bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness study on applied quality assurance of ducational technology in learning quality improvement in universities
Authors: Haryono  , Prihatin Titi , Widhanarto Ghanis Putra
Published: September 2018

Educational technology is an applied scientific discipline that develops by the need of the field , namely the demands of learning more effectively, efficiently, broadly, widely, and quickly. As a systematic and systematic process in helping to solve learning problems, the application of educational technology can be directed to the learning quality assurance process. This study is aimed at: (1) analyzing the application of educational technology in improving the quality of learning in universities, (2) analyzing the quality assurance process of learning in universities, and (3) testing the effectiveness of quality assurance models based on applied educational technology in improving the quality of learning in College. The method used is a quantitative approach. The study began with an exploratory survey method, then continued with experiments. The results showed that the analysis of the quality of learning in universities was very dependent on the application of educational technology, the learning quality assurance process agreed that educational technology could improve the quality of learning in universities, and the application of quality assurance models based on applied learning technology is effective to improve the quality of learning in college high. The benefits of this study as a reference for the development model of quality assurance, especially for education and learning.
Implementation of learning quality assurance based on applied education technology
Authors: Haryono  , Budisantoso Heri Triluqman , Subkhan Edi , Utanto Yuli
Published: September 2018

This research aims to analyze the implementation of learning quality assurance at school and develop its model based on the applied educational technology. The research unit of analysis encompassing several junior high school, senior high school and vocational school in Semarang, Kendal, and Kudus district. The research results (1) school had implemented the learning quality assurance including the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluating process, although the documentation is still desultory, (2) the learning quality assurance based on the applied educational technology had been developed as a reference to define (a) the scope of quality assurance at school, (b) the quality policy and quality assurance organization at school, (c) the standard of learning quality and its achievement strategy, and (d) the manual for learning quality and its instrument, and (3) the learning quality assurance based on the applied educational technology is worth implemented on the learning quality assurance process at school.
Merging Transition-Metal Catalysis with Phthalimides: A New Entry to Useful Building Blocks
Authors: Gramage-Doria Rafael , Yuan Yu-Chao , Bruneau Christian
Published: September 2018

Phthalimides have found their main application in organic synthesis as protecting groups for primary amines during the multistep synthesis of biologically relevant targets. On the other hand, phthalimide functionalization is rather challenging and it is traditionally associated with the use of over-stoichiometric amounts of environmentally hazardous reagents. In this short review, we describe and discuss how, in the last decades, transition-metal catalysts have provided useful organic building blocks after selective transformation of the phthalimide skeleton in a more efficient and sustainable manner.

1 Introduction

2 Partial Carbonyl Reduction

3 Full Carbonyl Reduction

4 Aromatic Ring Reduction

5 Five-Membered-Ring Opening

6 Conclusion
Die Erfindung der Psychotherapie – das erste Jahrhundert. Deutschland 1695-1808
Authors: Peters U. H.
Published: September 2018

Viele Historiker meinen, die Psychotherapie sei von Sigmund Freud erfunden worden, wieder andere glauben, die Psychotherapie habe um 1800 begonnen. Das eine ist so wenig zutreffend wie das andere. Die Psychotherapie ist ab 1700 unmittelbar mit dem Beginn der Aufklärung in Deutschland entstanden, als Georg Ernst Stahl 1695 als erster eine Theorie darüber veröffentliche, wie Körper und Psyche aufeinander wirken. Die Psychotherapie besteht nun bereits in ihrem 4. Jahrhundert und findet in Deutschland allgemeine Anerkennung. Im Folgenden soll nun ihr erstes Jahrhundert näher beleuchtet werden. Es ist die Phase der Entstehung der Psychotherapie bis hin zur Prägung ihres Namens zu Beginn 1800. Ihre Entwicklung, ihre Lehre und ihre Techniken und Anwendung werden hier im Einzelnen dargestellt.
Agomelatin – update aktueller Daten
Authors: Volz H.-P.
Published: September 2018

Agomelatin ist ein Antidepressivum mit einem neuartigen Wirkansatz: Es wirkt an melatonergen MT1- und MT2-Rezeptoren agonistisch, an dem serotonergen 5-HT2c-Rezeptor antagonistisch und beeinflusst - anders als monaminerge Substanzen - positiv die bei Depressiven gestörten zirkadianen Parameter wie Affekt, Schlaf und Aktivitätszyklus. Die Wirksamkeit auf alle Kernsymptome der Depression ist mit anderen modernen Antidepressiva mindestens vergleichbar. 2010 wurde diese Substanz vom Autor in diesem Journal in einem Überblicksartikel vorgestellt, nun sollen neue und auch seinerzeit unberücksichtigte Erkenntnisse über diese Substanz ergänzt werden. Aus den Arbeiten wird ersichtlich, dass Agomelatin spezifische Vorteile im Bereich der Schlafstörungen und der sexuellen Funktionsstörungen besitzt, dabei gut antidepressiv wirkt. Offene Studien zeigen die gute Anwendbarkeit der Substanz unter Praxisbedingungen sowie potenziell interessante Einsatzgebiete im Bereich der therapieresistenten Depression und der postremissiven Depression bei schizophren Erkrankten.
Psychotherapeutische Versorgung in Deutschland
Authors: Herpertz S. C. , Roth-Sackenheim Ch.
Published: September 2018

