bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“PEOPLE EAT PEOPLE”: THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS ON EXPERIENCES OF DISPLACEMENT IN JORDAN
Authors: El Dardiry Giulia
Published: October 2017

This article explores the ways in which refugee and host experiences of displacement in Jordan between 2010 and 2013 were articulated in a socioeconomic register that coincided with, but was also independent of, both state biopower and historical cross-border regionalisms. I argue that this register became salient due to a shared understanding of everyday life as characterized by what I termhunger, a state of depredation where “people eat people” to attain their own well-being. In pursuing this argument, the article has two goals: to show how Iraqis and Jordanians negotiated the complexities of living together in hunger by censuring individuals—locals and foreigners, rich and poor—who contributed to producing hunger rather than to alleviating it, and by consciously resisting the corrosive effects of hunger on social relations; and, more generally, to challenge universalizing understandings of refugee experiences according to which local tensions between refugees and hosts are derivative of a globalized antiforeigner discourse.
Heritage in (the) Ruins
Authors: Peutz Nathalie
Published: October 2017

First-time European and American visitors to the United Arab Emirates, where I live, are often surprised by the prevalence of heritage villages, festivals, and sports in hypermodern Abu Dhabi and Dubai. “Heritage” in the Arab Gulf, as elsewhere in the Middle East, is a central and growing industry, attracting the attention of scholars as well as investors and tourists. At the same time, much of the region's—and the world's—invaluable cultural heritage has been and continues to be obliterated by insurgents and governments alike. Spectacular assaults on historical sites, cultural institutions, and symbols of cultural-religious diversity in Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Yemen demonstrate that the “new wars” of the 21st century are being fought on the terrain of cultural heritage as much as they are over other precious resources. And yet, the interconnections between this heritage construction and destruction remain underexplored. In much of the scholarship produced in the burgeoning field of critical heritage studies, the duplexity of these processes is ignored. Instead, most edited volumes and “global” analyses of the field look to the Middle East and other Muslim-majority nations only in so far as they present case studies of heritage destruction—the bombing of the Bamyan Buddhas in Afghanistan and the looting of the National Museum of Iraq being iconic examples.
The Destruction of Yemen and Its Cultural Heritage
Authors: Khalidi Lamya
Published: October 2017

After losing control of the capital Sanaa to Yemen's northern Houthi movement, which is aligned with forces loyal to the former president ʿAli ʿAbd Allah Salih, current Yemeni President ʿAbd Rabbu Mansur Hadi turned to Saudi Arabia for help. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and its coalition of nine states began a bombing campaign in Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world. Prior to the conflict, Yemen was already 90-percent dependent on imported food and had been battling a severe water deficit. A twenty-eight-month-long siege of its civilian population has left the country in a situation that some humanitarian groups deem to be worse than the crisis in Syria. The media has barely covered Yemen's catastrophic crisis, partially because of overt censorship by the Saudi kingdom and a shielding of its systemic violations of international law by powerful allies including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. These countries are clearly more concerned with billion-dollar arms deals with the kingdom than with putting an end to what has been described as the worst food crisis since the establishment of the United Nations.
Heritage between Resistance and Government in Palestine
Authors: De Cesari Chiara
Published: October 2017

Heritage is a key site of politics in the Middle East. Recent episodes of the relentless destruction and construction of heritage in the region convey just how deeply intertwined it is with the making (and unmaking) of the postcolonial state. In Palestine/Israel, heritage has developed over a long history into an important site where both state power and resistance against it are produced, reshaped, and disseminated. A current proliferation of urban regeneration projects there is linked to the struggle against the ongoing occupation and colonization of Palestinian lands, as well as the incomplete, truncated emergence of a Palestinian state. Most of these heritage projects are carried out by semi- or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). In this essay, I argue for the value of thinking about heritage in terms of government and state-making, or more precisely in terms of a Foucauldian understanding of governmentality, to reveal the kind of work it performs in Palestine and beyond. States govern also by heritage, and both states and the local communities they attempt to control mobilize the language of heritage for a variety of different purposes in a variety of different settings. What is distinctive about Palestine is the central role NGOs play in the institutionalization of a heritage field. In their work, they collapse the divide between mobilizing heritage to defend vulnerable communities and resist the encroachment of the (Israeli) state, and using heritage to develop institutions and help build the (Palestinian) state.
Survivor Objects: Cultural Heritage in and out of the Middle East
Authors: Watenpaugh Heghnar Zeitlian
Published: October 2017

Artifacts that have experienced atrocities, even genocide, and survived, acquire the power to recall the horrors of the past, and to recollect the absent persons, things, and places that were lost. They symbolize violence, but also survival and resilience. Material objects that have endured looting, mutilation, displacement, and separation from the communities where they functioned as sacred relics, liturgical aids, or prized artworks form a special category. They aresurvivor objects.
Addressing the Capacity Building Challenge in the Mining Sector in Rwanda: The Implications of Rwanda's 2014 Mining and Quarry Law
Authors: Nwapi Chilenye
Published: October 2017

