bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Analysis of Internet Use by U.S. Farmers
Authors: Mishra Ashok K. , Park Timothy A.
Published: September 2016

The Internet may reduce constraints on a farmer's ability to receive and manage information, regardless of where the farm is located or when the information is used. Using a count data estimation procedure, this study attempts to examine the key farm, operator, regional, and household characteristics that influence the number of Internet applications used by farm households. Findings indicate that educational level of the farm operator, farm size, farm diversification, off-farm income, off-farm investments, and regional location of the farm have a significant impact on the number of Internet applications used.
Air Pollution and Farm-Level Crop Yields: An Empirical Analysis of Corn and Soybeans
Authors: Westenbarger David A. , Frisvold George B.
Published: September 2016

While many studies have estimated the impacts of air pollution on crop yields on experimental plots, few have estimated these impacts under actual farm production conditions. This study econometrically estimates the impact of air pollution on corn and soybean yields, controlling for weather, soil quality and management practices, using farm-level data for the eastern United States. Ozone pollution was found to reduce yields for both crops. The mean elasticity of yield with respect to ozone exposure was − 0.19 for corn and − 0.54 for soybeans. The benefits of ozone standards to protect crops, measured in terms of crop revenues, range from $17 to $82 million depending on the stringency of the standard. Over 85 percent of the revenue gains are captured by three states: Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Demographic and Socioeconomic Influences on the Importance of Food Safety in Food Shopping
Authors: Lin Chung-Tung Jordan
Published: September 2016

The perceived importance of food safety is instrumental in the success of consumer information programs to promote public health and to market safer foods. This paper examines how the belief of a household's main meal planner about the importance of food safety in food shopping is influenced by the person's or the household's demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Results suggest food safety is more important to main meal planners who are female, older, more educated, non-working, have at-risk household members (elderly, young children, and pregnant women), or live in the Northeast and the South. Implications of the results on consumer education are discussed.
Validating Contingent Valuation with Surveys of Experts
Authors: Boyle Kevin J. , Welsh Michael P. , Bishop Richard C. , Baumgartner Robert M.
Published: September 2016

Contingent-valuation estimates for white-water boating passengers are compared with Likert ratings by river guides. The approach involves asking whether passengers and their guides ordinally rank alternative flows the same. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Contingent Valuation Panel (1993) suggested “one might want to compare its (contingent-valuation's) outcome with that provided by a panel of experts.” River guides constitute a counterfactual panel of “experts.” For commercial trips, optimum flows are 34,000 cfs and 31,000 cfs for passengers and guides, and the comparable figures for private trips are 28,000 cfs and 29,000 cfs. In the NOAA Panel framework, passengers can evaluate the consequences of various river flows and translate this into contingent-valuation responses.
What Is Historic Integrity Worth to the General Public? Evidence from a Proposed Relocation of a West Virginia Agricultural Mill
Authors: Maskey Vishakha , Brown Cheryl , Collins Alan R. , Nassar Hala F.
Published: September 2016

While historians believe that preserving a historic building in its original location is important to maintain its historic integrity, the general public's opinion is unknown. Survey data were gathered from local residents regarding a proposed relocation of a historic mill in rural West Virginia. Only a minority of the sample population supported preserving the mill at its original location. Willingness to pay for preservation was estimated at $8.45 for a one-time donation for the sample and $2.29 after adjusting for non-respondents using characteristics of the local population.
The Effects of Workforce Creativity on Earnings in U.S. Counties
Authors: Gabe Todd M. , Colby Kristen , Bell Kathleen P.
Published: September 2016

This paper examines the effects of local workforce creativity on county-level earnings. Descriptive analysis of the data shows that most of the high-creativity counties in the United States are part of metropolitan areas, and that employee earnings are high in these places. Regression results indicate that, other things being equal, workforce creativity enhances county-level labor earnings. However, the returns to creativity that we found can be confirmed only in the urban context. An extension of the analysis suggests that the creative workforce wage premium may be capturing the effects of “technical workforce creativity” on earnings.
Amenities and Rural Appalachia Economic Growth
Authors: Deller Steven , Lledo Victor
Published: September 2016

Patterns of economic growth in rural Appalachia are examined with a focus on natural and built amenities. While the literature is clear that rural areas endowed with scenic beauty, lakes, forests, and wildlife, among other natural amenities, and coupled with built amenities such as golf courses, are experiencing robust economic growth. It is not clear if these patterns extend to rural Appalachia. In this applied research study we use data for rural U. S. counties. We estimate an augmented Carlino-Mills growth model with specific attention to growth patterns of Appalachia. We also build on the empirical modeling by adopting a Bayesian Modeling Average (BMA) approach to address the problem of model specification. We find that while there are some commonalities across the whole of the United States, the country is sufficiently heterogeneous that impact of amenities or other policy variables may be significantly different depending on where one is within the country. Our results suggest that while non-metropolitan Appalachia tends to follow national trends, there are sufficient differences that warrant special attention.
Consumer Preferences for Socially Responsible Production Attributes Across Food Products
Authors: McCluskey Jill J. , Durham Catherine A. , Horn Brady P.
Published: September 2016

