bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GENDER EQUALITY AND THE GENDER GAP IN MATHEMATICS
Authors: Tao Hung-Lin , Michalopoulos Christos
Published: May 2017

A gender gap has been found in mathematics (boys outperform girls) that has prevailed across countries for many decades. Whether this gap results from nature or nurture has been hotly debated. Using the evidence of PISA 2003 and the gender equality index of 2003, some researchers have argued that an improvement in gender equality reduces the gender gap in mathematics. This study used five waves of country-level PISA data and, controlling for country fixed effects, found no evidence to support this argument. Furthermore, individual data for PISA 2012 and the multilevel data model were used. The conclusion drawn also does not support the argument. In fact, the relationship between gender equality and the gender gap in mathematics vanished after PISA 2003.
Case-series study of hepatic echinococcal cysts in Serbia: viability of scolices, seropositivity and epidemiological characteristics
Authors: Colovic Calovski I. , Barac A. , Golubovic Z. , Karamarkovic A. , Mitrovic S. , Milicevic M. , Cvetkovic M. , Dzamic A.M.
Published: May 2017

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an endemic helminthic disease caused by infection withEchinococcus granulosusmetacestodes. Although CE is endemic in the Balkan region, the exact epidemiology remains unknown. We conducted a case-series study with the aim of evaluating the correlation between seropositivity, socio-epidemiological data, pre-operative treatment with albendazole and viability of protoscolices in human hepatic hydatid cysts. Consecutive patients with hepatic CE underwent surgery to extractE. granulosiscysts. The viability of protoscolices was measured by their ability to absorb 0.1% eosin. Socio-epidemiological data were collected and serological testing was performed. In the present study, 38 patients (28 adults and 10 children) with hepatic CE were treated surgically. The scolex viability test was positive in 30/38 (79%) samples. All patients with non-viable cysts had seronegative results. The viability test was positive in 11/12 (91.6%) adult patients with pre-operative albendazole treatment and in 9/10 (90%) children. Statistically more patients were from an urban area compared with a rural area (65.8% vs. 15.7%). The increasing number of stray dogs sheddingE. granulosuseggs in urban public areas in the Balkans might be the reason for the significant difference in the rate of infection between urban and rural areas in the present study. In addition, uncontrolled slaughtering of livestock, common in rural settlements, and feeding the infected viscera to dogs, favour the maintenance of the parasite cycle. We believe that the results of our study will encourage physicians, veterinarians and health authorities to initiate a programme to prevent and control CE in the Balkan region.
A comparison of oncological outcomes between transoral surgical and non-surgical treatment protocols in the management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kao S S , Micklem J , Ofo E , Edwards S , Dhatrak D , Foreman A , Krishnan S , Hodge J-C
Published: May 2017

Background:

The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in the Western world is increasing, with the human papillomavirus epidemic implicated in this observed trend. The optimal treatment modality is yet undetermined regarding oncological outcomes.

Methods:

This study comprised 98 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, treated with either primary transoral surgery with adjuvant therapy or primary chemoradiotherapy with curative intent, between 2008 and 2012. Clinicopathological characteristics including tumour–node–metastasis stage, human papillomavirus status, treatment modality, recurrence and overall survival were collated.

Results:

Five per cent of primary surgical patients had locoregional recurrences compared with 25 per cent of primary chemoradiotherapy patients. A lower rate of locoregional recurrence was observed in the human papillomavirus positive group.

Conclusion:

This paper reports higher rates of overall survival and local control for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with primary surgery compared with primary chemoradiotherapy. This reflects overall lower tumour stage and higher human papillomavirus status in this group.
Islamism in Mauritania and the narrative of political moderation
Authors: Cavatorta Francesco , Ojeda Garcia Raquel
Published: May 2017

The rise of Islamism following the Arab Spring has renewed interest in the democratic credibility of Islamist parties and movements. Focusing on the case of Mauritania's Islamists this article analyses the validity of the moderation hypothesis and argues that for some Islamist parties, moderation, when historically situated, has always been a key trait. The case of Mauritanian Islamism is interesting because it takes place within an intellectual and geographical place that straddles both the Arab world and sub-Saharan Africa, therefore providing insights on how Islamism has become an influential ideological framework in both worlds, that are much less separate than superficially believed.
It takes a village to raise a militia: local politics, the Nuer White Army, and South Sudan's civil wars
Authors: Stringham Noel , Forney Jonathan
Published: May 2017

Why does South Sudan continue to experience endemic, low intensity conflicts punctuated by catastrophic civil wars? Reporters and analysts often mischaracterise conflicts in the young country of South Sudan as products of divisive ‘tribal’ or ‘ethnic’ rivalries and political competition over oil wealth. More nuanced analyses by regional experts have focused almost exclusively on infighting among elite politicians and military officers based in Juba and other major cities who use patronage networks to ethnicise conflicts. This paper argues instead that civilian militias known as the Nuer White Army have consistently rebelled against elites who they blame for mounting inequalities between urban areas and the rural communities regardless of their ethnicity. While unable to stop governments and NGOs from funnelling almost all their resources to the cities, these militias have consistently mobilised local resources for violent campaigns that redistribute wealth by pillaging urban areas.
Whose French is it anyway? Language ideologies and re-emerging indexicalities of French in Flanders
Authors: Vandenbroucke Mieke
Published: May 2017

