bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) presence, abundance and distribution over the Dogger Bank, North Sea, in winter
Authors: Cucknell A.-C. , Boisseau O. , Leaper R. , McLanaghan R. , Moscrop A.
Published: June 2016

An area in the central North Sea was surveyed in November 2011 in order to estimate the abundance and density of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). A total of 2833 km of pre-determined trackline were acoustically surveyed, of which 28% included visual effort. The poor sighting conditions during the survey limited visual effort and demonstrated the advantage of using acoustic techniques for studying harbour porpoise in winter months. Absolute abundance and density estimates were calculated from acoustic encounter rates using estimates of probability of detection and mean group size. The density of harbour porpoises in the west of the survey area was almost double that in the east, with UK waters to the south-west of the Dogger Bank having the highest density of the area surveyed. The overall acoustic encounter rate was higher than most other surveys in the North Sea. The mean density across the survey area of 0.63 (95% CI 0.27–1.52) individuals km−2and distribution of porpoises was similar to that documented in the summer suggesting that high abundance of harbour porpoises in the west of the North Sea is not confined to summer months. This information is particularly relevant given plans for the construction of a large offshore wind farm on the UK section of the Dogger Bank; the resulting impacts, including acoustic disturbance from pile driving, will potentially affect substantial numbers of harbour porpoises.
Cortical thickness and surface area correlates with cognitive dysfunction among first-episode psychosis patients
Authors: Haring L. , Müürsepp A. , Mõttus R. , Ilves P. , Koch K. , Uppin K. , Tarnovskaja J. , Maron E. , Zharkovsky A. , Vasar E. , Vasar V.
Published: June 2016

Background

In studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), some have reported specific brain structure–function relationships among first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients, but findings are inconsistent. We aimed to localize the brain regions where cortical thickness (CTh) and surface area (cortical area; CA) relate to neurocognition, by performing an MRI on participants and measuring their neurocognitive performance using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), in order to investigate any significant differences between FEP patients and control subjects (CS).

Method

Exploration of potential correlations between specific cognitive functions and brain structure was performed using CANTAB computer-based neurocognitive testing and a vertex-by-vertex whole-brain MRI analysis of 63 FEP patients and 30 CS.

Results

Significant correlations were found between cortical parameters in the frontal, temporal, cingular and occipital brain regions and performance in set-shifting, working memory manipulation, strategy usage and sustained attention tests. These correlations were significantly dissimilar between FEP patients and CS.

Conclusions

Significant correlations between CTh and CA with neurocognitive performance were localized in brain areas known to be involved in cognition. The results also suggested a disrupted structure–function relationship in FEP patients compared with CS.
Symptoms, functioning and coping strategies in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who do not take antipsychotic medication: a comparative interview study
Authors: Jung E. , Wiesjahn M. , Wendt H. , Bock T. , Rief W. , Lincoln T. M.
Published: June 2016

Background

A considerable proportion of people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders do not take antipsychotic medication but seem to be functioning well. However, little is known about this group. To test the assumption that absence of medication is compensated for by more effective coping and increased social support, this study compared symptoms, functioning, coping strategies and social support in non-medicated and medicated individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Method

In all, 48 participants with a DSM-IV schizophrenia spectrum disorder who were taking (n= 25) or not taking antipsychotic medication (n= 23) were included. Assessment consisted of self-ratings of symptoms, symptom-related distress and social support combined with a semi-structured interview that assessed general and social functioning, subjective evaluation of symptoms and coping strategies.

Results

Symptom severity and distress did not differ between the groups. However, the non-medicated participants had significantly higher levels of general functioning than medicated participants and a longer duration of being non-medicated was significantly associated with a higher level of general functioning. In contrast to the hypotheses, not taking medication was not associated with more effective coping strategies or with higher levels of social support. Medicated participants more frequently reported the use of professional help as a coping strategy.

Conclusions

Our results corroborate previous studies finding improved functioning in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who do not take medication compared with those who take medication, but do not support the notion that this difference is explicable by better coping or higher levels of social support. Alternative explanations and avenues for research are discussed.
Multi-informant perspective on psychological distress among Ghanaian orphans and vulnerable children within the context of HIV/AIDS
Authors: Doku P. N. , Minnis H.
Published: June 2016

Background

There is little knowledge about the psychosocial distress of children affected by human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Ghana, to aid the planning of services. This study investigated mental health problems among children affected by HIV/AIDS, compared with control groups of children orphaned by other causes, and non-orphans.

Method

The study employed a cross-sectional survey that interviewed 291 children and their caregivers. Both children and caregivers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire that measured children's psychosocial wellbeing. Verbal autopsy was used to identify whether children lost one or both parents from AIDS.

