bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co‐expression changes of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the cervical sympathetic ganglia in diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathic rats
Authors: Li Guilin , Sheng Xuan , Xu Yurong , Jiang Huaide , Zheng Chaoran , Guo Jingjing , Sun Shanshan , Yi Zhihua , Qin Shulan , Liu Shuangmei , Gao Yun , Zhang Chunping , Xu Hong , Wu Bing , Zou Lifang , Liang Shangdong , Zhu Gaochun
Published: December 2016

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy in Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is often a devastating complication. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have important effects on both normal development and disease pathogenesis. In this study, we explored the expression profiles of some lncRNAs involved in inflammation which may be co‐expressed with messenger RNA (mRNA) in superior cervical and stellate ganglia after type 2 diabetic injuries. Total RNA isolated from 10 pairs of superior cervical and stellate ganglia in diabetic and normal male rats was hybridized to lncRNA arrays for detections. Pathway analysis indicated that the most significant gene ontology (GO) processes that were upregulated in diabetes were associated with immune response, cell migration, defense response, taxis, and chemotaxis. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway revealed that most of the target genes of the lncRNAs were located in cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, the chemokine signaling pathway and cell adhesion molecules, which were involved in T2D. Gene co‐expression network construction showed that the co‐expression network in the experimental rats consisted of 268 regulation edges among 105 lncRNAs and 11 mRNAs. Our studies demonstrated the co‐expression profile of lncRNAs and mRNAs in diabetic cardiac autonomic ganglia, suggesting possible roles for multiple lncRNAs as potential targets for the development of therapeutic strategies or biomarkers for diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Seasonal nitrogen dynamics in lowland rice cropping systems in inland valleys of northern Ghana
Authors: Asante Michael , Becker Mathias , Angulo Carlos , Fosu Mathias , Dogbe Wilson
Published: December 2016

Farmers in the inland valleys of northern Ghana are challenged with nitrogen (N) deficiency as a major production constraint of rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativaL.). With extremely low use of external inputs, there is a need to efficiently use the systems' internal resources such as native soil N. Largest soil nitrate‐N losses are expected to occur during the transition between the dry and wet season (DWT) when the soil aeration status changes from aerobic to anaerobic conditions. Technical options avoiding the build‐up of nitrate are expected to reduce N losses and may thus enhance the yield of rice. A field study in the moist savanna zone of Ghana assessed thein situmineralization of native soil N, the contribution of nitrate to the valley bottom by sub‐surface flow from adjacent slopes, and the effects of crop and land management options during DWT on seasonal soil Nmindynamics and the yield of lowland rice. Large amounts of nitrate accumulated during DWT with a peak of 58 kg ha−1in lowland soils, of which 32 kg ha−1were contributed from the adjacent upland slope. Most of this nitrate disappeared at the onset of the wet season, possibly by leaching and denitrification upon soil flooding. While the incorporation of rice straw (temporary immobilization of soil N in the microbial biomass) had little effect on soil N conservation, growing a crop during DWT conserved 22–27 kg of soil N ha−1in the biomass andCrotalaria junceasupplied an additional 43 kg N ha−1from biological N2fixation. Farmers' practice of bare fallow during DWT resulted in the lowest rice grain yield that increased from 1.3 (2.2) to 3.9 t ha−1in case of the transition‐season legume. Growing a pre‐rice legume during DWT appears a promising option to manage N and increase lowland rice yields in the inland valleys of northern Ghana.
Soil–root cross‐talking: The role of humic substances
Authors: Nardi Serenella , Ertani Andrea , Francioso Ornella
Published: December 2016

The biological activity of humic substances (HS) has been elucidated in the last 40 years. Growth enhancement from HS has been demonstrated in several plants in the laboratory and the field. Morphogenesis effects have also been investigated and include induction of lateral root formation and root hair initiation in intact plants and stimulation of root and shoot development in treated cell calluses. HS enhance nutrient use efficiency, aiding assimilation of both macro and microelements and promoting plant growth by the induction of carbon, nitrogen, and secondary metabolism. The review aims are to: (1) shed light on the mechanism by which plants “talk” with soil through humic substances, (2) elucidate the plant responses to the stimulatory effects of HS, the regulatory circuits that allow plants to cope with humus, and the feedback between plant community structures, and (3) show (in light of recent debate about the alkaline extraction of soil humic substances) the plant capability to acquire biologically active substances from soil. It will be shown that plants modify soils, creating and maintaining favorable habitats for growth and survival. Therefore, organic substances exuded by roots are not a wasteful loss of carbon and energy. They represent an evolved strategy by which plants “talk” to the soil. The mobilization of bioactive organic/humic substances from bulk soil or bulk humus is critical to plant and soil health.
Interpreting palaeofire evidence from fluvial sediments: a case study from Santa Rosa Island, California, with implications for the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis
Authors: Scott Andrew C. , Hardiman Mark , Pinter Nicholas , Anderson R. Scott , Daulton Tyrone L. , Ejarque Ana , Finch Paul , Carter‐champion Alice
Published: December 2016

