bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of high‐fidelity shoulder dystocia simulation on emergency obstetric skills and crew resource management skills among residents
Authors: Mannella Paolo , Palla Giulia , Cuttano Armando , Boldrini Antonio , Simoncini Tommaso
Published: September 2016

Objective

To determine the effect of a simulation training program for residents in obstetrics and gynecology in terms of technical and nontechnical skills for the management of shoulder dystocia.

Methods

A prospective study was performed at a center in Italy in April–May 2015. Thirty‐two obstetrics and gynecology residents were divided into two groups. Residents in the control group were immediately exposed to an emergency shoulder dystocia scenario, whereas those in the simulation group completed a 2‐hour training session with the simulator before being exposed to the scenario. After 8 weeks, the residents were again exposed to the shoulder dystocia scenario and reassessed. Participants were scored on their demonstration of technical and nontechnical skills.

Results

In the first set of scenarios, the mean score was higher in the simulation group than the control group in terms of both technical skills (P = 0.008) and nontechnical skills (P < 0.001). This difference was retained after 8 weeks.

Conclusion

High‐fidelity simulation programs could be used for the training of residents in obstetrics and gynecology to diagnose and manage obstetric emergencies such as shoulder dystocia.
Blending design of composite panels with lamination parameters
Authors: Jin P. , Zhong X. , Yang J. , Sun Z.
Published: August 2016

In this paper, a new optimisation method incorporating lamination parameters and a guide-based blending model is proposed. Lamination parameters for a guide laminate and ply number of each panel are employed as design variables for optimisation with a parallel real-coded genetic algorithm incorporating structure behaviour and manufacturing constraints. During the optimisation process, with a form of least squares fitting adopted, another genetic algorithm is used to obtain the guide stacking sequence of the guide laminate from the guide lamination parameters, and then the laminate configurations of each panel are obtained from the guide stacking sequence and number of plies for each panel. The proposed framework is demonstrated via design of an 18-panel horseshoe configuration, where each panel is optimised individually with a buckling constraint. Numerical results indicate that the present algorithm is capable of obtaining fully blended designs.
Theoretical perspective on the route to turbulence in a pipe
Authors: Barkley D.
Published: August 2016

The route to turbulence in pipe flow is a complex, nonlinear, spatiotemporal process for which an increasingly clear understanding has emerged in recent years. This paper presents a theoretical perspective on the problem, focusing on what can be understood from relatively few physical features and models that encompass these features. The paper proceeds step-by-step with increasing detail about the transition process, first discussing the relationship to phase transitions and then exploiting an even deeper connection between pipe flow and excitable and bistable media. In the end a picture emerges for all stages of the transition process, from transient turbulence, to the onset of sustained turbulence in a percolation transition, to the modest and then rapid expansion of turbulence, ultimately leading to fully turbulent pipe flow.
WIENER INDEX ON TRACEABLE AND HAMILTONIAN GRAPHS
Authors: LIU RUIFANG , DU XUE , JIA HUICAI
Published: August 2016

We give sufficient conditions for a graph to be traceable and Hamiltonian in terms of the Wiener index and the complement of the graph, which correct and extend the result of Yang [‘Wiener index and traceable graphs’, Bull. Aust. Math. Soc.88 (2013), 380–383]. We also present sufficient conditions for a bipartite graph to be traceable and Hamiltonian in terms of its Wiener index and quasicomplement. Finally, we give sufficient conditions for a graph or a bipartite graph to be traceable and Hamiltonian in terms of its distance spectral radius.
Insulin-like peptides regulate vitellogenesis and oviposition in the green lacewing,Chrysopa septempunctata
Authors: Zhang T.T. , Zhang G.C. , Zeng F.F. , Liu C.Y. , Mao J.J.
Published: August 2016

Insulin-like peptides (ILPs) act through a conserved insulin signaling pathway and play crucial roles in insect metabolism, growth, reproduction, and aging. Application of bovine insulin is able to increase vitellogenin (Vg) mRNA and protein levels in female insects. Here, we first show that injection of bovine insulin into previtellogenicChrysopa septempunctatafemale adults promoted ovarian growth, increased Vg protein abundance, elevated reproductive performance, and enhanced protease activity. These data suggested that ILPs play crucial roles in reproductive regulation of the green lacewing,C. septempunctata.
Delivering the Vote: The Political Effect of Free Mail Delivery in Early Twentieth Century America
Authors: Perlman Elisabeth Ruth , Sprick Schuster Steven
Published: August 2016

The rollout of Rural Free Delivery (RFD) in the early twentieth century dramatically increased the frequency with which rural voters received information. This article examines the effect of RFD on voters' and Representatives' behavior using a panel dataset and instrumental variables. Communities receiving more routes spread their votes to more parties; there is no evidence it changed turnout. RFD shifted positions taken by Representatives in line with rural constituents, including increased support for pro-temperance and anti-immigration policies. These results appear only in counties with newspapers, supporting the hypothesis that information flows play a crucial role in the political process.

“As the whole world has been drawn closer together by the inventions and uses of steam and electricity, so farmers may be drawn closer together by the universal practice of free delivery.”

