bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary Dynamics and Complicated Genetic Transmission Network Patterns of HIV-1 CRF01_AE among MSM in Shanghai, China
Authors: Li Xiaoshan , Xue Yile , Lin Yi , Gai Jing , Zhang Lei , Cheng Hua , Ning Zhen , Zhou Leiming , Zhu Kexin , Vanham Guido , Kang Laiyi , Wang Ying , Zhuang Minghua , Pan Qichao , Zhong Ping
Published: October 2016

To explore the evolutionary dynamics and molecular transmission patterns of HIV-1 CRF01_AE in depth among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shanghai, we constructed phylogenetic tree and genetic transmission networks based on 1, 152 pol sequences from MSM, 282 from other risk groups and 795 references. Phylogenetic analyses identified two distinct major CRF01_AE lineages and a Shanghai-based sub-lineage. The estimated tMRCAs for lineage 1 and 2 were 1996.0 (1992.9–1999.2) and 1997.8 (1994.3–2001.4), respectively. Of the 1, 152 MSM, 681 (59.1%) were identified as belonging to 241 separate networks. Of these 681 individuals in networks, 74.2% were linked to cases diagnosed in different years, 4.3% were linked to heterosexual women, and 0.7% were linked to persons who inject drugs. A total of 71 networks including 180 individuals diagnosed in Shanghai with the same domicile were found. Recent infection (P = 0.022) and sampling year after 2011 (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with potential transmission links among the networks. Besides, a significant transmission of viruses with drug resistant mutations at V179D/E were found in the networks. Given these findings, we propose that genetic transmission analysis is a useful tool in HIV intervention strategies to curb the spread of virus and promoting public health.
Outer membrane vesicles from flagellin-deficient Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium induce cross-reactive immunity and provide cross-protection against heterologous Salmonella challenge
Authors: Liu Qiong , Liu Qing , Yi Jie , Liang Kang , Hu Bo , Zhang Xiangmin , Curtiss Roy , Kong Qingke
Published: October 2016

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) isolated from Salmonella Typhimurium are potentially useful for developing subunit vaccines because of high immunogenicity and protective efficacy. However, flagella might remain in OMV pellets following OMV purification, resulting in non-essential immune responses and counteraction of bacterial protective immune responses when developing a vaccine against infection of multiple serotypes Salmonella. In this study, a flagellin-deficient S. Typhimurium mutant was constructed. Lipopolysaccharide profiles, protein profiles and cryo-electron microscopy revealed that there were no significant differences between the wild-type and mutant OMVs, with the exception of a large amount of flagellin in the wild-type OMVs. Neither the wild-type OMVs nor the non-flagellin OMVs were toxic to macrophages. Mice immunized with the non-flagellin OMVs produced high concentrations of IgG. The non-flagellin OMVs elicited strong mucosal antibody responses in mice when administered via the intranasal route in addition to provoking higher cross-reactive immune responses against OMPs isolated from S. Choleraesuis and S. Enteritidis. Both intranasal and intraperitoneal immunization with the non-flagellin OMVs provided efficient protection against heterologous S. Choleraesuis and S. Enteritidis challenge. Our results indicate that the flagellin-deficient OMVs may represent a new vaccine platform that could be exploited to facilitate the production of a broadly protective vaccine.
Gene expression alterations related to mania and psychosis in peripheral blood of patients with a first episode of psychosis
Authors: Gouvea E S , Ota V K , Noto C , Santoro M L , Spindola L M , Moretti P N , Carvalho C M , Xavier G , Rios A C , Sato J R , Hayashi M A F , Brietzke E , Gadelha A , Bressan R A , Cordeiro Q , Belangero S I
Published: October 2016

Psychotic disorders affect ~3% of the general population and are among the most severe forms of mental diseases. In early stages of psychosis, clinical aspects may be difficult to distinguish from one another. Undifferentiated psychopathology at the first-episode of psychosis (FEP) highlights the need for biomarkers that can improve and refine differential diagnosis. We investigated gene expression differences between patients with FEP–schizophrenia spectrum (SCZ; N=53) or FEP–Mania (BD; N=16) and healthy controls (N=73). We also verified whether gene expression was correlated to severity of psychotic, manic, depressive symptoms and/or functional impairment. All participants were antipsychotic-naive. After the psychiatric interview, blood samples were collected and the expression of 12 psychotic-disorder-related genes was evaluated by quantitative PCR. AKT1 and DICER1 expression levels were higher in BD patients compared with that in SCZ patients and healthy controls, suggesting that expression of these genes is associated more specifically to manic features. Furthermore, MBP and NDEL1 expression levels were higher in SCZ and BD patients than in healthy controls, indicating that these genes are psychosis related (independent of diagnosis). No correlation was found between gene expression and severity of symptoms or functional impairment. Our findings suggest that genes related to neurodevelopment are altered in psychotic disorders, and some might support the differential diagnosis between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with a potential impact on the treatment of these disorders.
Impaired GABA synthesis, uptake and release are associated with depression-like behaviors induced by chronic mild stress
Authors: Ma K , Xu A , Cui S , Sun M-R , Xue Y-C , Wang J-H
Published: October 2016

