bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of extracellular Ca2+‐dependent full‐type hyperactivation in ejaculated boar spermatozoa preincubated with a cAMP analog
Authors: Otsuka Nagisa , Harayama Hiroshi
Published: October 2017

Ejaculated boar spermatozoa exhibit two types of hyperactivation: full and non‐full. Full‐type hyperactivation is characterized by the asymmetrical bending of the entire middle piece‐principal piece and a twisting/figure‐eight‐like trajectory, and can be induced by simple incubation with CaCl2 after preincubation with a cAMP analog (Sp‐5,6‐dichloro‐1‐β‐D‐ribofuranosyl‐benzimidazole‐3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphorothioate [cBiMPS]). Here, we compared the sperm flagellar motility after treatments with elevators of [Ca2+]i (cBiMPS/CaCl2, thimerosal, procaine, and 4‐aminopyridine) to characterize the regulatory mechanism of extracellular Ca2+‐dependent, full‐type hyperactivation in ejaculated boar spermatozoa, and examined the possible involvement of Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 3 (TRPC3) in this event using the specific inhibitor Pyr3. Full‐type hyperactivation was induced by a 60‐min incubation with CaCl2 following a 180‐min preincubation with cBiMPS but without Ca2+. Thimerosal‐treated spermatozoa exhibited full‐type hyperactivation in a manner independent of extracellular Ca2+; conversely, this was not observed in procaine‐ or 4‐aminopyridine‐treated spermatozoa. A 20‐min treatment with Pyr3 between preincubation with cBiMPS and incubation with CaCl2, significantly suppressed the normal phenotype. These observations indicated that mechanisms underlying full‐type hyperactivation in spermatozoa incubated with CaCl2 after preincubation with cBiMPS are different from those in the thimerosal‐treated spermatozoa. Furthermore, indirect immunofluorescence localized TRPC3 in the upper segment of the middle piece, which bends asymmetrically during full‐type hyperactivation but not in non‐full‐type hyperactivation, suggesting that TRPC3 may be involved in the extracellular Ca2+‐dependent full‐type hyperactivation in ejaculated boar spermatozoa.
Nerve ultrasound reliability of upper limbs: Effects of examiner training
Authors: Garcia‐Santibanez Rocio , Dietz Alexander R. , Bucelli Robert C. , Zaidman Craig M.
Published: October 2017

Introduction: Duration of training to reliably measure nerve cross‐sectional area with ultrasound is unknown. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of ultrasound data, acquired and recorded by 2 examiners—an expert and either a trainee with 2 months (novice) or a trainee with 12 months (experienced) of experience. Data on median, ulnar, and radial nerves were reviewed for 42 patients. Results: Interrater reliability was good and varied most with nerve site but little with experience. Coefficient of variation (CoV) range was 9.33%–22.5%. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was good to excellent (0.65–95) except ulnar nerve‐wrist/forearm and radial nerve‐humerus (ICC = 0.39–0.59). Interrater differences did not vary with nerve size or body mass index. Expert–novice and expert–experienced interrater differences and CoV were similar. The ulnar nerve‐wrist expert–novice interrater difference decreased with time (rs = −0.68, P = 0.001). Discussion: A trainee with at least 2 months of experience can reliably measure upper limb nerves. Reliability varies by nerve and location and slightly improves with time. Muscle Nerve 57: 189–192, 2018
Low conversion rate of ocular to generalized myasthenia gravis in Singapore
Authors: Teo Kelvin Y. , Tow Sharon L. , Haaland Benjamin , Gosavi Tushar D. , Jing‐Liang LOO , Yew Long LO , Milea Dan
Published: October 2017

Introduction: Ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) is a common condition of the neuromuscular junction that may convert to generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG). Our aim in this study was to determine the conversion rate and predictive factors for generalization in OMG, in an Asian population. Methods: The investigation consisted of a retrospective study of OMG patients with a minimum 2 years of follow‐up. Results: Among 191 patients with OMG, 155 had the minimum 2‐year follow‐up. The conversion rate at median follow‐up (40.8 months) was 10.6% (95% confidence interval 7.9%–13.3%), and at the 2‐year follow‐up it was 7.7% (95% confidence interval 5.6%–9.8%). At baseline, the predictive factors for generalization were positive acetylcholine receptor antibodies (hazard ratio 3.71, P = 0.024), positive repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) studies (hazard ratio 4.42, P = 0.003), and presence of radiologically presumed or pathologically confirmed thymoma (hazard ratio 3.10, P = 0.013). Discussion: The conversion rate of OMG to GMG in Asian patients is low, as predicted by presence of acetylcholine receptor antibodies, presence of thymoma, and positive RNS studies. Muscle Nerve 57: 756–760, 2018
Sampling and energy evaluation challenges in ligand binding protein design
Authors: Dou Jiayi , Doyle Lindsey , Jr. Greisen Per , Schena Alberto , Park Hahnbeom , Johnsson Kai , Stoddard Barry L. , Baker David
Published: October 2017

