bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legitimacy and Legitimization in Low Turnout Ballots
Authors: Kirkland Christopher , Wood Matthew
Published: January 2016

Declining voter turnout has been highlighted as problematic for a number of western democracies. However, in this article we argue that whether an election is seen as ‘legitimate’ or not depends crucially upon interpretations of the levels of turnout by elite actors. Through comparing two recent democratic ballots in the UK we demonstrate how elections with lower turnouts can come to be seen as holding more legitimacy than those with higher turnouts. The cases demonstrate, we argue, a distinction between actual legitimacy, defined as a binary concept, and the process of legitimization – a process through which the authority of an institution is discursively constructed and conferred. This suggests a new research agenda which extends beyond the current literature to focus upon how the legitimacy of a ballot is socially constructed in a broader context of unequal socioeconomic power relations.
Barbarians at the gates? the royal mounds of El Hobagi and the end of Meroë
Authors: Lenoble Patrice , ed Din Mohammed Sharif Nigm
Published: January 2016

Meroë, capital of Ethiopian kings up to the first centuries AD, is an extraordinary culture. Its inscriptions are in its own Meroitic script or in Egyptian or sometimes in Greek – a reminder of its links through Egypt to the larger Mediterranean world nearly 2000 kilometres to the north. And what about the end of Meroeë Did it collapse to barbarians? Or did it take its own course?
Tombs and monumentality in southern Madagascar: preliminary results of the central Androy survey
Authors: Pearson Mike Parker
Published: January 2016

This note reports the initial results of a joint multidisciplinary project between the University of Sheffield and the Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie in Antananarivo, which has concentrated on the investigation of the social and economic significance of the tombs that are an outstanding landscape feature in an area of southern Madagascar.
Nancy was not alone: human skeletons of the Early Bronze Age from the Norfolk peat fen
Authors: Healy Frances , Housley Rupert A.
Published: January 2016

Four separate finds of human skeletal remains from the Norfolk Fens have been 14C-dated to the Early Bronze Age. It is suggested that they are a facet of the far more extensive deposition of bodies and artefacts in wet places.
The definition of the Early Medieval site of Quentovic
Authors: Hill David , Worthington Margaret , Warburton Julia , Barrett David
Published: January 2016

Earlier fieldwork by the University of Manchester (see ANTIQUITY 64:51–8) identified the important early medieval port of Quentovic. This note reports on the final two seasons of work, which clarified the phasing and extent of this major wic settlement, and on the radiocarbon dates from key features.
A barrow full of cattle skulls
Authors: Davis Simon , Payne Sebastian
Published: January 2016

A bone deposit found in a round barrow overlying a rich Beaker-period burial in Northamptonshire (England) contained at least 184 domestic cattle skulls and one aurochs skull, but very few other cattle bones or bones of other animals. Most of the cattle were young adults. The relative scarcity of premolars suggests that they were deposited on the cairn some time after death. The paper discusses archaeological and ethnographic parallels for this unusual deposit.
Fortified settlements or ceremonial sites: new evidence from Bylany, Czechoslovakia
Authors: Midgley M. S. , Pavlů I. , Rulf J. , Zápotocká M.
Published: January 2016

Recent work at the important Neolithic site of Bylany (Czechoslovakia) has shifted from the large-scale open-area excavations of the 1960s to intensive field survey and selective excavation. The 1991 investigation concentrated on the so-called ‘Rondel’, a multivallate enclosure with entrances at the cardinal points. Analysis of the internal structures revealed suggests that the main function of these features was ceremonial.
The Chumash and the swordfish
Authors: Davenport Demorest , Johnson John R. , Timbrook Jan
Published: January 2016

Linguistic, ethnographic, archaeological and technical evidence demonstrates the mythological and ceremonial importance of the swordfish in Chumash culture. From at least the 1st century AD, there existed among the Chumash of the Santa Barbara region, California, a productive fishery for swordfish (Xiphias gladius) by harpoon. The probability is that a shamanistic cult was intended to bring this great ‘master of the sea’ within reach of fishermen and to persuade it occasionally to drive whales ashore, making their meat available. Evidence from a number of world-wide sources shows that this Chumash belief was, indeed, founded in fact.
Managing the archaeological heritage
Authors: Cleere Henry
Published: January 2016

The need for dynamic management of the archaeological heritage, aptly if somewhat ponderously described as "a non-renewable cultural resource’, was first recognized in the USA in the early 1970s following the passage of the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act (still fondly known to veterans of the struggles that led up to its enactment as "Moss-Bennett’ after its sponsors in the House of Representatives). The message spread slowly across the world and into the consciousness of international bodies.
Crannogs; a diminishing resource? A survey of the crannogs of southwest Scotland and excavations at Buiston Crannog
Authors: Barber J. W. , Crone B. A.
Published: January 2016

Investigations in the 19th century demonstrated that Scottish crannogs, the distinctive waterlogged settlements in the shallow waters at the edge of lochs, were very rich in organic remains of all types. Have the crannogs survived, years after so many of the lakes were drained? Are there organic remains left? A new survey and new excavations at the Buiston crannog shows how much has gone, and the great value of what remains.
Babylon revisited: archaeology and philology in harness
Authors: George A. R.
Published: January 2016

The recent publication of cuneiform texts relating to Babylon allows a reassessment of the city's topography, and sheds light on the remains discovered by Robert Koldewey and more recent excavators. A comparison of the archaeological and documentary evidence relating to selected structures of the city provides examples of the ways in which archaeology and philology can successfully complement each other.
The excavator: creator or destroyer?
Authors: Frankel David
Published: January 2016