—Matthew Williams of Verndale, Minnesota as quoted in the 1900 Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture
How Classical Music is Better than Popular Music
Authors: Young James O.
Published: August 2016

In at least one respect, classical music is superior to popular music. Classical music (understood as common practice composition) has greater potential for expressiveness and, consequently, has more potential for psychological insight and profundity. The greater potential for expressiveness in classical music is due, in large part, to it greater harmonic resources. The harmonies in classical music are more likely to be functional, more contrary motion is employed, and modulation is more common. Although popular music employs rhythms not found in classical music, on the whole there is less rhythmic variety in popular music than there is in classical.
Active and non-active agents: residents’ agency in assisted living
Authors: PIRHONEN JARI , PIETILÄ ILKKA
Published: August 2016

Culturally, institutional care has been seen to strip older people of their status as full adult members of society and turn them into ‘have-nots’ in terms of agency. The substantial emphasis in gerontology of measuring the activity and functional ability of the elderly has unintentionally fostered these stereotypes, as have traditional definitions of agency that emphasise individuals’ choices and capacities. The aim of this paper is to discover what kind of opportunities to feel agentic exist for people who have reduced functional abilities and therefore reside in assisted living. In this paper, agency is approached empirically from the viewpoint of Finnish sheltered housing residents. The data were gathered using participant observation and thematic interviews. This study suggests that even people with substantial declines in their functional abilities may feel more or less agentic depending on their functional and material surroundings and the support they receive from the staff, relatives and other residents. The perception that residents’ agency in assisted living cannot be reduced to measurable activity has methodological implications for gerontological research on agency. Care providers can utilise our findings in reasserting their residents’ quality of life.
Reflections on the Notion of Culture in the History of Mathematics: The Example of “Geometrical Equations”
Authors: Lê François
Published: August 2016

Argument

This paper challenges the use of the notion of “culture” to describe a particular organization of mathematical knowledge, shared by a few mathematicians over a short period of time in the second half of the nineteenth century. This knowledge relates to “geometrical equations,” objects that proved crucial for the mechanisms of encounters between equation theory, substitution theory, and geometry at that time, although they were not well-defined mathematical objects. The description of the mathematical collective activities linked to “geometrical equations,” and especially the technical aspects of these activities, is made on the basis of a sociological definition of “culture.” More precisely, after an examination of the social organization of the group of mathematicians, I argue that these activities form an intricate system of patterns, symbols, and values, for which I suggest a characterization as a “cultural system.”
ANAPHORA RESOLUTION AND REANALYSIS DURING L2 SENTENCE PROCESSING
Authors: Cunnings Ian , Fotiadou Georgia , Tsimpli Ianthi
Published: August 2016

In a visual world paradigm study, we manipulated gender congruence between a subject pronoun and two antecedents to investigate whether second language (L2) learners with a null subject first language (L1) acquire and process overt subject pronouns in a nonnull subject L2 in a nativelike way. We also investigated whether L2 speakers revise an initial interpretation assigned to an ambiguous pronoun when information in the visual context subsequently biased against it. Our results indicated both L1 English speakers and Greek L2 English speakers rapidly used gender information to guide pronoun resolution. Both groups also preferentially coindexed ambiguous pronouns to a sentence subject and current discourse topic, despite the fact that overt subject pronouns in the learners’ L1 index a topic shift. We also observed that L2 English speakers were less likely to revise their initial interpretation than L1 English speakers. These results indicate that L2 speakers from a null subject background can acquire the interpretive preferences of overt pronouns in a nonnull subject L2. The eye-movement data indicate that anaphora processing can become qualitatively similar in native and nonnative speakers in the domain of subject pronoun resolution, but indicate reanalysis may cause difficulty during L2 processing.
Multimodal infant-directed communication: how caregivers combine tactile and linguistic cues
Authors: ABU-ZHAYA RANA , SEIDL AMANDA , CRISTIA ALEJANDRINA
Published: August 2016

Both touch and speech independently have been shown to play an important role in infant development. However, little is known about how they may be combined in the input to the child. We examined the use of touch and speech together by having mothers read their 5-month-olds books about body parts and animals. Results suggest that speech+touch multimodal events are characterized by more exaggerated touch and speech cues. Further, our results suggest that maternal touches are aligned with speech and that mothers tend to touch their infants in locations that are congruent with names of body parts. Thus, our results suggest that tactile cues could potentially aid both infant word segmentation and word learning.
The changing epidemiology of Ebstein’s anomaly and its relationship with maternal mental health conditions: a European registry-based study
Authors: Boyle Breidge , Garne Ester , Loane Maria , Addor Marie-Claude , Arriola Larraitz , Cavero-Carbonell Clara , Gatt Miriam , Lelong Nathalie , Lynch Catherine , Nelen Vera , Neville Amanda J. , O’Mahony Mary , Pierini Anna , Rissmann Anke , Tucker David , Zymak-Zakutnia Natalia , Dolk Helen
Published: August 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of Ebstein’s anomaly in Europe and its association with maternal health and medication exposure during pregnancy.

Design

We carried out a descriptive epidemiological analysis of population-based data.

Setting

We included data from 15 European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies Congenital Anomaly Registries in 12 European countries, with a population of 5.6 million births during 1982–2011.

Participants

Cases included live births, fetal deaths from 20 weeks gestation, and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly.