Few mining countries face capacity building challenges comparable to Rwanda's. Worsened by the genocide, a 2009 report put the number of mining scientists in Rwanda at 40, fewer than four below the age of 40. The government has however recognized that local skills development is crucial to the potential of mining to contribute to the country's economic development. This has been demonstrated through a series of reforms, culminating in the mining code of 2014. This article considers two issues critical to capacity building in the mining sector: formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining and the promotion of local content / procurement. Its main thesis is that the code provides limited opportunities for local mining capacity building and its local content provisions are rather nervously worded. This is worsened by the fact that Rwanda has no freestanding local content legislation. The article calls for Rwanda to adopt such legislation, with specific provisions on local skills training.
Cryptosporidiumspp. andGiardiasp. in Neotropical river otters (Lontra longicaudis) and giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) in northern Brazil
Authors: Borges João Carlos Gomes , Lima Danielle Dos Santos , Calera Beatriz Mafalda , Marmontel Miriam , Da Silva Edson Moura , De Oliveira Moreira André Lucas , Alves Leucio Câmara
Published: October 2017

Evaluating the occurrence of diseases in aquatic mustelids is a priority in the conservation strategies for the Neotropical river otter and giant otter. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the frequency of infection caused byCryptosporidiumspp. andGiardiasp. in both host species in northern Brazil. The collection of biological samples was carried out in the states of Amapá, Amazonas, Pará and Rondônia, totalling 337 faecal samples of these species, which were processed using Kinyoun's technique for the identification ofCryptosporidiumspp. oocysts, and centrifugal flotation in zinc sulphate solution for visualization ofGiardiasp. cysts. All samples were also tested by direct immunofluorescence. The frequency of infection byCryptosporidiumspp. was higher thanGiardiasp., in the two otter species. In the analysed samples co-infection by both protozoa was also found in 4.47% (14/313) of Neotropical river otter and 20.83% (5/24) of giant otter samples. Oocysts and cysts ofCryptosporidiumandGiardia,respectively, may remain infectious within specific environmental conditions for long periods of time. The current identification of Neotropical and giant otters as hosts of these protozoa increases the possibility of infection in this species and the transmission of those agents to other aquatic and terrestrial organisms, as well as to human populations. The findings of this study represent the first description ofCryptosporidiumspp. andGiardiasp. affectingLontra longicaudisandPteronura brasiliensis.
The impact of intra-EU migration on welfare chauvinism
Authors: Cappelen Cornelius , Peters Yvette
Published: October 2017

We examine whether intra-EU migration affects welfare chauvinistic attitudes, i.e. the idea that immigrants’ access to the welfare system should be restricted. According to the in-group/out-group theory, migration can unleash feelings of insecurity and thus trigger welfare chauvinism. According to intergroup contact theory, welfare chauvinism should decrease when immigration is higher, because contact reduces prejudice and softens anti-immigrant stances. We test these theories using data from the European Social Survey 2008/2009, supplemented with country-level data, and analyse these data using a multilevel ordered logit approach. We find a negative relation between intra-EU immigration and welfare chauvinism, supporting the intergroup contact theory: in countries with more intra-EU migration, welfare chauvinism tends to be lower. Furthermore, the higher the percentage of East European immigrants compared to other EU immigrants, the higher the level of welfare chauvinism.
CONTRIBUTION OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TO THE IMPACT OF A HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT: AN IRISH CASE STUDY
Authors: Ryan Máirín , Moran Patrick S. , Harrington Patricia , Murphy Linda , O'Neill Michelle , Whelan Marty , Teljeur Conor
Published: October 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to illustrate the contribution of stakeholder engagement to the impact of health technology assessment (HTA) using an Irish HTA of a national public access defibrillation (PAD) program.

Background: In response to draft legislation that proposed a PAD program, the Minister for Health requested that Health Information and Quality Authority undertake an HTA to inform the design and implementation of a national PAD program and the necessary underpinning legislation. The draft legislation outlined a program requiring widespread installation and maintenance of automatic external defibrillators in specified premises.

Methods: Stakeholder engagement to optimize the impact of the HTA included one-to-one interviews with politicians, engagement with an Expert Advisory Group, public and targeted consultation, and positive media management.

Results: The HTA quantified the clinical benefits of the proposed PAD program as modest, identified that substantial costs would fall on small/medium businesses at a time of economic recession, and that none of the programs modeled were cost-effective. The Senator who proposed the Bill actively publicized the HTA process and its findings and encouraged participation in the public consultation. Participation of key stakeholders was important for the quality and acceptability of the HTA findings and advice. Media management promoted public engagement and understanding. The Bill did not progress.

Conclusions: The HTA informed the decision not to progress with legislation for a national PAD program. Engagement was tailored to ensure that key stakeholders including politicians and the public were informed of the HTA process, the findings, and the advice, thereby maximizing acceptance. Appropriate stakeholder engagement optimizes the impact of HTA.
Counting Intersecting and Pairs of Cross-Intersecting Families
Authors: FRANKL PETER , KUPAVSKII ANDREY
Published: October 2017

A family of subsets of {1,. . .,n} is calledintersectingif any two of its sets intersect. A classical result in extremal combinatorics due to Erdős, Ko and Rado determines the maximum size of an intersecting family ofk-subsets of {1,. . .,n}. In this paper we study the following problem: How many intersecting families ofk-subsets of {1,. . .,n} are there? Improving a result of Balogh, Das, Delcourt, Liu and Sharifzadeh, we determine this quantity asymptotically forn≥ 2k+2+2$\sqrt{k\log k}$andk→ ∞. Moreover, under the same assumptions we also determine asymptotically the number ofnon-trivialintersecting families, that is, intersecting families for which the intersection of all sets is empty. We obtain analogous results for pairs of cross-intersecting families.
GRAPH PRODUCTS AND THE ABSENCE OF PROPERTY (AR)
Authors: STAMMEIER NICOLAI
Published: October 2017