Our special section on heritage in the June issue took the conventional current view that excavation is destruction. A more creative vision is offered.
The timber circle at Sarn-y-Bryn-Caled, Welshpool, Powys: ritual and sacrifice in Bronze Age mid-Wales
Authors: Gibson Alex
Published: January 2016

A circle of pits from the Welsh borders is another addition to the curious catalogue of British ceremonial monuments of the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age, and provides – as often before – intriguing clues as to how it was structured and used.
The limits of power: the political ecology of the Spanish Empire in the Greater Southwest
Authors: Sheridan Thomas E.
Published: January 2016

The Spanish conquest of the Americas was one of the most dramatic cultural and biological transformations in the history of the world. Small groups of conquistadores toppled enormous empires. Millions of Native Americans died from epidemic disease. Old World animals and plants revolutionized Native American societies, while New World crops fundamentally altered the diet and land-tenure of peasants across Europe. In the words of historian Alfred Crosby (1972: 3),

The two worlds, which God had cast asunder, were reunited, and the two worlds, which were so very different, began on that day [I1 October 14921 to become alike.
Meaningful constructions – spatial and functional analysis of medieval buildings
Authors: Fairclough Graham
Published: January 2016

Spatial analysis has enjoyed a considerable vogue in archaeological studies over the past two decades, though usually applied in prehistoric contexts. The paper applies well tried techniques to the analysis of complex high-status medieval buildings and demonstrates their superiority in terms of data (especially when used in parallel) on social function and status over subjective analysis based on notions of symbolic or functional characterization.
Neolithic hunter-gatherers at Šventoji in Lithuania
Authors: Rimantiené Rimuté
Published: January 2016

The Šventoji site in western Lithuania is of considerable importance in understanding prehistoric settlement in the east Baltic area, not least because of the exceptional preservation conditions present. The data obtained show that prehistoric populations in the area were remarkably stable over a considerable period.
Raising the Stonehenge lintels in Czechoslovakia
Authors: Pavel Pavel
Published: January 2016

In the usual explanation, the lintels of Stonehenge were raised on a timber crib. A new, partial Concretehenge in Bohemia offers an alternative method.
Relationship of sodium intake with obesity among Korean children and adolescents: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Lee Soo-Kyung , Kim Mi Kyung
Published: January 2016

We investigated whether dietary and urinary Na is associated with adiposity in Korean children and adolescents (10–18 years), a population with a high salt intake. Study subjects were Korean children and adolescents who participated in the cross-sectional nationally representative Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2011). This study used measures of dietary (24-h dietary recall) and urinary Na (Na:creatinine ratio) and three methods to determine obesity (BMI, waist circumference (WC) and total body per cent fat (TBPF)). Higher Na intake was significantly associated with obesity, adjusting for the covariates. Subjects in the highest tertile of urinary Na excretion had a significantly higher OR for higher adiposity compared with those in the lowest tertile (multivariate-adjusted OR 3·13 (95 % CI 1·81, 5·50) for BMI, 2·15 (95 % CI 1·27, 3·66) for WC and 1·92 (95 % CI 1·29, 2·86) for TBPF, respectively). Na intake estimated by the 24-h recall method also showed significant association with adiposity (multivariate-adjusted OR 2·79 (95 % CI 1·66, 4·68) for BMI and 2·14 (95 % CI 1·25, 3·67) for WC, respectively). The significant associations between Na and adiposity remained significant after additionally adjusting for sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Our results revealed a significant positive association between urinary and dietary Na and adiposity in Korean children and adolescents, independent of SSB consumption.
Contested Sovereignty: Mapping Referendums on Sovereignty over Time and Space
Authors: Mendez Fernando , Germann Micha
Published: January 2016

The recent proliferation of referendums on sovereignty matters has fuelled growing scholarly interest. However, comparative research is hindered by the weaknesses of current compilations, which tend to suffer from conceptual vagueness, varied coding decisions, incomplete coverage and ad hoc categorizations. Based on an improved conceptualization and theory-driven typology, this article presents a new dataset of 602 sovereignty referendums from 1776–2012, more than double the number in existing lists. In an exploratory analysis, it uncovers eight distinctive clusters of sovereignty referendums and identifies patterns of activity over time and space as well as outcomes produced.
Income Inequities in Health Care Utilization among Adults Aged 50 and Older
Authors: Penning Margaret J. , Zheng Chi
Published: January 2016

L'accès équitable et l'utilisation des services de santé sont des objectifs primaires pour de nombreux systèmes de soins de santé, en particulier dans les pays dotés de systèmes universels financés par l'État. Malgré des incertitudes quant aux conséquences potentiellement défavorables de la politique de soins de santé et d'autres réformes dans les années 1990, il reste difficile de savoir si et comment les inégalités de revenus dans l'utilisation des services ont altérés ensuite. Cette étude portait sur l'impact du revenu sur l'utilisation des médecins et des hôpitaux de 1992 à 2002 chez les adultes âgés de 50 ans ou plus en la Colombie-Britannique. Ceux qui ont des revenus plus faibles ont été trouvés d'être moins susceptibles d'accéder aux médecins généralistes et les services de spécialistes, mais étaient plus susceptibles d'accéder aux services hospitaliers. Les disparités liées au revenu dans l'accès aux soins de médecins a augmenté au fil du temps, tandis que l'accès aux soins de l'hôpital a diminué. Le volume de soins de médécins géneralistes et des soins de l'hôpital étaient inversement proportionnelle au revenu; ces différences ont augmenté en ce qui concerne les services des MGs seulement. Les résultats de baisses dans l'accès aux soins à l'hôpital, accompagné par des disparités croissantes de revenus liés à l'accès aux services de médecins, montrent que les inégalités augmentent dans le système de soins de santé canadien.
EC–Seal Products: The Tension between Public Morals and International Trade Agreements
Authors: CONCONI PAOLA , VOON TANIA
Published: January 2016