Fluvial sequences from the late Pleistocene to the Holocene are exposed in Arlington Canyon, Santa Rosa Island, Northern Channel Islands, California, USA, including one outcrop that features centrally in the controversial hypothesis of an extra‐terrestrial impact at the onset of the Younger Dryas. The fluvial sequence in Arlington Canyon contains a significant quantity and range of organic material, much of which has been charred. The purpose of this study was to systematically describe the key outcrop of the Arlington sequence, provide new radiocarbon age control and analyse organic material in the Arlington sediments within a rigorous palaeobotanical and palaeo‐charcoal context. These analyses provide a test of previous claims for catastrophic impact‐induced fire in Arlington Canyon. Carbonaceous spherular materials were identified as predominantly fungal sclerotia; ‘carbon elongates’ are predominantly arthropod coprolites, including termite frass. ‘Glassy carbon’ formed from the precipitation of tars during charcoalification. None of these materials indicate high‐temperature formation or combustion. Charcoal and other materials in Arlington Canyon document widespread and frequent fires both before and after the onset of the Younger Dryas, recording predominantly low‐temperature surface fires. In summary, we find no evidence in Arlington Canyon for an extra‐terrestrial impact or catastrophic impact‐induced fire.
Clinical assessment of a new 755 nm diode laser for hair removal: Efficacy, safety and practicality in 56 patients
Authors: Royo Josefina , Moreno‐Moraga Javier , Trelles Mario A.
Published: December 2016

Background and Objective

Recently, the first diode laser with a wavelength of 755 nm for in‐motion hair removal came on the market. The objective of this study was to check its efficacy, safety, and practicality under different options for its use.

Methods

A prospective study in a heterogeneous group of 56 patients who had hair removed from various areas of their bodies using three different treatment methods. Four sessions were scheduled in all cases, with a gap of 3 months between each session. Efficacy was assessed by counting of hairs per cm2 and the adverse effects in each session were recorded in detail in the patients' clinical histories.

Results

The three tested options achieved a significant reduction in the number of hairs (P < 0.0001). The average clearances achieved using the conventional method (HR), the in‐motion method (SHR) and the stacking method were 75.5%, 70.1%, and 41.9%, respectively. The degree of satisfaction of the participants on a scale of 0–10 was 7.7, 8.1 and 6.8, respectively. Erythema and perifollicular edema, which are characteristic responses in laser hair removal, were observed. The incidence of burns was 1.33%.

Conclusion

The 755‐nm diode laser performed efficiently and safely in all the tested areas, using high total accumulated energy per surface unit. Based on our prior experience with other equipment, the results are promising. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:355–360, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Application of Polyionic Macromolecules in Micro Flow Syntheses of Nanoparticles
Authors: Visaveliya Nikunjkumar , Knauer Andrea , Köhler Johann Michael
Published: December 2016

Polyionic macromolecules affect the synthesis of polymer, metal, and composite nanoparticles. Their application in microfluidic nanoparticle syntheses is of great interest because these processes work with high mixing rates and result in high homogeneities and yields of the desired products. Thus, the microfluidic synthesis of silver triangles in the presence of polystyrenesulfonate leads to a very narrow size distribution and allows a fine tuning of the geometrical and optical properties. From the electronic and chemical properties of these particles, it can be concluded that the electrical effect of adsorbed polyionic macromolecules plays a key role in their electrical self‐stabilization and reaction behavior. A similar effect caused by the electrical forces of polyionic additives is found in the microfluidic synthesis of polymer nanoparticles, in which the ratio of polyionic macromolecules to monomer decides about in situ assembling and determines the size and shape of the product particles. This electrical effect can also be used for ex situ heterogeneous nanoparticle assembling and for generation of hierarchically composed particles. In summary, polyionic additives can also be used as an efficient tool for controlling symmetry breaking (nonspherical shape) as well as homogeneous and heterogeneous assembling during the particle formation.

image
A supervoxel‐based segmentation method for prostate MR images
Authors: Tian Zhiqiang , Liu Lizhi , Zhang Zhenfeng , Xue Jianru , Fei Baowei
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Segmentation of the prostate on MR images has many applications in prostate cancer management. In this work, we propose a supervoxel‐based segmentation method for prostate MR images.

Methods

A supervoxel is a set of pixels that have similar intensities, locations, and textures in a 3D image volume. The prostate segmentation problem is considered as assigning a binary label to each supervoxel, which is either the prostate or background. A supervoxel‐based energy function with data and smoothness terms is used to model the label. The data term estimates the likelihood of a supervoxel belonging to the prostate by using a supervoxel‐based shape feature. The geometric relationship between two neighboring supervoxels is used to build the smoothness term. The 3D graph cut is used to minimize the energy function to get the labels of the supervoxels, which yields the prostate segmentation. A 3D active contour model is then used to get a smooth surface by using the output of the graph cut as an initialization. The performance of the proposed algorithm was evaluated on 30 in‐house MR image data and PROMISE12 dataset.