The steroid hormone 17α‐hydroxylprogesterone (17‐OHP) is a biomarker for congenital adrenal hyperplasia and hence there is considerable interest in development of sensors for this compound. We used computational protein design to generate protein models with binding sites for 17‐OHP containing an extended, nonpolar, shape‐complementary binding pocket for the four‐ring core of the compound, and hydrogen bonding residues at the base of the pocket to interact with carbonyl and hydroxyl groups at the more polar end of the ligand. Eight of 16 designed proteins experimentally tested bind 17‐OHP with micromolar affinity. A co‐crystal structure of one of the designs revealed that 17‐OHP is rotated 180° around a pseudo‐two‐fold axis in the compound and displays multiple binding modes within the pocket, while still interacting with all of the designed residues in the engineered site. Subsequent rounds of mutagenesis and binding selection improved the ligand affinity to nanomolar range, while appearing to constrain the ligand to a single bound conformation that maintains the same “flipped” orientation relative to the original design. We trace the discrepancy in the design calculations to two sources: first, a failure to model subtle backbone changes which alter the distribution of sidechain rotameric states and second, an underestimation of the energetic cost of desolvating the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of the ligand. The difference between design model and crystal structure thus arises from both sampling limitations and energy function inaccuracies that are exacerbated by the near two‐fold symmetry of the molecule.
Protein–protein interactions leave evolutionary footprints: High molecular coevolution at the core of interfaces
Authors: Teppa Elin , Zea Diego Javier , Marino‐Buslje Cristina
Published: October 2017

Protein–protein interactions are essential to all aspects of life. Specific interactions result from evolutionary pressure at the interacting interfaces of partner proteins. However, evolutionary pressure is not homogeneous within the interface: for instance, each residue does not contribute equally to the binding energy of the complex. To understand functional differences between residues within the interface, we analyzed their properties in the core and rim regions. Here, we characterized protein interfaces with two evolutionary measures, conservation and coevolution, using a comprehensive dataset of 896 protein complexes. These scores can detect different selection pressures at a given position in a multiple sequence alignment. We also analyzed how the number of interactions in which a residue is involved influences those evolutionary signals. We found that the coevolutionary signal is higher in the interface core than in the interface rim region. Additionally, the difference in coevolution between core and rim regions is comparable to the known difference in conservation between those regions. Considering proteins with multiple interactions, we found that conservation and coevolution increase with the number of different interfaces in which a residue is involved, suggesting that more constraints (i.e., a residue that must satisfy a greater number of interactions) allow fewer sequence changes at those positions, resulting in higher conservation and coevolution values. These findings shed light on the evolution of protein interfaces and provide information useful for identifying protein interfaces and predicting protein–protein interactions.
Coffee inhibition of CYP3A4 in vitro was not translated to a grapefruit‐like pharmacokinetic interaction clinically
Authors: Dresser George K. , Urquhart Brad L. , Proniuk Julianne , Tieu Alvin , Freeman David J. , Arnold John Malcolm , Bailey David G.
Published: October 2017

Grapefruit can augment oral medication bioavailability through irreversible (mechanism‐based) inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4. Supplementary data from our recent coffee–drug interaction clinical study showed some subjects had higher area under the plasma drug concentration ‐ time curve (AUC) and plasma peak drug concentration (Cmax) of the CYP3A4 probe felodipine compared to aqueous control. It was hypothesized that coffee might interact like grapefruit in responsive individuals. Beans from six geographical locations were consistently brewed into coffee that was separated chromatographically to a methanolic fraction for in vitro inhibition testing of CYP3A4 metabolism of felodipine at 1% coffee strength. The effect of simultaneous incubation and 10‐min preincubation with coffee fractions determined whether coffee had direct and mechanism‐based inhibitory activity. A subsequent five‐way randomized balanced controlled crossover clinical study evaluated the clinical pharmacokinetic interaction with single‐dose felodipine. Grapefruit juice, water, or three of the in vitro tested coffees were ingested at 300 mL alone 1 h before and then with felodipine. In vitro, all six coffees decreased felodipine metabolism for both simultaneous and preincubation exposure compared to corresponding control. Five coffees demonstrated mechanism‐based inhibition. Grapefruit increased felodipine AUC0–8 (25 vs. 13 ng.h/mL, P < 0.001) and Cmax (5.8 vs. 2.7 ng/mL, P < 0.001) and decreased dehydrofelodipine/felodipine AUC0–8 ratio (0.84 vs. 1.29, P < 0.001), while the three coffees caused no change in these parameters compared to water. Despite high in vitro potency of CYP3A4 inhibition, the coffees did not cause a clinical pharmacokinetic interaction possibly from insufficient amount of inhibitor(s) in coffee reaching intestinal CYP3A4 during the absorption phase of felodipine. The results of this study highlight the need for follow‐up clinical testing when in vitro results indicate the possibility of an interaction.
Self‐Assembly Semipolar AlN Nanopyramids Grown on Powder‐Compressed AlN Substrates
Authors: Lee Ming‐Jui , Lin Wei‐Ting , Huang Chun‐Pin , Chen Sheng‐Hui , Lai Kun‐Yu
Published: October 2017