The EC–Seal Products dispute raises fundamental questions about the relationship between public morals and international trade. Can WTO members impose trade restrictions based on moral or ethical concerns? Under what conditions can these concerns trump existing trade liberalization commitments? The dispute was filed in 2009 by Canada and Norway against the EU, which in the same year had banned seal products from being imported and placed on its market. According to the EU, the policy was introduced in response to European moral outrage at the inhumane killing of seals. The EU seal regime included a series of exceptions. In particular, it allowed imports of seal products hunted by Inuit or other indigenous communities, as well as imports of seal products processed and re-exported by EU producers. This article discusses the Appellate Body's ruling in EC–Seal Products and some of the key legal and economic issues raised by this dispute.
Methylation-dependent regulation of HIF-1α stability restricts retinal and tumour angiogenesis
Authors: Kim Yunho , Nam Hye Jin , Lee Junyeop , Park Do Young , Kim Chan , Yu Young Suk , Kim Dongha , Park Se Won , Bhin Jinhyuk , Hwang Daehee , Lee Ho , Koh Gou Young , Baek Sung Hee
Published: January 2016

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) mediates hypoxic responses and regulates gene expression involved in angiogenesis, invasion and metabolism. Among the various HIF-1α posttranslational modifications, HIF-1α methylation and its physiological role have not yet been elucidated. Here we show that HIF-1α is methylated by SET7/9 methyltransferase, and that lysine-specific demethylase 1 reverses its methylation. The functional consequence of HIF-1α methylation is the modulation of HIF-1α stability primarily in the nucleus, independent of its proline hydroxylation, during long-term hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Knock-in mice bearing a methylation-defective Hif1aKA/KA allele exhibit enhanced retinal angiogenesis and tumour vascularization via HIF-1α stabilization. Importantly, S28Y and R30Q mutations of HIF-1α, found in human cancers, are involved in the altered HIF-1α stability. Together, these results demonstrate a role for HIF-1α methylation in regulating protein stability, thereby modulating biological output including retinal and tumour angiogenesis, with therapeutic implications in human cancer.
Whole-genome sequencing expands diagnostic utility and improves clinical management in paediatric medicine
Authors: Stavropoulos Dimitri J , Merico Daniele , Jobling Rebekah , Bowdin Sarah , Monfared Nasim , Thiruvahindrapuram Bhooma , Nalpathamkalam Thomas , Pellecchia Giovanna , Yuen Ryan K C , Szego Michael J , Hayeems Robin Z , Shaul Randi Zlotnik , Brudno Michael , Girdea Marta , Frey Brendan , Alipanahi Babak , Ahmed Sohnee , Babul-Hirji Riyana , Porras Ramses Badilla , Carter Melissa T , Chad Lauren , Chaudhry Ayeshah , Chitayat David , Doust Soghra Jougheh , Cytrynbaum Cheryl , Dupuis Lucie , Ejaz Resham , Fishman Leona , Guerin Andrea , Hashemi Bita , Helal Mayada , Hewson Stacy , Inbar-Feigenberg Michal , Kannu Peter , Karp Natalya , Kim Raymond H , Kronick Jonathan , Liston Eriskay , MacDonald Heather , Mercimek-Mahmutoglu Saadet , Mendoza-Londono Roberto , Nasr Enas , Nimmo Graeme , Parkinson Nicole , Quercia Nada , Raiman Julian , Roifman Maian , Schulze Andreas , Shugar Andrea , Shuman Cheryl , Sinajon Pierre , Siriwardena Komudi , Weksberg Rosanna , Yoon Grace , Carew Chris , Erickson Raith , Leach Richard A , Klein Robert , Ray Peter N , Meyn M Stephen , Scherer Stephen W , Cohn Ronald D , Marshall Christian R
Published: January 2016

The standard of care for first-tier clinical investigation of the aetiology of congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders is chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) for copy-number variations (CNVs), often followed by gene(s)-specific sequencing searching for smaller insertion–deletions (indels) and single-nucleotide variant (SNV) mutations. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has the potential to capture all classes of genetic variation in one experiment; however, the diagnostic yield for mutation detection of WGS compared to CMA, and other tests, needs to be established. In a prospective study we utilised WGS and comprehensive medical annotation to assess 100 patients referred to a paediatric genetics service and compared the diagnostic yield versus standard genetic testing. WGS identified genetic variants meeting clinical diagnostic criteria in 34% of cases, representing a fourfold increase in diagnostic rate over CMA (8%; P value=1.42E−05) alone and more than twofold increase in CMA plus targeted gene sequencing (13%; P value=0.0009). WGS identified all rare clinically significant CNVs that were detected by CMA. In 26 patients, WGS revealed indel and missense mutations presenting in a dominant (63%) or a recessive (37%) manner. We found four subjects with mutations in at least two genes associated with distinct genetic disorders, including two cases harbouring a pathogenic CNV and SNV. When considering medically actionable secondary findings in addition to primary WGS findings, 38% of patients would benefit from genetic counselling. Clinical implementation of WGS as a primary test will provide a higher diagnostic yield than conventional genetic testing and potentially reduce the time required to reach a genetic diagnosis.
Variations in the buccal-lingual alveolar bone thickness of impacted mandibular third molar: our classification and treatment perspectives
Authors: Ge Jing , Zheng Jia-Wei , Yang Chi , Qian Wen-Tao
Published: January 2016