Mehr als 3% der Deutschen erhalten eine psychotherapeutische Behandlung. Dabei verteilt sich die Versorgungslandschaft auf eine Reihe unterschiedlicher Berufsgruppen, wobei das Verhältnis von Ärzten und Psychologen derzeit bei 1:1,7 liegt. Das deutsche Krankenver-sicherungssystem verteilt seine Ressourcen unter der Leitidee, dass psychisch Kranke mit einem der zugelassenen Richtlinienverfahren „Kognitive Verhaltenstherapie, Tiefenpsychologie oder Psychoanalyse“ behandelt werden sollen; so entfallen ungefähr die Hälfte aller Ausgaben für Psychiatrie und Neurologie auf die Finanzierung der Richtlinienverfahren. Der ambulant tätige Facharzt für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie versorgt dagegen mit Abstand die meisten Patienten und übernimmt damit die Verantwortung für die Versorgungssicherung der psychisch Kranken in Deutschland. Allerdings geht die sehr hohe Fallzahl auf Kosten der Zeitintensität der Behandlung des einzelnen Patienten. Dies dürfte nur sehr eingeschränkt dem Selbstbild und der Kompetenz der Mehrzahl der Psychiater und Psychotherapeuten entsprechen, erbringen sie doch oft auch Richtlinienpsychotherapien. Laufende Forschungsprojekte, z.T. unterstützt von der Bundesärztekammer, werden hoffentlich mehr Klarheit darüber bringen, welche psychotherapeutischen Leistungen von Ärzten im Allgemeinen und Psychiatern im Besonderen neben der Richtlinienpsychotherapie erbracht werden.
Coherent phase space structures in a 1D electrostatic plasma using particle-in-cell and Vlasov simulations: A comparative study
Authors: Saini V. , Pandey S. K. , Trivedi P. , Ganesh R.
Published: September 2018

We present a quantitative comparative study of the formation of coherent phase space structures in one dimension using two widely followed approaches in kinetic simulations of collision-less plasmas, namely, Monte Carlo based Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations and phase space grid based Eulerian Vlasov-Poisson simulations. Using a newly developed PIC solver, we demonstrate that, while for linear regimes, there is a ready quantitative agreement between Vlasov-Poisson and PIC solvers, whereas for weakly nonlinear regimes and late time simulations, for comparable field resolutions, Vlasov-Poisson simulation results are found to be relatively noise-free as compared to PIC results with a large number of PIC particles. As an extreme case, we address using high resolution PIC simulations, the formation of giant phase space vortices obtained recently using the Vlasov-Poisson method [P. Trivedi and R. Ganesh, Phys. Plasmas 23, 062112 (2016)] for an infinitesimal amplitude external drive. For identical parameters and numerical resolution, we present a qualitative and quantitative comparison between PIC results of driven giant phase space structures and those of the Vlasov method, for a Maxwellian plasma.
Polarization engineered N-polar Cs-free GaN photocathodes
Authors: Marini Jonathan , Mahaboob Isra , Rocco Emma , Bell L. D. , Shahedipour-Sandvik F.
Published: September 2018

We report on holistic and systemic approach of development of Cs-free GaN photocathode structures which utilize polarization band engineering in order to allow for air stable operation and eliminate the need for cesium-based surface treatments. Physics-based simulation of band structure and Monte Carlo simulation of electron transport and emission were used to guide experimental development of photocathode structures. By using an N-polar device, the polarization charge allows for the creation of large surface band bending without the need for δ-doped capping layers. The insertion of a thin AlN interlayer allows for the creation of a quasi-band offset and additional beneficial polarization charge to create a desirable band profile. Samples of both polarities were grown and subjected to chemical surface treatments in order to account for differences in native oxide formation on Ga- and N-polar surfaces. Measured photoemission spectra show quantum efficiencies as high as 23% for a HCl-treated Cs-free N-polar photocathode, which is comparable to cesiated devices.
H2S adsorption process on (0001) α-quartz SiO2 surfaces
Authors: Kim Hye Jung , Jeon Hyeongtag , Shin Young-Han
Published: September 2018

We theoretically study the H2S adsorption process on (0001) α-quartz SiO2 surfaces, which is the preconditioning process for the atomic layer deposition growth of metal sulfide materials. The surface structures of dense and fully hydroxylated (0001) α-quartz SiO2 are energetically stable, but their reaction with a H2S molecule is not so active, whereas the cleaved SiO2 surface is chemically reactive to the dissociative adsorption of a H2S molecule with an adsorption energy of –3.08 eV/molecule. On the cleaved surface, we confirm that adsorbed H2S is dissociated into H and H-S fragments, and the energy barrier in this reaction process is computed as 0.042 eV.
Chaotic behavior and fractals discovered in the time evolution of discharge current at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Fukuyama T. , Ota K. , Sakamoto H.
Published: September 2018

