience only iatrogenic harm. Gene expression profiling tests help refine recurrence risk and likely chemotherapy benefit. EndoPredict® is one such test, which classifies risks of distant recurrence as low or high in patients treated with surgery and adjuvant endocrine therapy alone. We compared treatment decisions pre‐test and post‐test results, patients' anxiety, decisional conflict, and oncologists' confidence about the decisions made.

Methods

Fourteen oncologists in 7 UK hospitals saw 149 pts judged to have equivocal indications for chemotherapy. Provisional treatment decisions were recorded then reconsidered when EPClin results were available. Pre‐test and post‐test results, patients completed State/Trait Anxiety Inventories (STAI), and the decisional conflict scale. Oncologists also recorded basic clinical details, their agreement with, and confidence about treatment decisions.

Results

Sixty‐seven percent patients initially prescribed endocrine alone with high risk result upgraded to endocrine+chemotherapy (E + C); 83% prescribed E + C and had low risk scores, downgraded to E. None of 46 patients initially favouring E alone, who were low risk, changed decisions. Oncologists' confidence about decisions was significantly increased following the results (P = 0.002). Patients with downgraded treatment decisions had significantly lower anxiety scores (P = 0.045); those upgraded had increased scores (P = 0.001). Overall decisional conflict and uncertainty fell significantly post‐test (P < 0.022).

Conclusions

EndoPredict scores increased oncologists' and patients' decision‐making confidence, generally improving the matching of risk with therapy decisions.
Study on Thermal Behaviour of AP/LiBH4 Energetic System
Authors: Ding Xiao‐yong , Shu Yuan‐jie , Xu Hong‐tao , Chen Zhi‐qun
Published: February 2018

Ammonium perchlorate(AP) and LiBH4 can form an oxidation‐fuel energetic system, which provides a new development direction in designing novel mixed explosive formula. The microcalorimetry and self‐designed slow cook‐off setup were used to study thermal performance of AP/LiBH4 energetic powders and grains respectively. Experimental results show that heat release in microcalorimetry method for the mixed system at low temperature was due to the reaction between LiBH4 and residual water vapour. The oxidant gases from AP decomposition participate in the oxidation of LiBH4 at high temperature. The ignition temperature for the AP/LiBH4 grain was 270 °C and the explosion reactions were violent in slow cook‐off test.
From Molecule to Cluster to Bulk: Water OH Vibrations in Different Surroundings
Authors: HERMANSSON KERSTI , OJAMÄE LARS
Published: February 2018

Vibrational spectra for the O—H stretching motion of HDO molecules in different surroundings have been calculated by quantum mechanical ab initio methods and compared with experimental spectra. The free water molecule, water chains, and ion–water clusters are discussed. Solvent effects on OH vibrations in liquid water have been calculated as well as “in‐crystal” OH frequencies in some ice and ionic crystalline hydrate structures. The importance of nonadditivity effects, electron correlation (at the mp2 level), and long‐range interactions for the total frequency downshift is demonstrated. It is shown that the inclusion of these effects, in conjunction with a variational quantum mechanical treatment of the anharmonic vibrational stretching motion (force constants up to the fourth order), yields vibrational frequencies in quantitative agreement with experiment for a wide range of aqueous systems.
How to Construct DNA Hydrogels for Environmental Applications: Advanced Water Treatment and Environmental Analysis
Authors: Wang Yingrong , Zhu Yuan , Hu Yi , Zeng Guangming , Zhang Yi , Zhang Chang , Feng Chongling
Published: February 2018

With high binding affinity, porous structures, safety, green, programmability, etc., DNA hydrogels have gained increasing recognition in the environmental field, i.e., advanced treatment technology of water and analysis of specific pollutants. DNA hydrogels have been demonstrated as versatile potential adsorbents, immobilization carriers of bioactive molecules, catalysts, sensors, etc. Moreover, altering components or choosing appropriate functional DNA optimizes environment‐oriented hydrogels. However, the lack of comprehensive information hinders the continued optimization. The principle used to fabricate the most suitable hydrogels in terms of the requirements is the focus of this Review. First, different fabrication strategies are introduced and the ideal characteristic for environmental applications is in focus. Subsequently, recent environmental applications and the development of diverse DNA hydrogels regarding their synthesis mechanism are summarized. Finally, the Review provides an insight into the remaining challenging and future perspectives in environmental applications.
Imparting Designer Biorecognition Functionality to Metal–Organic Frameworks by a DNA‐Mediated Surface Engineering Strategy
Authors: Ning Weiyu , Di Zhenghan , Yu Yingjie , Zeng Pingmei , Di Chunzhi , Chen Daquan , Kong Xueqian , Nie Guangjun , Zhao Yuliang , Li Lele
Published: February 2018