Selecting either buccal or lingual approach for the mandibular third molar surgical extraction has been an intense debate for years. The aim of this observational retrospective study was to classify the molar based on the proximity to the external cortical bone and analyze the position of inferior alveolar canal (IAC) of each type. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) data of 110 deeply impacted mandibular third molars from 91 consecutive patients were analyzed. A new classification based on the mean deduction value (MD) of buccal-lingual alveolar bone thickness was proposed: MD≥1 mm was classified as buccal position, 1 mm>MD>−1 mm was classified as central position, MD≤−1 mm was classified as lingual position. The study samples were distributed as: buccal position (1.8%) in 2 subjects, central position (10.9%) in 12 and lingual position (87.3%) in 96. Ninety-six molars (87.3%) contacted the IAC. The buccal and inferior IAC course were the most common types in impacted third molar, especially in lingually positioned ones. Our study suggested that amongst deeply impacted mandibular third molars, lingual position occupies the largest proportion, followed by the central and then the buccal type.
Cytokine levels contribute to the pathogenesis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma via STAT3 activation
Authors: Wu Hao , Li Ning , Jin Ronghua , Meng Qinghua , Chen Peng , Zhao Guoxian , Wang Rui , Li Li , Li Wei
Published: January 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients were grouped according to the degree of encephalopathy, with healthy volunteers as controls. We investigated clinical presentation, protein and mRNA expression of 14 cytokines and activation of six STAT proteins, the downstream signaling mediators. Levels of all 14 cytokines were significantly elevated in HCC patients with clinical hepatic encephalopathy. Statistical analysis showed that levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IFNγ, IL-17α, IFNλ2 and IFNλ3 were correlated with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Multivariate regression analysis identified serum IL-6, IFNλ3 and IL-17α as independent risk factors for MHE. Increased mRNA levels of IL-6 and IFNγ were associated with MHE. Among the STAT proteins examined, only STAT3 was elevated in MHE. Treatment with a STAT3 inhibitor protected neurons from cytokine-induced apoptosis in vitro. In conclusion, this study identified potential biomarkers for MHE in HCC. The cytokines investigated may induce neural apoptosis via STAT3 in the pathogenesis of MHE in HCC.
The Neurochemical and Microstructural Changes in the Brain of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: A Multimodal MRI Study
Authors: Zhang Zhiyan , Wang Yukai , Shen Zhiwei , Yang Zhongxian , Li Li , Chen Dongxiao , Yan Gen , Cheng Xiaofang , Shen Yuanyu , Tang Xiangyong , Hu Wei , Wu Renhua
Published: January 2016

The diagnosis and pathology of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) remains challenging. Herein, we used multimodal imaging to assess anatomical and functional changes in brains of SLE patients instead of a single MRI approach generally used in previous studies. Twenty-two NPSLE patients, 21 non-NPSLE patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs) underwent 3.0 T MRI with multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy, T1-weighted volumetric images for voxel based morphometry (VBM) and diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) scans. While there were findings in other basal ganglia regions, the most consistent findings were observed in the posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG). The reduction of multiple metabolite concentration was observed in the PCG in the two patient groups and the NPSLE patients were more prominent. The two patient groups displayed lower diffusional kurtosis (MK) values in the bilateral PCG compared with HCs (p < 0.01) as assessed by DKI. Grey matter reduction in the PCG was observed in the NPSLE group using VBM. Positive correlations among cognitive function scores and imaging metrics in bilateral PCG were detected. Multimodal imaging is useful for evaluating SLE subjects and potentially determining disease pathology. Impairments of cognitive function in SLE patients may be interpreted by metabolic and microstructural changes in the PCG.
Quantification of the Metabolic State in Cell-Model of Parkinson’s Disease by Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy
Authors: Chakraborty Sandeep , Nian Fang-Shin , Tsai Jin-Wu , Karmenyan Artashes , Chiou Arthur
Published: January 2016

Intracellular endogenous fluorescent co-enzymes, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), play a pivotal role in cellular metabolism; quantitative assessment of their presence in living cells can be exploited to monitor cellular energetics in Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder. Here, we applied two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (2P-FLIM) to noninvasively measure the fluorescence lifetime components of NADH and FAD and their relative contributions in MPP+(1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) treated neuronal cells, derived from PC12 cells treated with nerve growth factor (NGF), to mimic PD conditions. A systematic FLIM data analysis showed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) decrease in the fluorescence lifetime of both free and protein-bound NADH, as well as free and protein-bound FAD in MPP+treated cells. On the relative contributions of the free and protein-bound NADH and FAD to the life time, however, both the free NADH contribution and the corresponding protein-bound FAD contribution increase significantly (p < 0.001) in MPP+treated cells, compared to control cells. These results, which indicate a shift in energy production in the MPP+treated cells from oxidative phosphorylation towards anaerobic glycolysis, can potentially be used as cellular metabolic metrics to assess the condition of PD at the cellular level.
Synthesis of Large-Area WS2 monolayers with Exceptional Photoluminescence
Authors: McCreary Kathleen M. , Hanbicki Aubrey T. , Jernigan Glenn G. , Culbertson James C. , Jonker Berend T.
Published: January 2016

