bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SKEPTICISM ABOUT UNCONSTRAINED UTOPIANISM
Authors: Hall Edward
Published: December 2016

In this essay, I critically engage with a methodological approach in contemporary political theory — unconstrained utopianism — which holds that we can only determine how we should live by first giving an account of the principles that would govern society if people were perfectly morally motivated. I provide reasons for being skeptical of this claim. To begin with I query the robustness of the principles unconstrained utopianism purportedly delivers. While the method can be understood as offering existence proofs, because we can devise other situations in which morally flawless decision making would unearth alternative sets of principles, I argue that such proofs tell us surprisingly little about how we should live in general. Drawing on this point, I contend that normative models that wish away certain phenomena that are uncontroversially central to any account of politics cannot plausibly claim to tell us how we should live in political society. I conclude by offering a more positive sketch of why avoiding this brand of utopianism might not represent a problematic capitulation to the morally nonideal and suggest that theorizing in light of certain constraints may be a precondition of good normative theorizing itself.
JUSTICE, FEASIBILITY, AND IDEAL THEORY: A PLURALIST APPROACH
Authors: Mason Andrew
Published: December 2016

A qualified pluralism is defended that recognizes value in a variety of forms of political theory and resists arguments that purport to show that one particular approach should occupy a privileged position. Against realists, it is argued that abstract analyses of political values that bracket a wide range of facts about people and their circumstances can be both coherent and important, whereas against those who think “ideal theory” or the identification of ultimate principles should come first, it is argued that the case for always giving priority to either one of these is weak.
Spatial awareness in pervasive ecosystems
Authors: Dobson Simon , Viroli Mirko , Fernandez-Marquez Jose Luis , Zambonelli Franco , Stevenson Graeme , Di Marzo Serugendo Giovanna , Montagna Sara , Pianini Danilo , Ye Juan , Castelli Gabriella , Rosi Alberto
Published: December 2016

Pervasive systems are intended to make use of services and components that they encounter in their environment. Such systems are naturallyspatialin that they can only be understood in terms of the ways in which components meet and interact in space. Rather than treating spatiality separately from system components, researchers are starting to develop computational models in which the entire structure of a pervasive system is modelled and constructed using an explicit spatial model, supporting multi-level spatial reasoning, and adapting autonomously to spatial interactions. In this paper, we review current and emerging models of spatial computing for pervasive ecosystems, and highlight some of the trends that will guide future research.
Storing massive Resource Description Framework (RDF) data: a survey
Authors: Ma Zongmin , Capretz Miriam A. M. , Yan Li
Published: December 2016

The Resource Description Framework (RDF) is a flexible model for representing information about resources on the Web. As a W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) Recommendation, RDF has rapidly gained popularity. With the widespread acceptance of RDF on the Web and in the enterprise, a huge amount of RDF data is being proliferated and becoming available. Efficient and scalable management of RDF data is therefore of increasing importance. RDF data management has attracted attention in the database and Semantic Web communities. Much work has been devoted to proposing different solutions to store RDF data efficiently. This paper focusses on using relational databases and NoSQL (for ‘not only SQL (Structured Query Language)’) databases to store massive RDF data. A full up-to-date overview of the current state of the art in RDF data storage is provided in the paper.
Preventing Optimific Wrongings
Authors: SINCLAIR THOMAS
Published: December 2016

Most people believe that the rights of others sometimes require us to act in ways that have even substantially sub-optimal outcomes, as viewed from an axiological perspective that ranks outcomes objectively. Bringing about the optimal outcome, contrary to such a requirement, is an ‘optimific wronging’. It is less clear, however, that we are required topreventoptimific wrongings. Perhaps the value of the outcome, combined with the relative weakness of prohibitions on allowing harm as compared to those against doing harm, justifies non-intervention. In this article, I consider arguments to that effect, focusing on a recent paper in this journal by Andreas Mogensen. I argue that while we do not, in general, do wrong by failing to prevent optimific wrongings, we are nevertheless not permitted, in key cases, to refrain from intervening on the grounds that not intervening will secure the optimal outcome.
Politics and Ritual in Large Villages in Santarém, Lower Amazon, Brazil
Authors: Gomes Denise Maria Cavalcante
Published: December 2016

The character and development of complex societies has been one of the major interests of Amazonian archaeology. This article presents an ontological interpretation to explain the socio-political organization and importance of ritual in the Santarém area, Lower Amazon, Brazil, during the late pre-colonial period (ad 1000–1600), drawing from the contributions of Viveiros de Castro on Amazonian ontologies and Pierre Clastres on the constitution of power in the South American tropical lowlands. This approach affords new insights into the spatial organization of large habitation sites, the settlement patterns of nearby smaller sites and the pragmatic role of ritual objects. The data point to demographic growth, elaborate spatial organization and the existence of independent villages, probably resulting from fissions. The distribution of objects used in ritual contexts suggests a network employing a mytho-cosmological iconography that emphasizes bodily metamorphosis, indicating a predatory ontology related to Amerindian perspectivism and the presence of institutionalized shamanism. The text argues for the existence of distinct cosmopolitical strategies used to maintain the egalitarian order and that the flows of knowledge, sacred artefacts and religious specialists within the wider social sphere structured regional relations.
Existence of Spanning ℱ-Free Subgraphs with Large Minimum Degree
Authors: PERARNAU G. , REED B.
Published: December 2016