Major depression is a prevalent emotion disorder. Chronic stressful life in genetically susceptible individuals is presumably a major etiology that leads to neuron and synapse atrophy in the limbic system. Molecular mechanisms underlying the pathological changes remain elusive. Mice were treated by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) until they demonstrated depression-like behavior. GABA release in the medial prefrontal cortex was evaluated by cell electrophysiology and imaging. Molecular profiles related to GABA synthesis and uptake were investigated by the high-throughput sequencings of microRNAs and mRNAs as well as western blot analysis in this cortical area. In CUMS-induced depression mice, there appear the decreases in the innervation and function of GABAergic axons and in the levels of mRNAs and proteins of glutamate decarboxylase-67, vesicular GABA transporter and GABA transporter-3. miRNA-15b-5p, miRNA-144-3p, miRNA-582-5p and miRNA-879-5p that directly downregulate such mRNAs increase in this cortex. Our results suggest that chronic mild stress impairs GABA release and uptake by upregulating miRNAs and downregulating mRNAs and proteins, which may constitute the subcellular and molecular mechanisms for the lowered GABA tone in major depression.
Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Powell Anthony V. , Vaqueiro Paz
Published: October 2016

The recent progress in metal chalcogenides for thermoelectric energy recovery has been striking. Significant advances in performance have arisen from strategies that address the considerable challenges presented by the relationship between the key physical properties of electrical conductivity (σ), Seebeck coefficient (S) and thermal conductivity (κ) that determine the energy conversion efficiency through the figure-of-merit, zT. In particular, optimisation of structure across a range of length scales achieves substantial reductions in thermal conductivity through interface scattering of heat carrying phonons. Similarly, manipulation of the electron-transport properties using techniques such as band engineering, Fermi-level tuning and resonant states provides a means of targeting improvements in the thermoelectric power factor (S2σ). The adoption of a combination of these approaches leads to materials with unprecedented thermoelectric performance. Figures of merit routinely exceed zT=1.0 at elevated temperatures and, in the best performing materials, zT>2.0 has been achieved. Moreover, many of the improvements in performance have been achieved in materials containing earth-abundant elements, suggesting that sustainable alternatives to the established Bi2Te3 are indeed viable.
Pre-treatment of lignocellulosic feedstocks using biorenewable alcohols: towards complete biomass valorisation
Authors: Lancefield Christopher S. , Panovic Isabella , Deuss Peter J. , Barta Katalin , Westwood Nicholas J.
Published: October 2016

Here, we report on the ability of the biomass derived solvents ethanol and, in particular,n-butanol to fractionate lignocellulose into its main components. The developed process gives high quality carbohydrate and lignin fractions in good yields.
Deciphering the cross-talking of human competitive endogenous RNAs in K562 chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line
Authors: Sen Kamalika , Sarkar Arijita , Maji Ranjan Kumar , Ghosh Zhumur , Gupta Sanjib , Ghosh Tapash Chandra
Published: October 2016

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by increased proliferation or abnormal accumulation of the granulocytic cell line without the depletion of their capacity to differentiate.
Novel role of Vav1-Rac1 pathway in actin cytoskeleton regulation in interleukin-13-induced minimal change-like nephropathy
Authors: Chan Chang-Yien , Ng Kar-Hui , Chen Jinmiao , Lu Jinhua , Lee Caroline Guat-Lay , Tan Puay-Hoon , Jordan Stanley C. , He Henry Yang , Yap Hui-Kim
Published: October 2016

Our established interleukin-13 (IL-13) overexpression rat model of minimal change-like nephropathy provided a platform to study the molecular signalling pathways in T-helper 2 (Th2) cytokine associated minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). We hypothesized that IL-13 may act directly on podocytes, causing podocyte foot process effacement and hence proteinuria in our rat model of minimal change-like nephropathy. The present study aimed firstly to delineate the glomerular ‘gene signature’ associated with IL-13-mediated dysregulation of podocyte-related proteins, and subsequently to investigate the role of the differentially regulated genes (DEGs) in IL-13-mediated podocyte injury. Glomerular transcriptional profile of IL-13-overexpressed rats showed characteristic features of podocyte injury with 87% of podocyte-related genes being significantly down-regulated. Gene expression of Vav1 was shown to be highly up-regulated in the glomeruli of IL-13-overexpressed rats and pathway analysis of the DEGs suggested a possible novel role of Vav1 in podocyte cytoskeleton remodelling. Immunofluorescence examination demonstrated glomerular expression of Vav1 in rats which co-localized with synaptopodin, confirming podocyte expression. However, positive staining for the phosphorylated form of Vav1 (p-Vav1) was only seen in IL-13-overexpressed rats. Moreover, in vitro IL-13 stimulation of human podocytes resulted in phosphorylation of Vav1. This was associated with Rac1 activation and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement, which was abrogated in Vav1 knockdown podocytes. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the role of Vav1-Rac1 pathway characterized by phosphorylation of Vav1, activation of Rac1 and the subsequent actin cytoskeleton rearrangement in IL-13-induced podocyte injury, possibly explaining the podocyte foot process effacement seen in our IL-13 overexpression rat model.
Rechnung schnell stellen
Authors: Häser Isabel
Published: October 2016