AlN nanopyramids with semipolar facets are grown by metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on the AlN substrate attained with compressed AlN powders. Surface qualities of the polycrystalline substrate are improved with an AlN buffer layer deposited by sputtering, followed by appropriate post annealing. It is found that a pulsed flow condition of ammonia (NH3) during the MOCVD growth can effectively enhance morphologic uniformity and crystallinity of the nanopyramids. The semipolar AlN nanopyramids serve as a promising template for ultraviolet emitters, considering their increased surface area and reduced polarization fields.
Influence of Silver Nanoparticles Crystallinity on Localized Surface Plasmons Dephasing Times
Authors: Toropov N. A. , Leonov N. B. , Vartanyan T. A.
Published: October 2017

The dephasing time of localized surface plasmons is a crucial parameter that defines the quality of resonance and achievable electromagnetic field enhancement near metal nanoparticles. Lattice irregularities of as‐deposited supported metal nanoparticles shorten the plasmon dephasing time and degrade the resonance quality. To study the crystallinity influence on the plasmon dephasing time in more detail, silver nanoparticles in the form of a granular film were produced on dielectric substrates via physical vapor deposition in a vacuum chamber. The samples are characterized using Vis–NIR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The persistent spectral hole burning technique is applied to study the annealing influence on the dephasing time of localized surface plasmons of the particular resonance frequency. After annealing, the improved crystallinity of nanoparticles leads to a twofold dephasing time increase. This conclusion is supported by the electron diffraction patterns. The role of the improved crystallinity among concurrent effects of annealing is discussed.
A Comparative Study of Field Emission From Semiconducting and Metallic Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Planar Emitters
Authors: Kleshch Victor I. , Eremina Valentina A. , Serbun Pavel , Orekhov Anton S. , Lützenkirchen‐Hecht Dirk , Obraztsova Elena D. , Obraztsov Alexander N.
Published: October 2017

Field electron emission from thin films composed of solely metallic or semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotubes is investigated using a scanning tip anode technique. Metallic and semiconducting nanotubes are separated by aqueous two‐phase extraction. Local field emission centers observed on nanotube films of both types showed non‐linear Fowler–Nordheim (FN) plots bent downwards. The curving of FN plots is much stronger for semiconducting nanotubes which is explained by their higher electrical resistance and stronger field penetration effect compared to metallic nanotubes. Particular nanotubes of both types revealed oscillations in current–voltage characteristics. The periodic oscillations indicated that the field emission current is modulated either by resonant tunnelling from confinement states in nano‐objects formed by adsorbates or by the Coulomb blockade effect that can occur for emission from short carbon nanotubes.
Dopant‐Free Twinning Superlattice Formation in InSb and InP Nanowires
Authors: Yuan Xiaoming , Guo Yanan , Caroff Philippe , He Jun , Tan Hark Hoe , Jagadish Chennupati
Published: October 2017

Periodic arrangement of twin planes creates a controllable polytype that can affect both the electronic and optical properties of nanowires. The approach that is most used for inducing twinning superlattice (TSL) formation in III–V nanowires is introducing impurity dopants during growth. Here, we demonstrate that controlling the growth parameters is sufficient to produce regular twinning planes in Au‐catalysed InSb and InP nanowires. Our results show that TSL formation in InSb nanowires only exists in a very narrow growth window. We suggest that growth conditions induce a high concentration of In (or Sb) in the Au droplet, which plays a similar role to that of surfactant impurities such as Zn, and increases the droplet wetting angle to yield a geometry that is favorable for TSL formation. The demonstration of TSL structure in InSb and InP nanowires by controlling the input of In (or Sb) further enhances fundamental understanding of TSL formation in III–V nanowires and allows us to tune the properties of these nanowires by crystal phase engineering.
U. S. Operational Numerical Weather Prediction
Authors: KALNAY E. , PETERSEN R. , KANAMITSU M. , BAKER W. E.
Published: October 2017

In this paper we review recent improvements in regional and global operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) at the US National Meteorological Center (NMC), the resulting evolution in forecast skill performance, and main areas of current research. The changes expected to occur during the next five years are also outlined.
Atmospheric Electrodynamics in the US: 1987–1990
Authors: HOLZWORTH R. H.
Published: October 2017

This paper summarizes published atmospheric electrodynamics research of the past few years. It concentrates on the work of US researchers and does not claim to provide a full bibliography. The paper is divided into three general areas: 1. The ionosphere as a source for middle atmospheric electrodynamics; 2. Regional and global scale electrodynamics; and 3. Thunderstorms and lightning.
Gravimetry and Gravity Field Models
Authors: JEKELI CHRISTOPHER
Published: October 2017

A compendium of four years' work in the measurement and modeling of the Earth's gravity field shows steady progress in the improvement of spherical harmonic expansions and includes continued analysis of a yet‐to‐be realized dedicated space gravity mission. Newton's gravitational law was put to the test, the airborne gravity gradiometer was field tested, and airborne gravimetry is achieving respectable results. The review covers work performed at U.S. institutions and published during the quadrennium 1987–1990.
Hierarchical Approaches to Transport in Heterogeneous Porous Media
Authors: WHEATCRAFT STEPHEN W. , CUSHMAN JOHN H.
Published: October 2017

