bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Features of borderline personality disorder as a mediator of the relation between childhood traumatic experiences and psychosis-like experiences in patients with mood disorder
Authors: Baryshnikov Ilya , Aaltonen Kari , Suvisaari Jaana , Koivisto Maaria , Heikkinen Martti , Joffe Grigori , Isometsä Erkki
Published: January 2018

Background

Psychosis-like experiences (PEs) are common in patients with non-psychotic disorders. Several factors predict reporting of PEs in mood disorders, including mood-associated cognitive biases, anxiety and features of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Childhood traumatic experiences (CEs), often reported by patients with BPD, are an important risk factor for mental disorders. We hypothesized that features of BPD may mediate the relationship between CEs and PEs. In this study, we investigated the relationships between self-reported PEs, CEs and features of BPD in patients with mood disorders.

Methods

As part of the Helsinki University Psychiatric Consortium study, McLean Screening Instrument (MSI), Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-42) and Trauma and Distress Scale (TADS) were filled in by patients with mood disorders (n = 282) in psychiatric care. Correlation coefficients between total scores of scales and their dimensions were estimated, multiple regression and mediation analyses were conducted.

Results

Total scores of MSI correlated strongly with scores of the CAPE-42 dimension “frequency of positive symptoms” (rho = 0.56; p ≤ 0.001) and moderately with scores of TADS (rho = 0.4; p ≤ 0.001). Total score of MSI and its dimension “cognitive symptoms”, including identity disturbance, distrustfulness and dissociative symptoms, fully mediated the relation between TADS and CAPE-42. Each cognitive symptom showed a partial mediating role (dissociative symptoms 43% (CI = 25–74%); identity disturbance 40% (CI = 30-73%); distrustfulness 18% (CI = 12-50%)).

Conclusions

Self-reported cognitive-perceptual symptoms of BPD fully mediate, while affective, behavioural and interpersonal symptoms only partially mediate the relationships between CEs and PEs. Recognition of co-morbid features of BPD in patients with mood disorders reporting PEs is essential.
How to conduct implementation trials and multicentre studies in the emergency department
Authors: Stiell Ian G. , Perry Jeffrey J. , Brehaut Jamie , Brown Erica , Curran Janet A. , Emond Marcel , Hohl Corinne , Taljaard Monica , McRae Andrew D.
Published: January 2018

Objective

The objective of Panel 2b was to present an overview of and recommendations for the conduct of implementation trials and multicentre studies in emergency medicine.

Methods

Panel members engaged methodologists to discuss the design and conduct of implementation and multicentre studies. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with 37 Canadian adult and pediatric emergency medicine researchers to elicit barriers and facilitators to conducting these kinds of studies.

Results

Responses were organized by themes, and, based on these responses, recommendations were developed and refined in an iterative fashion by panel members.

Conclusions

We offer eight recommendations to facilitate multicentre clinical and implementation studies, along with guidance for conducting implementation research in the emergency department. Recommendations for multicentre studies reflect the importance of local study investigators and champions, requirements for research infrastructure and staffing, and the cooperation and communication between the coordinating centre and participating sites.
Comparison of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology Versus Standard Practice in Identification of Hazards at a Mass Casualty Incident Scenario by Primary Care Paramedic Students
Authors: Jain Trevor , Sibley Aaron , Stryhn Henrik , Hubloue Ives
Published: January 2018

Introduction

The proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) has the potential to change the situational awareness of incident commanders allowing greater scene safety. The aim of this study was to compare UAV technology to standard practice (SP) in hazard identification during a simulated multi-vehicle motor collision (MVC) in terms of time to identification, accuracy and the order of hazard identification.

Methods

A prospective observational cohort study was conducted with 21 students randomized into UAV or SP group, based on a MVC with 7 hazards. The UAV group remained at the UAV ground station while the SP group approached the scene. After identifying hazards the time and order was recorded.

Results

The mean time (SD, range) to identify the hazards were 3 minutes 41 seconds (1 minute 37 seconds, 1 minute 48 seconds-6 minutes 51 seconds) and 2 minutes 43 seconds (55 seconds, 1 minute 43 seconds-4 minutes 38 seconds) in UAV and SP groups corresponding to a mean difference of 58 seconds (P=0.11). A non-parametric permutation test showed a significant (P=0.04) difference in identification order.

Conclusion

Both groups had 100% accuracy in hazard identification with no statistical difference in time for hazard identification. A difference was found in the identification order of hazards. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:631–634)
The Influence of Flyer Momentum on an Aluminium Plate’s Response to Underwater Shock Loading
Authors: He X. , Rong J. L. , Xiang D. L. , Wei H. Y. , Hu C. H. , Wang X.
Published: January 2018

An underwater shock loading experimental device is used to simulate underwater explosion shock waves. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of flyer momentum on the response of an aluminium plate to this underwater shock loading experimental device. The simulation accuracy can be verified by comparing theoretical data with the simulation and experimental results. Through simulations, an aluminium plate’s deformation and pressure specific impulse can be determined when flyers impact the piston at different velocities but at the same momentum. The aluminium plate's deformation and pressure specific impulse are constant when the flyers had constant momentum because both are directly proportional to the flyer momentum. The results have an important practical value for understanding and using this type of experimental device.
QUADRILATERAL-TREE PLANAR RAMSEY NUMBERS
Authors: HU XIAOLAN , ZHANG YUNQING , ZHANG YANBO
Published: January 2018