This study examines consumer preferences for three socially responsible products: minimal-pesticide strawberries, fair-trade bananas, and milk from pasture-fed cows. In-person survey data were collected in four states. Understanding preferences for these characteristics is difficult because they may appeal to different individuals depending on their personal attitudes and values. To address this issue, health, environmental and other attitudes are measured based on survey questions. Responses to these questions are used to produce explanatory factor scores. Stated preference models, both with and without factor scores, are estimated to evaluate the relative strengths of consumer preferences and motivations to purchase these products.
Country of Origin Labeling: Evaluating the Impacts on U.S. and World Markets
Authors: Jones Keithly G. , Somwaru Agapi , Whitaker James B.
Published: September 2016

A provision of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 requires country of origin labeling (COOL) for certain agricultural commodities. To comply with the law, producers, processors, and retailers face additional production costs associated with labeling, separating, and tracking commodities. Using estimated costs provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), we simulate the impacts of mandatory COOL on U.S. and global agricultural markets using a global static general equilibrium model (STAGEM). The results show resource adjustments that lead to decreases in production, consumption, and trade flows. The results assume no demand premium for labeled commodities relative to unlabeled commodities.
Global Welfare Impacts of U.S. Meat Promotion Activities
Authors: Henneberry Shida Rastegari , Mutondo Joao E. , Brorsen B. Wade
Published: September 2016

An equilibrium displacement model of the U.S. meat markets is used to measure the potential impacts of promotion investment, differentiating meats by types and by supply source, taking into account the U.S. participation in global meat markets, and considering imperfect competition in the meat industry. The increase in U.S. producer welfare resulting from a 10 percent increase in promotion ranges from -$1.29 million to $2.60 million for U.S. beef producers and from -$0.96 million to $1.67 million for U.S. pork producers, depending primarily on the advertising elasticity used.
Integration-Valuation Nexus in Invasive Species Policy
Authors: Shogren Jason F. , Finnoff David , McIntosh Chris , Settle Chad
Published: September 2016

This paper reviews recent work examining two topics of economic research vital for invasive species policy—integration and valuation. Integration requires bioeconomic models that blend invasive biology with economic circumstances and the feedback loops between the two systems. Valuation requires nonmarket valuation associated with human and environmental damages posed by invasive species. We argue for a second-level of integration in invasive species economics—valuation based on integration models. Policy prescriptions based on integration models need valuation work; valuation surveys need integration models—the two are complements. Valuation could be enhanced with integration in mind; integration could be made better with valuation in mind. An example from blending the two research areas is presented and its merits demonstrated.
Introductions of Invasive Species: Failure of the Weaker Link
Authors: Burnett Kimberly M.
Published: September 2016

The prevention of invasive species is modeled as a “weaker link” public good. Under the weaker link aggregation technology, individual contributions beyond the lowest level will provide benefits, but these benefits progressively decline as contributions exceed the minimum. A two-region model is constructed, assuming incomplete information concerning costs of provision. This framework allows us to explain why we observe underinvestment in prevention, how information facilitates efficiency, and under what conditions information is most relevant. Specific implications regarding improved invasive species prevention policy are extracted and discussed.
Prioritizing Invasive Species Threats Under Uncertainty
Authors: Moffitt L. Joe , Osteen Craig D.
Published: September 2016

Prioritizing exotic or invasive pest threats in terms of agricultural, environmental, or human health damages is an important resource allocation issue for programs charged with preventing or responding to the entry of such organisms. Under extreme uncertainty, program managers may decide to research the severity of threats, develop prevention or control actions, and estimate cost-effectiveness in order to provide better information and more options when making decisions to choose strategies for specific pests. We examine decision rules based on the minimax and relative cost criteria in order to express a cautious approach for decisions regarding severe, irreversible consequences, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these rules, examine the roles of simple rules and sophisticated analyses in decision making, and apply a simple rule to develop a list of priority plant pests.
The Economics of Terrestrial Invasive Species: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Olson Lars J.
Published: September 2016

This paper reviews the literature on the economics of invasive species management as it applies to invasive species in general and terrestrial invasive species in particular. The paper summarizes a number of recent studies that assign values to the economic impact of terrestrial invasive species on a national scale. This is followed by a review of the economic literature on control and prevention of a biological invasion and the literature on international trade and trade policy with invasive species. The paper then reviews selected studies on terrestrial invasive plants, animals, and microbes, respectively.
The Economic Impacts of Aquatic Invasive Species: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Lovell Sabrina J. , Stone Susan F. , Fernandez Linda
Published: September 2016