Let ℱ be a family of graphs and letdbe large enough. For everyd-regular graphG, we study the existence of a spanning ℱ-free subgraph ofGwith large minimum degree. This problem is well understood if ℱ does not contain bipartite graphs. Here we provide asymptotically tight results for many families of bipartite graphs such as cycles or complete bipartite graphs. To prove these results, we study a locally injective analogue of the question.
Charles Georges Thibault (1919–2003): inspirational leader in French reproductive biology
Authors: Hunter R.H.F
Published: December 2016

The contribution of Charles Thibault in creating and developing a major international centre of animal research at Jouy-en-Josas (near Versailles) in post Second World War France is recorded in detail. Not only did he select a team of gifted young chercheurs, but he stimulated and supported their research in diverse ways. The projects covered were not only primarily of significance to animal reproduction, but they also became relevant to human infertility studies and to IVF treatments. Members of the team in Physiologie Animale gained international research reputations and seasoned overseas researchers were attracted to Jouy-en-Josas for their sabbaticals. Thibault himself was known especially for his studies on the mammalian oocyte, on fertilization both in vivo and in vitro, and for a key publication on parthenogenesis. Over and above leading the department of Physiologie Animale at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), he was Professor of Reproductive Physiology at the University of Paris VI and an influential member of national committees in Paris. His formal career reached a peak with his appointment as President of the French scientific research organisation (CNRS), and his overall contributions were celebrated both nationally and internationally, not least as Commander of the Legion d'Honneur and recipient of the Wolf Prize, the latter being presented in the Israeli Parliament, the Knessett. His influence continues to be strong, felt in France and beyond through his protégés and his publications.
Zhang Takes Helm of Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Authors: Liu Jamie
Published: December 2016

New editor in chief envisions the journal as the preferred publication of atmospheric scientists worldwide.
Interviewing 101: Navigating the Four-Step Process
Authors: Harwell David
Published: December 2016

Think of the interview like a dance of words. And like many dances, there are a few patches of tricky footwork.
Integrin α7 is a functional cancer stem cell surface marker in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ming Xiao-Yan , Fu Li , Zhang Li-Yi , Qin Yan-Ru , Cao Ting-Ting , Chan Kwok Wah , Ma Stephanie , Xie Dan , Guan Xin-Yuan
Published: December 2016

Non-CG methylation has been associated with stemness regulation in embryonic stem cells. By comparing differentially expressed genes affected by non-CG methylation between tumour and corresponding non-tumour tissues in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), we find that Integrin α7 (ITGA7) is characterized as a potential cancer stem cell (CSC) marker. Clinical data show that a high frequency of ITGA7+ cells in OSCC tissues is significantly associated with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis and worse prognosis. Functional studies demonstrate that both sorted ITGA7+ cells and ITGA7 overexpressing cells display enhanced stemness features, including elevated expression of stemness-associated genes and epithelial–mesenchymal transition features, as well as increased abilities to self-renew, differentiate and resist chemotherapy. Mechanistic studies find that ITGA7 regulates CSC properties through the activation of the FAK-mediated signalling pathways. As knockdown of ITGA7 can effectively reduce the stemness of OSCC cells, ITGA7 could be a potential therapeutic target in OSCC treatment.
Mature IgM-expressing plasma cells sense antigen and develop competence for cytokine production upon antigenic challenge
Authors: Blanc Pascal , Moro-Sibilot Ludovic , Barthly Lucas , Jagot Ferdinand , This Sébastien , de Bernard Simon , Buffat Laurent , Dussurgey Sébastien , Colisson Renaud , Hobeika Elias , Fest Thierry , Taillardet Morgan , Thaunat Olivier , Sicard Antoine , Mondière Paul , Genestier Laurent , Nutt Stephen L. , Defrance Thierry
Published: December 2016

Dogma holds that plasma cells, as opposed to B cells, cannot bind antigen because they have switched from expression of membrane-bound immunoglobulins (Ig) that constitute the B-cell receptor (BCR) to production of the secreted form of immunoglobulins. Here we compare the phenotypical and functional attributes of plasma cells generated by the T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent forms of the hapten NP. We show that the nature of the secreted Ig isotype, rather than the chemical structure of the immunizing antigen, defines two functionally distinct populations of plasma cells. Fully mature IgM-expressing plasma cells resident in the bone marrow retain expression of a functional BCR, whereas their IgG+ counterparts do not. Antigen boost modifies the gene expression profile of IgM+ plasma cells and initiates a cytokine production program, characterized by upregulation of CCL5 and IL-10. Our results demonstrate that IgM-expressing plasma cells can sense antigen and acquire competence for cytokine production upon antigenic challenge.
An ultra-tunable platform for molecular engineering of high-performance crystalline porous materials
Authors: Zhai Quan-Guo , Bu Xianhui , Mao Chengyu , Zhao Xiang , Daemen Luke , Cheng Yongqiang , Ramirez-Cuesta Anibal J. , Feng Pingyun
Published: December 2016