For two given graphs $G_{1}$ and $G_{2}$, the planar Ramsey number $PR(G_{1},G_{2})$ is the smallest integer $N$ such that every planar graph $G$ on $N$ vertices either contains $G_{1}$, or its complement contains $G_{2}$. Let $C_{4}$ be a quadrilateral, $T_{n}$ a tree of order $n\geq 3$ with maximum degree $k$, and $K_{1,k}$ a star of order $k+1$. We show that $PR(C_{4},T_{n})=\max \{n+1,PR(C_{4},K_{1,k})\}$. Combining this with a result of Chen et al. [‘All quadrilateral-wheel planar Ramsey numbers’, Graphs Combin.33 (2017), 335–346] yields exact values of all the quadrilateral-tree planar Ramsey numbers.
Sickness absence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of psychological treatments for individuals on sick leave due to common mental disorders
Authors: Salomonsson Sigrid , Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Öst Lars-Göran
Published: January 2018

Sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs) increase rapidly and present a major societal challenge. The overall effect of psychological interventions to reduce sick leave and symptoms has not been sufficiently investigated and there is a need for a systematic review and meta-analysis of the field. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to calculate the effect size of psychological interventions for CMDs on sick leave and psychiatric symptoms based on all published randomized controlled trials. Methodological quality, the risk of bias and publication bias were also assessed. The literature searches gave 2240 hits and 45 studies were included. The psychological interventions were more effective than care as usual on both reduced sick leave (g = 0.15) and symptoms (g = 0.21). There was no significant difference in effect between work focused interventions, problem-solving therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy or collaborative care. We conclude that psychological interventions are more effective than care as usual to reduce sick leave and symptoms but the effect sizes are small. More research is needed on psychological interventions that evaluate effects on sick leave. Consensual measures of sick leave should be established and quality of psychotherapy for patients on sick leave should be improved.
Legacy base metal slags can generate toxic leachates
Authors: Awoniran Adijat T. , Ketheson Annelly , Piazolo Sandra , Gore Damian B.
Published: January 2018

Slags sourced from a derelict zinc–lead–copper–silver–tungsten mine were examined for their bulk elemental composition and mineralogy. pH, oxidation–reduction potential, and the leachability of selected elements (sulphur, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, and lead) were assessed during a 130-day deionised water extraction conducted under oxic conditions. Slags were rich in silicon, iron, copper, zinc, and lead, hosted within minerals including quartz (SiO2), goethite [FeO(OH)], augite [Ca(Mg,AI,Fe)Si2O6], and lead (Pb0). Leachates from the slags increased in analyte concentration throughout the 130-day experiment, with iron, copper, zinc, and lead attaining >5 mg l−1 in some samples. These findings indicate that this pyrometallurgical waste should not be considered environmentally inert, as leachates emanating from them in the field might pose a significant risk to the environment.
The Gender Balance Assessment Tool (GBAT): A Web-Based Tool for Estimating Gender Balance in Syllabi and Bibliographies
Authors: Sumner Jane Lawrence
Published: January 2018

This article introduces a web-based tool that scholars can use to assess the gender balance of their syllabi and bibliographies. The citation gap in political science is described briefly as well as why under-citing women relative to men is a problem that should be addressed by the field. The Gender Balance Assessment Tool (GBAT) is presented as a way to make assessing gender balance easier with the aim of remedying the gender gap. This is followed by an outline that explains in nontechnical terms how the tool identifies author names and then predicts their gender to produce a single document-level percentage of women authors. Finally, best practices for diversity in syllabi and bibliographies are discussed, and various public sources that can be used to find scholarly work by women, as well as scholars of color, are listed.
MONETARY THEORY AND CAMERALIST ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT, C. 1500–1900 A.D.
Authors: Rössner Philipp Robinson
Published: January 2018

More than England and other states, the German principalities were, in the pre-industrial period, hampered by silver outflow and persistent pressures on the balance of payments, which led to idiosyncratic models and strategies of economic development usually but not entirely helpfully called “Cameralism.” It is less well understood how Cameralism, as a policy of order and development, and monetary theory went together. The present paper will sketch these working mechanisms as well as provide a few angles for new perspectives and future research. A first section after the brief introduction studies general issues of development in relation to balance-of-payment constraints (II), followed by the discourses on whether the domestic currency ought to remain stable in terms of intrinsic (silver) value (III), or whether it may be debased so as to raise domestic exports and competitiveness (IV). Both options were considered, at times and by varying actors, as valid strategies of promoting economic development, especially export-led growth, although most contemporaries viewed coin debasement as harmful to the economy. A fifth section discusses an alternative to the aforementioned strategies, that of raising effective monetary mass through increasing velocity. Since the Middle Ages and into the nineteenth century, the German economic tradition had a clear understanding of how velocity could be managed and the common weal stimulated by an increase in “vivacity” of circulation (V). In hindsight, it appears that we find here a powerful program towards promoting economic development and Europe’s rise towards capitalism. A conclusion will offer some thoughts for further research (VI).
On the ‘Innovative University’. A few Challenging Reflections
Authors: De Groof Jan
Published: January 2018