In this article I address a number of recent controversial language-related incidents and ideological statements regarding the use of French in the public sphere by Flemish nationalist aldermen in two Flemish towns. By drawing on interviews with different stakeholders (shop owners, aldermen, and passers-by), I address the different perceptions and ideological indexicalities of French shop names and signs in these Flemish contexts. In the data, the indexical field (Eckert 2008) of French in Flanders emerges as both polyvalent and indexically ordered, while the Flemish nationalist interpretations involve rescaled and historically recursive indexical meaning that can only be understood vis-à-vis the historical language ideological debate in Belgium. Language use in the public sphere has thus become a tool to impose monolingual ‘doxic logics’ (Bourdieu 1977) in Flanders, in spite of the fact that commercial and private language use is not regulated by language laws in Belgium. (Flemish nationalism, language ideologies, linguistic landscape)*
In few words: linguistic gap but adequate narrative structure in preschool bilingual children
Authors: BONIFACCI PAOLA , BARBIERI MARGHERITA , TOMASSINI MARTA , ROCH MAJA
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study was to compare linguistic and narrative skills of monolingual and bilingual preschoolers and to estimate linguistic predictors of the macro-structural level of narratives. A battery of linguistic measures in Italian was administered to sixty-four Monolinguals and sixty-four Early Bilinguals; it included Vocabulary, Phonological Awareness, Morphosyntactic Comprehension, Phonological Memory, Letter Knowledge, and Story Sequencing tasks. The narratives produced in the Story Sequencing task were coded. Bilinguals underachieved, compared to monolinguals, in vocabulary, phonological awareness and morphosyntactic comprehension; they also differed in Type and Token indexes and in free morphology, but not in the level of macro-structural complexity. Macro-structural parameters were predicted by Mean Length of Utterances in monolinguals, but not in bilinguals. Bilingual children are able to structure stories in their L2 with monolingual-like cohesive complexity, although ‘in few words', that is, with weak L2 linguistic skills.
From Prussian blue to iron carbides: high-temperature XRD monitoring of thermal transformation under inert gases
Authors: Aparicio Claudia , Filip Jan , Machala Libor
Published: May 2017

The thermal behavior and decomposition reaction of Prussian blue (PB) (Fe43+[Fe2+(CN)6]3·xH2O) was studied under inert atmosphere of argon by simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, from room temperature up to 900 °C, with a heating rate of 5 K min−1. Parallel to the thermogravimetric measurements, the thermal process was monitored byin situX-ray powder diffraction (XRD) technique under nitrogen atmosphere. The thermogravimetric data show six steps, corresponding to different stages of the decomposition reaction; comparable results are also obtained byin situXRD. In addition, a set of PB samples heated up to selected temperatures (190, 300, 370, 540, 680, and 790 °C) wereex situanalyzed by powder XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy. It is found that PB exhibits a negative thermal expansion prior to the water release from its crystalline lattice. Above 300 °C, the decomposition is based on the release of cyanogen gas from the PB structure. At 370 °C, a cubic iron cyanide compound is formed, while at higher temperatures several iron carbides were found. The subsequent thermal treatment of these carbides leads to the formation of metallic iron and graphite.
Colonial or Continental Power? The Debate over Economic Expansion in Interwar France, 1925–1932
Authors: BOHLING JOSEPH
Published: May 2017

In the 1920s various French elites argued that the nation state was not viable in an increasingly interdependent world economy dominated by ‘continental blocs’ such as the United States and the Soviet Union; instead, they hoped to expand French economic power through larger political structures, whether France's existing empire or a federal Europe. French foreign minister Aristide Briand called for the organisation of Europe at the same time that other elites advocated the consolidation of the French empire. Although imperial rivalry would trump European cooperation in the interwar years, the 1920s created a framework for post-1945 debates about whether France would achieve economic growth and maintain political independence through colonial development, continental cooperation or some combination of the two. Conventional narratives locate the origins of European integration in the devastations of the Second World War and the crisis of empire. This article argues that integration was conceived within and in tension with, not outside of, an imperial framework.
Disaster Metrics: A Comprehensive Framework for Disaster Evaluation Typologies
Authors: Wong Diana F. , Spencer Caroline , Boyd Lee , Burkle Frederick M. , Archer Frank
Published: May 2017

Introduction

The frequency of disasters is increasing around the world with more people being at risk. There is a moral imperative to improve the way in which disaster evaluations are undertaken and reported with the aim of reducing preventable mortality and morbidity in future events. Disasters are complex events and undertaking disaster evaluations is a specialized area of study at an international level.

Hypothesis/Problem

While some frameworks have been developed to support consistent disaster research and evaluation, they lack validation, consistent terminology, and standards for reporting across the different phases of a disaster. There is yet to be an agreed, comprehensive framework to structure disaster evaluation typologies.