Surface functionality is an essential component for processing and application of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). A simple and cost‐effective strategy for DNA‐mediated surface engineering of zirconium‐based nanoscale MOFs (NMOFs) is presented, capable of endowing them with specific molecular recognition properties and thus expanding their potential for applications in nanotechnology and biotechnology. It is shown that efficient immobilization of functional DNA on NMOFs can be achieved via surface coordination chemistry. With this strategy, it is demonstrated that such porphyrin‐based NMOFs can be modified with a DNA aptamer for targeting specific cancer cells. Furthermore, the DNA–NMOFs can facilitate the delivery of therapeutic DNA (e.g., CpG) into cells for efficient recognition of endosomal Toll‐like receptor 9 and subsequent enhanced immunostimulatory activity in vitro and in vivo. No apparent toxicity is observed with systemic delivery of the DNA–NMOFs in vivo. Overall, these results suggest that the strategy allows for surface functionalization of MOFs with different functional DNAs, extending the use of these materials to diverse applications in biosensor, bioimaging, and nanomedicine.
Gas sensing and capturing based on two‐dimensional layered materials: Overview from theoretical perspective
Authors: Tang Xiao , Du Aijun , Kou Liangzhi
Published: February 2018

Toxic gas detection and capture are two important topics, which are highly related with human health and environments. Recently, theoretical simulations based on first‐principles calculations have suggested two‐dimensional (2D) materials to be as ideal candidates for gas sensing and capturing due to the large surface–volume ratio and reactive surface. Starting from graphene, which was firstly proposed for 2D gas sensing, the family currently has been extended to transition metal dichalcogenides, phosphorene, silicene, germanene, MXene, and so on. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of recent progress in computational investigations of 2D gas sensing/capture materials. We then offer perspectives on possible directions for further fundamental exploration of gas sensor and caption based on 2D materials, which are expected to offer tremendous new opportunities for future research and development.

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science
Habitat effects on golden‐cheeked warbler productivity in an urban landscape
Authors: Robinson Dianne H. , Mathewson Heather A. , Morrison Michael L. , Wilkins R. Neal
Published: February 2018

Habitat fragmentation and isolation can result in decreased occupancy and reproductive success within songbirds, particularly for species inhabiting urban environments where available habitat may be limited. The golden‐cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) is a federally endangered songbird that inhabits oak–juniper (Quercus spp.–Juniperus spp.) woodlands across central Texas, USA. Past research has indicated decreased patch occupancy and productivity near urban areas. We monitored patch occupancy, territory establishment, pairing success, and fledging success of warblers in an urban environment. Warblers occupied 24% (n = 63) of patches surveyed; 10% (n = 63) of habitat patches had ≥1 established territory. Warblers successfully paired in 4 patches and fledged young in 3 patches. We found an increasing probability of occupancy at approximately 65–70% canopy cover, and an added effect of distance to the nearest habitat patch. We found that distance to and size of the nearest habitat patch best predicted territory establishment. Patch size and size of the nearest habitat patch best predicted pairing success. Although our results were inconclusive for fledging success, a review of available data suggests patch size, size of, and distance to the nearest habitat patch all affect warbler reproductive activity. We recommend to manage for oak–juniper woodland patches with >70% canopy cover that are >26 ha in size, in close proximity to other oak–juniper woodland patches with equal or greater canopy cover and patch size when managing for golden‐cheeked warblers within an urban matrix. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Cover Image, Volume 10, Issue 2
Authors: Fields Chris , Levin Michael
Published: February 2018

The cover image, by Chris Fields and Michael Levin, is based on Overview Multiscale memory and bioelectric error correction in the cytoplasm–cytoskeleton‐membrane system, DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1410.

image
Bowl Shaped Monodentate Phosphines by Condensation of Imidazole Units with Boranes
Authors: Schall Helene , Fritz Olaf , Schikora Margot , Elias Jana , Pritzkow Hans , Wadepohl Hubert , Enders Markus
Published: February 2018

The condensation of imidazole moieties with boranes leading to molecular units with N–BR2–N bridges was accomplished by attaching three imidazole units to a single phosphorus atom. In this way, boron bridged trisimidazolylphosphines 3–7 were synthesized in good yields. The chiral derivatives 5a, 5d, 6, and 7 are C3 symmetric, whereas 5b and 5c carry no symmetry element (C1). The steric bulk of the ligands can easily be tuned by introduction of different substituents at the three bridging boron atoms. All phosphines feature small CPC angles between 91–93° leading to a s‐type lone pair donor at the phosphorus atom combined with reasonable π‐accepting properties. Ni (8) and Au metal complexes (9, 10) with very short metal phosphorus bonds were synthesized. The short metal–phosphorus distance is a consequence of the pronounced s‐character of the phosphine lone pair.
Arrestins: structural disorder creates rich functionality
Authors: Gurevich Vsevolod V , Gurevich Eugenia V , Uversky Vladimir N
Published: February 2018