Main outcome measures

We estimated total prevalence per 10,000 births. Odds ratios for exposure to maternal illnesses/medications in the first trimester of pregnancy were calculated by comparing Ebstein’s anomaly cases with cardiac and non-cardiac malformed controls, excluding cases with genetic syndromes and adjusting for time period and country.

Results

In total, 264 Ebstein’s anomaly cases were recorded; 81% were live births, 2% of which were diagnosed after the 1st year of life; 54% of cases with Ebstein’s anomaly or a co-existing congenital anomaly were prenatally diagnosed. Total prevalence rose over time from 0.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.41) to 0.48 (95% CI 0.40–0.57) (p<0.01). In all, nine cases were exposed to maternal mental health conditions/medications (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 2.64, 95% CI 1.33–5.21) compared with cardiac controls. Cases were more likely to be exposed to maternal β-thalassemia (adjOR 10.5, 95% CI 3.13–35.3, n=3) and haemorrhage in early pregnancy (adjOR 1.77, 95% CI 0.93–3.38, n=11) compared with cardiac controls.

Conclusions

The increasing prevalence of Ebstein’s anomaly may be related to better and earlier diagnosis. Our data suggest that Ebstein’s anomaly is associated with maternal mental health problems generally rather than lithium or benzodiazepines specifically; therefore, changing or stopping medications may not be preventative. We found new associations requiring confirmation.
THE DOLLS’ DRESSMAKER RE(AD)DRESSED: JENNY WREN'S CRITIQUE OF CHILDHOOD, FEMININITY, AND APPEARANCE
Authors: Moore Ben
Published: August 2016

Of all Dickens's eccentric children– whose numbers include the Artful Dodger, Paul Dombey, Little Nell, and Smike – none, perhaps, is more peculiarly “old-fashioned” than Jenny Wren inOur Mutual Friend(1864-65). From her first appearance, Jenny exhibits a strange indeterminacy:

A parlour door within a small entry stood open, and disclosed a child – a dwarf – a girl – a something – sitting on a little low old-fashioned arm-chair, which had a kind of little working bench before it.

“I can't get up,” said the child, “because my back's bad, and my legs are queer. But I'm the person of the house.” (222; bk. 2, ch.1)

This description of Jenny cannot settle. The initial assumption that she is a child is placed in doubt as she becomes, in quick succession, a “dwarf,” a “girl,” a “something.” It is left to her to define how she should be perceived, but the phrase she chooses – “the person of the house” – only compounds the confusion. Throughout this article I follow the spirit of this passage. Rather than pursuing a “true” description of Jenny Wren, I offer a reading that puts her indeterminacy centre-stage, along with her job as a “dolls’ dressmaker” for wealthy women. In her appearance, her work, and her language, I argue, Jenny calls into question how gender and child/adult identities are constructed in nineteenth-century society, both in her own working-class milieu, where she is taunted by local children (224; bk. 2, ch. 1), and in the fashionable upper- and middle-class world to whose whims she caters. In addition, I draw upon Thomas Carlyle's novelSartor Resartus(1833-34) and the work of Walter Benjamin to suggest that Jenny's satirical and playful use of words constitutes a philosophical critique of the mutability of appearance in mid-nineteenth-century modernity.
Corruption, environmental regulation and market entry
Authors: Biswas Amit K. , Thum Marcel
Published: August 2016

The authors develop a simple analytical framework to study the welfare-maximizing environmental standards when market entry is endogenous and firms can circumvent regulation by bribing corrupt officials. Corruption changes the tradeoff in environmental policy. Corruption leads more polluting firms to enter into the market, which requires tighter environmental regulation. However, corruption also makes trading in some environmental protection for a marginally higher market entry optimal for the government.
The right to be free: is media freedom good news for women's rights?
Authors: COORAY ARUSHA , DUTTA NABAMITA , MALLICK SUSHANTA
Published: August 2016

Using an extensive dataset covering 187 countries during 1993–2011, this paper explores the impact of media freedom from government control on women's rights. To measure women's rights, we consider economic, political and social rights that capture the extent of government's respect for these rights at country level over time. A free press improves government's accountability to the society and leads to better governance. In the context of women's rights, a free press can enhance positive rights by helping women raise voices and gain recognition, and thereby making the government create a more conducive environment for women's empowerment. Further, higher press freedom can reduce the infringement of negative rights by calling for greater public accountability. Yet, a free media, while necessary, may not be sufficient in enhancing such rights, and other institutional factors related to a country's development might be essential to reap the benefit of a free media. Our estimated marginal impacts show that greater access of media (in the form of internet and mobile users) and countries with greater democratic capital enhance the impact of media freedom on women's economic and social rights, with little effect on political rights.
The fate of electron–hole pairs in polymer:fullerene blends for organic photovoltaics
Authors: Causa' Martina , De Jonghe-Risse Jelissa , Scarongella Mariateresa , Brauer Jan C. , Buchaca-Domingo Ester , Moser Jacques-E. , Stingelin Natalie , Banerji Natalie
Published: September 2016