The aim of this paper is to outline an evolving comprehensive framework for disaster evaluation typologies. It is anticipated that this new framework will facilitate an agreement on identifying, structuring, and relating the various evaluations found in the disaster setting with a view to better understand the process, outcomes, and impacts of the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions.

Methods

Research was undertaken in two phases: (1) a scoping literature review (peer-reviewed and “grey literature”) was undertaken to identify current evaluation frameworks and typologies used in the disaster setting; and (2) a structure was developed that included the range of typologies identified in Phase One and suggests possible relationships in the disaster setting.

Results

No core, unifying framework to structure disaster evaluation and research was identified in the literature. The authors propose a “Comprehensive Framework for Disaster Evaluation Typologies” that identifies, structures, and suggests relationships for the various typologies detected.

Conclusion

The proposed Comprehensive Framework for Disaster Evaluation Typologies outlines the different typologies of disaster evaluations that were identified in this study and brings them together into a single framework. This unique, unifying framework has relevance at an international level and is expected to benefit the disaster, humanitarian, and development sectors. The next step is to undertake a validation process that will include international leaders with experience in evaluation, in general, and disasters specifically. This work promotes an environment for constructive dialogue on evaluations in the disaster setting to strengthen the evidence base for interventions across the disaster spectrum. It remains a work in progress.

WongDF,SpencerC,BoydL,BurkleFMJr.,ArcherF.Disaster metrics: a comprehensive framework for disaster evaluation typologies.Prehosp Disaster Med.2017;32(5):501–514.
Are Dutch Hospitals Prepared for Chemical, Biological, or Radionuclear Incidents? A Survey Study
Authors: Mortelmans Luc J.M. , Gaakeer Menno I. , Dieltiens Greet , Anseeuw Kurt , Sabbe Marc B.
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Being one of Europe’s most densely populated countries, and having multiple nuclear installations, a heavy petrochemical industry, and terrorist targets, the Netherlands is at-risk for chemical, biological, or radionuclear (CBRN) incidents. Recent world and continental events show that this threat is real and that authorities may be underprepared.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis of this study is that Dutch hospitals are underprepared to deal with these incidents.

Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed. All 93 Dutch hospitals with an emergency department (ED) were sent a link to an online survey on different aspects of CBRN preparedness. Besides specific hospital information, information was obtained on the hospital’s disaster planning; risk perception; and availability of decontamination units, personal protective equipment (PPE), antidotes, radiation detection, infectiologists, isolation measures, and staff training.

Results

Response rate was 67%. Sixty-two percent of participating hospitals were estimated to be at-risk for CBRN incidents. Only 40% had decontamination facilities and 32% had appropriate PPE available for triage and decontamination teams. Atropine was available in high doses in all hospitals, but specific antidotes that could be used for treating victims of CBRN incidents, such as hydroxycobolamine, thiosulphate, Prussian blue, Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), or pralidoxime, were less frequently available (74%, 65%, 18%, 14%, and 42%, respectively). Six percent of hospitals had radioactive detection equipment with an alarm function and 22.5% had a nuclear specialist available 24/7 in case of disasters. Infectiologists were continuously available in 60% of the hospitals. Collective isolation facilities were present in 15% of the hospitals.

Conclusion:

There is a serious lack of hospital preparedness for CBRN incidents in The Netherlands.

MortelmansLJM, GaakeerMI, DieltiensG, AnseeuwK, SabbeMB. Are Dutch hospitals prepared for chemical, biological, or radionuclear incidents? A survey study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(5):483–491.
Comparison of single- and five-fraction schedules of stereotactic body radiation therapy for central lung tumours: a single institution experience
Authors: Ma Sung Jun , Syed Yusef A. , Rivers Charlotte I. , Gomez Suescun Jorge A. , Singh Anurag K.
Published: May 2017

Background

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a treatment option for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer who are medically inoperable or decline surgery. Here we compare the outcome of patients with centrally located lung tumours who underwent either single fraction (SF)- or five-fraction (FF-) SBRT at a single institution over 5 years.

Methods

Between January 2009 and October 2014, patients with centrally located lung tumours who underwent SBRT were included in this study. Data were retrospectively collected using an institutional review board-approved database. For analysis, the Kaplan–Meier method and competing risks method were used.

Results

In total, 11 patients received 26–30 Gy in 1 fraction, whereas 31 patients received 50–60 Gy (median 55 Gy) in 5 fractions. After a median follow-up of 12 months for SF-SBRT and 17 months for FF-SBRT groups (p=0·64), 1-year overall survival rates were 82 and 87%, respectively. SF- and FF-SBRT groups showed no significant difference in grade 3+ toxicity (p=0·28). The only grade 4 toxicity (n=1) was reported in the SF-SBRT group. All toxicities occurred >12 months after the SBRT.