Arrestins are soluble relatively small 44–46 kDa proteins that specifically bind hundreds of active phosphorylated GPCRs and dozens of non-receptor partners. There are binding partners that demonstrate preference for each of the known arrestin conformations: free, receptor-bound, and microtubule-bound. Recent evidence suggests that conformational flexibility in every functional state is the defining characteristic of arrestins. Flexibility, or plasticity, of proteins is often described as structural disorder, in contrast to the fixed conformational order observed in high-resolution crystal structures. However, protein-protein interactions often involve highly flexible elements that can assume many distinct conformations upon binding to different partners. Existing evidence suggests that arrestins are no exception to this rule: their flexibility is necessary for functional versatility. The data on arrestins and many other multi-functional proteins indicate that in many cases, “order” might be artificially imposed by highly non-physiological crystallization conditions and/or crystal packing forces. In contrast, conformational flexibility (and its extreme case, intrinsic disorder) is a more natural state of proteins, representing true biological order that underlies their physiologically relevant functions.
Isolated singularities of the prescribed mean curvature equation in Minkowski 3-space
Authors: Gálvez José A. , Jiménez Asun , Mira Pablo
Published: February 2018

We give a classification of non-removable isolated singularities for real analytic solutions of the prescribed mean curvature equation in Minkowski 3-space.
Incidence and Economic Impact of Incidental Findings on 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging
Authors: Adams Scott J. , Rakheja Rajan , Bryce Rhonda , Babyn Paul S.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The study sought to determine the incidence of incidental findings on whole-body positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging and the average costs of investigations to follow-up or further characterize incidental findings.

Methods

Imaging reports of 215 patients who underwent whole-body PET/CT imaging were retrospectively reviewed. Our provincial picture archiving and communication system was queried and patient charts were reviewed to identify all investigations performed to follow-up incidental findings within 1 year of the initial PET/CT study. Costs of follow-up imaging studies (professional and technical components) and other diagnostic tests and procedures were determined in Canadian dollars (CAD) and U.S. dollars (USD) using the 2015 Ontario Health Insurance Plan Schedule of Benefits and Fees and 2016 U.S. Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, respectively.

Results

At least 1 incidental finding was reported in 161 reports (74.9%). The mean number of incidental findings ranged from 0.64 in patients <45 years of age to 2.2 in patients 75 years of age and older. Seventy-five recommendations for additional investigations were made for 64 (30%) patients undergoing PET/CT imaging, and 14 of those were carried out specifically to follow-up incidental findings. Averaged across all 215 patients, the total cost of investigations recommended to follow-up incidental findings was CAD$105.51 (USD$127.56) per PET/CT study if all recommendations were acted on, and CAD$22.77 (USD$29.14) based on investigations actually performed.

Conclusions

As the incidence of incidental findings increases with age and a larger proportion of elderly patients is expected as population demographics change, it will be increasingly important to consider incidental findings on PET/CT imaging with standardized approaches to follow-up.
Clinical Image Quality and Sensitivity in an Organized Mammography Screening Program
Authors: Théberge Isabelle , Guertin Marie-Hélène , Vandal Nathalie , Daigle Jean-Marc , Dufresne Michel-Pierre , Wadden Nancy , Shumak Rene , Samson Caroline , Langlois André , Larocque Isabelle , Perron Linda , Pelletier Éric , Brisson Jacques
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The study sought to examine the association between clinical image quality of mammograms and screening sensitivity.

Methods

Four radiologists evaluated the clinical image quality of 374 invasive screen-detected cancers and 356 invasive interval breast cancers for which quality evaluation of screening mammograms could be assessed from cancers diagnosed among participants in the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program in 2007. Quality evaluation was based on the Canadian Association of Radiologists accreditation criteria, which are similar to those of the American College of Radiology. The association between clinical quality and screening sensitivity was assessed by logistic regression. Adjusted sensitivity and adjusted sensitivity ratios were obtained through marginal standardization. No institutional review board approval was required.

Results

A proportion of 28% (206 of 730) of screening mammograms had lower overall quality for the majority of assessments. Positioning was the quality attribute that was the most frequently deficient. The 2-year screening sensitivity reached 68%. Sensitivity of screening was not statistically associated with the overall quality (ratio of 2-year sensitivity = 1.03; 95% confidence interval: 0.93-1.15) or with any quality attributes (positioning, exposure, compression, sharpness, artifacts, contrast). Results were similar for the 1-year sensitivity.