We discuss the internal structure of graph products of right LCM semigroups and prove that there is an abundance of examples without property (AR). Thereby we provide the first examples of right LCM semigroups lacking this seemingly common feature. The results are particularly sharp for right-angled Artin monoids.
Genetic variation, Heritability estimates and GXE effects on yield traits of Mesoamerican common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) germplasm in Uganda
Authors: Okii Dennis , Mukankusi Clare , Sebuliba Sulaiman , Tukamuhabwa Phinehas , Tusiime Geoffrey , Talwana Herbert , Odong Thomas , Namayanja Annet , Paparu Pamela , Nkalubo Stanley , Otim Michael , Ugen Michael , Buah Stephen , Gepts Paul
Published: October 2017

Germplasm of common beans from the Mesoamerican gene pool races: Durango, Jalisco, Mesoamerica and Guatemala have highest genetic variation for the crop's improvement. The objective was to assign 50 common bean germplasm in Uganda into its gene pool races based on analyses of population structure. Secondly, to estimate heritability and effects of genotype × environment (GXE) interaction on common bean agronomic and yield traits in space and time. Sample genomic DNA was amplified in 2011 with 22 Simple sequence repeat markers (SSRs) and alleles separated using capillary electrophoresis. Field evaluations were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at NaCRRI and 2015 at CIAT – Kawanda. Multivariate analyses of SSRs data identified four subgroups within the germplasm: K4.1–K4.4, with corresponding Wrights fixation indices (FST) as 0.1829 for K4.1, 0.1585 for K4.4, 0.1579 for K4.2 and least for K4.3 at 0.0678. Gene pool race admixtures in the population (14%) were notable and attributed to gene flow. Four superior parents currently used in improving resistance to major diseases grouped as; Jalisco for MLB49-89A; Mesoamerica for MCM5001 and G2333; Durango for MEXICO 54. Heritability values for yield traits estimated using phenotypic data from above fixed parents, was above 0.81. Season and location had significant effect (P< 0.05) on numbers of: flower buds per inflorescence, pod formation and weight of 100 seeds. The findings will improve understanding of co-evolutionary relationships between bean hosts and pathogens for better disease management and will broaden the germplasm base for improving other tropical production constraints.
Lobate lac scale, Paratachardina pseudolobata (Hemiptera: Keriidae), in Hawaii's urban landscape: Hosts and management
Authors: Bhandari Bishnu Prasad , Cheng Zhiqiang
Published: October 2017

The lobate lac scale,Paratachardina pseudolobataKondo & Gullan, is a recent insect invader to Hawaii that was first found in October 2012 on Oahu, Hawaii. It infests young branches of woody plants (usually less than 2 cm in diameter), forming a mass that appears as a dark crust, resulting in an unhealthy appearance, defoliation of leaves, and death of some plant species. This insect has infested many native and non-native plant species on Oahu, and the number of infested plant species is increasing. Our recent survey results, reported in this article, revealed 28 new host plant species in addition to 83 host species that we had reported previously, making 111 host plant species in Oahu's urban landscape. Efficacy and longevity of preventive treatment using the systemic insecticides imidacloprid and emamectin benzoate, delivered through trunk injection, against lobate lac scale on Chinese banyan,Ficus microcarpa, and curative treatment using imidacloprid on weeping banyan,Ficus benjamina, were evaluated. Forty-five Chinese banyans and 10 weeping banyans were included in this study. Our findings suggest that imidacloprid delivered via trunk injection is effective in preventing lobate lac scale infestation for at least 22 months post-treatment, and also in reducing lobate lac scale infestation curatively for at least 20 months post-treatment. This study provides an update on lobate lac scale's host species in Hawaii's urban landscape, and an effective preventive and curative management strategy against this pest.
Usual Care for Maltreatment- Related Pediatric Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Germany
Authors: Münzer Annika , Rosner Rita , Ganser Helene Gertrud , Naumann Alexander , Plener Paul Lukas , Witt Andreas , Goldbeck Lutz
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Child maltreatment represents a major risk factor for the development of emotional and behavioral problems, especially posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While effective trauma-focused treatments are available, little is known about the usual mental healthcare for abused youths in Germany. The present study compared the utilization of mental healthcare in abused youths who had developed a PTSD (N = 95) with a group presenting other mental disorders (N = 146). Semistructured interviews were used to assess maltreatment histories, current mental health, and healthcare utilization. In addition, potential child factors associated with access to mental healthcare (age and level of functioning) were examined. Results showed that 65 % of both diagnostic groups currently fail to use any mental healthcare service. Of the participants with PTSD, 43 (45 %) had never received any mental healthcare intervention. Investigations on potential barriers are necessary to close the huge gap between clinical services and evidence-based, trauma-focused interventions.
Variation in a range of mTOR-related genes associates with intracranial volume and intellectual disability
Authors: Reijnders M. R. F. , Kousi M. , van Woerden G. M. , Klein M. , Bralten J. , Mancini G. M. S. , van Essen T. , Proietti-Onori M. , Smeets E. E. J. , van Gastel M. , Stegmann A. P. A. , Stevens S. J. C. , Lelieveld S. H. , Gilissen C. , Pfundt R. , Tan P. L. , Kleefstra T. , Franke B. , Elgersma Y. , Katsanis N. , Brunner H. G.
Published: October 2017