‘Progress is shaped by the ability to question, to criticize and to enquire. Ensuring progress is one of the responsibilities of Academia’. Could there be any future for non-conformist, heterodox, non-marketable knowledge, next to transforming truth value into the market truth value of knowledge, as was the tendency over the last decades? And what will be its impact upon criteria of excellence? The enjoyment of academic freedom requires the autonomy of the university. European countries have witnessed exciting developments in achieving a common space of convergence in higher education and research. But to encourage creativity there is definitely a need for more differentiation among universities, rather than uniformity. Autonomy is that degree of self-governance necessary for effective decision-making by universities in relation to their academic profile, work and standards. However, self-governance must be consistent with systems of public accountability. Universities must show that they are responding to the needs of society and they must perform according to standards of excellence and creativity in teaching and research. However, the balance, if there is any, has to be questioned. Should a shift of the role of the State be envisaged and should different types of governance be developed in order to counter the statement that academic freedom of higher education staff has decreased? Does a new relationship between government and university require the establishment of a modest set of ‘principles of good governance’ to reduce the overdetailed university regulations? And how to ensure that the search for creativity will also strengthen academic integrity? These questions are decisive for the future mission of the University.
FIRMS' ENDOGENOUS ENTRY AND MONOPOLISTIC BANKING IN A DSGE MODEL
Authors: La Croce Carla , Rossi Lorenza
Published: January 2018

We consider a DSGE model with monopolistically competitive banks together with endogenous firms' entry. We find that our model implies higher volatilities of both real and financial variables than those implied by a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model with a monopolistic banking sector and a fixed number of firms. The response of the economic activity is also more persistent in response to all shocks. Furthermore, we show that inefficient banks enhance the endogenous propagation of the shocks with respect to a model where banks compete under perfect competition and can fully ensure against the risk of firms' default.
WHY IS OPTIMAL GROWTH THEORY MUTE? RESTORING ITS RIGHTFUL VOICE
Authors: de La Grandville Olivier
Published: January 2018

Optimal growth theory as it stands today does not work. Using strictly concave utility functions systematically inflicts on the economy distortions that are either historically unobserved or unacceptable by society. Moreover, we show that the traditional approach is incompatible with competitive equilibrium: Any economy initially in such equilibrium will always veer away into unwanted trajectories if its investment is planned using a concave utility function. We then propose a rule for the optimal savings-investment rate based on competitive equilibrium that simultaneously generates three intertemporal optima for society. The rule always leads to reasonable time paths for all central economic variables, even under very different hypotheses about the future evolution of population and technical progress.
The need to support caregivers during pediatric bone marrow transplantation (BMT): A case report
Authors: Mangurian Christina , Packman Wendy , Riano Nicholas S. , Kearney Julia
Published: January 2018

Objective:

Pediatric bone marrow transplants represent a medically stressful, potentially traumatic experience for children and caregivers, and psychological support for parental caregivers is paramount to their long-term well-being. However, many medical centers do not have protocols in place to sustain caregiver well-being during these distressing experiences.

Method:

We report on a case of a 10-month-old infant with Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome who was hospitalized for bone marrow transplantation.

Result:

We describe the significant burden that fell upon caregivers during and after a bone marrow transplantation.

Significance of results:

This case helped guide our suggestions to improve care for caregivers. Several logistical hurdles could be overcome to alleviate some of these burdens. We suggest that a child psychologist or psychiatrist should be on patient care teams and be attentive to parental stress, impairments, or impediments to self-care, and signs of emergency of mental illness in this setting of medical trauma. Additionally, promotion of sleep hygiene and linkage to support systems can maximize resiliency. Finally, we believe that hospital administrators should partner with clinicians to facilitate routine support during highly stressful transitions of care.
Sounding Rockets Probe the Northern Lights Above Norway
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: January 2018

Scientists measure how the aurora affects winds in the upper atmosphere.
External validation of risk prediction models for incident colorectal cancer using UK Biobank
Authors: Usher-Smith J A , Harshfield A , Saunders C L , Sharp S J , Emery J , Walter F M , Muir K , Griffin S J
Published: January 2018

Background:

This study aimed to compare and externally validate risk scores developed to predict incident colorectal cancer (CRC) that include variables routinely available or easily obtainable via self-completed questionnaire.

Methods:

External validation of fourteen risk models from a previous systematic review in 373 112 men and women within the UK Biobank cohort with 5-year follow-up, no prior history of CRC and data for incidence of CRC through linkage to national cancer registries.

Results:

There were 1719 (0.46%) cases of incident CRC. The performance of the risk models varied substantially. In men, the QCancer10 model and models by Tao, Driver and Ma all had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) between 0.67 and 0.70. Discrimination was lower in women: the QCancer10, Wells, Tao, Guesmi and Ma models were the best performing with AUCs between 0.63 and 0.66. Assessment of calibration was possible for six models in men and women. All would require country-specific recalibration if estimates of absolute risks were to be given to individuals.