Conclusions

SF- and FF-SBRT have comparable overall survival. SF-SBRT may have some utility for patients unable to have multi-fraction SBRT.
VANISHING OF THE NEGATIVE HOMOTOPY -THEORY OF QUOTIENT SINGULARITIES
Authors: Tabuada Gonçalo
Published: May 2017

Making use of Gruson–Raynaud’s technique of ‘platification par éclatement’, Kerz and Strunk proved that the negative homotopy$K$-theory groups of a Noetherian scheme$X$of Krull dimension$d$vanish below$-d$. In this article, making use of noncommutative algebraic geometry, we improve this result in the case of quotient singularities by proving that the negative homotopy$K$-theory groups vanish below$-1$. Furthermore, in the case of cyclic quotient singularities, we provide an explicit ‘upper bound’ for the first negative homotopy$K$-theory group.
A Holy Alliance between the Catholic Church and Constitution-Makers? The Diffusion of the Clause of Cooperation in Third Wave Democracies
Authors: Meyer Resende Madalena
Published: May 2017

What explains the adoption of the regime of cooperation between church and the state in the democratic constitutions of Spain and Poland, while Portugal maintained a regime of strict separation in the United States and French tradition? The explanation could be that a consensual constitution-making process resulted in a constitutional formula accommodating religion and guaranteeing religious freedoms. Alternatively, the constitutional regime of cooperation could result from the diffusion of international norms to national constitutions, in this case, the cosmopolitan law of the church. The article process-traces the constitution drafting processes and finds that the emergence of a constitutional consensus among secularist and constitutional drafters in Spain and Poland was based on the Vatican Council II doctrine and facilitated by the intervention of the Catholic hierarchies. In Portugal, the violent context of the revolution excluded the church, and the constitutional regime of strict separation between church and state was adopted.
Wings for Man
Authors: Armour James
Published: May 2017

In the short work here prefaced, the Author seeks to determine approximately the sustaining power of planes disposed in such manner round the axis of a wheel that, when the wheel is put into rolling motion upon the ground, the increasing velocity of rotation may give air pressure to the planes, to float the weight and propel it on a forward course when floated.

The manner in which the question is treated will show that the title “Wings for Man” signifies not wings absolute, but wings in the form of a proposition simply.
Is Red Really Romantic?
Authors: Lehmann Gabrielle K. , Calin-Jageman Robert J.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Red has been reported to enhance attraction for women rating men ( Elliot et al., 2010 ) and men rating women ( Elliot & Niesta, 2008 ). We replicated one of these studies online and in-person. To ensure rigor, we obtained original materials, planned for informative sample sizes, pre-registered our study, used a positive control, and adopted quality controls. For men, we found a very weak effect in the predicted direction (d = 0.09, 95% CI [−0.17, 0.34], N = 242). For women, we found a very weak effect in the opposite direction (d = −0.09, 95% CI [−0.30, 0.12], N = 360). The original studies may have overestimated the red effect, our studies may be an underestimate, or there could be strong moderation of the effect of red on attraction.
No Evidence for Ideological Asymmetry in Dissonance Avoidance
Authors: Collins Timothy P. , Crawford Jarret T. , Brandt Mark J.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Nam, Jost, and van Bavel (2013) found that conservatives were more likely than liberals to avoid dissonance-arousing situations (viz., writing counter-attitudinal essays in a high-choice situation). A close replication of this original research was unsuccessful, as both liberals and conservatives avoided writing counter-attitudinal essays to similar degrees. We conducted an additional experiment that aimed to conceptually replicate Nam et al. (2013) , and to examine whether people whose ideology is threatened might be more likely to avoid dissonance-arousing situations. Again, liberals and conservatives were equally likely to avoid writing counter-attitudinal essays. Threat had no effect on these decisions. A meta-analysis of Nam et al.’s (2013) two studies, the two studies presently reported, and a third supplemental study provide no evidence for asymmetry in dissonance avoidance.
High-throughput physical phenotyping of cell differentiation
Authors: Lin Jonathan , Kim Donghyuk , Tse Henry T. , Tseng Peter , Peng Lillian , Dhar Manjima , Karumbayaram Saravanan , Di Carlo Dino
Published: May 2017

In this report, we present multiparameter deformability cytometry (m-DC), in which we explore a large set of parameters describing the physical phenotypes of pluripotent cells and their derivatives. m-DC utilizes microfluidic inertial focusing and hydrodynamic stretching of single cells in conjunction with high-speed video recording to realize high-throughput characterization of over 20 different cell motion and morphology-derived parameters. Parameters extracted from videos include size, deformability, deformation kinetics, and morphology. We train support vector machines that provide evidence that these additional physical measurements improve classification of induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, neural stem cells, and their derivatives compared to size and deformability alone. In addition, we utilize visual interactive stochastic neighbor embedding to visually map the high-dimensional physical phenotypic spaces occupied by these stem cells and their progeny and the pathways traversed during differentiation. This report demonstrates the potential of m-DC for improving understanding of physical differences that arise as cells differentiate and identifying cell subpopulations in a label-free manner. Ultimately, such approaches could broaden our understanding of subtle changes in cell phenotypes and their roles in human biology.
Experimental realization of a multiplexed quantum memory with 225 individually accessible memory cells
Authors: Pu Y-F , Jiang N. , Chang W. , Yang H-X , Li C. , Duan L-M
Published: May 2017