There has been long-standing debate on how free charges are generated in donor:acceptor blends that are used in organic solar cells, and which are generally comprised of a complex phase morphology, where intermixed and neat phases of the donor and acceptor material co-exist. Here we resolve this question, basing our conclusions on Stark effect spectroscopy data obtained in the absence and presence of externally applied electric fields. Reconciling opposing views found in literature, we unambiguously demonstrate that the fate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs—whether they will dissociate to free charges or geminately recombine—is determined at ultrafast times, despite the fact that their actual spatial separation can be much slower. Our insights are important to further develop rational approaches towards material design and processing of organic solar cells, assisting to realize their purported promise as lead-free, third-generation energy technology that can reach efficiencies over 10%.
A substrate-driven allosteric switch that enhances PDI catalytic activity
Authors: Bekendam Roelof H. , Bendapudi Pavan K. , Lin Lin , Nag Partha P. , Pu Jun , Kennedy Daniel R. , Feldenzer Alexandra , Chiu Joyce , Cook Kristina M. , Furie Bruce , Huang Mingdong , Hogg Philip J. , Flaumenhaft Robert
Published: August 2016

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an oxidoreductase essential for folding proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. The domain structure of PDI is a–b–b′–x–a′, wherein the thioredoxin-like a and a′ domains mediate disulfide bond shuffling and b and b′ domains are substrate binding. The b′ and a′ domains are connected via the x-linker, a 19-amino-acid flexible peptide. Here we identify a class of compounds, termed bepristats, that target the substrate-binding pocket of b′. Bepristats reversibly block substrate binding and inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in vivo. Ligation of the substrate-binding pocket by bepristats paradoxically enhances catalytic activity of a and a′ by displacing the x-linker, which acts as an allosteric switch to augment reductase activity in the catalytic domains. This substrate-driven allosteric switch is also activated by peptides and proteins and is present in other thiol isomerases. Our results demonstrate a mechanism whereby binding of a substrate to thiol isomerases enhances catalytic activity of remote domains.
Spin-current probe for phase transition in an insulator
Authors: Qiu Zhiyong , Li Jia , Hou Dazhi , Arenholz Elke , N’Diaye Alpha T. , Tan Ali , Uchida Ken-ichi , Sato Koji , Okamoto Satoshi , Tserkovnyak Yaroslav , Qiu Z. Q. , Saitoh Eiji
Published: August 2016

Spin fluctuation and transition have always been one of the central topics of magnetism and condensed matter science. Experimentally, the spin fluctuation is found transcribed onto scattering intensity in the neutron-scattering process, which is represented by dynamical magnetic susceptibility and maximized at phase transitions. Importantly, a neutron carries spin without electric charge, and therefore it can bring spin into a sample without being disturbed by electric energy. However, large facilities such as a nuclear reactor are necessary. Here we show that spin pumping, frequently used in nanoscale spintronic devices, provides a desktop microprobe for spin transition; spin current is a flux of spin without an electric charge and its transport reflects spin excitation. We demonstrate detection of antiferromagnetic transition in ultra-thin CoO films via frequency-dependent spin-current transmission measurements, which provides a versatile probe for phase transition in an electric manner in minute devices.
Two-terminal floating-gate memory with van der Waals heterostructures for ultrahigh on/off ratio
Authors: Vu Quoc An , Shin Yong Seon , Kim Young Rae , Nguyen Van Luan , Kang Won Tae , Kim Hyun , Luong Dinh Hoa , Lee Il Min , Lee Kiyoung , Ko Dong-Su , Heo Jinseong , Park Seongjun , Lee Young Hee , Yu Woo Jong
Published: September 2016

Concepts of non-volatile memory to replace conventional flash memory have suffered from low material reliability and high off-state current, and the use of a thick, rigid blocking oxide layer in flash memory further restricts vertical scale-up. Here, we report a two-terminal floating gate memory, tunnelling random access memory fabricated by a monolayer MoS2/h-BN/monolayer graphene vertical stack. Our device uses a two-terminal electrode for current flow in the MoS2 channel and simultaneously for charging and discharging the graphene floating gate through the h-BN tunnelling barrier. By effective charge tunnelling through crystalline h-BN layer and storing charges in graphene layer, our memory device demonstrates an ultimately low off-state current of 10−14 A, leading to ultrahigh on/off ratio over 109, about ∼103 times higher than other two-terminal memories. Furthermore, the absence of thick, rigid blocking oxides enables high stretchability (>19%) which is useful for soft electronics.
In vivo (R)-[11C]PK11195 PET imaging of 18kDa translocator protein in recent onset psychosis
Authors: van der Doef Thalia F , de Witte Lot D , Sutterland Arjen L , Jobse Ellen , Yaqub Maqsood , Boellaard Ronald , de Haan Lieuwe , Eriksson Jonas , Lammertsma Adriaan A , Kahn René S , van Berckel Bart N M
Published: August 2016

Evidence is accumulating that immune dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. It has been hypothesized that microglia activation is present in patients with schizophrenia. Various in vivo and post-mortem studies have investigated this hypothesis, but as yet with inconclusive results. Microglia activation is associated with elevations in 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) levels, which can be measured with the positron emission tomography (PET) tracer (R)-[11C]PK11195. The purpose of the present study was to investigate microglia activation in psychosis in vivo at an early stage of the disease. (R)-[11C]PK11195 binding potential (BPND) was measured in 19 patients with recent onset psychosis and 17 age and gender-matched healthy controls. Total gray matter, as well as five gray matter regions of interest (frontal cortex, temporal cortex, parietal cortex, striatum, and thalamus) were defined a priori. PET data were analysed using a reference tissue approach and a supervised cluster analysis algorithm to identify the reference region. No significant difference in (R)-[11C]PK11195 BPND between patients and controls was found in total gray matter, nor one of the regions of interest. These findings suggest that microglia activation is not present in recent onset psychosis or that it is a subtle phenomenon that could not be detected using the design of the present study.
Mapping rare, deleterious mutations in Factor H: Association with early onset, drusen burden and lower antigenic levels in familial AMD
Authors: Wagner Erin K. , Raychaudhuri Soumya , Villalonga Mercedes B. , Java Anuja , Triebwasser Michael P. , Daly Mark J. , Atkinson John P. , Seddon Johanna M.
Published: August 2016

