bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mineral Wealth and Protest in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Arce Moisés , Miller Rebecca E.
Published: December 2016

Challenging the scholarship on the relationship between natural resources and civil society, this article advances a framework that differentiates the various types of protests surrounding mineral extraction in sub-Saharan Africa and explains how this extraction encourages contentious activity. On the basis of protest event data from thirty-nine countries in SSA for the 1990–2006 period, as well as available survey data, the article provides confirming evidence that mineral wealth increases protest activity.
Dance, Discipline, and the Liberal Self at a Ugandan Catholic Boarding School
Authors: Pier David G.
Published: December 2016

In the last years of Idi Amin’s reign, modern dance was introduced at Namasagali College, a Catholic boarding school in rural Uganda, as a means of encouraging modern, liberal self-awareness in students. Drawing on interviews with Namasagali’s former headmaster, teachers, and students, this article offers the first scholarly consideration of this important school, and contextualizes its modern dance curriculum within Africa’s historical modernity/modernization problematic. The school’s progressive educational program, with its focus on creative exploration and ownership of the body, was framed within a neocolonial regimen of discipline and punishment that aimed to drill modern behavior into students. In its clashing modes of government, this school exhibited contradictions that have perennially troubled Western liberal intervention in Africa.
Developing mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa: capacity building in the AFFIRM project
Authors: Schneider M. , Sorsdahl K. , Mayston R. , Ahrens J. , Chibanda D. , Fekadu A. , Hanlon C. , Holzer S. , Musisi S. , Ofori-Atta A. , Thornicroft G. , Prince M. , Alem A. , Susser E. , Lund C.
Published: December 2016

Background

There remains a large disparity in the quantity, quality and impact of mental health research carried out in sub-Saharan Africa, relative to both the burden and the amount of research carried out in other regions. We lack evidence on the capacity-building activities that are effective in achieving desired aims and appropriate methodologies for evaluating success.

Methods

AFFIRM was an NIMH-funded hub project including a capacity-building program with three components open to participants across six countries: (a) fellowships for an M.Phil. program; (b) funding for Ph.D. students conducting research nested within AFFIRM trials; (c) short courses in specialist research skills. We present findings on progression and outputs from the M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs, self-perceived impact of short courses, qualitative data on student experience, and reflections on experiences and lessons learnt from AFFIRM consortium members.

Results

AFFIRM delivered funded research training opportunities to 25 mental health professionals, 90 researchers and five Ph.D. students across 6 countries over a period of 5 years. A number of challenges were identified and suggestions for improving the capacity-building activities explored.

Conclusions

Having protected time for research is a barrier to carrying out research activities for busy clinicians. Funders could support sustainability of capacity-building initiatives through funds for travel and study leave. Adoption of a train-the-trainers model for specialist skills training and strategies for improving the rigor of evaluation of capacity-building activities should be considered.
Moral geometry in Restoration Ireland: Samuel Foley’s ‘Computatio universalis’ (1684) and the science of colonisation
Authors: McCormick Ted
Published: December 2016

Despite the importance of the new science in the colonisation of Stuart Ireland, and the many Irish links to major figures in the Scientific Revolution, these connections remain relatively little studied outside of major episodes such as the Down Survey. This article examines a much smaller project, the ‘Computatio Universalis’ (1684) of Church of Ireland clergyman (later bishop of Down and Connor) Samuel Foley (1655–1695). Submitted to the Dublin Philosophical Society in 1684 as an attempt to ‘to demonstrate a universal standard’ of value, Foley’s project was in fact a guide to the achievement of ‘happiness’ through the careful stewardship of time and wealth. Foley’s project recalls earlier Christian humanist and Protestant concern with stewardship, however, and also reflects seventeenth-century economic writers’ and moral reformers’ concern with avoiding idleness. In the context of Restoration Ireland, however, it can also be seen more specifically as a project harnessing new methods of quantification for the cultural maintenance of a ruling Protestant elite historically threatened by degeneration in a colonial setting, as well as a reflection of Protestant anxieties about the Catholic church’s control over time.
Bookmakers, betting offices and the business of gambling in independent Ireland, 1926–31
Authors: O’Callaghan Liam
Published: December 2016

The Betting Act 1926 legalised cash betting in Ireland and led to the appearance, for the first time, of the legally regulated and licensed betting office. The introduction of this legislation was a pragmatic step, designed to eradicate the undesirable practice of street bookmaking. This article seeks to examine the operation of the legislation over the entire period of its enactment before it was superseded by the Betting Act 1931. What follows focuses on the bookmaker, their social background, geographical distribution, clientele and business practices. The industry, as it made its transition from its illegal to regulated forms, was characterised by both continuity and change. How bookmakers were perceived in the context of the puritanical atmosphere of the Free State is also considered. Attitudes to bookmakers depended on the scale of their involvement in the business, where they conducted their business, and who they conducted it with. Debates featuring these issues were spliced with contemporary concerns about class, gender and youth.
The formation of the Ulster Home Guard
Authors: Butler William
Published: December 2016