To realize long-distance quantum communication and quantum network, it is required to have multiplexed quantum memory with many memory cells. Each memory cell needs to be individually addressable and independently accessible. Here we report an experiment that realizes a multiplexed DLCZ-type quantum memory with 225 individually accessible memory cells in a macroscopic atomic ensemble. As a key element for quantum repeaters, we demonstrate that entanglement with flying optical qubits can be stored into any neighboring memory cells and read out after a programmable time with high fidelity. Experimental realization of a multiplexed quantum memory with many individually accessible memory cells and programmable control of its addressing and readout makes an important step for its application in quantum information technology.
Effect and maintenance of the SLIMMER diabetes prevention lifestyle intervention in Dutch primary healthcare: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Duijzer G , Haveman-Nies A , Jansen S C , Beek J ter , van Bruggen R , Willink M G J , Hiddink G J , Feskens E J M
Published: May 2017

Background/Objectives:

To assess the effectiveness of the SLIMMER combined dietary and physical activity lifestyle intervention on clinical and metabolic risk factors, dietary intake, physical activity, and quality of life after 12 months, and to investigate whether effects sustained six months after the active intervention period ended.

Subjects/Methods:

SLIMMER was a randomised controlled intervention, implemented in Dutch primary healthcare. In total, 316 subjects aged 40–70 years with increased risk of type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to the intervention group (10-month dietary and physical activity programme) or the control group (usual healthcare). All subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and physical examination, and filled in questionnaires. Identical examinations were performed at baseline and after 12 and 18 months. Primary outcome was fasting insulin.

Results:

The intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in anthropometry and glucose metabolism. After 12 and 18 months, differences between intervention and control group were -2.7 kg (95% confidence interval (CI): −3.7; −1.7) and −2.5 kg (95% CI: −3.6; −1.4) for weight, and −12.1 pmol l−1 (95% CI: −19.6; −4.6) and −8.0 pmol l−1 (95% CI: −14.7; −0.53) for fasting insulin. Furthermore, dietary intake, physical activity, and quality of life improved significantly more in the intervention group than in the control group.

Conclusions:

The Dutch SLIMMER lifestyle intervention is effective in the short and long term in improving clinical and metabolic risk factors, dietary intake, physical activity, and quality of life in subjects at high risk of diabetes.
Trajectories of metabolic risk factors and biochemical markers prior to the onset of type 2 diabetes: the population-based longitudinal Doetinchem study
Authors: Hulsegge G , Spijkerman A M W , van der Schouw Y T , Bakker S J L , Gansevoort R T , Smit H A , Verschuren W M M
Published: May 2017

Background:

Risk factors often develop at young age and are maintained over time, but it is not fully understood how risk factors develop over time preceding type 2 diabetes. We examined how levels and trajectories of metabolic risk factors and biochemical markers prior to diagnosis differ between persons with and without type 2 diabetes over 15–20 years.

Methods:

A total of 355 incident type 2 diabetes cases (285 self-reported, 70 with random glucose ⩾11.1 mmol l−1) and 2130 controls were identified in a prospective cohort between 1987–2012. Risk factors were measured at 5-year intervals. Trajectories preceding case ascertainment were analysed using generalised estimating equations.

Results:

Among participants with a 21-year follow-up period, those with type 2 diabetes had higher levels of metabolic risk factors and biochemical markers 15–20 years before case ascertainment. Subsequent trajectories were more unfavourable in participants with type 2 diabetes for body mass index (BMI), HDL cholesterol and glucose (P<0.01), and to a lesser extent for waist circumference, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, C-reactive protein, uric acid and estimated glomerular filtration rate compared with participants without type 2 diabetes. Among persons with type 2 diabetes, BMI increased by 5–8% over 15 years, whereas the increase among persons without type 2 diabetes was 0–2% (P<0.01). The observed differences in trajectories of metabolic risk factors and biochemical markers were largely attenuated after inclusion of BMI in the models. Results were similar for men and women.

Conclusions:

Participants with diabetes had more unfavourable levels of metabolic risk factors and biochemical markers already 15–20 years before diagnosis and worse subsequent trajectories than others. Our results highlight the need, in particular, for maintenance of a healthy weight from young adulthood onwards for diabetes prevention.
Regulation of miR-483-3p by the O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase links chemosensitivity to glucose metabolism in liver cancer cells
Authors: Pepe F , Pagotto S , Soliman S , Rossi C , Lanuti P , Braconi C , Mariani-Costantini R , Visone R , Veronese A
Published: May 2017