The genetic architecture of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) involves numerous genetic variants, both common and rare, in the coding region of complement factor H (CFH). While these variants explain high disease burden in some families, they fail to explain the pathology in all. We selected families whose AMD was unexplained by known variants and performed whole exome sequencing to probe for other rare, highly penetrant variants. We identified four rare loss-of-function variants in CFH associated with AMD. Missense variant CFH 1:196646753 (C192F) segregated perfectly within a family characterized by advanced AMD and drusen temporal to the macula. Two families, each comprising a pair of affected siblings with extensive extramacular drusen, carried essential splice site variant CFH 1:196648924 (IVS6+1G>A) or missense variant rs139360826 (R175P). In a fourth family, missense variant rs121913058 (R127H) was associated with AMD. Most carriers had early onset bilateral advanced AMD and extramacular drusen. Carriers tended to have low serum Factor H levels, especially carriers of the splice variant. One missense variant (R127H) has been previously shown not to be secreted. The two other missense variants were produced recombinantly: compared to wild type, one (R175P) had no functional activity and the other (C192F) had decreased secretion.
Can computational efficiency alone drive the evolution of modularity in neural networks?
Authors: Tosh Colin R.
Published: August 2016

Some biologists have abandoned the idea that computational efficiency in processing multipart tasks or input sets alone drives the evolution of modularity in biological networks. A recent study confirmed that small modular (neural) networks are relatively computationally-inefficient but large modular networks are slightly more efficient than non-modular ones. The present study determines whether these efficiency advantages with network size can drive the evolution of modularity in networks whose connective architecture can evolve. The answer is no, but the reason why is interesting. All simulations (run in a wide variety of parameter states) involving gradualistic connective evolution end in non-modular local attractors. Thus while a high performance modular attractor exists, such regions cannot be reached by gradualistic evolution. Non-gradualistic evolutionary simulations in which multi-modularity is obtained through duplication of existing architecture appear viable. Fundamentally, this study indicates that computational efficiency alone does not drive the evolution of modularity, even in large biological networks, but it may still be a viable mechanism when networks evolve by non-gradualistic means.
A five-year study of the impact of nitrogen addition on methane uptake in alpine grassland
Authors: Yue Ping , Li Kaihui , Gong Yanming , Hu Yukun , Mohammat Anwar , Christie Peter , Liu Xuejun
Published: August 2016

It remains unclear how nitrogen (N) deposition affects soil methane (CH4) uptake in semiarid and arid zones. An in situ field experiment was conducted from 2010 to 2014 to systematically study the effect of various N application rates (0, 10, 30 and 90 kg N ha−1 yr−1) on CH4 flux in alpine grassland in the Tianshan Mountains. No significant influence of N addition on CH4 uptake was found. Initially the CH4 uptake rate increased with increasing N application rate by up to 11.5% in 2011 and then there was gradual inhibition by 2014. However, the between-year variability in CH4 uptake was very highly significant with average uptake ranging from 52.9 to 106.6 μg C m−2 h−1 and the rate depended largely on seasonal variability in precipitation and temperature. CH4 uptake was positively correlated with soil temperature, air temperature and to a lesser extent with precipitation and was negatively correlated with soil moisture and NO3−-N content. The results indicate that between-year variability in CH4 uptake was impacted by precipitation and temperature and was not sensitive to elevated N deposition in alpine grassland.
3D-engineering of Cellularized Conduits for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Hu Yu , Wu Yao , Gou Zhiyuan , Tao Jie , Zhang Jiumeng , Liu Qianqi , Kang Tianyi , Jiang Shu , Huang Siqing , He Jiankang , Chen Shaochen , Du Yanan , Gou Maling
Published: August 2016

Tissue engineered conduits have great promise for bridging peripheral nerve defects by providing physical guiding and biological cues. A flexible method for integrating support cells into a conduit with desired architectures is wanted. Here, a 3D-printing technology is adopted to prepare a bio-conduit with designer structures for peripheral nerve regeneration. This bio-conduit is consisted of a cryopolymerized gelatin methacryloyl (cryoGelMA) gel cellularized with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). By modeling using 3D-printed “lock and key” moulds, the cryoGelMA gel is structured into conduits with different geometries, such as the designed multichannel or bifurcating and the personalized structures. The cryoGelMA conduit is degradable and could be completely degraded in 2-4 months in vivo. The cryoGelMA scaffold supports the attachment, proliferation and survival of the seeded ASCs and up-regulates the expression of their neurotrophic factors mRNA in vitro. After implanted in a rat model, the bio-conduit is capable of supporting the re-innervation across a 10 mm sciatic nerve gap, with results close to that of the autografts in terms of functional and histological assessments. The study describes an indirect 3D-printing technology for fabricating cellularized designer conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration and could lead to the development of future nerve bio-conduits for clinical use.
Prevalence and Abundance of Florfenicol and Linezolid Resistance Genes in Soils Adjacent to Swine Feedlots
Authors: Zhao Qin , Wang Yang , Wang Shaolin , Wang Zheng , Du Xiang-dang , Jiang Haiyang , Xia Xi , Shen Zhangqi , Ding Shuangyang , Wu Congming , Zhou Bingrui , Wu Yongning , Shen Jianzhong
Published: August 2016