Invasive species are a growing threat in the United States, causing losses in biodiversity, changes in ecosystems, and impacts on economic enterprises such as agriculture, fisheries, and international trade. The costs of preventing and controlling invasive species are not well understood or documented, but estimates indicate that the costs are quite high. The costs of aquatic invasive species are even less well understood than those for terrestrial species. A systematic approach is needed to develop a consistent method to estimate the national costs of aquatic invasives. This review of the economic literature on aquatic invasive species is the first stage in the development of that estimate. We reviewed over sixty sources and include both empirical papers that present cost estimates as well as theoretical papers on preventing and mitigating the impacts of aquatic invasive species. Species-specific estimates are included for both animals and plants.
Resident vs. Nonresident Employment Associated with Marcellus Shale Development
Authors: Wrenn Douglas H. , Kelsey Timothy W. , Jaenicke Edward C.
Published: September 2016

There is much debate about the employment effect of shale gas development, especially as it relates to extraction counties. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many of the jobs created are filled by nonresidents. We examine the impact shale gas development has on local employment in Pennsylvania using a data set that links workers to their personal residences. We find that activity in the Marcellus shale has had a modest positive impact on job growth. The impact is cut in half, however, when we use data for county residents only. Thus, traditional employment data may overestimate employment impacts from shale development.
What Experts Say About the Environmental Risks of Shale Gas Development
Authors: Krupnick Alan J. , Gordon Hal G.
Published: September 2016

Public discourse suggests a lack of consensus in the United States regarding the environmental impacts of shale gas development. Newly available shale gas has reduced the cost of electricity and heating and replaced coal, but public fears about the environment threaten to curtail those gains. We designed the first survey-based analysis of the views of government, industry, academic, and nongovernmental experts to identify their priorities for regulation and voluntary action among 264 routine and 14 accidental environmental risk “pathways.” We find that nongovernmental experts select many more problems but that there is considerable agreement on the most important ones, which can guide research, policies, and practices so that shale gas benefits continue and environmental impacts are limited.
Food and beverage purchases in corner stores, gas-marts, pharmacies and dollar stores
Authors: Caspi Caitlin E , Lenk Kathleen , Pelletier Jennifer E , Barnes Timothy L , Harnack Lisa , Erickson Darin J , Laska Melissa N
Published: September 2016

Objective

Little is known about customer purchases of foods and beverages from small and non-traditional food retailers (i.e. corner stores, gas-marts, dollar stores and pharmacies). The present study aimed to: (i) describe customer characteristics, shopping frequency and reasons for shopping at small and non-traditional food retailers; and (ii) describe food/beverage purchases and their nutritional quality, including differences across store type.

Design

Data were collected through customer intercept interviews. Nutritional quality of food/beverage purchases was analysed; a Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) score for purchases was created by aggregating participant purchases at each store.

Setting

Small and non-traditional food stores that were not WIC-authorized in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, USA.

Subjects

Customers (n 661) from 105 food retailers.

Results

Among participants, 29 % shopped at the store at least once daily; an additional 44 % shopped there at least once weekly. Most participants (74 %) cited convenient location as the primary draw to the store. Customers purchased a median of 2262 kJ (540 kcal), which varied by store type (P=0·04). The amount of added sugar far surpassed national dietary recommendations. At dollar stores, participants purchased a median of 5302 kJ (1266 kcal) for a median value of $US 2·89. Sugar-sweetened beverages were the most common purchase. The mean HEI-2010 score across all stores was 36·4.

Conclusions

Small and non-traditional food stores contribute to the urban food environment. Given the poor nutritional quality of purchases, findings support the need for interventions that address customer decision making in these stores.
Novel Polarizing Method for Light Microscopy
Authors: Palchikova Irina G. , Smirnov Evgenii S. , Kamanina Natalia V.
Published: September 2016

A test of the qualities of polarizing filters was performed for a set of specimens including a bulk Nicol prism, standard polaroids, and special polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-iodine thin-film filters coated on both sides by vertically oriented carbon nanotubes. The residual transmission of polarizing filters depending on the incidence angle of polarized light was examined in detail. The superior quality of polarizing film filters treated with carbon nanotubes was found. This fact allows us to propose a new application for polarizing films with carbon nanotubes for a polarizing cover glass. In such a way the cover glass may serve as an analyzer in a light polarizing microscope. Some features of optical scheme arrangement for the polarizing technique are discussed. The polarizing cover glass allows elimination of depolarization of light, which is inserted in a microscope objective. Test results of the proposed polarizing technique attest to the efficiency of using the polarizing cover glass. The new scheme for polaroid arrangement shows image-contrast enhancement by several percent in comparison with the standard layout.
Healthcare personnel’s experiences using video consultation in primary healthcare in rural areas
Authors: Johansson Annette M. , Lindberg Inger , Söderberg Siv
Published: September 2016

Background

Patients living in rural areas often need to travel long distances for access to specialist care. To increase access to specialist care, video consultation between patients in primary healthcare and specialist care has been used. In order for this new method to be developed and used to the fullest, it is important to understand healthcare personnel’s experiences with this intervention.

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe healthcare personnel’s experiences using video consultation in their work in primary healthcare.

Method

A mixed methods design was used, and the data were analysed using qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. Interviews were conducted with eight general practitioners and one district nurse, all of whom had conducted a video consultation with a patient and a specialist physician or a cardiac specialist nurse. After each video consultation, the participants completed a consultation report/questionnaire.