This article explores the problems encountered in the formation of the Ulster Home Guard, supposedly a direct equivalent to its well-known British counterpart, as part of the paramilitary Ulster Special Constabulary in Northern Ireland, during the Second World War. Predictably, the Ulster Home Guard became an almost exclusively Protestant organisation which led to many accusations of sectarianism from a variety of different national and international voices. This became a real concern for the British government, as well as the army, which understandably wished to avoid any such controversy. Though assumptions had previously been made about the numbers of Catholics in the force, this article explores just how few joined the organisation throughout the war. Additionally, the article investigates the rather awkward constitutional position in which the Ulster Home Guard was placed. Under the Government of Ireland Act, the Stormont administration had no authority on matters of home defence. It did, however, have the power to raise a police force as a way to maintain law and order. Still, the Ulster Home Guard, although formed as part of the Ulster Special Constabulary, was entrusted solely with home defence and this had wider implications for British policy towards Northern Ireland throughout the Second World War.
Climate and base-level controlled fluvial system change and incision during the last glacial–interglacial transition, Roer river, the Netherlands – western Germany
Authors: Kasse C. , Van Balen R.T. , Bohncke S.J.P. , Wallinga J. , Vreugdenhil M.
Published: December 2016

The fluvial development of the Roer river in the southeastern Netherlands and western Germany is presented for the Late Pleniglacial, Late-glacial and Early Holocene periods. Reconstruction of fluvial-style changes is based on geomorphological and sedimentological analysis. Time control comes from correlation to the pollen-based biochronostratigraphic framework of the Netherlands combined with independent optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages. At the Pleniglacial to Late-glacial transition a system and channel pattern change occurred from an aggrading braided to an incising meandering system. Rapid rates of meander migration, as established for the Late-glacial by optical dating, were likely related to the sandy nature of the substratum and the Late-glacial incision of the Meuse that resulted in a higher river gradient in the downstream part of the Roer. In the Roer valley the Younger Dryas cooling is not clearly reflected by a fluvial system response, but this may also be related to Holocene erosion of Younger Dryas fluvial forms. An important incision and terrace formation was established at the Younger Dryas to Early Holocene transition, probably related to forest recovery, reduced sediment supply and base-level lowering of the Meuse. The results of this study show a stepwise reduction in the number of channel courses from a multi-channel braided system in the Pleniglacial, to a double meander-belt system in the Late-glacial and a single-channel meandering system in the Early Holocene. The results show that the forcing factors of fluvial-system change in the Roer valley are climate change (precipitation, permafrost and vegetation) and downstream base-level control by the Meuse.
Surviving Elections: Election Violence, Incumbent Victory and Post-Election Repercussions
Authors: Hafner-Burton Emilie M. , Hyde Susan D. , Jablonski Ryan S.
Published: December 2016

It is often assumed that government-sponsored election violence increases the probability that incumbent leaders remain in power. Using cross-national data, this article shows that election violence increases the probability of incumbent victory, but can generate risky post-election dynamics. These differences in the consequences of election violence reflect changes in the strategic setting over the course of the election cycle. In the pre-election period, anti-incumbent collective action tends to be focused on the election itself, either through voter mobilization or opposition-organized election boycotts. In the post-election period, by contrast, when a favorable electoral outcome is no longer a possibility, anti-government collective action more often takes the form of mass political protest, which in turn can lead to costly repercussions for incumbent leaders.
Borg's Periodicity Theorems for First-Order Self-Adjoint Systems with Complex Potentials
Authors: Currie Sonja , Roth Thomas T. , Watson Bruce A.
Published: December 2016

A self-adjoint first-order system with Hermitian π-periodic potential Q(z), integrable on compact sets, is considered. It is shown that all zeros of are double zeros if and only if this self-adjoint system is unitarily equivalent to one in which Q(z) is π/2-periodic. Furthermore, the zeros of are all double zeros if and only if the associated self-adjoint system is unitarily equivalent to one in which Q(z) = σ2Q(z)σ2. Here, Δ denotes the discriminant of the system and σ0, σ2 are Pauli matrices. Finally, it is shown that all instability intervals vanish if and only if Q = rσ0 + qσ2, for some real-valued π-periodic functions r and q integrable on compact sets.
Sampling time-frequency localized functions and constructing localized time-frequency frames
Authors: VELASCO G. A. M. , DÖRFLER M.
Published: December 2016

We study functions whose time-frequency content are concentrated in a compact region in phase space using time-frequency localization operators as a main tool. We obtain approximation inequalities for such functions using a finite linear combination of eigenfunctions of these operators, as well as a local Gabor system covering the region of interest. These would allow the construction of modified time-frequency dictionaries concentrated in the region.
Junctional tachycardia in a child with non-rheumatic fever streptococcal pharyngitis
Authors: Bansal Neha , Karpawich Peter P. , Sriram Chenni S.
Published: December 2016

Accelerated junctional rhythm has been reported in children in the setting of acute rheumatic fever; however, we describe a hitherto unreported case of isolated junctional tachycardia in a child with streptococcal pharyngitis, not meeting revised Jones criteria for rheumatic fever. A previously healthy, 9-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with complaints of sore throat, low-grade fever, and intermittent chest pain. She was found to have a positive rapid streptococcal antigen test. The initial electrocardiogram showed junctional tachycardia with atrioventricular dissociation in addition to prolonged and aberrant atrioventricular conduction. An echocardiogram revealed normal cardiac anatomy with normal biventricular function. The patient responded to treatment with amoxicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis. The junctional tachycardia and other electrocardiogram abnormalities resolved during follow-up.
SOME INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF BUSINESS CYCLES: NEISSER, HABERLER, AND MODERN OPEN ECONOMY MACROECONOMICS
Authors: Trautwein Hans-Michael
Published: December 2016

