bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Why would I want to go out?”: Age-related Vision Loss and Social Participation
Authors: Laliberte Rudman Debbie , Gold Deborah , McGrath Colleen , Zuvela Biljana , Spafford Marlee M. , Renwick Rebecca
Published: October 2016

La participation sociale, un élément déterminant du vieillissement en santé, est souvent liée négativement par une perte de vision à l’âge (PVA). Cette étude de théorie ancrée visait à comprendre la participation sociale comme un processus négocié dans la vie quotidienne par les adultes âgés souffrant de PVA. Les entrevues, les agendas audio et les cartes de la vie-espace ont servi à recueillir des données avec 21 aînés dans deux villes de l’Ontario. Les données, qui ont été analysées par induction, ont indiqué un modèle transactionnel du processus de négocier la participation sociale dans le contexte. Ce modèle illustre comment les caractéristiques et les ressources de l’environnement, les compétences et les habiletés, et les risques et les vulnérabilités interagissent avec les valeurs et les priorités d’affecter si et comment la participation sociale s’est produite dans le cadre de la vie quotidienne. Les conclusions soulignent plusieurs façons dont la recherche et les services s’adressant à la participation sociale des personnes âgées qui donnent signe de souffrir de la PVA ont besoin de développer, en particulier en ce qui concerne les caractéristiques de l’environnement et les ressources, le risque, et la priorisation de l’indépendance.
The Elephant in the Sales Room: Ivory and the British Antiques Trade
Authors: Cox Caroline
Published: October 2016

In March 2015, it was reported that His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cambridge would “like to see all the ivory owned by Buckingham Palace destroyed.” In May 2015, the Conservative Party’s manifesto stated that if elected the party would “press for a total ban on ivory sales,” and policy decisions made as part of President Obama’s National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking saw “all commercial imports of African elephant ivory, including antiques” being prohibited.1 In a changing international environment, the United Kingdom’s antique trade faces a threat to the legitimate sale of pre-1947 worked ivory without the extent of any illegal trade being clear. With only 15 convictions since 1992 for offences relating to the trade in ivory in the English courts, this article examines the two most recent cases, which came to court in 2014.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Provenance: A Response to Chippindale and Gill
Authors: Marlowe Elizabeth
Published: October 2016

In an influential article published in 2000, David Gill and Christopher Chippindale devised a scale to assess the quality of the provenance information provided for the antiquities displayed in seven recent high-profile exhibitions or collections. This article critically reviews Chippindale and Gill’s provenance scale, arguing that the values it encodes legitimize some of the more intellectually harmful practices of dealers and curators. The scale also fails to differentiate between more intellectually responsible methods of hypothesizing provenance and those that merely generate houses of cards. An alternative model for assessing how antiquities are discussed in museum scholarship, focusing on epistemological precision and reflexivity, is offered.
Development of ability to germinate and of longevity in air-dry storage in wheat seed crops subjected to rain shelter or simulated supplementary rainfall
Authors: Yadav Gajender , Ellis Richard H.
Published: October 2016

Climate change will alter rainfall patterns. The effect of rainfall during seed development and maturation on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed quality (ability to germinate normally; air-dry longevity in hermetic storage at 40°C with c. 15% moisture content) was investigated in field experiments (2011, 2012) by providing rain shelter or simulating additional rainfall. High ability to germinate was detected from mid seed filling until after harvest maturity. Subsequent longevity was more sensitive to stage of development. It increased progressively, reaching maximum values during maturation drying at 53–56 days after anthesis (DAA), 5–11 (2011) or 8–14 (2012) days beyond mass maturity; maximal values were maintained thereafter in 2011; longevity declined with further delay to harvest in 2012. Post-anthesis protection from rain had no major effect: in later harvests longevity was slightly greater than the control in each year, but in 2011 wetting treatments were also superior to the control. Wetting ears at all stages of development reduced longevity immediately, but considerable recovery in subsequent longevity occurred when seeds re-dried in planta for several days. The greatest damage to longevity from ear wetting occurred with treatments at about 56 DAA, with poorest recovery at 70 DAA (i.e. around harvest maturity) in absolute terms but at 56–70 DAA relative to gross damage. Hence, seed quality in a strongly dormant wheat variety was resilient to rain. Net damage was greatest from rain late in maturation. The phase of seed quality improvement in planta was dynamic with deterioration also occurring then, but with net improvement overall.
A tale of two cities – infant mortality and cause of infant death, Dublin, 1864–1910
Authors: BREATHNACH CIARA , GURRIN BRIAN
Published: October 2016

This article uses data extracted from General Register Office mortality registers to map the localization of infant mortality in Dublin city from 1864 to 1910. It traces how late nineteenth-century social inequalities were deeply rooted in the city's history. In order to contextualize the high infant mortality rates, we draw on a range of approaches to provide an overarching view of the causes of the public health problems cities like Dublin experienced.
Riots and reform: burgh authority, the languages of civic reform and the Aberdeen riot of 1785
Authors: MACKILLOP ANDREW
Published: October 2016

This article explores the understudied riots which occurred in Aberdeen in mid-October 1785. It charts the climate of politicization that characterized the burgh's civic life in the immediate aftermath of the American Revolution and before the outbreak of the equivalent process in France. In doing so, it challenges interpretations of the socially exclusive nature of the Scottish reform movement, the dynamics of continuity and change between this phenomenon and later political ‘radicalism’ and the role of Aberdeen as a ‘provincial’ metropolis in the Age of Revolution.
The role of echocardiography in the evaluation of cardiac re-modelling and differentiation between physiological and pathological hypertrophy in teenagers engaged in competitive amateur sports
Authors: Sulovic Ljiljana S. , Mahmutovic Meho , Lazic Snezana , Sulovic Nenad
Published: October 2016

Aims

“Athlete’s heart” is a cardiac adaptation to long-term intensive training. The aims of this study were to show the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in teenagers who participate in sports, to define the different types of cardiac re-modelling, and to differentiate between physiological and pathological hypertrophy.