Most attempts to quantify heterogeneity have been based on the belief that a separation of scale exists between a highly heterogeneous “small” scale and a “large” scale which is homogeneous relative to the former. The major distinction between these two scales is that small scale variability is often irrelevant for the prediction of events on the large scale. While it is apparent that cases exist where there is a distinct dichotomy of scales, the more general (and frequent) case will be that heterogeneity exists at all scales. Hierarchical approaches to transport in porous media recognize the natural variability of geologic materials that serve as soils and aquifers. Recently, researchers have begun developing new theories and models of transport and transformation in heterogeneous porous media based on conceptual models of hierarchical spatial variability of geologic materials.
GLOBAL CHANGE: FROM RHETORIC TO REALITY
Authors: Perry John S.
Published: October 2017

ORIGINS

“The earth is a planet characterized by change, and has entered a unique epoch when one species, the human race, has achieved the ability to alter its environment on a global scale.”
Long-Term Recovery After Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells or Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cells Administration in a Rat Model of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Grandvuillemin Isabelle , Garrigue Philippe , Ramdani Alaa , Boubred Farid , Simeoni Umberto , Dignat-George Françoise , Sabatier Florence , Guillet Benjamin
Published: October 2017

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (NHIE) is a dramatic perinatal complication, associated with poor neurological prognosis despite neuroprotection by therapeutic hypothermia, in the absence of an available curative therapy. We evaluated and compared ready-to-use human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCBC) and bankable but allogeneic endothelial progenitors (ECFC) as cell therapy candidate for NHIE. We compared benefits of HUCBC and ECFC transplantation 48 hours after injury in male rat NHIE model, based on the Rice-Vannucci approach. Based on behavioral tests, immune-histological assessment and metabolic imaging of brain perfusion using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), HUCBC, or ECFC administration provided equally early and sustained functional benefits, up to 8 weeks after injury. These results were associated with total normalization of injured hemisphere cerebral blood flow assessed by SPECT/CT imaging. In conclusion, even if ECFC represent an efficient candidate, HUCBC autologous criteria and easier availability make them the ideal candidate for hypoxic-ischemic cell therapy.
Ni2P@Carbon Core–Shell Nanoparticle‐Arched 3D Interconnected Graphene Aerogel Architectures as Anodes for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Miao Xianguang , Yin Ruiyang , Ge Xiaoli , Li Zhaoqiang , Yin Longwei
Published: October 2017

To alleviate large volume change and improve poor electrochemical reaction kinetics of metal phosphide anode for sodium‐ion batteries, for the first time, an unique Ni2P@carbon/graphene aerogel (GA) 3D interconnected porous architecture is synthesized through a solvothermal reaction and in situ phosphorization process, where core–shell Ni2P@C nanoparticles are homogenously embedded in GA nanosheets. The synergistic effect between components endows Ni2P@C/GA electrode with high structural stability and electrochemical activity, leading to excellent electrochemical performance, retaining a specific capacity of 124.5 mA h g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 over 2000 cycles. The robust 3D GA matrix with abundant open pores and large surface area can provide unblocked channels for electrolyte storage and Na+ transfer and make fully close contact between the electrode and electrolyte. The carbon layers and 3D GA together build a 3D conductive matrix, which not only tolerates the volume expansion as well as prevents the aggregation and pulverization of Ni2P nanoparticles during Na+ insertion/extraction processes, but also provides a 3D conductive highway for rapid charge transfer processes. The present strategy for phosphides via in situ phosphization route and coupling phosphides with 3D GA can be extended to other novel electrodes for high‐performance energy storage devices.
Post‐buckling strength of plate girders subjected to shear – experimental verification
Authors: Hansen Thomas
Published: October 2017

This paper describes a calculation method for steel plate girders with transverse web stiffeners subjected to shear. It may be used to predict the failure load or, as a design method, to determine the optimal number of internal web stiffeners. The method is based on the theory of plasticity. Many other theories have been developed, but the method presented here differs from these theories by incorporating the strength of the transverse stiffeners and by assuming that the tensile bands may pass the transverse stiffeners – an effect often observed in tests. Other methods have only dealt with a single web field between two stiffeners.

The load‐carrying capacity may be predicted by applying both the lower‐bound and upper‐bound theorems. The upper‐bound solutions show very good correlation with existing tests. The emphasis is placed on the presentation of the tests conducted at the Technical University of Denmark. The test programme comprised six full‐scale plate girder specimens. Agreement between the theory and the tests is very good.
Real haptics and its applications
Authors: Ohnishi Kouhei , Mizoguchi Takahiro
Published: October 2017

Real haptics has been an unsolved problem since its beginning in the 1940s. After much R&D, including the early works in the United States and other countries, bilateral control designed in the acceleration space is a solution for this issue. The quality of touch and tactile sensation is heavily dependent on the transparency between the master side and the slave side. Robust motion control, which is equivalent to acceleration control, gives high transparency. Real haptics is now a key concept in 21st century where the quality of life should be the basis of our society. Various examples are also given. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Selection Considerations for your Optimum Leak Testing Method and Process
Authors: Morris Dave , Seibert Dennis
Published: October 2017