Conclusions

Although not all mammograms in the Quebec screening program met the optimum quality required by the Canadian Association of Radiologists or American College of Radiology accreditation, the screening mammograms produced in this population-based organized screening program reached a high enough level of quality so that the remaining variation in quality is too little to impair screening sensitivity.
Percutaneous Liver Tumour Ablation: Image Guidance, Endpoint Assessment, and Quality Control
Authors: Puijk Robbert S. , Ruarus Alette H. , Scheffer Hester J. , Vroomen Laurien G.P.H. , van Tilborg Aukje A.J.M. , de Vries Jan J.J. , Berger Ferco H. , van den Tol Petrousjka M.P. , Meijerink Martijn R.
Published: February 2018

Liver tumour ablation nowadays represents a routine treatment option for patients with primary and secondary liver tumours. Radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation are the most widely adopted methods, although novel techniques, such as irreversible electroporation, are quickly working their way up. The percutaneous approach is rapidly gaining popularity because of its minimally invasive character, low complication rate, good efficacy rate, and repeatability. However, matched to partial hepatectomy and open ablations, the issue of ablation site recurrences remains unresolved and necessitates further improvement. For percutaneous liver tumour ablation, several real-time imaging modalities are available to improve tumour visibility, detect surrounding critical structures, guide applicators, monitor treatment effect, and, if necessary, adapt or repeat energy delivery. Known predictors for success are tumour size, location, lesion conspicuity, tumour-free margin, and operator experience. The implementation of reliable endpoints to assess treatment efficacy allows for completion-procedures, either within the same session or within a couple of weeks after the procedure. Although the effect on overall survival may be trivial, (local) progression-free survival will indisputably improve with the implementation of reliable endpoints. This article reviews the available needle navigation techniques, evaluates potential treatment endpoints, and proposes an algorithm for quality control after the procedure.
Towards a Canadian Eskimo orthography and literature (II)
Authors: Gagné Raymond C.
Published: February 2018

On establishing a Standard Literary Language (SLL). Having once designed a SO to serve all the Canadian Eskimo dialects, the question of selecting a standard literary language remains. It is important to repeat that the existence of the former does not presuppose the use of the latter. The best proof of this is the existence of the syllabary which most Canadian dialects have used as a SO although not one of them is as yet recognized as representing a SLL.

Most languages of long literary tradition developed, at least in the early stages, without any organized central control. The fact that the Canadian government and other groups such as religious bodies can benefit themselves and the Eskimos by publishing their texts in a SLL written phonemically makes it necessary to decide on the criteria that will govern the official choice of the dialect that will form the basis of the SLL. To wait for the natural process of history for the creation of a SLL among a population of some 10,000 Eskimos would involve too long a period of time and might even endanger the survival of their language under the increasing influence of the white man’s language.
Morphophonologie française: Observations sur les variations Morphophonologiques du Présent de L’Indicatif en Français
Authors: Rondeau G.
Published: February 2018

Desservie par une terminologie ambiguë la morphophonologie n’a jusqu’ici intéressé qu’un petit nombre de linguistes qui, au reste, ne sont pas encore parvenus à définir ses limites exactes. Si T. de Felice, E. A. Nida et A. Martinet, entre autres, ont noté l’existence des variations phonologiques au sein du système morphologique, le premier n’a pas poussé ses recherches assez loin pour aboutir à la découverte d’un système et les deux autres semblent avoir jugé un tel travail inutile.
A tentative glossary of Thracian words
Authors: Sotiroff George
Published: February 2018

While the only Thracian inscription known so far remains the one on the golden ring brought to light in 1912, in Ezerovo, near Philippopolis, the possibility cannot be ruled out of finding other inscriptions in this language in the not too distant future. At least two important discoveries have been made recently on the territory of ancient Thrace: the richly decorated royal tomb, near Kazanlak, dating from the third century B.C., which was found in 1944, and the objects excavated at the site of Seuthopolis, a city which seems to have gone down in flames around 229 B.C., after a life of some 130 years. The site was allowed to disappear at the bottom of a man-made lake, following the completion of a hydro-electric project in 1954. Prior to that, valuable archaeological material had been recovered, including more than 1,100 ancient coins, and an interesting inscription in Greek, concerning relations between Thrace and Macedon.
Commentaires sur l’édition russe du «Lexique… »
Authors: Grebenschikov W.
Published: February 2018