Metal-organic frameworks are a class of crystalline porous materials with potential applications in catalysis, gas separation and storage, and so on. Of great importance is the development of innovative synthetic strategies to optimize porosity, composition and functionality to target specific applications. Here we show a platform for the development of metal-organic materials and control of their gas sorption properties. This platform can accommodate a large variety of organic ligands and homo- or hetero-metallic clusters, which allows for extraordinary tunability in gas sorption properties. Even without any strong binding sites, most members of this platform exhibit high gas uptake capacity. The high capacity is accomplished with an isosteric heat of adsorption as low as 20 kJ mol−1 for carbon dioxide, which could bring a distinct economic advantage because of the significantly reduced energy consumption for activation and regeneration of adsorbents.
Interstitial oxygen as a source of p-type conductivity in hexagonal manganites
Authors: Skjærvø Sandra H. , Wefring Espen T. , Nesdal Silje K. , Gaukås Nikolai H. , Olsen Gerhard H. , Glaum Julia , Tybell Thomas , Selbach Sverre M.
Published: December 2016

Hexagonal manganites, h-RMnO3 (R=Sc, Y, Ho–Lu), have been intensively studied for their multiferroic properties, magnetoelectric coupling, topological defects and electrically conducting domain walls. Although point defects strongly affect the conductivity of transition metal oxides, the defect chemistry of h-RMnO3 has received little attention. We use a combination of experiments and first principles electronic structure calculations to elucidate the effect of interstitial oxygen anions, Oi, on the electrical and structural properties of h-YMnO3. Enthalpy stabilized interstitial oxygen anions are shown to be the main source of p-type electronic conductivity, without reducing the spontaneous ferroelectric polarization. A low energy barrier interstitialcy mechanism is inferred from Density Functional Theory calculations to be the microscopic migration path of Oi. Since the Oi content governs the concentration of charge carrier holes, controlling the thermal and atmospheric history provides a simple and fully reversible way of tuning the electrical properties of h-RMnO3.
Species-specific control of external superoxide levels by the coral holobiont during a natural bleaching event
Authors: Diaz Julia M. , Hansel Colleen M. , Apprill Amy , Brighi Caterina , Zhang Tong , Weber Laura , McNally Sean , Xun Liping
Published: December 2016

The reactive oxygen species superoxide (O2·−) is both beneficial and detrimental to life. Within corals, superoxide may contribute to pathogen resistance but also bleaching, the loss of essential algal symbionts. Yet, the role of superoxide in coral health and physiology is not completely understood owing to a lack of direct in situ observations. By conducting field measurements of superoxide produced by corals during a bleaching event, we show substantial species-specific variation in external superoxide levels, which reflect the balance of production and degradation processes. Extracellular superoxide concentrations are independent of light, algal symbiont abundance and bleaching status, but depend on coral species and bacterial community composition. Furthermore, coral-derived superoxide concentrations ranged from levels below bulk seawater up to ∼120 nM, some of the highest superoxide concentrations observed in marine systems. Overall, these results unveil the ability of corals and/or their microbiomes to regulate superoxide in their immediate surroundings, which suggests species-specific roles of superoxide in coral health and physiology.
Development of novel noninvasive prenatal testing protocol for whole autosomal recessive disease using picodroplet digital PCR
Authors: Chang Mun Young , Kim Ah Reum , Kim Min Young , Kim Soyoung , Yoon Jinsun , Han Jae Joon , Ahn Soyeon , Kang Changsoo , Choi Byung Yoon
Published: December 2016

We developed a protocol of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), employing a higher-resolution picodroplet digital PCR, to detect genetic imbalance in maternal plasma DNA (mpDNA) caused by cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA). In the present study, this approach was applied to four families with autosomal recessive (AR) congenital sensorineural hearing loss. First, a fraction of the fetal DNA in mpDNA was calculated. Then, we made artificial DNA mixtures (positive and negative controls) to simulate mpDNA containing the fraction of cffDNA with or without mutations. Next, a fraction of mutant cluster signals over the total signals was measured from mpDNA, positive controls, and negative controls. We determined whether fetal DNA carried any paternal or maternal mutations by calculating and comparing the sum of the log-likelihood of the study samples. Of the four families, we made a successful prediction of the complete fetal genotype in two cases where a distinct cluster was identified for each genotype and the fraction of cffDNA in mpDNA was at least 6.4%. Genotyping of only paternal mutation was possible in one of the other two families. This is the first NIPT protocol potentially applicable to any AR monogenic disease with various genotypes, including point mutations.
A low balance between microparticles expressing tissue factor pathway inhibitor and tissue factor is associated with thrombosis in Behçet’s Syndrome
Authors: Khan E. , Ambrose N. L. , Ahnström J. , Kiprianos A. P. , Stanford M. R. , Eleftheriou D. , Brogan P.A. , Mason J. C. , Johns M. , Laffan M. A. , Haskard D. O.
Published: December 2016