Results

The results indicated that controlling for relevant sociodemographic factors, both children's self-reports and caregivers’ reports indicate that both children living with HIV/AIDS-infected caregivers and children orphaned by AIDS were at heightened risk for mental health problems than both children orphaned by other causes and non-orphans. The findings further indicated that a significant proportion of orphaned and vulnerable children exhibited symptoms for depression and other psychiatric disorders (approximately 63%) compared with 7% among the non-orphaned group. Caregivers gave higher ratings for children on externalizing problems and lower on internalizing problems, and vice versa when the children's self-reports were analysed.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that both children and their informants have diverse yet complementary perspectives on psychological outcomes. The study discusses the theoretical and practical implications of these findings and urgently calls for necessary intervention programmes that target all children affected by HIV/AIDS to effectively alleviate psychological distress and enhance the mental health of these children.
Depressive and anxiety disorders and short leukocyte telomere length: mediating effects of metabolic stress and lifestyle factors
Authors: Révész D. , Verhoeven J. E. , Milaneschi Y. , Penninx B. W. J. H.
Published: June 2016

Background

Depressive and anxiety disorders are associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL), an indicator of cellular aging. It is, however, unknown which pathways underlie this association. This study examined the extent to which lifestyle factors and physiological changes such as inflammatory or metabolic alterations mediate the relationship.

Method

We applied mediation analysis techniques to data from 2750 participants of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. LTL was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Independent variables were current depressive (30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptoms – Self Report) and anxiety (21-item Beck's Anxiety Inventory) symptoms and presence of a depressive or anxiety disorder diagnosis based on DSM-IV; mediator variables included physiological stress systems, metabolic syndrome components and lifestyle factors.

Results

Short LTL was associated with higher symptom severity (B = −2.4, p = 0.002) and current psychiatric diagnosis (B = −63.3, p = 0.024). C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cigarette smoking were significant mediators in the relationship between psychopathology and LTL. When all significant mediators were included in one model, the effect sizes of the relationships between LTL and symptom severity and current diagnosis were reduced by 36.7 and 32.7%, respectively, and the remaining direct effects were no longer significant.

Conclusions

Pro-inflammatory cytokines, metabolic alterations and cigarette smoking are important mediators of the association between depressive and anxiety disorders and LTL. This calls for future research on intervention programs that take into account lifestyle changes in mental health care settings.
Editorial: Behind the Scenes
Authors: RAE PAUL
Published: June 2016

One of the pleasures of editing Theatre Research International is the opportunity to engage with scholars from different parts of the world about their research. In the past year or so, I have visited several universities in South East Asia, finding out about the practices and ideas people are investigating, and how they are doing it. In the process, I have been struck by the alacrity with which ambitious universities in the fast-developing economies of the region – and, I suspect, elsewhere in the world – are embracing the metrics and other criteria required for success in global university rankings exercises. The legitimation, prestige and increased attractiveness to talented staff and students that a good showing in such exercises can bring is presumably an important reason why governments and university administrations see participation as an efficient use of limited resources. However, as anyone with direct experience of rankings-motivated institutional change will be aware, the practical results can be highly disruptive, and their cost can fall disproportionately upon arts and humanities researchers, so much of whose activity remains resistant to easy quantification.
‘The Money Was Real Money’: Talking with Audiences about Corruption, Domestic Violence and Aesthetic Values during the Roverman Festival of Plays at the Ghana National Theatre
Authors: ASIEDU AWO MANA
Published: June 2016

This article is about audiences’ reactions to plays at the 2013–14 Roverman Festival of Plays at the Ghana National Theatre. Using a modified version of Willmar Sauter's ‘Theatre Talks’, questionnaires and participant observation, I sought to ascertain what audiences at this festival made of two of the plays presented to them:What's My Name?andThe Day Dad Came. Audiences identified and discussed endemic corruption and domestic violence in ways that showed their keen engagement with and interpretation of the plays and their eagerness to take what was presented to them and make it their own. The discussion also reveals the audiences’ interest in the aesthetic qualities of the plays, which they shared in surprising detail. I argue that the personality of the director–playwright, Ebo Whyte, frames the audiences’ appreciation of the plays.
‘Sometimes Uncomfortable, Sometimes Arousing’: The Slow Dramaturgy of Casey Jenkins's Craftivist Performances
Authors: STEVENS LARA
Published: June 2016

From mid-October to mid-November 2013, Australian performance artist Casey Jenkins sat for twenty-eight days in a gallery in Darwin, far North Australia, knitting a scarf from a ball of wool lodged in her vagina. Parts of the performance ofCasting Off My Wombwere filmed by the public broadcasting service SBS2, and aired in late November 2013 as a two-minute-and-forty-eight-second video clip re-titledVaginal Knitting. The clip went viral on YouTube, with over seven million views as of March 2016, and received extensive media attention.Casting Off My Wombattracted global public interest because Jenkins continued to knit throughout the days of her period, weaving her menstrual blood into the artwork. The performance elicited strong responses from its global viewing public. While some people praised the work, many online spectators wrote vicious, derisive and personal attacks on Jenkins for displaying her menstrual blood in a public place. This article uses Matthew Goulish's methodology of ‘slow thinking’ as a counterresponse to the impulsive reactions of the online spectators and as a means to register the powerful and incremental energy and effects of Jenkins's feminist performance.
Quantified degree of poultry exposure differs for human cases of avian influenza H5N1 and H7N9
Authors: BETHMONT A. , BUI C. M. , GARDNER L. , SARKAR S. , CHUGHTAI A. A. , MACINTYRE C. R.
Published: June 2016