Method

Echocardiographic measurements were obtained by M-mode, two dimensional, and Doppler techniques of participants from sports and control groups.

Results

The echocardiographic examinations included 100 healthy teenagers taking part in dynamic sports such as football and basketball and 100 healthy teenagers taking part in static sports such as karate and judo. The control group (n=100) included healthy, sedentary teenagers. Sports participants had significantly higher left ventricular mass when compared with the control group, (p<0.001). In the dynamic sports group, 29% of the respondents had left ventricular mass above the 95th percentile, whereas 71% had left ventricular mass below the 95th percentile (p<0.001). The cardiac re-modelling was eccentric (79.4 versus 20.6%, p<0.001). In the group of static sports participants, 37% had left ventricular mass above the 95th percentile, whereas 63% had left ventricular mass below the 95th percentile (z score 0.74±0.82, p<0.001). The prevalence of concentric and eccentric types of re-modelling was equally manifested (54.05 versus 45.95%, p>0.05). Respondents from both groups had E/A ratios (transmitral flow velocity ratio)>1, preserved diastolic function, and statistically they did not differ from the control group.

Conclusion

Echocardiographic parameters show that physiological hypertrophy and cardiac re-modelling are present in teenagers who play sports. Unexpectedly, the prevalence of concentric and eccentric types of re-modelling is equally possible in the group of static sports participants.
Early postoperative extubation of unstable patients following total cavopulmonary connection: impact on circulation and outcome
Authors: Georgiev Stanimir , Balling Gunter , Ruf Bettina , Ackermann Kilian , von Ohain Jelena P. , Schreiber Christian , Ewert Peter
Published: October 2016

Objectives

We aimed to investigate whether early postoperative extubation following the Fontan operation is universally feasible and can be used as a management tool in unstable patients.

Methods

All patients undergoing the Fontan operation in our centre between 2004 and 2013 (n=253) were analysed. Until 2008, patients were extubated according to standard criteria and comprised group 1. Group 2 included all patients presenting after 2009, when early extubation was always aimed regardless of the haemodynamic status. Patients who exceeded the 75th percentiles for volume requirements and inotrope scores for the respective group were defined as unstable. Comparisons of outcomes between groups and subgroups and analysis of the changes in haemodynamic and treatment parameters with extubation in unstable patients after 2009 were performed.

Results

Compared with group 1, patients from group 2 were ventilated for shorter duration (p<0.001), had similar re-intubation rates (p=0.50), and needed less volume (p=0.01). In group 2, the unstable patients were not ventilated for longer durations (p=0.19), but had higher re-intubation rates (p=0.03) than the stable patients. Compared with the unstable patients from group 1, the unstable patients from group 2 were ventilated for shorter duration (p<0.001), had similar re-intubation rates (p=0.66), and needed less volume (p=0.006). There was a significant acute and sustained increase in mean arterial pressure with extubation and a parallel reduction in volume requirements and inotrope scores in the unstable patients from group 2.

Conclusions

Timely extubation is universally applicable following the Fontan operation. Early postoperative extubation can be valuable for improving Fontan haemodynamics.
PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN A HIERARCHICAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WITH CAPITAL–SKILL COMPLEMENTARITY
Authors: Sarid Assaf
Published: October 2016

In this study I bring together two different literatures: the hierarchical education literature and the skill-biased growth literature. In an overlapping-generations model I introduce capital–skill complementarity into a hierarchical education system. I obtain results that differ qualitatively from previous studies, among which are the following: (i) At earlier stages of development, basically educated labor contributes to growth more than highly educated labor. The opposite occurs at later stages. (ii) Even when all individuals acquire higher education, a growth-enhancing policy subsidizes higher education. (iii) In a growth-enhancing policy, the share of public resources allocated to basic education declines as the economy grows. (iv) The enrollment rate evolves in an S-shaped pattern, as occurred in several OECD countries.
An alternative option to reduce lung dose for electron scar boost irradiation in post-mastectomy breast cancer patients with a thin chest wall
Authors: Lee Yongsook C. , Kumar Parvesh
Published: October 2016

Aim

We evaluated water-equivalent slabs as an alternative to a bolus to reduce radiation dose to the underlying lungs during electron scar boost irradiation in breast cancer patients with a thin chest wall undergoing post-mastectomy radiation therapy.

Materials and methods

Percent depth doses (PDDs) and attenuation factors were obtained for 6 MeV (the lowest electron energy in most clinics) with solid water slabs (1–10 mm by 1 mm increments) placed on top of electron cones. Scatter dose to contralateral breast caused by the solid water slabs was measured on a human-like phantom using two selective scar boost patient setups.