Thrombosis is common in Behçet’s Syndrome (BS), and there is a need for better biomarkers for risk assessment. As microparticles expressing Tissue Factor (TF) can contribute to thrombosis in preclinical models, we investigated whether plasma microparticles expressing Tissue Factor (TF) are increased in BS. We compared blood plasma from 72 healthy controls with that from 88 BS patients (21 with a history of thrombosis (Th+) and 67 without (Th−). Using flow cytometry, we found that the total plasma MP numbers were increased in BS compared to HC, as were MPs expressing TF and Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) (all p < 0.0001). Amongst BS patients, the Th+ group had increased total and TF positive MP numbers (both p ≤ 0.0002) compared to the Th- group, but had a lower proportion of TFPI positive MPs (p < 0.05). Consequently, the ratio of TFPI positive to TF positive MP counts (TFPI/TF) was significantly lower in Th+ versus Th− BS patients (p = 0.0002), and no patient with a TFPI/TF MP ratio >0.7 had a history of clinical thrombosis. We conclude that TF-expressing MP are increased in BS and that an imbalance between microparticulate TF and TFPI may predispose to thrombosis.
TGFβ2-induced outflow alterations in a bioengineered trabecular meshwork are offset by a rho-associated kinase inhibitor
Authors: Torrejon Karen Y. , Papke Ellen L. , Halman Justin R. , Bergkvist Magnus , Danias John , Sharfstein Susan T. , Xie Yubing
Published: December 2016

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) cytokine family have long been associated with affecting several cellular functions, including cell proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover. Of particular interest to this work, TGFβ2 has been linked to most types of glaucomas as a potential fibrotic agent that can cause elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Given that the trabecular meshwork (TM) provides most of aqueous humor outflow resistance in the eye, an in vitro bioengineered human TM (HTM) model has been created and validated by analyzing effects of TGFβ2 on transcellular pressure changes and outflow facility. These changes were correlated with several biological alterations induced by this cytokine, including ECM production and overexpression of HTM-marker myocillin. Furthermore, this TM model has been used to extend current knowledge of gene expression of cytokines involved in TGFβ-induced ECM turnover over time. In particular, the ability for a ROCK-inhibitor to diminish the effect of TGFβ on TM was demonstrated. This work supports the notion that anti-fibrotic activities of ROCK-inhibitors could counteract the elevation of IOP and increased strain observed in glaucomatous TM.
Iron chelators target both proliferating and quiescent cancer cells
Authors: Fryknäs Mårten , Zhang Xiaonan , Bremberg Ulf , Senkowski Wojciech , Olofsson Maria Hägg , Brandt Peter , Persson Ingmar , D’Arcy Padraig , Gullbo Joachim , Nygren Peter , Schughart Leoni Kunz , Linder Stig , Larsson Rolf
Published: December 2016

Poorly vascularized areas of solid tumors contain quiescent cell populations that are resistant to cell cycle-active cancer drugs. The compound VLX600 was recently identified to target quiescent tumor cells and to inhibit mitochondrial respiration. We here performed gene expression analysis in order to characterize the cellular response to VLX600. The compound-specific signature of VLX600 revealed a striking similarity to signatures generated by compounds known to chelate iron. Validation experiments including addition of ferrous and ferric iron in excess, EXAFS measurements, and structure activity relationship analyses showed that VLX600 chelates iron and supported the hypothesis that the biological effects of this compound is due to iron chelation. Compounds that chelate iron possess anti-cancer activity, an effect largely attributed to inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase in proliferating cells. Here we show that iron chelators decrease mitochondrial energy production, an effect poorly tolerated by metabolically stressed tumor cells. These pleiotropic features make iron chelators an attractive option for the treatment of solid tumors containing heterogeneous populations of proliferating and quiescent cells.
Short day length-induced decrease of cesium uptake without altering potassium uptake manner in poplar
Authors: Noda Yusaku , Furukawa Jun , Aohara Tsutomu , Nihei Naoto , Hirose Atsushi , Tanoi Keitaro , Nakanishi Tomoko M. , Satoh Shinobu
Published: December 2016

Short day length-induced alteration of potassium (K) localization in perennial trees is believed to be a mechanism for surviving and adapting to severe winters. To investigate the relationship between cesium (Cs) and K localizations, a model tree poplar, hybrid aspen T89, was employed. Under short day length conditions, the amount of 137Cs absorbed through the root and translocated to the root was drastically reduced, but 42K was not. Potassium uptake from the rhizosphere is mediated mainly by KUP/HAK/KT and CNGC transporters. In poplar, however, these genes were constantly expressed under short-day conditions except for a slight increase in the expression a KUP/HAK/KT gene six weeks after the onset of the short-day treatment. These results indicated that the suppression of 137Cs uptake was triggered by short day length but not regulated by competitive Cs+ and K+ transport. We hypothesize that there are separately regulated Cs+ and K+ transport systems in poplar.
Incidence, risk factors and impact on outcomes of secondary infection in patients with septic shock: an 8-year retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Guang-ju , Li Dong , Zhao Qian , Song Jia-xing , Chen Xiao-rong , Hong Guang-liang , Li Meng-fang , Wu Bing , Lu Zhong-qiu
Published: December 2016