Results

The mean Dice similarity coefficients are 87.2 ± 2.3% and 88.2 ± 2.8% for our 30 in‐house MR volumes and the PROMISE12 dataset, respectively. The proposed segmentation method yields a satisfactory result for prostate MR images.

Conclusion

The proposed supervoxel‐based method can accurately segment prostate MR images and can have a variety of application in prostate cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Pulsed electron‐nuclear double resonance diagnostics of Ce3+ emitters in scintillating garnets
Authors: Badalyan A. G. , Mamin G. V. , Uspenskaya Yu. A. , Edinach E. V. , Asatryan H. R. , Romanov N. G. , Orlinskii S. B. , Baranov P. G. , Khanin V. M. , Wieczorek H. , Ronda C.
Published: December 2016

Pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and pulsed electron‐nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) techniques have been applied to study the environment of luminescent Ce3+ ions in garnet based scintillator powders and ceramics. The presence of aluminum and gallium isotopes with large nuclear magnetic and quadrupole moments in the nearest neighborhood of the Ce3+ ion allows for the use of the hyperfine and quadrupole interactions with these ions for determination of the unpaired electron spatial distribution and the definition of the electric field gradient at the aluminum and gallium sites. Pulsed EPR and ENDOR techniques made it possible to study the coherent properties of the Ce3+ spin system in garnet powders and ceramics, which is important for spin manipulation on Ce3+ centers.
Strategic interaction in alliances
Authors: Panico Claudio
Published: December 2016

Research summary: This article studies strategic interactions between firms that form alliances to exploit synergistic benefits. Firms cooperate to create value, but they can also compete to capture value. Fundamental questions rarely addressed by strategy scholars relate to how the configuration of control over resources influences firms' strategies, the potential for termination, and the emergence of cooperation and trust. The formal results reveal crucial aspects of the interorganizational rent‐generating process and yield testable implications. With greater synergistic benefits, firms invest more, but they also compete more intensively to capture more value. With symmetric control, more value gets created, which limits the potential for termination, but also exacerbates the competition for value; from a relational perspective, this form of control augments the calculative rationale of cooperation and trust.

Managerial summary: When forming an alliance to exploit synergies, firms engage in a complicated strategic interaction that is part cooperation and part competition. What happens when partner firms cooperate and invest to create value while competing and using costly adversarial tactics to capture value? The analysis reveals that with greater synergistic benefits, firms invest more in value creation, but the fear of opportunism pushes them to waste more resources on value capture tactics. The balance between value creation and value capture, and the possibility that the alliance is terminated depend on the configuration of control over resources. The analysis further reveals under what conditions there can be trust between the partners, such that they focus on value creation and avoid wasting resources in the competition for value. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Follow 5 steps to create elegant and accessible web design
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: December 2016

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Keeping your campus technologically connected is not as simple as placing handouts online. Avoid costly fines and sanctions by creating accessible content for your university, but satisfy the needs of your students and your own aesthetic interests by making that accessible design elegant.
Develop your professional skills year‐round
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: December 2016

Julia Pomerenk's journey to the Registrar's Office began with a sticky note. After working as an admissions counselor at Pacific Lutheran University, Pomerenk first found an interest in the Registrar's Office when a colleague put a sticky note on the job announcement for assistant registrar that read, “This looks like a job for Julia.”
Theoretical Investigation of the Te4Br2 Molecule in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Elfgen Roman , Hollóczki Oldamur , Ray Promit , Groh Matthias F. , Ruck Michael , Kirchner Barbara
Published: December 2016

Material synthesis in ionic liquids, at or near room temperature, is currently a subject of immense academic interest. In order to illuminate molecular‐level details and the underlying chemistry, we carried out molecular simulations of a single Te4Br2 molecule dissolved in the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride, as well as in the ionic liquid mixed with aluminum chloride. Although the ethyl side chain is much too short to show detailed microheterogeneity, significant structuring with the small chloride anions is seen in case of the pure ionic liquid. In the case of the mixture, formation of larger anionic clusters is distinctly observed and analyzed. Due to the tendency of ionic liquids to dissociate, there is a pronounced shift to elongated Te–Br distances in both investigated solvents. However, only in the AlCl3‐containing liquid, we observe the reaction of the open chain‐like Te4Br2 molecule to a closed square‐like Te4Br+ and AlCl3Br– ion. The molecular arrangement of the [Te4]2+ unit shows negligible deviation from that in the experimental crystal structure.
Priapism as the Presenting Complaint in Fatal Group A Streptococcal Induced Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Authors: Baverstock Richard J. , Carey Colleen
Published: December 2016

A 60-year-old male presented to an emergency department (ED) with priapism following a sore throat illness. He did not have typical findings of sepsis. The patient then developed severe headache, mental status changes, and hypertension, then suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest. Autopsy showed group A streptococcal (GAS) sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and a septic thrombosis to the penile vein. This is the first known case of priapism being the presenting symptom of DIC.
Writing the past in early-modern Ireland: Anglesey, Borlase and the craft of history
Authors: Darcy Eamon
Published: December 2016