Leak testing with air or tracer gas has made significant progress in the last decade with respect to technology, improved sensitivity and shorter cycle times. The motivation was driven by stricter environmental regulations and cost pressure. The article gives an overview of different leak testing methods. Furthermore a question guideline for the selection of the optimal leak detection method for different applications is introduced.
Simulation of forest‐based carbon balances for Germany: a contribution to the‘carbon debt’ debate
Authors: Schweinle Jörg , Köthke Margret , Englert Hermann , Dieter Matthias
Published: October 2017

The aim of this paper is to estimate the future carbon balance of wood use in Germany combining a national forest inventory data‐driven forest growth model with information about German harvested wood products markets and taking into account material and energy substitution effects. In a scenario analysis, we assess impacts of different forest management options, change of market share of harvested wood products as well as changes of the national energy mix. Additionally, the model settings and assumptions that predominantly determine the results are identified and discussed. The simulation results show that only a radical change of forest management in Germany would cause net carbon emissions. The continuation of current forest management or a higher share of high yield tree species as well as a change of market shares of wood and wood products would result in a net carbon sequestration in German forest and harvested wood products carbon pools. Considering substitution effects, even the net carbon emissions of a radically changed forest management would be over compensated and the carbon balance of all other scenarios would become even more positive. Looking at the most decisive factors regarding our simulation results, the initial treatment of the forest carbon pool, the starting year for the simulations and the present forest structure are most crucial for further accumulated net carbon pool changes. WIREs Energy Environ 2018, 7:e260. doi: 10.1002/wene.260

This article is categorized under:

Bioenergy > Climate and Environment

Energy and Climate > Climate and Environment

Energy and Development > Climate and Environment
A Simple Access to Pure Thorium(IV) Halides (ThCl4, ThBr4, and ThI4)
Authors: Deubner H. Lars , Rudel Stefan Sebastian , Kraus Florian
Published: October 2017

In this work we present a facile, lab scale synthesis for thorium tetrahalides ThX4 (X = Cl, Br, and I). The reaction between the easily available ThO2 and AlX3 (X = Cl, Br, and I) and a subsequent in situ chemical vapor transport (CVT) leads to a product of high purity, which is obtained in the form of crystals or large aggregates of crystals. Their identity and purity was evidenced by X‐ray powder diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The usage of ThO2 avoids, unlike earlier syntheses, the utilization of scarcely available thorium metal or of other reactants, such as CCl4, which leads to impurities. Furthermore, the reaction tolerates even less pure ThO2.
Clinical and Radiological Discrimination of Solitary Pulmonary Lesions in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Ohtaki Yoichi , Shimizu Kimihiro , Nagashima Toshiteru , Nakazawa Seshiru , Obayashi Kai , Azuma Yoko , Iijima Misaki , Kosaka Takayuki , Yajima Toshiki , Ogawa Hiroomi , Tsutsumi Soichi , Arai Motohiro , Mogi Akira , Kuwano Hiroyuki
Published: October 2017

Objectives

The lung is one of the most common organs of metastasis from colorectal cancer (CRC), and we have encountered lung cancer patients with a history of CRC. There have been few studies regarding methods used to discriminate between primary lung cancer (PLC) and pulmonary metastasis from CRC (PM‐CRC) based only on preoperative findings. We retrospectively investigated predictive factors discriminating between these lesions in patients with a history of CRC.

Methods

Between 2006 and 2015, 117 patients with a history of CRC (44 patients with 47 PLC and 73 patients with 102 PM‐CRC) underwent subsequent or concurrent resection of pulmonary lesions. We compared the clinical and radiological characteristics of 100 patients with solitary lesions (43 PLC and 57 PM‐CRC). Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we examined predictive factors for discrimination of these two lesions.

Results

All tumors with findings of ground‐glass opacity (GGO) were PLC (n = 19). In a multivariate analysis of 81 radiologically solid tumors, two factors were found to be significant independent predictors of PLC: a history of stage I CRC and presence of pleural indentation. All tumors in 26 patients with either GGO or both a stage I CRC history and pleural indentation were PLC, while most tumors in patients without all three factors were PM‐CRC (43/44; 97.7%).

Conclusions

The presence or absence of GGO, pathological CRC stage, and pleural indentation could be useful factors to distinguish between PLC and PM‐CRC.
Adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation preoperative survey using MDCT, a single medical center experience in Taiwan
Authors: Su Te‐Cheng , Hung Siu‐Wan , Liu Ming‐Cheng , Lin Yen‐Ting , Chen Jeon‐Hor , Cheng Shao‐Bin , Chen Clayton Chi‐Chang
Published: October 2017