In this study, nonlinear behaviors in the time evolution of discharge current at atmospheric pressure are investigated from the viewpoints of chaos and fractals. When the electric field between two electrodes placed in atmospheric pressure increases and exceeds a certain value, the insulation breakdown of air and corona discharge occur. With the further increase in the electric field, the corona discharge gradually transforms into an arc discharge along with the increasing discharge current. It is found from the chaotic analysis results of the calculation of the largest Lyapunov exponents that the system sustains more chaos in the corona than the arc discharge, i.e., the system is stabilized with the system changing from a corona to arc discharge. The correlation dimension of the time evolution of the discharge current saturates at a non-integer value at every discharge current, and 1f-type spectra are observed in the power spectrum, i.e., the system exhibits fractal properties.
Possible gyrotron operation in the “no start current” zone caused by the axial dependence of the phase of the resonator field
Authors: Nusinovich Gregory S. , Dumbrajs Olgierd
Published: September 2018

It is known that gyrotrons (as well as other electron beam driven microwave and millimeter-wave oscillators) can operate in the regime of either soft or hard self-excitation. In the regime of soft self-excitation, the beam current exceeds its starting value; thus, the oscillations can start to grow from the noise produced by electrons. In the regime of hard self-excitation, the beam current is less than its starting value. Therefore, for exciting the oscillations, a certain start-up scenario is required, which may include the variation of the mod-anode and/or beam voltage or the guiding magnetic field. It was found recently [O. Dumbrajs and G. S. Nusinovich, Phys. Plasmas 25, 013121 (2018)] that some gyrotrons can also operate in the region of magnetic fields where there is no start current at all. In the present paper, it is shown that this sort of operation can be attributed to the presence of the axial dependence of the phase of the resonator field.
Development of high vorticity structures and geometrical properties of the vortex line representation
Authors: Agafontsev D. S. , Kuznetsov E. A. , Mailybaev A. A.
Published: September 2018

The incompressible three-dimensional Euler equations develop very thin pancake-like regions of increasing vorticity. These regions evolve with the scaling ωmax ∝ l−2/3 between the vorticity maximum and the pancake thickness, as was observed in the recent numerical experiments [D. S. Agafontsev et al., “Development of high vorticity structures in incompressible 3D Euler equations,” Phys. Fluids 27, 085102 (2015)]. We study the process of pancakes’ development in terms of the vortex line representation (VLR), which represents a partial integration of the Euler equations with the explicit conservation of the Cauchy invariants and describes the compressible dynamics of continuously distributed vortex lines. We present, for the first time, the numerical simulations of the VLR equations with high accuracy, which we perform in adaptive anisotropic grids of up to 15363 nodes. With these simulations, we show that the vorticity growth is connected with the compressibility of the vortex lines and find geometric properties responsible for the observed scaling ωmax ∝ l−2/3.
On polarity effects in streamer discharge of mineral oil under bipolar oscillating impulse voltage
Authors: Ni Heli , Zhang Qiaogen , Zhao Yi , Liu Xuandong
Published: September 2018

As a supplement to our previous studies on alternating streamer propagation in mineral oil under bipolar oscillating impulse voltage [Ni et al., Phys. Plasmas 25, 072125 (2018)], this study was conducted to further analyze waveform-dependent 50% breakdown voltages and polarity effects. Contrary to breakdown under unipolar impulses, breakdown voltages under positive bipolar impulses are generally higher than those under negative impulses, except for when the damping factor approaches 1. The polarity effect under bipolar impulses, per alternating streamer propagation in mineral oil, is attributable to the characteristics of positive and negative streamers as well as their roles in the prebreakdown process. The existence of polarity effects under bipolar impulses is also dependent on the arrangement of electrodes.
The lens in focus – lens structure in seeds of 51 Australian Acacia species and its implications for imbibition and germination
Authors: Burrows Geoffrey E. , Alden Rowan , Robinson Wayne A.
Published: September 2018