Results

Healthcare personnel considered video consultation to provide quicker access to specialist care for the patient, and greater security when the video consultation encounter was conducted at their own primary healthcare centre. They considered video consultation an opportunity to provide education and for the patients to ask questions.

Conclusion

Video consultation is a satisfactory tool for healthcare personnel, and the technology is a new, useful method, especially for the district nurses. Further, video consultation is an opportunity for healthcare personnel to learn. However, for it to work as an accepted method, the technology must function well and be user friendly. It must also be clear that it is beneficial for the patients and the healthcare personnel.
Application of SRRs in conventional waveguide slot array to achieve performance improvement and dual-band characteristics
Authors: Chandra Avinash , Das Sushrut
Published: September 2016

This paper presents application of split ring resonators (SRR) in conventional waveguide slot array antenna to achieve performance improvement and multiband characteristics. Three SRRs have been placed on the transverse plane of a conventional slotted waveguide and has been simulated and measured. The measured results show that the antenna has dual band response with respective 10 dB return loss bandwidth 8.23–9.23 GHz (11.45%) and 9.68–11.01 GHz (12.87%). The measured gain and radiation pattern reveal that the proposed antenna has higher gain and front to back radiation ratio as compared with a conventional slotted waveguide antenna. Equivalent circuit of the proposed antenna also has been presented.
Benefit Finding in Cardiac Patients: Relationships with Emotional Well-Being and Resources after Controlling for Physical Functional Impairment
Authors: Sanjuán Pilar , García-Zamora Cristina , Ruiz M. Ángeles , Rueda Beatriz , Arranz Henar , Castro Almudena
Published: September 2016

Benefit finding (BF) is defined as the individual’s perception of positive change as a result of coping with an adverse life event. The beneficial effects of BF on well-being could be because BF favors the improvement of resources like self-efficacy, social support and effective coping. The main objective of this longitudinal 8 week study was to explore, in a sample of cardiac patients (n = 51), the combined contribution of BF and these resources to the positive affect. Moreover, we wanted to check whether these resources were derived from BF or, on the contrary, these resources were antecedents of BF. Results showed that after controlling for functional capacity, only effective coping could predict the positive affect at Time 1 (β = .32, p < .05), while the BF predicted it at Time 2 (β = .23, p < .001). Only social support predicted BF (β = .26, p < .05), but not the opposite. We discussed the desirability of promoting these processes to improve the emotional state of cardiac patients.
Close-packed polymer crystals from two-monomer-connected precursors
Authors: Lee Hong-Joon , Jo Yong-Ryun , Kumar Santosh , Yoo Seung Jo , Kim Jin-Gyu , Kim Youn-Joong , Kim Bong-Joong , Lee Jae-Suk
Published: September 2016

The design of crystalline polymers is intellectually stimulating and synthetically challenging, especially when the polymerization of any monomer occurs in a linear dimension. Such linear growth often leads to entropically driven chain entanglements and thus is detrimental to attempts to realize the full potential of conjugated molecular structures. Here we report the polymerization of two-monomer-connected precursors (TMCPs) in which two pyrrole units are linked through a connector, yielding highly crystalline polymers. The simultaneous growth of the TMCP results in a close-packed crystal in polypyrrole (PPy) at the molecular scale with either a hexagonal close-packed or face-centred cubic structure, as confirmed by high-voltage electron microscopy, and the structure that formed could be controlled by simply changing the connector. The electrical conductivity of the TMCP-based PPy is almost 35 times that of single-monomer-based PPy, demonstrating its promise for application in diverse fields.
Dysferlin-mediated phosphatidylserine sorting engages macrophages in sarcolemma repair
Authors: Middel Volker , Zhou Lu , Takamiya Masanari , Beil Tanja , Shahid Maryam , Roostalu Urmas , Grabher Clemens , Rastegar Sepand , Reischl Markus , Nienhaus Gerd Ulrich , Strähle Uwe
Published: September 2016

Failure to repair the sarcolemma leads to muscle cell death, depletion of stem cells and myopathy. Hence, membrane lesions are instantly sealed by a repair patch consisting of lipids and proteins. It has remained elusive how this patch is removed to restore cell membrane integrity. Here we examine sarcolemmal repair in live zebrafish embryos by real-time imaging. Macrophages remove the patch. Phosphatidylserine (PS), an ‘eat-me’ signal for macrophages, is rapidly sorted from adjacent sarcolemma to the repair patch in a Dysferlin (Dysf) dependent process in zebrafish and human cells. A previously unrecognized arginine-rich motif in Dysf is crucial for PS accumulation. It carries mutations in patients presenting with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2B. This underscores the relevance of this sequence and uncovers a novel pathophysiological mechanism underlying this class of myopathies. Our data show that membrane repair is a multi-tiered process involving immediate, cell-intrinsic mechanisms as well as myofiber/macrophage interactions.
Hepatic fat and abdominal adiposity in early pregnancy together predict impaired glucose homeostasis in mid-pregnancy
Authors: De Souza L R , Berger H , Retnakaran R , Vlachou P A , Maguire J L , Nathens A B , Connelly P W , Ray J G
Published: September 2016