This study evaluated multi‐detector computed tomography (MDCT) scans performed on potential living donors for adult‐to‐adult liver transplantation (LDLT), with the aim of identifying significant findings that could be used to exclude potential transplantation donors. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 151 consecutive potential adult donors for LDLT from May 2007 to January 2015. Liver parenchyma steatosis, focal hepatic mass or intraabdominal malignancy, vascular variations, and donor liver volume were evaluated via MDCT. Grounds for excluding potential donors were also recorded and analyzed. Of the 151 potential donors, nine (6.0%) had moderate to severe fatty liver, 37 (24.5%) had hepatic arterial variants, 22 (14.6%) had significant portal venous variants, and more than half were found to have right accessory inferior hepatic vein. No intraabdominal malignancies were found. Eighty‐eight potential donors were rejected, with the most common cause being insufficient recipient volume or remnant donor volume (47.7%), moderate to severe parenchymal steatosis (10.2%), and recipient expiration prior to transplantation (8.0%). An additional 16 potential donors were excluded by the surgical team due to the complexity of their portal venous variations. The rate of exclusion by pre‐transplant imaging evaluation with MDCT was 33.8%. MDCT can provide accurate quantification of donor liver volume and steatosis severity along with precise demonstration of vascular variants, which are crucial for the preoperative evaluation of LDLT. However, MDCT may be ineffective for evaluating the biliary system without hepatobiliary‐excreted contrast agent and has the disadvantage of ionizing radiation.
Using Structure from Motion Mapping to Record and Analyze Details of the Colossal Hats (Pukao) of Monumental Statues on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Authors: Hixon Sean W. , Lipo Carl P. , Hunt Terry L. , Lee Christopher
Published: October 2017

Structure from motion (SfM) mapping is a photogrammetric technique that offers a cost-effective means of creating three-dimensional (3-D) visual representations from overlapping digital photographs. The technique is now used more frequently to document the archaeological record. We demonstrate the utility of SfM by studying red scoria bodies known aspukaofrom Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile). We created 3-D images of 50pukaothat once adorned the massive statues (moai) of Rapa Nui and compare them to 13 additionalpukaolocated in Puna Pau, the island's red scoriapukaoquarry. Through SfM, we demonstrate that the majority of these bodies have petroglyphs and other surface features that are relevant to archaeological explanation and are currently at risk of continued degradation.
Africa Business Research as a Laboratory for Theory-Building: Extreme Conditions, New Phenomena, and Alternative Paradigms of Social Relationships
Authors: Barnard Helena , Cuervo-Cazurra Alvaro , Manning Stephan
Published: October 2017

Africa is an increasingly important business context, yet we still know little about it. We review the challenges and opportunities that firms in Africa face and propose that these can serve as the basis for extending current theories and models of the firm. We do so by challenging some of the implicit assumptions and stereotypes on firms in Africa and by proposing three avenues for extending theories. One is taking the extreme conditions of some Africa countries and using them as a laboratory for modifying current theories and models of the firm, as we illustrate in the case of institutional theory and the resource-based view. A second one is identifying new themes that arise from analyzing firms in Africa and their contexts of operation, and we discuss four themes: migrating multinationals and the meaning of home country, diaspora networks within and across countries, a recasting of cultural and institutional distance, and new hybrid organizational forms. A third one is developing new theories based on alternative paradigms of social relationships that have emerged in Africa that differ from those underpinning existing theories of the firm, such askgotlaand its view of community-based relationships orubuntuand its humanizing view of relationships.
Identifying environmental drivers of fungal non-pollen palynomorphs in the montane forest of the eastern Andean flank, Ecuador
Authors: Loughlin Nicholas J.D. , Gosling William D. , Montoya Encarni
Published: October 2017

Samples taken from sedimentary archives indicate that fungal non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) can be used to provide information on forest cover, fire regime, and depositional environment in the eastern Andean flank montane forest of Ecuador. Within the 52 samples examined, 54 fungal NPP morphotypes are reported, of which 25 were found to be previously undescribed. Examination of fungal NPPs over a gradient of forest cover (2–64%) revealed three distinct assemblages: (1) low (<8%) forest cover Neurospora, IBB-16, HdV-201, OU-102, and OU-110 indicative of an open degraded landscape; (2) medium (8–32%) forest cover Cercophora-type 1, Xylariaceae, Rosellinia-type, Kretzschmaria deusta, Amphirosellinia, Sporormiella, and Glomus suggestive of a forested landscape disturbed by herbivores and soil erosion; and (3) high (32–63%) forest cover Anthostomella fuegiana, OU-5, OU-101, OU-108, and OU-120. Environmental variables for forest cover (forest pollen), available moisture (aquatic remains), regional fire regime (microcharcoal), and sediment composition (organic carbon) were found to explain ~40% of the variance in the fungal NPP data set. Fire was found to be the primary control on fungal NPP assemblage composition, with available moisture and sediment composition the next most important factors.
Multi-micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy for prevention of maternal anaemia and adverse birth outcomes in a high-altitude area: a prospective cohort study in rural Tibet of China
Authors: Kang Yijun , Dang Shaonong , Zeng Lingxia , Wang Duolao , Li Qiang , Wang Jianpeng , Ouzhu Luobu , Yan Hong
Published: October 2017