Acacia s. str. (Mimosoideae, Fabaceae) is the largest plant genus in Australia (~1000 species). Its seeds have physical dormancy from a hard, water-impermeable testa. Heat from fire (natural systems) and hot water (nursery production) can break this dormancy. It is often reported that these treatments ‘soften’ or ‘crack’ the seed coat, but in practice they only affect a minute part of the seed coat, the lens. We examined lens structure in a wide range of Acacia species to determine what diversity of testa and lens structure was present, if there were differing responses to a hot water dormancy breaking treatment and if there were structural differences between soft- and hard-seeded species. Seed morphology, testa and lens structure were examined before and after hot water treatment (~90°C for one minute), in 51 species of Australian Acacia from all seven sections, from all states and territories of Australia and from a wide range of environments. Five of the species had been noted to produce non-dormant seed (‘soft-seeded’ species). Average seed mass per species ranged from 3.1 to 257.9 mg (overall average 24.2 mg, median 13.8 mg). Almost all species had a relatively thick seed coat (average 132.2 µm) with well-developed palisade cells (average 41.5 µm long) and a lens which ‘popped’ in response to hot water treatment. For 44 species ranging in average seed mass from 3.1 to 43.9 mg (×14 range), the unpopped lens area only ranged ×3 (11480–36040 µm2). The lens was small (in 88% of species the average length of the unpopped lens was <300 µm) and the unpopped lens area was a minute proportion of seed surface area (average 0.10%). A. harpophylla (soft-seeded species) had a thin testa (37.3 µm) without obvious palisade cells and did not have a functional lens. In hard-seeded species the morphology of the popped lens varied widely, from a simple mound to complete detachment. A functional lens is not a universal feature in all genera of the Mimosoideae, including several species in a genus (Senegalia) previously included in Acacia s. lat. On the basis of the 51 investigated species a lens was present in all Australian acacias, although non-functional in two soft-seeded species. Although the lens was, on average, only ~1/1000th of the surface area of an Acacia seed and thus easily overlooked, it can have a profound influence on imbibition and germination. An assessment of lens structure, before and after heat treatment, can be of considerable use when interpreting the results of Acacia germination experiments.
Reasons for use and non-use of the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy: an interview study
Authors: Gauld Natalie J. , Braganza Crystal S. , Babalola Ola O , Huynh Tung T , Hook Sarah M
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION In New Zealand, pertussis vaccination is recommended and government-funded during every pregnancy to protect the infant after birth. However, uptake is low and needs to be increased. AIM To investigate enablers and barriers for uptake of the pertussis vaccination by pregnant women in New Zealand, and explore the acceptability of provision in pharmacies. METHODS Women with infants were recruited in selected pharmacies and interviewed using abrief structured interview. Transcripts were analysed using a framework approach. RESULTS Thirty-seven women aged 18–43 years provided data for analysis. Seventeen women reported receiving a pertussis vaccination during their pregnancy. Information from health professionals appeared important to encourage vaccination, but other sources of information (eg antenatal groups and media) were also cited. Non-vaccination arose from being unaware of the need for pertussis vaccination during pregnancy, concerns about safety, and misinformation. Participants supported pertussis vaccination in pharmacies to help access or increase the opportunity for health professionals to inform women. DISCUSSION The information received by participants affected their uptake of the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy. Education of the public and health professionals about the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy is necessary.
Agreement between parental perception of child weight status and actual weight status is similar across different ethnic groups in New Zealand
Authors: Meredith-Jones Kim , Williams Sheila , Taylor Rachael
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Accurate parental perception of their child's weight is poor. Accuracy may be influenced by differences in ethnicity but this is currently unknown. AIM To determine whether agreement between parental perception of child weight status and actual child weight status differs according to ethnic group (NZ European, Māori, Pacific, Asian), and to investigate whether it is influenced by various demographic and behavioural factors. METHODS A total of 1093 children (4–8 years old) attended a weight screening initiative. Parents completed questionnaires on demographics, beliefs about child weight, parenting style, parental feeding practices and social desirability. Actual measured weight status was compared with parental perception of weight status (underweight, normal weight, overweight). RESULTS Agreement about child weight status was apparent in 85% of NZ European, 84% of Māori, 82% of Pacific and 88% of Asian children. However, adjusting for chance led to kappas of 0.34, 0.38, 0.41 and 0.53, respectively, indicating only fair-to-moderate agreement. Overall, agreement between measured body mass index and parental perception was not related to ethnic group, child sex and age, maternal age and education, and household deprivation (k ranged from 0.16 to 0.47). However, agreement about weight status was higher in parents who reported higher levels of restrictive feeding than in parents who reported less restriction (P < 0.01) but agreement was only fair. CONCLUSION Agreement between parental perception and actual weight status was fair and did not differ between the ethnic groups examined.
What supports are needed by New Zealand primary care to improve equity and quality?
Authors: Keating Gay , Jaine Richard
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACT While some primary care practices have found ways to deliver quality care more equitably to their Māori and Pacific patients, others have struggled to get started or be successful. Quality Symposium attendees shared their views on barriers and success factors, both within the practice and beyond. When practices have collaborated and used their own ethnic-specific data in quality improvement techniques, they have improved Māori and Pacific health and equity. Attendees asked for greater practical support and guidance from the profession and sector. They report a funding gap for services needed by their patients to enable primary care to deliver equitable services for Māori and Pacific people.
From diagnosis to long-term management: the experiences of older New Zealanders with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Gibson Rosemary , Campbell Angela , Mather Shelley , Neill Alister
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION In New Zealand (NZ), access to public sleep services is limited to people deemed with the highest need. The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) increases with age, but the symptoms and the treatment pathway is expected to differ for older compared to younger patients. This study explored the experience of older people regarding diagnosis and treatment services for OSA in order to inform considerations required in primary health and sleep services. METHODS Patients who were initiated on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy at the age of 65 years or older were invited to one of three 1.5-h focus group discussions. In total, 16 patients attended; nine were accompanied by their spouse or partner. Discussions were semi-structured and explored experiences with the OSA pathway, from diagnosis through to long-term management. RESULTS Thematic analysis highlights the key symptoms of OSA. Patients’ experiences with diagnostic and treatment services were generally positive. However, there was an overarching need for greater knowledge and follow up regarding OSA and CPAP therapy. Most patients were happy with CPAP treatment. Issues associated with long-term use, comfort and daily management were highlighted, and strategies used to overcome them discussed. DISCUSSION Focus groups reported similar experiences, positively endorsing the health value of OSA diagnosis and CPAP therapy. Mechanisms and resources are required at a primary healthcare level in order to raise awareness around sleep and aging, OSA and CPAP. This would aid earlier and more appropriate diagnosis and management of OSA and help overcome some of the gaps identified in this study.
Scope of point-of-care ultrasound practice in rural New Zealand
Authors: Nixon Garry , Blattner Kati , Muirhead Jillian , Finnie Wendy , Lawrenson Ross , Kerse Ngaire
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an increasingly common adjunct to the clinical assessment of patients in rural New Zealand.