The draft notes for a proposed history of Ireland compiled by Arthur Annesley, the first earl of Anglesey, and letters to Edmund Borlase, author of The history of the execrable Irish rebellion (London, 1680), which describe the reception of his work in England and Ireland, offer a convenient keyhole through which historians can investigate the craft of history writing in the early-modern period. While there has been much discussion of these authors and their contribution to wider political (and highly partisan) debates concerning the Popish Plot and the Exclusion Crisis, less has been said about the historical methods they employed to understand the past. While this article does not deny that both authors attempted to defend their own political factions and views, it argues that a focus on the partisan nature of their contributions neglects the historiographical context to what they produced. Both Anglesey’s and Borlase’s research and writing occurred at a time of profound change in history writing as readers were becoming increasingly critical of works they read and authors engaged in sustained attempts to understand deep-lying causes of the various crises that engulfed the three kingdoms. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to illustrate how both Anglesey and Borlase’s ‘histories’ reflected this historiographical turn in the late-seventeenth century.
Professional self-employment, new power and the sharing economy: Some cautionary tales from Uber
Authors: Leighton Patricia
Published: December 2016

This article reflects on some of the major changes in the ways that people are working today, changes often driven by a preference for greater autonomy and choice, but also to work on a sharing, collaborative or networked basis. Many of the growing numbers of independent professionals are attracted by these ways of working. Developments in Information and Communication Technology have been critical, especially in enabling services, including professional services, to be delivered via internet platforms. This has created, in effect, new forms of intermediation and increasingly complex work relationships. These developments have often proved very controversial, as instanced by the disputes surrounding Uber, the international, internet-based taxi provider. Many of these changes also raise issues of accountability and work quality, along with creating new patterns of work relationships. Inevitably, the changes also highlight the role of regulation, which is the main focus of this article The topic is explored against a backdrop of much recent deregulation, challenges to so-called ‘red tape’ and laissez faire policies. The myriad of disputes and litigation involving Uber is examined and reflected upon. There are, of course, many differences between the taxi drivers of Uber and the designers, journalists, engineers and consultants, typical of independent professional working, but there are also some key parallels and experiences that provide a cautionary tale!
Le problème de la justification des lois logiques de base
Authors: PHILIE PATRICE
Published: December 2016

Cet article porte, de façon générale, sur le problème de la justification des lois logiques de base. Il s’agit en premier lieu de montrer, en prenant comme point de départ la régression à l’infini de Lewis Carroll, que les approches contemporaines les plus en vue en épistémologie de la logique sont incapables de rendre compte de la légitimité de notre pratique inférentielle de base. Cet échec des perspectives traditionnelles motive la recherche d’une nouvelle approche. Je suggère, dans la dernière portion de l’article, qu’il serait profitable de suivre une proposition faite par Paul Boghossian et d’examiner attentivement la conception primitiviste d’Aristote concernant les fondements de la logique.
Complexity for partial computable functions over computable Polish spaces
Authors: KOROVINA MARGARITA , KUDINOV OLEG
Published: December 2016

In the framework of effectively enumerable topological spaces, we introduce the notion of a partial computable function. We show that the class of partial computable functions is closed under composition, and the real-valued partial computable functions defined on a computable Polish space have a principal computable numbering. With respect to the principal computable numbering of the real-valued partial computable functions, we investigate complexity of important problems such as totality and root verification. It turns out that for some problems the corresponding complexity does not depend on the choice of a computable Polish space, whereas for other ones the corresponding choice plays a crucial role.
Attitudes and cooperation: does gender matter in community-based forest management?
Authors: Ray Biswajit , Mukherjee Promita , Bhattacharya Rabindra N.
Published: December 2016

Does gender matter in people's attitudes and cooperation in community-based natural resource management? If so, how do gender differences in conservation-related attitudes help or hinder sustaining the commons? Since biases ingrained in community norms and expectations often exclude women from decision making in co-management, it is imperative to find plausible answers to these queries in order to understand gender relations and cooperation in co-management. To this end, the authors conducted psychometric surveys and trust experiments on 196 forest-dependent households in West Bengal, India during 2009–2010. The findings suggest that, despite an overall negative perception about women's involvement in co-management, women are more conservation friendly and pro-social than men. It is also noticed that forest biomass and forest incomes as the indicators of sustainability have increased in those forest communities where women's proportional strength as decision makers is greater and people hold an overall positive conservation attitude.
The mountainous Cretan dietary patterns and their relationship with cardiovascular risk factors: the Hellenic Isolated Cohorts MANOLIS study
Authors: Farmaki Aliki-Eleni , Rayner Nigel William , Matchan Angela , Spiliopoulou Panagiota , Gilly Arthur , Kariakli Vasiliki , Kiagiadaki Chrysoula , Tsafantakis Emmanouil , Zeggini Eleftheria , Dedoussis George
Published: December 2016

Objective

We carried outde novorecruitment of a population-based cohort (MANOLIS study) and describe the specific population, which displays interesting characteristics in terms of diet and health in old age, through deep phenotyping.