Monolayer WS2 offers great promise for use in optical devices due to its direct bandgap and high photoluminescence intensity. While fundamental investigations can be performed on exfoliated material, large-area and high quality materials are essential for implementation of technological applications. In this work, we synthesize monolayer WS2 under various controlled conditions and characterize the films using photoluminescence, Raman and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. We demonstrate that the introduction of hydrogen to the argon carrier gas dramatically improves the optical quality and increases the growth area of WS2, resulting in films exhibiting mm2 coverage. The addition of hydrogen more effectively reduces the WO3 precursor and protects against oxidative etching of the synthesized monolayers. The stoichiometric WS2 monolayers synthesized using Ar + H2 carrier gas exhibit superior optical characteristics, with photoluminescence emission full width half maximum (FWHM) values below 40 meV and emission intensities nearly an order of magnitude higher than films synthesized in a pure Ar environment.
Fractal density and singularity analysis of heat flow over ocean ridges
Authors: Qiuming Cheng
Published: January 2016

Peak heat flow occurs at mid-ocean ridges and decreases with the age of the oceanic lithosphere. Several plate models, including the Parsons and Sclater (PSM) model, Global Depth and Heat (GDH1) model and Constant Heat flow Applied on the Bottom Lithospheric Isotherm (CHABLIS) model, have been used to predict heat flow in the ocean lithosphere. The discrepancy between the predicted and measured heat flow in the younger lithosphere (i.e. younger than 55 Myr) influenced by local hydrothermal circulation has been used to estimate hydrothermal heat flux and investigate hydrothermal processes. We can modify the cooling models by substituting the ordinary mass density of lithosphere by fractal density with singularity. This new model provides a modified solution to fit the observed heat flow data used in other models in the literature throughout the age range. This model significantly improves the results for prediction of heat flow that were obtained using the PSM, GDH1 and CHABLIS models. Furthermore, the heat flow model does not exhibit special characteristics around any particular age of lithosphere. This raises a fundamental question about the existence of a “sealing” age and accordingly the hydrothermal flux estimation based on the cooling models.
Texture analysis in gel electrophoresis images using an integrative kernel-based approach
Authors: Fernandez-Lozano Carlos , Seoane Jose A. , Gestal Marcos , Gaunt Tom R. , Dorado Julian , Pazos Alejandro , Campbell Colin
Published: January 2016

Texture information could be used in proteomics to improve the quality of the image analysis of proteins separated on a gel. In order to evaluate the best technique to identify relevant textures, we use several different kernel-based machine learning techniques to classify proteins in 2-DE images into spot and noise. We evaluate the classification accuracy of each of these techniques with proteins extracted from ten 2-DE images of different types of tissues and different experimental conditions. We found that the best classification model was FSMKL, a data integration method using multiple kernel learning, which achieved AUROC values above 95% while using a reduced number of features. This technique allows us to increment the interpretability of the complex combinations of textures and to weight the importance of each particular feature in the final model. In particular the Inverse Difference Moment exhibited the highest discriminating power. A higher value can be associated with an homogeneous structure as this feature describes the homogeneity; the larger the value, the more symmetric. The final model is performed by the combination of different groups of textural features. Here we demonstrated the feasibility of combining different groups of textures in 2-DE image analysis for spot detection.
Sublethal Dosage of Imidacloprid Reduces the Microglomerular Density of Honey Bee Mushroom Bodies
Authors: Peng Yi-Chan , Yang En-Cheng
Published: January 2016

The dramatic loss of honey bees is a major concern worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that neonicotinoid insecticides cause behavioural abnormalities and have proven that exposure to sublethal doses of imidacloprid during the larval stage decreases the olfactory learning ability of adults. The present study shows the effect of sublethal doses of imidacloprid on the neural development of the honey bee brain by immunolabelling synaptic units in the calyces of mushroom bodies. We found that the density of the synaptic units in the region of the calyces, which are responsible for olfactory and visual functions, decreased after being exposed to a sublethal dose of imidacloprid. This not only links a decrease in olfactory learning ability to abnormal neural connectivity but also provides evidence that imidacloprid damages the development of the nervous system in regions responsible for both olfaction and vision during the larval stage of the honey bee.
Host-associated coral reef microbes respond to the cumulative pressures of ocean warming and ocean acidification
Authors: Webster N. S. , Negri A. P. , Botté E. S. , Laffy P. W. , Flores F. , Noonan S. , Schmidt C. , Uthicke S.
Published: January 2016

Key calcifying reef taxa are currently threatened by thermal stress associated with elevated sea surface temperatures (SST) and reduced calcification linked to ocean acidification (OA). Here we undertook an 8 week experimental exposure to near-future climate change conditions and explored the microbiome response of the corals Acropora millepora and Seriatopora hystrix, the crustose coralline algae Hydrolithon onkodes, the foraminifera Marginopora vertebralis and Heterostegina depressa and the sea urchin Echinometra sp. Microbial communities of all taxa were tolerant of elevated pCO2/reduced pH, exhibiting stable microbial communities between pH 8.1 (pCO2 479–499 μatm) and pH 7.9 (pCO2 738–835 μatm). In contrast, microbial communities of the CCA and foraminifera were sensitive to elevated seawater temperature, with a significant microbial shift involving loss of specific taxa and appearance of novel microbial groups occurring between 28 and 31 °C. An interactive effect between stressors was also identified, with distinct communities developing under different pCO2 conditions only evident at 31 °C. Microbiome analysis of key calcifying coral reef species under near-future climate conditions highlights the importance of assessing impacts from both increased SST and OA, as combinations of these global stressors can amplify microbial shifts which may have concomitant impacts for coral reef structure and function.
Crystal-Size Effects on Carbon Dioxide Capture of a Covalently Alkylamine-Tethered Metal-Organic Framework Constructed by a One-Step Self-Assembly
Authors: Kim Yun Kyeong , Hyun Sung-min , Lee Jae Hwa , Kim Tae Kyung , Moon Dohyun , Moon Hoi Ri
Published: January 2016