AIM
To describe the scope of POCUS being practiced by rural generalist hospital doctors and gain insights, from their perspective, into its effect.

METHODS
This was a mixed-methods descriptive study. Main outcome measures were type and frequency of POCUS being undertaken. A questionnaire was given to POCUS-active rural hospital doctors to survey the effect of POCUS on clinical practice and assess issues of quality assurance.

RESULTS
The most commonly performed scans were: cardiac (18%) and volume scans (inferior vena cava and jugular venous pressure) (14%), followed by gallbladder (13%), kidney (11%), Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) (7%), bladder (6%), leg veins (6%) and lungs (5%). There was large variation in frequency of scan types between the study hospitals that could not be accounted for by differences in training.
The participating doctors considered that POCUS had a positive and significant effect on their practice, largely by adding to diagnostic certainty. Challenges identified included maintenance of POCUS skills, lack of systems for POCUS set-up and the absence of quality assurance for POCUS in rural hospitals.

DISCUSSION
Rural generalists consider the broad scope of POCUS they practise to be an important but challenging skill set. Clinical governance, including an agreed scope and standards, may increase the benefits and improve the safety of rural POCUS.
Uneven balance of power between hypothalamic peptidergic neurons in the control of feeding
Authors: Wei Qiang , Krolewski David M. , Moore Shannon , Kumar Vivek , Li Fei , Martin Brian , Tomer Raju , Murphy Geoffrey G. , Deisseroth Karl , Watson Stanley J. , Akil Huda
Published: September 2018

Significance

The interplay between the anorexigenic and orexigenic neurons in the arcuate nucleus that contributes to the control of feeding remains elusive. Using optogenetic stimulation, we show that activation of POMC neurons rapidly inhibits feeding behavior in fasted animals. However, simultaneous stimulation of both POMC neurons and a subset of the orexigenic neurons that express AgRP is sufficient to reverse that inhibition and trigger intense feeding behavior. We used 3D imaging and functional studies to illuminate the anatomical underpinning of both the inhibitory and excitatory events. Our work suggests that translational applications that aim to control appetite need to target the activation rather than the inhibition mechanisms.
Structural basis for activation of SAGA histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 by partner subunit Ada2
Authors: Sun Jian , Paduch Marcin , Kim Sang-Ah , Kramer Ryan M. , Barrios Adam F. , Lu Vincent , Luke Judy , Usatyuk Svitlana , Kossiakoff Anthony A. , Tan Song
Published: September 2018

The Gcn5 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) subunit of the SAGA transcriptional coactivator complex catalyzes acetylation of histone H3 and H2B N-terminal tails, posttranslational modifications associated with gene activation. Binding of the SAGA subunit partner Ada2 to Gcn5 activates Gcn5’s intrinsically weak HAT activity on histone proteins, but the mechanism for this activation by the Ada2 SANT domain has remained elusive. We have employed Fab antibody fragments as crystallization chaperones to determine crystal structures of a yeast Ada2/Gcn5 complex. Our structural and biochemical results indicate that the Ada2 SANT domain does not activate Gcn5’s activity by directly affecting histone peptide binding as previously proposed. Instead, the Ada2 SANT domain enhances Gcn5 binding of the enzymatic cosubstrate acetyl-CoA. This finding suggests a mechanism for regulating chromatin modification enzyme activity: controlling binding of the modification cosubstrate instead of the histone substrate.
Targeted profiling of RNA translation reveals mTOR-4EBP1/2-independent translation regulation of mRNAs encoding ribosomal proteins
Authors: Li Ben B. , Qian Changli , Gameiro Paulo A. , Liu Chin-Chih , Jiang Tao , Roberts Thomas M. , Struhl Kevin , Zhao Jean J.
Published: September 2018

Significance

The PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway integrates signaling information from various mitogen and nutrient sensors to regulate cell growth and proliferation. Hyperactivation of this pathway has been observed in a number of diseases, including many cancers. Pharmacological inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) causes immediate suppression of cell-wide protein synthesis; interestingly, this effect is not uniform across all transcripts, but is biased toward mRNAs encoding ribosomal proteins. In this study, we developed a rapid, scalable, and targeted assay for RNA translation that enabled us to identify translation modulators of ribosomal proteins that act independent of mTOR signaling. These modulators include chemical compounds, acting via their “off-target” effects, as well as certain metabolic perturbations, and together, they represent a noncanonical mode of regulating ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis capacity.
Phospho-dependent recruitment of the yeast NuA4 acetyltransferase complex by MRX at DNA breaks regulates RPA dynamics during resection
Authors: Cheng Xue , Jobin-Robitaille Olivier , Billon Pierre , Buisson Rémi , Niu Hengyao , Lacoste Nicolas , Abshiru Nebiyu , Côté Valérie , Thibault Pierre , Kron Stephen J. , Sung Patrick , Brandl Christopher J. , Masson Jean-Yves , Côté Jacques
Published: September 2018