Das Bundessozialgericht hat die Rechtsprechung zu Nachforderungen geändert. Grundsätzlich verjähren Vergütungsansprüche nach vier Jahren.
Interaction of non thermal distributed heavy fermion beam with electron-positron-photon plasma: The Fokker-Planck equation
Authors: Mehrabi Pari Sharareh , Javidan Kurosh , Taghavi Shahri Fatemeh
Published: October 2016

Energy loss of a non thermal distributed heavy fermion beam due to the interaction with an electron-positron-photon plasma is investigated. Time evolution of the beam distribution function is calculated by solving the Fokker-Planck equation using the Iterative Laplace Transform Method. All possible interactions between the heavy fermions and plasma constituents up to the first order of coupling constant of interaction are considered in calculations. It is shown that not only the beam and plasma temperatures evolve in time but also the non thermal parameter of the distribution function changes and the distribution of beam particles tends toward a thermal distribution.
Response to criticism of electrostatic attraction of like-charged macroparticles inside plasma
Authors: Shavlov A. V. , Dzhumandzhi V. A.
Published: October 2016

We respond to criticism of the electrostatic attraction of the like-charged macroparticles inside plasma. The possibility of mutual attraction of like-charged macroparticles placed into the electroneutral plasma of ions and electrons is proven herein, provided that the volume charge, compensating the macroparticles' charge so that the system of charged particles is completely electroneutral, is placed into the same plasma. Only repulsive forces work in the absence of the compensation charge between the macroparticles. To prove this, we calculated the interaction force on the basis of the Maxwell tension tensor, and the Helmholtz free energy calculation with its subsequent analysis on the existence of extrema.
A branch of energetic-particle driven geodesic acoustic modes due to magnetic drift resonance
Authors: Sasaki M. , Kasuya N. , Itoh K. , Hallatschek K. , Lesur M. , Kosuga Y. , Itoh S.-I.
Published: October 2016

Eigenmode analysis of geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs) driven by fast ions is performed, based on a set of gyrokinetic equations. Resonance to the magnetic drift of the fast ions can destabilize GAMs. A new branch is found in the family of GAMs, whose frequency is close to the magnetic drift frequency of the fast ions. The poloidal eigenfunction of this branch has bump structures in the poloidal direction where the resonance of the magnetic drift with the mode is strong. The ion heating rate by the GAMs is evaluated in the framework of quasi-linear theory. The heating is localized poloidally around the resonance locations. Owing to the bumps in the eigenfunction, the magnitude of the heating is much larger than that estimated without the magnetic drift resonance.
On the mechanism of bandgap formation in locally resonant finite elastic metamaterials
Authors: Sugino Christopher , Leadenham Stephen , Ruzzene Massimo , Erturk Alper
Published: October 2016

Elastic/acoustic metamaterials made from locally resonant arrays can exhibit bandgaps at wavelengths much longer than the lattice size for various applications spanning from low-frequency vibration/sound attenuation to wave guiding and filtering in mechanical and electromechanical devices. For an effective use of such locally resonant metamaterial concepts in finite structures, it is required to bridge the gap between the lattice dispersion characteristics and modal behavior of the host structure with its resonators. To this end, we develop a novel argument for bandgap formation in finite-length elastic metamaterial beams, relying on the modal analysis and the assumption of infinitely many resonators. We show that the dual problem to wave propagation through an infinite periodic beam is the modal analysis of a finite beam with an infinite number of resonators. A simple formula that depends only on the resonator natural frequency and total mass ratio is derived for placing the bandgap in a desired frequency range, yielding an analytical insight and a rule of thumb for design purposes. A method for understanding the importance of a resonator location and mass is discussed in the context of a Riemann sum approximation of an integral, and a method for determining the optimal number of resonators for a given set of boundary conditions and target frequency is introduced. The simulations of the theoretical framework are validated by experiments for bending vibrations of a locally resonant cantilever beam.
Food chain length in a large floodplain river: planktonic or benthic reliance as a limiting factor
Authors: Saigo M. , Ruffener L. , Scarabotti P , Marchese M.
Published: October 2016

Food chain length (FCL) is a key integrative variable describing ecosystem functioning. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the relative importance of planktonic and benthic energy pathways is a major factor affecting FCL in the Middle Paraná River. Samples were obtained from in eight waterbodies, measuring chlorophyll-a concentrations and the abundance of benthic invertebrates and the trophic position of top predators by stable isotope analysis. There was no evidence that resource availability, disturbances or ecosystem size limited FCL. Similarly, the body size and trophic position of predators were not correlated. However, the relative abundance of planktonic and benthic resources was correlated with FCL. In addition, stable isotopes analysis showed that the benthic reliance of top predators is correlated with their trophic position. The results of the present study indicate that because the major benthic primary consumer is a large fish (Prochilodus lineatus), the size structure of individual food chains is an important factor determining FCL. Whereas in floodplain rivers large detritivorous fishes are targets of commercial fishing, overfishing in the Middle Paraná River could be expected to increase FCL, the opposite effect to that seen in marine environments.
Large-scale recovery of an endangered amphibian despite ongoing exposure to multiple stressors
Authors: Knapp Roland A. , Fellers Gary M. , Kleeman Patrick M. , Miller David A. W. , Vredenburg Vance T. , Rosenblum Erica Bree , Briggs Cheryl J.
Published: October 2016