Preliminary evidence suggests that direct poultry contact may play a lesser role in transmission of avian influenza A(H7N9) than A(H5N1) to humans. To better understand differences in risk factors, we quantified the degree of poultry contact reported by H5N1 and H7N9 World Health Organization-confirmed cases. We used publicly available data to classify cases by their degree of poultry contact, including direct and indirect. To account for potential data limitations, we used two methods: (1) case population method in which all cases were classified using a range of sources; and (2) case subset method in which only cases with detailed contact information from published research literature were classified. In the case population, detailed exposure information was unavailable for a large proportion of cases (H5N1, 54%; H7N9, 86%). In the case subset, direct contact proportions were higher in H5N1 cases (70·3%) than H7N9 cases (40·0%) (χ2 = 18·5, P < 0·001), and indirect contact proportions were higher in H7N9 cases (44·6%) than H5N1 cases (19·4%) (χ2 = 15·5, P < 0·001). Together with emerging evidence, our descriptive analysis suggests direct poultry contact is a clearer risk factor for H5N1 than for H7N9, and that other risk factors should also be considered for H7N9.
Mixing, Communication Complexity and Conjectures of Gowers and Viola
Authors: SHALEV ANER
Published: June 2016

We study the distribution of products of conjugacy classes in finite simple groups, obtaining effective two-step mixing results, which give rise to an approximation to a conjecture of Thompson.

Our results, combined with work of Gowers and Viola, also lead to the solution of recent conjectures they posed on interleaved products and related complexity lower bounds, extending their work on the groups SL(2,q) to all (non-abelian) finite simple groups.

In particular it follows that, ifGis a finite simple group, andA,B⊆Gtfort⩾ 2 are subsets of fixed positive densities, then, asa= (a1, . . .,at) ∈Aandb= (b1, . . .,bt) ∈Bare chosen uniformly, the interleaved producta•b:=a1b1. . .atbtis almost uniform onG(with quantitative estimates) with respect to the ℓ∞-norm.

It also follows that the communication complexity of an old decision problem related to interleaved products ofa,b∈Gtis at least Ω(tlog |G|) whenGis a finite simple group of Lie type of bounded rank, and at least Ω(tlog log |G|) whenGis any finite simple group. Both these bounds are best possible.
Serum and erythrocyte folate status of New Zealand women of childbearing age following a countrywide voluntary programme by the baking industry to fortify bread with folic acid
Authors: Bradbury Kathryn E , Williams Sheila M , Mann Jim I , Oey Indrawati , Aitchison Cindy , Parnell Winsome , Fleming Liz , Brown Rachel C , Skeaff C Murray
Published: June 2016

Objective

To estimate the folate status of New Zealand women of childbearing age following the introduction, in 2010, of a new voluntary folic acid fortification of bread programme.

Design

The 2011 Folate and Women’s Health Survey was a cross-sectional survey of women aged 18–44 years carried out in 2011. The survey used a stratified random sampling technique with the Electoral Roll as the sampling frame. Women were asked about consumption of folic-acid-fortified breads and breakfast cereals in a telephone interview. During a clinic visit, blood was collected for serum and erythrocyte folate measurement by microbiological assay.

Setting

A North Island (Wellington) and South Island (Dunedin) city centre in New Zealand.

Subjects

Two hundred and eighty-eight women, of whom 278 completed a clinic visit.

Results

Geometric mean serum and erythrocyte folate concentrations were 30 nmol/l and 996 nmol/l, respectively. Folate status was 30–40 % higher compared with women of childbearing age sampled as part of a national survey in 2008/09, prior to the introduction of the voluntary folic acid bread fortification programme. In the 2011 Folate and Women’s Health Survey, reported consumption of fortified bread and fortified breakfast cereal in the past week was associated with 25 % (P=0·01) and 15 % (P=0·04) higher serum folate concentrations, respectively.

Conclusions

Serum and erythrocyte folate concentrations have increased in New Zealand women of childbearing age since the number of folic-acid-fortified breads was increased voluntarily in 2010. Consumption of fortified breads and breakfast cereals was associated with a higher folate status.
How Regional Wind Patterns Will Influence Climate Change
Authors: Yan Wudan
Published: June 2016

Climate change is expected to cause wet regions to get wetter and dry regions to get drier, but new research suggests that the truth is more complicated.
Th2 and eosinophil responses suppress inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Chen Zhu , Andreev Darja , Oeser Katharina , Krljanac Branislav , Hueber Axel , Kleyer Arnd , Voehringer David , Schett Georg , Bozec Aline
Published: June 2016