Anaemia during pregnancy, characterised by Hb <110 g/l, is a specific risk factor for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of daily antenatal supplementation with multiple micronutrients (MMN) compared with folic acid (FA) on the occurrence of anaemia among pregnant women and their infants’ health in a high-altitude area. A prospective cohort study was carried out in two rural counties in Tibet from 2007 to 2012. A total of 1149 eligible pregnant women were allocated daily supplementation with FA in one county and MMN containing a recommended allowance of twenty-three vitamins and minerals in another county starting ≤24 weeks of gestation and continuing until delivery. Compared with the FA group, prenatal supplementation with MMN was significantly associated with reduced odds of anaemia in the third trimester. This was demonstrated in the primary outcome, with an adjusted OR (AOR) of 0·63; 95 % CI 0·45, 0·88 and P=0·007 and also reduced odds of preterm delivery (AOR: 0·31; 95 % CI 0·15, 0·61; P=0·001). There was no difference between MMN and FA groups in mean birth weight (adjusted mean difference: 36·78; 95 % CI −19·42, 92·98 g; P=0·200), whereas MMN supplementation significantly reduced the odds of low-birth weight (LBW) babies (AOR: 0·58; 95 % CI 0·36, 0·91; P=0·019). In conclusion, the antenatal MMN supplementation in rural Tibet is associated with a reduction of maternal anaemia in the third trimester, and may potentially decrease the risk of preterm delivery and LBW babies.
Dietary egg-white protein increases body protein mass and reduces body fat mass through an acceleration of hepaticβ-oxidation in rats
Authors: Matsuoka Ryosuke , Shirouchi Bungo , Umegatani Minami , Fukuda Meguri , Muto Ayano , Masuda Yasunobu , Kunou Masaaki , Sato Masao
Published: October 2017

Egg-white protein (EWP) is known to reduce lymphatic TAG transport in rats. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary EWP on body fat mass. Male rats, 4 weeks old, were fed diets containing either 20 % EWP or casein for 28 d. Carcass protein levels and gastrocnemius leg muscle weights in the EWP group were significantly higher than those in the casein group. In addition, carcass TAG levels and abdominal fat weights in the EWP group were significantly lower than those in the casein group; adipocyte size in abdominal fat in the EWP group was smaller than that in the casein group. To identify the involvement of dietary fat levels in the rats, one of two fat levels (5 or 10 %) was added to their diet along with the different protein sources (EWP and casein). Abdominal fat weight and serum and hepatic TAG levels were significantly lower in the EWP group than in the casein group. Moreover, significantly higher values of enzymatic activity related toβ-oxidation in the liver were observed in the EWP group compared with the casein group. Finally, abdominal fat weight reduction in the EWP group with the 10 % fat diet was lower than that in the EWP group with the 5 % fat diet. In conclusion, our results indicate that, in addition to the inhibition of dietary TAG absorption reported previously, dietary EWP reduces body fat mass in rats through an increase of body protein mass and the acceleration ofβ-oxidation in the liver.
Lexical inferencing and the mutual intelligibility of Estonian and Finnish
Authors: Muikku-Werner Pirkko
Published: October 2017

Several factors affect the comprehension of a text written in a language related to the reader's first language (L1): (i) orthographic similarity with the reader's L1, (ii) contextual clues, (iii) semantic relationships between components of phraseological units, and (iv) L1 reading comprehension strategies. This article compares the results of a cloze test (CT), in which a group of Finns read a text in their L1 (Finnish) and filled the gaps, and a translation test (TT), in which another group of Finns translated the Estonian version of the same text into Finnish. This text included five pairs of primes and targets, parts of the same phraseological unit, representing different semantic relations; in the CT the target was replaced by a gap and in the TT the respondents had to translate the target. The results indicated that the respondents used similar inferencing strategies in both tests, and thus provide evidence for the assumption that orthographic similarity is not the sole factor contributing to understanding a foreign text, but that L1 reading comprehension strategies are also employed.
Introduction: Receptive multilingualism
Authors: Riionheimo Helka , Kaivapalu Annekatrin , Härmävaara Hanna-Ilona
Published: October 2017

This special issue of the Nordic Journal of Linguistics is devoted to receptive multilingualism (RM), and includes papers presented in the conference Receptive Multilingualism: Multilingual Resources in the Service of Mutual Understanding, held at the University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, in 2015. RM refers to a language contact situation in which hearers’ or readers’ understanding of a non-native language is based on their skills in either their first language or languages that they have learned later in life. In such situations comprehension can be based on linguistic similarity of the languages, on acquired knowledge of the languages, or both. A particular characteristic of RM is its emphasis on receptive language skills: the hearer or the reader does not necessarily actively command the language they are able to understand. In its most interactive form RM refers to a situation in which every conversation participant can use their native language and be understood by the others.
Language-dependent knowledge acquisition: investigating bilingual arithmetic learning
Authors: HAHN CHRISTIAN G. K. , SAALBACH HENRIK , GRABNER ROLAND H.
Published: October 2017