Hepatic fat and abdominal adiposity individually reflect insulin resistance, but their combined effect on glucose homeostasis in mid-pregnancy is unknown. A cohort of 476 pregnant women prospectively underwent sonographic assessment of hepatic fat and visceral (VAT) and total (TAT) adipose tissue at 11–14 weeks’ gestation. Logistic regression was used to assess the relation between the presence of maternal hepatic fat and/or the upper quartile (Q) of either VAT or TAT and the odds of developing the composite outcome of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or gestational diabetes mellitus at 24–28 weeks’ gestation, based on a 75 g OGTT. Upon adjusting for maternal age, ethnicity, family history of DM and body mass index (BMI), the co-presence of hepatic fat and quartile 4 (Q4) of VAT (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 6.5, 95% CI: 2.3–18.5) or hepatic fat and Q4 of TAT (aOR 7.8 95% CI 2.8–21.7) were each associated with the composite outcome, relative to women with neither sonographic feature. First-trimester sonographic evidence of maternal hepatic fat and abdominal adiposity may independently predict the development of impaired glucose homeostasis and GDM in mid-pregnancy.
Uncovering the lipidic basis for the preparation of functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptor detergent complexes for structural studies
Authors: Quesada Orestes , González -Freire Carol , Ferrer María Carla , Colón -Sáez José O. , Fernández-García Emily , Mercado Juan , Dávila Alejandro , Morales Reginald , Lasalde-Dominicci José A.
Published: September 2016

This study compares the lipid composition, including individual phospholipid molecular species of solubilized nAChR detergent complexes (nAChR-DCs) with those of the bulk lipids from their source, Torpedo californica (Tc) electric tissue. This lipidomic analysis revealed seventy-seven (77) phospholipid species in the Tc tissue. Analysis of affinity-purified nAChR-DCs prepared with C-12 to C-16 phospholipid analog detergents alkylphosphocholine (FC) and lysofoscholine (LFC) demonstrated that nAChR-DCs prepared with FC12, LFC14, and LFC16 contained >60 phospholipids/nAChR, which was more than twice of those prepared with FC14, FC16, and LFC12. Significantly, all the nAChR-DCs lacked ethanolamine and anionic phospholipids, contained only four cholesterol molecules, and a limited number of phospholipid molecular species per nAChR. Upon incorporation into oocytes, FC12 produce significant functionality, whereas LFC14 and LFC16 nAChR-DCs displayed an increased functionality as compared to the crude Tc membrane. All three nAChR-DCs displayed different degrees of alterations in macroscopic activation and desensitization kinetics.
Combining Exosomes Derived from Immature DCs with Donor Antigen-Specific Treg Cells Induces Tolerance in a Rat Liver Allograft Model
Authors: Ma Ben , Yang Jing-Yue , Song Wen-jie , Ding Rui , Zhang Zhuo-chao , Ji Hong-chen , Zhang Xuan , Wang Jian-lin , Yang Xi-sheng , Tao Kai-shan , Dou Ke-feng , Li Xiao
Published: September 2016

Allograft tolerance is the ultimate goal in the field of transplantation immunology. Immature dendritic cells (imDCs) play an important role in establishing tolerance but have limitations, including potential for maturation, short lifespan in vivo and short storage times in vitro. However, exosomes (generally 30–100 nm) from imDCs (imDex) retain many source cell properties and may overcome these limitations. In previous reports, imDex prolonged the survival time of heart or intestine allografts. However, tolerance or long-term survival was not achieved unless immune suppressants were used. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can protect allografts from immune rejection, and our previous study showed that the effects of imDex were significantly associated with Tregs. Therefore, we incorporated Tregs into the treatment protocol to further reduce or avoid suppressant use. We defined the optimal exosome dose as approximately 20 μg (per treatment before, during and after transplantation) in rat liver transplantation and the antigen-specific role of Tregs in protecting liver allografts. In the co-treatment group, recipients achieved long-term survival, and tolerance was induced. Moreover, imDex amplified Tregs, which required recipient DCs and were enhanced by IL-2. Fortunately, the expanded Tregs retained their regulatory ability and donor-specificity. Thus, imDex and donor-specific Tregs can collaboratively induce graft tolerance.
Functional Recovery of AQP2 Recessive Mutations Through Hetero-Oligomerization with Wild-Type Counterpart
Authors: El Tarazi Abdulah , Lussier Yoann , Da Cal Sandra , Bissonnette Pierre , Bichet Daniel G.
Published: September 2016

Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) is a homotetrameric water channel responsible for the final water reuptake in the kidney. Mutations in the protein induce nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), which challenges the water balance by producing large urinary volumes. Although recessive AQP2 mutations are believed to generate non-functional and monomeric proteins, the literature identifies several mild mutations which suggest the existence of mixed wt/mut tetramers likely to carry function in heterozygotes. Using Xenopus oocytes, we tested this hypothesis and found that mild mutants (V24A, D150E) can associate with wt-AQP2 in mixed heteromers, providing clear functional gain in the process (62 ± 17% and 63 ± 17% increases, respectively), conversely to the strong monomeric R187C mutant which fails to associate with wt-AQP2. In kidney cells, both V24A and D150E display restored targeting while R187C remains in intracellular stores. Using a collection of mutations to expand recovery analyses, we demonstrate that inter-unit contacts are central to this recovery process. These results not only present the ground data for the functional recovery of recessive AQP2 mutants through heteromerization, which prompt to revisit the accepted NDI model, but more importantly describe a general recovery process that could impact on all multimeric systems where recessive mutations are found.
Human CB1 Receptor Isoforms, present in Hepatocytes and β-cells, are Involved in Regulating Metabolism
Authors: González-Mariscal Isabel , Krzysik-Walker Susan M. , Doyle Máire E. , Liu Qing-Rong , Cimbro Raffaello , Santa-Cruz Calvo Sara , Ghosh Soumita , Cieśla Łukasz , Moaddel Ruin , Carlson Olga D. , Witek Rafal P. , O’Connell Jennifer F. , Egan Josephine M.
Published: September 2016

Therapeutics aimed at blocking the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor for treatment of obesity resulted in significant improvements in liver function, glucose uptake and pancreatic β-cell function independent of weight loss or CB1 receptor blockade in the brain, suggesting that peripherally-acting only CB1 receptor blockers may be useful therapeutic agents. Neuropsychiatric side effects and lack of tissue specificity precluded clinical use of first-generation, centrally acting CB1 receptor blockers. In this study we specifically analyzed the potential relevance to diabetes of human CB1 receptor isoforms in extraneural tissues involved in glucose metabolism. We identified an isoform of the human CB1 receptor (CB1b) that is highly expressed in β-cells and hepatocytes but not in the brain. Importantly, CB1b shows stronger affinity for the inverse agonist JD-5037 than for rimonabant compared to CB1 full length. Most relevant to the field, CB1b is a potent regulator of adenylyl cyclase activity in peripheral metabolic tissues. CB1b blockade by JD-5037 results in stronger adenylyl cyclase activation compared to rimonabant and it is a better enhancer of insulin secretion in β-cells. We propose this isoform as a principal pharmacological target for the treatment of metabolic disorders involving glucose metabolism.
DNA barcoding reveal patterns of species diversity among northwestern Pacific molluscs
Authors: Sun Shao’e , Li Qi , Kong Lingfeng , Yu Hong , Zheng Xiaodong , Yu Ruihai , Dai Lina , Sun Yan , Chen Jun , Liu Jun , Ni Lehai , Feng Yanwei , Yu Zhenzhen , Zou Shanmei , Lin Jiping
Published: September 2016

This study represents the first comprehensive molecular assessment of northwestern Pacific molluscs. In total, 2801 DNA barcodes belonging to 569 species from China, Japan and Korea were analyzed. An overlap between intra- and interspecific genetic distances was present in 71 species. We tested the efficacy of this library by simulating a sequence-based specimen identification scenario using Best Match (BM), Best Close Match (BCM) and All Species Barcode (ASB) criteria with three threshold values. BM approach returned 89.15% true identifications (95.27% when excluding singletons). The highest success rate of congruent identifications was obtained with BCM at 0.053 threshold. The analysis of our barcode library together with public data resulted in 582 Barcode Index Numbers (BINs), 72.2% of which was found to be concordantly with morphology-based identifications. The discrepancies were divided in two groups: sequences from different species clustered in a single BIN and conspecific sequences divided in one more BINs. In Neighbour-Joining phenogram, 2,320 (83.0%) queries fromed 355 (62.4%) species-specific barcode clusters allowing their successful identification. 33 species showed paraphyletic and haplotype sharing. 62 cases are represented by deeply diverged lineages. This study suggest an increased species diversity in this region, highlighting taxonomic revision and conservation strategy for the cryptic complexes.
Extraordinary transmission of gigahertz surface acoustic waves
Authors: Mezil Sylvain , Chonan Kazuki , Otsuka Paul H. , Tomoda Motonobu , Matsuda Osamu , Lee Sam H. , Wright Oliver B.
Published: September 2016

Extraordinary transmission of waves, i.e. a transmission superior to the amount predicted by geometrical considerations of the aperture alone, has to date only been studied in the bulk. Here we present a new class of extraordinary transmission for waves confined in two dimensions to a flat surface. By means of acoustic numerical simulations in the gigahertz range, corresponding to acoustic wavelengths λ ~ 3–50 μm, we track the transmission of plane surface acoustic wave fronts between two silicon blocks joined by a deeply subwavelength bridge of variable length with or without an attached cavity. Several resonant modes of the structure, both one- and two-dimensional in nature, lead to extraordinary acoustic transmission, in this case with transmission efficiencies, i.e. intensity enhancements, up to ~23 and ~8 in the two respective cases. We show how the cavity shape and bridge size influence the extraordinary transmission efficiency. Applications include new metamaterials and subwavelength imaging.
Structural Analysis of the Hg(II)-Regulatory Protein Tn501 MerR from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Wang Dan , Huang Shanqing , Liu Pingying , Liu Xichun , He Yafeng , Chen Weizhong , Hu Qingyuan , Wei Tianbiao , Gan Jianhua , Ma Jing , Chen Hao
Published: September 2016