Design

Cross-sectional study where anthropometric, biochemical and clinical measurements were taken in addition to interview-based completion of an extensive questionnaire on health and lifestyle parameters. Dietary patterns were derived through principal component analysis based on a validated FFQ.

Setting

Geographically isolated Mylopotamos villages on Mount Idi, Crete, Greece.

Subjects

Adults (n1553).

Results

Mean age of the participants was 61·6 years and 55·8 % were women. Of the population, 82·7 % were overweight or obese with a significantly different prevalence between overweight men and women (43·4v. 34·7 %,P=0·002). The majority (70·6 %) of participants were married, while a larger proportion of women were widowed than men (27·8v. 3·5 %,P<0·001). Smoking was more prevalent in men (38·7v. 8·2 %,P<0·001), as 88·8% of women had never smoked. Four dietary patterns emerged as characteristic of the population; these were termed ‘local’, ‘high fat and sugar, ‘Greek café/tavern’ and ‘olive oil, fruits and vegetables’. Individuals more adherent to the local dietary pattern presented higher blood glucose (β=4·026,P<0·001). Similarly, individuals with higher compliance with the Greek café/tavern pattern had higher waist-to-hip ratio (β=0·012,P<0·001), blood pressure (β=1·015,P=0·005) and cholesterol (β=5·398,P<0·001).

Conclusions

Profiling of the MANOLIS elderly population identifies unique unhealthy dietary patterns that are associated with cardiometabolic indices.
Colombia – Measures Relating to the Importation of Textiles, Apparel and Footwear (Colombia–Textiles), DS461
Authors: Izadnia Rodd
Published: December 2016

This dispute concerned the imposition by Colombia of a ‘compound tariff’ on the importation of certain textiles, apparel, and footwear classified under Chapters 61 through 64 of Colombia's Customs Tariff. The compound tariff was composed of an ad valorem levy, expressed as a percentage of the customs value of goods, and a specific levy, expressed in units of currency per unit of measurement. The ad valorem component of the compound tariff was 10% for all products regardless of their value; the specific component depended on price thresholds for certain textiles, apparel, and footwear, imposing a higher levy on products imported below the price threshold set out in the corresponding Chapter of Colombia's Customs Tariff.
Recovery measures of underfunded pension funds: higher contributions, no indexation or pension cuts?
Authors: DE HAAN LEO
Published: December 2016

Using recovery plan data of 213 underfunded Dutch pension funds for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, discrete choice models are estimated describing pension funds' choices between three recovery measures: higher contributions, no indexation and pension cuts. The estimation results suggest, first, that pension cuts are more likely when the funding ratio is very low, there is little time left for recovery, the pension fund is not a corporate pension fund, and its participants are still relatively young. Second, the results suggest that Dutch pension funds consider contribution increase first, no indexation second and pension cuts only as a last resort.
INSTANTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD LOGIC
Authors: VAN BENTHEM JOHAN , BEZHANISHVILI NICK , ENQVIST SEBASTIAN , YU JUNHUA
Published: December 2016

This paper explores a new language of neighbourhood structures where existential information can be given about what kind of worlds occur in a neighbourhood of a current world. The resulting system of ‘instantial neighbourhood logic’ INL has a nontrivial mix of features from relational semantics and from neighbourhood semantics. We explore some basic model-theoretic behavior, including a matching notion of bisimulation, and give a complete axiom system for which we prove completeness by a new normal form technique. In addition, we relate INL to other modal logics by means of translations, and determine its precise SAT complexity. Finally, we discuss proof-theoretic fine-structure of INL in terms of semantic tableaux and some expressive fine-structure in terms of fragments, while discussing concrete illustrations of the instantial neighborhood language in topological spaces, in games with powers for players construed in a new way, as well as in dynamic logics of acquiring or deleting evidence. We conclude with some coalgebraic perspectives on what is achieved in this paper. Many of these final themes suggest follow-up work of independent interest.
Real-time measurements of spontaneous breathers and rogue wave events in optical fibre modulation instability
Authors: Närhi Mikko , Wetzel Benjamin , Billet Cyril , Toenger Shanti , Sylvestre Thibaut , Merolla Jean-Marc , Morandotti Roberto , Dias Frederic , Genty Goëry , Dudley John M.
Published: December 2016

Modulation instability is a fundamental process of nonlinear science, leading to the unstable breakup of a constant amplitude solution of a physical system. There has been particular interest in studying modulation instability in the cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation, a generic model for a host of nonlinear systems including superfluids, fibre optics, plasmas and Bose–Einstein condensates. Modulation instability is also a significant area of study in the context of understanding the emergence of high amplitude events that satisfy rogue wave statistical criteria. Here, exploiting advances in ultrafast optical metrology, we perform real-time measurements in an optical fibre system of the unstable breakup of a continuous wave field, simultaneously characterizing emergent modulation instability breather pulses and their associated statistics. Our results allow quantitative comparison between experiment, modelling and theory, and are expected to open new perspectives on studies of instability dynamics in physics.
Fluorination-enabled optimal morphology leads to over 11% efficiency for inverted small-molecule organic solar cells
Authors: Deng Dan , Zhang Yajie , Zhang Jianqi , Wang Zaiyu , Zhu Lingyun , Fang Jin , Xia Benzheng , Wang Zhen , Lu Kun , Ma Wei , Wei Zhixiang
Published: December 2016