Les Trois Éditions françaises du « Lexique de la terminologie linguistique » de Jules Marouzeau viennent d’être suivies d’une édition russe. Ce qui attire particulièrement notre attention dans cette dernière publication, ce sont les nombreuses notes infra-marginales que le traducteur N. D. Andrejev ou le rédacteur A. A. Reformackij ont ajoutées au texte original. Après examen nous pourrions répartir ces notes en trois catégories: (a) les notes qui viennent compléter les articles originaux en nous fournissant des informations supplémentaires souvent intéressantes sur des problèmes de linguistique générale; (b) celles qui apportent des corrections ou des compléments de renseignements d’ordre linguistique appliqués à des cas particuliers de la langue russe; (c) enfin, les notes qui exposent le point de vue des linguistes soviétiques sur des problèmes de linguistique générale.
Assessing the Psychometric Properties of the Comprehensive Inventory	of Mindfulness Experiences (CHIME) Using Rasch Analysis
Authors: Medvedev Oleg N. , Bergomi Claudia , Röthlin Philipp , Krägeloh Christian U.
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Mindfulness-based interventions are found beneficial to improving well-being and alleviating symptoms of psychological distress, although accurate measurement of the psychological construct of mindfulness remains a challenge. Theoretical work has highlighted characteristics of mindfulness, which can be assessed comprehensively by the recently developed eight-factor Comprehensive Inventory of Mindfulness Experiences (CHIME). While the instrument has demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties, its ability to discriminate precisely across individual mindfulness levels has not been rigorously investigated. The current study subjected responses of 443 participants to Rasch analysis to investigate and enhance the psychometric properties of the CHIME. The best fit to the Rasch model was achieved for every individual subscale with only minor modifications that involved combining some locally dependent items into a testlet. The total scale was then fitted to the Rasch model with individual subscales treated as testlets, and the best model fit was attained after two correlated subscales were treated as a single testlet, χ2(63) = 70.76, p = .23. Therefore, it was possible to generate ordinal-to-interval conversion tables for individual subscales and the total scale scores, which increase the instrument’s precision. The results support internal construct validity and enhance psychometric properties of the CHIME.
Thermal influences on spontaneous rock dome exfoliation
Authors: Collins Brian D. , Stock Greg M. , Eppes Martha-Cary , Lewis Scott W. , Corbett Skye C. , Smith Joel B.
Published: February 2018

Rock domes, with their onion-skin layers of exfoliation sheets, are among the most captivating landforms on Earth. Long recognized as integral in shaping domes, the exact mechanism(s) by which exfoliation occurs remains enigmatic, mainly due to the lack of direct observations of natural events. In August 2014, during the hottest days of summer, a granitic dome in California, USA, spontaneously exfoliated; witnesses observed extensive cracking, including a ~8000 kg sheet popping into the air. Subsequent exfoliation episodes during the following two summers were recorded by instrumentation that captured—for the first time—exfoliation deformation and stress conditions. Here we show that thermal cycling and cumulative dome surface heating can induce subcritical cracking that culminates in seemingly spontaneous exfoliation. Our results indicate that thermal stresses—largely discounted in dome formation literature—can play a key role in triggering exfoliation and therefore may be an important control for shaping domes worldwide.
Publisher Correction: Intercalation events visualized in single microcrystals of graphite
Authors: White Edward R. , Lodico Jared J. , Regan B. C.
Published: February 2018

The Peer Review File associated with this Article was updated shortly after publication to redact confidential comments to the editor.
The assassin bug Pristhesancus plagipennis produces two distinct venoms in separate gland lumens
Authors: Walker Andrew A. , Mayhew Mark L. , Jin Jiayi , Herzig Volker , Undheim Eivind A. B. , Sombke Andy , Fry Bryan G. , Meritt David J. , King Glenn F.
Published: February 2018

The assassin bug venom system plays diverse roles in prey capture, defence and extra-oral digestion, but it is poorly characterised, partly due to its anatomical complexity. Here we demonstrate that this complexity results from numerous adaptations that enable assassin bugs to modulate the composition of their venom in a context-dependent manner. Gland reconstructions from multimodal imaging reveal three distinct venom gland lumens: the anterior main gland (AMG); posterior main gland (PMG); and accessory gland (AG). Transcriptomic and proteomic experiments demonstrate that the AMG and PMG produce and accumulate distinct sets of venom proteins and peptides. PMG venom, which can be elicited by electrostimulation, potently paralyses and kills prey insects. In contrast, AMG venom elicited by harassment does not paralyse prey insects, suggesting a defensive role. Our data suggest that assassin bugs produce offensive and defensive venoms in anatomically distinct glands, an evolutionary adaptation that, to our knowledge, has not been described for any other venomous animal.
Input–output maps are strongly biased towards simple outputs
Authors: Dingle Kamaludin , Camargo Chico Q. , Louis Ard A.
Published: February 2018