The metalloprotein MerR is a mercury(II)-dependent transcriptional repressor-activator that responds to mercury(II) with extraordinary sensitivity and selectivity. It’s widely distributed in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria but with barely detectable sequence identities between the two sources. To provide structural basis for the considerable biochemical and biophysical experiments previously performed on Tn501 and Tn21 MerR from Gram-negative bacteria, we analyzed the crystal structure of mercury(II)-bound Tn501 MerR. The structure in the metal-binding domain provides Tn501 MerR with a high affinity for mercury(II) and the ability to distinguish mercury(II) from other metals with its unique planar trigonal coordination geometry, which is adopted by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The mercury(II) coordination state in the C-terminal metal-binding domain is transmitted through the allosteric network across the dimer interface to the N-terminal DNA-binding domain. Together with the previous mutagenesis analyses, the present data indicate that the residues in the allosteric pathway have a central role in maintaining the functions of Tn501 MerR. In addition, the complex structure exhibits significant differences in tertiary and quaternary structural arrangements compared to those of Bacillus MerR from Gram-positive bacteria, which probably enable them to function with specific promoter DNA with different spacers between −35 and −10 elements.
Linked color imaging application for improving the endoscopic diagnosis accuracy: a pilot study
Authors: Sun Xiaotian , Dong Tenghui , Bi Yiliang , Min Min , Shen Wei , Xu Yang , Liu Yan
Published: September 2016

Endoscopy has been widely used in diagnosing gastrointestinal mucosal lesions. However, there are still lack of objective endoscopic criteria. Linked color imaging (LCI) is newly developed endoscopic technique which enhances color contrast. Thus, we investigated the clinical application of LCI and further analyzed pixel brightness for RGB color model. All the lesions were observed by white light endoscopy (WLE), LCI and blue laser imaging (BLI). Matlab software was used to calculate pixel brightness for red (R), green (G) and blue color (B). Of the endoscopic images for lesions, LCI had significantly higher R compared with BLI but higher G compared with WLE (all P < 0.05). R/(G + B) was significantly different among 3 techniques and qualified as a composite LCI marker. Our correlation analysis of endoscopic diagnosis with pathology revealed that LCI was quite consistent with pathological diagnosis (P = 0.000) and the color could predict certain kinds of lesions. ROC curve demonstrated at the cutoff of R/(G+B) = 0.646, the area under curve was 0.646, and the sensitivity and specificity was 0.514 and 0.773. Taken together, LCI could improve efficiency and accuracy of diagnosing gastrointestinal mucosal lesions and benefit target biopsy. R/(G + B) based on pixel brightness may be introduced as a objective criterion for evaluating endoscopic images.
IL-6, IL-10 and TNFα do not improve early detection of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography acute pancreatitis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Concepción-Martín Mar , Gómez-Oliva Cristina , Juanes Ana , Mora Josefina , Vidal Silvia , Díez Xavier , Torras Xavier , Sainz Sergio , Villanueva Candid , Farré Antoni , Guarner-Argente Carlos , Guarner Carlos
Published: September 2016

The most reliable indicators for post-ERCP acute pancreatitis are elevated amylase levels and abdominal pain 24 hours after ERCP. As ERCP is often performed on an outpatient basis, earlier diagnosis is important. We aimed to identify early predictors of post-ERCP pancreatitis. We prospectively analyzed IL-6, IL-10, TNFα, CRP, amylase and lipase before and 4 hours after ERCP, and studied their association with abdominal pain. We included 510 patients. Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 36 patients (7.1%). IL-6, IL-10, TNFα and CRP were not associated with post-ERCP pancreatitis. Levels of amylase and lipase were higher in patients with pancreatitis (522 U/L and 1808 U/L vs. 78 U/L and 61 U/L, respectively; p < 0.001). A cut-off of 218 U/L for amylase (x2.2 ULN) and 355 U/L for lipase (x6 ULN) had a negative predictive value of 99.2% and 99.5%, respectively. Amylase and lipase present a good correlation (Pearson coefficient 0.912). Among 342 (67.1%) patients without abdominal pain at 4 hours, post-ERCP pancreatitis was diagnosed in 8 (2.3%). Only 4 of these patients presented amylase or lipase > 3 ULN. Amylase and lipase were the only markers of post-ERCP pancreatitis 4 hours after the procedure.
Mutation analysis of circulating plasma DNA to determine response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy of lung adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Riediger Anja Lisa , Dietz Steffen , Schirmer Uwe , Meister Michael , Heinzmann-Groth Ingrid , Schneider Marc , Muley Thomas , Thomas Michael , Sültmann Holger
Published: September 2016