The miR-483-3p is upregulated in several tumors, including liver tumors, where it inhibits TP53-dependent apoptosis by targeting the pro-apoptotic gene BBC3/PUMA. The transcriptional regulation of the miR-483-3p could be driven by the β-catenin/USF1 complex, independently from its host gene IGF2, and we previously demonstrated that in HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells carrying wild-type TP53 the upregulation of the miR-483-3p overcomes the antitumoral effects of the tumor-suppressor miR-145-5p by a mechanism involving cellular glucose availability. Here we demonstrate that in HepG2 cells, the molecular link between glucose concentration and miR-483-3p expression entails the O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT), which stabilizes the transcriptional complex at the miR-483 promoter. HepG2 cells showed reduced miR-483-3p expression and increased susceptibility to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced apoptosis in presence of the inhibitor of glycolysis 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG). However, in vivo experiments showed that HepG2 cells with higher miR-483-3p expression were selected during tumor progression regardless of 5-FU treatment. Furthermore, treatment with 2-DG alone did not significantly reduce HepG2 xenograft load in immunodeficient mice. In conclusion, we show that in HepG2 cells glucose uptake increases the expression of the oncogenic miR-483-3p through the OGT pathway. This suggests that depletion of the miR-483-3p may be a valuable therapeutic approach in liver cancer patients, but the use of inhibitors of glycolysis to achieve this purpose could accelerate the selection of resistant neoplastic cell clones.
Genotyping-by-sequencing of three mapping populations for identification of candidate genomic regions for resistance to sterility mosaic disease in pigeonpea
Authors: Saxena Rachit K. , Kale Sandip M. , Kumar Vinay , Parupali Swathi , Joshi Shourabh , Singh Vikas , Garg Vanika , Das Roma R. , Sharma Mamta , Yamini K. N. , Ghanta Anuradha , Rathore Abhishek , Sameerkumar C. V. , Saxena K. B. , Varshney Rajeev K.
Published: May 2017

Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) is one of the serious production constraints that may lead to complete yield loss in pigeonpea. Three mapping populations including two recombinant inbred lines and one F2, were used for phenotyping for SMD resistance at two locations in three different years. Genotyping-by-sequencing approach was used for simultaneous identification and genotyping of SNPs on above mentioned populations. In total, 212,464, 89,699 and 64,798 SNPs were identified in ICPL 20096 × ICPL 332 (PRIL_B), ICPL 20097 × ICP 8863 (PRIL_C) and ICP 8863 × ICPL 87119 (F2) respectively. By using high-quality SNPs, genetic maps were developed for PRIL_B (1,101 SNPs; 921.21 cM), PRIL_C (484 SNPs; 798.25 cM) and F2 (996 SNPs; 1,597.30 cM) populations. The average inter marker distance on these maps varied from 0.84 cM to 1.65 cM, which was lowest in all genetic mapping studies in pigeonpea. Composite interval mapping based QTL analysis identified a total of 10 QTLs including three major QTLs across the three populations. The phenotypic variance of the identified QTLs ranged from 3.6 to 34.3%. One candidate genomic region identified on CcLG11 seems to be promising QTL for molecular breeding in developing superior lines with enhanced resistance to SMD.
Labeling Extracellular Vesicles for Nanoscale Flow Cytometry
Authors: Morales-Kastresana Aizea , Telford Bill , Musich Thomas A. , McKinnon Katherine , Clayborne Cassandra , Braig Zach , Rosner Ari , Demberg Thorsten , Watson Dionysios C. , Karpova Tatiana S. , Freeman Gordon J. , DeKruyff Rosemarie H. , Pavlakis George N. , Terabe Masaki , Robert-Guroff Marjorie , Berzofsky Jay A. , Jones Jennifer C.
Published: May 2017

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, are 30–800 nm vesicles that are released by most cell types, as biological packages for intercellular communication. Their importance in cancer and inflammation makes EVs and their cargo promising biomarkers of disease and cell-free therapeutic agents. Emerging high-resolution cytometric methods have created a pressing need for efficient fluorescent labeling procedures to visualize and detect EVs. Suitable labels must be bright enough for one EV to be detected without the generation of label-associated artifacts. To identify a strategy that robustly labels individual EVs, we used nanoFACS, a high-resolution flow cytometric method that utilizes light scattering and fluorescence parameters along with sample enumeration, to evaluate various labels. Specifically, we compared lipid-, protein-, and RNA-based staining methods and developed a robust EV staining strategy, with the amine-reactive fluorescent label, 5-(and-6)-Carboxyfluorescein Diacetate Succinimidyl Ester, and size exclusion chromatography to remove unconjugated label. By combining nanoFACS measurements of light scattering and fluorescence, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of EV labeling assays in a manner that has not been described for other EV detection methods. Efficient characterization of EVs by nanoFACS paves the way towards further study of EVs and their roles in health and disease.
Whole-mantle convection with tectonic plates preserves long-term global patterns of upper mantle geochemistry
Authors: Barry T. L. , Davies J. H. , Wolstencroft M. , Millar I. L. , Zhao Z. , Jian P. , Safonova I. , Price M.
Published: May 2017