Solution-processable small molecules for organic solar cells have attracted intense attention for their advantages of definite molecular structures compared with their polymer counterparts. However, the device efficiencies based on small molecules are still lower than those of polymers, especially for inverted devices, the highest efficiency of which is <9%. Here we report three novel solution-processable small molecules, which contain π-bridges with gradient-decreased electron density and end acceptors substituted with various fluorine atoms (0F, 1F and 2F, respectively). Fluorination leads to an optimal active layer morphology, including an enhanced domain purity, the formation of hierarchical domain size and a directional vertical phase gradation. The optimal morphology balances charge separation and transfer, and facilitates charge collection. As a consequence, fluorinated molecules exhibit excellent inverted device performance, and an average power conversion efficiency of 11.08% is achieved for a two-fluorine atom substituted molecule.
An antireflection transparent conductor with ultralow optical loss (<2 %) and electrical resistance (<6 Ω sq−1)
Authors: Maniyara Rinu Abraham , Mkhitaryan Vahagn K. , Chen Tong Lai , Ghosh Dhriti Sundar , Pruneri Valerio
Published: December 2016

Transparent conductors are essential in many optoelectronic devices, such as displays, smart windows, light-emitting diodes and solar cells. Here we demonstrate a transparent conductor with optical loss of ∼1.6%, that is, even lower than that of single-layer graphene (2.3%), and transmission higher than 98% over the visible wavelength range. This was possible by an optimized antireflection design consisting in applying Al-doped ZnO and TiO2 layers with precise thicknesses to a highly conductive Ag ultrathin film. The proposed multilayer structure also possesses a low electrical resistance (5.75 Ω sq−1), a figure of merit four times larger than that of indium tin oxide, the most widely used transparent conductor today, and, contrary to it, is mechanically flexible and room temperature deposited. To assess the application potentials, transparent shielding of radiofrequency and microwave interference signals with ∼30 dB attenuation up to 18 GHz was achieved.
Linkages between oral commensal bacteria and atherosclerotic plaques in coronary artery disease patients
Authors: Chhibber-Goel Jyoti , Singhal Varsha , Bhowmik Debaleena , Vivek Rahul , Parakh Neeraj , Bhargava Balram , Sharma Amit
Published: December 2016

Coronary artery disease is an inflammatory disorder characterized by narrowing of coronary arteries due to atherosclerotic plaque formation. To date, the accumulated epidemiological evidence supports an association between oral bacterial diseases and coronary artery disease, but has failed to prove a causal link between the two. Due to the recent surge in microbial identification and analyses techniques, a number of bacteria have been independently found in atherosclerotic plaque samples from coronary artery disease patients. In this study, we present meta-analysis from published studies that have independently investigated the presence of bacteria within atherosclerotic plaque samples in coronary artery disease patients. Data were collated from 63 studies covering 1791 patients spread over a decade. Our analysis confirms the presence of 23 oral commensal bacteria, either individually or in co-existence, within atherosclerotic plaques in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, catheter-based atherectomy, or similar procedures. Of these 23 bacteria, 5 (Campylobacter rectus,Porphyromonas gingivalis,Porphyromonas endodontalis,Prevotella intermedia,Prevotella nigrescens) are unique to coronary plaques, while the other 18 are additionally present in non-cardiac organs, and associate with over 30 non-cardiac disorders. We have cataloged the wide spectrum of proteins secreted by above atherosclerotic plaque-associated bacteria, and discuss their possible roles during microbial migration via the bloodstream. We also highlight the prevalence of specific poly-microbial communities within atherosclerotic plaques. This work provides a resource whose immediate implication is the necessity to systematically catalog landscapes of atherosclerotic plaque-associated oral commensal bacteria in human patient populations.
RNA sequencing analysis of the developing chicken retina
Authors: Langouet-Astrie Christophe J. , Meinsen Annamarie L. , Grunwald Emily R. , Turner Stephen D. , Enke Raymond A.
Published: December 2016

RNA sequencing transcriptome analysis using massively parallel next generation sequencing technology provides the capability to understand global changes in gene expression throughout a range of tissue samples. Development of the vertebrate retina requires complex temporal orchestration of transcriptional activation and repression. The chicken embryo (Gallus gallus) is a classic model system for studying developmental biology and retinogenesis. Existing retinal transcriptome projects have been critical to the vision research community for studying aspects of murine and human retinogenesis, however, there are currently no publicly available data sets describing the developing chicken retinal transcriptome. Here we used Illumina RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis to characterize the mRNA transcriptome of the developing chicken retina in an effort to identify genes critical for retinal development in this important model organism. These data will be valuable to the vision research community for characterizing global changes in gene expression between ocular tissues and critical developmental time points during retinogenesis in the chicken retina.
Nonequilibrium description of de novo biogenesis and transport through Golgi-like cisternae
Authors: Sachdeva Himani , Barma Mustansir , Rao Madan
Published: December 2016