Secondary infection in septic patients has received widespread attention, although clinical data are still lacking. The present study was performed on 476 patients with septic shock. Time trends for mortality were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation test. Risk factors for secondary infection were investigated by binary logistic regression. The extended Cox model with time-varying covariates and hazard ratios (HR) was performed to determine the impact of secondary infection on mortality. Differences in hospital length of stay (LOS) between patients with and without secondary infection were calculated using a multistate model. Thirty-nine percent of septic shock patients who survived the early phase of the disease developed secondary infection. There was a statistically significant increased odds ratio for secondary infection in older patients and patients with a longer LOS in the intensive care unit (ICU), a higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and endotracheal intubation. Secondary infection significantly reduced the rate of discharge (HR 5.607; CI95 3.612–8.704; P < 0.001) and was associated with an increased hospital LOS of 5.46 days. The present findings represent a direct description of secondary infection in septic shock patients and highlight the influence of this condition on septic shock outcomes.
PD-1/PD-L pathway inhibits M.tb-specific CD4+ T-cell functions and phagocytosis of macrophages in active tuberculosis
Authors: Shen Lei , Gao Yan , Liu Yuanyuan , Zhang Bingyan , Liu Qianqian , Wu Jing , Fan Lin , Ou Qinfang , Zhang Wenhong , Shao Lingyun
Published: December 2016

The role of the PD-1/PD-L pathway in a murine model of tuberculosis remains controversial regarding viral infections and clinical tuberculosis. We conducted a case-control study to investigate the modulating role and mechanism of the PD-1/PD-L pathway in patients with active tuberculosis. Fifty-nine participants, including 43 active tuberculosis (ATB) patients and 16 healthy controls (HC), were enrolled. Cell surface staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the expressions of PD-1 and its ligands on T cells and monocytes. Intracellular cytokine staining was used to determine the PPD-specific IFN-γ-secreting T-cell proportion. CD4+ T-cell proliferation and macrophage functions were investigated in the presence or absence of PD-1/PD-L pathway blockade. Proportions of both PD-1+CD4+ and PD-L1+CD4+ T cells in ATB patients were more significantly increased than in the HC group (P = 0.0112 and P = 0.0141, respectively). The expressions of PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 on CD14+ monocytes in ATB patients were much higher than those in the HC group (P = 0.0016, P = 0.0001, and P = 0.0088, respectively). Blockade of PD-1 could significantly enhance CD4+ T-cell proliferation (P = 0.0433). Phagocytosis and intracellular killing activity of macrophages increased significantly with PD-1/PD-L pathway blockade. In conclusion, the PD-1/PD-L pathway inhibits not only M.tb-specific CD4+ T-cell-mediated immunity but also innate immunity.
Impaired regenerative capacity and lower revertant fibre expansion in dystrophin-deficient mdx muscles on DBA/2 background
Authors: Rodrigues Merryl , Echigoya Yusuke , Maruyama Rika , Lim Kenji Rowel Q. , Fukada So-ichiro , Yokota Toshifumi
Published: December 2016

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, one of the most common lethal genetic disorders, is caused by mutations in the DMD gene and a lack of dystrophin protein. In most DMD patients and animal models, sporadic dystrophin-positive muscle fibres, called revertant fibres (RFs), are observed in otherwise dystrophin-negative backgrounds. RFs are thought to arise from skeletal muscle precursor cells and clonally expand with age due to the frequent regeneration of necrotic fibres. Here we examined the effects of genetic background on muscle regeneration and RF expansion by comparing dystrophin-deficient mdx mice on the C57BL/6 background (mdx-B6) with those on the DBA/2 background (mdx-DBA), which have a more severe phenotype. Interestingly, mdx-DBA muscles had significantly lower RF expansion than mdx-B6 in all age groups, including 2, 6, 12, and 18 months. The percentage of centrally nucleated fibres was also significantly lower in mdx-DBA mice compared to mdx-B6, indicating that less muscle regeneration occurs in mdx-DBA. Our study aligns with the model that RF expansion reflects the activity of precursor cells in skeletal muscles, and it serves as an index of muscle regeneration capacity.
Insights into functional and evolutionary analysis of carbaryl metabolic pathway from Pseudomonas sp. strain C5pp
Authors: Trivedi Vikas D. , Jangir Pramod Kumar , Sharma Rakesh , Phale Prashant S.
Published: December 2016

Carbaryl (1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate) is a most widely used carbamate pesticide in the agriculture field. Soil isolate, Pseudomonas sp. strain C5pp mineralizes carbaryl via 1-naphthol, salicylate and gentisate, however the genetic organization and evolutionary events of acquisition and assembly of pathway have not yet been studied. The draft genome analysis of strain C5pp reveals that the carbaryl catabolic genes are organized into three putative operons, ‘upper’, ‘middle’ and ‘lower’. The sequence and functional analysis led to identification of new genes encoding: i) hitherto unidentified 1-naphthol 2-hydroxylase, sharing a common ancestry with 2,4-dichlorophenol monooxygenase; ii) carbaryl hydrolase, a member of a new family of esterase; and iii) 1,2-dihydroxy naphthalene dioxygenase, uncharacterized type-II extradiol dioxygenase. The ‘upper’ pathway genes were present as a part of a integron while the ‘middle’ and ‘lower’ pathway genes were present as two distinct class-I composite transposons. These findings suggest the role of horizontal gene transfer event(s) in the acquisition and evolution of the carbaryl degradation pathway in strain C5pp. The study presents an example of assembly of degradation pathway for carbaryl.
Realizing a facile and environmental-friendly fabrication of high-performance multi-crystalline silicon solar cells by employing ZnO nanostructures and an Al2O3 passivation layer
Authors: Chen Hong-Yan , Lu Hong-Liang , Sun Long , Ren Qing-Hua , Zhang Hao , Ji Xin-Ming , Liu Wen-Jun , Ding Shi-Jin , Yang Xiao-Feng , Zhang David Wei
Published: December 2016