Th2–eosinophil immune responses are well known for mediating host defence against helminths. Herein we describe a function of Th2–eosinophil responses in counteracting the development of arthritis. In two independent models of arthritis, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection leads to Th2 and eosinophil accumulation in the joints associated with robust inhibition of arthritis and protection from bone loss. Mechanistically, this protective effect is dependent on IL-4/IL-13-induced STAT6 pathway. Furthermore, we show that eosinophils play a central role in the modulation of arthritis probably through the increase of anti-inflammatory macrophages into arthritic joints. The presence of these pathways in human disease is confirmed by detection of GATA3-positive cells and eosinophils in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Taken together, these results demonstrate that eosinophils and helminth-induced activation of the Th2 pathway axis effectively mitigate the course of inflammatory arthritis.
Spin-orbit-driven magnetic structure and excitation in the 5d pyrochlore Cd2Os2O7
Authors: Calder S. , Vale J. G. , Bogdanov N. A. , Liu X. , Donnerer C. , Upton M. H. , Casa D. , Said A. H. , Lumsden M. D. , Zhao Z. , Yan J. -Q. , Mandrus D. , Nishimoto S. , van den Brink J. , Hill J. P. , McMorrow D. F. , Christianson A. D.
Published: June 2016

Much consideration has been given to the role of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in 5d oxides, particularly on the formation of novel electronic states and manifested metal-insulator transitions (MITs). SOC plays a dominant role in 5d5 iridates (Ir4+), undergoing MITs both concurrent (pyrochlores) and separated (perovskites) from the onset of magnetic order. However, the role of SOC for other 5d configurations is less clear. For example, 5d3 (Os5+) systems are expected to have an orbital singlet with reduced effective SOC. The pyrochlore Cd2Os2O7 nonetheless exhibits a MIT entwined with magnetic order phenomenologically similar to pyrochlore iridates. Here, we resolve the magnetic structure in Cd2Os2O7 with neutron diffraction and then via resonant inelastic X-ray scattering determine the salient electronic and magnetic energy scales controlling the MIT. In particular, SOC plays a subtle role in creating the electronic ground state but drives the magnetic order and emergence of a multiple spin-flip magnetic excitation.
Erratum: Correspondence: Reply to ‘Enhancing a phase measurement by sequentially probing a solid-state system’
Authors: Gang-Qin Liu , Yu-Ran Zhang , Yan-Chun Chang , Jie-Dong Yue , Heng Fan , Xin-Yu Pan
Published: June 2016

Nature Communications 7: Article number: 11521 (2016); Published: 9 May 2016; Updated: 7 June 2016 The HTML version of this Correspondence was previously published with an incomplete title. This has now been corrected in the HTML; the PDF version of the paper was correct from the time of publication.
Intravenous delivery of adeno-associated virus 9-encoded IGF-1Ea propeptide improves post-infarct cardiac remodelling
Authors: Gallego-Colon Enrique , Villalba Maria , Tonkin Joanne , Cruz Francisco , Bernal Juan Antonio , Jimenez-Borregureo Luis J , Schneider Michael D , Lara-Pezzi Enrique , Rosenthal Nadia
Published: June 2016

The insulin-like growth factor Ea propeptide (IGF-1Ea) is a powerful enhancer of cardiac muscle growth and regeneration, also blocking age-related atrophy and beneficial in multiple skeletal muscle diseases. The therapeutic potential of IGF-1Ea compared with mature IGF-1 derives from its local action in the area of synthesis. We have developed an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector for IGF-1Ea delivery to the heart to treat mice after myocardial infarction and examine the reparative effects of local IGF-1Ea production on left ventricular remodelling. A cardiotropic AAV9 vector carrying a cardiomyocyte-specific IGF-1Ea-luciferase bi-cistronic gene expression cassette (AAV9.IGF-1Ea) was administered intravenously to infarcted mice, 5 h after ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R), as a model of myocardial infarction. Virally encoded IGF-1Ea in the heart improved global left ventricular function and remodelling, as measured by wall motion and thickness, 28 days after delivery, with higher viral titers yielding better improvement. The present study demonstrates that single intravenous AAV9-mediated IGF-1Ea Gene Therapy represents a tissue-targeted therapeutic approach to prevent the adverse remodelling after myocardial infarct.
Cascade degradation of organic matters in brewery wastewater using a continuous stirred microbial electrochemical reactor and analysis of microbial communities
Authors: Wang Haiman , Qu Youpeng , Li Da , Ambuchi John J. , He Weihua , Zhou Xiangtong , Liu Jia , Feng Yujie
Published: June 2016

A continuous stirred microbial electrochemical reactor (CSMER), comprising of a complete mixing zone (CMZ) and microbial electrochemical zone (MEZ), was used for brewery wastewater treatment. The system realized 75.4 ± 5.7% of TCOD and 64.9 ± 4.9% of TSS when fed with brewery wastewater concomitantly achieving an average maximum power density of 304 ± 31 m W m−2. Cascade utilization of organic matters made the CSMER remove a wider range of substrates compared with a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), in which process 79.1 ± 5.6% of soluble protein and 86.6 ± 2.2% of soluble carbohydrates were degraded by anaerobic digestion in the CMZ and short-chain volatile fatty acids were further decomposed and generated current in the MEZ. Co-existence of fermentative bacteria (Clostridium and Bacteroides, 19.7% and 5.0%), acetogenic bacteria (Syntrophobacter, 20.8%), methanogenic archaea (Methanosaeta and Methanobacterium, 40.3% and 38.4%) and exoelectrogens (Geobacter, 12.4%) as well as a clear spatial distribution and syntrophic interaction among them contributed to the cascade degradation process in CSMER. The CSMER shows great promise for practical wastewater treatment application due to high pre-hydrolysis and acidification rate, high energy recovery and low capital cost.
Networks of plants: how to measure similarity in vegetable species
Authors: Vivaldo Gianna , Masi Elisa , Pandolfi Camilla , Mancuso Stefano , Caldarelli Guido
Published: June 2016