To enhance the carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), amine functionalization of their pore surfaces has been studied extensively. In general, amine-functionalized MOFs have been synthesized via post-synthetic modifications. Herein, we introduce a one-step construction of a MOF ([(NiLethylamine)(BPDC)] = MOFNH2; [NiLethylamine]2+ = [Ni(C12H32N8)]2+; BPDC2− = 4,4‘-biphenyldicarboxylate) possessing covalently tethered alkylamine groups without post-synthetic modification. Two-amine groups per metal centre were introduced by this method. MOFNH2 showed enhanced CO2 uptake at elevated temperatures, attributed to active chemical interactions between the amine groups and the CO2 molecules. Due to the narrow channels of MOFNH2, the accessibility to the channel of CO2 is the limiting factor in its sorption behaviour. In this context, only crystal size reduction of MOFNH2 led to much faster and greater CO2 uptake at low pressures.
Unveiling Spatial Epidemiology of HIV with Mobile Phone Data
Authors: Brdar Sanja , Gavrić Katarina , Ćulibrk Dubravko , Crnojević Vladimir
Published: January 2016

An increasing amount of geo-referenced mobile phone data enables the identification of behavioral patterns, habits and movements of people. With this data, we can extract the knowledge potentially useful for many applications including the one tackled in this study - understanding spatial variation of epidemics. We explored the datasets collected by a cell phone service provider and linked them to spatial HIV prevalence rates estimated from publicly available surveys. For that purpose, 224 features were extracted from mobility and connectivity traces and related to the level of HIV epidemic in 50 Ivory Coast departments. By means of regression models, we evaluated predictive ability of extracted features. Several models predicted HIV prevalence that are highly correlated (>0.7) with actual values. Through contribution analysis we identified key elements that correlate with the rate of infections and could serve as a proxy for epidemic monitoring. Our findings indicate that night connectivity and activity, spatial area covered by users and overall migrations are strongly linked to HIV. By visualizing the communication and mobility flows, we strived to explain the spatial structure of epidemics. We discovered that strong ties and hubs in communication and mobility align with HIV hot spots.
A graphene oxide/amidoxime hydrogel for enhanced uranium capture
Authors: Wang Feihong , Li Hongpeng , Liu Qi , Li Zhanshuang , Li Rumin , Zhang Hongsen , Liu Lianhe , Emelchenko G. A. , Wang Jun
Published: January 2016

The efficient development of selective materials for the recovery of uranium from nuclear waste and seawater is necessary for their potential application in nuclear fuel and the mitigation of nuclear pollution. In this work, a graphene oxide/amidoxime hydrogel (AGH) exhibits a promising adsorption performance for uranium from various aqueous solutions, including simulated seawater. We show high adsorption capacities (Qm = 398.4 mg g−1) and high % removals at ppm or ppb levels in aqueous solutions for uranium species. In the presence of high concentrations of competitive ions such as Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+ and Sr2+, AGH displays an enhanced selectivity for uranium. For low uranium concentrations in simulated seawater, AGH binds uranium efficiently and selectively. The results presented here reveal that the AGH is a potential adsorbent for remediating nuclear industrial effluent and adsorbing uranium from seawater.
Down regulated lncRNA MEG3 eliminates mycobacteria in macrophages via autophagy
Authors: Pawar Kamlesh , Hanisch Carlos , Palma Vera Sergio Eliseo , Einspanier Ralf , Sharbati Soroush
Published: January 2016

Small non-coding RNA play a major part in host response to bacterial agents. However, the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in this context remains unknown. LncRNA regulate gene expression by acting e.g. as transcriptional coactivators, RNA decoys or microRNA sponges. They control development, differentiation and cellular processes such as autophagy in disease conditions. Here, we provide an insight into the role of lncRNA in mycobacterial infections. Human macrophages were infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG and lncRNA expression was studied early post infection. For this purpose, lncRNA with known immune related functions were preselected and a lncRNA specific RT-qPCR protocol was established. In addition to expression-based prediction of lncRNA function, we assessed strategies for thorough normalisation of lncRNA. Arrayed quantification showed infection-dependent repression of several lncRNA including MEG3. Pathway analysis linked MEG3 to mTOR and PI3K-AKT signalling pointing to regulation of autophagy. Accordingly, IFN-γ induced autophagy in infected macrophages resulted in sustained MEG3 down regulation and lack of IFN-γ allowed for counter regulation of MEG3 by viable M. bovis BCG. Knockdown of MEG3 in macrophages resulted in induction of autophagy and enhanced eradication of intracellular M. bovis BCG.
Abnormally activated one-carbon metabolic pathway is associated with mtDNA hypermethylation and mitochondrial malfunction in the oocytes of polycystic gilt ovaries
Authors: Jia Longfei , Li Juan , He Bin , Jia Yimin , Niu Yingjie , Wang Chenfei , Zhao Ruqian
Published: January 2016