Conclusions:

Several risk models based on easily obtainable data have relatively good discrimination in a UK population. Modelling studies are now required to estimate the potential health benefits and cost-effectiveness of implementing stratified risk-based CRC screening.
The axolotl genome and the evolution of key tissue formation regulators
Authors: Nowoshilow Sergej , Schloissnig Siegfried , Fei Ji-Feng , Dahl Andreas , Pang Andy W. C. , Pippel Martin , Winkler Sylke , Hastie Alex R. , Young George , Roscito Juliana G. , Falcon Francisco , Knapp Dunja , Powell Sean , Cruz Alfredo , Cao Han , Habermann Bianca , Hiller Michael , Tanaka Elly M. , Myers Eugene W.
Published: January 2018

Salamanders serve as important tetrapod models for developmental, regeneration and evolutionary studies. An extensive molecular toolkit makes the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) a key representative salamander for molecular investigations. Here we report the sequencing and assembly of the 32-gigabase-pair axolotl genome using an approach that combined long-read sequencing, optical mapping and development of a new genome assembler (MARVEL). We observed a size expansion of introns and intergenic regions, largely attributable to multiplication of long terminal repeat retroelements. We provide evidence that intron size in developmental genes is under constraint and that species-restricted genes may contribute to limb regeneration. The axolotl genome assembly does not contain the essential developmental genePax3. However, mutation of the axolotlPax3paraloguePax7resulted in an axolotl phenotype that was similar to those seen inPax3−/−andPax7−/−mutant mice. The axolotl genome provides a rich biological resource for developmental and evolutionary studies.
Elucidation of the origin of chiral amplification in discrete molecular polyhedra
Authors: Wang Yu , Fang Hongxun , Tranca Ionut , Qu Hang , Wang Xinchang , Markvoort Albert J. , Tian Zhongqun , Cao Xiaoyu
Published: January 2018

Chiral amplification in molecular self-assembly has profound impact on the recognition and separation of chiroptical materials, biomolecules, and pharmaceuticals. An understanding of how to control this phenomenon is nonetheless restricted by the structural complexity in multicomponent self-assembling systems. Here, we create chiral octahedra incorporating a combination of chiral and achiral vertices and show that their discrete nature makes these octahedra an ideal platform for in-depth investigation of chiral transfer. Through the construction of dynamic combinatorial libraries, the unique possibility to separate and characterise each individual assembly type, density functional theory calculations, and a theoretical equilibrium model, we elucidate that a single chiral unit suffices to control all other units in an octahedron and how this local amplification combined with the distribution of distinct assembly types culminates in the observed overall chiral amplification in the system. Our combined experimental and theoretical strategy can be applied generally to quantify discrete multi-component self-assembling systems.
Excitation of epsilon-near-zero resonance in ultra-thin indium tin oxide shell embedded nanostructured optical fiber
Authors: Minn Khant , Anopchenko Aleksei , Yang Jingyi , Lee Ho Wai Howard
Published: January 2018

We report a novel optical waveguide design of a hollow step index fiber modified with a thin layer of indium tin oxide (ITO). We show an excitation of highly confined waveguide mode in the proposed fiber near the wavelength where permittivity of ITO approaches zero. Due to the high field confinement within thin ITO shell inside the fiber, the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) mode can be characterized by a peak in modal loss of the hybrid waveguide. Our results show that such in-fiber excitation of ENZ mode is due to the coupling of the guided core mode to the thin-film ENZ mode. We also show that the phase matching wavelength, where the coupling takes place, varies depending on the refractive index of the constituents inside the central bore of the fiber. These ENZ nanostructured optical fibers have many potential applications, for example, in ENZ nonlinear and magneto-optics, as in-fiber wavelength-dependent filters, and as subwavelength fluid channel for optical and bio-photonic sensing.
Full-Stokes polarization imaging method based on the self-organized grating array in fused silica
Authors: Xu Canhua , Ke Chaozhen , Ma Jing , Huang Yantang , Zeng Zhiping
Published: January 2018

A full-Stokes polarization imaging method based on the self-organized grating array was presented. By focusing the ultra-fast laser with moderate fluence into fused silica, the self-organized grating array was fabricated, featuring the optical properties similar to wave plates. A set of four independent polarization measurements were simultaneously acquired with designed grating array mounted in the focal plane of an imaging detector. Experimental results including the device fabrication, calibration and optimization were presented. Finally, a principle verification experiment was implemented for our polarization imaging method.
Conformation of methylated GGQ in the Peptidyl Transferase Center during Translation Termination
Authors: Zeng Fuxing , Jin Hong
Published: January 2018