Despite the transnational character of the Great Depression, there are few works in the interwar literature that deal with the propagation of business cycles across national borders and systemic risks of depression in the world economy. Two notable exceptions are Hans Neisser’s Some International Aspects of the Business Cycle (1936) and chapter 12 in Gottfried Haberler’s Prosperity and Depression ([1937] 1964), which carries the heading “International Aspects of Business Cycles.” Both works differ substantially from each other and from the modern way of thinking about international business cycles in open economy macroeconomics. Haberler’s and Neisser’s approaches help to identify relevant issues that have been lost from sight in modern open economy macroeconomics.
Study sponsorship and the nutrition research agenda: analysis of randomized controlled trials included in systematic reviews of nutrition interventions to address obesity
Authors: Fabbri Alice , Chartres Nicholas , Scrinis Gyorgy , Bero Lisa A
Published: December 2016

Objective

To categorize the research topics covered by a sample of randomized controlled trials (RCT) included in systematic reviews of nutrition interventions to address obesity; to describe their funding sources; and to explore the association between funding sources and nutrition research topics.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Subjects

RCT included in Cochrane Reviews of nutrition interventions to address obesity and/or overweight.

Results

Two hundred and thirteen RCT from seventeen Cochrane Reviews were included. Funding source and authors’ conflicts of interest were disclosed in 82·6 and 29·6 % of the studies, respectively. RCT were more likely to test an intervention to manipulate nutrients in the context of reduced energy intake (44·2 % of studies) than food-level (11·3 %) and dietary pattern-level (0·9 %) interventions. Most of the food industry-sponsored studies focused on interventions involving manipulations of specific nutrients (66·7 %). Only 33·1 % of the industry-funded studies addressed dietary behaviours compared with 66·9 % of the non-industry-funded ones (P=0·002). The level of food processing was poorly considered across all funding sources.

Conclusions

The predominance of RCT examining nutrient-specific questions could limit the public health relevance of rigorous evidence available for systematic reviews and dietary guidelines.
The website-based eaTracker®‘My Goals’ feature: a qualitative evaluation
Authors: Lieffers Jessica RL , Haresign Helen , Mehling Christine , Arocha Jose F , Hanning Rhona M
Published: December 2016

Objective

In 2011, Dietitians of Canada added ‘My Goals’ to its website-based nutrition/activity tracking program (eaTracker®,http://www.eaTracker.ca/); this feature allows users to choose ‘ready-made’ or ‘write-your-own’ goals and to self-report progress. The purpose of the present study was to document experiences and perceptions of goal setting and My Goals, and report users’ feedback on what is needed in future website-based goal setting/tracking tools.

Design

One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with (i) My Goals users and (ii) dietitians providing a public information support service, EatRight Ontario (ERO).

Setting

My Goals users from Ontario and Alberta, Canada were recruited via an eaTracker website pop-up box; ERO dietitians working in Ontario, Canada were recruited via ERO.

Subjects

My Goals users (n23; age 19–70 years; 91 % female;n5 from Alberta/n18 from Ontario) and ERO dietitians (n5).

Results

Dietitians and users felt goal setting for nutrition (and activity) behaviour change was both a beneficial and a challenging process. Dietitians were concerned about users setting poor-quality goals and users felt it was difficult to stick to their goals. Both users and dietitians were enthusiastic about the My Goals concept, but felt the current feature had limitations that affected use. Dietitians and users provided suggestions to improve My Goals (e.g. more prominent presence of My Goals in eaTracker; assistance with goal setting; automated personalized feedback).

Conclusions

Dietitians and users shared similar perspectives on the My Goals feature and both felt goal use was challenging. Several suggestions were provided to enhance My Goals that are relevant to website-based goal setting/tracking tool design in general.
Menzies Middle East and Africa S.A. and Aviation Handling Services International Ltd. v. Republic of Senegal
Authors: Hekman Rebecca , Huart Nadège , Whittaker Janet
Published: December 2016

In a case of first impression, a tribunal at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) rejected Claimants' novel legal argument that the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause in Article II of the World Trade Organisation's General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) enabled Menzies Middle East and Africa S.A. (MMEA) to access the offers to arbitrate under the Senegal–Netherlands and the Senegal–United Kingdom bilateral investment treaties (BITs).
Tumour homing and therapeutic effect of colloidal nanoparticles depend on the number of attached antibodies
Authors: Colombo Miriam , Fiandra Luisa , Alessio Giulia , Mazzucchelli Serena , Nebuloni Manuela , De Palma Clara , Kantner Karsten , Pelaz Beatriz , Rotem Rany , Corsi Fabio , Parak Wolfgang J. , Prosperi Davide
Published: December 2016