Previous studies revealed language-switching costs (LSC) in bilingual learning settings, consisting of performance decreases when problems are solved in a language different from that of instruction. Strong costs have been found for arithmetic fact knowledge. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether LSC in arithmetic also emerge in an auditory learning task and in pure fact learning. Furthermore, we tested whether LSC are influenced by the direction of language-switching. Thirty-three university students learned arithmetic facts of three different operations (i.e., multiplication, subtraction, artificial facts) over a period of four days. The training was either in German or English. On day five, participants solved problems in both languages. Results revealed LSC in response latencies for all three types of problems, independent of the direction of language-switching. These findings suggest that LSC are modality-unspecific and occur independent of the type of arithmetic fact knowledge.
Structural priming in bilinguals
Authors: VAN GOMPEL ROGER P. G. , ARAI MANABU
Published: October 2017

In this review, we examine how structural priming has been used to investigate the representation of first and second language syntactic structures in bilinguals. Most experiments suggest that structures that are identical in the first and second language have a single, shared mental representation. The results from structures that are similar but not fully identical are less clear, but they may be explained by assuming that first and second language representations are merely connected rather than fully shared. Some research has also used structural priming to investigate the representation of cognate words. We will also consider whether cross-linguistic structural priming taps into long-term implicit learning effects. Finally, we discuss recent research that has investigated how second language syntactic representations develop as learners’ proficiency increases.
Brexit Projects at Middle Temple Library
Authors: Geidt Lenka
Published: October 2017

This article, written by Lenka Geidt, gives detailed insight into Brexit projects undertaken by Middle Temple Library. The library specialises, among other areas, in European Union law. This article explains how members of the Inns of Court and librarians can benefit from these projects which focus on legislation, case law and the legal debate regarding the United Kingdom's referendum on European Union membership and Brexit.
Diversifying the Reviewer Pool
Authors: Hanson Brooks , Lerback Jory
Published: October 2017

After a successful trial to actively encourage authors to recommend diverse lists of reviewers for their papers, a reminder statement about diversity will now be rolled out across AGU journals.
AP4 modulated by the PI3K/AKT pathway promotes prostate cancer proliferation and metastasis of prostate cancer via upregulating L-plastin
Authors: Chen Changhao , Cai Qingqing , He Wang , Lam Thomas B , Lin Jianxun , Zhao Yue , Chen Xu , Gu Peng , Huang Hao , Xue Miaoxin , Liu Hao , Su Feng , Huang Jian , Zheng Jianping , Lin Tianxin
Published: October 2017

The transition from androgen-dependent to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa) is a lethal event of uncertain molecular aetiology. Our previous studies demonstrated that L-plastin is involved in PCa invasion and metastasis and is upregulated by androgen and oestrogen in the hormone-dependent PCa cell line LNCaP. We recently found that L-plastin expression is consistently activated even after androgen deprivation, suggesting that androgen-independent transcription factors may regulate its expression. Herein, we performed sequential deletion and luciferase analysis of the L-plastin promoter and found that an androgen-independent regulatory factor prominently located in the region close to the transcription initiation site (−216 to +118) may facilitate L-plastin upregulation. AP4 was then identified as the relevant transcription activator that directly binds to the L-plastin promoter, as confirmed by EMSAs, supershift assays and CHIP-qPCR experiments. Moreover, we determined that the AP4/L-plastin axis is regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway, contributing to PCa metastasis and castration resistance. Furthermore, we found that AP4 promotes PCa metastasis by upregulating L-plastin expression in vitro and in vivo. We collected a total of 136 PCa tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues from patients who underwent prostatectomy at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital from 2005 to 2015 and measured AP4 and L-plastin protein levels by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that AP4 levels strongly correlated with those of its downstream target gene L-plastin, were significantly upregulated in PCa tissues, were positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and Gleason scores over 7, and were an independent prognostic factor for patient survival. In summary, these findings support a plausible mechanism by which the AP4/L-plastin axis is regulated by the PI3K/AKT pathway in human PCa and may represent a novel therapeutic target in PCa treatment.
Executioner caspases and CAD are essential for mutagenesis induced by TRAIL or vincristine
Authors: Miles Mark A , Hawkins Christine J
Published: October 2017

Chemotherapy drugs interfere with cellular processes to generate genotoxic lesions that activate cell death pathways. Sustained DNA damage induced by these drugs can provoke mutations in surviving non-cancerous cells, potentially increasing the risk of therapy-related cancers. Ligation of death receptors by ligands such as TRAIL, and subsequent activation of extrinsic apoptotic pathways, also provokes mutations. In this study, we show that executioner caspase activation of the apoptotic nuclease CAD/DFF40 is essential for TRAIL-induced mutations in surviving cells. As exposure to chemotherapy drugs also activates apoptotic caspases and presumably CAD, we hypothesized that these pathways may also contribute to the mutagenesis induced by conventional chemotherapy drugs, perhaps augmenting the mutations that arise from direct DNA damage provoked by these agents. Interestingly, vincristine-mediated mutations were caspase and CAD dependent. Executioner caspases accounted for some of the mutations caused by the topoisomerase poisons doxorubicin and SN38, but were dispensable for mutagenesis following treatment with cisplatin or temozolomide. These data highlight a non-apoptotic role of caspases in mutagenesis mediated by death receptor agonists, microtubule poisons and topoisomerase inhibitors, and provide further evidence for a potential carcinogenic consequence of sublethal apoptotic signaling stimulated by anticancer therapies.