Results

The PDD plots showed that the solid water slabs had similar dosimetric effects to the bolus with lower skin dose to ipsilateral breast for the same thickness. Slab attenuation and scatter dose to the contralateral breast were increased by ~220% and by a factor of 3 with a 5 mm slab, respectively.

Findings

Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using water-equivalent slabs to reduce lung dose for electron scar boost treatment in mastectomy patients with a thin chest wall. However, the increases in treatment time and scatter dose to the contralateral breast are the disadvantages of this approach.
Das Motivations- und Selbststeuerungstraining für begabte Underachiever
Authors: Fischer-Ontrup Christiane , Fischer Christian
Published: October 2016

Zusammenfassung. Das Motivations- und Selbststeuerungstraining (MoST) wurde speziell für sogenannte Underachiever, SchülerInnen, die ihr hohes Potenzial nicht in Leistung umsetzen können, entwickelt. Es basiert auf der PSI-Theorie nach Kuhl (2001) und verfolgt eine lösungsorientierte Richtung ( de Shazer, 1989 ; Bamberger, 1999 ). Der Fokus wird auf die Ressourcen der SchülerInnen gelegt. Vorhandene Motivations- und Selbststeuerungsfähigkeiten werden diagnostiziert, um anhand dessen individuelle Trainingsbausteine zu erarbeiten, die es den SchülerInnen ermöglichen sollen, schulische Anforderungen wieder als positive Herausforderungen meistern zu können. Anhand eines Fallbeispiels des Schülers Aaron wird verdeutlicht, wie die Beratung im Rahmen des Motivations- und Selbststeuerungstrainings ablaufen kann und auf welche Weise SchülerInnen derart geholfen werden kann, Schule wieder positiv zu erleben und Lern- und Leistungsherausforderungen erfolgreich zu bewältigen.
Spezifika der Identifikation mathematischer Begabung bei Hörschädigung
Authors: Brandl Matthias , Nordheimer Swetlana
Published: October 2016

Zusammenfassung. Hinsichtlich der Identifikation eines mathematischen Begabungspotentials bieten sich unterschiedliche Wege an, die sich in der Regel synergetisch ergänzen. Im Falle einer doppelt-exzeptionellen Schnittstellensituation von potentiell mathematisch begabten hörgeschädigten Schülerinnen und Schülern stoßen traditionelle und standardisierte Vorgehensweisen auf Hindernisse. Anhand einer qualitativen Einzelfallstudie werden diese Schwierigkeiten illustriert und Abhilfen bzw. Modifikationsmöglichkeiten für standardisierte Verfahren vorgeschlagen. Dabei handelt es sich zum Beispiel um die Aufhebung von Zeitlimits sowie eine stärkere Flankierung der Testaufgaben mittels Visualisierungen.
Alltagstheorien über Inklusion
Authors: Knauf Helen , Graffe Stephanie
Published: October 2016

Zusammenfassung. Für die Umsetzung von Inklusion in Bildungsinstitutionen ist das konkrete Handeln der mit den Kindern arbeitenden Fachkräfte von entscheidender Bedeutung. Der vorliegende Beitrag geht der Frage nach, welche Alltagstheorien von Fachkräften (Stammpersonal und externe Integrationskräfte) in Kindertageseinrichtungen besonders bedeutsam sind und ihre Handeln prägen. Grundlage der hier vorgestellten Untersuchung ist die Analyse von 104 Situationsbeschreibungen, die von den Fachkräften als inklusiv beschrieben wurden. Die Auswertung zeigt, dass die Alltagstheorien wesentlich von dem Ziel der Teilhabe von als besonders wahrgenommenen Kindern in die Gruppe geprägt werden. Als ebenfalls wichtig wird die Unterstützung bei der Überwindung von Barrieren angesehen. Nur ein geringer Teil der erfassten Alltagstheorien beschäftigt sich mit dem Abbau von Barrieren. Die Untersuchung zeigt die starke Bedeutung einer am Integrationsparadigma orientierten Auslegung von Inklusion in der konkreten pädagogischen Praxis.
Situative Unterschiede der Interaktionsqualität im Verlauf des Kindergartenalltags
Authors: Wildgruber Andreas , Wertfein Monika , Wirts Claudia , Kammermeier Marina , Danay Erik
Published: October 2016