Active targeting of nanoparticles to tumours can be achieved by conjugation with specific antibodies. Specific active targeting of the HER2 receptor is demonstrated in vitro and in vivo with a subcutaneous MCF-7 breast cancer mouse model with trastuzumab-functionalized gold nanoparticles. The number of attached antibodies per nanoparticle was precisely controlled in a way that each nanoparticle was conjugated with either exactly one or exactly two antibodies. As expected, in vitro we found a moderate increase in targeting efficiency of nanoparticles with two instead of just one antibody attached per nanoparticle. However, the in vivo data demonstrate that best effect is obtained for nanoparticles with only exactly one antibody. There is indication that this is based on a size-related effect. These results highlight the importance of precisely controlling the ligand density on the nanoparticle surface for optimizing active targeting, and that less antibodies can exhibit more effect.
A Mott insulator continuously connected to iron pnictide superconductors
Authors: Song Yu , Yamani Zahra , Cao Chongde , Li Yu , Zhang Chenglin , Chen Justin S. , Huang Qingzhen , Wu Hui , Tao Jing , Zhu Yimei , Tian Wei , Chi Songxue , Cao Huibo , Huang Yao-Bo , Dantz Marcus , Schmitt Thorsten , Yu Rong , Nevidomskyy Andriy H. , Morosan Emilia , Si Qimiao , Dai Pengcheng
Published: December 2016

Iron-based superconductivity develops near an antiferromagnetic order and out of a bad-metal normal state, which has been interpreted as originating from a proximate Mott transition. Whether an actual Mott insulator can be realized in the phase diagram of the iron pnictides remains an open question. Here we use transport, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, resonant inelastic X-ray scattering and neutron scattering to demonstrate that NaFe1−xCuxAs near x≈0.5 exhibits real space Fe and Cu ordering, and are antiferromagnetic insulators with the insulating behaviour persisting above the Néel temperature, indicative of a Mott insulator. On decreasing x from 0.5, the antiferromagnetic-ordered moment continuously decreases, yielding to superconductivity ∼x=0.05. Our discovery of a Mott-insulating state in NaFe1−xCuxAs thus makes it the only known Fe-based material, in which superconductivity can be smoothly connected to the Mott-insulating state, highlighting the important role of electron correlations in the high-Tc superconductivity.
Clinical Implementation of Integrated Genomic Profiling in Patients with Advanced Cancers
Authors: Borad Mitesh J. , Egan Jan B. , Condjella Rachel M. , Liang Winnie S. , Fonseca Rafael , Ritacca Nicole R. , McCullough Ann E. , Barrett Michael T. , Hunt Katherine S. , Champion Mia D. , Patel Maitray D. , Young Scott W. , Silva Alvin C. , Ho Thai H. , Halfdanarson Thorvardur R. , McWilliams Robert R. , Lazaridis Konstantinos N. , Ramanathan Ramesh K. , Baker Angela , Aldrich Jessica , Kurdoglu Ahmet , Izatt Tyler , Christoforides Alexis , Cherni Irene , Nasser Sara , Reiman Rebecca , Cuyugan Lori , McDonald Jacquelyn , Adkins Jonathan , Mastrian Stephen D. , Valdez Riccardo , Jaroszewski Dawn E. , Von Hoff Daniel D. , Craig David W. , Stewart A. Keith , Carpten John D. , Bryce Alan H.
Published: December 2016

DNA focused panel sequencing has been rapidly adopted to assess therapeutic targets in advanced/refractory cancer. Integrated Genomic Profiling (IGP) utilising DNA/RNA with tumour/normal comparisons in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) compliant setting enables a single assay to provide: therapeutic target prioritisation, novel target discovery/application and comprehensive germline assessment. A prospective study in 35 advanced/refractory cancer patients was conducted using CLIA-compliant IGP. Feasibility was assessed by estimating time to results (TTR), prioritising/assigning putative therapeutic targets, assessing drug access, ascertaining germline alterations, and assessing patient preferences/perspectives on data use/reporting. Therapeutic targets were identified using biointelligence/pathway analyses and interpreted by a Genomic Tumour Board. Seventy-five percent of cases harboured 1–3 therapeutically targetable mutations/case (median 79 mutations of potential functional significance/case). Median time to CLIA-validated results was 116 days with CLIA-validation of targets achieved in 21/22 patients. IGP directed treatment was instituted in 13 patients utilising on/off label FDA approved drugs (n = 9), clinical trials (n = 3) and single patient IND (n = 1). Preliminary clinical efficacy was noted in five patients (two partial response, three stable disease). Although barriers to broader application exist, including the need for wider availability of therapies, IGP in a CLIA-framework is feasible and valuable in selection/prioritisation of anti-cancer therapeutic targets.
The emergence of waves in random discrete systems
Authors: Pickton John , Hopcraft Keith Iain , Jakeman Eric
Published: December 2016

Essential criteria for the emergence of wave-like manifestations occurring in an entirely discrete system are identified using a simple model for the movement of particles through a network. The dynamics are entirely stochastic and memoryless involving a birth-death-migration process. The requirements are that the network should have at least three nodes, that migration should have a directional bias, and that the particle dynamics have a non-local dependence. Well defined bifurcations mark transitions between amorphous, wave-like and collapsed states with an intermittent regime between the latter two.
Model of electrical activity in cardiac tissue under electromagnetic induction
Authors: Wu Fuqiang , Wang Chunni , Xu Ying , Ma Jun
Published: December 2016