Significance

Human influences are causing the disappearance of species at a rate unprecedented in millions of years. Amphibians are being particularly affected, and extinctions of many species may be inevitable. The Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) was once common in the mountains of California (United States), but human impacts have driven it near extinction. Repeated surveys of thousands of water bodies in Yosemite National Park show that the decline ofR. sierraehas recently reversed and that population abundance is now increasing markedly in part because of reduced influence of stressors, including disease and introduced fish. These results suggest that some amphibians may be more resilient than is assumed, and with appropriate management, declines of such species may be reversible.
Multiscale implementation of infinite-swap replica exchange molecular dynamics
Authors: Yu Tang-Qing , Lu Jianfeng , Abrams Cameron F. , Vanden-Eijnden Eric
Published: October 2016

Significance

Efficiently sampling the conformational space of complex molecular systems is a difficult problem that frequently arises in the context of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Here we present a modification of replica exchange MD (REMD) that is as simple to implement and parallelize as standard REMD but is shown to perform better in terms of sampling efficiency. The method is used here to investigate the multifunnel structure of the C-terminal β-hairpin of protein G in explicit solvent, which to date has required much longer REMD simulations to produce converged predictions of conformational statistics. In particular, we identify a potentially important folded β structure previously undetected by other importance sampling methods.
Equatorial heat accumulation as a long-term trigger of permanent Antarctic ice sheets during the Cenozoic
Authors: Tremblin Maxime , Hermoso Michaël , Minoletti Fabrice
Published: October 2016

Significance

The long-term cooling trend of the Cenozoic is punctuated by shorter-term climatic events, such as the inception of permanent ice sheets on Antarctica at the Eocene−Oligocene Transition (∼33.7 Ma). Taking advantage of the excellent state of preservation of coccolith calcite in equatorial Atlantic deep-sea cores, we unveil progressive tropical warming in the Atlantic Ocean initiated 4 million years prior to Antarctic glaciation. Warming preceding glaciation may appear counterintuitive, but we argue that this long-term climatic precursor to the EOT reinforced cooling of austral high latitudes via the redistribution of heat at the surface of the oceans. We discuss this new prominent paleoceanographic and climatic feature in the context of overarching pCO
2
decline and the establishment of an Antarctic circumpolar current.
Designing steep, sharp patterns on uniformly ion-bombarded surfaces
Authors: Perkinson Joy C. , Aziz Michael J. , Brenner Michael P. , Holmes-Cerfon Miranda
Published: October 2016

Significance

Large-amplitude, steep structures are of interest for a variety of applications from micromechanics to data storage. Many such structures must be manufactured via effort-intensive direct engraving. Here, we present and experimentally test a method for designing simple structures that will evolve into a desired steep structure under uniform ion irradiation. This process is based on the mathematics of shock waves, a theory originally developed to understand fluids and gases. We show that the dynamics of uniformly bombarded surfaces are controlled by special, so-called undercompressive shocks, which manifest as steep parts of the surface that arise spontaneously and move predictably. Their evolution equation requires only one parameter that is easily measured. The proposed process is scalable with promise for high-throughput manufacturing.
Epitope specificity plays a critical role in regulating antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against influenza A virus
Authors: He Wenqian , Tan Gene S. , Mullarkey Caitlin E. , Lee Amanda J. , Lam Mannie Man Wai , Krammer Florian , Henry Carole , Wilson Patrick C. , Ashkar Ali A. , Palese Peter , Miller Matthew S.
Published: October 2016

Significance

In addition to neutralizing antigens, antibodies are also capable of stimulating cellular responses through Fc–Fc receptor interactions. The type of response stimulated by these interactions is influenced by both the Fc receptor type expressed on the effector cell and the isotype of antibody to which it is bound. However, how antibody specificity influences Fc receptor functions, and how antibodies of different specificities interact to modulate these functions, remain unknown. Using influenza A virus as a model, we demonstrate that antibody specificity profoundly influences the induction of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity by effector cells. In addition, we show that interactions among antibodies that bind to discrete epitopes on the same antigen can influence the induction of Fc-dependent effector functions.
eIF2α phosphorylation controls thermal nociception
Authors: Khoutorsky Arkady , Sorge Robert E. , Prager-Khoutorsky Masha , Pawlowski Sophie Anne , Longo Geraldine , Jafarnejad Seyed Mehdi , Tahmasebi Soroush , Martin Loren J. , Pitcher Mark H. , Gkogkas Christos G. , Sharif-Naeini Reza , Ribeiro-da-Silva Alfredo , Bourque Charles W. , Cervero Fernando , Mogil Jeffrey S. , Sonenberg Nahum
Published: October 2016