Zusammenfassung. Die Interaktionen zwischen pädagogischen Fachkräften und Kindern sind von zentraler Bedeutung für die Moderation des kindlichen Lernens und der kindlichen Entwicklung. Angesichts der Variabilität der Interaktionen im Tagesverlauf wurde in dieser explorativen Studie untersucht, inwieweit sich Unterschiede der Interaktionsqualität zwischen verschiedenen typischen Situationen (Freispiel, moderierte Aktivitäten, Lesesituationen, Garten, Essen) in Kindertageseinrichtungen zeigen. Bei 85 Fachkräften in bayerischen Kindergärten wurden die Interaktionen zwischen Fachkräften und Kindern jeweils einen Vormittag teilnehmend beobachtet und mit dem Verfahren „Classroom Assessment Scoring System Pre-K“ ( Pianta, La Paro & Hamre, 2008 ) geratet. Es zeigte sich zum einen in Essenssituationen eine niedrigere Interaktionsqualität als in den anderen Situationen. Zum anderen fand sich vor allem im Bereich der Lernunterstützung in Lesesituationen und moderierten Aktivitäten eine höhere Interaktionsqualität als im Freispiel. Die simultane Berücksichtigung der beiden Faktoren Tageszeit und Situation ergab, dass die gefundenen Effekte auf den Faktor Situation zurückzuführen waren.
Effects of Line Separation and Exploration on the Visual and Haptic	Detection of Symmetry and Repetition
Authors: Lawson Rebecca , Ajvani Henna , Cecchetto Stefano
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Detection of regularities (e.g., symmetry, repetition) can be used to investigate object and shape perception. Symmetry and nearby lines may both signal that one object is present, so moving lines apart may disrupt symmetry detection, while repetition may signal that multiple objects are present. Participants discriminated symmetrical/irregular and repeated/irregular pairs of lines. For vision, as predicted, increased line separation disrupted symmetry detection more than repetition detection. For haptics, symmetry and repetition detection were similarly disrupted by increased line separation; also, symmetry was easier to detect than repetition for one-handed exploration and for body midline-aligned stimuli, whereas symmetry was harder to detect than repetition with two-handed exploration of stimuli oriented across the body. These effects of exploration and stimulus orientation show the influence of modality-specific processing rather than properties of the external world on regularity detection. These processes may, in turn, provide insights into the nature of objectness in vision and in touch.
Flexible Configural Learning of Non-Linear Discriminations and Detection of Stimulus Compounds
Authors: Glautier Steven , Menneer Tamaryn , Godwin Hayward J. , Donnelly Nick , Aristizabal José A.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Previous work showed that prior experience with discriminations requiring configural solutions (e.g., biconditional discrimination) confers an advantage for the learning of new configural discriminations (e.g., negative patterning) in comparison to prior experience with elemental discriminations. This effect is well established but its mechanism is not well understood. In the studies described below we assessed whether the saliences of configural and element cues were affected by prior training. We observed positive transfer to a new configural discrimination after configural pre-training but we were unable to find evidence for changes in cue salience using a signal-detection task. Our results confirm previous work by demonstrating experience-dependent flexibility in cue processing but they also suggest that this flexibility occurs at a point in the stimulus processing pipeline later than 1–2 s after the presentation of stimulus inputs. (138 words)
Celebrating the 2016 Class of Fellows
Authors:   AGU
Published: October 2016

The new class of American Geophysical Union Fellows has been selected and will be recognized at the upcoming Fall Meeting in San Francisco, Calif.
Map Reveals Hot Spots for Arctic Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: October 2016

By bringing together data on permafrost stability, soils, and other Arctic conditions, scientists have plotted where permafrost is vulnerable to collapse, which could release long-stored carbon.
Defining boundaries for the distribution of microbial communities beneath the sediment-buried, hydrothermally active seafloor
Authors: Yanagawa Katsunori , Ijiri Akira , Breuker Anja , Sakai Sanae , Miyoshi Youko , Kawagucci Shinsuke , Noguchi Takuroh , Hirai Miho , Schippers Axel , Ishibashi Jun-ichiro , Takaki Yoshihiro , Sunamura Michinari , Urabe Tetsuro , Nunoura Takuro , Takai Ken
Published: October 2016

Subseafloor microbes beneath active hydrothermal vents are thought to live near the upper temperature limit for life on Earth. We drilled and cored the Iheya North hydrothermal field in the Mid-Okinawa Trough, and examined the phylogenetic compositions and the products of metabolic functions of sub-vent microbial communities. We detected microbial cells, metabolic activities and molecular signatures only in the shallow sediments down to 15.8 m below the seafloor at a moderately distant drilling site from the active hydrothermal vents (450 m). At the drilling site, the profiles of methane and sulfate concentrations and the δ13C and δD isotopic compositions of methane suggested the laterally flowing hydrothermal fluids and the in situ microbial anaerobic methane oxidation. In situ measurements during the drilling constrain the current bottom temperature of the microbially habitable zone to ~45 °C. However, in the past, higher temperatures of 106–198 °C were possible at the depth, as estimated from geochemical thermometry on hydrothermally altered clay minerals. The 16S rRNA gene phylotypes found in the deepest habitable zone are related to those of thermophiles, although sequences typical of known hyperthermophilic microbes were absent from the entire core. Overall our results shed new light on the distribution and composition of the boundary microbial community close to the high-temperature limit for habitability in the subseafloor environment of a hydrothermal field.
The initiation of segmented buoyancy-driven melting during continental breakup
Authors: Gallacher Ryan J. , Keir Derek , Harmon Nicholas , Stuart Graham , Leroy Sylvie , Hammond James O. S. , Kendall J-Michael , Ayele Atalay , Goitom Berhe , Ogubazghi Ghebrebrhan , Ahmed Abdulhakim
Published: October 2016

Melting of the mantle during continental breakup leads to magmatic intrusion and volcanism, yet our understanding of the location and dominant mechanisms of melt generation in rifting environments is impeded by a paucity of direct observations of mantle melting. It is unclear when during the rifting process the segmented nature of magma supply typical of seafloor spreading initiates. Here, we use Rayleigh-wave tomography to construct a high-resolution absolute three-dimensional shear-wave velocity model of the upper 250 km beneath the Afar triple junction, imaging the mantle response during progressive continental breakup. Our model suggests melt production is highest and melting depths deepest early during continental breakup. Elevated melt production during continental rifting is likely due to localized thinning and melt focusing when the rift is narrow. In addition, we interpret segmented zones of melt supply beneath the rift, suggesting that buoyancy-driven active upwelling of the mantle initiates early during continental rifting.
Succeed escape: Flow shear promotes tumbling of Escherichia colinear a solid surface
Authors: Molaei Mehdi , Sheng Jian
Published: October 2016