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and polycystic ovaries (PCO) usually produce oocytes of poor quality. However, the intracellular mechanism linking hyperhomocysteinemia and oocyte quality remains elusive. In this study, the quality of the oocytes isolated from healthy and polycystic gilt ovaries was evaluated in vitro in association with one-carbon metabolism, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation and mitochondrial function. PCO oocytes demonstrated impaired polar body extrusion and significantly decreased cleavage and blastocyst rates. The mitochondrial distribution was disrupted in PCO oocytes, together with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and deformed mitochondrial structure. The mtDNA copy number and the expression of mtDNA-encoded genes were significantly lower in PCO oocytes. Homocysteine concentration in follicular fluid was significantly higher in PCO group, which was associated with significantly up-regulated one-carbon metabolic enzymes betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) and the DNA methyltransferase DNMT1. Moreover, mtDNA sequences coding for 12S, 16S rRNA and ND4, as well as the D-loop region were significantly hypermethylated in PCO oocytes. These results indicate that an abnormal activation of one-carbon metabolism and hypermethylation of mtDNA may contribute, largely, to the mitochondrial malfunction and decreased quality of PCO-derived oocytes in gilts.
Electroreflectance imaging of gold–H3PO4 supercapacitors. Part I: experimental methodology
Authors: Maize Kerry , Kundu Arpan , Xiong Guoping , Saviers Kimberly , Fisher Timothy S. , Shakouri Ali
Published: January 2016

Electroreflectance microscopy is demonstrated as a high-resolution, non-contact method to image dynamic charge distribution in integrated microsupercapacitor structures during fast voltage cycling.
Non-invasive sensing for food reassurance
Authors: Xiaobo Zou , Xiaowei Huang , Povey Malcolm
Published: January 2016

The main food quality traits of interest using non-invasive sensing techniques are sensory characteristics, chemical composition, physicochemical properties, health-protecting properties, nutritional characteristics and safety. A wide range of non-invasive sensing techniques, from optical, acoustical, electrical, to nuclear magnetic, X-ray, biosensor, microwave and terahertz, are organized according to physical principle.
Integration of nanomaterials for colorimetric immunoassays with improved performance: a functional perspective
Authors: Zheng Wenshu , Jiang Xingyu
Published: January 2016

The boom of nanotechnology has yielded exciting developments in designing new kinds of colorimetric immunoassays.
Multivariate optimization, preconcentration and determination of mercury ions with (1-(p-acetyl phenyl)-3-(o-methyl benzoate)) triazene in aqueous samples using ICP-AES
Authors: Amiri Nayereh , Rofouei Mohammad K. , Ghasemi Jahan B.
Published: January 2016

Modified GO with a new triazene compound was used as an efficient adsorbent for preconcentration of Hg(ii) in water samples.
Ferrous ion regulated extracellular electron transfer: towards self-suppressed microbial iron(iii) oxide reduction
Authors: Yao Yonghua , Huang Xia
Published: January 2016

Here, by using an electrochemical strategy, we demonstrated that ferrous ions are capable of regulating the bacterial EET process in a certain potential range where the conduction-band edge of natural abundant iron(iii) oxides is located.
Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed sp2 C–H bond addition to CF3-substituted unsaturated ketones
Authors: Jiang Quanbin , Guo Tenglong , Wu Kaikai , Yu Zhengkun
Published: January 2016

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed conjugate addition of sp2 C–H bonds to β-trifluoromethyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones was efficiently achieved.
Subtle temperature-induced changes in small molecule conformer dynamics – observed and quantified by NOE spectroscopy
Authors: Jones C. R. , Greenhalgh M. D. , Bame J. R. , Simpson T. J. , Cox R. J. , Marshall J. W. , Butts C. P.
Published: January 2016

NOE–distance relationships are shown to be sufficiently accurate to monitor very small changes in conformer populations in response to temperature (<0.5%/10 °C) – in good agreement with Boltzmann-predictions.
Ultraviolet broadband light scattering for optically-trapped submicron-sized aerosol particles
Authors: David Grégory , Esat Kıvanç , Ritsch Irina , Signorell Ruth
Published: January 2016

A broadband light scattering experiment for the characterization of size and refractive index of single submicron-to-micron sized aerosol particles is presented.
The structures and properties of proton- and alkali-bound cysteine dimers
Authors: Ieritano Christian , Carr Patrick J. J. , Hasan Moaraj , Burt Michael , Marta Rick A. , Steinmetz Vincent , Fillion Eric , McMahon Terrance B. , Scott Hopkins W.
Published: January 2016

The proton-, lithium-, and sodium-bound cysteine dimers have been investigated in a joint computational and experimental infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) study.
Transport properties of hierarchical micro–mesoporous materials
Authors: Schneider Daniel , Mehlhorn Dirk , Zeigermann Philipp , Kärger Jörg , Valiullin Rustem
Published: January 2016

This work provides an overview of different experimental techniques of diffusion measurements in porous materials and discusses transport properties of several classes of hierarchically organized micro-mesoporous materials.
Engineering of a fungal nitrilase for improving catalytic activity and reducing by-product formation in the absence of structural information
Authors: Gong Jin-Song , Li Heng , Lu Zhen-Ming , Zhang Xiao-Juan , Zhang Qiang , Yu Jiang-Hong , Zhou Zhe-Min , Shi Jin-Song , Xu Zheng-Hong
Published: January 2016