De novo mutations in specific mTOR pathway genes cause brain overgrowth in the context of intellectual disability (ID). By analyzing 101 mMTOR-related genes in a large ID patient cohort and two independent population cohorts, we show that these genes modulate brain growth in health and disease. We report the mTOR activator gene RHEB as an ID gene that is associated with megalencephaly when mutated. Functional testing of mutant RHEB in vertebrate animal models indicates pathway hyperactivation with a concomitant increase in cell and head size, aberrant neuronal migration, and induction of seizures, concordant with the human phenotype. This study reveals that tight control of brain volume is exerted through a large community of mTOR-related genes. Human brain volume can be altered, by either rare disruptive events causing hyperactivation of the pathway, or through the collective effects of common alleles.
Contribution of livestock H2S to total sulfur emissions in a region with intensive animal production
Authors: Feilberg Anders , Hansen Michael Jørgen , Liu Dezhao , Nyord Tavs
Published: October 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from agricultural sources is generally not included in sulfur emission estimates even though H2S is the major sulfur compound emitted from livestock production. Here we show that in a country with intensive livestock production (Denmark), agriculture constitute the most important sulfur source category (~49% of all sources of sulfur dioxide), exceeding both the production industry and energy categories. The analysis is based on measurements of H2S using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry. National emissions are obtained using ammonia as a reference pollutant with the validity of this approach documented by the high correlation of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions. Finisher pig production is the most comprehensively characterized agricultural source of sulfur and is estimated to be the largest source of atmospheric sulfur in Denmark. The implication for other locations is discussed and the results imply that the understanding and modeling of atmospheric sulfate sources should include agricultural H2S.
Signatures of the topological s
+− superconducting order parameter in the type-II Weyl semimetal T
d-MoTe2
Authors: Guguchia Z. , von Rohr F. , Shermadini Z. , Lee A. T. , Banerjee S. , Wieteska A. R. , Marianetti C. A. , Frandsen B. A. , Luetkens H. , Gong Z. , Cheung S. C. , Baines C. , Shengelaya A. , Taniashvili G. , Pasupathy A. N. , Morenzoni E. , Billinge S. J. L. , Amato A. , Cava R. J. , Khasanov R. , Uemura Y. J.
Published: October 2017

In its orthorhombic Td polymorph, MoTe2 is a type-II Weyl semimetal, where the Weyl fermions emerge at the boundary between electron and hole pockets. Non-saturating magnetoresistance and superconductivity were also observed in Td-MoTe2. Understanding the superconductivity in Td-MoTe2, which was proposed to be topologically non-trivial, is of eminent interest. Here, we report high-pressure muon-spin rotation experiments probing the temperature-dependent magnetic penetration depth in Td-MoTe2. A substantial increase of the superfluid density and a linear scaling with the superconducting critical temperature Tc is observed under pressure. Moreover, the superconducting order parameter in Td-MoTe2 is determined to have 2-gap s-wave symmetry. We also exclude time-reversal symmetry breaking in the superconducting state with zero-field μSR experiments. Considering the strong suppression of Tc in MoTe2 by disorder, we suggest that topologically non-trivial s+− state is more likely to be realized in MoTe2 than the topologically trivial s++ state.
Pre-fusion RSV F strongly boosts pre-fusion specific neutralizing responses in cattle pre-exposed to bovine RSV
Authors: Steff Ann-Muriel , Monroe James , Friedrich Kristian , Chandramouli Sumana , Nguyen Thi Lien-Anh , Tian Sai , Vandepaer Sarah , Toussaint Jean-François , Carfi Andrea
Published: October 2017

Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is responsible for serious lower respiratory tract disease in infants and in older adults, and remains an important vaccine need. RSV fusion (F) glycoprotein is a key target for neutralizing antibodies. RSV F stabilized in its pre-fusion conformation (DS-Cav1 F) induces high neutralizing antibody titers in naïve animals, but it remains unknown to what extent pre-fusion F can boost pre-existing neutralizing responses in RSV seropositive adults. We here assess DS-Cav1 F immunogenicity in seropositive cattle pre-exposed to bovine RSV, a virus closely related to hRSV. A single immunization with non-adjuvanted DS-Cav1 F strongly boosts RSV neutralizing responses, directed towards pre-fusion F-specific epitopes, whereas a post-fusion F is unable to do so. Vaccination with pre-fusion F thus represents a promising strategy for maternal immunization and for other RSV vaccine target populations such as older adults.
Silencing Nfix rescues muscular dystrophy by delaying muscle regeneration
Authors: Rossi Giuliana , Bonfanti Chiara , Antonini Stefania , Bastoni Mattia , Monteverde Stefania , Innocenzi Anna , Saclier Marielle , Taglietti Valentina , Messina Graziella
Published: October 2017