The evolution of the planetary interior during plate tectonics is controlled by slow convection within the mantle. Global-scale geochemical differences across the upper mantle are known, but how they are preserved during convection has not been adequately explained. We demonstrate that the geographic patterns of chemical variations around the Earth’s mantle endure as a direct result of whole-mantle convection within largely isolated cells defined by subducting plates. New 3D spherical numerical models embedded with the latest geological paleo-tectonic reconstructions and ground-truthed with new Hf-Nd isotope data, suggest that uppermost mantle at one location (e.g. under Indian Ocean) circulates down to the core-mantle boundary (CMB), but returns within ≥100 Myrs via large-scale convection to its approximate starting location. Modelled tracers pool at the CMB but do not disperse ubiquitously around it. Similarly, mantle beneath the Pacific does not spread to surrounding regions of the planet. The models fit global patterns of isotope data and may explain features such as the DUPAL anomaly and long-standing differences between Indian and Pacific Ocean crust. Indeed, the geochemical data suggests this mode of convection could have influenced the evolution of mantle composition since 550 Ma and potentially since the onset of plate tectonics.
Transcriptome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of four species of luminescent beetles
Authors: Wang Kai , Hong Wei , Jiao Hengwu , Zhao Huabin
Published: May 2017

The evolution of bioluminescence has prompted scientific attention to illuminate phylogenetic relationships of luminescent beetles. However, genomic resources are virtually lacking in rhagophthalmids (Rhagophthalmidae) and their related firefly beetles lampyrids (Lampyridae). Here, we employed the Illumina Hiseq 2000 platform and sequenced the whole-body transcriptomes of the four luminescent beetles: one rhagophthalmid (Rhagophthalmussp.) and three fireflies (Asymmetricata circumdata,Aquatica ficta, andPyrocoelia pectoralis). We obtained 55.4, 43.4, 38.6, and 36.7 million clean reads for the four species, respectively. All reads were assembled into contigs from which unigenes were derived. All unigenes were annotated by publicly available databases, and a total of 4325 orthologous genes were identified. Using multiple phylogenetic approaches, our transcriptome data confirmed the distinctiveness of Rhagophthalmidae from Lampyridae, which was also supported by our mitogenome analysis using three newly determined mitogenome sequences and 12 previously published ones. Together, this study is the first report of whole transcriptome sequencing data in Rhagophthalmidae and Lampyridae species, representing a valuable genomic resource for studying the origin and evolution of some remarkable traits in these beetles such as bioluminescence. Moreover, our transcriptome and mitogenome data provide useful phylogenetic information that could be of importance in future studies of phylogenetic inference.
Formants provide honest acoustic cues to body size in American alligators
Authors: Reber Stephan A. , Janisch Judith , Torregrosa Kevin , Darlington Jim , Vliet Kent A. , Fitch W. Tecumseh
Published: May 2017

In many vertebrates, acoustic cues to body size are encoded in resonance frequencies of the vocal tract (“formants”), rather than in the rate of tissue vibration in the sound source (“pitch”). Anatomical constraints on the vocal tract’s size render formants honest cues to size in many bird and mammal species, but it is not clear whether this correlation evolved convergently in these two clades, or whether it is widespread among amniotes (mammals, birds, and non-avian reptiles). We investigated the potential for honest acoustic cues in the bellows of adult American alligators and found that formant spacing provided highly reliable cues to body size, while presumed correlates of the source signal did not. These findings held true for both sexes and for all bellows whether produced in or out of water. Because birds and crocodilians are the last extant Archosaurians and share common ancestry with all extinct dinosaurs, our findings support the hypothesis that dinosaurs used formants as cues to body size. The description of formants as honest signals in a non-avian reptile combined with previous evidence from birds and mammals strongly suggests that the principle of honest signalling via vocal tract resonances may be a broadly shared trait among amniotes.
ZBP1 phosphorylation at serine 181 regulates its dendritic transport and the development of dendritic trees of hippocampal neurons
Authors: Urbanska Anna S. , Janusz-Kaminska Aleksandra , Switon Katarzyna , Hawthorne Alicia L. , Perycz Malgorzata , Urbanska Malgorzata , Bassell Gary J. , Jaworski Jacek
Published: May 2017

Local protein synthesis occurs in axons and dendrites of neurons, enabling fast and spatially restricted responses to a dynamically changing extracellular environment. Prior to local translation, mRNA that is to be translated is packed into ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs) where RNA binding proteins ensure mRNA silencing and provide a link to molecular motors. ZBP1 is a component of RNP transport particles and is known for its role in the local translation of β-actin mRNA. Its binding to mRNA is regulated by tyrosine 396 phosphorylation, and this particular modification was shown to be vital for axonal growth and dendritic branching. Recently, additional phosphorylation of ZBP1 at serine 181 (Ser181) was described in non-neuronal cells. In the present study, we found that ZBP1 is also phosphorylated at Ser181 in neurons in a mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2-, Src kinase-, and mRNA binding-dependent manner. Furthermore, Ser181 ZBP1 phosphorylation was essential for the proper dendritic branching of hippocampal neurons that were culturedin vitroand for the proper ZBP1 dendritic distribution and motility.
A-Kinase Anchoring Protein 79/150 Scaffolds Transient Receptor Potential A 1 Phosphorylation and Sensitization by Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Activation
Authors: Brackley Allison Doyle , Gomez Ruben , Guerrero Kristi A. , Akopian Armen N. , Glucksman Marc J. , Du Junhui , Carlton Susan M. , Jeske Nathaniel A.
Published: May 2017