Significance

Distinct cellular stresses converge on the translation initiation factor, eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) to modulate the rate of protein synthesis. Increased phosphorylation of eIF2α has been described in peripheral neurons from neuropathic and diabetic rats. However, the role of eIF2α phosphorylation in pain has not been reported. Here we show that phosphorylation of eIF2α controls thermal, but not mechanical, sensation via modulation of the activity of a major heat transducer, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1. We also find that chronic inflammation-induced eIF2α phopshorylation contributes to inflammation-induced thermal hypersensitivity. These results demonstrate that eIF2α phosphorylation plays a major role in controlling noxious heat sensitivity.
Reference assignment in pronominal argument languages
Authors: Schröder Helga
Published: October 2016

Using data from Toposa and Kiswahili, this article demonstrates that the reference assignment in pronominal languages does not only constrain the process of identifying the intended referent, but the pronominal marking on the verb also assists with disambiguating whether a nominal expression has attributive or referential value. A nominal expression enters the discourse as underspecified regarding for referential/attributive meaning and therefore needs to be enriched through saturation. The pronominal marking on the verb triggers the process of enrichment. If the overt pronoun occurs in addition to the default incorporated pronoun on the verb, it carries the procedural marker of identificational or contrastive focus, similar to the contrastive stress in English.
Evidentials, genre and epistemic vigilance
Authors: Unger Christoph
Published: October 2016

In many languages with a grammaticalised evidential system, there are conventional associations between certain genres and evidentials so that evidentials may be used as genre indicators. Aikhenvald (2004) shows that that cross-­linguistically there is a particularly strong connection between reported evidentials (as opposed to indicators of other evidentiality types) and the traditional narrative genre (as opposed to other genres). I argue that this connection between reported evidentials and the traditional narrative genre can be explained on the basis that true reported evidentials on the one hand, and traditional narratives on the other, activate procedures dedicated to epistemic vigilance and argumentation in ways that other evidentials and other genres do not.
Rhetoric and cognition
Authors: Oswald Steve
Published: October 2016

This chapter defends a cognitive-pragmatic take on rhetorical effectiveness by hypothesising that information-selection mechanisms at play in the interpretation of verbal stimuli positively influence the outcome of subsequent argumentative evaluation. Moreover, this chapter also shows that relevance theory (Sperber and Wilson 1995) is ideally well equipped to develop this assumption. Indeed, this chapter argues that the inclusion of a cognitive pragmatic component in a theory of argumentation can boost the explanatory power of existing accounts, which typically refrain from adopting the sort of cognitive insights offered by relevance theorists (cf. van Eemeren and Grootendorst 2004: 74). Accordingly, an example from political discourse is discussed in this framework to illustrate its explanatory advantages.
Switch reference
Authors: van Gijn Rik
Published: October 2016

Until not very long ago, switch reference was regarded as a marginal phenomenon found in a handful of lesser-known languages. An increasing number of studies of the phenomenon made it clear, however, that the geographical extent of switch-reference systems is rather large, spanning large parts of the New World, Siberia, Oceania, Australia, and also including some areas in Africa and East Asia. The growing body of information on the topic raises new theoretical and empirical questions about the development, functions, and nature of switch reference, as well as the internal variation between different switch reference systems. This contribution will give an overview of the relevant issues that are involved in switch reference, focusing on geographical, typological-theoretical, and diachronic aspects, and suggesting a number of lines for further research.
Takic switch reference in Uto-Aztecan perspective
Authors: Hill Jane H.
Published: October 2016

Switch reference of the “canonical” type is found in most Uto-Aztecan languages, and is documented for Serrano, Luiseño, Cupeño and Cahuilla within the Takic subgroup in Southern California. Switch reference marking in these languages is described and compared, using a multivariate typology framework. All the languages share a same-subject suffix that may not appear outside the subgroup, but have evolved different suffixes for change of subject. The language also vary as to control type, with Serrano switch reference exhibiting pragmatic control and marking pragmatic or discourse discontinuity. In contrast, Luiseño exhibits syntactic control by grammatical subject, with few exceptions. Against a background summary of switch-reference marking in Uto-Aztecan more generally, histories of the Takic suffixes are suggested.
Switch reference in Western South America
Authors: van Gijn Rik
Published: October 2016

Switch reference systems occur in a number of languages spoken in a contiguous area in western South America, across language families, and even across macro culture areas (Andes and Amazon). At first sight, this is suggestive of contact-induced diffusion, but the different systems show rather a lot of variation. This paper gives an overview of the switch-reference structures found in Western South America, taking a multi-variate approach to the phenomenon. In addition, it discusses the likelihood of horizontal and vertical transmission hypotheses to explain the current distribution of switch reference in South America.
A social history of English(es) in Uganda
Authors: Meierkord Christiane
Published: October 2016

As is the case with the other countries that linguists have discussed under the
name East Africa, i.e. Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda, English came
to the area that makes up Uganda today relatively late. This chapter traces the
history of English in the country. It describes where speakers of English initially
came from and who the users of English have been until today to provide a
basis for a full appreciation of the sociolinguistics of present-day Uganda and
of the differences from its East African neighbours Kenya and Tanzania. It will
also discuss how the protectorate status, the lack of a settler strand, and the circumstances
of the 1960s, 70s and 80s set Uganda apart from more prototypical
postcolonial countries and seem to provide challenges to existing models.
The use of the progressive in Ugandan English
Authors: Ssempuuma Jude , Isingoma Bebwa , Meierkord Christiane
Published: October 2016