Muscular dystrophies are severe disorders due to mutations in structural genes, and are characterized by skeletal muscle wasting, compromised patient mobility, and respiratory functions. Although previous works suggested enhancing regeneration and muscle mass as therapeutic strategies, these led to no long-term benefits in humans. Mice lacking the transcription factor Nfix have delayed regeneration and a shift toward an oxidative fiber type. Here, we show that ablating or silencing the transcription factor Nfix ameliorates pathology in several forms of muscular dystrophy. Silencing Nfix in postnatal dystrophic mice, when the first signs of the disease already occurred, rescues the pathology and, conversely, Nfix overexpression in dystrophic muscles increases regeneration and markedly exacerbates the pathology. We therefore offer a proof of principle for a novel therapeutic approach for muscular dystrophies based on delaying muscle regeneration.
Marine biogeographic realms and species endemicity
Authors: Costello Mark J. , Tsai Peter , Wong Pui Shan , Cheung Alan Kwok Lun , Basher Zeenatul , Chaudhary Chhaya
Published: October 2017

Marine biogeographic realms have been inferred from small groups of species in particular environments (e.g., coastal, pelagic), without a global map of realms based on statistical analysis of species across all higher taxa. Here we analyze the distribution of 65,000 species of marine animals and plants, and distinguish 30 distinct marine realms, a similar proportion per area as found for land. On average, 42% of species are unique to the realms. We reveal 18 continental-shelf and 12 offshore deep-sea realms, reflecting the wider ranges of species in the pelagic and deep-sea compared to coastal areas. The most widespread species are pelagic microscopic plankton and megafauna. Analysis of pelagic species recognizes five realms within which other realms are nested. These maps integrate the biogeography of coastal and deep-sea, pelagic and benthic environments, and show how land-barriers, salinity, depth, and environmental heterogeneity relate to the evolution of biota. The realms have applications for marine reserves, biodiversity assessments, and as an evolution relevant context for climate change studies.
Organic coating on biochar explains its nutrient retention and stimulation of soil fertility
Authors: Hagemann Nikolas , Joseph Stephen , Schmidt Hans-Peter , Kammann Claudia I. , Harter Johannes , Borch Thomas , Young Robert B. , Varga Krisztina , Taherymoosavi Sarasadat , Elliott K. Wade , McKenna Amy , Albu Mihaela , Mayrhofer Claudia , Obst Martin , Conte Pellegrino , Dieguez-Alonso Alba , Orsetti Silvia , Subdiaga Edisson , Behrens Sebastian , Kappler Andreas
Published: October 2017

Amending soil with biochar (pyrolized biomass) is suggested as a globally applicable approach to address climate change and soil degradation by carbon sequestration, reducing soil-borne greenhouse-gas emissions and increasing soil nutrient retention. Biochar was shown to promote plant growth, especially when combined with nutrient-rich organic matter, e.g., co-composted biochar. Plant growth promotion was explained by slow release of nutrients, although a mechanistic understanding of nutrient storage in biochar is missing. Here we identify a complex, nutrient-rich organic coating on co-composted biochar that covers the outer and inner (pore) surfaces of biochar particles using high-resolution spectro(micro)scopy and mass spectrometry. Fast field cycling nuclear magnetic resonance, electrochemical analysis and gas adsorption demonstrated that this coating adds hydrophilicity, redox-active moieties, and additional mesoporosity, which strengthens biochar-water interactions and thus enhances nutrient retention. This implies that the functioning of biochar in soil is determined by the formation of an organic coating, rather than biochar surface oxidation, as previously suggested.
Modelling Torsade de Pointes arrhythmias in vitro in 3D human iPS cell-engineered heart tissue
Authors: Kawatou Masahide , Masumoto Hidetoshi , Fukushima Hiroyuki , Morinaga Gaku , Sakata Ryuzo , Ashihara Takashi , Yamashita Jun K.
Published: October 2017

Torsade de Pointes (TdP) is a lethal arrhythmia that is often drug-induced, thus there is an urgent need for development of models to test or predict the drug sensitivity of human cardiac tissue. Here, we present an in vitro TdP model using 3D cardiac tissue sheets (CTSs) that contain a mixture of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and non-myocytes. We simultaneously monitor the extracellular field potential (EFP) and the contractile movement of the CTSs. Upon treatment with IKr channel blockers, CTSs exhibit tachyarrhythmias with characteristics of TdP, including both a typical polymorphic EFP and meandering spiral wave re-entry. The TdP-like waveform is predominantly observed in CTSs with the cell mixture, indicating that cellular heterogeneity and the multi-layered 3D structure are both essential factors for reproducing TdP-like arrhythmias in vitro. This 3D model could provide the mechanistic detail underlying TdP generation and means for drug discovery and safety tests.
Achieving high-efficiency emission depletion nanoscopy by employing cross relaxation in upconversion nanoparticles
Authors: Zhan Qiuqiang , Liu Haichun , Wang Baoju , Wu Qiusheng , Pu Rui , Zhou Chao , Huang Bingru , Peng Xingyun , Ågren Hans , He Sailing
Published: October 2017