Complex electrical activities in cardiac tissue can set up time-varying electromagnetic field. Magnetic flux is introduced into the Fitzhugh-Nagumo model to describe the effect of electromagnetic induction, and then memristor is used to realize the feedback of magnetic flux on the membrane potential in cardiac tissue. It is found that a spiral wave can be triggered and developed by setting specific initials in the media, that is to say, the media still support the survival of standing spiral waves under electromagnetic induction. Furthermore, electromagnetic radiation is considered on this model as external stimuli, it is found that spiral waves encounter breakup and turbulent electrical activities are observed, and it can give guidance to understand the occurrence of sudden heart disorder subjected to heavily electromagnetic radiation.
Gene expression profiles and physiological data from mice fed resveratrol-enriched rice DJ526
Authors: Chung Hea-Jong , Lee Heui-Kwan , Kim Hyeon-Jin , Baek So-Hyeon , Hong Seong-Tshool
Published: December 2016

The molecular mechanism underlying lifespan extension by resveratrol remains widely discussed. To help study this mechanism, we previously created resveratrol-enriched rice, DJ526, by transferring the resveratrol biosynthesis gene into Dongjin rice. DJ526 accumulates 1.4–1.9 μg g−1 of resveratrol in its grain and can ameliorates age-related deterioration in mice, as compared to control animals, based on assessments of motor coordination, physical strength and cutaneous tissue aging. Here, we present raw data sets, deposited in public repositories, from microarray analysis and physiological data of mice fed with DJ526 and Dongjin rice and treated with resveratrol. We also provide a method to analyze blood serum at micron levels. These data sets may help other researchers find new clues regarding the etiology of the anti-aging process and signaling pathways induced by resveratrol, rice, or DJ526.
Multi-echo fMRI replication sample of autobiographical memory, prospection and theory of mind reasoning tasks
Authors: DuPre Elizabeth , Luh Wen-Ming , Spreng R. Nathan
Published: December 2016

The default network is involved in self-generated thought, a class of cognition that includes autobiographical memory, prospection, and reasoning about the mental states of others. We collected a replication sample of Spreng and Grady (J Cogn. Neurosci. 22, 1112–1123, 2010), confirming that the default network differentially supports each of these forms of self-generated thought. Here we describe this dataset of multi-echo fMRI data in 31 young adults during autobiographical remembering, imagining, and mentalizing; we also provide an additional resting-state scan for each subject. In this new sample, the findings from the original report are successfully replicated using the same analysis. Physiological measures were additionally collected and allow for interrogation of the impact of multi-echo independent components preprocessing both in task and rest. Future work on this dataset may provide insight into evoked brain response for cued self-generated thought, International Affective Picture System viewing, resting state dynamics, preprocessing procedures, and more. The dataset is accompanied by experimental code for independent behavioral data collection.
Remotely sensed high resolution irrigated area mapping in India for 2000 to 2015
Authors: Ambika Anukesh Krishnankutty , Wardlow Brian , Mishra Vimal
Published: December 2016

India is among the countries that uses a significant fraction of available water for irrigation. Irrigated area in India has increased substantially after the Green revolution and both surface and groundwater have been extensively used. Under warming climate projections, irrigation frequency may increase leading to increased irrigation water demands. Water resources planning and management in agriculture need spatially-explicit irrigated area information for different crops and different crop growing seasons. However, annual, high-resolution irrigated area maps for India for an extended historical record that can be used for water resources planning and management are unavailable. Using 250 m normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and 56 m land use/land cover data, high-resolution irrigated area maps are developed for all the agroecological zones in India for the period of 2000–2015. The irrigated area maps were evaluated using the agricultural statistics data from ground surveys and were compared with the previously developed irrigation maps. High resolution (250 m) irrigated area maps showed satisfactory accuracy (R2=0.95) and can be used to understand interannual variability in irrigated area at various spatial scales.
Metagenomic mining for thermostable esterolytic enzymes uncovers a new family of bacterial esterases
Authors: Zarafeta Dimitra , Moschidi Danai , Ladoukakis Efthymios , Gavrilov Sergey , Chrysina Evangelia D. , Chatziioannou Aristotelis , Kublanov Ilya , Skretas Georgios , Kolisis Fragiskos N.
Published: December 2016

Biocatalysts exerting activity against ester bonds have a broad range of applications in modern biotechnology. Here, we have identified a new esterolytic enzyme by screening a metagenomic sample collected from a hot spring in Kamchatka, Russia. Biochemical characterization of the new esterase, termed EstDZ2, revealed that it is highly active against medium chain fatty acid esters at temperatures between 25 and 60 °C and at pH values 7–8. The new enzyme is moderately thermostable with a half-life of more than six hours at 60 °C, but exhibits exquisite stability against high concentrations of organic solvents. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that EstDZ2 is likely an Acetothermia enzyme that belongs to a new family of bacterial esterases, for which we propose the index XV. One distinctive feature of this new family, is the presence of a conserved GHSAG catalytic motif. Multiple sequence alignment, coupled with computational modelling of the three-dimensional structure of EstDZ2, revealed that the enzyme lacks the largest part of the “cap” domain, whose extended structure is characteristic for the closely related Family IV esterases. Thus, EstDZ2 appears to be distinct from known related esterolytic enzymes, both in terms of sequence characteristics, as well as in terms of three-dimensional structure.
Putative WRKYs associated with regulation of fruit ripening revealed by detailed expression analysis of the WRKY gene family in pepper
Authors: Cheng Yuan , JalalAhammed Golam , Yu Jiahong , Yao Zhuping , Ruan Meiying , Ye Qingjing , Li Zhimiao , Wang Rongqing , Feng Kun , Zhou Guozhi , Yang Yuejian , Diao Weiping , Wan Hongjian
Published: December 2016