A central issue in cell biology is the physico-chemical basis of organelle biogenesis in intracellular trafficking pathways, its most impressive manifestation being the biogenesis of Golgi cisternae. At a basic level, such morphologically and chemically distinct compartments should arise from an interplay between the molecular transport and chemical maturation. Here, we formulate analytically tractable, minimalist models, that incorporate this interplay between transport and chemical progression in physical space, and explore the conditions for de novo biogenesis of distinct cisternae. We propose new quantitative measures that can discriminate between the various models of transport in a qualitative manner–this includes measures of the dynamics in steady state and the dynamical response to perturbations of the kind amenable to live-cell imaging.
High frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in Italian children: a nationwide longitudinal study, 2004–2013
Authors: Cherubini Valentino , Skrami Edlira , Ferrito Lucia , Zucchini Stefano , Scaramuzza Andrea , Bonfanti Riccardo , Buono Pietro , Cardella Francesca , Cauvin Vittoria , Chiari Giovanni , d′Annunzio Giuseppe , Frongia Anna Paola , Iafusco Dario , Patera Ippolita Patrizia , Toni Sonia , Tumini Stefano , Rabbone Ivana , Lombardo Fortunato , Carle Flavia , Gesuita Rosaria ,   Diabetes Study Group of the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED), Lera Riccardo , De Luna Livia , Gualtieri Antonella , Zecchino Clara , Piccinno Elvira , Reinstadler Petra , Prandi Elena , Gallo Francesco , Morganti Gianfranco , Ripoli Carlo , La Loggia Alfonso , Scanu Piera , Cardinale Giuliana , Tomaselli Letizia Grazia , Citriniti Felice , Lazzaro Nicola , De Donno Valeria , Mainetti Benedetta , Coccioli Maria Susanna , Maccioni Rosella , Marongiu Ugo , Bruzzese Mariella , Iannilli Antonio , Pardi Daniela , Confetto Santino , Zanfardino Angela , Iughetti Lorenzo , Franzese Adriana , Cadario Francesco , Milia Anna Franca , Piredda Gavina , Soro Miriam , Correddu Antonella , Galderisi Alfonso , De Berardinis Fiorella , Federico Giovanni , Zanette Giorgio , Suprani Tosca , Pedini Annalisa , Bitti Maria Luisa Manca , Delvecchio Maurizio , Trada Michela , Meloni Gianfranco , Gaiero Alberto , Bulciolu Pasquale , Guerraggio Lucia , Faleschini Elena , Zanatta Manuela , Salvatoni Alessandro , Maffeis Claudio , Arnaldi Claudia
Published: December 2016

This longitudinal population-based study analyses the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at type 1 diabetes diagnosis in Italian children under 15 years of age, during 2004–2013. DKA was defined as absent (pH ≥ 7.30), mild/moderate (7.1 ≤ pH < 7.30) and severe (pH < 7.1). Two multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate the time trend of DKA frequency considered as present versus absent and severe versus absent, adjusted for gender, age group and geographical area of residence at diagnosis. Overall, 9,040 cases were ascertained. DKA frequency was 40.3% (95%CI: 39.3–41.4%), with 29.1% and 11.2% for mild/moderate and severe DKA, respectively. Severe DKA increased significantly during the period (OR = 1.03, 95%CI: 1.003–1.05). Younger-age children and children living in Southern Italy compared to Central Italy were at significantly higher risk of DKA and severe DKA. Family history of type 1 diabetes and residence in Sardinia compared to Central Italy were significantly associated with a lower probability of DKA and severe DKA. The high frequency of ketoacidosis in Italy over time and high variability among age groups and geographical area of residence, strongly suggests a continuing need for nationwide healthcare strategies to increase awareness of early detection of diabetes.
Enhancing mung bean hydration using the ultrasound technology: description of mechanisms and impact on its germination and main components
Authors: Miano Alberto Claudio , Pereira Jessica da Costa , Castanha Nanci , Júnior Manoel Divino da Matta , Augusto Pedro Esteves Duarte
Published: December 2016

The ultrasound technology was successfully used to improve the mass transfer processes on food. However, the study of this technology on the grain hydration and on its main components properties was still not appropriately described. This work studied the application of the ultrasound technology on the hydration process of mung beans (Vigna radiata). This grain showed sigmoidal hydration behavior with a specific water entrance pathway. The ultrasound reduced ~25% of the hydration process time. In addition, this technology caused acceleration of the seed germination – and some hypothesis for this enhancement were proposed. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the ultrasound did not change both structure and pasting properties of the bean starch. Finally, the flour rheological properties proved that the ultrasound increased its apparent viscosity, and as the starch was not modified, this alteration was attributed to the proteins. All these results are very desirable for industry since the ultrasound technology improves the hydration process without altering the starch properties, accelerates the germination process (that is important for the malting and sprouting process) and increases the flour apparent viscosity, which is desirable to produce bean-based products that need higher consistency.
Anode potential influences the structure and function of anodic electrode and electrolyte-associated microbiomes
Authors: Dennis Paul G. , Virdis Bernardino , Vanwonterghem Inka , Hassan Alif , Hugenholtz Phil , Tyson Gene W. , Rabaey Korneel
Published: December 2016