Florfenicol is extensively used in livestock to prevent or cure bacterial infections. However, it is not known whether the administration of florfenicol has resulted in the emergence and dissemination of florfenicol resistance genes (FRGs, including fexA, fexB, cfr, optrA, floR and pexA) in microbial populations in surrounding farm environments. Here we collected soil samples for the detection of FRGs and the residue of florfenicol from six swine farms with the record of florfenicol usage. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and metagenomic sequencing revealed a significantly higher relative abundance of FRGs in the soils adjacent to the three swine farms where florfenicol was heavily used compared with the other sites. Meanwhile, the detectable levels of florfenicol were also identified in soils from two of these three farms using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. It appears that amount of florfenicol used on swine farms and the spreading of soils with swine waste could promote the prevalence and abundance of FRGs, including the linezolid resistance genes cfr and optrA, in adjacent soils and agricultural application of swine manure with florfenicol may have caused a residual level of florfenicol in the soils.
Up-regulation of miR-98 and unraveling regulatory mechanisms in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cao Jing-Li , Zhang Lu , Li Jian , Tian Shi , Lv Xiao-Dan , Wang Xue-Qin , Su Xing , Li Ying , Hu Yi , Ma Xu , Xia Hong-Fei
Published: August 2016

MiR-98 expression was up-regulated in kidney in response to early diabetic nephropathy in mouse and down-regulated in muscle in type 2 diabetes in human. However, the expression prolife and functional role of miR-98 in human gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remained unclear. Here, we investigated its expression and function in placental tissues from GDM patients and the possible molecular mechanisms. The results showed that miR-98 was up-regulated in placentas from GDM patients compared with normal placentas. MiR-98 over-expression increased global DNA methylational level and miR-98 knockdown reduced global DNA methylational level. Further investigation revealed that miR-98 could inhibit Mecp2 expression by binding the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of methyl CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2), and then led to the expression dysregulation of canonical transient receptor potential 3 (Trpc3), a glucose uptake related gene. More importantly, in vivo analysis found that the expression level of Mecp2 and Trpc3 in placental tissues from GDM patients, relative to the increase of miR-98, was diminished, especially for GDM patients over the age of 35 years. Collectively, up-regulation of miR-98 in the placental tissues of human GDM is linked to the global DNA methylation via targeting Mecp2, which may imply a novel regulatory mechanism in GDM.
Reduced Graphene Oxide Functionalized with Cobalt Ferrite Nanocomposites for Enhanced Efficient and Lightweight Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Authors: Ding Yi , Liao Qingliang , Liu Shuo , Guo Huijing , Sun Yihui , Zhang Guangjie , Zhang Yue
Published: September 2016

In this paper, reduced graphene oxide functionalized with cobalt ferrite nanocomposites (CoFe@rGO) as a novel type of electromagnetic wave (EW) absorbing materials was successfully prepared by a three-step chemical method including hydrothermal synthesis, annealing process and mixing with paraffin. The effect of the sample thickness and the amount of paraffin on the EW absorption properties of the composites was studied, revealing that the absorption peaks shifted toward the low frequency regions with the increasing thickness while other conditions had little or no effect. It is found that the CoFe@rGO enhanced both dielectric losses and magnetic losses and had the best EW absorption properties and the wide wavelength coverage of the hole Ku-Band when adding only 5wt% composites to paraffin. Therefore, CoFe@rGO could be used as an efficient and lightweight EW absorber. Compared with the research into traditional absorbing materials, this figures of merit are typically of the same order of magnitude, but given the lightweight nature of the material and the high level of compatibility with mass production standards, making use of CoFe@rGO as an electromagnetic absorber material shows great potential for real product applications.
Mitochondrial role in adaptive response to stress conditions in preeclampsia
Authors: Vishnyakova Polina A. , Volodina Maria A. , Tarasova Nadezhda V. , Marey Maria V. , Tsvirkun Daria V. , Vavina Olga V. , Khodzhaeva Zulfiya S. , Kan Natalya E. , Menon Ramkumar , Vysokikh Mikhail Yu. , Sukhikh Gennady T.
Published: August 2016