WRKY transcription factors play important roles in plant development and stress responses. Here, global expression patterns of pepper CaWRKYs in various tissues as well as response to environmental stresses and plant hormones were systematically analyzed, with an emphasis on fruit ripening. The results showed that most CaWRKYs were expressed in at least two of the tissues tested. Group I, a subfamily of the entire CaWRKY gene family, had a higher expression level in vegetative tissues, whereas groups IIa and III showed relatively lower expression levels. Comparative analysis showed that the constitutively highly expressed WRKY genes were conserved in tomato and pepper, suggesting potential functional similarities. Among the identified 61 CaWRKYs, almost 60% were expressed during pepper fruit maturation, and the group I genes were in higher proportion during the ripening process, indicating an as-yet unknown function of group I in the fruit maturation process. Further analysis suggested that many CaWRKYs expressed during fruit ripening were also regulated by abiotic stresses or plant hormones, indicating that these CaWRKYs play roles in the stress-related signaling pathways during fruit ripening. This study provides new insights to the current research on CaWRKY and contributes to our knowledge about the global regulatory network in pepper fruit ripening.
Bacterial cytosolic proteins with a high capacity for Cu(I) that protect against copper toxicity
Authors: Vita Nicolas , Landolfi Gianpiero , Baslé Arnaud , Platsaki Semeli , Lee Jaeick , Waldron Kevin J. , Dennison Christopher
Published: December 2016

Bacteria are thought to avoid using the essential metal ion copper in their cytosol due to its toxicity. Herein we characterize Csp3, the cytosolic member of a new family of bacterial copper storage proteins from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b and Bacillus subtilis. These tetrameric proteins possess a large number of Cys residues that point into the cores of their four-helix bundle monomers. The Csp3 tetramers can bind a maximum of approximately 80 Cu(I) ions, mainly via thiolate groups, with average affinities in the (1–2) × 1017 M−1 range. Cu(I) removal from these Csp3s by higher affinity potential physiological partners and small-molecule ligands is very slow, which is unexpected for a metal-storage protein. In vivo data demonstrate that Csp3s prevent toxicity caused by the presence of excess copper. Furthermore, bacteria expressing Csp3 accumulate copper and are able to safely maintain large quantities of this metal ion in their cytosol. This suggests a requirement for storing copper in this compartment of Csp3-producing bacteria.
The biosynthetic pathway of 2-azahypoxanthine in fairy-ring forming fungus
Authors: Suzuki Tomohiro , Yamamoto Naoki , Choi Jae-Hoon , Takano Tomoyuki , Sasaki Yohei , Terashima Yurika , Ito Akinobu , Dohra Hideo , Hirai Hirofumi , Nakamura Yukino , Yano Kentaro , Kawagishi Hirokazu
Published: December 2016

“Fairy rings” resulting from fungus-stimulated plant growth occur all over the world. In 2010, 2-azahypoxanthine (AHX) from a fungus Lepista sordida was identified as the “fairy” that stimulates plant growth. Furthermore, 2-aza-8-oxohypoxanthine (AOH) was isolated as a common metabolite of AHX in plants, and the endogenous existence of AHX and AOH in plants was proved. The structure of AHX allowed us to hypothesize that AHX was derived from 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR). Thus, we performed a feeding experiment that supplied AICAR to L. sordida. Consumption of AICAR and accumulation of AHX were observed after feeding. The mycelia extract had enzymatic activity of adenine/5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT). APRT gene of L. sordida revealed its structural characteristics in homology modeling and showed transcriptional enhancement after feeding. These results support that AHX was synthesized from AICAR and AHX biosynthesis was transcriptionally controlled by AICAR, indicating the presence of novel purine metabolic pathway in L. sordida.
Redox properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from electroactive bacteria
Authors: Li Shan-Wei , Sheng Guo-Ping , Cheng Yuan-Yuan , Yu Han-Qing
Published: December 2016

Although the capacity for electroactive bacteria to convert environmental metallic minerals and organic pollutants is well known, the role of the redox properties of microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in this process is poorly understood. In this work, the redox properties of EPS from two widely present electroactive bacterial strains (Shewanella oneidensis and Pseudomonas putida) were explored. Electrochemical analysis demonstrates that the EPS extracted from the two strains exhibited redox properties. Spectroelectrochemical and protein electrophoresis analyses indicate that the extracted EPS from S. oneidensis and P. putida contained heme-binding proteins, which were identified as the possible redox components in the EPS. The results of heme-mediated behavior of EPS may provide an insight into the important roles of EPS in electroactive bacteria to maximize their redox capability for biogeochemical cycling, environmental bioremediation and wastewater treatment.
Using anti-poly(ethylene glycol) bioparticles for the quantitation of PEGylated nanoparticles
Authors: Hsieh Yuan-Chin , Cheng Ta-Chun , Wang Hsin-Ell , Li Jia-Je , Lin Wen-Wei , Huang Chien-Chiao , Chuang Chih-Hung , Wang Yeng-Tseng , Wang Jaw-Yuan , Roffler Steve R. , Chuang Kuo-Hsiang , Cheng Tian-Lu
Published: December 2016

Attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules to nanoparticles (PEGylation) is a widely-used method to improve the stability, biocompatibility and half-life of nanomedicines. However, the evaluation of the PEGylated nanomedicine pharmacokinetics (PK) requires the decomposition of particles and purification of lead compounds before analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry, etc. Therefore, a method to directly quantify un-decomposed PEGylated nanoparticles is needed. In this study, we developed anti-PEG bioparticles and combined them with anti-PEG antibodies to generate a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for direct measurement of PEGylated nanoparticles without compound purification. The anti-PEG bioparticles quantitative ELISA directly quantify PEG-quantum dots (PEG-QD), PEG-stabilizing super-paramagnetic iron oxide (PEG-SPIO), Lipo-Dox and PEGASYS and the detection limits were 0.01 nM, 0.1 nM, 15.63 ng/mL and 0.48 ng/mL, respectively. Furthermore, this anti-PEG bioparticle-based ELISA tolerated samples containing up to 10% mouse or human serum. There was no significant difference in pharmacokinetic studies of radiolabeled PEG-nanoparticles (Nano-X-111In) through anti-PEG bioparticle-based ELISA and a traditional gamma counter. These results suggest that the anti-PEG bioparticle-based ELISA may provide a direct and effective method for the quantitation of any whole PEGylated nanoparticles without sample preparation.
Triggering of spin-flipping-modulated exchange bias in FeCo nanoparticles by electronic excitation
Authors: Sarker Debalaya , Bhattacharya Saswata , Srivastava Pankaj , Ghosh Santanu
Published: December 2016

The exchange coupling between ferromagnetic (FM)-antiferromagnetic (AF) interfaces is a key element of modern spintronic devices. We here introduce a new way of triggering exchange bias (EB) in swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiated FeCo-SiO2 films, which is a manifestation of spin-flipping at high irradiation fluence. The elongation of FeCo nanoparticles (NPs) in SiO2 matrix gives rise to perpendicular magnetic anisotropy at intermediate fluence. However, a clear shift in hysteresis loop is evident at the highest fluence. This reveals the existence of an AF exchange pinning domain in the NPs, which is identified not to be oxide shell from XANES analysis. Thermal spike calculations along with first-principles based simulations under the framework of density functional theory (DFT) demonstrate that spin flipping of 3d valence electrons is responsible for formation of these AF domains inside the FM NPs. EXAFS experiments at Fe and Co K-edges further unravel that spin-flipping in highest fluence irradiated film results in reduced bond lengths. The results highlight the possibility of miniaturization of magnetic storage devices by using irradiated NPs instead of conventionally used FM-AF multilayers.
Shedding of neurexin 3β ectodomain by ADAM10 releases a soluble fragment that affects the development of newborn neurons
Authors: Borcel Erika , Palczynska Magda , Krzisch Marine , Dimitrov Mitko , Ulrich Giorgio , Toni Nicolas , Fraering Patrick C.
Published: December 2016

Neurexins are transmembrane synaptic cell adhesion molecules involved in the development and maturation of neuronal synapses. In the present study, we report that Nrxn3β is processed by the metalloproteases ADAM10, ADAM17, and by the intramembrane-cleaving protease γ-secretase, producing secreted neurexin3β (sNrxn3β) and a single intracellular domain (Nrxn3β-ICD). We further completed the full characterization of the sites at which Nrxn3β is processed by these proteases. Supporting the physiological relevance of the Nrxn3β processing, we demonstrate in vivo a significant effect of the secreted shedding product sNrxn3β on the morphological development of adult newborn neurons in the mouse hippocampus. We show that sNrxn3β produced by the cells of the dentate gyrus increases the spine density of newborn neurons whereas sNrxn3β produced by the newborn neuron itself affects the number of its mossy fiber terminal extensions. These results support a pivotal role of sNrxn3β in plasticity and network remodeling during neuronal development.
Establishment of a highly sensitive sandwich ELISA for the N-terminal fragment of titin in urine
Authors: Maruyama Nobuhiro , Asai Tsuyoshi , Abe Chiaki , Inada Akari , Kawauchi Takeshi , Miyashita Kazuya , Maeda Masahiro , Matsuo Masafumi , Nabeshima Yo-ichi
Published: December 2016

Muscle damage and loss of muscle mass are triggered by immobilization, loss of appetite, dystrophies and chronic wasting diseases. In addition, physical exercise causes muscle damage. In damaged muscle, the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of titin, a giant sarcomere protein, are cleaved by calpain-3, and the resulting fragments are excreted into the urine via glomerular filtration. Therefore, we considered titin fragments as promising candidates for reliable and non-invasive biomarkers of muscle injury. Here, we established a sandwich ELISA that can measure the titin N-terminal fragment over a biologically relevant range of concentrations, including those in urine samples from older, non-ambulatory Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and from healthy donors under everyday life conditions and after exercise. Our results indicate that the established ELISA could be a useful tool for the screening of muscular dystrophies and also for monitoring the progression of muscle disease, evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic approaches, and investigating exercise-related sarcomeric disruption and repair processes.
Room temperature synthesis of biodiesel using sulfonated graphitic carbon nitride
Authors: Baig R. B. Nasir , Verma Sanny , Nadagouda Mallikarjuna N. , Varma Rajender S.
Published: December 2016