Mechanical pain serves as a base clinical symptom for many of the world’s most debilitating syndromes. Ion channels expressed by peripheral sensory neurons largely contribute to mechanical hypersensitivity. Transient Receptor Potential A 1 (TRPA1) is a ligand-gated ion channel that contributes to inflammatory mechanical hypersensitivity, yet little is known as to the post-translational mechanism behind its somatosensitization. Here, we utilize biochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral measures to demonstrate that metabotropic glutamate receptor-induced sensitization of TRPA1 nociceptors stimulates targeted modification of the receptor. Type 1 mGluR5 activation increases TRPA1 receptor agonist sensitivity in an AKA-dependent manner. As a scaffolding protein for Protein Kinases A and C (PKA and PKC, respectively), AKAP facilitates phosphorylation and sensitization of TRPA1 in ex vivo sensory neuronal preparations. Furthermore, hyperalgesic priming of mechanical hypersensitivity requires both TRPA1 and AKAP. Collectively, these results identify a novel AKAP-mediated biochemical mechanism that increases TRPA1 sensitivity in peripheral sensory neurons, and likely contributes to persistent mechanical hypersensitivity.
Catechol-Functional Chitosan/Silver Nanoparticle Composite as a Highly Effective Antibacterial Agent with Species-Specific Mechanisms
Authors: Huang Xiaofei , Bao Xiaojiong , Liu Yalan , Wang Zhengke , Hu Qiaoling
Published: May 2017

In this study, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) coated with catechol-conjugated chitosan (CSS) were prepared using green methods. Interestingly, we uncovered that CSS-coated Ag NPs (CSS-Ag NPs) exhibited a higher toxicity against gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria than against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. The differences revealed that the CSS-Ag NPs killed gram bacteria with distinct, species-specific mechanisms. The aim of this study is to further investigate these underlying mechanisms through a series of analyses. The ultrastructure and morphology of the bacteria before and after treatment with CSS-Ag NPs were observed. The results demonstrated the CSS-Ag NPs killed gram-positive bacteria through a disorganization of the cell wall and leakage of cytoplasmic content. In contrast, the primary mechanism of action on gram-negative bacteria was a change in membrane permeability, induced by adsorption of CSS-Ag NPs. The species-specific mechanisms are caused by structural differences in the cell walls of gram bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria are protected from CSS-Ag NPs by a thicker cell wall, while gram-negatives are more easily killed due to an interaction between a special outer membrane and the nanoparticles. Our study offers an in-depth understanding of the antibacterial behaviors of CSS-Ag NPs and provides insights into ultimately optimizing the design of Ag NPs for treatment of bacterial infections.
Preparation of Nanowire like WSe2-Graphene Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 into CH3OH with the Presence of Sacrificial Agents
Authors: Ali Asghar , Oh Won-Chun
Published: May 2017

A nanowire-like WSe2-graphene catalyst was prepared via ultra-sonication and was tested in terms of the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 into CH3OH under irradiation with UV/visible light. The prepared nano-composite was further characterized via XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman and XPS. The photocurrent analysis was further tested for its photocatalytic reduction of CO2 using gas chromatography (GCMS-QP2010 SE). To further improve the the photo-catalytic efficiency, a sacrificial agent (Na2S/Na2SO3) was added to the WSe2-graphene nanocomposite and was found to improve the photo-catalytic efficiency, with the methanol yield reaching 5.0278 µmol g−1h−1. Our present work provides a convenient way to prepare nanomaterials various morphologies that have future applications for environmental remediation.
Nutrient consumption and chain tuning in diatoms exposed to storm-like turbulence
Authors: Dell’Aquila Gianluca , Ferrante Maria I. , Gherardi Marco , Cosentino Lagomarsino Marco , Ribera d’Alcalà Maurizio , Iudicone Daniele , Amato Alberto
Published: May 2017

Current information on the response of phytoplankton to turbulence is linked to cell size and nutrient availability. Diatoms are considered to be favored by mixing as dissolved nutrients are more easily accessible for non-motile cells. We investigated how diatoms exploit microscale turbulence under nutrient repletion and depletion conditions. Here, we show that the chain-forming diatom Chaetoceros decipiens, continues to take up phosphorus and carbon even when silicon is depleted during turbulence. Our findings indicate that upon silica depletion, during turbulence, chain spectra of C. decipiens remained unchanged. We show here that longer chains are maintained during turbulence upon silica depletion whereas under still conditions, shorter chains are enriched. We interpret this as a sign of good physiological state leading to a delay of culture senescence. Our results show that C. decipiens senses and responds to turbulence both in nutrient repletion and depletion. This response is noteworthy due to the small size of the species. The coupling between turbulence and biological response that we depict here may have significant ecological implications. Considering the predicted increase of storms in Northern latitudes this response might modify community structure and succession. Our results partly corroborate Margalef’s mandala and provide additional explanations for that conceptualization.