Many systems in nature can be described using discrete input–output maps. Without knowing details about a map, there may seem to be no a priori reason to expect that a randomly chosen input would be more likely to generate one output over another. Here, by extending fundamental results from algorithmic information theory, we show instead that for many real-world maps, the a priori probabilityP(x) that randomly sampled inputs generate a particular outputxdecays exponentially with the approximate Kolmogorov complexity$$\tilde K(x)$$K̃(x)of that output. These input–output maps are biased towards simplicity. We derive an upper boundP(x) ≲ $$2^{ - a\tilde K(x) - b}$$2-aK̃(x)-b, which is tight for most inputs. The constantsaandb, as well as many properties of  P(x), can be predicted with minimal knowledge of the map. We explore this strong bias towards simple outputs in systems ranging from the folding of RNA secondary structures to systems of coupled ordinary differential equations to a stochastic financial trading model.
Polyrotaxane-based supramolecular theranostics
Authors: Yu Guocan , Yang Zhen , Fu Xiao , Yung Bryant C. , Yang Jie , Mao Zhengwei , Shao Li , Hua Bin , Liu Yijing , Zhang Fuwu , Fan Quli , Wang Sheng , Jacobson Orit , Jin Albert , Gao Changyou , Tang Xiaoying , Huang Feihe , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: February 2018

The development of smart theranostic systems with favourable biocompatibility, high loading efficiency, excellent circulation stability, potent anti-tumour activity, and multimodal diagnostic functionalities is of importance for future clinical application. The premature burst release and poor degradation kinetics indicative of polymer-based nanomedicines remain the major obstacles for clinical translation. Herein we prepare theranostic shell-crosslinked nanoparticles (SCNPs) using a β-cyclodextrin-based polyrotaxane (PDI-PCL-b-PEG-RGD⊃β-CD-NH2) to avoid premature drug leakage and achieve precisely controllable release, enhancing the maximum tolerated dose of the supramolecular nanomedicines. cRGDfK and perylene diimide are chosen as the stoppers of PDI-PCL-b-PEG-RGD⊃β-CD-NH2, endowing the resultant SCNPs with excellent integrin targeting ability, photothermal effect, and photoacoustic capability. In vivo anti-tumour studies demonstrate that drug-loaded SCNPs completely eliminate the subcutaneous tumours without recurrence after a single-dose injection combining chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. These supramolecular nanomedicines also exhibit excellent anti-tumour performance against orthotopic breast cancer and prevent lung metastasis with negligible systemic toxicity.
Acute effects of air pollution on respiratory disease mortalities and outpatients in Southeastern China
Authors: Mo Zhe , Fu Qiuli , Zhang Lifang , Lyu Danni , Mao Guangming , Wu Lizhi , Xu Peiwei , Wang Zhifang , Pan Xuejiao , Chen Zhijian , Wang Xiaofeng , Lou Xiaoming
Published: February 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential association between air pollutants and respiratory diseases (RDs). Generalized additive models were used to analyze the effect of air pollutants on mortalities or outpatient visits. The average concentrations of air pollutants in Hangzhou (HZ) were 1.6–2.8 times higher than those in Zhoushan (ZS), except for O3. In a single pollutant model, the increased concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 were strongly associated with deaths caused by RD in HZ, while PM2.5 and O3 were associated with deaths caused by RD in ZS. All air pollutants (PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and O3) were strongly associated with outpatient visits for RD in both HZ and ZS. In multiple pollutant models, a significant association was only observed between PM2.5 and the mortality rate of RD patients in both HZ and in ZS. Moreover, strong associations between SO2, NO2, and outpatient visits for RD were observed in HZ and ZS. This study has provided evidence that both the mortality rates and outpatient visits for RD were significantly associated with air pollutants. Furthermore, the results showed that different air pollutant levels lead to regional differences between mortality rates and outpatient visits.
Design and Demonstration of Impedance-matched Dual-band Chiral Metasurfaces
Authors: Kim Minseok , Eleftheriades George V.
Published: February 2018