Long-lasting success in lung cancer therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is rare since the tumors develop resistance due to the occurrence of molecularly altered subclones. The aim of this study was to monitor tumors over time based on the quantity of mutant plasma DNA and to identify early indications for therapy response and tumor progression. Serial plasma samples from lung adenocarcinoma patients treated with TKIs were used to quantify EGFR and KRAS mutations in circulating DNA by digital PCR. Mutant DNA levels were compared with the courses of responses to treatment with TKIs, conventional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or combinations thereof. Variations in plasma DNA mutation levels over time were found in 15 patients. We categorize three major courses: First, signs of therapy response are associated with a fast clearing of plasma DNA mutations within a few days. Second, periods of stable disease are accompanied by either absence of mutations or fluctuation at low levels. Finally, dramatic increase of mutational load is followed by rapid tumor progression and poor patient survival. In summary, the serial assessment of EGFR mutations in the plasma of NSCLC patients allows conclusions about controlled disease and tumor progression earlier than currently available methods.
N-Glycosylation of integrin α5 acts as a switch for EGFR-mediated complex formation of integrin α5β1 to α6β4
Authors: Hang Qinglei , Isaji Tomoya , Hou Sicong , Zhou Ying , Fukuda Tomohiko , Gu Jianguo
Published: September 2016

N-Glycosylation of integrin α5β1 is involved in multiple cell behaviors. We previously reported that the N-glycosylations of the calf domain on integrin α5 (S3–5,10–14) are essential for its inhibitory effect on EGFR signaling in regulating cell proliferation. However, the importance of the individual N-glycosylation and the underlying mechanisms of inhibition remain unclear. Here, we characterize the S3–5,10–14 mutants in detail and found that the N-glycosylation of site-11 (Asn712) is key for cell growth. The restoration of site-11, unlike the other individual sites, significantly suppressed cell growth and EGFR signaling in a manner that was similar to that of wild-type (WT). Mechanistically, this N-glycosylation inhibited the response abilities upon EGF stimulation and EGFR dimerization. Interestingly, we found this N-glycosylation controlled the EGFR complex formation with integrin α5β1 or α6β4; i.e., the loss of site-11 switched EGFR-α5β1 to EGFR-α6β4, which is well known to promote cellular signaling for cell growth. Moreover, the site-11 N-glycan exhibited a more branching structure compared with other sites, which may be required for EGFR-α5β1 formation. Taken together, these data clearly demonstrate that the site-11 N-glycosylation on α5 is most important for its inhibitory effect on EGFR signaling, which may provide a novel regulatory mechanism for crosstalks between integrins and EGFR.
Flexible Neural Electrode Array Based-on Porous Graphene for Cortical Microstimulation and Sensing
Authors: Lu Yichen , Lyu Hongming , Richardson Andrew G. , Lucas Timothy H. , Kuzum Duygu
Published: September 2016

Neural sensing and stimulation have been the backbone of neuroscience research, brain-machine interfaces and clinical neuromodulation therapies for decades. To-date, most of the neural stimulation systems have relied on sharp metal microelectrodes with poor electrochemical properties that induce extensive damage to the tissue and significantly degrade the long-term stability of implantable systems. Here, we demonstrate a flexible cortical microelectrode array based on porous graphene, which is capable of efficient electrophysiological sensing and stimulation from the brain surface, without penetrating into the tissue. Porous graphene electrodes show superior impedance and charge injection characteristics making them ideal for high efficiency cortical sensing and stimulation. They exhibit no physical delamination or degradation even after 1 million biphasic stimulation cycles, confirming high endurance. In in vivo experiments with rodents, same array is used to sense brain activity patterns with high spatio-temporal resolution and to control leg muscles with high-precision electrical stimulation from the cortical surface. Flexible porous graphene array offers a minimally invasive but high efficiency neuromodulation scheme with potential applications in cortical mapping, brain-computer interfaces, treatment of neurological disorders, where high resolution and simultaneous recording and stimulation of neural activity are crucial.
Tin doped indium oxide anodes with artificially controlled nano-scale roughness using segregated Ag nanoparticles for organic solar cells
Authors: Kim Hyo-Joong , Ko Eun-Hye , Noh Yong-Jin , Na Seok-In , Kim Han-Ki
Published: September 2016

Nano-scale surface roughness in transparent ITO films was artificially formed by sputtering a mixed Ag and ITO layer and wet etching of segregated Ag nanoparticles from the surface of the ITO film. Effective removal of self-segregated Ag particles from the grain boundaries and surface of the crystalline ITO film led to a change in only the nano-scale surface morphology of ITO film without changes in the sheet resistance and optical transmittance. A nano-scale rough surface of the ITO film led to an increase in contact area between the hole transport layer and the ITO anode, and eventually increased the hole extraction efficiency in the organic solar cells (OSCs). The heterojunction OSCs fabricated on the ITO anode with a nano-scale surface roughness exhibited a higher power conversion efficiency of 3.320%, than that (2.938%) of OSCs made with the reference ITO/glass. The results here introduce a new method to improve the performance of OSCs by simply modifying the surface morphology of the ITO anodes.