Three bioelectrochemical systems were operated with set anode potentials of +300 mV, +550 mV and +800 mV vs. Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE) to test the hypothesis that anode potential influences microbial diversity and is positively associated with microbial biomass and activity. Bacterial and archaeal diversity was characterized using 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and biofilm thickness was measured as a proxy for biomass. Current production and substrate utilization patterns were used as measures of microbial activity and the mid-point potentials of putative terminal oxidases were assessed using cyclic voltammetry. All measurements were performed after 4, 16, 23, 30 and 38 days. Microbial biomass and activity differed significantly between anode potentials and were lower at the highest potential. Anodic electrode and electrolyte associated community composition was also significantly influenced by anode potential. While biofilms at +800 mV were thinner, transferred less charge and oxidized less substrate than those at lower potentials, they were also associated with putative terminal oxidases with higher mid-point potentials and generated more biomass per unit charge. This indicates that microbes at +800 mV were unable to capitalize on the potential for additional energy gain due to a lack of adaptive traits to high potential solid electron acceptors and/or sensitivity to oxidative stress.
Brain networks for visual creativity: a functional connectivity study of planning a visual artwork
Authors: De Pisapia Nicola , Bacci Francesca , Parrott Danielle , Melcher David
Published: December 2016

Throughout recorded history, and across cultures, humans have made visual art. In recent years, the neural bases of creativity, including artistic creativity, have become a topic of interest. In this study we investigated the neural bases of the visual creative process with both professional artists and a group of control participants. We tested the idea that creativity (planning an artwork) would influence the functional connectivity between regions involved in the default mode network (DMN), implicated in divergent thinking and generating novel ideas, and the executive control network (EN), implicated in evaluating and selecting ideas. We measured functional connectivity with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) during three different conditions: rest, visual imagery of the alphabet and planning an artwork to be executed immediately after the scanning session. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found stronger connectivity between areas of the DMN and EN during the creative task, and this difference was enhanced in professional artists. These findings suggest that creativity involves an expert balance of two brain networks typically viewed as being in opposition.
Transcriptomic profiling of microglia reveals signatures of cell activation and immune response, during experimental cerebral malaria
Authors: Capuccini Barbara , Lin Jingwen , Talavera-López Carlos , Khan Shahid M. , Sodenkamp Jan , Spaccapelo Roberta , Langhorne Jean
Published: December 2016

Cerebral malaria is a pathology involving inflammation in the brain. There are many immune cell types activated during this process, but there is little information on the response of microglia, in this severe complication. We examined microglia by genome wide transcriptomic analysis in a model of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), in which C57BL/6 mice are infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Thousands of transcripts were differentially expressed in microglia at two different time points during infection. Proliferation of microglia was a dominant feature before the onset of ECM, and supporting this, we observed an increase in numbers of these cells in the brain. When cerebral malaria symptoms were manifest, genes involved in immune responses and chemokine production were upregulated, which were possibly driven by Type I Interferon. Consistent with this hypothesis, in vitro culture of a microglial cell line with Interferon-β, but not infected red blood cells, resulted in production of several of the chemokines shown to be upregulated in the gene expression analysis. It appears that these responses are associated with ECM, as microglia from mice infected with a mutant P. berghei parasite (ΔDPAP3), which does not cause ECM, did not show the same level of activation or proliferation.
Topographic relationship between root apex of mesially and horizontally impacted mandibular third molar and lingual plate: cross-sectional analysis using CBCT
Authors: Wang Dongmiao , He Xiaotong , Wang Yanling , Zhou Guangchao , Sun Chao , Yang Lianfeng , Bai Jianling , Gao Jun , Wu Yunong , Cheng Jie
Published: December 2016

The present study was aimed to determine the topographic relationship between root apex of the mesially and horizontally impacted mandibular third molar and lingual plate of mandible. The original cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data of 364 teeth from 223 patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The topographic relationship between root apex and lingual plate on cross-sectional CBCT images was classified as non-contact (99), contact (145) and perforation (120). The cross-sectional morphology of lingual plate at the level of root apex was defined as parallel (28), undercut (38), slanted (29) and round (4). The distribution of topographic relationship between root apex and lingual plate significantly associated with gender, impaction depth, root number and lingual plate morphology. Moreover, the average bone thickness of lingual cortex and distance between root apex and the outer surface of lingual plate were 1.02 and 1.39 mm, respectively. Furthermore, multivariate regression analyses identified impaction depth and lingual plate morphology as the risk factors for the contact and perforation subtypes between root apex and lingual plate. Collectively, our findings reveal the topographic proximity of root apex of impacted mandibular third molar to the lingual plate, which might be associated with intraoperative and postoperative complications during tooth extraction.