Despite the common misconception of nearly static organisms, plants do interact continuously with the environment and with each other. It is fair to assume that during their evolution they developed particular features to overcome similar problems and to exploit possibilities from environment. In this paper we introduce various quantitative measures based on recent advancements in complex network theory that allow to measure the effective similarities of various species. By using this approach on the similarity in fruit-typology ecological traits we obtain a clear plant classification in a way similar to traditional taxonomic classification. This result is not trivial, since a similar analysis done on the basis of diaspore morphological properties do not provide any clear parameter to classify plants species. Complex network theory can then be used in order to determine which feature amongst many can be used to distinguish scope and possibly evolution of plants. Future uses of this approach range from functional classification to quantitative determination of plant communities in nature.
Collective electronic excitations in the ultra violet regime in 2-D and 1-D carbon nanostructures achieved by the addition of foreign atoms
Authors: Bangert U. , Pierce W. , Boothroyd C. , Pan C.-T. , Gwilliam R.
Published: June 2016

Plasmons in the visible/UV energy regime have attracted great attention, especially in nano-materials, with regards to applications in opto-electronics and light harvesting; tailored enhancement of such plasmons is of particular interest for prospects in nano-plasmonics. This work demonstrates that it is possible, by adequate doping, to create excitations in the visible/UV regime in nano-carbon materials, i.e., carbon nanotubes and graphene, with choice of suitable ad-atoms and dopants, which are introduced directly into the lattice by low energy ion implantation or added via deposition by evaporation. Investigations as to whether these excitations are of collective nature, i.e., have plasmonic character, are carried out via DFT calculations and experiment-based extraction of the dielectric function. They give evidence of collective excitation behaviour for a number of the introduced impurity species, including K, Ag, B, N and Pd. It is furthermore demonstrated that such excitations can be concentrated at nano-features, e.g., along nano-holes in graphene through metal atoms adhering to the edges of these holes.
Antinociceptive effects of dehydrocorydaline in mouse models of inflammatory pain involve the opioid receptor and inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Yin Zhi-Yu , Li Lu , Chu Shuai-Shuai , Sun Qing , Ma Zheng-Liang , Gu Xiao-Ping
Published: June 2016

Dehydrocorydaline (DHC) is an alkaloidal component isolated from Rhizoma corydalis. Previous studies have shown that DHC has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects and that it can protect the cardiovascular system. However, there are few studies of the antinociceptive effects of DHC in vivo. This study explored the antinociceptive effects and possible mechanisms of DHC in mice using two inflammatory pain models: the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the formalin paw test. The intraperitoneal administration of DHC (3.6, 6 or 10 mg/kg) showed a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced writhing test and significantly attenuated the formalin-induced pain responses in mice. The antinociceptive effects of DHC were not associated with changes in the locomotor activity or motor responses of animals and no obvious acute or chronic toxic effects were observed in the mice. Furthermore, the use of naloxone confirmed the involvement of the opioid receptor in the central antinociceptive effects of DHC. DHC reduced formalin-induced paw edema, which indicated that DHC may produce an anti-inflammatory effect in the periphery. In the formalin test, DHC decreased the expression of caspase 6 (CASP6), TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 proteins in the spinal cord. These findings confirm that DHC has antinociceptive effects in mice.
High-throughput screening of filamentous fungi using nanoliter-range droplet-based microfluidics
Authors: Beneyton Thomas , Wijaya I. Putu Mahendra , Postros Prexilia , Najah Majdi , Leblond Pascal , Couvent Angélique , Mayot Estelle , Griffiths Andrew D. , Drevelle Antoine
Published: June 2016

Filamentous fungi are an extremely important source of industrial enzymes because of their capacity to secrete large quantities of proteins. Currently, functional screening of fungi is associated with low throughput and high costs, which severely limits the discovery of novel enzymatic activities and better production strains. Here, we describe a nanoliter-range droplet-based microfluidic system specially adapted for the high-throughput sceening (HTS) of large filamentous fungi libraries for secreted enzyme activities. The platform allowed (i) compartmentalization of single spores in ~10 nl droplets, (ii) germination and mycelium growth and (iii) high-throughput sorting of fungi based on enzymatic activity. A 104 clone UV-mutated library of Aspergillus niger was screened based on α-amylase activity in just 90 minutes. Active clones were enriched 196-fold after a single round of microfluidic HTS. The platform is a powerful tool for the development of new production strains with low cost, space and time footprint and should bring enormous benefit for improving the viability of biotechnological processes.
Process and kinetics of azo dye decolourization in bioelectrochemical systems: effect of several key factors
Authors: Yang Hou-Yun , He Chuan-Shu , Li Lei , Zhang Jie , Shen Jin-You , Mu Yang , Yu Han-Qing
Published: June 2016