Stimulated emission depletion microscopy provides a powerful sub-diffraction imaging modality for life science studies. Conventionally, stimulated emission depletion requires a relatively high light intensity to obtain an adequate depletion efficiency through only light–matter interaction. Here we show efficient emission depletion for a class of lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles with the assistance of interionic cross relaxation, which significantly lowers the laser intensity requirements of optical depletion. We demonstrate two-color super-resolution imaging using upconversion nanoparticles (resolution ~ 66 nm) with a single pair of excitation/depletion beams. In addition, we show super-resolution imaging of immunostained cytoskeleton structures of fixed cells (resolution ~ 82 nm) using upconversion nanoparticles. These achievements provide a new perspective for the development of photoswitchable luminescent probes and will broaden the applications of lanthanide-doped nanoparticles for sub-diffraction microscopic imaging.
Continuous-variable geometric phase and its manipulation for quantum computation in a superconducting circuit
Authors: Song Chao , Zheng Shi-Biao , Zhang Pengfei , Xu Kai , Zhang Libo , Guo Qiujiang , Liu Wuxin , Xu Da , Deng Hui , Huang Keqiang , Zheng Dongning , Zhu Xiaobo , Wang H.
Published: October 2017

Geometric phase, associated with holonomy transformation in quantum state space, is an important quantum-mechanical effect. Besides fundamental interest, this effect has practical applications, among which geometric quantum computation is a paradigm, where quantum logic operations are realized through geometric phase manipulation that has some intrinsic noise-resilient advantages and may enable simplified implementation of multi-qubit gates compared to the dynamical approach. Here we report observation of a continuous-variable geometric phase and demonstrate a quantum gate protocol based on this phase in a superconducting circuit, where five qubits are controllably coupled to a resonator. Our geometric approach allows for one-step implementation of n-qubit controlled-phase gates, which represents a remarkable advantage compared to gate decomposition methods, where the number of required steps dramatically increases with n. Following this approach, we realize these gates with n up to 4, verifying the high efficiency of this geometric manipulation for quantum computation.
TRPV4 activation triggers protective responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharides in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Alpizar Yeranddy A. , Boonen Brett , Sanchez Alicia , Jung Carole , López-Requena Alejandro , Naert Robbe , Steelant Brecht , Luyts Katrien , Plata Cristina , De Vooght Vanessa , Vanoirbeek Jeroen A. J. , Meseguer Victor M. , Voets Thomas , Alvarez Julio L. , Hellings Peter W. , Hoet Peter H. M. , Nemery Benoit , Valverde Miguel A. , Talavera Karel
Published: October 2017

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the major components of the wall of gram-negative bacteria, trigger powerful defensive responses in the airways via mechanisms thought to rely solely on the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) immune pathway. Here we show that airway epithelial cells display an increase in intracellular Ca2+concentration within seconds of LPS application. This response occurs in a TLR4-independent manner, via activation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 cation channel (TRPV4). We found that TRPV4 mediates immediate LPS-induced increases in ciliary beat frequency and the production of bactericidal nitric oxide. Upon LPS challenge TRPV4-deficient mice display exacerbated ventilatory changes and recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into the airways. We conclude that LPS-induced activation of TRPV4 triggers signaling mechanisms that operate faster and independently from the canonical TLR4 immune pathway, leading to immediate protective responses such as direct antimicrobial action, increase in airway clearance, and the regulation of the inflammatory innate immune reaction.
Genome-wide association study identifies the SERPINB gene cluster as a susceptibility locus for food allergy
Authors: Marenholz Ingo , Grosche Sarah , Kalb Birgit , Rüschendorf Franz , Blümchen Katharina , Schlags Rupert , Harandi Neda , Price Mareike , Hansen Gesine , Seidenberg Jürgen , Röblitz Holger , Yürek Songül , Tschirner Sebastian , Hong Xiumei , Wang Xiaobin , Homuth Georg , Schmidt Carsten O. , Nöthen Markus M. , Hübner Norbert , Niggemann Bodo , Beyer Kirsten , Lee Young-Ae
Published: October 2017

Genetic factors and mechanisms underlying food allergy are largely unknown. Due to heterogeneity of symptoms a reliable diagnosis is often difficult to make. Here, we report a genome-wide association study on food allergy diagnosed by oral food challenge in 497 cases and 2387 controls. We identify five loci at genome-wide significance, the clade B serpin (SERPINB) gene cluster at 18q21.3, the cytokine gene cluster at 5q31.1, the filaggrin gene, theC11orf30/LRRC32locus, and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region. Stratifying the results for the causative food demonstrates that association of the HLA locus is peanut allergy-specific whereas the other four loci increase the risk for any food allergy. Variants in the SERPINB gene cluster are associated withSERPINB10expression in leukocytes. Moreover, SERPINB genes are highly expressed in the esophagus. All identified loci are involved in immunological regulation or epithelial barrier function, emphasizing the role of both mechanisms in food allergy.
Bottom-up precise synthesis of stable platinum dimers on graphene
Authors: Yan Huan , Lin Yue , Wu Hong , Zhang Wenhua , Sun Zhihu , Cheng Hao , Liu Wei , Wang Chunlei , Li Junjie , Huang Xiaohui , Yao Tao , Yang Jinlong , Wei Shiqiang , Lu Junling
Published: October 2017