This study explores the use of the progressive in spoken Ugandan English.
Like in many other second language varieties of English, the progressive is
used with a high frequency, predominantly in the present or past tense active.
Detailed analyses show that the most frequent uses of the progressive in
Ugandan English are reference to non-delimited habitual activities, expression
of an interpretative semantics and reference to activities in progress. The first,
extended, use occurs considerably more often with speakers who have Luganda
as their first language than with speakers of Acholi-Lango and Runyankole-
Rukiga. The results indicate considerable substrate influence, suggesting, above
all, that Uganda is home to various Englishes.
The use of ditransitive constructions in Ugandan English
Authors: Isingoma Bebwa
Published: October 2016

The chapter shows substantial divergences between Ugandan English and
Standard British/American English in the use of ditransitive constructions.
For example, while a benefactive double object construction and its equivalent
prepositional phrase construction, e.g. I’ve poured you some tea and I’ve poured
some tea for you respectively are widespread in Standard British/American
English, the double object construction is dispreferred and quintessentially
regarded as ungrammatical in Ugandan English. Moreover, the prepositional
phrase construction is frequently used in its non-canonical ordering (e.g. I’ve
poured for you some tea) in Ugandan English, without necessarily being conditioned
by pragmatic requirements, as is the case in Standard British/American
English. The study shows that the divergences are mainly caused by substrate
influence from Ugandan Bantu languages.
Effects of super-hard rice bread blended with black rice bran on amyloid β peptide production and abrupt increase in postprandial blood glucose levels in mice
Authors: Nakamura Sumiko , Hara Takashi , Joh Toshio , Kobayashi Atsushi , Yamazaki Akira , Kasuga Kensaku , Ikeuchi Takeshi , Ohtsubo Ken’ichi
Published: October 2016

Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes are very serious diseases with the latter having been suggested to cause the former. We prepared super-hard rice bread blended with black rice bran (SRBBB), which contained a high amount of resistant starch that showed strong inhibitory activities against β-secretase and acetylcholinesterase even after heating. Black rice bran showed greater β-secretase inhibitory activity (3.6-fold) than Koshihikari rice. The bran contained more oleic acid and anthocyanin, meaning that it is potentially a biofunctional food with a high antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, aged mice, which were fed a SRBBB diet for four weeks, showed lower amyloid β 40 peptide in the blood than mice fed a commercial diet (p < 0.01). Additionally, their initial blood glucose levels (BGLs) after 12 weeks of being fed SRBBB were significantly lower than those in the control group. Taken together, our results indicate SRBBB shows promise for inhibiting not only amyloid β production, but also abrupt increases in postprandial BGLs.
Function and application of a non-ester-hydrolyzing carboxylesterase discovered in tulip
Authors: Nomura Taiji
Published: October 2016

Plants have evolved secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways of immense rich diversity. The genes encoding enzymes for secondary metabolite biosynthesis have evolved through gene duplication followed by neofunctionalization, thereby generating functional diversity. Emerging evidence demonstrates that some of those enzymes catalyze reactions entirely different from those usually catalyzed by other members of the same family; e.g. transacylation catalyzed by an enzyme similar to a hydrolytic enzyme. Tuliposide-converting enzyme (TCE), which we recently discovered from tulip, catalyzes the conversion of major defensive secondary metabolites, tuliposides, to antimicrobial tulipalins. The TCEs belong to the carboxylesterase family in the α/β-hydrolase fold superfamily, and specifically catalyze intramolecular transesterification, but not hydrolysis. This non-ester-hydrolyzing carboxylesterase is an example of an enzyme showing catalytic properties that are unpredictable from its primary structure. This review describes the biochemical and physiological aspects of tulipalin biogenesis, and the diverse functions of plant carboxylesterases in the α/β-hydrolase fold superfamily.
Use of Ar pellet ablation rate to estimate initial runaway electron seed population in DIII-D rapid shutdown experiments
Authors: Hollmann E.M. , Commaux N. , Moyer R.A. , Parks P.B. , Austin M.E. , Bykov I. , Cooper C. , Eidietis N.W. , O’Mullane M. , Paz-Soldan C. , Rudakov D.L. , Shiraki D.
Published: October 2016

Small (2–3 mm, 0.9–2 Pa · m3) argon pellets are used in the DIII-D tokamak to cause rapid shutdown (disruption) of discharges. The Ar pellet ablation is typically found to be much larger than expected from the thermal plasma electron temperature alone; the additional ablation is interpreted as being due to non-thermal runaway electrons (REs) formed during the pellet-induced temperature collapse. Simple estimates of the RE seed current using the enhanced ablation rate give values of order 1–10 kA, roughly consistent with estimates based on avalanche theory. Analytic estimates of the RE seed current based on the Dreicer formula tend to significantly underestimate it, while estimates based on the hot tail model significantly overestimate it.
Suppression of edge localized mode crashes by multi-spectral non-axisymmetric fields in KSTAR
Authors: Kim Jayhyun , Park Gunyoung , Bae Cheonho , Yoon Siwoo , Han Hyunsun , Yoo Min-Gu , Park Young-Seok , Ko Won-Ha , Juhn June-Woo , Na Yong Su
Published: October 2016