Nowadays, the multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si) solar cells dominate the photovoltaic industry. However, the current acid etching method on mc-Si surface used by firms can hardly suppress the average reflectance value below 25% in the visible light spectrum. Meanwhile, the nitric acid and the hydrofluoric contained in the etching solution is both environmental unfriendly and highly toxic to human. Here, a mc-Si solar cell based on ZnO nanostructures and an Al2O3 spacer layer is demonstrated. The eco-friendly fabrication is realized by low temperature atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 layer as well as ZnO seed layer. Moreover, the ZnO nanostructures are prepared by nontoxic and low cost hydro-thermal growth process. Results show that the best passivation quality of the n+ -type mc-Si surface can be achieved by balancing the Si dangling bond saturation level and the negative charge concentration in the Al2O3 film. Moreover, the average reflectance on cell surface can be suppressed to 8.2% in 400–900 nm range by controlling the thickness of ZnO seed layer. With these two combined refinements, a maximum solar cell efficiency of 15.8% is obtained eventually. This work offer a facile way to realize the environmental friendly fabrication of high performance mc-Si solar cells.
The Juvenile Hafnium Isotope Signal as a Record of Supercontinent Cycles
Authors: Gardiner Nicholas J. , Kirkland Christopher L. , Van Kranendonk Martin J.
Published: December 2016

Hf isotope ratios measured in igneous zircon are controlled by magmatic source, which may be linked to tectonic setting. Over the 200–500 Myr periodicity of the supercontinent cycle - the principal geological phenomenon controlling prevailing global tectonic style - juvenile Hf signals, i.e. most radiogenic, are typically measured in zircon from granites formed in arc settings (crustal growth), and evolved zircon Hf signals in granites formed in continent-collision settings (crustal reworking). Interrogations of Hf datasets for excursions related to Earth events commonly use the median value, however this may be equivocal due to magma mixing. The most juvenile part of the Hf signal is less influenced by crustal in-mixing, and arguably a more sensitive archive of Earth’s geodynamic state. We analyze the global Hf dataset for this juvenile signal, statistically correlating supercontinent amalgamation intervals with evolved Hf episodes, and breakup leading to re-assembly with juvenile Hf episodes. The juvenile Hf signal is more sensitive to Pangaea and Rodinia assembly, its amplitude increasing with successive cycles to a maximum with Gondwana assembly which may reflect enhanced subduction-erosion. We demonstrate that the juvenile Hf signal carries important information on prevailing global magmatic style, and thus tectonic processes.
Self-patterning Gd nano-fibers in Mg-Gd alloys
Authors: Li Yangxin , Wang Jian , Chen Kaiguo , Shao Meiyue , Shen Yao , Jin Li , Zhu Guo-zhen
Published: December 2016

Manipulating the shape and distribution of strengthening units, e.g. particles, fibers, and precipitates, in a bulk metal, has been a widely applied strategy of tailoring their mechanical properties. Here, we report self-assembled patterns of Gd nano-fibers in Mg-Gd alloys for the purpose of improving their strength and deformability. 1-nm Gd nano-fibers, with a 〈c〉-rod shape, are formed and hexagonally patterned in association with Gd segregations along dislocations that nucleated during hot extrusion. Such Gd-fiber patterns are able to regulate the relative activities of slips and twinning, as a result, overcome the inherent limitations in strength and ductility of Mg alloys. This nano-fiber patterning approach could be an effective method to engineer hexagonal metals.
Atmospheric Pressure Non-Equilibrium Plasma as a Green Tool to Crosslink Gelatin Nanofibers
Authors: Liguori Anna , Bigi Adriana , Colombo Vittorio , Focarete Maria Letizia , Gherardi Matteo , Gualandi Chiara , Oleari Maria Chiara , Panzavolta Silvia
Published: December 2016

Electrospun gelatin nanofibers attract great interest as a natural biomaterial for cartilage and tendon repair despite their high solubility in aqueous solution, which makes them also difficult to crosslink by means of chemical agents. In this work, we explore the efficiency of non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma in stabilizing gelatin nanofibers. We demonstrate that plasma represents an innovative, easy and environmentally friendly approach to successfully crosslink gelatin electrospun mats directly in the solid state. Plasma treated gelatin mats display increased structural stability and excellent retention of fibrous morphology after immersion in aqueous solution. This method can be successfully applied to induce crosslinking both in pure gelatin and genipin-containing gelatin electrospun nanofibers, the latter requiring an even shorter plasma exposure time. A complete characterization of the crosslinked nanofibres, including mechanical properties, morphological observations, stability in physiological solution and structural modifications, has been carried out in order to get insights on the occurring reactions triggered by plasma.
A late Paleocene probable metatherian (?deltatheroidan) survivor of the Cretaceous mass extinction
Authors: Ni Xijun , Li Qiang , Stidham Thomas A. , Li Lüzhou , Lu Xiaoyu , Meng Jin
Published: December 2016