We propose a new family of impedance-matched chiral metasurfaces that offer arbitrary polarization control at two different frequencies. To this end, two main problems are addressed: (1) determination of the required surface impedances for a certain user-defined chiral functionality at two frequencies and (2) their physical realization at microwaves. The first milestone is achieved through a proposed synthesis method that combines a semi-analytical method and a nonlinear optimization technique. In particular, the impedances are computed such that the devised chiral metasurface is also impedance-matched to a terminating medium. The chiral metasurfaces are then physically realized at microwaves by cascading layers of rotated arrays of multiple concentric rectangular copper rings. We establish that these proposed unit cells offer distinct dual-resonances that can be arbitrarily and independently tuned for two orthogonal linear polarizations at each of the two operating frequencies. This allows simultaneous physical mapping of the required surface impedances at two frequencies. The versatility and generality of the proposed numerical and physical solutions are demonstrated through two design examples: A dual-band circular polarization selective surface (CPSS) and a dual-band polarization rotator (PR). The dual-band CPSS is further confirmed experimentally at 20 GHz and 30 GHz based on a free-space quasi-optical system.
The Effects of Housing Density on Social Interactions and Their Correlations with Serotonin in Rodents and Primates
Authors: Lee Young-A , Obora Tsukasa , Bondonny Laura , Toniolo Amelie , Mivielle Johanna , Yamaguchi Yoshie , Kato Akemi , Takita Masatoshi , Goto Yukiori
Published: February 2018

Population density has been suggested to affect social interactions of individuals, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. In contrast, neurotransmission of monoamines such as serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) has been demonstrated to play important roles in social behaviors. Here, we investigated whether housing density affected social interactions of rodents and non-human primates housed in groups, and its correlations with monoamines. Japanese macaques exhibited higher plasma 5-HT, but not DA, concentrations than rhesus macaques. Similarly, C57BL/6 mice exhibited higher plasma and brain tissue 5-HT concentrations than DBA2 mice. Under crowding, C57BL/6 mice and Japanese macaques exhibited more prominent social avoidance with mates than DBA2 mice and rhesus macaques, respectively. Although DBA2 mice and rhesus macaques in crowding exhibited elevated plasma stress hormones, such stress hormone elevations associated with crowding were absent in C57BL/6 mice and Japanese macaques. Administration of parachlorophenylalanine, which inhibits 5-HT synthesis, increased social interactions and stress hormones in C57BL/6 mice under crowding. These results suggest that, animals with hyperserotonemia may exhibit social avoidance as an adaptive behavioral strategy to mitigate stress associated with crowding environments, which may also be relevant to psychiatric disorder such as autism spectrum disorder.
Lack of galectin-3 modifies differentially Notch ligands in bone marrow and spleen stromal cells interfering with B cell differentiation
Authors: de Oliveira Felipe Leite , dos Santos Sofia Nascimento , Ricon Lauremilia , da Costa Thayse Pinheiro , Pereira Jonathas Xavier , Brand Camila , Fermino Marise Lopes , Chammas Roger , Bernardes Emerson Soares , El-Cheikh Márcia Cury
Published: February 2018

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside binding protein that controls cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. In lymphoid organs, gal-3 inhibits B cell differentiation by mechanisms poorly understood. The B cell development is dependent on tissue organization and stromal cell signaling, including IL-7 and Notch pathways. Here, we investigate possible mechanisms that gal-3 interferes during B lymphocyte differentiation in the bone marrow (BM) and spleen. The BM of gal-3-deficient mice (Lgals3−/− mice) was evidenced by elevated numbers of B220+CD19+c-Kit+IL-7R+ progenitor B cells. In parallel, CD45− bone marrow stromal cells expressed high levels of mRNA IL-7, Notch ligands (Jagged-1 and Delta-like 4), and transcription factors (Hes-1, Hey-1, Hey-2 and Hey-L). The spleen of Lgals3−/− mice was hallmarked by marginal zone disorganization, high number of IgM+IgD+ B cells and CD138+ plasma cells, overexpression of Notch ligands (Jagged-1, Delta-like 1 and Delta-like 4) by stromal cells and Hey-1. Morever, IgM+IgD+ B cells and B220+CD138+ CXCR4+ plasmablasts were significantly increased in the BM and blood of Lgals3−/− mice. For the first time, we demonstrated that gal-3 inhibits Notch signaling activation in lymphoid organs regulating earlier and terminal events of B cell differentiation.
Bronchial extracellular matrix from COPD patients induces altered gene expression in repopulated primary human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Hedström Ulf , Hallgren Oskar , Öberg Lisa , DeMicco Amy , Vaarala Outi , Westergren-Thorsson Gunilla , Zhou Xiaohong
Published: February 2018

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious global health problem characterized by chronic airway inflammation, progressive airflow limitation and destruction of lung parenchyma. Remodeling of the bronchial airways in COPD includes changes in both the bronchial epithelium and the subepithelial extracellular matrix (ECM). To explore the impact of an aberrant ECM on epithelial cell phenotype in COPD we developed a new ex vivo model, in which normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells repopulate and differentiate on decellularized human bronchial scaffolds derived from COPD patients and healthy individuals. By using transcriptomics, we show that bronchial ECM from COPD patients induces differential gene expression in primary NHBE cells when compared to normal bronchial ECM. The gene expression profile indicated altered activity of upstream mediators associated with COPD pathophysiology, including hepatocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor beta 1 and platelet-derived growth factor B, which suggests that COPD-related changes in the bronchial ECM contribute to the defective regenerative ability in the airways of COPD patients.
Optimization of ClpXP activity and protein synthesis in an E. coli extract-based cell-free expression system
Authors: Shi Xinying , Wu Ti , M. Cole Christian , K. Devaraj Neal , Joseph Simpson
Published: February 2018