Significance

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the DNA are the most dangerous type of damage and must be repaired to maintain genome integrity, avoiding disease-linked mutations and cancer initiation/progression. The NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complex is recruited to DNA DSBs to facilitate repair through modification of the chromatin surrounding the damage, but its recruitment mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we report that the DNA damage sensor complex Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 physically recruits NuA4 to the break sites followed by bidirectional spreading linked to the DNA end resection required for error-free repair by homologous recombination. During that process, NuA4 can acetylate ssDNA-binding replication protein A (RPA), leading to its displacement.
Metabolic regulation and glucose sensitivity of cortical radial glial cells
Authors: Rash Brian G. , Micali Nicola , Huttner Anita J. , Morozov Yury M. , Horvath Tamas L. , Rakic Pasko
Published: September 2018

Significance

Metabolic abnormalities during gestation have been previously linked to increased likelihood of dyslexia, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but the factors involved and how they may act during cortical development is unknown. Here, we found in rodents that obesity and hyperglycemia affect the primary stem cells of the cortex (radial glial cells), reducing their ability to perform neurogenesis and form the radial scaffold needed for neuronal migration. At the subcellular level, excess glucose degraded calcium activity and the transport of mitochondria in the radial scaffold. Consequent delayed neuronal production and migration were observed. These results reveal aspects of neurogenesis as well as the sensitivity of the cortical development process to certain gestational metabolic influences.
Structural mechanism of Myb–MuvB assembly
Authors: Guiley Keelan Z. , Iness Audra N. , Saini Siddharth , Tripathi Sarvind , Lipsick Joseph S. , Litovchick Larisa , Rubin Seth M.
Published: September 2018

The MuvB transcriptional regulatory complex, which controls cell-cycle-dependent gene expression, cooperates with B-Myb to activate genes required for the G2 and M phases of the cell cycle. We have identified the domain in B-Myb that is essential for the assembly of the Myb–MuvB (MMB) complex. We determined a crystal structure that reveals how this B-Myb domain binds MuvB through the adaptor protein LIN52 and the scaffold protein LIN9. The structure and biochemical analysis provide an understanding of how oncogenic B-Myb is recruited to regulate genes required for cell-cycle progression, and the MMB interface presents a potential therapeutic target to inhibit cancer cell proliferation.
Endogenous rewards promote cooperation
Authors: Yang Chun-Lei , Zhang Boyu , Charness Gary , Li Cong , Lien Jaimie W.
Published: September 2018

Significance

An important research area in the social and biological sciences is how endogenous sanctions can promote cooperation in social dilemma situations, particularly in a budget-balanced (no need for external financing) manner. Punishment has had some success in experimental studies, but has serious shortcomings: It is socially wasteful materially and also tends to induce poor social relations. Reward avoids those issues and reinforces the social fabric. Our mechanism achieves high contributions in a public goods game (PGG) with peer reward in a budget-balanced tax-funding environment; notably, our environment also reverses the downward trend of the standard PGG. This research advances the field in a direction that will be important for practical policy applications, opening the door for further interesting and socially beneficial research.
Potentiating KCC2 activity is sufficient to limit the onset and severity of seizures
Authors: Moore Yvonne E. , Deeb Tarek Z. , Chadchankar Heramb , Brandon Nicholas J. , Moss Stephen J.
Published: September 2018

Significance

The epilepsies are a class of chronic neurological disorders with diverse clinical presentations, which often negatively impacts quality of life. Currently available therapeutics are effective for some patients, but roughly one-third of patients remain drug-resistant; the identification of novel therapeutic targets to alleviate seizures is therefore required. We have determined that potentiating Cl
−
extrusion in vivo reduces susceptibility to chemoconvulsant-induced seizures. Our results provide insights into the importance of controlling the polarity of GABAergic synaptic signaling under conditions of hyperexcitation, and highlight KCC2 as a potential therapeutic target for epilepsy.
The PqsE and RhlR proteins are an autoinducer synthase–receptor pair that control virulence and biofilm development inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Mukherjee Sampriti , Moustafa Dina A. , Stergioula Vasiliki , Smith Chari D. , Goldberg Joanna B. , Bassler Bonnie L.
Published: September 2018

Significance

The human pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosais the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections and, moreover, is resistant to commonly used antibiotics.P. aeruginosauses the cell-to-cell communication process called quorum sensing (QS) to control virulence. QS relies on production and response to extracellular signaling molecules called autoinducers. Here, we identify the PqsE enzyme as the synthase of an autoinducer that activates the QS receptor RhlR. We show that the PqsE-derived autoinducer is the key molecule drivingP. aeruginosabiofilm formation and virulence in animal models of infection. We propose that PqsE and RhlR constitute a QS synthase–receptor pair, and that this system can be targeted for antimicrobial development.
Diglossia and change from below in Eastern Cham
Authors: Baclawski Kenneth
Published: September 2018