Among various edge localized mode (ELM) crash control methods, only non-axisymmetric magnetic perturbations (NAMPs) yield complete suppression of ELM crashes beyond their mitigation, and thus attract more attention than others. No other devices except KSTAR, DIII-D, and recently EAST have successfully achieved complete suppression with NAMPs. The underlying physics mechanisms of these successful ELM crash suppressions in a non-axisymmetric field environment, however, still remain uncertain. In this work, we investigate the ELM crash suppression characteristics of the KSTAR ELMy H-mode discharges in a controlled multi-spectral field environment, created by both

n
=
2

middle reference and

n
=
1

top/bottom proxy in-vessel control coils. Interestingly, the attempts have produced a set of contradictory findings, one expected (ELM crash suppression enhancement with the addition of n  =  1 to the n  =  2 field at relatively low heating discharges) and another unexpected (ELM crash suppression degradation at relatively high heating discharges) from the earlier findings in DIII-D. This contradiction indicates the dependence of the ELM crash suppression characteristics on the heating level and the associated kink-like plasma responses. Preliminary linear resistive MHD plasma response simulation shows the unexpected suppression performance degradation to be likely caused by the dominance of kink-like plasma responses over the island gap-filling effects.
Isoperimetric properties of the mean curvature flow
Authors: Hershkovits Or
Published: October 2016

In this paper we discuss a simple relation, which was previously missed, between the high co-dimensional isoperimetric problem of finding a filling with small volume to a given cycle and extinction estimates for singular, high co-dimensional, mean curvature flow. The utility of this viewpoint is first exemplified by two results which, once casted in the light of this relation, are almost self-evident. The first is a genuine, 5-line proof, for the isoperimetric inequality for

k
k

-cycles in

R

n

\mathbb {R}^n

, with a constant differing from the optimal constant by a factor of only

k

\sqrt {k}

, as opposed to a factor of

k
k

k^k

produced by all of the other soft methods. The second is a 3-line proof of a lower bound for extinction for arbitrary co-dimensional, singular, mean curvature flows starting from cycles, generalizing the main result of Giga and Yama-uchi (1993). We then turn to use the above-mentioned relation to prove a bound on the parabolic Hausdorff measure of the space-time track of high co-dimensional, singular, mean curvature flow starting from a cycle, in terms of the mass of that cycle. This bound is also reminiscent of a Michael-Simon isoperimetric inequality. To prove it, we are led to study the geometric measure theory of Euclidean rectifiable sets in parabolic space and prove a co-area formula in that setting. This formula, the proof of which occupies most of this paper, may be of independent interest.
Quantum subgroups of simple twisted quantum groups at roots of one
Authors: García Gastón , Gutiérrez Javier
Published: October 2016

Let

G
G

be a connected, simply connected simple complex algebraic group and let

ϵ
\epsilon

be a primitive

ℓ
\ell

th root of unity with

ℓ
\ell

odd and coprime with

3
3

if

G
G

is of type

G

2

G_{2}

. We determine all Hopf algebra quotients of the twisted multiparameter quantum function algebra

O

ϵ

φ

(
G
)

\mathcal {O}_{\epsilon }^{\varphi }(G)

introduced by Costantini and Varagnolo. This extends the results of Andruskiewitsch and the first author, where the untwisted case is treated.
Quantum engineering of matter from the laboratory to the market: an interview with Dieter Bimberg and Kang Wang
Authors: Ball Philip
Published: October 2016

Quantum dots introduce a new form of quantum engineering of materials properties based purely on size and dimensionality. Whereas we traditionally think of materials as having intrinsic properties such as strength, electrical conductivity and light absorption or emission spectra due to their composition and atomic-scale structure, when their size is very small, such properties can be altered by quantum-mechanical effects, for example due to confinement of the quantum wavefunctions that determine the energies of charge carriers like electrons.

As it became possible in the 1990s to control the size of material structures with a precision of less than a nanometre in all three dimensions of space, quantum effects began to be exploited for technological applications. Quantum dots are particles with a nanoscale extent in three dimensions—in effect, tiny fragments of material, often made of one type of semiconductor embedded in another. Quantum dots in which the wavelength of absorption and fluorescent emission of light is tuned by the nanoparticle size are being explored for uses ranging from colour displays to biomedical imaging. Films of semiconducting materials thin enough to exhibit one-dimensional quantum-confinement effects, meanwhile, are routinely used to make efficient optical devices such as lasers. Such applications have depended on the availability of techniques for precise control of particle size, composition and thickness.