Supported metal clusters containing only a few atoms are of great interest. Progress has been made in synthesis of metal single-atom catalysts. However, precise synthesis of metal dimers on high-surface area support remains a grand challenge. Here, we show that Pt2 dimers can be fabricated with a bottom–up approach on graphene using atomic layer deposition, through proper nucleation sites creation, Pt1 single-atom deposition and attaching a secondary Pt atom selectively on the preliminary one. Scanning transmission electron microscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations suggest that the Pt2 dimers are likely in the oxidized form of Pt2Ox. In hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane, Pt2 dimers exhibit a high specific rate of 2800 molH2 molPt−1 min−1 at room temperature, ~17- and 45-fold higher than graphene supported Pt single atoms and nanoparticles, respectively. These findings open an avenue to bottom–up fabrication of supported atomically precise ultrafine metal clusters for practical applications.
High reactivity of deep biota under anthropogenic CO2 injection into basalt
Authors: Trias Rosalia , Ménez Bénédicte , le Campion Paul , Zivanovic Yvan , Lecourt Léna , Lecoeuvre Aurélien , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe , Uhl Jenny , Gislason Sigurður R. , Alfreðsson Helgi A. , Mesfin Kiflom G. , Snæbjörnsdóttir Sandra Ó. , Aradóttir Edda S. , Gunnarsson Ingvi , Matter Juerg M. , Stute Martin , Oelkers Eric H. , Gérard Emmanuelle
Published: October 2017

Basalts are recognized as one of the major habitats on Earth, harboring diverse and active microbial populations. Inconsistently, this living component is rarely considered in engineering operations carried out in these environments. This includes carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies that seek to offset anthropogenic CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by burying this greenhouse gas in the subsurface. Here, we show that deep ecosystems respond quickly to field operations associated with CO2 injections based on a microbiological survey of a basaltic CCS site. Acidic CO2-charged groundwater results in a marked decrease (by ~ 2.5–4) in microbial richness despite observable blooms of lithoautotrophic iron-oxidizing Betaproteobacteria and degraders of aromatic compounds, which hence impact the aquifer redox state and the carbon fate. Host-basalt dissolution releases nutrients and energy sources, which sustain the growth of autotrophic and heterotrophic species whose activities may have consequences on mineral storage.
Identification and Validation of a PD-L1 Binding Peptide for Determination of PDL1 Expression in Tumors
Authors: Caldwell Charles , Johnson Cory E. , Balaji V. N. , Balaji Govardhan A. , Hammer Richard D. , Kannan Raghuraman
Published: October 2017

Blocking the interaction between Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its receptor, PD-1, is an effective method of treating many types of cancers. Certain tumors overexpress PD-L1, causing host immune cells that express PD-1 to bind PD-L1 and cease killing the tumor. Inhibition of PD-L1 and PD-1 binding can restore host immunity towards tumor killing, and many new drugs have been developed to target this interaction. Current methods of PD-L1 diagnosis have shown to vary based on the antibody, detection kit brand, antigen retrieval method, and clinically defined methods by the FDA. To refine detection of PD-L1, we have identified a peptide, RK-10, and used it to detect PD-L1 expressing tumors with immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry. Flow cytometry was performed on cell lines and patient tissues using a fluorescent peptide (RK-10-Cy5). Immunohistochemistry using a biotin-modified peptide (RK-10-Biotin) was tested against the FDA-approved SP263 clone on biopsied patient tissues. For this study, we evaluated specificity of RK-10 using IHC in over 200 patient tissues, including NSCLC and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. RK-10 shows staining in the tumor regions of FFPE tissues where the SP263 kit does not. RK-10-Cy5 peptide also demonstrates PD-L1 detection in NSCLC, breast, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Effect of Nitrate Leaching Caused by Swine Manure Application in Fields of the Yellow River Irrigation Zone of Ningxia, China
Authors: Yang Shiqi , Wang Yongsheng , Liu Ruliang , Zhang Aiping , Yang Zhengli
Published: October 2017

A five-year swine manure application trial and a study of nitrate leaching losses have been conducted. There were three treatments: traditional without manure (CK), traditional matched manure 4500 kg ha−2 (T1) and traditional matched manure 9000 kg ha−2 (T2). Nitrate nitrogen leaching losses at the 30-, 60-, and 90-cm soil layers were measured using the resin core method. The results indicate that the swine manure application did not noticeably increase soil nitrate leaching losses in the 30-cm layer. T1 (16.85 ± 0.40 kg ha−2) and T2 (17.01 °C0.46 kg ha−2) were not significantly different than CK (15.96 ± 0.41 kg ha−2) (P < 0.05), which was also the case at the 60-cm layer. However, there are significant differences between the treatments and CK at the 90-cm layer, although there were no significant differences between T1 and T2 in that layer. The application of manure can increase soil organic matter (SOM) and total nitrogen (TN). The SOM of T1 and T2 were increased to 0.95 g kg−1 and 1.41 g kg−1, respectively. The TN values of CK, T1 and T2 were 0.72, 0.78 and 0.88 g kg−1, respectively, in the 0 to 30 cm layer, and were improved by 7.72% and 22.04%.
Acoustic emission multiplets as early warnings of fatigue failure in metallic materials
Authors: Deschanel S. , Ben Rhouma W. , Weiss J.
Published: October 2017