The universally conserved Gly-Gly-Gln (GGQ) tripeptide in release factors or release factor-like surveillance proteins is required to catalyze the release of nascent peptide in the ribosome. The glutamine of the GGQ is methylated post-translationally at the N5 position in vivo; this covalent modification is essential for optimal cell growth and efficient translation termination. However, the precise conformation of the methylated-GGQ tripeptide in the ribosome remains unknown. Using cryoEM and X-ray crystallography, we report the conformation of methylated-GGQ in the peptidyl transferase center of the ribosome during canonical translational termination and co-translation quality control. It has been suggested that the GGQ motif arose independently through convergent evolution among otherwise unrelated proteins that catalyze peptide release. The requirement for this tripeptide in the highly conserved peptidyl transferase center suggests that the conformation reported here is likely shared during termination of protein synthesis in all domains of life.
Human Neurospheroid Arrays for In Vitro Studies of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Jorfi Mehdi , D’Avanzo Carla , Tanzi Rudolph E. , Kim Doo Yeon , Irimia Daniel
Published: January 2018

Neurospheroids are commonly used for in vitro disease modeling and drug screening. However, the heterogeneity in size of the neurospheroids mixtures available through current methods limits their utility when employed for basic mechanistic studies of neurodegenerative diseases or screening for new interventions. Here, we generate neurospheroids from immortalized neural progenitor cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells that are uniform in size, into large-scale arrays. In proof of concept experiments, we validate the neurospheroids array as a sensitive and robust tool for screening compounds over extended time. We show that when suspended in three-dimensional extracellular matrix up to several weeks, the stem cell-derived neurospheroids display extensive neurite outgrowth and extend thick bundles of dendrites outward. We also cultivate genetically-engineered stem cell-derived neurospheroids with familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations for eight weeks in our microarray system. Interestingly, we observed robust accumulation of amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau, key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Overall, our in vitro model for engineering neurospheroid arrays is a valuable tool for studying complex neurodegenerative diseases and accelerating drug discovery.
Interaction of genotype and diet on small intestine microbiota of Japanese quail fed a cholesterol enriched diet
Authors: Liu Shasha , Tun Hein Min , Leung Frederick C. , Bennett Darin C. , Zhang Hongfu , Cheng Kimberly M.
Published: January 2018

Our previous study has shown that genetic selection for susceptibility/resistance to diet-induced atherosclerosis has affected the Japanese quail’s cecal environment to accommodate distinctly different cecal microbiota. In this study, we fed the Atherosclerosis-resistant (RES) and -susceptable (SUS) quail a regular and a cholesterol enriched diet to examine the interaction of host genotype and diet on the diversity, composition, and metabolic functions of the duodenal and ileal microbiota with relations to atherosclerosis development. In the duodenal content, 9 OTUs (operational taxonomic units) were identified whose abundance had significant positive correlations with plasma total cholesterol, LDL level and/or LDL/HDL ratio. In the ileal content, 7 OTUs have significant correlation with plasma HDL. Cholesterol fed RES hosted significantly less Escherichia and unclassified Enterobacteriaceae (possibly pathogenic) in their duodenum than SUS fed the same diet. Dietary cholesterol significantly decreased the duodenal microbiome of SUS’s biosynthesis of Ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone. Cholesterol fed RES had significantly more microbiome genes for Vitamin B6, selenocompound, taurine and hypotaurine, and Linoleic acid metabolism; Bisphenol degradation; primary bile acid, and butirosin and neomycin biosynthesis than SUS on the same diet. Microbiome in the ileum and ceca of RES contributed significantly towards the resistance to diet induced atherosclerosis.
The FGFR4-388arg Variant Promotes Lung Cancer Progression by N-Cadherin Induction
Authors: Quintanal-Villalonga Álvaro , Ojeda-Márquez Laura , Marrugal Ángela , Yagüe Patricia , Ponce-Aix Santiago , Salinas Ana , Carnero Amancio , Ferrer Irene , Molina-Pinelo Sonia , Paz-Ares Luis
Published: January 2018

The FGFR4-388Arg variant has been related to poor prognosis in several types of cancer, including lung cancer. The mechanism underlying this association has not been addressed in detail in patients with this pathology. Here, we report that this FGFR4 variant induces MAPK and STAT3 activation and causes pro-oncogenic effects in NSCLC in vitro and in vivo. This variant induces the expression of EMT-related genes, such as N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail1 and Twist1. Indeed, the induction of N-cadherin protein expression by this variant is essential for its pro-tumorigenic role. The presence of the FGFR4-388Arg variant correlates with higher N-cadherin expression levels in clinical NSCLC samples and with poorer outcome in patients with FGFR expression. These results support the prognostic role of this FGFR variant in lung cancer and show that these effects may be mediated by the induction of N-cadherin expression and an EMT phenotype.
A Novel Mitochondrial Serine O-Acetyltransferase, OpSAT1, Plays a Critical Role in Sulfur Metabolism in the Thermotolerant Methylotrophic Yeast Ogataea parapolymorpha
Authors: Yeon Ji Yoon , Yoo Su Jin , Takagi Hiroshi , Kang Hyun Ah
Published: January 2018