Understanding how bacteria move close to a surface under various stimuli is crucial for a broad range of microbial processes including biofilm formation, bacterial transport and migration. While prior studies focus on interactions between single stimulus and bacterial suspension, we emphasize on compounding effects of flow shear and solid surfaces on bacterial motility, especially reorientation and tumble. We have applied microfluidics and digital holographic microscopy to capture a large number (>105) of 3D Escherichia coli trajectories near a surface under various flow shear. We find that near-surface flow shear promotes cell reorientation and mitigates the tumble suppression and re-orientation confinement found in a quiescent flow, and consequently enhances surface normal bacterial dispersion. Conditional sampling suggests that two complimentary hydrodynamic mechanisms, Jeffrey Orbit and shear-induced flagella unbundling, are responsible for the enhancement in bacterial tumble motility. These findings imply that flow shear may mitigate cell trapping and prevent biofilm initiation.
TRAF3 deficiency promotes metabolic reprogramming in B cells
Authors: Mambetsariev Nurbek , Lin Wai W. , Wallis Alicia M. , Stunz Laura L. , Bishop Gail A.
Published: October 2016

The adaptor protein TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) is a critical regulator of B lymphocyte survival. B cell-specific TRAF3 deficiency results in enhanced viability and is associated with development of lymphoma and multiple myeloma. We show that TRAF3 deficiency led to induction of two proteins important for glucose metabolism, Glut1 and Hexokinase 2 (HXK2). This was associated with increased glucose uptake. In the absence of TRAF3, anaerobic glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation were increased in B cells without changes in mitochondrial mass or reactive oxygen species. Chemical inhibition of glucose metabolism or glucose deprivation substantially attenuated the enhanced survival of TRAF3-deficient B cells, with a decrease in the pro-survival protein Mcl-1. Changes in Glut1 and Mcl-1 levels, glucose uptake and B cell number in the absence of TRAF3 were all dependent upon NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK). These results indicate that TRAF3 deficiency suffices to metabolically reprogram B cells, a finding that improves our understanding of the role of TRAF3 as a tumor suppressor, and suggests potential therapeutic strategies.
Dnmt1 regulates the myogenic lineage specification of muscle stem cells
Authors: Liu Renjing , Kim Kun-Yong , Jung Yong-Wook , Park In-Hyun
Published: October 2016

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark that regulates gene expression. Dnmt1 plays an important role in maintaining DNA methylation patterns on daughter DNA strands. Studies have shed light into the functional role of Dnmt1 regulation in the hematopoietic and epidermal systems. Here we show that Dnmt1 is required for myogenesis. Loss of Dnmt1 results in reduced expression of myogenic genes and defects in myogenic differentiation. We have utilized a conditional knockout mouse approach to examine the functional consequences of Dnmt1 depletion specifically in the developing muscle. These mice were born runted, with smaller body weights, and reduced ability to form myotubes in vitro. We show that expression of Id-1, a negative regulator of myogenesis, is enhanced in Dnmt1-deficient cultures, leading to enhanced transdifferentiation of myoblasts toward the osteogenic lineage. Thus, these studies demonstrate that Dnmt1 influences cellular identity and determines lineage fidelity.
Enhanced production of polyunsaturated fatty acids by enzyme engineering of tandem acyl carrier proteins
Authors: Hayashi Shohei , Satoh Yasuharu , Ujihara Tetsuro , Takata Yusuke , Dairi Tohru
Published: October 2016

In some microorganisms, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are biosynthesized by PUFA synthases characterized by tandem acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) in subunit A. These ACPs were previously shown to be important for PUFA productivity. In this study, we examined their function in more detail. PUFA productivities increased depending on the number of ACPs without profile changes in each subunit A of eukaryotic and prokaryotic PUFA synthases. We also constructed derivative enzymes from subunit A with 5 × ACPs. Enzymes possessing one inactive ACP at any position produced ~30% PUFAs compared with the parental enzyme but unexpectedly had ~250% productivity compared with subunit A with 4 × ACPs. Enzymes constructed by replacing the 3rd ACP with an inactive ACP from another subunit A or ACP-unrelated sequences produced ~100% and ~3% PUFAs compared with the parental 3rd ACP-inactive enzyme, respectively. These results suggest that both the structure and number of ACP domains are important for PUFA productivity.
The neural transfer effect of working memory training to enhance hedonic processing in individuals with social anhedonia
Authors: Li Xu , Li Zhi , Li Ke , Zeng Ya-wei , Shi Hai-song , Xie Wen-lan , Yang Zhuo-ya , Lui Simon S. Y. , Cheung Eric F. C. , Leung Ada W. S. , Chan Raymond C. K.
Published: October 2016