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific syndrome, characterized in general by hypertension with proteinuria or other systemic disturbances. PE is the major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the etiology of PE still remains unclear. Our study involved 38 patients: 14 with uncomplicated pregnancy; 13 with early-onset PE (eoPE); and 11 with late-onset PE (loPE). We characterized the immunophenotype of cells isolated from the placenta and all biopsy samples were stained positive for Cytokeratin 7, SOX2, Nestin, Vimentin and CD44. We obtained a significant increase in OPA1 mRNA and protein expression in the eoPE placentas. Moreover, TFAM expression was down-regulated in comparison to the control (p < 0.01). Mitochondrial DNA copy number in eoPE placentas was significantly higher than in samples from normal pregnancies. We observed an increase of maximum coupled state 3 respiration rate in mitochondria isolated from the placenta in the presence of complex I substrates in the eoPE group and an increase of P/O ratio, citrate synthase activity and decrease of Ca2+-induced depolarization rate in both PE groups. Our results suggest an essential role of mitochondrial activity changes in an adaptive response to the development of PE.
Specialized Microbiome of a Halophyte and its Role in Helping Non-Host Plants to Withstand Salinity
Authors: Yuan Zhilin , Druzhinina Irina S. , Labbé Jessy , Redman Regina , Qin Yuan , Rodriguez Russell , Zhang Chulong , Tuskan Gerald A. , Lin Fucheng
Published: August 2016

Root microbiota is a crucial determinant of plant productivity and stress tolerance. Here, we hypothesize that the superior halo-tolerance of seepweed Suaeda salsa is tightly linked to a specialized belowground microbiome. To test this hypothesis, we performed a phylogenetic trait-based framework analysis based on bacterial 16S rRNA gene and fungal nuclear rRNA internal transcribed spacer profiling. Data showed that the dominant α-proteobacteria and γ-proteobacteria communities in bulk soil and root endosphere tend to be phylogenetically clustered and at the same time exhibit phylogenetic over-dispersion in rhizosphere. Likewise, the dominant fungal genera occurred at high phylogenetic redundancy. Interestingly, we found the genomes of rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria associated with S. salsa to be enriched in genes contributing to salt stress acclimatization, nutrient solubilization and competitive root colonization. A wide diversity of rhizobacteria with similarity to known halotolerant taxa further supported this interpretation. These findings suggest that an ecological patterned root-microbial interaction strategy has been adopted in S. salsa system to confront soil salinity. We also demonstrated that the potential core microbiome members improve non-host plants growth and salt tolerance. This work provides a platform to improve plant fitness with halophytes-microbial associates and novel insights into the functions of plant microbiome under salinity.
Absence of Leishmaniinae and Nosematidae in stingless bees
Authors: Nunes-Silva Patrícia , Piot Niels , Meeus Ivan , Blochtein Betina , Smagghe Guy
Published: September 2016

Bee pollination is an indispensable component of global food production and plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture. The worldwide decline of bee populations, including wild pollinators, poses a threat to this system. However, most studies to date are situated in temperate regions where Apini and Bombini are very abundant pollinators. Tropical and subtropical regions where stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) are generally very common, are often overlooked. These bees also face pressure due to deforestation and agricultural intensification as well as the growing use and spread of exotic pollinators as Apis mellifera and Bombus species. The loss or decline of this important bee tribe would have a large impact on their provided ecosystem services, in both wild and agricultural landscapes. The importance of pollinator diseases, which can contribute to decline, has not been investigated so far in this bee tribe. Here we report on the first large pathogen screening of Meliponini species in southern Brazil. Remarkably we observed that there was an absence of Leishmaniinae and Nosematidae and a very low occurrence of Apicystis bombi. Our data on disease prevalence in both understudied areas and species, can greatly improve our knowledge on the distribution of pathogens among bee species.
Role of IGF1R+ MSCs in modulating neuroplasticity via CXCR4 cross-interaction
Authors: Lee Hsu-Tung , Chang Hao-Teng , Lee Sophie , Lin Chen-Huan , Fan Jia-Rong , Lin Shinn-Zong , Hsu Chung Y. , Hsieh Chia-Hung , Shyu Woei-Cherng
Published: September 2016

To guide the use of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) toward clinical applications, identifying pluripotent-like-markers for selecting MSCs that retain potent self-renewal-ability should be addressed. Here, an insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R)–expressing sub-population in human dental pulp MSCs (hDSCs), displayed multipotent properties. IGF1R expression could be maintained in hDSCs when they were cultured in 2% human cord blood serum (hUCS) in contrast to that in 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). Cytokine array showed that hUCS contained higher amount of several growth factors compared to FCS, including IGF-1 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB). These cytokines modulates the signaling events in the hDSCs and potentially enhances engraftment upon transplantation. Specifically, a bidirectional cross-talk between IGF1R/IGF1 and CXCR4/SDF-1α signaling pathways in hDSCs, as revealed by interaction of the two receptors and synergistic activation of both signaling pathways. In rat stroke model, animals receiving IGF1R+ hDSCs transplantation, interaction between IGF1R and CXCR4 was demonstrated to promote neuroplasticity, therefore improving neurological function through increasing glucose metabolic activity, enhancing angiogenesis and anti-inflammatiory effects. Therefore, PDGF in hUCS-culture system contributed to the maintenance of the expression of IGF1R in hDSCs. Furthermore, implantation of IGF1R+ hDSCs exerted enhanced neuroplasticity via integrating inputs from both CXCR4 and IGF1R signaling pathways.
A graphene-based Fabry-Pérot spectrometer in mid-infrared region
Authors: Wang Xiaosai , Chen Chen , Pan Liang , Wang Jicheng
Published: August 2016