Semi-rational engineering approach was employed to improve the catalytic activity and reduce the by-product formation of fungal nitrilase.
The role of potassium promoter in isobutanol synthesis over Zn–Cr based catalysts
Authors: Tian Shaopeng , Wang Sichen , Wu Yingquan , Gao Junwen , Wang Peng , Xie Hongjuan , Yang Guohui , Han Yizhuo , Tan Yisheng
Published: January 2016

The potassium promoter would tailor the microstructure of the Zn–Cr spinel and stabilize the surface hydroxyl species which greatly facilitate the formate of isobutanol.
Structure and reactivity with oxygen of Pr2NiO4+δ: an in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study
Authors: Broux Thibault , Prestipino Carmelo , Bahout Mona , Paofai Serge , Elkaïm Erik , Vibhu Vaibhav , Grenier Jean-Claude , Rougier Aline , Bassat Jean-Marc , Hernandez Olivier
Published: January 2016

The high temperature behaviour of the SOFC cathode material Pr2NiO4.22 was revisited in situ as function of O2 partial pressure.
Optical contrast and cycling of bistable luminescence properties in Rb2KIn(1−x)CexF6 compounds
Authors: Cornu Lucile , Gaudon Manuel , Toulemonde Olivier , Veber Philippe , Jubera Véronique
Published: January 2016

Irradiation cycling was performed to evaluate the ageing of the redox process observed on cerium-doped Rb2KInF6, which is associated to a nice “bluish-green/orange switch”.
Harnessing low energy photons (635 nm) for the production of H2O2 using upconversion nanohybrid photocatalysts
Authors: Kim Hyoung-il , Kwon Oh Seok , Kim Sujeong , Choi Wonyong , Kim Jae-Hong
Published: January 2016

This study demonstrates, for the first time in literature, in situ photocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through sensitized triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion (UC) of low-energy, sub-bandgap photons.
In vitro cell cytotoxicity profile and morphological response to polyoxometalate-stabilised gold nanoparticles
Authors: Gabas Isabel Maicas , Stepien Grazyna , Moros María , Mitchell Scott G. , de la Fuente Jesús M.
Published: January 2016

Polyoxometalate-stabilised gold nanoparticles internalise in vast quantities into kidney epithelial and skin melanoma cell lines causing antiproliferative action on tumoural cells.
Monitoring by in situ neutron diffraction of simultaneous dehydration and Ni2+ mobility in partially exchanged NaY zeolites
Authors: Porcher Florence , Paillaud Jean-Louis , Gaberova Lucia , André Gilles , Casale Sandra , Massiani Pascale
Published: January 2016

The incoherent signal in neutron diffraction patterns allows correlating in real time hydration–dehydration levels and structural changes in zeolites.
CsOH/γ-Al2O3: a heterogeneous reusable basic catalyst for one-pot synthesis of 2-amino-4,6-diaryl pyrimidines
Authors: Ramana Amey Nimkar, M. M. V. , Betkar Rahul , Ranade Prasanna , Mundhe Balaji
Published: January 2016

Pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized in one pot using a novel heterogeneous reusable catalyst, and complete characterization of catalyst was performed.
Azulenium chemistry: towards new derivatives of photochromic dihydroazulenes
Authors: Petersen Anne Ugleholdt , Jevric Martyn , Elm Jonas , Olsen Stine T. , Tortzen Christian G. , Kadziola Anders , Mikkelsen Kurt V. , Nielsen Mogens Brøndsted
Published: January 2016

The reactivity of azulenium salts, derived from photochromic dihydroazulenes (DHAs), towards a nucleophile is reported, and one regioisomer product is tautomerised into a new photochromic DHA that undergoes a ring-opening to a vinylheptafulvene (VHF).
Effects of hydroxyl group variations on a flavonoid backbone toward modulation of metal-free and metal-induced amyloid-β aggregation
Authors: Lee Hyuck Jin , Kerr Richard A. , Korshavn Kyle J. , Lee Jeeyeon , Kang Juhye , Ramamoorthy Ayyalusamy , Ruotolo Brandon T. , Lim Mi Hee
Published: January 2016

Structural variations of a flavonoid framework noticeably tune the interaction and reactivity of flavonoids with metals, Aβ, and metal–Aβ.
Thermal conductivity of monolayer MoS2, MoSe2, and WS2: interplay of mass effect, interatomic bonding and anharmonicity
Authors: Peng Bo , Zhang Hao , Shao Hezhu , Xu Yuchen , Zhang Xiangchao , Zhu Heyuan
Published: January 2016

Our work shows that the thermal conductivityκof MoS2is largest among the three materials (Fig. a and b) due to largest Debye temperature. WS2has stronger bonding (Fig. e) and lower anharmonicity (Fig. h), leading to a much largerκcompared to MoSe2.
Photoelectrochemical cell for unassisted overall solar water splitting using a BiVO4photoanode and Si nanoarray photocathode
Authors: Xu Pan , Feng Jianyong , Fang Tao , Zhao Xin , Li Zhaosheng , Zou Zhigang
Published: January 2016

Overall solar water splitting without external bias was demonstrated in this study using a photoelectrochemical tandem device of a BiVO4photoanode and Si nanoarray photocathode.
Pyoverdin mediated sunlight induced green synthesis of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Dane Prashant R. , Pawar Shraddha P. , Kankariya Raksha A. , Chaudhari Bhushan L.
Published: January 2016

The objective of this work was to check the ability of a siderophore, pyoverdin, a natural iron chelating compound of bacterial origin to produce silver nanoparticles (AgNps) under sunlight.