Deltatheroidans are primitive metatherian mammals (relatives of marsupials), previously thought to have become extinct during the Cretaceous mass extinction. Here, we report a tiny new deltatheroidan mammal (Gurbanodelta kara gen. et sp. nov.) discovered at the South Gobi locality in China (Xinjiang Province) that is the first Cenozoic record of this clade and renders Deltatheroida a Lazarus taxon (with a new record 10 million years younger than their supposed extinction). The vertebrate fauna associated with Gurbanodelta is most similar to that from the slightly older late Paleocene Subeng locality in Inner Mongolia. The upper molars of Gurbanodelta exhibit a broad stylar shelf with one prominent cusp (stylocone), and a paracone that is sharp and significantly taller than the metacone. The lower molar tentatively assigned to Gurbanodelta has a very small talonid without an entoconid. This combination of these features is known only in deltatheroidans. Phylogenetic analysis places Gurbanodelta as the sister taxon of the North American latest Cretaceous Nanocuris. Gurbanodelta is the smallest-known deltatheroidan, and roughly the same size as the smallest living marsupial. It is likely that the Gurbanodelta lineage dispersed between Asia and North America as part of known intercontinental mammalian dispersals in the late Paleocene, or possibly earlier.
Virus altered rice attractiveness to planthoppers is mediated by volatiles and related to virus titre and expression of defence and volatile-biosynthesis genes
Authors: Lu Guanghua , Zhang Tong , He Yuange , Zhou Guohui
Published: December 2016

Viruses may induce changes in plant hosts and vectors to enhance their transmission. The white-backed planthopper (WBPH) and brown planthopper (BPH) are vectors of Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) and Rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV), respectively, which cause serious rice diseases. We herein describe the effects of SRBSDV and RRSV infections on host-selection behaviour of vector and non-vector planthoppers at different disease stages. The Y-tube olfactometer choice and free-choice tests indicated that SRBSDV and RRSV infections altered the attractiveness of rice plants to vector and non-vector planthoppers. The attractiveness was mainly mediated by rice volatiles, and varied with disease progression. The attractiveness of the SRBSDV- or RRSV-infected rice plants to the virus-free WBPHs or BPHs initially decreased, then increased, and finally decreased again. For the viruliferous WBPHs and BPHs, SRBSDV or RRSV infection increased the attractiveness of plants more for the non-vector than for the vector planthoppers. Furthermore, we observed that the attractiveness of infected plants to planthoppers was positively correlated with the virus titres. The titre effects were greater for virus-free than for viruliferous planthoppers. Down-regulated defence genes OsAOS1, OsICS, and OsACS2 and up-regulated volatile-biosynthesis genes OsLIS, OsCAS, and OsHPL3 expression in infected plants may influence their attractiveness.
Serum uric acid is independently and linearly associated with risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese Chinese adults
Authors: Liu Chang-Qin , He Chun-Mei , Chen Ning , Wang Dongmei , Shi Xiulin , Liu Yongwen , Zeng Xin , Yan Bing , Liu Suhuan , Yang Shuyu , Li Xiaoying , Li Xuejun , Li Zhibin
Published: December 2016

The present study aimed to explore the independent association and potential pathways between serum uric acid (SUA) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 1365 community-living obese Chinese adults who received hepatic ultrasonography scanning were included. The prevalence rates of NAFLD were 71.5% for men and 53.8% for women. Compared with controls, NAFLD subjects showed significantly increased SUA levels (333.3 ± 84.9 v.s. 383.4 ± 93.7 μmol/L) and prevalence rate of hyperuricemia (HUA) (25.7% v.s. 47.3%, p < 0.001). After adjustment for insulin resistance (IR), components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and other potential confounders, elevated SUA is independently associated with increased risk of NAFLD, with the adjusted OR of 1.528–2.031 (p < 0.001). By using multivariable fractional polynomial (MFP) modeling, the best FP transformation model shows that SUA was independently and linearly associated with risk of NAFLD. The one-pathway model by using structural equation modeling (SEM) about the relationships among SUA, IR, components of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD fits well (χ2 = 57.367, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.998; TLI = 0.992; and RMSEA = 0.048) and shows SUA might increase the risk of NAFLD directly besides of the indirect effects through increasing fasting insulin, blood pressure, triglyceride and decreasing HDL-C levels. Our results imply that elevated SUA may play an important role in NAFLD pathogenesis.
Enhanced cycling stability of NiCo2S4@NiO core-shell nanowire arrays for all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Yuanyuan , Shi Tielin , Jiang Shulan , Cheng Siyi , Tao Xiangxu , Zhong Yan , Liao Guanglan , Tang Zirong
Published: December 2016

As a new class of pseudocapacitive material, metal sulfides possess high electrochemical performance. However, their cycling performance as conventional electrodes is rather poor for practical applications. In this article, we report an original composite electrode based on NiCo2S4@NiO core-shell nanowire arrays (NWAs) with enhanced cycling stability. This three-dimensional electrode also has a high specific capacitance of 12.2 F cm−2 at the current density of 1 mA cm−2 and excellent cycling stability (about 89% retention after 10,000 cycles). Moreover, an all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device has been assembled with NiCo2S4@NiO NWAs as the positive electrode and active carbon (AC) as the negative electrode, delivering a high energy density of 30.38 W h kg−1 at 0.288 KW kg−1 and good cycling stability (about 109% retention after 5000 cycles). The results show that NiCo2S4@NiO NWAs are promising for high-performance supercapacitors with stable cycling based on the unique core-shell structure and well-designed combinations.
Assessment of virulence potential of uncharacterized Enterococcus faecalis strains using pan genomic approach – Identification of pathogen–specific and habitat-specific genes
Authors: Bakshi Utpal , Sarkar Munmun , Paul Sandip , Dutta Chitra
Published: December 2016