Diglossia canonically refers to language situations with unequal attitudes towards a formal ‘H’ variety, connected to writing, and a colloquial ‘L’ variety, connected to everyday speech. This paper claims that variation that arises as a marker of diglossia can become dissociated from it and persist in the L variety, if it is sufficiently orthogonal to the writing system. With a sociolinguistic survey (n = 30), this paper examines five variables that were markers of quasi-diglossia in Eastern Cham in previous decades. Three of the variables continue to be stereotypes or shibboleths of diglossia, while the other two no longer exhibit any correlation with diglossia: the spirantization ofrand the labial coarticulation ofŋ. The latter were changes from below that decoupled from diglossia, because they were sufficiently opaque to Cham script.
From action to spoken and signed language through gesture
Authors: Volterra Virginia , Capirci Olga , Rinaldi Pasquale , Sparaci Laura
Published: September 2018

We review major developmental evidence on the continuity from action to gesture to word and sign in human children, highlighting the important role of caregivers in the development of multimodal communication. In particular, the basic issues considered here and contributing to the current debate on the origins and development of the language-ready brain are: (1) links between early actions, gestures and words and similarities in representational strategies; (2) importance of multimodal communication and the interplay between gestures and spoken words; (3) interconnections between early actions, gestures and signs. The innovation of this report is in connecting these themes together to relevant findings from studies on children between 6 and 36 months of age and highlighting interesting parallels in studies on ape communicative behavior.
Computational challenges of evolving the language-ready brain
Authors: Arbib Michael A.
Published: September 2018

Computational modeling of the macaque brain grounds hypotheses on the brain of LCA-m (the last common ancestor of monkey and human). Elaborations thereof provide a brain model for LCA-c (c for chimpanzee). The Mirror System Hypothesis charts further steps via imitation and pantomime to protosign and protolanguage on the path to a "language-ready brain" inHomo sapiens,with the path to speech being indirect. The material poses new challenges for both experimentation and modeling.
Mental travels and the cognitive basis of language
Authors: Corballis Michael C.
Published: September 2018

I argue that a critical feature of language that distinguishes it from animal communication isdisplacement,the means to communicate about the non-present. This implies a capacity for mental travels in time and space, which is the ability to call to mind past episodes, imagine future ones or purely fictitious ones, and locate them in different places. While mental travel in time, in particular, is often considered to be unique to humans, behavioral and neurophysiological evidence suggests that it is evident in some form, at least, in nonhuman animals, including rodents, and may go far back in the evolution of animals that move. The linguistic capacity to share experiences that transcend space and time evolved much more recently, accelerating during the Pleistocene with increasing demands for effective cooperation and long-distance planning. The expansion of mental time travel probably co-evolved with the development of language itself, because the sharing of memories, plans, and stories vastly added to our own individual experiences. From this perspective, the critical period of the Road Map runs from the emergence of the genusHomoaround 2 million years ago to the present.
Voice, gesture and working memory in the emergence of speech
Authors: Aboitiz Francisco
Published: September 2018

Language and speech depend on a relatively well defined neural circuitry, located predominantly in the left hemisphere. In this article, I discuss the origin of the speech circuit in early humans, as an expansion of an auditory-vocal articulatory network that took place after the last common ancestor with the chimpanzee. I will attempt to converge this perspective with aspects of the Mirror System Hypothesis, particularly those related to the emergence of a meaningful grammar in human communication. Basically, the strengthening of auditory-vocal connectivity via the arcuate fasciculus and related tracts generated an expansion of working memory capacity for vocalizations, that was key for learning complex utterances. This process was concomitant with the development of a robust interface with visual working memory, both in the dorsal and ventral streams of auditory and visual processing. This enabled the bidirectional translation of sequential codes into hierarchical visual representations, through the development of a multimodal interface between both systems.
Archaeology and the evolutionary neuroscience of language
Authors: Stout Dietrich
Published: September 2018

Comparative approaches to language evolution are essential but cannot by themselves resolve the timing and context of evolutionary events since the last common ancestor with chimpanzees. Archaeology can help to fill this gap, but only if properly integrated with evolutionary theory and the ethnographic, ethological, and experimental analogies required to reconstruct the broader social, behavioral, and neurocognitive implications of ancient artifacts. The current contribution elaborates a technological pedagogy hypothesis of language origins by developing the concept of an evolving human technological niche and applying it to investigate two key transitions posited by Arbib’s Mirror System Hypothesis: (1) from complex action recognition and imitation to proto-language, and (2) from proto-language to language.
Gradient estimates for the 𝑝-Laplacian Lichnerowicz equation on smooth metric measure spaces
Authors: Zhao Liang , Yang Dengyun
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we consider the weighted

p
p

-Laplacian Lichnerowicz equation

△

p
,
f

u
+
c

u

σ

=
0

\begin{equation*} \triangle _{p,f} u+cu^{\sigma }=0 \end{equation*}

on smooth metric measure spaces, where

c
≥
0
,
p
>
1
,

c\geq 0, p>1,

and

σ
≤
p
−
1

\sigma \leq p-1

are real constants. A local gradient estimate for positive solutions to this equation is derived, and as applications, we give a corresponding Liouville property and Harnack inequality.
Effects of Red Clover Living Mulch on Arthropod Herbivores and Natural Enemies, and Cucumber Yield
Authors: Kahl Hanna M , Leslie Alan W , Hooks Cerruti R R
Published: September 2018