This study explored the influence of several key factors on the process and kinetics of azo dye decolourization in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), including cathode potential, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of catholyte and biofilm formed on the cathode. The results show that azo dye methyl orange (MO) decolourization in the BES could be well described with the pseudo first-order kinetics. The MO decolourization efficiency increased from 0 to 94.90 ± 0.01% and correspondingly the reaction rate constant increased from 0 to 0.503 ± 0.001 h−1with the decrease in cathodic electrode potential from −0.2 to −0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl. On the contrary, DO concentration of the catholyte had a negative impact on MO decolourization in the BES. When DO concentration increased from zero to 5.80 mg L−1, the MO decolourization efficiency decreased from 87.19 ± 4.73% to 27.77 ± 0.06% and correspondingly the reaction rate constant reduced from 0.207 ± 0.042 to 0.033 ± 0.007 h−1. Additionally, the results suggest that the biofilm formed on the cathode could led to an adverse rather than a positive effect on azo dye decolourization in the BES in terms of efficiency and kinetics.
Climacostol reduces tumour progression in a mouse model of melanoma via the p53-dependent intrinsic apoptotic programme
Authors: Perrotta Cristiana , Buonanno Federico , Zecchini Silvia , Giavazzi Alessio , Proietti Serafini Francesca , Catalani Elisabetta , Guerra Laura , Belardinelli Maria Cristina , Picchietti Simona , Fausto Anna Maria , Giorgi Simone , Marcantoni Enrico , Clementi Emilio , Ortenzi Claudio , Cervia Davide
Published: June 2016

Climacostol, a compound produced by the ciliated protozoanClimacostomum virens, displayed cytotoxic propertiesin vitro. This study demonstrates that it has anti-tumour potential. Climacostol caused a reduction of viability/proliferation of B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells, a rapidly occurring DNA damage, and induced the intrinsic apoptotic pathway characterised by the dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, the translocation of Bax to the mitochondria, the release of Cytochrome c from the mitochondria, and the activation of Caspase 9-dependent cleavage of Caspase 3. The apoptotic mechanism of climacostol was found to rely on the up-regulation of p53 and its targets Noxa and Puma.In vivoanalysis of B16-F10 allografts revealed a persistent inhibition of tumour growth rate when melanomas were treated with intra-tumoural injections of climacostol. In addition, it significantly improved the survival of transplanted mice, decreased tumour weight, induced a remarkable reduction of viable cells inside the tumour, activated apoptosis and up-regulated the p53 signalling network. Importantly, climacostol toxicity was more selective against tumour than non-tumour cells. The anti-tumour properties of climacostol and the molecular events associated with its action indicate that it is a powerful agent that may be considered for the design of pro-apoptotic drugs for melanoma therapy.
Anomalous electronic structure and magnetoresistance in TaAs2
Authors: Luo Yongkang , McDonald R. D. , Rosa P. F. S. , Scott B. , Wakeham N. , Ghimire N. J. , Bauer E. D. , Thompson J. D. , Ronning F.
Published: June 2016

The change in resistance of a material in a magnetic field reflects its electronic state. In metals with weakly- or non-interacting electrons, the resistance typically increases upon the application of a magnetic field. In contrast, negative magnetoresistance may appear under some circumstances, e.g., in metals with anisotropic Fermi surfaces or with spin-disorder scattering and semimetals with Dirac or Weyl electronic structures. Here we show that the non-magnetic semimetal TaAs2 possesses a very large negative magnetoresistance, with an unknown scattering mechanism. Density functional calculations find that TaAs2 is a new topological semimetal [ℤ2 invariant (0;111)] without Dirac dispersion, demonstrating that a negative magnetoresistance in non-magnetic semimetals cannot be attributed uniquely to the Adler-Bell-Jackiw chiral anomaly of bulk Dirac/Weyl fermions.
Population structure of eleven Spanish ovine breeds and detection of selective sweeps with BayeScan and hapFLK
Authors: Manunza A. , Cardoso T. F. , Noce A. , Martínez A. , Pons A. , Bermejo L. A. , Landi V. , Sànchez A. , Jordana J. , Delgado J. V. , Adán S. , Capote J. , Vidal O. , Ugarte E. , Arranz J. J. , Calvo J. H. , Casellas J. , Amills M.
Published: June 2016

The goals of the current work were to analyse the population structure of 11 Spanish ovine breeds and to detect genomic regions that may have been targeted by selection. A total of 141 individuals were genotyped with the Infinium 50 K Ovine SNP BeadChip (Illumina). We combined this dataset with Spanish ovine data previously reported by the International Sheep Genomics Consortium (N = 229). Multidimensional scaling and Admixture analyses revealed that Canaria de Pelo and, to a lesser extent, Roja Mallorquina, Latxa and Churra are clearly differentiated populations, while the remaining seven breeds (Ojalada, Castellana, Gallega, Xisqueta, Ripollesa, Rasa Aragonesa and Segureña) share a similar genetic background. Performance of a genome scan with BayeScan and hapFLK allowed us identifying three genomic regions that are consistently detected with both methods i.e. Oar3 (150–154 Mb), Oar6 (4–49 Mb) and Oar13 (68–74 Mb). Neighbor-joining trees based on polymorphisms mapping to these three selective sweeps did not show a clustering of breeds according to their predominant productive specialization (except the local tree based on Oar13 SNPs). Such cryptic signatures of selection have been also found in the bovine genome, posing a considerable challenge to understand the biological consequences of artificial selection.
Sulfation of the FLAG epitope is affected by co-expression of G protein-coupled receptors in a mammalian cell model
Authors: Hunter Morag Rose , Grimsey Natasha Lillia , Glass Michelle
Published: June 2016