NSR spoke to two leading researchers in this field of quantum engineering about its development and prospects. Dieter Bimberg is founding director of the Center of Nanophotonics at the Technical University of Berlin in Germany. He pioneered the use of quantum dots in photonic devices such as lasers and optical amplifiers, as well as developing non-volatile ‘dynamic’ random-access memories (DRAMs), which retain their information when the power is switched off. Kang Wang is a professor of electrical engineering at the University of California at Los Angeles, whose work on nanoscale quantum devices has focused on electronic and magnetic properties, and in particular on the development of non-volative RAMs and the manipulation and control of electron spin as a new parameter for information processing (a technology called spintronics).
Sepsis Incidence: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Mellhammar Lisa , Wullt Sven , Lindberg Åsa , Lanbeck Peter , Christensson Bertil , Linder Adam
Published: October 2016

Background

Although sepsis is a major health problem, data on sepsis epidemiology are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of sepsis, based on clinical findings in all adult patients treated with intravenous antibiotic in all parts of all hospitals in an entire population.

Methods

This is a retrospective chart review of patients ≥18 years, living in 2 regions in Sweden, who were started on an intravenous antibiotic therapy on 4 dates, evenly distributed over the year of 2015. The main outcome was the incidence of sepsis with organ dysfunction. The mean population ≥18 years at 2015 in the regions was 1275753. Five hundred sixty-three patients living in the regions were started on intravenous antibiotic treatment on the dates of the survey. Patients who had ongoing intravenous antibiotic therapy preceding the inclusion dates were excluded, if sepsis was already present.

Results

Four hundred eighty-two patients were included in the study; 339 had a diagnosed infection, of those, 96 had severe sepsis according to the 1991/2001 sepsis definitions, and 109 had sepsis according to the sepsis-3. This is equivalent to an annual incidence of traditional severe sepsis of 687/100000 persons (95% confidence interval [CI], 549–824) or according to the sepsis-3 definition of 780/100000 persons (95% CI, 633–926). Seventy-four patients had sepsis according to both definitions.

Conclusions

The incidence of sepsis with organ dysfunction is higher than most previous estimates independent of definition. The inclusion of all inpatients started on intravenous antibiotic treatment of sepsis in a population makes an accurate assessment of sepsis incidence possible.
Asymptotic analysis of dipolar mixed modes of oscillations in red giant stars
Authors: Takata Masao
Published: October 2016

Dipolar modes of solar-like oscillations of red giant stars are analyzed asymptotically. Because of the high mass concentration in the helium core, the oscillations of the stars are composed of internal gravity waves in the core and acoustic waves in the envelope. The two types of oscillations interact with each other through a thin intermediate evanescent region to form an eigenmode of the mixed character. The process of the eigenmode formation is analyzed by assuming that the wavelength of the oscillations is much shorter than the scale height of the equilibrium stellar structure. Special care is paid to the following two points: (1) the effect of the perturbation to the gravitational potential is fully taken into account; (2) the interaction between the gravity waves in the core and the acoustic waves in the envelope can be strong. The condition that every eigenfrequency of the oscillations should satisfy is formulated. Also discussed are the amplitude ratio between the core and the envelope, and the transmission and reflection of the progressive-wave solutions at the intermediate evanescent region. The analysis should be of fundamental use in the interpretation of the observed solar-like oscillations in red giant stars.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients Admitted to Intensive Care in Australia and New Zealand: A Multicenter Cohort Analysis of In-Hospital Mortality Over 15 Years
Authors: Udy Andrew A. , Vladic Chelsey , Saxby Edward Robert , Cohen Jeremy , Delaney Anthony , Flower Oliver , Anstey Matthew , Bellomo Rinaldo , Cooper David James , Pilcher David V.
Published: October 2016

Objective:

The primary aim of this study was to describe in-hospital mortality in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients requiring ICU admission. Secondary aims were to identify clinical characteristics associated with inferior outcomes, to compare subarachnoid hemorrhage mortality with other neurological diagnoses, and to explore the variability in subarachnoid hemorrhage standardized mortality ratios.

Design:

Multicenter, binational, retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Data were extracted from the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Centre for Outcome and Resource Evaluation Adult Patient Database.

Patients:

All available records for the period January 2000 to June 2015.

Interventions:

Nil.

Measurements and Main Results:

A total of 11,327 subarachnoid hemorrhage patients were identified in the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Centre for Outcome and Resource Evaluation Adult Patient Database. The overall case fatality rate was 29.2%, which declined from 35.4% in 2000 to 27.2% in 2015 (p = 0.01). Older age, nonoperative admission, mechanical ventilation, higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III scores, lower Glasgow Coma Scale, and admission prior to 2004 were all associated with lower hospital survival in multivariable analysis (p < 0.05). In comparison with other neurological diagnoses, subarachnoid hemorrhage patients had significantly greater risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.89 [95% CI, 1.79–2.00]). Utilizing data from the 5 most recent complete years (2010–2014), three sites had higher and four (including the two largest centers) had lower standardized mortality ratios than might be expected due to chance.

Conclusions:

Subarachnoid hemorrhage patients admitted to ICU in Australia and New Zealand have a high mortality rate. Year of admission beyond 2003 did not impact risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality. Significant variability was noted between institutions. This implies an urgent need to systematically evaluate many aspects of the critical care provided to this patient group.