Mid-infrared spectroscopy is of great importance in many areas and its integration with thin-film technology can economically enrich the functionalities of many existing devices. In this paper we propose a graphene-based ultra-compact spectrometer (several micrometers in size) that is compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processing. The proposed structure uses a monolayer graphene as a mid-infrared surface waveguide, whose optical response is spatially modulated using electric fields to form a Fabry-Pérot cavity. By varying the voltage acting on the cavity, we can control the transmitted wavelength of the spectrometer at room temperature. This design has potential applications in the graphene-silicon-based optoelectronic devices as it offers new possibilities for developing new ultra-compact spectrometers and low-cost hyperspectral imaging sensors in mid-infrared region.
Novel Fluorescence Arginine Analogue as a Sensor for Direct Identification and Imaging of Nitric Oxide Synthase-like Enzymes in Plants
Authors: Chang Kang , Guo Tongtong , Li Pengfei , Liu Yin , Xu Yufang , Fang Yuda , Qian Xuhong
Published: September 2016

Nitric oxide synthase like enzyme (NOS-like enzyme), which produces nitric oxide, participates in many biological processes. However it remains unidentified and highly controversial that plants do possess a NOS-like enzyme. In this paper, a novel arginine analogue NP1 was designed and developed for the direct identification and real time tracking of NOS-like enzymes in plant by fluorescence sensing. It could bind NOS-like enzyme efficiently and enter the cell successfully. In vivo fluorescence response results directly proved that NOS-like enzymes did exist in tobacco leaf and would be stimulated by pathogen infection, which also provided a useful chemical tool for the study of the function of NOS-like enzyme in plants.
Meditation and vacation effects have an impact on disease-associated molecular phenotypes
Authors: Epel E S , Puterman E , Lin J , Blackburn E H , Lum P Y , Beckmann N D , Zhu J , Lee E , Gilbert A , Rissman R A , Tanzi R E , Schadt E E
Published: August 2016

Meditation is becoming increasingly practiced, especially for stress-related medical conditions. Meditation may improve cellular health; however, studies have not separated out effects of meditation from vacation-like effects in a residential randomized controlled trial. We recruited healthy women non-meditators to live at a resort for 6 days and randomized to either meditation retreat or relaxing on-site, with both groups compared with ‘regular meditators’ already enrolled in the retreat. Blood drawn at baseline and post intervention was assessed for transcriptome-wide expression patterns and aging-related biomarkers. Highly significant gene expression changes were detected across all groups (the ‘vacation effect’) that could accurately predict (96% accuracy) between baseline and post-intervention states and were characterized by improved regulation of stress response, immune function and amyloid beta (Aβ) metabolism. Although a smaller set of genes was affected, regular meditators showed post-intervention differences in a gene network characterized by lower regulation of protein synthesis and viral genome activity. Changes in well-being were assessed post intervention relative to baseline, as well as 1 and 10 months later. All groups showed equivalently large immediate post-intervention improvements in well-being, but novice meditators showed greater maintenance of lower distress over time compared with those in the vacation arm. Regular meditators showed a trend toward increased telomerase activity compared with randomized women, who showed increased plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels. This highly controlled residential study showed large salutary changes in gene expression networks due to the vacation effect, common to all groups. For those already trained in the practice of meditation, a retreat appears to provide additional benefits to cellular health beyond the vacation effect.
Ultra-small Ge1−xSnx quantum dots with visible photoluminescence
Authors: Alan Esteves Richard J , Hafiz Shopan , Demchenko Denis O. , Özgür Ümit , Arachchige Indika U.
Published: September 2016

Plot of theoretical energy gaps of Ge1−xSnx quantum dots. Background images are a TEM image of Ge1−xSnx quantum dots and a picture of a cuvette containing luminescent Ge1−xSnx QDs irradiated by a UV light.
Stable bromoallene oxides
Authors: Christopher Braddock D. , Mahtey Areeb , Rzepa Henry S. , White Andrew J. P.
Published: August 2016

The first stable bromoallene oxides were obtained by the DMDO epoxidation of 1-bromo-1,3-di-tert-alkylallenes, producing the first crystalline allene oxide of any kind.
Conformation-specific spectroscopy of capped, gas-phase Aib oligomers: tests of the Aib residue as a 310-helix former
Authors: Gord Joseph R. , Hewett Daniel M. , Hernandez-Castillo Alicia O. , Blodgett Karl N. , Rotondaro Matthew C. , Varuolo Adalgisa , Kubasik Matthew A. , Zwier Timothy S.
Published: September 2016

Single-conformation spectroscopy is used to probe the preference for helical structural in Aib-homopeptides.
Non-trivial network driven modifications of ion transport in an ionic liquid confined inside a polymer system
Authors: Sen Sudeshna , Malunavar Sneha , Radhakrishnan Dhanya , Narayana Chandrabhas , Soudant Priscilla , Bouchet Renaud , Bhattacharyya Aninda J.
Published: September 2016

The chemical specificities of a polymer in a gel electrolyte comprising of an ionic liquid confined inside a polymer system governs in a nontrivial manner the ion transport mechanism.
PIFA-mediated ethoxyiodination of enamides with potassium iodide
Authors: Beltran R. , Nocquet-Thibault S. , Blanchard F. , Dodd R. H. , Cariou K.
Published: August 2016

The combination of PIFA with KI in ethanol triggers the regioselective ethoxyiodination of a broad range of enamides with excellent yields and diastereoselectivities.