In most bacteria and plants, direct biosynthesis of cysteine from sulfide via O-acetylserine (OAS) is essential to produce sulfur amino acids from inorganic sulfur. Here, we report the functional analysis of a novel mitochondrial serine O-acetyltransferase (SAT), responsible for converting serine into OAS, in the thermotolerant methylotrophic yeast Ogataea parapolymorpha. Domain analysis of O. parapolymorpha SAT (OpSat1p) and other fungal SATs revealed that these proteins possess a mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) at the N-terminus and an α/β hydrolase 1 domain at the C-terminal region, which is quite different from the classical SATs of bacteria and plants. Noticeably, OpSat1p is functionally interchangeable with Escherichia coli SAT, CysE, despite that it displays much less enzymatic activity, with marginal feedback inhibition by cysteine, compared to CysE. The Opsat1Δ-null mutant showed remarkably reduced intracellular levels of cysteine and glutathione, implying OAS generation defect. The MTS of OpSat1p directs the mitochondrial targeting of a reporter protein, thus, supporting the localization of OpSat1p in the mitochondria. Intriguingly, the OpSat1p variant lacking MTS restores the OAS auxotrophy, but not the cysteine auxotrophy of the Opsat1Δ mutant strain. This is the first study on a mitochondrial SAT with critical function in sulfur assimilatory metabolism in fungal species.
Reduced arctic tundra productivity linked with landform and climate change interactions
Authors: Lara Mark J. , Nitze Ingmar , Grosse Guido , Martin Philip , McGuire A. David
Published: January 2018

Arctic tundra ecosystems have experienced unprecedented change associated with climate warming over recent decades. Across the Pan-Arctic, vegetation productivity and surface greenness have trended positively over the period of satellite observation. However, since 2011 these trends have slowed considerably, showing signs of browning in many regions. It is unclear what factors are driving this change and which regions/landforms will be most sensitive to future browning. Here we provide evidence linking decadal patterns in arctic greening and browning with regional climate change and local permafrost-driven landscape heterogeneity. We analyzed the spatial variability of decadal-scale trends in surface greenness across the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska (~60,000 km²) using the Landsat archive (1999–2014), in combination with novel 30 m classifications of polygonal tundra and regional watersheds, finding landscape heterogeneity and regional climate change to be the most important factors controlling historical greenness trends. Browning was linked to increased temperature and precipitation, with the exception of young landforms (developed following lake drainage), which will likely continue to green. Spatiotemporal model forecasting suggests carbon uptake potential to be reduced in response to warmer and/or wetter climatic conditions, potentially increasing the net loss of carbon to the atmosphere, at a greater degree than previously expected.
Synthesis of a multifunctional hard monomer from rosin: the relationship of allyl structure in maleopimarate and UV-curing property
Authors: Lu Yanju , Zhao Zhendong , Bi Liangwu , Chen Yuxiang , Wang Jing , Xu Shichao
Published: January 2018

Rosin is an important forestry resource with a specific three-membered phenanthrene ring structure, which can improve the mechanical resistance of polymer coatings. In this paper, a high purity rosin monomer, tri-allyl maleopimarate containing three allyl groups has been synthesized. The yield of the monomer product was 93.2% with the purity of 96.1%. The structure of the synthesized monomer was characterized through gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (MS), hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C NMR) and elemental analysis. Additionally, we present new experimental results regarding the polymerization reaction under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The cured film of tri-allyl maleopimarate exhibited good mechanical properties. The films were also characterized through thermogravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses and a mechanism for polymerization was proposed. Overall, a facile catalytic process for the valorization of rosin in the field of UV polymerization is reported.
Effect of tube current on computed tomography radiomic features
Authors: Mackin Dennis , Ger Rachel , Dodge Cristina , Fave Xenia , Chi Pai-Chun , Zhang Lifei , Yang Jinzhong , Bache Steve , Dodge Charles , Jones A. Kyle , Court Laurence
Published: January 2018

Variability in the x-ray tube current used in computed tomography may affect quantitative features extracted from the images. To investigate these effects, we scanned the Credence Cartridge Radiomics phantom 12 times, varying the tube current from 25 to 300 mA∙s while keeping the other acquisition parameters constant. For each of the scans, we extracted 48 radiomic features from the categories of intensity histogram (n = 10), gray-level run length matrix (n = 11), gray-level co-occurrence matrix (n = 22), and neighborhood gray tone difference matrix (n = 5). To gauge the size of the tube current effects, we scaled the features by the coefficient of variation of the corresponding features extracted from images of non-small cell lung cancer tumors. Variations in the tube current had more effect on features extracted from homogeneous materials (acrylic, sycamore wood) than from materials with more tissue-like textures (cork, rubber particles). Thirty-eight of the 48 features extracted from acrylic were affected by current reductions compared with only 2 of the 48 features extracted from rubber particles. These results indicate that variable x-ray tube current is unlikely to have a large effect on radiomic features extracted from computed tomography images of textured objects such as tumors.
3D Printed Auxetic Mechanical Metamaterial with Chiral Cells and Re-entrant Cores
Authors: Jiang Yunyao , Li Yaning
Published: January 2018