Anhedonia, the diminished ability to experience pleasure, is a challenging negative symptom in patients with schizophrenia and can be observed in at-risk individuals with schizotypy. Deficits in hedonic processing have been postulated to be related to decreased motivation to engage in potentially rewarding events. It remains unclear whether non-pharmacological interventions, such as cognitive training, could improve anhedonia. The present study aimed to examine the neural mechanism for alleviating hedonic deficits with working memory (WM) training in individuals with social anhedonia. Fifteen individuals with social anhedonia were recruited and received 20 sessions of training on a dual n-back task, five sessions a week. Functional imaging paradigms of the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) and the Affective Incentive Delay (AID) tasks were administered both before and after the training to evaluate the neural transfer effects on hedonic processing ability. Enhanced brain activations related to anticipation were observed at the anterior cingulate cortex, the left dorsal striatum and the left precuneus with the AID task, and at the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the supramarginal gyrus with the MID task. The present findings support that WM training may improve monetary-based and affective-based hedonic processing in individuals with social anhedonia.
Exceptional endocrine profiles characterise the meerkat: sex, status, and reproductive patterns
Authors: Davies Charli S. , Smyth Kendra N. , Greene Lydia K. , Walsh Debbie A. , Mitchell Jessica , Clutton-Brock Tim , Drea Christine M.
Published: October 2016

In vertebrates, reproductive endocrine concentrations are strongly differentiated by sex, with androgen biases typifying males and estrogen biases typifying females. These sex differences can be reduced in female-dominant species; however, even the most masculinised of females have less testosterone (T) than do conspecific males. To test if aggressively dominant, female meerkats (Suricata suricatta) may be hormonally masculinised, we measured serum androstenedione (A4), T and estradiol (E2) in both sexes and social classes, during both ‘baseline’ and reproductive events. Relative to resident males, dominant females had greater A4, equivalent T and greater E2 concentrations. Males, whose endocrine values did not vary by social status, experienced increased T during reproductive forays, linking T to sexual behaviour, but not social status. Moreover, substantial E2 concentrations in male meerkats may facilitate their role as helpers. In females, dominance status and pregnancy magnified the unusual concentrations of measured sex steroids. Lastly, faecal androgen metabolites replicated the findings derived from serum, highlighting the female bias in total androgens. Female meerkats are thus strongly hormonally masculinised, possibly via A4’s bioavailability for conversion to T. These raised androgen concentrations may explain female aggressiveness in this species and give dominant breeders a heritable mechanism for their daughters’ competitive edge.
Hybrid Markov-mass action law model for cell activation by rare binding events: Application to calcium induced vesicular release at neuronal synapses
Authors: Guerrier Claire , Holcman David
Published: October 2016

Binding of molecules, ions or proteins to small target sites is a generic step of cell activation. This process relies on rare stochastic events where a particle located in a large bulk has to find small and often hidden targets. We present here a hybrid discrete-continuum model that takes into account a stochastic regime governed by rare events and a continuous regime in the bulk. The rare discrete binding events are modeled by a Markov chain for the encounter of small targets by few Brownian particles, for which the arrival time is Poissonian. The large ensemble of particles is described by mass action laws. We use this novel model to predict the time distribution of vesicular release at neuronal synapses. Vesicular release is triggered by the binding of few calcium ions that can originate either from the synaptic bulk or from the entry through calcium channels. We report here that the distribution of release time is bimodal although it is triggered by a single fast action potential. While the first peak follows a stimulation, the second corresponds to the random arrival over much longer time of ions located in the synaptic terminal to small binding vesicular targets. To conclude, the present multiscale stochastic modeling approach allows studying cellular events based on integrating discrete molecular events over several time scales.
Genome-wide analysis of alternative splicing during human heart development
Authors: Wang He , Chen Yanmei , Li Xinzhong , Chen Guojun , Zhong Lintao , Chen Gangbing , Liao Yulin , Liao Wangjun , Bin Jianping
Published: October 2016

Alternative splicing (AS) drives determinative changes during mouse heart development. Recent high-throughput technological advancements have facilitated genome-wide AS, while its analysis in human foetal heart transition to the adult stage has not been reported. Here, we present a high-resolution global analysis of AS transitions between human foetal and adult hearts. RNA-sequencing data showed extensive AS transitions occurred between human foetal and adult hearts, and AS events occurred more frequently in protein-coding genes than in long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). A significant difference of AS patterns was found between foetal and adult hearts. The predicted difference in AS events was further confirmed using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of human heart samples. Functional foetal-specific AS event analysis showed enrichment associated with cell proliferation-related pathways including cell cycle, whereas adult-specific AS events were associated with protein synthesis. Furthermore, 42.6% of foetal-specific AS events showed significant changes in gene expression levels between foetal and adult hearts. Genes exhibiting both foetal-specific AS and differential expression were highly enriched in cell cycle-associated functions. In conclusion, we provided a genome-wide profiling of AS transitions between foetal and adult hearts and proposed that AS transitions and deferential gene expression may play determinative roles in human heart development.
High-Performance Metal/Carbide Composites with Far-From-Equilibrium Compositions and Controlled Microstructures
Authors: Hu Liangfa , O’Neil Morgan , Erturun Veysel , Benitez Rogelio , Proust Gwénaëlle , Karaman Ibrahim , Radovic Miladin
Published: October 2016