Fatigue, i.e. the failure of mechanical structures under cycling loading, remains a considerable technological challenge as it occurs unexpectedly when the structure is operating apparently in a safe and steady state regime, without external signs of mechanical deterioration. Here we report for the first time, in different metallic materials, the detection of acoustic emissions specific of fatigue crack growth. These so-called acoustic multiplets are characterized by nearly identical waveforms, signature of a unique source, are repeatedly triggered over many successive loading cycles at the same stress level, and originate from a single location. They mark the slow, incremental propagation of a fatigue crack at each cycle, or the rubbing along its faces. Being specific to fatigue cracking, they can be used as early warnings of crack propagation, which will ultimately lead to structural failure. Their detection and characterization thus open the way towards a new, reliable monitoring of the onset of fatigue cracking during mechanical tests or within structures in service.
Antimicrobial Peptides Secreted From Human Cryopreserved Viable Amniotic Membrane Contribute to its Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Mao Yong , Hoffman Tyler , Singh-Varma Anya , Duan-Arnold Yi , Moorman Matthew , Danilkovitch Alla , Kohn Joachim
Published: October 2017

Chronic wounds remain a large problem in the field of medicine and are often associated with risk of infection and amputation. Recently, a commercially available human cryopreserved viable amniotic membrane (hCVAM) has been shown to effectively promote wound closure and reduce wound-related infections. A sprevious study indicates that hCVAM can inhibit the growth of bacteria associated with chronic wounds. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of hCVAM antimicrobial activity. Our data demonstrate that antimicrobial activities against common pathogens in chronic wounds such as P.aeruginosa, S.aureus and Methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) are mediated via the secretion of soluble factors by viable cells in hCVAM and that these factors are proteins in nature. Further, we show that genes for antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) including human beta-defensins (HBDs) are expressed by hCVAM and that expression levels positively correlate with antimicrobial activity of hCVAM. At the protein level, our data indicate that HBD2 and HBD3 are secreted by hCVAM and directly contribute to its activity against P. aeruginosa. These data provide evidence that soluble factors including AMPs are hCVAM antimicrobial agents and are consistent with a role for AMPs in mediating antimicrobial properties of the membrane.
Supervised Quantum Learning without Measurements
Authors: Alvarez-Rodriguez Unai , Lamata Lucas , Escandell-Montero Pablo , Martín-Guerrero José D. , Solano Enrique
Published: October 2017

We propose a quantum machine learning algorithm for efficiently solving a class of problems encoded in quantum controlled unitary operations. The central physical mechanism of the protocol is the iteration of a quantum time-delayed equation that introduces feedback in the dynamics and eliminates the necessity of intermediate measurements. The performance of the quantum algorithm is analyzed by comparing the results obtained in numerical simulations with the outcome of classical machine learning methods for the same problem. The use of time-delayed equations enhances the toolbox of the field of quantum machine learning, which may enable unprecedented applications in quantum technologies.
Structural and Photophysical Properties of Methylammonium Lead Tribromide (MAPbBr3) Single Crystals
Authors: Wang Kai-Hung , Li Liang-Chen , Shellaiah Muthaiah , Wen Sun Kien
Published: October 2017

The structural and photophysical characteristics of MAPbBr3 single crystals prepared using the inverse temperature crystallization method are evaluated using temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical spectroscopy. Contrary to previous research reports on perovskite materials, we study phase transitions in crystal lattice structures accompanied with changes in optical properties expand throughout a wide temperature range of 300–1.5 K. The XRD studies reveal several phase transitions occurred at ~210 K, ~145 K, and ~80 K, respectively. The coexistence of two different crystallographic phases was observed at a temperature below 145 K. The emission peaks in the PL spectra are all asymmetric in line shape with weak and broad shoulders near the absorption edges, which are attributed to the Br atom vacancy on the surface of the crystals. The time-resolved PL measurements reveal the effect of the desorption/adsorption of gas molecules on the crystal surface on the PL lifetimes. Raman spectroscopy results indicate the strong interplays between cations and different halide atoms. Lastly, no diamagnetic shift or split in emission peaks can be observed in the magneto-PL spectra even at an applied magnetic field up to 5 T and at a temperature as low as 1.5 K.
MKL1 expressed in macrophages contributes to the development of murine colitis
Authors: An Jianbo , Nagaishi Takashi , Watabe Taro , Naruse Taeko K. , Watanabe Mamoru , Kimura Akinori
Published: October 2017

Mice deficient in the megakaryoblastic leukaemia 1 (Mkl1) gene experience less severe dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, implying that Mkl1 plays a pathological role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the contribution of Mkl1 to the development of colitis remains to be elucidated. The expression of Mkl1 is higher in the colonic lamina propria macrophages (LPMac) of DSS-treated mice than in those of control mice. Therefore, we established a transgenic mouse line that overexpresses human MKL1 (MKL1-Tg) specifically in cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage, in order to investigate the potential role of macrophage MKL1 in the pathogenesis of colitis. MKL1-Tg mice displayed spontaneous colon shortening and rectal prolapse. Flow cytometric and quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that, in MKL1-Tg mice compared to littermate controls, the population of LPMac was decreased and had an altered inflammatory phenotype indicative of impaired anti-inflammatory properties, whereas bone marrow-derived macrophages from MKL1-Tg mice skewed towards M1 polarisation. In addition, MKL1-Tg mice had higher susceptibility to DSS-induced colitis than their littermate controls. These observations indicated that MKL1 crucially contributes to the development of colitis via the regulation of the function of macrophages, suggesting that it may be a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of IBD.