By combining the two basic deformation mechanisms for auxetic open-cell metamaterials, re-entrant angle and chirality, new hybrid chiral mechanical metamaterials are designed and fabricated via a multi-material 3D printer. Results from mechanical experiments on the 3D printed prototypes and systematic Finite Element (FE) simulations show that the new designs can achieve subsequential cell-opening mechanism under a very large range of overall strains (2.91%–52.6%). Also, the effective stiffness, the Poisson’s ratio and the cell-opening rate of the new designs can be tuned in a wide range by tailoring the two independent geometric parameters: the cell size ratio$${{\boldsymbol{c}}}_{{\bf{0}}}{\boldsymbol{/}}{{\boldsymbol{b}}}_{{\bf{0}}}$$c0/b0, and re-entrant angleθ. As an example application, a sequential particle release mechanism of the new designs was also systematically explored. This mechanism has potential application in drug delivery. The present new design concepts can be used to develop new multi-functional smart composites, sensors and/or actuators which are responsive to external load and/or environmental conditions.
Quasi-periodic concave microlens array for liquid refractive index sensing fabricated by femtosecond laser assisted with chemical etching
Authors: Zhang F. , Wang C. , Yin K. , Dong X. R. , Song Y. X. , Tian Y. X. , Duan J. A.
Published: January 2018

In this study, a high-efficiency single-pulsed femtosecond laser assisted with chemical wet etching method has been proposed to obtain large-area concave microlens array (MLA). The quasi-periodic MLA consisting of about two million microlenses with tunable diameter and sag height by adjusting laser scanning speed and etching time is uniformly manufactured on fused silica and sapphire within 30 minutes. Moreover, the fabricated MLA behaves excellent optical focusing and imaging performance, which could be used to sense the change of the liquid refractive index (RI). In addition, it is demonstrated that small period and high RI of MLA could acquire high sensitivity and broad dynamic measurement range, respectively. Furthermore, the theoretical diffraction efficiency is calculated by the finite domain time difference (FDTD) method, which is in good agreement with the experimental results.
Nonlinear dynamics of trions under strong optical excitation in monolayer MoSe2
Authors: Ye Jialiang , Yan Tengfei , Niu Binghui , Li Ying , Zhang Xinhui
Published: January 2018

By employing ultrafast transient reflection measurements based on two-color pump-probe spectroscopy, the population and valley polarization dynamics of trions in monolayer MoSe2 were investigated at relatively high excitation densities under near-resonant excitation. Both the nonlinear dynamic photobleaching of the trion resonance and the redshift of the exciton resonance were found to be responsible for the excitation-energy- and density-dependent transient reflection change as a result of many-body interactions. Furthermore, from the polarization-resolved measurements, it was revealed that the initial fast population and polarization decay process upon strong photoexcitation observed for trions was determined by trion formation, transient phase-space filling and the short valley lifetime of excitons. The results provide a basic understanding of the nonlinear dynamics of population and valley depolarization of trions, as well as exciton-trion correlation in atomically thin MoSe2 and other transition metal dichalcogenide materials.
Optimization of Gas Composition Used in Plasma Chemical Vaporization Machining for Figuring of Reaction-Sintered Silicon Carbide with Low Surface Roughness
Authors: Sun Rongyan , Yang Xu , Ohkubo Yuji , Endo Katsuyoshi , Yamamura Kazuya
Published: January 2018

In recent years, reaction-sintered silicon carbide (RS-SiC) has been of interest in many engineering fields because of its excellent properties, such as its light weight, high rigidity, high heat conductance and low coefficient of thermal expansion. However, RS-SiC is difficult to machine owing to its high hardness and chemical inertness and because it contains multiple components. To overcome the problem of the poor machinability of RS-SiC in conventional machining, the application of atmospheric-pressure plasma chemical vaporization machining (AP-PCVM) to RS-SiC was proposed. As a highly efficient and damage-free figuring technique, AP-PCVM has been widely applied for the figuring of single-component materials, such as Si, SiC, quartz crystal wafers, and so forth. However, it has not been applied to RS-SiC since it is composed of multiple components. In this study, we investigated the AP-PCVM etching characteristics for RS-SiC by optimizing the gas composition. It was found that the different etching rates of the different components led to a large surface roughness. A smooth surface was obtained by applying the optimum gas composition, for which the etching rate of the Si component was equal to that of the SiC component.
Selective Inhibition of Succinate Dehydrogenase in Reperfused Myocardium with Intracoronary Malonate Reduces Infarct Size
Authors: Valls-Lacalle Laura , Barba Ignasi , Miró-Casas Elisabet , Ruiz-Meana Marisol , Rodríguez-Sinovas Antonio , García-Dorado David
Published: January 2018

Inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) with malonate during reperfusion reduces infarct size in isolated mice hearts submitted to global ischemia. However, malonate has toxic effects that preclude its systemic administration in animals. Here we investigated the effect of intracoronary malonate on infarct size in pigs submitted to transient coronary occlusion. Under baseline conditions, 50 mmol/L of intracoronary disodium malonate, but not lower concentrations, transiently reduced systolic segment shortening in the region perfused by the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in open-chest pigs. To assess the effects of SDH inhibition on reperfusion injury, saline or malonate 10 mmol/L were selectively infused into the area at risk in 38 animals submitted to ischemia-reperfusion. Malonate improved systolic shortening in the area at risk two hours after 15 min of ischemia (0.18 ± 0.07 vs 0.00 ± 0.01 a.u., p = 0.025, n = 3). In animals submitted to 40 min of ischemia, malonate reduced reactive oxygen species production (MitoSOX staining) during initial reperfusion and limited infarct size (36.46 ± 5.35 vs 59.62 ± 4.00%, p = 0.002, n = 11), without modifying reperfusion arrhythmias. In conclusion, inhibition of SDH with intracoronary malonate during early reperfusion limits reperfusion injury and infarct size in pigs submitted to transient coronary occlusion without modifying reperfusion arrhythmias or contractile function in distant myocardium.
Randomized controlled clinical trial on bleaching sensitivity and whitening efficacy of hydrogen peroxide versus combinations of hydrogen peroxide and ozone
Authors: AL-Omiri Mahmoud K. , Al Nazeh Abdullah A. , Kielbassa Andrej M. , Lynch Edward
Published: January 2018

The clinical efficacy regarding bleaching sensitivity and tooth shade lightening using a standard hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bleaching gel was compared with the additional use of ozone either before or after application of H2O2. Using computer-generated tables, 45 participants were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 15 each) in this investigator-driven, single-centre trial. In Group 1, upper anterior teeth were bleached using ozone (produced via a healOzone X4 device) for 60 seconds, then 38% H2O2 for 20 minutes; in Group 2, 38% H2O2 application (20 min) was followed by ozone (60 s); air produced by the healOzone machine (60 s) followed by 38% H2O2 (20 min) was used in Group 3 (control). Bleaching sensitivity was evaluated via visual analogue scales, and a treatment-blinded reader objectively recorded tooth shades using a colorimeter before and 24 hours after bleaching (at α = 0.05). The H2O2/ozone combination did not result in pain sensations, while both ozone/H2O2 and H2O2 alone increased bleaching sensitivity (p < 0.001). Teeth achieved lighter shades (higher L*/lower b* values) after bleaching in all groups (p < 0.001), while Ozone boosted lighter tooth shades, irrespective of its use before or after H2O2 (p < 0.05). Due to the complimentary effects, applying ozone after H2O2 seems preferable for bleaching.
Fast assessment of lipid content in arteries in vivo by intravascular photoacoustic tomography
Authors: Cao Yingchun , Kole Ayeeshik , Hui Jie , Zhang Yi , Mai Jieying , Alloosh Mouhamad , Sturek Michael , Cheng Ji-Xin
Published: January 2018

Intravascular photoacoustic tomography is an emerging technology for mapping lipid deposition within an arterial wall for the investigation of the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques to rupture. By converting localized laser absorption in lipid-rich biological tissue into ultrasonic waves through thermoelastic expansion, intravascular photoacoustic tomography is uniquely capable of imaging the entire arterial wall with chemical selectivity and depth resolution. However, technical challenges, including an imaging catheter with sufficient sensitivity and depth and a functional sheath material without significant signal attenuation and artifact generation for both photoacoustics and ultrasound, have prevented in vivo application of intravascular photoacoustic imaging for clinical translation. Here, we present a highly sensitive quasi-collinear dual-mode photoacoustic/ultrasound catheter with elaborately selected sheath material, and demonstrated the performance of our intravascular photoacoustic tomography system by in vivo imaging of lipid distribution in rabbit aortas under clinically relevant conditions at imaging speeds up to 16 frames per second. Ex vivo evaluation of fresh human coronary arteries further confirmed the performance of our imaging system for accurate lipid localization and quantification of the entire arterial wall, indicating its clinical significance and translational capability.
Laminar Flow Attenuates Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Expression in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Qiao Congzhen , Li Shengdi , Lu Haocheng , Meng Fan , Fan Yanbo , Guo Yanhong , Chen Y. Eugene , Zhang Jifeng
Published: January 2018

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a non-canonical cytokine that is involved in multiple inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. High MIF expression found in leukocytes which facilitates the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. However, little is known about biomechanical forces in the induction of MIF in endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we show that laminar shear stress (LS) inhibits the expression of MIF in ECs. By profiling the whole transcriptome of human coronary artery ECs under different shear stress, we found that athero-protective LS attenuates the expression of MIF whereas pro-atherosclerotic oscillatory shear stress (OS) significantly increased the expression of MIF. En face staining of rabbit aorta revealed high MIF immunoreactivity in lesser curvature as well as arterial bifurcation areas where OS is predominant. Mechanistically, we found that Krüpple like factor 2 (KLF2) is required for inhibition of MIF expression in ECs in the context of shear stress. Knockdown of KLF2 abolishes LS-dependent MIF inhibition while overexpression of KLF2 significantly attenuated MIF expression. Overall, the present work showed that MIF is a shear stress-sensitive cytokine and is transcriptionally regulated by KLF2, suggesting that LS exerts its athero-protective effect in part by directly inhibiting pro-inflammatory MIF expression.