The prospect of extending existing metal-ceramic composites to those with the compositions that are far from thermodynamic equilibrium is examined. A current and pressure-assisted, rapid infiltration is proposed to fabricate composites, consisting of reactive metallic and ceramic phases with controlled microstructure and tunable properties. An aluminum (Al) alloy/Ti2AlC composite is selected as an example of the far-from-equilibrium systems to fabricate, because Ti2AlC exists only in a narrow region of the Ti-Al-C phase diagram and readily reacts with Al. This kind of reactive systems challenges conventional methods for successfully processing corresponding metal-ceramic composites. Al alloy/Ti2AlC composites with controlled microstructures, various volume ratios of constituents (40/60 and 27/73) and metallic phase sizes (42–83 μm, 77–276 μm, and 167–545 μm), are obtained using the Ti2AlC foams with different pore structures as preforms for molten metal (Al alloy) infiltration. The resulting composites are lightweight and display exceptional mechanical properties at both ambient and elevated temperatures. These structures achieve a compressive strength that is 10 times higher than the yield strength of the corresponding peak-aged Al alloy at ambient temperature and 14 times higher at 400 °C. Possible strengthening mechanisms are described, and further strategies for improving properties of those composites are proposed.
Viral fusion efficacy of specific H3N2 influenza virus reassortant combinations at single-particle level
Authors: Hsu Hung-Lun , Millet Jean K. , Costello Deirdre A. , Whittaker Gary R. , Daniel Susan
Published: October 2016

Virus pseudotyping is a useful and safe technique for studying entry of emerging strains of influenza virus. However, few studies have compared different reassortant combinations in pseudoparticle systems, or compared entry kinetics of native viruses and their pseudotyped analogs. Here, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based pseudovirions displaying distinct influenza virus envelope proteins were tested for fusion activity. We produced VSV pseudotypes containing the prototypical X-31 (H3) HA, either alone or with strain-matched or mismatched N2 NAs. We performed single-particle fusion assays using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to compare hemifusion kinetics among these pairings. Results illustrate that matching pseudoparticles behaved very similarly to native virus. Pseudoparticles harboring mismatched HA-NA pairings fuse at significantly slower rates than native virus, and NA-lacking pseudoparticles exhibiting the slowest fusion rates. Relative viral membrane HA density of matching pseudoparticles was higher than in mismatching or NA-lacking pseudoparticles. An equivalent trend of HA expression level on cell membranes of HA/NA co-transfected cells was observed and intracellular trafficking of HA was affected by NA co-expression. Overall, we show that specific influenza HA-NA combinations can profoundly affect the critical role played by HA during entry, which may factor into viral fitness and the emergence of new pandemic influenza viruses.
Polysaccharide biosynthesis-related genes explain phenotype-genotype correlation of Microcystis colonies in Meiliang Bay of Lake Taihu, China
Authors: Xu Shutu , Sun Qianqian , Zhou Xiaohua , Tan Xiao , Xiao Man , Zhu Wei , Li Ming
Published: October 2016

The 16S rDNA, 16S-23S rDNA-ITS,cpcBA-IGS,mcygene and several polysaccharide biosynthesis-related genes (epsL andTagH) were analyzed along with the identification of the morphology ofMicrocystiscolonies collected in Lake Taihu in 2014.M. wesenbergiicolonies could be distinguished directly from other colonies usingespL.TagHdivided all of the samples into two clusters but failed to distinguish different phenotypes. Our results indicated that neither morphology nor molecular tools including 16S rDNA, 16S-23S ITS andcpcBA-IGS could distinguish toxic and non-toxic species among the identifiedMicrocystisspecies. No obvious relationship was detected between the phenotypes ofMicrocystisand their genotypes using 16S, 16S-23S andcpcBA-IGS, but polysaccharide biosynthesis-related genes may distinguish theMicrocystisphenotypes. Furthermore, the sequences of the polysaccharide biosynthesis-related genes (espLandTagH) extracted fromMicrocystisscums collected throughout 2015 was analyzed. Samples dominated byM. ichthyoblabe(60–100%) andM. wesenbergii(60–100%) were divided into different clade by bothespLandTagH, respectively. Therefore, it was confirmed thatM. wesenbergiiandM. ichthyoblabecould be distinguished by the polysaccharide biosynthesis-related genes (espLandTagH). This study is of great significance in filling the gap between classification of molecular biology and the morphological taxonomy ofMicrocystis.
Notch fatigue behavior: Metallic glass versus ultra-high strength steel
Authors: Wang X. D. , Qu R. T. , Wu S. J. , Duan Q. Q. , Liu Z. Q. , Zhu Z. W. , Zhang H. F. , Zhang Z. F.
Published: October 2016

Studying the effect of notch on the fatigue behavior of structural materials is of significance for the reliability and safety designing of engineering structural components. In this work, we conducted notch fatigue experiments of two high-strength materials, i.e. a Ti32.8Zr30.2Ni5.3Cu9Be22.7 metallic glass (MG) and a 00Ni18Co15Mo8Ti ultra-high strength steel (CM400 UHSS), and compared their notch fatigue behavior. Experimental results showed that although both the strength and plasticity of the MG were much lower than those of the UHSS, the fatigue endurance limit of the notched MG approached to that of the notched UHSS, and the fatigue ratio of the notched MG was even higher. This interesting finding can be attributed to the unique shear banding mechanism of MG. It was found that during fatigue process abundant shear bands formed ahead of the notch root and in the vicinity of the crack in the notched MG, while limited plastic deformation was observed in the notched UHSS. The present results may improve the understanding on the fatigue mechanisms of high-strength materials and offer new strategies for structural design and engineering application of MG components with geometrical discontinuities.
Wolbachia endosymbionts induce neutrophil extracellular trap formation in human onchocerciasis
Authors: Tamarozzi Francesca , Turner Joseph D. , Pionnier Nicolas , Midgley Angela , Guimaraes Ana F. , Johnston Kelly L. , Edwards Steven W. , Taylor Mark J.
Published: October 2016

The endosymbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia, induce neutrophilic responses to the human helminth pathogen Onchocerca volvulus. The formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), has been implicated in anti-microbial defence, but has not been identified in human helminth infection. Here, we demonstrate NETs formation in human onchocerciasis. Extracellular NETs and neutrophils were visualised around O. volvulus in nodules excised from untreated patients but not in nodules from patients treated with the anti-Wolbachia drug, doxycycline. Whole Wolbachia or microspheres coated with a synthetic Wolbachia lipopeptide (WoLP) of the major nematode Wolbachia TLR2/6 ligand, peptidoglycan associated lipoprotein, induced NETosis in human neutrophils in vitro. TLR6 dependency of Wolbachia and WoLP NETosis was demonstrated using purified neutrophils from TLR6 deficient mice. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that NETosis occurs during natural human helminth infection and demonstrate a mechanism of NETosis induction via Wolbachia endobacteria and direct ligation of Wolbachia lipoprotein by neutrophil TLR2/6.
Activated Factor X Induces Endothelial Cell Senescence Through IGFBP-5
Authors: Sanada Fumihiro , Taniyama Yoshiaki , Muratsu Jun , Otsu Rei , Iwabayashi Masaaki , Carracedo Miguel , Rakugi Hiromi , Morishita Ryuichi
Published: October 2016

Uncontrolled coagulation contributes to the pathophysiology of several chronic inflammatory diseases. In these conditions, senescent cells are often observed and is involved in the generation of inflammation. The coincidence of hyper-coagulation, cell senescence, and inflammation suggests the existence of a common underlying mechanism. Recent evidence indicates that activated coagulation factor X (FXa) plays a role in the processes beyond blood coagulation. This non-hematologic function entails the mediation of inflammation and tissue remodeling. We therefore tested the hypothesis that FXa induces cell senescence resulting in tissue inflammation and impaired tissue regeneration. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were stimulated with FXa for 14 days. The proliferation of cells treated with FXa was significantly smaller, and the fraction of senescence-associated β-galactosidase-positive cells was increased as compared to the control group. RT-qPCR array revealed that FXa increased the expression of IGFBP-5, EGR-1, p53, and p16INK4a. Inhibition of FXa by a direct FXa inhibitor, rivaroxaban, or IGFBP-5 by siRNA decreased FXa-induced cell senescence, restoring cell proliferation. Moreover, in an ischemic hind limb mouse model, FXa inhibited neovascularization by endothelial progenitor cell. However, rivaroxaban significantly restored FXa-induced impaired angiogenesis. In summary, FXa induced endothelial cell senescence through IGFBP-5, resulting in impaired angiogenesis.
Spin pumping in magnetic trilayer structures with an MgO barrier
Authors: Baker A. A. , Figueroa A. I. , Pingstone D. , Lazarov V. K. , van der Laan G. , Hesjedal T.
Published: October 2016

We present a study of the interaction mechanisms in magnetic trilayer structures with an MgO barrier grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The interlayer exchange coupling, Aex, is determined using SQUID magnetometry and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), displaying an unexpected oscillatory behaviour as the thickness, tMgO, is increased from 1 to 4 nm. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the continuity and quality of the tunnelling barrier, eliminating the prospect of exchange arising from direct contact between the two ferromagnetic layers. The Gilbert damping is found to be almost independent of the MgO thickness, suggesting the suppression of spin pumping. The element-specific technique of x-ray detected FMR reveals a small dynamic exchange interaction, acting in concert with the static interaction to induce coupled precession across the multilayer stack. These results highlight the potential of spin pumping and spin transfer torque for device applications in magnetic tunnel junctions relying on commonly used MgO barriers.
The properties of nuclear matter with lattice NN potential in relativistic Brueckner-Hartree-Fock theory
Authors: Hu Jinniu , Toki Hiroshi , Shen Hong
Published: October 2016

We study the properties of nuclear matter with lattice nucleon-nucleon (NN) potential in the relativistic Brueckner-Hartree-Fock (RBHF) theory. To use this potential in such a microscopic many-body theory, we firstly have to construct a one-boson-exchange potential (OBEP) based on the latest lattice NN potential. Three mesons, pion, σ meson, and ω meson, are considered. Their coupling constants and cut-off momenta are determined by fitting the on-shell behaviors and phase shifts of the lattice force, respectively. Therefore, we obtain two parameter sets of the OBEP potential (named as LOBEP1 and LOBEP2) with these two fitting ways. We calculate the properties of symmetric and pure neutron matter with LOBEP1 and LOBEP2. In non-relativistic Brueckner-Hartree-Fock case, the binding energies of symmetric nuclear matter are around −3 and −5 MeV at saturation density, while it becomes −8 and −12 MeV in relativistic framework with 1S0, 3S1, and 3D1 channels using our two parameter sets. For the pure neutron matter, the equations of state in non-relativistic and relativistic cases are very similar due to only consideration 1S0 channel with isospin T = 1 case.