Enterococcus faecalis, a leading nosocomial pathogen and yet a prominent member of gut microbiome, lacks clear demarcation between pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains at genome level. Here we present the comparative genome analysis of 36 E. faecalis strains with different pathogenic features and from different body-habitats. This study begins by addressing the genome dynamics, which shows that the pan-genome of E. faecalis is still open, though the core genome is nearly saturated. We identified eight uncharacterized strains as potential pathogens on the basis of their co-segregation with reported pathogens in gene presence-absence matrix and Pathogenicity Island (PAI) distribution. A ~7.4 kb genomic-cassette, which is itself a part of PAI, is found to exist in all reported and potential pathogens, but not in commensals and other uncharacterized strains. This region encodes four genes and among them, products of two hypothetical genes are predicted to be intrinsically disordered that may serve as novel targets for therapeutic measures. Exclusive existence of 215, 129, 4 and 1 genes in the blood, gastrointestinal tract, urogenital tract, oral cavity and lymph node derived E. faecalis genomes respectively suggests possible employment of distinct habitat-specific genetic strategies in the adaptation of E. faecalis in human host.
Genetic evidence for an East Asian origin of Chinese Muslim populations Dongxiang and Hui
Authors: Yao Hong-Bing , Wang Chuan-Chao , Tao Xiaolan , Shang Lei , Wen Shao-Qing , Zhu Bofeng , Kang Longli , Jin Li , Li Hui
Published: December 2016

There is a long-going debate on the genetic origin of Chinese Muslim populations, such as Uygur, Dongxiang, and Hui. However, genetic information for those Muslim populations except Uygur is extremely limited. In this study, we investigated the genetic structure and ancestry of Chinese Muslims by analyzing 15 autosomal short tandem repeats in 652 individuals from Dongxiang, Hui, and Han Chinese populations in Gansu province. Both genetic distance and Bayesian-clustering methods showed significant genetic homogeneity between the two Muslim populations and East Asian populations, suggesting a common genetic ancestry. Our analysis found no evidence of substantial gene flow from Middle East or Europe into Dongxiang and Hui people during their Islamization. The dataset generated in present study are also valuable for forensic identification and paternity tests in China.
Cerebrospinal Fluid IL-10 and IL-10/IL-6 as Accurate Diagnostic Biomarkers for Primary Central Nervous System Large B-cell Lymphoma
Authors: Song Yang , Zhang Wei , Zhang Li , Wu Wei , Zhang Yan , Han Xiao , Yang Chen , Zhang Lu , Zhou Daobin
Published: December 2016

Early diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) represents a challenge, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokines may be diagnostic biomarkers for PCNSL. We used an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay to measure interleukin (IL)-10, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the CSF of 22 B cell PCNSL patients and 80 patients with other CNS diseases. CSF IL-10 was significantly higher in PCNSL patients than in the control group (median 74.7 pg/ml vs < 5.0 pg/ml, P < 0.000). Using a CSF IL-10 cutoff value of 8.2 pg/ml, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 95.5% and 96.1%, respectively (AUC, 0.957; 95% CI, 0.901–1.000). For a CSF IL-10/IL-6 cutoff value of 0.72, the sensitivity was 95.5%, and the specificity was 100.0% (AUC, 0.976; 95% CI, 0.929–1.000). An increased CSF IL-10 level at diagnosis and post-treatment was associated with poor Progression free survival (PFS) for patients with PCNSL (P = 0.0181 and P = 0.0002, respectively). A low diagnostic value for PCNSL was found with CSF IL-8 or TNF-α. In conclusion, increased CSF IL-10 was a reliable diagnostic biomarker for large B cell PCNSL, and an IL-10/IL-6 ratio facilitates differentiation from other conditions, especially a CNS infection.
High Temperature Extends the Range of Size Discrimination of Nonionic Polymers by a Biological Nanopore
Authors: Piguet Fabien , Ouldali Hadjer , Discala Françoise , Breton Marie-France , Behrends Jan C. , Pelta Juan , Oukhaled Abdelghani
Published: December 2016

We explore the effect of temperature on the interaction of polydisperse mixtures of nonionic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) polymers of different average molar masses with the biological nanopore α-hemolysin. In contrast with what has been previously observed with various nanopores and analytes, we find that, for PEGs larger than a threshold molar mass (2000 g/mol, PEG 2000), increasing temperature increases the duration of the PEG/nanopore interaction. In the case of PEG 3400 the duration increases by up to a factor of 100 when the temperature increases from 5 °C to 45 °C. Importantly, we find that increasing temperature extends the polymer size range of application of nanopore-based single-molecule mass spectrometry (Np-SMMS)-type size discrimination. Indeed, in the case of PEG 3400, discrimination of individual molecular species of different monomer number is impossible at room temperature but is achieved when the temperature is raised to 45 °C. We interpret our observations as the consequence of a decrease of PEG solubility and a collapse of PEG molecules with higher temperatures. In addition to expanding the range of application of Np-SMMS to larger nonionic polymers, our findings highlight the crucial role of the polymer solubility for the nanopore detection.