Increasing habitat complexity through cover cropping has been proposed as a tactic to reduce herbivore colonization and encourage natural enemies in cropping systems. To test the supposition that cover crops can be used to alter arthropod communities, we compared arthropod communities on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.; Cucurbitaceae) interplanted with a red clover (Trifolium pratense L.; Fabaceae) living mulch and grown as a monoculture. In 2016 and 2017, visual surveys and yellow sticky card traps were used to estimate numbers of arthropod natural enemies and herbivores in each treatment. Among herbivores, striped cucumber beetles [Acalymma vittatum (Fabricius, 1775); Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae] and melon aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877; Hemiptera: Aphididae) had lower densities in the presence of red clover. However, populations of spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, 1947; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) had a variable response to red clover. Sticky card captures of natural enemies, including bigeyed bugs (Geocoris spp. Fallén; Hemiptera: Geocoridae), minute pirate bugs (Orius spp. Wolff; Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), and lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were generally greater in cucumber interplanted with red clover than monoculture. Overall, cucumber yield did not differ between treatments. Findings from this study lend support to the hypothesis that greater habitat complexity can reduce herbivore densities.
Development of Quantitative Estimates of Wood Dust Exposure in a Canadian General Population Job-Exposure Matrix Based on Past Expert Assessments
Authors: Sauvé Jean-François , Davies Hugh W , Parent Marie-Élise , Peters Cheryl E , Sylvestre Marie-Pierre , Lavoué Jérôme
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The CANJEM general population job-exposure matrix summarizes expert evaluations of 31 673 jobs from four population-based case–control studies of cancer conducted in Montreal, Canada. Intensity in each CANJEM cell is represented as relative distributions of the ordinal (low, medium, high) ratings of jobs assigned by the experts. We aimed to apply quantitative concentrations to CANJEM cells using Canadian historical measurements from the Canadian Workplace Exposure Database (CWED), taking exposure to wood dust as an example.

Methods

We selected 5170 personal and area wood dust measurements from 31 occupations (2011 Canadian National Occupational Classification) with a non-zero exposure probability in CANJEM between 1930 and 2005. The measurements were taken between 1981 and 2003 (median 1989). A Bayesian hierarchical model was applied to the wood dust concentrations with occupations as random effects, and sampling duration, year, sample type (area or personal), province, and the relative proportion of jobs exposed at medium and high intensity in CANJEM cells as fixed effects.

Results

The estimated geometric mean (GM) concentrations for a CANJEM cell with all jobs exposed at medium or high intensity were respectively 1.3 and 2.4 times higher relative to a cell with all jobs at low intensity. An overall trend of −3%/year in exposure was observed. Applying the model estimates to all 198 cells in CANJEM with some exposure assigned by the experts, the predicted 8-hour, personal wood dust GM concentrations by occupation for 1989 ranged from 0.48 to 1.96 mg m−3.

Conclusions

The model provided estimates of wood dust concentrations for any CANJEM cell with exposure, applicable for quantitative risk assessment at the population level. This framework can be implemented for other agents represented in both CANJEM and CWED.
Diadenosine-Polyphosphate Analogue AppCH2ppA Suppresses Seizures by Enhancing Adenosine Signaling in the Cortex
Authors: Pons-Bennaceur Alexandre , Tsintsadze Vera , Bui Thi-thien , Tsintsadze Timur , Minlebaev Marat , Milh Mathieu , Scavarda Didier , Giniatullin Rashid , Giniatullina Raisa , Shityakov Sergey , Wright Michael , Miller Andrew D , Lozovaya Natalia , Burnashev Nail
Published: September 2018

Epilepsy is a multifactorial disorder associated with neuronal hyperexcitability that affects more than 1% of the human population. It has long been known that adenosine can reduce seizure generation in animal models of epilepsies. However, in addition to various side effects, the instability of adenosine has precluded its use as an anticonvulsant treatment. Here we report that a stable analogue of diadenosine-tetraphosphate: AppCH2ppA effectively suppresses spontaneous epileptiform activity in vitro and in vivo in a Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) mouse model (Tsc1+/−), and in postsurgery cortical samples from TSC human patients. These effects are mediated by enhanced adenosine signaling in the cortex post local neuronal adenosine release. The released adenosine induces A1 receptor-dependent activation of potassium channels thereby reducing neuronal excitability, temporal summation, and hypersynchronicity. AppCH2ppA does not cause any disturbances of the main vital autonomous functions of Tsc1+/− mice in vivo. Therefore, we propose this compound to be a potent new candidate for adenosine-related treatment strategies to suppress intractable epilepsies.