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important therapeutic targets and therefore extensively studied. Like most transmembrane proteins, there has been considerable difficulty in developing reliable specific antibodies for them. To overcome this, epitope tags are often used to facilitate antibody recognition in studies on fundamental receptor signalling and trafficking. In our study of cannabinoid CB1/dopamine D2 interactions we sought to generate HEK293 cells expressing FLAG-tagged D2 for use in antibody-based assays of GPCR localisation and trafficking activity, however observed that stable FLAG-hD2 expression was particularly challenging to maintain. In contrast, when expressed in cell lines expressing hCB1 robust and stable FLAG-hD2 expression was observed. We hypothesised that co-expression of CB1 might stabilise surface FLAG-hD2 expression, and therefore investigated this further. Here, we describe the observation that co-expression of either cannabinoid CB1 or CB2 receptors in HEK293 decreases the sulfation of a FLAG epitope appended at the N-terminus of the dopamine D2 receptor. Sulfation alters epitope recognition by some anti-FLAG antibodies, leading to the detection of fewer receptors, even though expression is maintained. This demonstrates that cannabinoid receptor expression modifies posttranslational processing of the FLAG-hD2 receptor, and importantly, has wider implications for the utilisation and interpretation of receptor studies involving epitope tags.
Slitrk1 is localized to excitatory synapses and promotes their development
Authors: Beaubien François , Raja Reesha , Kennedy Timothy E. , Fournier Alyson E. , Cloutier Jean-François
Published: June 2016

Following the migration of the axonal growth cone to its target area, the initial axo-dendritic contact needs to be transformed into a functional synapse. This multi-step process relies on overlapping but distinct combinations of molecules that confer synaptic identity. Slitrk molecules are transmembrane proteins that are highly expressed in the central nervous system. We found that two members of the Slitrk family, Slitrk1 and Slitrk2, can regulate synapse formation between hippocampal neurons. Slitrk1 is enriched in postsynaptic fractions and is localized to excitatory synapses. Overexpression of Slitrk1 and Slitrk2 in hippocampal neurons increased the number of synaptic contacts on these neurons. Furthermore, decreased expression of Slitrk1 in hippocampal neurons led to a reduction in the number of excitatory, but not inhibitory, synapses formed in hippocampal neuron cultures. In addition, we demonstrate that different leucine rich repeat domains of the extracellular region of Slitrk1 are necessary to mediate interactions with Slitrk binding partners of the LAR receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase family and to promote dimerization of Slitrk1. Altogether, our results demonstrate that Slitrk family proteins regulate synapse formation.
Early Invasive Strategy for Unstable Angina: a New Meta-Analysis of Old Clinical Trials
Authors: Manfrini Olivia , Ricci Beatrice , Dormi Ada , Puddu Paolo Emilio , Cenko Edina , Bugiardini Raffaele
Published: June 2016

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conflicting to support whether unstable angina versus non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) patients best undergo early invasive or a conservative revascularization strategy. RCTs with cardiac biomarkers, in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from 1975–2013 were reviewed considering all cause mortality, recurrent non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and their combination. Follow-up lasted from 6–24 months and the use of routine invasive strategy up to its end was associated with a significantly lower composite of all-cause mortality and recurrent non-fatal MI (Relative Risk [RR] 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70–0.90) in UA/NSTEMI. In NSTEMI, by the invasive strategy, there was no benefit (RR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.03–1.38). In the shorter time period, from randomization to discharge, a routine invasive strategy was associated with significantly higher odds of the combined end-point among UA/NSTEMI (RR 1.29; 95% CI, 1.05–1.58) and NSTEMI (RR 1.82; 95% CI, 1.34–2.48) patients. Therefore, in trials recruiting a large number of UA patients, by routine invasive strategy the largest benefit was seen, whereas in NSTEMI patients death and non-fatal MI were not lowered. Routine invasive treatment in UA patients is accordingly supported by the present study.
Model biases in rice phenology under warmer climates
Authors: Zhang Tianyi , Li Tao , Yang Xiaoguang , Simelton Elisabeth
Published: June 2016