Protein degradation is a fundamental process in all living cells and is essential to remove both damaged proteins and intact proteins that are no longer needed by the cell. We are interested in creating synthetic genetic circuits that function in a cell-free expression system. This will require not only an efficient protein expression platform but also a robust protein degradation system in cell extract. Therefore, we purified and tested the activity of E. coli ClpXP protease in cell-free transcription-translation (TX-TL) systems that used E. coli S30 cell extract. Surprisingly, our studies showed that purified ClpXP added to the TX-TL system has very low proteolytic activity. The low activity of ClpXP was correlated with the rapid consumption of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in cell extract. We improved the activity of ClpXP in cell extract by adding exogenous ATP and an energy regeneration system. We then established conditions for both protein synthesis, and protein degradation by ClpXP to occur simultaneously in the TX-TL systems. The optimized conditions for ClpXP activity will be useful for creating tunable synthetic genetic circuits and in vitro synthetic biology.
Human mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 2 as an autonomous membrane transporter
Authors: Nagampalli Raghavendra Sashi Krishna , Quesñay José Edwin Neciosup , Adamoski Douglas , Islam Zeyaul , Birch James , Sebinelli Heitor Gobbi , Girard Richard Marcel Bruno Moreira , Ascenção Carolline Fernanda Rodrigues , Fala Angela Maria , Pauletti Bianca Alves , Consonni Sílvio Roberto , de Oliveira Juliana Ferreira , Silva Amanda Cristina Teixeira , Franchini Kleber Gomes , Leme Adriana Franco Paes , Silber Ariel Mariano , Ciancaglini Pietro , Moraes Isabel , Dias Sandra Martha Gomes , Ambrosio Andre Luis Berteli
Published: February 2018

The active transport of glycolytic pyruvate across the inner mitochondrial membrane is thought to involve two mitochondrial pyruvate carrier subunits, MPC1 and MPC2, assembled as a 150 kDa heterotypic oligomer. Here, the recombinant production of human MPC through a co-expression strategy is first described; however, substantial complex formation was not observed, and predominantly individual subunits were purified. In contrast to MPC1, which co-purifies with a host chaperone, we demonstrated that MPC2 homo-oligomers promote efficient pyruvate transport into proteoliposomes. The derived functional requirements and kinetic features of MPC2 resemble those previously demonstrated for MPC in the literature. Distinctly, chemical inhibition of transport is observed only for a thiazolidinedione derivative. The autonomous transport role for MPC2 is validated in cells when the ectopic expression of human MPC2 in yeast lacking endogenous MPC stimulated growth and increased oxygen consumption. Multiple oligomeric species of MPC2 across mitochondrial isolates, purified protein and artificial lipid bilayers suggest functional high-order complexes. Significant changes in the secondary structure content of MPC2, as probed by synchrotron radiation circular dichroism, further supports the interaction between the protein and ligands. Our results provide the initial framework for the independent role of MPC2 in homeostasis and diseases related to dysregulated pyruvate metabolism.
Nondestructive in-line sub-picomolar detection of magnetic nanoparticles in flowing complex fluids
Authors: Bougas Lykourgos , Langenegger Lukas D. , Mora Carlos A. , Zeltner Martin , Stark Wendelin J. , Wickenbrock Arne , Blanchard John W. , Budker Dmitry
Published: February 2018

Over the last decades, the use of magnetic nanoparticles in research and commercial applications has increased dramatically. However, direct detection of trace quantities remains a challenge in terms of equipment cost, operating conditions and data acquisition times, especially in flowing conditions within complex media. Here we present the in-line, non-destructive detection of magnetic nanoparticles using high performance atomic magnetometers at ambient conditions in flowing media. We achieve sub-picomolar sensitivities measuring ~30 nm ferromagnetic iron and cobalt nanoparticles that are suitable for biomedical and industrial applications, under flowing conditions in water and whole blood. Additionally, we demonstrate real-time surveillance of the magnetic separation of nanoparticles from water and whole blood. Overall our system has the merit of in-line direct measurement of trace quantities of ferromagnetic nanoparticles with so far unreached sensitivities and could be applied in the biomedical field (diagnostics and therapeutics) but also in the industrial sector.