Sulfonation of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) affords a polar and strongly acidic catalyst, Sg-CN, which displays unprecedented reactivity and selectivity in biodiesel synthesis and esterification reactions at room temperature.
Correction: Corrigendum: Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Block Copolypeptoids – Micelles, Worms and Polymersomes
Authors: Fetsch Corinna , Gaitzsch Jens , Messager Lea , Battaglia Giuseppe , Luxenhofer Robert
Published: December 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 33491; published online: 26 September 2016; updated: 19 December 2016
Teichoic acids: synthesis and applications
Authors: van der Es Daan , Hogendorf Wouter F. J. , Overkleeft Herman S. , van der Marel Gijsbert A. , Codée Jeroen D. C.
Published: December 2016

This review describes synthetic strategies to assemble well-defined teichoic acids and their use in unraveling their biological mode of action.
Correction: Design and development of photoanodes for water-splitting dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells
Authors: Swierk John R. , Mallouk Thomas E.
Published: December 2016

Correction for ‘Design and development of photoanodes for water-splitting dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells’ by John R. Swierk et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 2357–2387.
The Castanea sativa bur as a new potential ingredient for nutraceutical and cosmetic outcomes: preliminary studies
Authors: Pinto Diana , Rodrigues Francisca , Braga Nair , Santos Joana , Pimentel Filipa B. , Palmeira-de-Oliveira Ana , Oliveira M. Beatriz P. P.
Published: December 2016

Chestnuts are a common food product in Mediterranean countries, being recognized also for their beneficial effects on human health.
Reactivity of a coordinated inorganic acetylene unit, HBNH, and the azidoborane cation [HB(N3)]+
Authors: Swarnakar Anindya K. , Hering-Junghans Christian , Ferguson Michael J. , McDonald Robert , Rivard Eric
Published: December 2016

Isolable complexes of HBNH and [B(H)N3]+ have been prepared and their attempted conversion into bulk boron nitride was investigated. These studies yielded important insights into the reactivity of HBNH, an inorganic acetylene analogue.
Gel based sulfur cathodes with a high sulfur content and large mass loading for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Li Shiqi , Mou Tong , Ren Guofeng , Warzywoda Juliusz , Wei Zidong , Wang Bin , Fan Zhaoyang
Published: December 2016

A bacterial cellulose based carbon nanoribbon aerogel was employed for a gel-based sulfur cathode, simultaneously achieving both a high sulfur content (90%) and a high sulfur loading (6.4 mg cm−2) with a large capacity of 943 mA h g−1or 5.9 mA h cm−2.
A multifunctional surface for blood contact with fibrinolytic activity, ability to promote endothelial cell adhesion and inhibit smooth muscle cell adhesion
Authors: Gu Hao , Chen Xianshuang , Yu Qian , Liu Xiaoli , Zhan Wenjun , Chen Hong , Brash John L.
Published: December 2016

A multifunctional surface with fibrinolytic activity, the ability to promote endothelial cell and inhibit smooth muscle cell adhesion was realized.
More Than “Try This at Home”—Including Parents in Early Intervention
Authors: Roberts Megan York , Hensle Tara , Brooks Michael K.
Published: December 2016

Current state and federal recommendations encourage the delivery of early intervention services in a child's natural environment with typical communication partners (Individuals With Disabilities Education Act [IDEA], 2004). As such, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) often provide intervention services in homes and work closely with parents. However, only 30% of SLPs have early intervention expertise (ASHA, 2014) and 68% of SLPs report low-levels of competence in working with infants and toddlers (Campbell, Chiarello, Wilcox, & Milbourne, 2009). This may be due to the fact that the majority of graduate programs (60%) provide little or no training in early intervention (Bruder & Dunst, 2005). Working in early intervention is a challenging albeit rewarding task for even the most seasoned therapist. Given that the largest percentage of children served under part C of IDEA are children with language delays (Hebbeler et al., 2007), it is essential that SLPs working in early intervention implement effective strategies for both parents and children. The purpose of this paper is to: (a) explain why including parents in intervention is important; (b) discuss ways of including parents in early intervention; (c) examine strategies used to teach parents; (d) describe a method for teaching parents; (e) compare methods of measuring parent progress; and (f) propose future directions for research.
The Fundamentals of the Clinical Fellowship Experience
Authors: Hudson Melanie
Published: December 2016

The Clinical Fellowship Experience is described by the American Speech-Hearing-Language Association (ASHA) as the transition period from constant supervision to independent practitioner. It is typically the first paid professional experience for the new graduate, and may be in a setting with which the new clinician has little or even no significant practical experience. The mentor of a clinical fellow (CF) plays an important role in supporting the growth and development of this new professional in areas that extend beyond application of clinical skills and knowledge. This article discusses how the mentor may provide this support within a framework that facilitates the path to clinical independence.
A Cardiac Graft from a Donor with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis—A Case Report
Authors: Huenges Katharina , Panholzer Bernd , Cremer Jochen , Haneya Assad
Published: December 2016

Organ shortage unavoidably leads to shifting strategies in modern transplantation medicine. Experiences with specific comorbidities in terms of organ transplantation therefore have to be made. We report a case of a 51-year-old male patient with successful orthotopic heart transplantation from a donor with granulomatosis with polyangiitis. After a good recovery, the patient was discharged to rehabilitation 2 months after transplantation.