Climate-induced crop yields model projections are constrained by the accuracy of the phenology simulation in crop models. Here, we use phenology observations from 775 trials with 19 rice cultivars in 5 Asian countries to compare the performance of four rice phenology models (growing-degree-day (GDD), exponential, beta and bilinear models) when applied to warmer climates. For a given cultivar, the difference in growing season temperature (GST) varied between 2.2 and 8.2 °C in different trials, which allowed us to calibrate the models for lower GST and validate under higher GST, with three calibration experiments. The results show that in warmer climates the bilinear and beta phenology models resulted in gradually increasing bias for phenology predication and double yield bias per percent increase in phenology simulation bias, while the GDD and exponential models maintained a comparatively constant bias. The phenology biases were primarily attributed to varying phenological patterns to temperature in models, rather than on the size of the calibration dataset. Additionally, results suggest that model simulations based on multiple cultivars provide better predictability than using one cultivar. Therefore, to accurately capture climate change impacts on rice phenology, we recommend simulations based on multiple cultivars using the GDD and exponential phenology models.
Fiber-based photon-pair source capable of hybrid entanglement in frequency and transverse mode, controllably scalable to higher dimensions
Authors: Cruz-Delgado D. , Ramirez-Alarcon R. , Ortiz-Ricardo E. , Monroy-Ruz J. , Dominguez-Serna F. , Cruz-Ramirez H. , Garay-Palmett K. , U’Ren A. B.
Published: June 2016

We have designed and implemented a photon-pair source, based on the spontaneous four wave mixing (SFWM) process in a few-mode fiber, in a geometry which permits multiple, simultaneous SFWM processes, each associated with a distinct combination of transverse modes for the four participating waves. In our source: i) each process is group-velocity-matched so that it is, by design, nearly-factorable and ii) the spectral separation between neighboring processes is greater than the marginal spectral width of each process. Consequently, there is a direct correspondence between the joint amplitude of each process and each of the Schmidt mode pairs of the overall two-photon state. Our approach permits hybrid entanglement in discrete frequency and in transverse mode, whereby control of the number of supported fiber transverse modes allows scalability to higher dimensions while spectral filtering may be used for straightforward Schmidt mode discrimination.
Performance in a GO/NOGO perceptual task reflects a balance between impulsive and instrumental components of behaviour
Authors: Berditchevskaia A. , Cazé R. D. , Schultz S. R.
Published: June 2016

In recent years, simple GO/NOGO behavioural tasks have become popular due to the relative ease with which they can be combined with technologies such as in vivo multiphoton imaging. To date, it has been assumed that behavioural performance can be captured by the average performance across a session, however this neglects the effect of motivation on behaviour within individual sessions. We investigated the effect of motivation on mice performing a GO/NOGO visual discrimination task. Performance within a session tended to follow a stereotypical trajectory on a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) chart, beginning with an over-motivated state with many false positives, and transitioning through a more or less optimal regime to end with a low hit rate after satiation. Our observations are reproduced by a new model, the Motivated Actor-Critic, introduced here. Our results suggest that standard measures of discriminability, obtained by averaging across a session, may significantly underestimate behavioural performance.
Hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines retain the genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of primary human cancers
Authors: Qiu Zhixin , Zou Keke , Zhuang Liping , Qin Jianjie , Li Hong , Li Chao , Zhang Zhengtao , Chen Xiaotao , Cen Jin , Meng Zhiqiang , Zhang Haibin , Li Yixue , Hui Lijian
Published: June 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines are useful in vitro models for the study of primary HCCs. Because cell lines acquire additional mutations in culture, it is important to understand to what extent HCC cell lines retain the genetic landscapes of primary HCCs. Most HCC cell lines were established during the last century, precluding comparison between cell lines and primary cancers. In this study, 9 Chinese HCC cell lines with matched patient-derived cells at low passages (PDCs) were established in the defined culture condition. Whole genome analyses of 4 HCC cell lines showed that genomic mutation landscapes, including mutations, copy number alterations (CNAs) and HBV integrations, were highly stable during cell line establishment. Importantly, genetic alterations in cancer drivers and druggable genes were reserved in cell lines. HCC cell lines also retained gene expression patterns of primary HCCs during in vitro culture. Finally, sequential analysis of HCC cell lines and PDCs at different passages revealed their comparable and stable genomic and transcriptomic levels if maintained within proper passages. These results show that HCC cell lines largely retain the genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of primary HCCs, thus laying the rationale for testing HCC cell lines as preclinical models in precision medicine.
A-site compositional effects in Ga-doped hollandite materials of the form BaxCsyGa2x+yTi8−2x−yO16: implications for Cs immobilization in crystalline ceramic waste forms
Authors: Xu Yun , Wen Yi , Grote Rob , Amoroso Jake , Shuller Nickles Lindsay , Brinkman Kyle S.
Published: June 2016

The hollandite structure is a promising crystalline host for Cs immobilization. A series of Ga-doped hollandite BaxCsyGa2x+yTi8−2x−yO16 (x = 0, 0.667, 1.04, 1.33; y = 1.33, 0.667, 0.24, 0) was synthesized through a solid oxide reaction method resulting in a tetragonal hollandite structure (space group I4/m). The lattice parameter associated with the tunnel dimension was found to increases as Cs substitution in the tunnel increased. A direct investigation of cation mobility in tunnels using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was conducted to evaluate the ability of the hollandite structure to immobilize cations over a wide compositional range. Hollandite with the largest tunnel size and highest aspect ratio grain morphology resulting in rod-like microstructural features exhibited the highest ionic conductivity. The results indicate that grain size and optimized Cs stoichiometry control cation motion and by extension, the propensity for Cs release from hollandite.